Which Came First?

While doing some work at the computer this evening, I am thinking about recent conversations that I have had with others who are making changes in their own nutrition.  There has been a common theme of how we really, really no longer care to eat much (if any!) of our junky old favorites.  And this is not just some "self-guilt" thing where we reflect back on a decision and experience emotional/psychological remorse and wish we had done things differently.  It is more than that!  So how did this happen for us?   I think about where I was last summer and what was "normal" for me at that time.  We were honestly not terrible with our eating but there were enough less-than-great things that added up and made for a detrimental effect.  I remember craving certain foods and thinking of how it would be so nice to have a brownie sundae or whatever!  

  
I began with clean eating, Shakeology (dense super-food nutrition) and daily workouts on September 16, 2013.  Believe me, I was NERVOUS about making this change.  What if it didn't pan out for me?  What if it was just too difficult to let go of my old favorites?  I really did enjoy ice cream back then... But eventually the fear of NOT changing overcame my reservations about beginning the process and so I began.  Looking back on that time, this is by far my overwhelming sentiment: It was not nearly as hard as I thought it would be!  The workouts were a challenge, no question about that.  But it was like something within me transformed!  

Not long after I began with the daily Shakeology and clean eating regime, my body no longer craved those old sweet treats!  And this was not just some successful exertion of will-power.  I had tried that road in the past and it never lasted long-term for me.  This was me changing from the inside out!  The things that used to appeal to me were no longer so shiny.  In fact, eating even a serving of certain "non-clean" foods while out socially or on a road trip would leave me feeling pretty icky.  And like I shared about my challengers above, it was not just some head trip where I was scolding myself for a bad choice.  My body system was asking me to please re-fuel with better quality.  

So, which came first?  The change to clean eating while incorporating Shakeology OR the end of my old cravings?  I would say that I made a decision to supply my body with better nutrition.  Then the paradigm shift was suddenly backed-up with an undeniable physical change.  All in all, this key factor is what makes the entire transformation process so very doable for me.  It could be what you are looking for as well?    

It is not that I am now so perfect with my nutrition choices!  I still have my weak spots.  And nuts are one of them!  For example, I was at Wegmans this morning and kept thinking of Macadamia nuts.  So I purchased a small handful of them from the bulk section.  And seriously savored that treat!  They were not a part of my calorie target for the day.  But oh well!  Last year I would have picked up a couple of cookies or perhaps a muffin during my grocery outing.  Some days a treat would be a more complex coffee drink.  Starbucks Cafe Mocha!?!  I still LOVE my coffee, b have come to enjoy it black as of two months ago.  Now that part is a surprise to me!  Now more than ever, it does have to be GOOD coffee!  I have always been a bit of a coffee-snob and these days I can really taste the flavor of my coffee and do look forward to it each day.  Even better is coffee with a friend!  My life is full of so many good things and looking forward to certain not-so-beneficial foods is just no longer part of the equation. 

All of this reflection on transforming our health through better nutrition brings something else to mind!  A favorite Scripture passage that has been a mainstay in my own life says,  "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." ~ Romans 12:2.  A frequent prayer of mine is found in Psalm 119:37 where I read, "Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word."  There are so many things that we turn to in order to try and fill the empty spots in our lives.  It is really only through placing my HOPE in God that I find the anchor for my days.  Here is a song that I have had on repeat these past few weeks!  Take a listen to this Song that Shapes My Day!

My Coaching Videos and Application!

If you have ever thought about becoming a Beachbody coach OR if the idea is brand-new to you, this is a great place to begin.  I became a coach with Team Beachbody in February of 2014.  I had spent three years as a Pampered Chef consultant back when my children (now ages 5 and 7) were babies. I enjoy this type of business and had experienced success in this area in the past. My sister Rachel Fledderman has become very successful as a Team Beachbody Coach since she began last August and I have been picking her brain ever since with lots of questions. She wondered when I would make the leap to get on board? Even with my former experiences and thorough approach to getting started, I am still surprised these days! I am LOVING my role as a Coach!!! Being in a position where I regularly acquire tools in order to help others makes for a unique opportunity. And here is the part that makes me teary... knowing where I began last September and now hearing so often these days that my room for progress/current growth is giving others the boost needed to begin on their own journey. (Check out My 1st Six Months of Progress)  And then to see these people get themselves headed successfully in a new direction makes me go to bed at night with a smile as I remind myself to just chill out and get to sleep! I can hardly wait for the next morning with my own workout plus checking in with my challenge groups, my sponsored coaches and the coach training program where I am a participant. It all makes for a great adventure! 

