Thursday, March 26, 2009

Seasonal Does Taste Better


I think at times I have developed into a true foodie. I eat mostly organic and above all I buy only seasonal items. As much as I love my tropical fruits, you can't get me to bite into an orange before summer and I don't even buy my berries until Spring hits. Why? Because eating food in its season usually tastes much beter and is a whole lot cheaper due to the volume available.

So, after eating apples and pears pretty much all of fall and winter, I readliy welcome the myriad of strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and don't get me started on mangoes and grapefruits of the upcoming season. I like to put all these fruits in a smoothie and it provides me with a long standing jolt that a cup of coffee simply can't provide. The recipe is below:

1/2 cup of diced strawberries
1/2 cup of raspberries
1 diced banana
1 cup almond milk
1 teaspoon Spirulina (A nutrient packed blue green algae superfood)
1 teaspoon ground flaxseed

And Blend Away!!!

For those adventurous types, you may want to make your own Almond milk. I came across this cute site, Happy Foody (www.happyfoody.blogspot.com) in which the publisher included a recipe for homemade vanilla almond milk from the cookbook Living Cuisine: The Art and Spirit of Raw Foods by Renee Loux Underkoffler. Makes 4 cups.

1 cup soaked raw almonds (soaked 4-8 hours)
4 cups filtered water
Pinch of sun-dried sea salt
1 T non-alcohol vanilla extract
1/2 vanilla bean (optional)
3 T raw honey or maple syrup (or 3 soft dates, pitted)

In a blender, at medium, then high speed, blend soaked almonds, water, and sea salt until smooth. Pour through a strainer (or use a nut bag) to separate pulp. Pour liquid back in the the blender and blend in vanilla extract and bean (if using) and sweetener until smooth.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Challenged to Fitness


I just finished reading the Michelle Obama interview in O magazine. I must say it was ten minutes well spent. I got nice and comfortable in my living room and read about our First Lady and walked away inspired to take care of myself better so that I can serve in a more fulfilling fashion. If you don't know by now, the First Lady used to wake up at 4:30 in the morning so that she could squeeze in a workout.

As mothers, our time is so limited and it's easy to spend all day not even carving out a 30 minute workout or to ensure that you are eating healthy. But we must take care of ourselves even if we might lose a little sleep. I listed a couple of workout ideas thal will make you recant that excuse for not losing the baby weight.

1) Jump rope for ten minutes.

2) Invest in some workout DVD's or rent them from the library.

3) Join a community gym.

4) Take your child or children out for a stroll in the park for 30 minutes.

5) Workout during your lunch break.

6) Play! Whether its rollerblading, sking, rock climbing, or bike riding, engage in an activity that makes you laugh and even perhaps feel like a kid again.

Whatever works best for you, start moving! You'll benefit from it and what's more you will be an example of fitness for your family.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Thinking About Homeschooling?


I used to think homeschooling was reserved for hippies and extremists. I never would have imagined that I (a semester shy of my Masters in Education) will be checking out a stack of books on the subject at the local library. I would have never thought I would have spent hours researching this concept which is not nearly as new as we think it is. I have even found myself daydreaming about what kind of life our family will have we were to homeschool our children.

Then, I realized that there were so many sects of homeschooling. There are the unschoolers, the Montessori sect, the classical trained homeschoolers, the Afrocentric homeschoolers, the Christian homeschoolers, and the list goes on and on. But what I have realized is that homeschooling unleashes a world brimming of infinite possibilities that seems (if done correctly) can prepare our children to compete effectively in this global economy.

I know I sound like a parent who is sold on the homeschooling ideology, but even if you are not considering it for your families, it doesn't hurt to investigate your options. One great book to read is The Well Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education At Home by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. If you have any great books, please share!

Friday, March 13, 2009

Great Read



I love her blog at www.soulemama.typepad.com and can't wait to get ideas from her forthcoming book, Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials Into New Family Treasures on shelves on August 11th.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Check out the newstands for these...



Okay, I have a drawer full of Michelle and Barack Obama magazines. Now I have to get the new Oprah mag with a shared cover of two amazing women. Also, I have to tip my hat to the New Yorker's cover. They have come along way from that nonsense they printed with Barack and Michelle last year. They have finally received the memo.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Raise to Educate


I'm currently raising funds for an organization that is near and dear to my heart. The Hyacinth-Williams Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating children in the rural and innercity areas of Jamaica. Some of the schools have no indoor plumbing, there are sixty plus children in classrooms, and low mastery levels. Many of these children turn to a life of crime because they are entering into the workforce with little to no skills to support themselves.

We are on a month long campaign to raise $25,000.

Join the Hyacinth WIlliams Foundation for Children's 30-day campaign to raise $25,000to directly help more than 1,200 children at the Rousseau Primary School in Kingston, Jamaica. These children are between 6 and 11 years old, full of life and full of potential.

A small donation of $10 or $25 will go a long way toward making this plan a reality. You and I can make a difference in the lives of these deserving children if we give even a little of what we have.

With a suggested donation of just $10 you can help:
* Construct a four-room classroom style buidling to house the special needs program, a library, a resource technology and two additional classrooms to reduce overcrowding.

* To implement and fund a Special Education program to reach students with special needs.

* To continue the support of the Rosseau Homework and Cultural Program.

Check out the website at www.raisetoeducate.com and with your help we can offer Jamaican children a quality education and the tools to a better life.


LrgImOnHipMama