Listen to your grandmother!

Recent studies indicate that the grandmothers who lived by this rule were right.  People eat lots of whole grains tend to be healthier and to live longer!  Thank goodness I listened to my grandmother!

Purchasing a freezer can be a really great way to save money!

If you have the space, buy a freezer and find a local source of meat to buy in quantity.  It helps with keeping the budget in line.  Dedicated freezers are especially easy to buy and operate because they aren't opened as frequently as the freezers we have in our homes. 

It is fun to have off-season fruits and vegetables in the freezer as an additional treat.  Freezing and storing these healthy finds are fun as well and nutrients do not diminish because the items have been frozen.

Enjoy each morsel as the cook would really appreciate it!

Once the food hits the tongue and saliva mixes with the food and chewing starts the process of enjoyment begins.  We should learn to appreciate our food more by looking at the color, chewing it more slowly and enjoying each tasty morsel.  It is that first bite that really opens up the sense of smell and fires up the sense of taste.  I always give the cook a complement as I know how busy the days gets and home cooking doesn't happen in two minutes.  The assistant cook in my house always gets a complement!  Thanks Mackenzie! 

Consult your gut!

We all have to be very careful about allowing visual cues to determine how much we eat.  The larger the portion, for example,k the more we eat; the bigger the container, the more we pour.  Our culture is all about the food becoming a culture of the eye.  It is so fun to cultivate the other senses when it comes to food.  Our other senses really can provide a place for cultivating the other senses.  Remember...to stop eating before you feel full because it is too late at that point.  If you typically eat in less then 20 minutes, it doesn't give your body the ability to feel full appropriately.  So...good advice for the day is slow down and pay attention to what your body-and not just your sense of sight-is telling you.

References:Pollan, Michael, Food Rules, Penguin, New York, NY, 2009

Treats! Treats...and more treats!

There is nothing wrong with special occasion foods, as long as every day is not a special occasion.  I know for me what works is eating healthy portions all day, and I have found out that I don't need to reward myself with a food that is bad for me.  If I feel like a treat, it really has to be something special and I am strategic about how and when I eat it.  That means, I try to exercise during that day so I don't feel guilty.  There is nothing worse then the guilt that goes along with eating something processed that you know just sits in your belly waiting to cause havoc in the system. 

The monthly conversation!

Seems every woman at some point or the other has questions about what is going on with their bodies in their forties.  There are many symptoms that are bothersome, but I have found that exercise, healthy eating, getting a good amount of sleep, and maintaining healthy relationships is a great way to improve the symptoms.  I consider myself a very organized person most of the time, and perimenopause makes you feel so the opposite.  I always try to look on the bright side of things, so I have given myself permission to not to be on the top of my game and be thankful that I am so healthy and happy.  It truly is just a matter of reorganizing my thoughts and working through the daily irritations that perimenopause can produce.  OK!  So the worst is the brain seems like it goes to mush, but I have had to learn to just slow down my thinking process and not worry about making such quick decisions like I used to when I was younger.  Of course, when I was younger I had so much less on my plate. 

When you least expect it, someone turns up in your life and gives you a hand.

I know someone was watching over me yesterday when I was feeling confused and skeptical.  Life gets going so fast sometimes that it is hard to keep our heads above water.  The feeling of fear is OK if you don't let it get out of hand and transport the negative energy into something positive.  During the last three weeks I have been doing my homework which includes research, research and more research.  It is amazing to me that those you think will share won't and those you think won't end up to be your most significant supporters. 

I met a really neat lady and her daughter yesterday during my morning scavenger hunt, and knew that it was supposed to be.  It is amazing how just a smile, friendly demeanor and helping hand can transport your spirits and attitude to another level.  It was one of the best mornings that I have had in such a long time.  Of course, I do know that feeling that comes with winter can truly bring even the most positive of us down.  Well...after my chance meeting I am back!

I can't say thank you enough!

Eat only when you are hungry! Write on facebook only when you have something nice to say!