We have several options when it comes to categories within the Team Beachbody Coaching experience.  Many coaches begin as a "Discount Coach", which is how I found my fit during October '13 - February '14.  I became an "Apprentice Coach" in February and have found it to be a very easy transition and am really enjoying this time in life!  I quickly developed into a "Business Building Coach" and am loving this new adventure!  Within my larger Beachbody team, we also have some of the top coaches who are positioned within the top 20 of the entire company!  Our team is currently #1 in all of Beachbody and that makes for an incredible learning environment.  I just put together a video to talk a bit more about my personal experiences as a discount coach and then how I became an apprentice coach and am now enjoying my experience as a business building coach.  Check out Three Options of Coaching within Team Beachbody for some detailed information about each type of coaching role!     

I began this business with a goal of eventually making $600 per month in order to fill a gap in the household budget. My expectations have already been exceeded and I am just at the beginning. I thank the Lord daily for this! Through getting to know others on my larger team I can see how this business building opportunity has incredible potential and it truly is a "real job" that you can make into whatever you want it to be. Whether your goal is to do this as a hobby while receiving a discount and covering the cost of your own products or you want to make x amount per month to create margin in your budget, it is not going to take long to build your business to that level. And with a bit more time and finding your fit within the team.... well, stay tuned as the next few months unfold!! 


Rather than writing at great length here, I decided to make a video on some of the highlights that I am enjoying as a Team Beachbody Coach!  Here is my Curious about Coaching? video where I talk about things like "How will I know what to do?" and "Will I really earn an income with this?" and "Do people really need a coach?"
 
If you would like to know more, just let me know! If you are interested in joining my upcoming coach apprenticeship program, complete the application below. This is a great team!

Fill out my online form.

The easy to use Wufoo form builder helps you make forms easy, fast, and fun.

A Glimpse into Today's Challenge Group Posts!

Hello!  I am smiling as I sit down to write this blog entry.  :)  I am currently in the middle of leading two Challenge Groups and I so wish that each of you reading my blog could experience just how effective (and fun!) these groups can be.  The first group is a 60 Day group where we are focusing on clean eating, daily workouts and drinking Shakeology.  I am leading that group with a coach Molly who joined my team in mid-March.  She had been a participant in another challenge group that I first led with my own sponsor coach and from there Molly just knew that she was ready to jump in and make a go of this business.  She is doing GREAT and I couldn't be more pleased with her sparkle and progress.  Exactly the type of coach that is a delight to have on my team.  Anyways, back to our 60 Day Challenge Group.  Today is Day 17 there.  We began on April 7th, after having spent seven days of preseason prep to got ourselves ready for this challenge.  Today I posted a note in the group which is generating responses that I just LOVE to hear from our challengers! 

Here is what I posted: 

Day 17: Good morning! How are we all doing today? I want you to share 5 things that you learned about yourself over the last 17 days… good and bad! Maybe this has been the first time you have ever stuck to a lifestyle change or workout routine, or maybe you realized that you can workout in the am or that you are stronger than you thought you were. This is a time to reflect on the positive changes you have made in your life. You may have not yet hit the number on the scale that you were hoping for but you are giving this your all and you are making big changes! I want you to shout it from the roof tops today that you are not waiting around for the perfect place and time. You are taking charge of your life today and doing what needs to be done to make yourself a healthier, happier and stronger individual.

And here are some of the responses... I asked the girls if I could share these anonymously via my blog and they agreed! 

1)I'm stronger than I ever thought 2) I'm actually enjoying this 3) I'm hardly ever hungry 4) I haven't wanted ice cream at all 5) I loved the way I looked before but love the energy and the way I look now.

