The second week of the school year

I enjoy home schooling more and more each year! My youngest three are getting older and more fun, I am doing things with them that I only dreamed of doing with my older kids and I am having fun with them. (Sorry Ash, Daph, and Jess!) I have added 2 more kids to the mix that is just going to make it even more fun, a 12 year old and 14 year old. They are working together to learn and helping each other stay focused and motivated. It is a blessing to have them with us everyday.



I was lucky to get this picture, silly boy does not like his picture taken!



Today we will be playing a game called Rummy Roots. I have had this game since my oldest was about 13 (she is 23 now) and haven't played it much because the little kids were always needing something or in the middle of the game. Now we can play with no interruptions!


My 10 year old is learning Spanish this year and I can actually take the time to study with him and help him with his workbook pages!

I am anticipating a fantastic year ahead of us!

New things happening today

My teenage daughter and her friend just started their first Etsy Shop. Take a minute and take a look. They will be adding more products this week so make sure you come back often to see what kind of new things they are coming up with.
Madkitty Designs

Eating Raw is easy, Changing isn't

I fell off the band wagon but I have climbed back on! I am determined to go 100% raw for at least 30 days! So far it feels like it has been a long difficult process. I buy produce, run out of grocery money, run out of produce and have to wait until the next pay day. Then the cycle starts over--UGH! It seems that this is a new balancing act. Then there are the foods that are staring you in the face but the kids aren't willing to change as much as I am. They are eating more healthy foods and helping me juice so it has been good for the whole family, but they still love their mac and cheese and other stuff that I am swearing off completely!

My ultimate goal is to do a juice fast for a couple of weeks! Anybody want to join me?

I came across a website today Cleanse America . I am really wanting to do this, but with the way I have been going I will need that $25 it costs to register to buy produce! I am feeling very inspired by all those that are involved and committed to eating raw foods. It is amazing to me that so many people recognize that our food can either kill us or heal us.

Our Second week of school--Entrepreneurship for kids

We are starting our second week of the school year with an addition to our adventures! We are adding two students to our day a girl age 14 and boy age 12. They are friends of the family and we are all excited about the addition and adventures that should ensue throughout this year.

With extra students my head is swimming with ideas. I want the kids to put together a business this year and give entrepreneurship a try. I have some ideas floating around in my head but I want them to be the brains (and brawn) behind the whole idea! I am thinking we will spend much of the week brainstorming and planning.



I keep thinking about a book I bought for my oldest daughter about 10 years ago called Better Than a Lemonade Stand.
When I looked on Amazon to get this picture I was surprised to see several other books dedicated to kids and entrepreneurship. There really isn't a reason that the kids won't be able to come up with something to build a little business around there is definitely no lack of education in the area of kids starting businesses. Check back often for updates on the what they are deciding to do!

Thoughts on Getting Healthy, Juicing and a Raw Food diet

Next May is mine and my husband's 25th wedding anniversary and I want more than anything in the world to wear my wedding dress on the day of our party! I have been working out hard since November 1st of last year and lost very little weight. I have cut high fructose corn syrup, gluten, MSG and junk food. 3 weeks ago I started a raw diet that was going very well until I got a sinus infection and felt lousy so didn't put forth the effort I needed to do the preparations--my bad!

I just finished watching a documentary on Netflix that I started about 6 weeks ago on Youtube (our internet would not load the entire documentary). It is called Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead ! What an eye opener! I highly recommend that anyone with any kind of health issues watch this immediately.


Another documentary that I have watched recently is called Simply Raw, you can order the DVD at Raw For Thirty Days . This documentary is about six people who greatly increased their health and decreased their diabetes in 30 days just by eating a raw diet. It is also a must see.


I am now thinking about doing a juice fast for at least 10 days just to see if it will help with the weight loss then continuing with the raw diet. I have tried everything I know to try and I am thinking it is time to pull out the big guns. I am not a big fan of diet fads and trends or weight loss surgery, so this will be my last ditch effort to take the weight off once and for all and just plain get healthy! I have enjoyed the juicing I have been doing the last few weeks so I know that I can handle drinking the juice. The hard part will be the detoxing and trying to stay motivated with everyday life obstacles! If you would like to join me in this adventure I welcome the company.

Let's Get in Shape Together

August Specials end in a week! I am ordering Focus T25. Join me as I get in shape and get healthy!

Our Fall Plans and School is back in Session

We started school this week and have settled in nicely! Today is a field trip day for us so we will be leaving the house in a couple of hours to go to the County Fair! We didn't enter anything this year but I enjoy going and looking around. We always meet new people and see friends that we haven't talked to in a while. Hopefully tomorrow night we will get to go to the rodeo which is always a highlight of the county fair!

I am also working on my plans for my Fall workout this Summer was a little hit and miss. I made sure to stay active but formal workouts were not very consistent. I am thinking that I am going to order the Focus T25 and add it to my regular weightlifting and cardio that I do at the gym. I would love a workout buddy or two so checkout the specials for this month and get your own Focus T25 and follow along with me!

Beachbody August Specials

Journaling

I love to journal. This year I have been creating an art journal that is a two page spread showing a calendar for the current month with a few pages following the calendar for me to write my thoughts and an overview of the activities of that month. I used a sketch book that I purchased at WalMart then decorated the cover. The sketch book provides heavy paper that holds up well to all the gluing and glittering I like to do and with a spiral binding it is somewhat expandable. I think I found the idea on Pinterest, but I am not sure. My kids like to tease me about it whenever I get it out, but then again they tease me about a lot of things.

One of my favorite resources for journaling ideas is Easy Journaling. They have ideas for many forms of journaling including and online journal that is fun and easy to use. Easy Journaling even hosted webinar on journaling that was fantastic and very informative as well as encouraging.

Some other journaling sites that I have enjoyed are

Writing Through Life
Some great articles on journaling here.
Create Write Now

How I treat my adrenals

I had a friend ask me today how I was treating my adrenals. About 2 years ago I was diagnosed with 'adrenal demise' (I know sounds horrible). Basically my adrenals work backwards from what they should. I have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning but I can stay up all night. Here is what I have been doing for my adrenals

Nutmeg essential oil in the morning gets me going
Dr. Christopher's Adrenal Formula (I sometimes also use Enzymatic Therapy the two brands work equally well for me)
Seriphos is another product I have used with some success though it is kinda slow acting
I also use a natural cortisol product that works pretty well
Revitalizing Sleep Formula by Enzymatic Therapies this helps me sleep when I am supposed to sleep without the hangover feeling the next day.

Recently I discovered a juice blend that is supposed to nourish the adrenals.

juice the following
beets
apple
carrot
and ginger root

I don't think there is a magic formula here just juice and enjoy. I would keep the ginger to small amounts until you get used to the flavor it is potent!

Let me know if you would like to try any of these and I can order most of these supplements from sources that I have set up.