My top two new 2012 rules to live my life by!  I have worked really hard this school year to not eat when I am bored.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am not usually bored, but I do love sweets!  I have worked hard to not like sweets the way I used to.  I have tricked my mind by sipping on "Tiramisu" tea.  I know what you are thinking - right!!!! It does work. 

My second rule for 2012 and something I have been trying to live by on my blog and Facebook is that I won't be writing anything that isn't nice on either tablet.  I have many new followers on my blog and am thankful that my readers value what I have to say.  I look forward to the conferences I will speaking at in 2012 and hope that I can continue with inspiring thoughts and help just one person to do something positive to another. 

Excerpt from a good book!

Excerpt from Life of Pi by Yann Martel

I must say a word about fear.  It is life's only true opponent.  Only fear can defeat life.  It is a clever, treacherous adversary, how well I know.  It has no decency, respects no law or convention, shows no mercy.  It goes for your weakest spot, which it finds with unerring ease.  It begins in your mind, always.  One moment you are feeling calm, self-possessed, happy!  Then fear, disguised in the garb of mild-mannered doubt, slips into your mind like a spy.  Doubt meets disbelief and disbelief tries to push it out.  But disbelief is a poorly armed foot solider.  Double does away with it with little trouble.  You become anxious.  Reason comes to do battle for you.  You are reassured.  Reason is fully equipped with the latest weapons technology.  But, to your amazement, reason is laid low.  You feel yourself weakening, wearing.  Your anxiety becomes dread. 

Fear next turns fully to your body, which is already aware that something terribly wrong is going on.  Already your lungs have flown away like a bird and your guts have slithered away like a snake.  Now your tongue drops dead like an opossum, while your jaw begins to gallop on the spot.  Your ears go deaf.  Your muscles begin to shiver as if they had malaria and your knees to shake as though they were dancing.  Your heart strains too hard, while your sphincter relaxes too much.  And so with the rest of your body.  Every part of you, in the manner, most suited to it, falls apart.  Only your eyes work well.  They always pay proper attention to fear.

Quickly you make rash decisions.  You dismiss your last allies:hope and trust.  There, you've defeated yourself.  Fear, which is but an impression, has triumphed over you.

The matter is difficult to put into words.  For fear, real fear, such as shakes you to your foundation, such as you feel when you are brought face to face with your mortal end, nestles in your memory like a gangrene:it seeks to rot everything, even the words with which to speak of it.  So you must fight hard to express it.  You must fight hard to shine the light of words upon it.  Because if you don't, if your fear becomes a wordless darkness that you avoid, perhaps even manage to forget, you open yourself to further attacks of fear because you never truly fought the opponent who defeated you. 

References:Martel, Yann, Life of Pi,2001, p. 156, Harcourt, New York, NY

Thinking today was going to be easy!

Just when you think your child is on the right path and you aren't going to have any detours, that is when it hits!  I walked in our house last night and my husband told me not to react to my son's appearance.  I wasn't going to, but couldn't help it.  My son's friend gave him a mohawk!  Oh my!  I wasn't prepared and I don't care whose head it is on...it isn't a pretty picture.  My son immediately walked into the kitchen and asked if I liked his new haircut.  I told him it looks like he is going to be leaving for the service and that made me sad.  I admire anyone who goes into the service, but I don't want my 18-year old to have a haircut that looks like he is going to fight for his country.  Anyway...slept really good, but found out my wonderful 18-year old decided to skip swim practice to get this wonderful haircut!  I know, I know!  I really don't have problems.  It is just a little annoyance in life right now. 

Getting back to basics is the best way to change old habits and make them part of every day life!

Here we are into January already and everyone is talking about resolutions and changes to their every day life. 

I have been thinking a lot about the foods that my grandmother used to prepare and we truly need to go back and think about the simplicity and taste of the foods that our grandparents presented at the table.   One of my favorite foods that my grandmother made was creamed cabbage.  I know that I don't need the cream part to be happy, but the cabbage is a nutrient rich vegetable that provides a staple at the meal for a very economical price.

I always loved the bright green color of the cabbage, of course it was in one of my Grandma Mack's favorite antique bowls.  I have that bowl at my house and really like serving some of my favorite dishes in it.