1) I was ready for heavier weights 2) still can't trust myself with Doritos in the house lol 3) I do feel hungry when doing double workouts 4) I am contemplating becoming a coach 5) I don't ever want to stop working for a healthier me!

1) I actually can get up in the mornings to workout 2) I have more will power than I believed 3) I can still go out to eat with family and friends and stick to healthy eating 4) I can workout more than 3 of 4 days a week 5) participating in this FB group actually motivates me

1) peanut m&ms CANNOT be around me!- definitely my down fall. 2) I definitely get better results with anything I do when I have others to hold me accountable 3) I'm a TERRIBLE multi-tasker! 4) I love the idea of women empowering each other, rather than beating each other down. 5) I love my kids to death, but I am grateful to still have some sort of "independence"! (this is from a participant who is now a brand-new coach on Molly's team)

1) sticking/making time to working out everyday for more than 2 weeks.
2) I have no self discipline when junk food or chocolate is in the house and no one is around to catch me sneaking it.
3) getting stronger all over.
4) not dieting, but changing my lifestyle to clean and healthy eating.
5) I can do anything I put my mind to. 

1) I can workout everyday even if it's only 30 min and am getting more out if it then my old 1hr+ workouts.
2) I can do abs after my abdominal hernia surgery and no longer have spasms guessing bc of strength!
3) I can't stick to this strict of a diet but realize I can live with less carbs.
4) Getting toner and feeling better working out and doing Shakeology from home. (First time not working out at gym)
5) LOVE having you ladies to chat with about this experience!! What do I do after day 21 now?!

Now for the other Challenge Group that I am currently leading!  It is just Day 3 of Preseason there and we will officially begin on April 28th.  I am leading this group alongside of new coach Kara who joined my team just under two weeks ago.  Kara is actually a participant in the 60 Day group mentioned above!  She is a strategist who I knew would want to hit the ground running.  I am SO excited for all that she is learning so quickly as she jumps full-force into this endeavor.  Kara is one of the most practical encouragers that I know and coaching is a great fit for her!  Our April 28th group is focused specifically on the 21 Day Fix program.  We will run for 35 days, including preseason and then an additional week beyond the 21 days. This will allow time for those who ordered a bit later to receive their program and still fit in their own complete 21 days.  We will wrap up the day before Memorial Day!

Here is what I posted there today as everyone is getting their plans in place in order to successfully begin the challenge on Monday:

PRESEASON Day 3: Time to clean out your pantry and fridge! We want to do our best in setting ourselves up for success! For me, if it is sweet and available, I will be tempted to eat it. Knowing that many of us share our homes with others and they may not yet be embracing "clean eating", find the kitchen balance for yourself. I actually did this with my daughter who was 6 at the time. Pivotal moments that morning and I then knew that her eyes were going to be keeping me accountable in the day to day, after our big discussion on the "why" behind all of the changes!! I am going to include two blog links below. One is a recap of things that we had gotten rid of here while beginning this new lifestyle last September.  (Cleaning Out the Kitchen!) The other link is to my sister Rachel's blog and is a step-by-step in making over your pantry and fridge!!  (New You, New Kitchen!)

Clean Eating 101...
What to avoid:
• All over processed foods particularly white flour and sugar
• All chemically charge foods
• Food containing preservatives
• Artificial Sugars
• Artificial foods like sliced cheese
• Saturated and trans fats
• Sugar loaded beverages(juice)
• Alcohol intake(very limited)
• All calorie dense foods containing little or no nutritional value
• super sizing your meals

Sample Grocery List: I tend to shop at Wegmans and Sam's Club. Here are the items that are typically on my list for those places. I thought of you all as you prepare to shop and wondered if this would be helpful as a template? Of course it varies from week to week according to what we are making for dinner and needing to restock in the pantry. Many of the items last for a month or more. This is my basic list which I just go in and edit from one week to the next. (List was uploaded as a file for the group to use as a reference)

If this sort of camaraderie appeals to you or makes you think of a friend who has mentioned wanting to become more healthy but can't seem to make it happen with her current approach, just let me know!  Referrals are becoming a significant part of my business and I am so excited to see friends taking on these challenges together!     http://jeanetteparadis.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-21-day-fix-review-and-results.html

Enough?

