As every mom knows (or will know eventually) shortcuts are a mom's best friend.
Little magical time saving tidbits that can give you a few precious moments of peace, or more time with your children.
So tonight's message is this: Don't be afraid of shortcuts.
Although I aim for all organic food on the table, I recognize that somethings are innocent enough to stray from my path.
For example: Wednesdays are hectic in our household. After school Aiden has tutoring, then yoga, which gets us home by 6 pm for dinner and then bed at 7. So very little quality time, especially since I'm the one doing the running and cooking :).
So tonight, I had some meat in the crock pot, and opened a bag of garlic instant mashed potatoes, and steam fresh microwaveable mixed veggies.
* Instant mashed potatoes with garlic - an under estimated wonder
* Microwaveable steamed veggies - A staple of almost every single meal (either pre-packaged or cut up veggies in those ziploc steam bags)
In a matter 5 minutes I had dinner on the table, and that much more time to spend with my son reading before bed. I know I'm trying to go low-tech but I really utilize my microwave to the point of I don't know what I would do without it.
Have extra time to stop and smell the tulips :)
So no, the meal wasn't organic, but that little shortcut saved me 1/2 an hour.
Find the little shortcuts in your life that help save you time and devote that time and energy to something you love. It could be reading, loved ones, a craft. Whatever you really enjoy.
On another note: I should get my first delivery of fresh veggies and fruits from the CSA tomorrow. I'll make sure to take pictures and post them on here. Then I will probably post recipes as least once a week, that involved utilizing those veggies. :)
As we grow up, we feel the weight of adulthood, and we grow serious.
Suddenly we have to teach the younger generation how to behave, how to do things.
But why should we have any less fun?
Didn't we always dream of being the grown ups when we were kids?
We've forgotten how to play, how to have fun.
Its important to get back to basics. Pick an activity and PLAY! :)
Go to a local park and go down the slide. Pick up a video game and have at it for an hour.
Better yet, if you have children, include them.
My son tonight wanted to play the latest rage in video games, Skylanders. He made sure to specify that he wanted me to play with him. So, after dinner, we put in the game and played until his bed time. Dishes sat undone on the counter until I can get to them later.
Some things are more important than work meetings, laundry, even dirty dishes.
Looking back, when you're 80, do you wish you had more time to do dishes? Or more time to spend with loved ones playing and having fun.
Studies have even shown that play improves creativity and productivity in adults. Partly from the physical activity (which is always good for adults), and partly for the joy of play. It makes us happy.
Make sure that its not all competitive either, just playing for the playing sake is the best reward.
If you have kids, include them; go to the park, get outside if its nice, or enjoy a night in with a kid-friendly board game.
If you're without kids, go to a laser tag, or get a kid-friendly board game (simpler the better!)
The point is to really relax and sit back and enjoy.
So, now I'm making more of a point to enjoy my time playing with my son (especially since he's at the age where he wants me to join in).
Never too busy to play with a child.
“Men do not quit playing because they grow old; they grow old because they quit playing.” ― Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
Happy Monday to all, and hope you set your clocks.
I know that typically makes the Monday after the time change very difficult. This post is not so much about the time change, but what its called. Spring forward. This is to help us remember how to turn the clocks in the various seasons.
I'll admit, if it weren't for this, I would definitely forget. :)
But think more on those words, spring forward, take a leap.
If you could do anything in the world, money is no object, what would it be?
Painting, writing, or exactly what you're doing?
So often, there are things that we want to do, but don't do. But why?
Fear.
Fear is what holds you back. Nothing more or less.
Fear of what if I'm not good enough? (This is often disguised as "common sense")
Fear of other obligations. (Disguised as "being practical")
Fear of other responsibilities (AKA "being broke and having other bills")
But fear shouldn't hold you back.
Yoga Giraffe isn't afraid
If you want to do something, then do it. It may not mean you'll make a living off it. But you can do it nonetheless. Just make time for it.
As a mom, I have lots of obligations and responsibilities. So lots of fears. Fears that are constantly being reinforced by my family or friends as good-hearted advice.
I once went through some training, where they emphasized "Getting rid of Head Trash". All those little fears that you tell yourself and help to stand in your way.
So take a leap, do something you always dreamed of doing. You may have to take small steps in the beginning.
Like me, I love to travel. "That's expensive, you don't have time for that" the fears tell me.
"What if your car breaks down?"
Reasonable worries, but not a reason not to be true to your dreams.
