Yoga

Today I tried to do my old yoga video. Honestly, it was pretty fun. I have a head ache, but I think that is just from concentrating so hard. I liked it. I am noticing that getting up first ting and focusing on me and my health goes a long way. Soon the kids will be up and I love to see their smiling faces, but for now I am not needed. It is difficult to a mother. At times I wonder if those without children realize the responsibility and selflessness it requires to be a mother. I know I didn't. Even when I was working and being a mother, I didn't know how hard it would be to devote my entire day to my family. Chad has a tough job. He gets up at 6 with me and does homework for 2 hours. Then he gets ready for work. After work he does homework until 6 pm. Then he comes home and gives the girls 100% of his attention from 6-8. after that, he either does more homework or we relax with a movie. His day is packed. My day consist of taking care of everything so that he doesn't have to. I try to make our budget stretch, and the food stretch. I am in charge of organizing and keeping the family on track. I know some people may see this a a step back into the past where the man worked and the woman stayed home. I know that I once thought that I could never be a full-time stay at home mother. Now I know better. My husband I have equal parts in this relationship. He is responsible for taking care of our physical needs and giving emotional support. He is a cheerleader and supported when he can be. I am blessed to have a husband that jumps in and helps whenever and where it is needed. I, however, am there to see to the nurturing of the family. Physical nurturing in the way of making sure my kids eat good food and exercising. I also try to make sure they are dressed, bathed and clean little girls. Even if there is no proof of it by the end of the day. Emotional nurturing by talking through emotions and teaching my kids to be balanced individuals while helping them when trouble does arise. Mental nurturing by teaching my children. I teach by example, making them do things, reading to them, and trying to answer the many questions they have. Lastly, I am the constant rock. I know I may not always be the most popular, but I am Mom. I am there no matter what. Friens come and go, seasons pass, but I am noticing more and more that my kids need a solid rock these days, and it is my. Sorry for the apparent ramblings with no paragraph structure or organization. These are simply my thoughts.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

Okay mental health update. i am doing so much better. I have implemented some of the trick I wrote about. I especially feel great when I get up early and exercise. I don't know why, but it fells great. this morning I was able to workout on my elliptical for an hour. It said I burn 736 calories, but I think it is high in it's estimation. Anyway, anther thing that I have been trying to do is reach our to others. I make myself come out of my shell and try to be nice to others. I have had the opportunity to try and be a better person and help other 2 this week. they were easy talk. All I did was tell the people I was thinking about them and say hi. I feel great about that. I'm sure as the day wears on my good feeling and patience will dwindle as well, but for now I am at peace.

Cold

It was cold here last night. It is also going to be cold tonight. I tried to cover my garden. Okay, I confess, Chad covered the garden while I cooked dinner. I haven't gone to see the results. Do I dare look? However, what I cooked for dinner is perfect for fall. My garden my soon die and we may be buried in leaves for all of our trees, but I can start cooking winter dishes. Give it a try!

1 lb. ground beef
1.5 tsp salt divided
1/4 tsp pepper
4 med. potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
4 med carrots peeled and cut into slices
1 lg onion chopped (or pureed if you are me)
1 C. ketchup
1 C. water
1.5 tsp vinegar
.5 tsp basil

In a bowl. Combine beef, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper; mix well. Shape into 1-inch balls. In skillet over medium heat, brown meatballs on all sides; drain. Place potatoes, carrots, and onion in crock pot. Top with meatballs. Combine ketchup, water, vinegar,basil, and remaining salt and pepper. Pour over meatballs. Cover and cook on high for 4-5 hours, or until the vegetables are tender.

I love cold weather cooking. It makes the house smell good and it heats up the kitchen nicely too! What are some of your favorite recipes?

Tips To Make Your Day Go Better

I've had people ask how I find time to grind my own wheat, can my produce, and fix all my meals from scratch. I decided to write down a few tips that I use to help me get things done.
1. Plan out your days and week. Know what days you are planning to can, because it will take up most of your day. Decided when weekly chores will be done and stick to it. By dividing the chores throughout the week, it helps the to-do list seem more manageable. I live by my planner. I can jot down thing I need to do and make sure I plan time for my girls. I find that I can keep doing chores all day and not take time to read to my kids or play a game with them. I also make sure that I schedule personal time for me to exercise or read.
2. Plan your meals. Have your breakfast lunch and dinner planned out by the week. You can always fill in with healthy snack and produce through the day. That way you can go to the store and only buy what you will need and not just buy items. You should also try to plan around what is on sell and what you already have. In season produce also is something to be aware of.
3. You might take note of what items you know you use a lot of, such as cream of chicken, then when Smith's or Albertsons has their case lot sale, you can stock up and save money. This is hard for me because we have a very tight budget, but if you can do it, it saves so much time and money. I also love using coupons. They can really save up. Even if you only save $2 a week using coupons, that adds up to $104 per year of savings. Another thing I have learned is that sometimes when items are on "sale" you really don't save money. Be aware of prices so you know when something is on sale.
4. Do food prep the night before. Look at your menu and figure out what you can do the day before. I love making my waffle/pancake mixes the night before and then I set them in the fridge, so all I have to do is cook them up in the morning. I don't use pancake mixes from the store, mine is 100% whole wheat and from scratch. Also, set your meat in the fridge to thaw. It is safer to thaw it this way. Cut up and veggies or fruits.
5. Find joy in what you are doing. At times it is overwhelming to be a parent. We are all doing the best we can. I know everyone has different situations and abilities. Some moms work and others stay home. Some have older kids while some have little kids. Do what you can and be proud of what you do. I know that I feel upset when I start comparing all the "should-haves". I am grateful that I am learning things as I go.