There is something that has been weighing on me. You know when you are filled with anticipation but also somewhat freaked out by something that you have just agreed to do?  That is where I am right now.  I have accepted the nomination for the role of "Alliance Women's President" at our church in Erie, PA.  Check out our website and welcome video!  On Thursday night we will have a congregational meeting where it all becomes official. I truly enjoy working with women.  I find great fulfillment in creating connections and maintaining an environment that promotes growth in each of our lives. So it is not a stretch to see why I have been asked to consider this role.  Had I been requested for singing a solo or coaching basketball, well, that would be shocking to me!  This is not like that.  I deeply enjoyed the years that I spent as Coordinator of our incredible MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group and that coupled with other life experiences does make this next step appear to be a logical progression.  

With a large church (800+) and the fact that I would be taking on this new role with a 3 year term and as the successor of one amazing woman who I consider a mentor... It is easy to have moments of feeling overwhelmed where I wonder if I will be enough for all that this chapter will require?!?  Existing programs will continue as I become acclimated with their leadership, operations and needs.  Plus I am super excited about something NEW that I am hoping to get going by mid-summer!  Stay tuned for details on that one, local friends!  It will be a once-a-month evening thing that will be not limited to any specific age/demographic of women (ie., "Mothers of Preschoolers").  I am picturing so many faces of friends right now and can hardly wait to get everyone back in a place where we can readily share our lives with one another.  But back to my big question... will I be enough?

This thought can cause me to freeze in fear or I can choose to focus on one of the Bible verses that has been an encouragement to me over the years.  2 Corinthians 12:9 talks about how God's grace is enough for us and how His power is best displayed in the midst of our own weakness.  

I also think of Psalm 121 which says,  

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.

³ He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.

⁷ The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
⁸ the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore."

We just made a day trip down to Elk County to spend Easter with my family. It is about 2.5 hours each way but definitely worth it!  I love my family so much!  They have so much to do with who I am and I couldn't be more appreciative of them.  As we were getting ready to leave, my Dad asked me if I wanted to check out his new guitar and the foot drum that he had made?  Sure!!!!  My Dad is such a neat guy.  A favorite part of my childhood (and beyond!) is hearing my Dad play worship songs as he sings along on his guitar. The sun was getting lower in the sky and as I looked out the window, I could see my daughter up in the hayfield sitting under her favorite tree.  Incidentally, that was MY favorite tree when I was younger.  Dad begin to play this song Enough (Chris Tomlin) and immediately I knew that these words and this melody will be what I cling to when the highs and lows of this new role push me beyond what I have ever done before.

Last year a speaker at our MOPS group had stated, "What God provides is enough."  This simple truth really resonated within me and oftentimes is the perspective boost that I need.  Last June, I was sitting at the bedside of my husband's Grandmother during her final days here on earth. I was reading to her from the Bible. As I turned to the very familiar Psalm 23, I heard in my mind the way that I had memorized it as a little girl, "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not be in want."  But as I read the words of more contemporary version displayed in front of me, I began to silently sob and could not speak: "The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need".  What God provides is enough is the truth that washed over me in that moment as I tried to contemplate our lives here without Sean's Gram, obvious as it was that she was quickly fading and I cried grateful tears that we had made it to CT in time to say good-bye.

A friend had messaged me the other day and included a really beautiful reading.  I looked it up to see if I could find the source to credit in order to share with you here?  This is what I found:

"At an airport I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her plane's departure and standing near the door, he said to his daughter, "I love you, I wish you enough." 

She said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy." They kissed good-bye and she left.

He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?" "Yes, I have," I replied.

Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me. Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell him face to face how much he meant to me. So I knew what this man was experiencing.

"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?" I asked.

"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is, her next trip back will be for my funeral, " he said.

"When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?"

He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." He paused for a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more.

"When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with enough good things to sustain them," he continued and then turning toward me he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess. I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Good-bye." 