So, I arrange for a weekend free, and then go from there.
I took a map and tried to find how far I could travel within 5-6 hours (for that's all the driving I wanted to do by myself). I debated all week what direction to travel.
I decided upon Niagara Falls.
I saved myself money by staying in a hostel. It was a wonderful, safe experience. I could have also camped. But the hostel was a proper bed and shower and at a wonderful price. I stayed at ACBB Hostel on the Canadian side of Niagara. The owner was informative and gave me sightseeing information that was exactly what I was searching for. It really helped make my impromptu travel experience all that much more richer.
After I quieted those fears, my love of travel grew. I'm already planning my next trip, this time with my son in tow.
Making time, and overcoming my fear of not enough money. I found a way to follow my passion.
If you truly are passionate about something, you'll find a way.
Yes I still have to work my job. But one weekend of travel for a lifetime memory.
If your passion is to paint, but can't afford expensive oils or canvas... simple paper and watercolors work.
Photography? Find a cheap camera and work on your composition.
Writing, get a small notebook and pencil and write. You don't have to publish right away for you to work on your art. Just do it.
Take the Leap.
So this Spring, Leap Forward, take a chance, at being happy!
Distractions are everywhere.
This is a busy electronic world filled with distractions at every corner.
Commercials scream at you while you're driving down the road listening to the radio.
Your smart phone demands your attention with various apps and games that you have to visit frequently.
Even Facebook emails you relentlessly when you don't check in. (I found this out during my Facebook free February.)
So how do you avoid distractions?
Try to eliminate them before they get a chance to steal too much of your time.
Leo Babauta had a wonderful thought on procrastination on his site Zen Habits. "embrace your procrastination as a friend, enjoy it … and then ask the friend to leave for awhile so you can get your work done. No friend should monopolize all your time."
Distractions and procrastination are the same thing.
If you are truly drawn to that game on your phone.... take a 5 minute break and indulge. Then get back to work. Or better yet, set the temptation in another room. So it takes physical effort to be distracted by it. You are less likely to be distracted if you have to get up to walk into another room, rather than have it next to you within reach. Multi-Tasking is really distracting. People used to think multi-tasking was a plus on a resume. Something all employers were looking for. In all actuality though, we don't multi-task, we distract-a-task. We move from task to task, one at a time, being distracted by the next thing you have to do. Leaving the prior task incomplete, or just good enough. We really should just be focusing on one thing at a time to be the most efficient. Studies have been done on this and multi-tasking is now being given the bad name it deserves. So in my next interview, if they ask me if I multi-task, I'll say "No, I prefer to give my full attention to the task at hand rather than being distracted by lesser priorities." Turn off your cell phone. Unless you have someone you take care of and you need your cell phone on to receive emergency calls, you may want to turn it off. It seems that whenever I sit down to work, I get phone calls trying distract me. They aren't urgent, just friends checking in, but never the less it is a distraction. We've become so dependent on cell phones in the past 14 years. I say 14 years, because while cell phones existed when I was in college, we didn't carry them. When looking around at new technology or distractions, I like to think.... What did we use before these things were invented? Before cell phones? You waited until you were home from your destination to take calls (even just as far back as answering machines..... remember those?) Ahhhh simpler times. :)
As with anything, do what you can, when you can. Little by little, step by step you'll make your way down the path you've chosen.
Cats have got it right. Lounge all day, eat, soak in the sun, and find a warm lap to snuggle with. I say this as I shove my cat off my lap and laptop so I can type.
Sitting still, though, is a good practice to adopt.
But I sit all day in an office you say? That's not the same.
Try sitting in one spot and be totally still, still of body and still of mind. It's REALLY hard!
I've played with trying to meditate on and off for a couple years, but the last 2 months I've really tried. By tried, I mean I've remembered to try a couple times a week rather than a couple times a month.
So HOW do you do it? You ask?
Well, I can only tell you how I've started.
My mind goes crazy fast. I can be having a conversation with one person and 5 -10 other random thoughts are just jumping out all over the place. In fact, while I sit here writing this, I have 3 more other ideas to write about that just popped in. So keep an eye out for those :)
Whenever I tried to meditate, I couldn't stop my mind. I tried thinking of a blank piece of paper, that didn't work. More ideas just came through.
Follow me to Sesame Street
During meditation its ok if your mind wanders, acknowledge it and then let it go and calm the mind again.