Have you ever asked yourself what should I eat?

I am constantly looking for healthy choices for my family.  It is really hard to balance a fast-paced life with two teenagers that are conscientious about their academics and athletics.  We are also living the American dream by owning and operating a first-generation dairy farm that requires a lot of the families commitment to working hard and long hours some times. 

I have been running food experiments since school started this year and a family can eat healthy and still stay on a budget.  My family definitely has benefited from the healthy-eating approach that I have directed in the household.

Growing up on an angus farm is where Jordy Nelson's work ethic was instilled!

One of our most favorite, hard-working Packer players comes from an angus farm in Kansas.  His brother, Mike, runs the family angus farm on the 2,000 acres of pastureland that Jordy calls home.  The Nelson parents still draw a salary from the farm and also enjoy a living from their sports bar, Nelson's Landing.  Obviously longevity is in the Nelson family as his grandfather still putters around the farm.

Mike and Jordy both know that the landscape of roaming cattle and open sky beats a desk and a cubicle any day of the week.  It is extremely important for Jordy to get home whenever he can to share some important bonding time with his family and to regroup after a strenuous season.

References:www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/helping-hands-nelson-savors-farm-life-763p0vr-137327798.html

Commitment!

Dairy farmers' commitment to providing high-quality milk begins with top-notch animal care.

Dairy farmers support practices!

It is very important to make choices for the yourself and your family that make economic sense.  Help the environment and help people around you to socially be responsible in your community and our world!

Try one new thing each day and you will feel like you are making a difference!  Reduce energy use, reducing cooling and packaging costs and recycle manure into renewable energy. 

Organic!

Whether people choose regular or organic, they should feel good about consuming all varieties of milk, cheese and yogurt as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

The quality is always there!

Dairy products are among the most tested and regulated foods in this country.  Milk and milk products undergo a number of safety, quality and sanitation procedures, including pasteurization.

Special care is important for the expectant mother!

Dairy farmers provide comfortable, safe and clean conditions for both cow and calf during the birthing process and afterward.  Just prior to giving birth, the pregnant cow is housed in a special pen, where she is given individual care and attention.

Farmers bottle-feed calves individually to assure they receive good nutrition.

Food safety!

Milk companies have responded to consumer requests for choices in the dairy aisle, and many now offer milk from cows not supplemented with rbST.  This decision is due to market demand and is not related to any health or safety issue.  All milk is wholesome, safe and nutritious.

Milking machines deliver milk directly!

It is important that the milk is delivered directly from the cows to a refrigerated holding tank to preserve freshness and safety. 

Milking machines are cleaned after every use to ensure quality control!

Milking machines deliver milk directly from the cows to a refrigerated holding tank to preserve freshness and safety.  The milk is then quickly transported to processing plants for continued freshness and safety.

Dairy farmers work in cooperation with many businesses!

Dairy farmers work with industry manufacturers, university researchers and other experts to improve air quality.

The smell of money is important to a dairy farmer!

As dairy farmers who are proud members of our communities, we care about air quality.  Our families live and work on our farms and breathe the air, too.  We understand the importance of clean air for future generations.

Start 2012 out right! This is a good way to help yourself get on track!

Fill your plate with veggies. Make sure that you have more servings of vegetables and salad than anything else. Veggies are healthful and fill you up without ruining your diet.

Calcium's role in the body

Calcium plays a vital role in nerve and muscle function, clotting of blood, enzyme regulation, insulin secretion and overall bone strength.  Bones and teeth store 99% of the body's calcium. 

The calcium level in blood is kept at a steady level by the continual exchange of calcium between blood and bone.  When insufficient calcium is obtained from food the body draws calcium out of the bones.

This bone loss over a period of years may lead osteoporosis - thinning of the bones (porous bones).  The bones become weak, brittle and easy to fracture, particularly the bones of the wrist, hips and spine.  Loss of height and curvature of the spine may also result, as may periodontal disease - the deterioration of the jaw bones that support the teeth.

References:Borushek, Allan, 2009, Calorie Fat & Carbohydrate Counter, Family Health Publications, Costa Mesa,  CA 92627