He then began to sob and walked away.

[ Original story by Bob Perks, in Chicken Soup For the Grieving Soul ]

Final thought this evening on the topic of "enough"... A college professor of mine used to say, "When what you want is not what you need, you will never have enough."  What is it that we are doing/exploring in order to find ourselves enough in this life?  For me, I have to keep going back to our Good Shepherd and remind myself that HE is enough. As I prepare for Thursday and stepping into all that my new responsibilities will involve, I think of Dad's guitar song listed above as well as this old favorite which has been a mainstay in my life!  This one would have to be in my own top 5 favorite songs of all time!  If I Stand (Jars of Clay)

Kid Tested Tools to Share: Counting Bears (#2 in Series)

Good afternoon!  Today's blog entry is #2 in a series where I am highlighting some of our favorite kid-tested items!  I am a homeschooling mom with children who are ages 5 and 7.  We have discovered quite a few tools this year that have been put to LOTS of use here in our home.  Many of these nifty items are not limited to homeschooling purposes and I am excited to share our top picks with you!

I purchased these counting bears from amazon last spring.  See Amazon for Counting Bears.  The curriculum that we have used this past year suggested acquiring some sort of small manipulative item, such as beans.  I was shopping for a classroom wall calender on amazon and happened to spot these.  They cost just under $9 and have been an excellent value!  Think beyond simply having a manipulative to use while going through workbook pages... these little bears can be used to create patterns, tell stories, talk about even and odd #'s, sort by color, basic addition and subtraction, and more!  They are small in size, so you would want to be careful while using them around younger children. They stand up perfectly and I LOVE that they do not roll off of the table!  That is a top feature from my perspective!  Always a bonus on the days where it feels as though the pencil, crayon or marker has somehow rolled to the edge and dropped to the floor for the 10th time that morning.  You can count on the bears!  The colors are cheerful and these little guys can add interest to any activity, whether your goal is play or educational.  Counting Bears oftentimes accomplish both!

   

Coaching Q&A + Cholesterol Transformation

Hello!  Thanks for stopping by my blog.  I hope that you had an enjoyable Thursday!  Our weather is improving here in Erie, PA.  We began the morning with a bit of snow still lingering here and there on the ground.  Not quite "park" weather this morning.  So we had some fun indoors instead.  This afternoon was just beautiful and I think that perhaps we can finally see the light at the end of this LONG winter!  :)  My husband and kids all enjoy riding their bicycles and this evening was perfect for a family outing.  I was on foot and alternated between walking/jogging.  The kids LOVE that I can keep up with them for quite a distance these days.  Why is it that I am not on a bike myself... well, true confession time.  I am a DISASTER on a bike.  We double-checked this statement over the weekend.  Still true!  Hazardous.  Literally.  My theory is that I logged so many hundreds of fantastic hours riding my ponies when I was younger that I just never quite got the hang of bike riding.  Maybe one day?  Do they make adult training wheels?  Hmm...

One of the best things about my job as a Beachbody Coach is the flexibility that comes with this business.  I tend to be a plan ahead type of person.  But I also HATE to feel claustrophobic when it comes to my own schedule.  I have learned (ahem, am learning!) that I must have solid intentions in place when it comes to maintaining margins within my own life.  I have been getting so many questions lately on how exactly does it work as a Beachbody coach?  Both from the perspective of a customer and as a coach?  So last night I stepped out of my comfort zone and made my first-ever YouTube video to talk about this exact topic.  Check out "Beachbody Coaching: How does it work as a Customer or a Coach?  I had recorded this video last night and this morning I took a look at my weekly commission.  Wednesday at midnight is the end of the week for Beachbody coaches.  Your new week begins each Thursday.  Anyways, update to what I shared during the video... During the past four weeks I have now surpassed the amount of income that I would have brought into our household while spending 20-25 hours working at my former position.  Add in the 50 mile round trip commute and I was gone too much, not to mention the travel expenses each day.  Right now I am spending an average of two hours per day on my Beachbody business and I am SO enjoying this!!  I share all of this to underline two points.  #1 is that I am deeply thankful to the Lord that my business is off to a successful start!  Not only are things balanced here with the household budget BUT I am also able to play a role in inspiring others towards better health.  I get to be there to offer encouragement as it all takes place!  Please don't let self-doubt hold you back from starting this process of change in your own life.  It is possible for you and so worthwhile!    #2 is that this is a genuine job opportunity that could be a fit for you!  Let me know if you are curious to learn more about this business.  I have to say that I am SO enjoying the community of Beachbody coaches and customers.  Just amazing to be part of this!

