The Sweetest Gift

Over the past few years, when I un-pack Christmas decorations with my girls, one of them always asks about the dog in the Christmas box.  I have many ornaments from students that have always gone on our tree, but this dog has the best story by far.

I was co-teaching first grade at the time, and a little boy in the class had gone through a tragic event.  It was beyond heartbreaking.

Being as it was the week before Christmas, the students were all in a flurry, with many of them bringing in gifts for myself and the other teacher in the class.  I can remember seeing him out of the corner of my eye, as day after day kids lined up at my desk with their special presents.  He just watched as he unpacked his book bag.  

After the third day of non-stop present giving, he came up to my desk telling me he was getting me something too, but just forgot it.  I was pretty certain he wouldn't be bringing in anything, and I tried to explain that I didn't expect a thing.  My present was him trying his best everyday, and getting hugs from a happy first-grader, and that was more than enough.  

But it was really clear that it bothered him.

The next day, he unpacked his book bag and ran up to my desk with something in his hands.  He was smiling from ear to ear holding something wrapped in tin foil.  I unwrapped the ceramic dog and gave him a big hug.  I'm pretty sure he took it off of an end table in his house and wrapped it up himself, but it's the sweetest present I've ever gotten from a little one.  I asked if he was sure I could keep it, and he said yes, it was just for me.  Then he ran over to the other kids hanging up their coats, telling them how I loved his gift.  That little one had endured more than any grown up could handle, and just wanted to be like all the other kids. 

I can't help but think of that little one this time of year.  He is not so little anymore.

Have a Merry Christmas :)

{Jenn}

How to be an Awesome Spectator

Yesterday my amazing husband competed in Ironman Wisconsin 2013. He planned for his nutrition, fluids and any technical issues he would have. My preparation as a spectator was kind of the same, but different....  Here is my list of what you can't live without if you are going to survive watching a race that lasts longer than...well, things that are really long. 

1. Wear sneakers. That picture is from pre-race for HIM. Notice I'm all geared up too. Running shoes on. You will never make it to transitions if you don't run your ass off. And I mean run. It makes it easier if cops are chasing you (don't ask)...you have to run faster than them if you're going to make it to see him  leaving transition. Be ready. 

2. Wear a sports bra. You can't run fast without it. Plus it holds lots of stuff. I kept his race splits written down in there for easy access, my phone, phone charger, and a few bucks. 

3. Wear a backpack. Have a backpack packed for yourself, but remember he is going to give you all of his extra crap when he jumps in the water. You will look like a Sherpa and feel like one too, but you really don't get to complain on Ironman race days. Pack only what you NEED. Ladies, this is not a day for your latest Michael Kors bag. It looks cute, but your butt is just going to sit at Starbucks all day if you're dressed for cuteness on race day. That's a fact, Jack. 

4. Bring TP. Pack a roll of toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. You will have to most likely embrace the porta potty...just deal for 1 day. Think of how strong your thighs will be from all the hovering you'll be doing. And the TP? Yup, I needed it. There is no one to ask, "can you spare a square?", in a porta John. But I stole a roll from our hotel room, so I was good. Pack it. 

5.  Pack snacks. Make sure you pack crackers for yourself and a drink like coconut water (it has great electrolytes). You will need the electrolytes when you forget to eat all day and are ready to pass out. This came in handy yesterday (yes I had the snacks, but I'm lazer focused on race days on finding/cheering for/sharing some good energy with my husband, and I forget to eat). So be smarter than me and eat. 

6. Take maps. Chances are you are in an unknown city for the race, like we are, and you have no clue of where to go. I made it my job to pump locals we met for any extra info, and I made friends with a super nice cop (not the guy who chased me earlier) and picked his brain about how to beat the crowds from spot to spot. Yes, some side street I went down was desolate and had no "race goers" in thick lines down the roadway, but it just made me run faster to get to the next spot, and I was right up against the barrier. Score. I also circled locations where I thought I could see Bill the most, numbered them, and stuck to my plan. 

7. Know Splits.  Have your husband/friend/whomever give you their approx race splits, and corresponding times of day that will match up.  It makes estimating their arrival times into a viewing area much easier to predict. 