If you have any tips that help you please feel free to let me know.

Life

This post is not amusing or clever. Really it's a look into my weird mind. Nothing about the kids or any fun events, so you may want to skip it. Just a warning. About a year ago I because severely depressed. By this I mean I voluntarily went to the doctor and asked for a prescription. I hate the doctor and I hate taking medication. But, things were not well inside of my head. It was a very dark place. That prescription ran out about 3 weeks ago. I have not gone to the doctor to get it refilled. I am trying to monitor myself and see how I can fix thing naturally before resorting to medication. First, it's not really working because I am having a hard time doing what I need to do. My brain is become darker and darker every day. Also I am noticing that my temper is flaring up. I used to have a terrible temper, I wanted to fight with people. Doing judo and growing up has helped me a lot in this area, but I find I am slipping. I yell at drivers who are being dumb, but are of no threat to my vehicle, I snap at my children and husband. I mentally rip myself apart throughout the day. This all equals not good. So, just going off medication is not working. I have trying to put some things is place. They are writing in a journal. I try to write a blessing journal and an activity journal. I try to focus on the good things that happen that day, especially what fun things my kids say and do. I try to write down what I did during the day. I want my kids to know I canned for 5 hours at a time or that I worked in the garden for hours. I want them to know I work hard as a mother. I also try to note my emotional state and really define it. That is harder than one thinks. I won't allow myself to just say that I am sad. I have to state what is making me sad and why it could trigger those emotions. I have to play counselor with my thoughts and sometimes it is a real pain. I also pray more. I try to tell Heavenly Father what is going on ans I beg for help to be a better wife and mother. My family does not deserve to be living with a snarly monster. I am trying to exercise more. I want the happy endorphins that exercise releases into the brain. In doing this I realize how far out of shape I am. I used to love the feel of using my muscles. No matter how long I would go between workouts, exercising was fun. Now it is just plain hard work. I feel good that i do it, but I don't enjoy it in it's self. I am contemplating finding a martial art that I can do, hopefully judo to help with my anger and work out. I have also contemplated dance or yoga. Those things can be fun and maybe I can reverse my mind set. I am making myself go to bed by 10. Thanks to all of those that made good suggestions on that post. I woke up early today. I think all of these things will help. If not, I will go back to the doctor, but I am trying other alternatives first. Wish me luck.

Fudge

No, I'm not upset. I really wanted to pass along this fudge recipe. It is so quick and easy. I like it and the girls love it, so here it is.

3.5 Cups of chocolate chips
1 tsp of vanilla
1 can of condensed milk
1/4 tsp salt
Put in microwave for 1.5 min or until melted
Put in sprayed down pan and let cool. Yummy!

Wake Up Little Susie

My wonderful husband changed jobs about 3 weeks ago. We thought it was going to change a lot of things and it has, just not like we expected. My husband used to get off work at 11:30pm. Then we would watch a movie and hang out until 2:00am. Then we would get up between 8-9am. We knew this was bad. We both felt tired and rundown. Now he works from 9-4. We have really been working hard to go to bed before midnight and wake up at 6:00am. We are making slow progress. Chad can usually fall asleep before 11:00, but has a hard time waking up. I can usually get to bed before midnight, but then I'm up around 7:00. I want to get up early to get some exercising in before the kids wake up, it is so not happening. So we will struggle on to get our bodies used to a normal sleeping pattern. Has anyone faced this before? What are your suggestions. If I take a sleep aid, even a small amount, I can't get up in the morning. I am very sensitive to stimulants and sleep aid. Almost to the point of silly, because that is how I become when I take them. I am learning that 2 years of the old pattern is not replaced in 3 weeks. Sigh. Maybe tomorrow I will feel refreshed when I wake up. Right now, I'm ready for a nap.