Now, on to the other topic of this blog post!  Yesterday I had shared a photo on FB that contained some VERY exciting news!!  Check it out below!  If this scenario brings to mind someone close to you, feel free to refer that person to me and I would be more than happy to share how I have made this significant health shift through seemingly small decisions/actions that take place each day.  One step at a time!  Substantially lowering my risk of heart trouble, stroke, diabetes, joint failure, and so many other things means a lot. And I am still on the journey myself!  I think of my family each morning as I begin my early workout.  I pause and picture their faces and the little voices of my kids and it propels me forward to do the best that I can each day. 

Kid Tested Tools to Share: LED Magnifiers (#1 in Series)

Much to my surprise, I became a homeschooling mom at the start of the 2013-14 school year!  Last year at this time I was brand-new to researching curriculum, tools, programs and co-ops as we began to form our own approach to education.  There have been quite a few tools and products that we have come to love.  They are useful for a variety of purposes.  These are items that are not specific to homeschooling but are great for kids in general.  This past year I have spent more hands-on time with my kids than ever before.  I just decided to begin a series of blog entries that will highlight some of our favorite items!  Today I am writing #1 in the series... So I selected the item that has been of HUGE value in our home this past year. 

Our daughter has been in first grade here at home this year after having attended a township elementary school during kindergarten last year.  Our son has been enjoying his final year of preschool and spends three mornings each week at the private preschool that our family has been connected with for the past four years.  During his two mornings at home (and five afternoons at home!), I have been doing some low-key homeschooling with him as well.   I have learned SO much this past year and have really enjoyed this adventure!  Some days are much better than others, as with anything in life!

LED Magnifiers (Set of 2)

We purchased this set last Spring, initially thinking that they would be used primarily for our science units.  WRONG!  My son is very much into these magnifiers and uses them almost daily for a variety of things.  The ring of LED lights are really perfect. He is a kid that loves a regular flashlight.  So to have a magnifier with cool styling and nifty lights is totally his thing.  Oftentimes I see him speeding through the house, magnifier in hand!  He has just thought of something that he wants to explore further and will spend a good bit of time examining everyday household items in great detail.  These tools are made to last!  I don't even want to think of how many times they have been dropped, carted off on nature walks, squeezed into small spaces and clutched by sweaty little palms.  After nearly a year of frequent use by a 4/5 year old boy, they are just as good as new!  Well worth the $14 cost for a set of two. (Magnifiers on Amazon) They are excellent with battery life and that is a key factor in our home.  I dread changing batteries and am just not very good with maintaining the battery-operated toys!   

Here is my favorite use of this tool... looking at picture books!  Especially the childhood classics from when I was a kid.  Children's books from that era are illustrated with much greater detail.  I enjoy reading with both of the kids.  But between my daughter asking 500 questions and wanting to discuss each nuance of the story and my son being an active little guy who is typically climbing, crashing or causing some commotion, joint story-time can be far less rosy than I had pictured.  But send him to retrieve one of his magnifiers and it is a different scene.  We are fans of the library and I always enjoy bringing home a few of my old favorites.  Last night we were reading this one together and it was a highlight of our day!  The magnifiers played a big part in that.

   

Strawberries, Toys, Shop-Vac, Chocolate, Horses, Trays, Binders, Events, Spatulas, Riders, Coach!