But sometimes that's difficult as well. So what I started to do was count. I would count backwards from 99, visualizing the numbers in my head like you would see them on Sesame Street. (And yes, I did just link to Sesame Street :) ) Big, Bulky, Cartoony Numbers
That really helps, and its easier to visualize a number to get back on track when your mind starts to wander.
I set little goals for myself, like trying to see if I could get to 50 before having a stray thought.
When I first started I could only get to every 5 numbers before being interrupted. But as I practiced more and more it got longer and longer between interruptions. Practice makes Perfect :)
I'm almost able to get to 50 now without any interruptions.
Well, without interruptions from my mind, I still get interrupted by my cat wanting to sit on my lap.
Monte - My Big Distraction - I should rename him.
As my practicing with counting continues, I find myself stopping counting and just sitting. Quietly.
Calm mind. Yes, really, me with a calm mind.
It seems that once your brain is told that you really want to calm it down, it gets the hint and calms down.
But if a thought intrudes, I start to count again until all is quiet.
So if you're wanting to give meditation a whirl, but can't seem to quiet your mind, try counting.
Why Meditate?
Why torture yourself by sitting still? With today's rush rush world, its like hitting the reset button.
I've found I'm much more positive and overall happy and calm from meditation. And that's saying alot.
Being a single mom can be very stressful. There are lunches to pack, endless laundry to be washed, worrying about your kid's safety. So anything I can do to bring down that stress is a win -win.
Remember: If it can be done in 5 minutes, DO IT! You can afford 5 minutes at some point and just sit.
Even if you're at work, try it on your lunch break. Close your office door and sit, or go outside if its nice and just sit. (And Count if you still haven't gotten the hang of emptying your mind)
I was recently let go from work. And while that is a normally VERY stressful time, I feel somewhat calm. I've been meditating and focusing on breathing. I feel that everything is going to be OK.
Positive thinking really goes a long way.
BREATHE!
Anytime you feel stress, take a moment and take a few slow, deep, breaths.
It makes you pause, slow down, and feeds oxygen to your brain. Win-Win!
Here's a nice book on how to get started with meditation.
I really enjoy reading Thich Nhat Hanh's books on mindful meditation, it really makes meditation seem easy.
As a busy beaver mom, I try to be eco-friendly and try to do as much good as possible.
Am I the pinnacle of green pyramid? HECK NO!
The important thing, is to do what you can. Even the tiniest bit helps in the big picture.
I recycle, and while that's not the best thing in the world, its better than dumping it in the trash.
Why is it not the best? You can read more at one of my all time favorite websites Treehugger.com.
So Eco-friendly tips Part 1
R, R, and R
What the 3 R's should be is Reduce, Reuse and Repair.
With Recycling as a last option before throwing out.
Reduce: Buy less stuff! Marketing does really well at convincing us we NEED the latest tablet or computer, we NEED to get the hottest new outfit. But if you slow down and breathe a bit you realize you don't really need that stuff after all.
My model posing in his spiffy outfit.
You buy emotionally and justify later with your mind. If you pause and calm the emotions you'll realize you don't need all the stuff you see on tv.
Am I saying don't buy anything... heck no. I fully admit I impulse buy. But I do try to avoid the temptation as much as possible. For instance, I'm a bookaholic. I love books, I love to read. I also like to keep books to read over and over again. So I stay away from book stores. I went into a local half priced book store looking for exactly 1 book in particular. (Eat, Pray, Love - in case you're curious) I walked out with 5 books. Yes, I did get what I wanted, but I also got others as well.
Full disclosure: I have been bodily removed from bookstores by boyfriends, because of my problem.
So indulge your wants (modestly) but avoid those things you can to reduce what you buy. :)
You'll have more money in your pocket and less things to pick up at the end of the day.
Reuse: It seems everyone is jumping on this bandwagon due to the economy. I haven't shopped for clothes in the retail shops for AGES. I spend my money at the local thrift stores and goodwill. WHY? Well, for starters, I'm trying to save money in this economy. Also, I'm trying to reduce the amount of clothes I have, I really can't wear them all, and I want to reduce the laundry. ( I seriously have enough clothes to go a full month without laundry - that's a problem)
I've found Coach purses, and Gap clothes with tags still on them at the local thrift stores. It just takes a little time to search and you can get away with a great bargain and still look great.
Repair: This is the hardest one. Sure you can superglue that dish you broke and use it, but the big items that break the most often are electronics. Nowadays you can't fix those. They are designed that way.