8. Be a hawk. You will get to know race goers as the day goes on, especially people who have loved ones around your persons timing...if their friend/family passes through an area before your friend/family member, take note. At the next good-viewing-spot, they may have a good position, closest to the racers. Stand with/behind them...as soon as their person comes by, they're bolting, and so are YOU, right into their spot. People are bat-shit-crazy when jockeying for position  to be closest to the race. I'm right there with them. That's why I watch, wait, then pounce into their spot as soon as they turn to go. I watched old ladies get pretty hard core yesterday trying to get into good position. Stay aware, people!  If your racer doesn't get to see/hug/kiss you along the race, then you may as well have stayed home. They NEED YOU out there! Hustle!

9. Be willing to wait. Especially during an Ironman, once they go out on a portion of the race, they will be gone for awhile. This does not mean you get a break. It means you have six hours to get your behind into the most perfect position to see them return. Waiting for my husband to come in on the bike, I stood on my tippy toes, hanging over a 3-story concrete barrier for about 2 hours. Yes, my toes went numb, and I think I bruised my ribcage, but I saw him come in off the bike, and was able to bust it to get a sweaty kiss from him as he was starting on the run. 

For the finish? I went over 2 hours early, staked it out, found the best position then waited for an opening. I got in, then stood still for a loooooong time. It was worth it. He saw me, and I saw him finish. Boom. My race was over too. 

10. Scream like crazy when you see your person. They will be in the midst of the most...ahem..."messed up" anguish and pain they have ever experienced. Letting them see you gives them the little lift that will help propel them through the next umpteen miles.  My husband kept saying, "My god you're all over this course!".  Well, hell yeah I am! 

I put those running shoes on for a reason. 

Have a great day, and remember to forgive my formatting until I can get home to an actual computer! Thx people!!

{Jenn}

"Happy Accident" Bars

There are times in the morning when I don't feel like messing around with all the bags of ingredients...especially if I'm not in the mood for our apple cereal, or I'm feeling extremely lazy, and think that drinking coffee as breakfast is a good idea (it's not).

These bars happened by accident. It was a day when the apple cereal wasn't chopped up in the fridge already, and I figured I'd mix up a small bowl of ingredients for myself.  I had already mixed the dry ingredients, and added the milk when I realized we were out of apples (figures!). 

Instead of throwing it out (sorry that costs too much to pitch!), I put the mixture on a piece of foil and stuck it in the fridge. About an hour later I thought maybe I'd just add the blob to some yogurt and call it a day. But when I retrieved the blob from the fridge, I noticed it basically resembled a "bar" like consistency, since the dry ingredients absorbed the almond milk. So I mixed up more, and realized I had just figured out a way of making a portable version of our usual apple breakfast that required several bags of different ingredients. 

They hold up very well in the fridge in a container, but since they're kind of "wet" they will go bad (after maybe a week or so?), and they are NOT something you can take on a run (unless you don't mind a pocket full of mush). 

But if you're going on vacation, and don't want to travel with a ton of small bags of Bobs Red Mill products, this is a great alternative, and makes creating a healthy breakfast quick and easy. 

When I make these, I break one up in a mug with Greek yogurt, or add to some chopped fruit and slivered almonds. If I'm in a real hurry, I'll eat the bar on its own...but that's not the best tasting option, believe me...It does give you the nutrition you're looking for, though. 

Something tells me, on our journey to Wisconsin for my husbands upcoming Ironman competition, that these bars will be on the list of foods that travel with us.  God knows we'll be packing a ton...

 

"Happy Accident" Breakfast Bars

1c oats

1/2c ground flaxseed meal

1c shredded, unsweetened coconut 

1/2c hemp protein powder

1/4c sesame seeds

1/4c agave syrup

1c unsweetened almond milk

Mix together all ingredients (you can also put in whatever amount of "add-ins" you like, like chapped dates, mini choc chips, pulsed almonds). Flatten on piece of foil on cookie sheet or large plate.  Place in fridge, to set up for about an hour. 

Cut into bars as a "serving size". Makes about 36, 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" big. 

Mix them with....whatever!  Experiment with the add-ins, the recipe is what I make, but I'm sure they would be just fine to add, and still stick together :)

Enjoy❤

Have a great day!

 

{Jenn}

 

PS-I linked to Bob's Red Mill because I love the products, I'm not affiliated with them at all...just a favorite.