Jobs!  I have had a variety of them throughout the past 23 years!  I'll never forget my very first job.  I was 13 years old and wanted to purchase some extra things for my horse.  Mom and Dad were awesome with taking care of necessities.  But the State Line Tack catalog was my wish-book and  I could just picture my dark bay mare wearing a brand-new set of hunter green polo wraps.  So, that June I headed off to work in a nearby Strawberry field.  I remember going EARLY in the morning to pick berries.  I was the only girl!  Thankfully we were paid by volume picked rather than hours worked and I was pleasantly surprised with my earning potential.  But I hated picking strawberries.  I still do!  They are my least favorite to pick out of all of the berries.  Raspberries evoke an entirely different emotion!  My Grandma's lovely back yard on a warm summer evening.  She had raspberry bushes growing in abundance and to this day, whenever I eat a perfect raspberry I can just picture being there back then.  Now she has blueberry bushes instead and my own daughter talks about "Great Grandma's back yard" as she enjoys blueberries here at home.    

I picture the jobs that I have had over these past 23 years... a partial list includes working at a local toy store the Christmas that I was age 15.  My mom worked there while the three of us girls were at school and I was hired on as holiday help after obtaining my "working papers" that season.  Still being somewhat of a kid myself, it was kinda freaky to see the "ugly side" of Christmas while working with the public that Christmas Eve!  Then there was the couple of years that I worked at the nearby "Valley Farm Market".  The owners really liked to keep the parking lot in tip-top shape.  This was such a priority that I was oftentimes sent out there with a shop-vac to use on the asphalt and a bottle of windex to make the gas pumps sparkle!  When I was a senior in high school I was part of a "work release program" and would go to a couple of classes at school and then head over to the mall where I worked at a Gardner's Candies chocolate store.  The scent was heavenly!  The only real downside there was that I never did become adept at gift-wrapping the thousands of boxes that were wrapped at Christmas, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.  When I was 18, I moved away from home and worked at Imperial Egyptian

Stud down in Maryland.  At age 15, I had begun working at Windfall Arabians, a lovely St. Marys farm.  Not feeling certain of which direction to pursue with college, I decided to take two years off from school.  During my time at Imperial in MD, I had a Sheik attempt to purchase me as part of a package of horses that would be going back to Qatar with him!  Thankfully the barn manager set the record straight that I was not for sale!  While in college I worked 30 hours per week as a waitress at Ruby Tuesday in Rochester, NY.  That was a really neat time in my life!  So many times I thanked the Lord that I was able to read/study quickly and that allowed me to work enough to pay my way through school, along with having some monthly help from my parents and younger sister.  Plus the support of family friends from our church back home!  After graduation, I was on staff at the college for a couple of years.  This was a time of many handy binders (Thank you to an awesome lady named Corliss!) and learning how to plan and pull off a variety of events.  Next I was back to horse world, teaching and riding once again.  That took me to the DC area, the Eastern Shore of MD and then on to CT, which is where I met my husband.  

After being home with my daughter her first year, I became a Pampered Chef consultant and spent nearly three years in that business.  It was enjoyable and I was able to simultaneously stock my own kitchen with everything that I am still using today! 

As I think back on this past week, several conversations come to mind.  It has been six weeks since I finished with my position as a Riding Instructor at a barn in our area.  I did

love those kids and horses.  Too bad that the 50 mile round trip commute eventually tipped the balance just too far and made me really question the value of spending so much time away from home.  This came about through factoring in the additional time away from my kids and husband when combined with travel expenses while driving the Pilot (currently our sole vehicle). I am excited that my round trip to work has now been drastically reduced from 50 to 0 miles!

  Those who have known me for awhile remember that last autumn we were really taking a close look at how to balance the household budget.  EVERYTHING was on the table.  We were even considering selling our current home and moving to a lower cost location.  NOT that our current home is at all extravagant.  Just comfortable and we do love this place.  After careful scrutiny, and as an offer was being written, it turned out that it just did not make good financial sense to go in that direction.  So rather than looking further at how to cut more from the expenses, it was preferable to look at how to add to our income.  My husband had a different job four years ago when we moved into our current home.  After some restructuring there he had been let go and we walked through 7+ months of unemployment for him until he gratefully accepted the job that he has now been at for the past 2.5 years.  Bottom line, our household budget had been built around different figures and has undergone quite a bit of modification.  I know that this is not at all uncommon and am still thankful each day to be where we are right now.  