The companies want you to buy the next greatest gadget, so they make all of them disposable. But they aren't really disposable, because all those toxic metals go somewhere. Usually a remote village somewhere you haven't heard of where children scrape the metals from the boards.
Like the title says you don't have to be big to be green.
Little things you can do:
- Join a CSA (Community Supportive Agriculture) or visit your local farmers market - reduce your carbon foot print for food
- Start a compost pile - reducing the compostable trash (veggie peelings, tea bags, etc) that you throw away
- Make sure to turn off your lights when you leave home - saves electricity and money :)
- Turn your thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer - saves electricity and money
- Freeze leftovers - reduces food trash, saves money and is an easy dinner several nights from now
- Reduce what you buy - saves money and ultimately reduces what you throw away (packaging, etc.)
- Use cloth bags at the grocery or reuse plastic ones - I have a constant stream of kitty litter bags
- Drink more water from a refillable bottle- saves money, reduces trash, andis healthier all around
There are whole books out there on things you can do, but I'll stop for now.
So what did I do that was green today? I actually remembered my cloth bag for the grocery, and carpooled with my mom to the store.
Here's a Busy Beaver Mom tip for any chore that needs done or any eco-friendly task you want to try: If it can be done in 5 minutes or less, do it now.
What is a CSA?
Community Supported Agriculture.
Basically I'm paying a local farm a weekly fee for them to bring me 10-15 lbs of fresh veggies every week.
Some questions I'm receiving from family and friends..... Do you get to pick what veggies you get?
Yes. Now, not all CSA's offer this kind of plan, but the one I joined (Fulton Farms "Happy Box") does offer me the option of selecting what kind of vegetables I want to receive and what kind I don't want.
Most of the vegetables they offer are local grown, but they do offer some imported varieties as well. They do however offer a locavore option which is strictly what's local and in season. So if you are in the Dayton, OH area you could check them out.
So why did I join? I'd been thinking about it for years but finally took the plunge. Who wouldn't want fresh veggies delivered to their door?
Fresh, Local Veggies are HEALTHY!
I first became interested in eating organically and more healthy 7 years ago when I was pregnant with my son. Even though I couldn't really afford an organic diet, I made sure to drink organic milk to prevent unnecessary hormones and antibiotics from being in my system.
So gradually, as I could afford it, I began increasing the amount of organic produce and locally grown food as much as I could. Why strive for this? Think about how far your food travels.... bananas from south america, spinach from mexico, strawberries from Belize? Really? Food just tastes better when its really fresh instead of being picked weeks ago so it could be shipped and ripened in a warehouse.
I Kill Plants :( So why not just grow them myself? I have a confession to make.... I have a special skill at killing plants.
I can care for any animal with success, but plants..... not so much. I was thrilled when my bamboo plant lived for 3 years.... only to almost totally obliterate it this winter by not watering it. I hope its still salvageable.
Last year I had a garden, and did manage to squeak out some tomatoes, strawberries and a few zucchini.
This was not enough to sustain myself and my growing boy. Now with meat prices soaring through the roof, I'll invest in more veggies (which is healthier anyway).
$$$$$$$$$
I'd rather pay my money to a local grower than some big conglomerate. Now granted, Fulton Farms is a bit bigger than just Joe Farmer and 10 acres. But it still makes me feel better than giving my money to DOLE.
If I'm going to spend the money on groceries anyway, why not have local and DELIVERED! Hello!
I Love to COOK!
I used to say that I could burn water. Since having a foodie as a son however, I've developed my cooking skills. I once caught Splendid Table on NPR on my drive back from Cincinnati. They were discussing spinach and kale soup. I promptly went home and tried to make it, and it was wonderful!
I experiment in the kitchen, sometimes good, sometimes bad. Fresh veggies every week will supply me with tons of opportunities to expand my cooking. Some of the veggies offered I had never even heard of, or cooked with. Guess I'll be experimenting with bok choy soon :D
Won't that be TOO much Food?
I selected the smaller bundle for my first year. I imagine any extra food will be given away to neighbors or family. Spreading the love!
This year I bought a freezer to put in my garage. So I can store soups, salsas, and veggie scraps to make into soup stock. Maybe I'll eventually learn to can!
RECIPES
I'll keep track of recipes and the veggies that get delivered here on this blog. So keep posted to ride along with my food experiments!
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on how to get started with meditation.