Book Club~follow up

Since starting our book club in the beginning of the summer,  something interesting has happened. My Super-mom-enthusiasm that got them interested has waned, as I'm not really super woman at all....I try, but... 

I've been tired at night when the girls are finally ready to settle down and read {and I want to sleep} but their enthusiasm has gained momentum, since we've gotten into the story, and they are the ones driving me to keep on reading. I figure this ebb and flow will be necessary to make this work...I can't always be the one driving this train. 

My oldest went to a sleepover, and missed a night of hearing the story. I didn't think she'd even notice, but before I started reading the other night, she said, "wait you guys have to tell me what happened last night, I missed it!!".   Music to my ears. 

So I asked each of the girls what they think of book club, and here's what I got...

Me: What do you think of book club so far?

The Oldest: I like that you read it. I like using the flashlight to read. Why are you asking me questions?

The Middle: It's great I guess. I have no idea why. I like the flashlight part...can you stop asking me questions?

The Youngest: It's fun, I like when you read. I like when you talk and I think about the story that you do. I imagine that I am Harry Potter and I see the story in my eyes and my brain, like, its cool and it calms me down. 

Invigorating, ladies, really.  Thanks for your insight.  I'm just going to take it for what is is.  FUN.  And try my best to keep it that way.

Just last night, as I was reading to them with my eyes closing and was about to close the book for the night....they begged me to keep going. 
"Just a few more pages, Mom?  Please?!" 
How could I stop?  So I propped open my eyes, and kept reading.  After all, this is what I wanted, right?  That "intrinsic motivation to read" switch flipped to the "on" position.  It's on.  And tired or not, I'm thrilled :)

Read to your kids, even if all you want to do is sleep.  You're teaching them something they will keep with them for a lifetime.  And one night, when they're reading to their children, they will remember the nights you plowed through, and read to them.

Have a great day

{Jenn}

Centered

I love when science and spirituality match up.  It makes me happy, and lets me feel validated that my meditative time is valuable.  There are many studies that show the benefits of meditation on the brain, and over all well-being.  It's not just an ancient religious practice.  The benefits are real.

Over the past several years, I have volunteered in a religious education program in the summer.  My kids attend, and I have always taught the second grade class. During that first year, as I was going through the curriculum to get my plans done, I noticed that contemplative prayer and meditation was mentioned several times in the manual as a "note to the teacher", but it wasn't explored in depth {like I would've wanted it to be} in the kids part of the book. 

This kind of bothered me, as no matter what religion you are, or what you believe, the effects of meditation on the mind and body are amazing and measurable.  Check out this Harvard study where the results are rock solid.  The book based on a different study is one that you won't be able to put down...at least I couldn't.  It's explained in a very relaxed way and you don't need a degree in astrophysics to understand it.  

The lack of focus on meditative practice made me start trolling the Internet for resources on how to teach meditation to children.  I found this book, Journey to the Heart, and fell in love with it.  I have used it in my class ever since, and now the entire program uses it too.  They recommend that the meditation take 6 minutes.  But when you're in the 2nd grade class, that feels like eternity, so I start with one minute.  I mean, really, can you think of the last time your kids actually sat still and quiet for 6 minutes?!  I can't.  It can be done though...start with 1 minute, then add 30 seconds each time you try it.  It gets easier each time you do it. 

This book offers a god-centered meditation, but you can take the "religious" aspect out of it if its to be used in a public school type forum. I'm not saying teach religion in school, but spirituality is a fundamental need so why not give kids the toolbox full of strategies? Maybe that's another post...

Meditation offers kids something they actually need in their lives...they just don't know it yet.  I realize that my students may not decide to do this each day after my class ends this week, but I do hope down the road, when they hear the term meditation, or centering prayer, they remember this class and that teacher I used to have who did this with us. 

After my last summer-class meditation, I asked the children what they thought of it. Some kids said they liked it because it was quiet, some kids said it was okay, but one boy had a very specific response. One that I found to be really insightful. He said, "I didn't like it when we got quiet, I liked it better during class when there was noise, cause when the room got quiet the noise in my head got really loud and I didn't like that".
 