Back to the conversations that I have had this past week... friends have asked me if I have been looking for a new job and if I have found anything interesting so far?  Actually, yes!  I became an independent Team Beachbody Coach five weeks ago and am really loving this adventure!  It may sound crazy, but it is already feasible to chart how this new venture will be able to replace my income that had been earned while being out of the house for 25-30 hours each week.  Especially when you factor in the travel expenses.  This new "job" of mine is a real thing and as I build a team, I anticipate incredible days ahead!  We are able to share with others the things that have become so pivotal in successfully making changes our own health.  I am so excited to be leading a Challenge Group that kicks-off on Monday!  We have been in preseason this week and I can't help but smile when I picture the participants there and how they have primed themselves for change and now have the tools to really make it happen!  I can hardly wait to be there as it all unfolds for them.  If this appeals to you, I would be glad to connect with you and talk more about what all is involved with coaching and how this could become part of your own life!

Pancakes and a Thankful Heart

Our family really enjoys having breakfast for dinner.  This is something that we typically do once each week!  My five year old son can be a somewhat selective eater.  But serve him something with eggs, plus a grain and some fruit and he is a happy kid!  I had found a delicious recipe on Queen of Quinoa a few months ago and have since tweaked it to make it just right for our family.  I will include my recipe below!

Favorite Healthy Pancakes!
                     * Recipe Makes 8 Hearty Pancakes

1 Cup Whole Grain Oats (I use Silver Palate)
1 Cup Quinoa Flakes (I use Ancient Harvest)
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
Pinch of Sea Salt
1 Ripe Banana
1 Egg
1 1/2 Cups Almond Milk (I use Silk Original 60 calorie)
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
3 Tablespoons Almond Butter (I love the Wegmans brand!)

* Warmed Berries of Choice (I use a frozen Triple Berry Medley from Sam's Club.  As the berries thaw they create a delicious sauce of their own.  No need to add a thing!)

1) Warm oven to 250 degrees in order to keep first pancakes warm while cooking remaining pancakes.

2) Use a food processor to create a "flour" out of the Oats, Quinoa Flakes, Baking Powder and Sea Salt.  This step is VERY important and is key in creating pancakes that have a lovely texture.  You want to make sure to spend a moment turning these ingredients into a very fine blend.

3) Add remaining ingredients and pulse until smooth and well-blended. 

4) Warm a non-stick pan to medium heat.  No need to use any sort of oil or butter on the pan.  As long as you have a good non-stick pan, these pancakes will cook beautifully.  Drop batter onto pan and cook for approximately 1 minute on each side.  

5) I place my Pampered Chef Large Bar Pan (stoneware) in the 250 degree oven.  As I cook two pancakes at a time, I then transfer them to the oven until the entire batch is ready to go!

6) Top with warmed berries or maple syrup.  Enjoy!!

And now for the "thankful heart" part of this entry.  :)  Lately I have been thinking so much about how I am just deep-down thankful to be where we are right now.  Life is definitely very full, as always!  The kids keep my head spinning and homeschooling my first-grade daughter this school year has been a whole new chapter in our lives.  Last year at this time I had read a one line post that a friend had shared on FB.  It said, "What you plant is what grows".  Very general statement and just plain true!  But it was one of those moments to stop and take stock of my life.  I knew that I wanted to shift gears in few areas that related to my children and husband.  It has been a good year and I am excited to see what the future holds for our family!  Change is just around the bend as I look at taking on a new role at our church (First Alliance in Erie, PA).  I am prayerfully excited and filled with anticipation but also realize that this is going to challenge me more than I can begin to picture from my current vantage point!  This evening I was in the car alone to make a quick run to Wegmans, our local grocery store.  A song/band that I had never heard before came on the radio and it was just what I needed to hear.  I love when that happens!  Check out Rend Collective and their Lighthouse Song!     

I had first read these words almost two months ago and have pondered them often ever since. I think that when I look back on this time in life, the memory of this particular beacon of light will still resonate within me.Approach to Life