With God, all things are possible
 
I don't really like the word "diet".  I mean, it really sets you up for failure when you begin looking at your eating habits as a "diet".  Puts a lot of pressure on you to eat things you don't really enjoy, doesn't it?  I mean, the minute you mess up your so called "diet", you begin that self degregation thing and beat yourself to smithereens... don't you?  Well, I do.  

I recently began a challenge.  The challenge was to change my eating habits to basically reflect what people are already doing on the Atkins Diet.  The only thing is, it's not a 'diet' to me; it's a new way of eating.  I think of this challenge as a health improvement challenge: a lifestyle change.  When looking at most so called 'diets' the focus is either on reducing fat, watching your carbs, and/or counting your caloric intake.  I find eating the Atkins way more desireable because I am able to pick and choose foods from a variety of healthy foods that I actually enjoy.  There are many ways you can make substitutions for sugar and carbs... but trying to make changes in fat content without changing the taste, well... we all know that doesn't jeeehaw very well.  Right?  Not only that... counting fat and caloric intake takes a LOT of know how and time. 

Most health food experts will tell you, there's nothing wrong with 'fats' as long as you're not combining them with a bunch of sugars.  Sugar, in the healthfood industry is also known as "poison".  Refined foods, loaded with sugars and other additives should also be known as 'poisons'.  If I could recommend two books to get you started on eating healthy, and eating clean I would recommend Dr. Atkins, "The Atkins Diet" as well as Tosca Reno's, "The Eat Clean Diet".  Eat wholesome healthy foods and make it about a lifestyle change... a healthy life style.  Make the change from diet... to life long commitment.  By seeing it as a lifestyle, you don't feel forced to follow a strict 'rule' and put unnecessary pressures on yourself.  Set goals based on your personality, preferences and abilities.  By doing this, you don't view it as a failure when you eat, or drink something you shouldn't or skip a workout when you're incredibly tired, sick, or occupied by other commitments.  You view it as an opportunity to indulge, and know that your lifestyle hasn't really changed.  After your indulge you get right back to what you normally do, but without the GUILT.  Even Robert Kennedy (Editor of Oxygen Magazine) admitted to indulging in cake from time to time.
 
Our homeschooling begins on August 20th.  Time to organize the books, set up a plan... and be ready for those daily challenges.  I'm homeschooling, this year 4th, 6th, prek and kindergarten.  Sounds intriguing... but I think I can do this.  A new little boy is going to join my family in our learning adventures.  I'm super excited to welcome him... I'll call him "B" for now.  I am going to view myself as the 'teacher' because I no longer want to be considered just a  "daycare lady"
or baby sitter.
Maybe this new change in title will help me focus on the 'task' at hand.  We shall certainly see.  My homeschooling goal is to teach those things which can be taught as a group to all the children; then separating them and teaching their individual 'grade' studies one on one, and organizing my day so I can actually do this!  Well... that will be the challenge.  Our fourth grade focus will be more on reading and comprehension.  I'm teaching some left handed kids... so I'm going to approach this in a 'Right brained' learning style.  WOW... Prayers... I know I can do this!
My other goal is to post homeschooling events regularly in my blog and on other things I consider of value, as well as start my 'story' series.  That's the prize, as well as something I'm super excited about.  I hope it causes you to WANT to follow along! 
I'm not fretting yet.  I know that all things are possible thru God who strengthens me.  I'm praying you guys can keep up with how I word things... I get excited and in a hurry...  and find myself rushing through... as I work thru constant interruptions. 

See you all beginning August 20th!  God Bless!
 


HOMESCHOOLING ROCKS