That was a really grown up observation. I explained that THAT was precisely what meditation allows you to experience. The noise in our heads is really loud, and the only way to quiet it is to sit in that uncomfortable quiet space and become an observer. Pretty big concept for kids. Sit in the quiet, and hear the noise in your head, and see it move through your mind like a TV episode.  Or like you've tuned into a radio station. Observe it, but don't feel like you have to interact with it. Have a seat and just watch. Listen. Don't fight the noise, just keep observing. Say that sacred word to yourself which is what YOU are directing. That is the point~YOU are not your thoughts running through your mind. YOU are the observer. I know, it's heavy for 2nd grade. But kids can handle it. 

Athletes do it before major events, successful professional people in business do it as well. As far as I'm concerned, meditation is a life skill that should be taught in school, and practiced everyday.

As someone who didn't learn meditation until adulthood, I see how it could've been a useful tool for me through the years, even through college when prepping for exams. My routine of all-nighters with mountain dew really didn't cut it. 

So try it for yourself, or try it with your kids.  Unplug them for 5 minutes.  When I started on the first day with my class they acted like 1 minute was an eternity...by day 8 they were silent for almost 10 minutes.  Not even fidgeting. 

Set the expectation, and your kids will rise up to meet you.

Promise.

Have a great day!

PS-I don't get any kick back from anywhere for you reading these books, just my own personal favorites...

{Jenn}

Lemon Sesame Crackers

I've already mentioned here how I love the Thrive books, and how the recipes have become staples in our house.  But I've also told you I don't follow directions very well... So here is a recipe for an easy cracker, that works as a snack, or something to have with a salad for some crunch.

The original recipe is called "Lemon Rooibos Cracker", but I didn't have all of the ingredients that it called for on hand. I'm all about sort of following the gist of the recipe, but using what I do have in the pantry.  A trip to the grocery store is just too far...and my kids would just complain, I'm sure you know how much fun that would be. 

Here is my version of the crackers based on what I had on hand, and the next time  it will probably change again. These crackers hold up very well in an open container in the fridge. when I'm craving a slightly salty snack with some crunch, it's easy to reach for one of these, and be satisfied. 

Original recipe:
(from Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life)

1/4 c almonds
1/4 c pecans
1/4 c sesame seeds
3 Tbs fresh lemon juice
1Tbs lemon zest
1 Tbs coconut oil
1 tsp ground rooibos
1/2 tsp agave nectar
Sea salt to taste

Makes 2 servings.

My version: (I literally jotted it down as I went along)...

Lemon Sesame Crackers
1 c walnuts
1 c sesame seeds
1 teabag of yerba mate
2 tsp Agave nectar
1 tsp chia seed
2 Tbs coconut oil
zest from 1 lemon
juice from 1 lemon

Makes almost 40 crackers.
*adding or omitting the yerba mate is not a deal breaker for this recipie

Pulse.  Press.  Bake.  Eat....

*To be more specific....

Step 1: scrape the zest from one lemon, and squeeze the juice of it into the food processor. 
 

Step 2: grab the Yerba mate, and cut open 1 tea bag. Empty into the food processor. {what the heck is Yerba Mate? I'll explain below}. 

Step 3: add the walnuts, sesame seeds, agave syrup, chia seeds and pulse until it forms a paste. 

 

Step 4: spread mixture on a cookie sheet, and press it down as flat as you can. I just used the heel of my hand {you could use a rolling pin}. Score the crackers with a pizza cutter before baking. 

 

Step 5: Bake at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until the crackers look browned. I used my pink sea salt grinder to sprinkle a little salt over the top as soon as they came out of the oven.  I took these out at 18 minutes to be exact.

Enjoy! They have a nice hint of lemon, and taste great.  Store them in an open container in the fridge. I hope you give them a try.

 

*What is Yerba Mate? It's in more than a few recipes from the Thrive books, which is how I was introduced to it. It's actually a 'tea' from South America, which is made by steeping the leaves of the plant in hot, but not boiling water.  It contains a natural caffeine which varies in strength which is determined if it's a male or female plant. In this case, the female plants are a little less 'high strung' as it's the males with the higher caffeine content.

 

There are many benefits to yerba mate, some of which are high antioxidants, help in digestion, and a natural boost without the let-down usually associated with most 'caffeine fixes'.  Of course, as with anything there are risks to any long term love affair with anything herbal.  There is plenty to read on the topic. 

 

I added this to my crackers because I had it on hand, but you can use it or not without affecting the flavor of the crackers.  Read more about yerba mate here and here. 

 

 

 

Have a great day!

{Jenn}

DIY Silouette Painting

So my husband and I started talking about projects that needed to be handled around the house.  Believe me, our kids bedrooms were not on this list.  Yet within two days we were planning the "re-do" of our youngest daughters bedroom.  I can only guess that she played subliminal messages through the night until we relented, because I really don't know how this happened.  Anyway, it's nearly done.  It looks awesome.  

I wanted to create a large art piece for her room with special meaning.  I am not an artist really, I just try...really hard....to replicate cool things I see/like/want to buy because it's cheaper that way.  I saw this post and got inspired.  The way I created my daughters painting was totally different than their process, but it has a similar result.  I'll show you my steps, and maybe you'll get inspired too. 

 

I figured if I screwed it up really bad, I could paint the canvas white and start over, or wrap it in pretty fabric and call it a day.  Plus, I had a coupon, and the large canvases were on sale.  Score!

 

First, I picked up a giant canvas at the craft store, it's 30x40". 

 

Then I looked through about a hundred pictures of our late Weimaraner, Augen, as he would be the subject matter for the piece.  I tried to trace over some of his photographs because I am not a natural born Picasso, and I have a tendancy to screw up proportions.  Like, really bad.

Then the part where you should take you time {but I didn't}.  Draw a grid over your favorite image.  To do this correctly, you should draw the grid neatly, and at the same 1" or whatever scale you choose for consistency.  You can see I really didn't do that, but, ahem, I was trying to be an "artiste".  Basically I drew my lines crooked, and at random intervals....I didn't mean to, really...  Oh well.  You get the idea.  It still gave me a 'framework' to follow.

Here I was attempting to draw a loose "grid" on the canvas.  There is an excellent book called, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain which taught me this method to draw something even when you really don't have talent naturally.  Hard to see, I know, but I was trying to draw lightly on the canvas, so it would be easy to erase later.

A little more of a close up of the canvas with most of my sketch drawn, erased, re-worked, and drawn again.  It helps when you can stay in that state of "flow", like when you're completely tuned into what you are doing.  Of course I was interrupted 75 times by my girls, asking, "Mom, what are you doing?  Can I help?  Are you drawing?  What is this/that?  When are you going to do MY room?".  You know, the usual, non-stop barrage of questions {which I wouldn't give up for the world, but I'm still going to complain a little}.

Here is the canvas, with pencil lines for the grid erased since I was pretty happy with my sketch.  I carefully {like held my breath carefully} took a paint brush, and using the accent wall color in the bedroom, painted just up to the pencil line all around the sketched image.  It took a little while.  I did not want this part to get screwed up.

Then I went back and added more paint to the canvas.  I used a mini roller to fill in the big spaces of the canvas, and various sized paintbrushes to get in the nooks and crannies.  To alleviate any roller lines, or brush lines I didn't like, I painted quickly in x's on the canvas.  It blends nicer that way, I think.

A close up of his head, and the detail of his ear.  I debated for awhile whether or not to highlight the ear, but I'm glad I did.  I like the look of it.

Another shot of the front of body...getting those nubs on his lower legs really make it look like him.  Kind of funny the things you notice that make it your dog.

 

 Here is the final, finished result in her bedroom.  I think it looks pretty good.  My littlest gasped when she saw the final result, so that was really fun to see.  The proportions are a little off, I think, but she hasn't noticed, and maybe that just needs to be what I'm "known for" with my art.  Ha.

I share this with you, because sometimes it's easy to say, "Oh, I can't do that" because you think you're not talented enough, or you 'don't know how to do that'.  Honestly, get on Youtube, or Google a question like, "how do I paint a silhouette" , or just pick up a paintbrush.  What's the worst thing that could happen? 

 

Um, nothing....

 

No one will go hungry if your painting stinks.  So give it a go, and you might just surprise yourself.  Besides, your kids will think you're really cool for doing it.  Promise.

I think our Augen-boy would approve. 

 

Have a great day!

 

{Jenn}