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!
 

 
We recently started going to a local church; more or less our community church.  There I had the opportunity to meet an extraordinary woman by the name of Mrs. "C".  Upon my first visit, she indicated that she was nearing 80 years of age.  My second visit was a brief one as I dropped off a few items.  We didn't quite have the time to talk, so I promised another visit on a later day.
Memorial Day, 2012 my three children and I headed over to Mrs. "C"'s house.  Of course I called to let her know we were on our way, and low and behold, when we arrived she had scratch made chocolate chip cookies, drinks and fresh tea waiting on us.  I helped gather the goodies, as we made our way to her very relaxing, front porch which was cooled by the breeze and shade of huge old oak and pecan trees.  From the kitchen, located at the back of the house, to the front door, Mrs. "C" showed me her home, as well as pictures and personality traits of her four beautiful children.  While sitting on the porch, we ate the delicious, warm, chocolate chip cookies.  She told me she had been a Home Economics teacher.  Of course when I heard that, I inclined, "Wow!  You must really know how to cook then!"  She kindly informed me that she made everything from scratch and NEVER used prepackaged items.  Here this lady is, beautiful on the inside as the out... and my mind whirling; "The things I could learn from her!".  Knowing now that she could cook, I thought, "God really works things out, what a wonderful resource for my cooking blog!".  Then, I asked, "So, I guess you can sew too?".  DUH!  This magnificent creature taught home economics!  Of course she can sew, and probably do a bunch of other home making things as well!  My initial goal wasn't to learn things from her, but to get to know her on a spiritual, personal level.  She reminds me of my own grandmother.  She is extremely kind, and giving.  She welcomed us into her home as if she'd known us forever.  She's grandmotherly, proper and reminds me of a time in life which has LONG sense been forgotten!  I can't wait to get to know her even more than I do now!  If I could just be quiet long enough to let her talk!
After we talked, mostly about myself, we walked about her yard and tasted her plumbs... saw her green apples and figs, and sauntered over to her blueberry patch where we filled ourselves on huge, plump blueberries! 
I hated leaving, but promised another visit.  She even offered to come by my home to help my daughter Reese and I perfect our sewing!  God is so good, and He brings you what you need, when YOU least expect it!
 
This is my NEW blog site!  I will be sharing daily and/or weekly experiences and challenges we, as a homeschooling family, and Constant cooker endure.  AGAIN, I must WARN you, my wording isn't always clear, so follow along crazily as I put forth an effort to make things clear and as normal as possible!  Thanks for visiting!  All comments are welcome.  NO FOWL language please, unless we're discussing raising or preparing cook pot chickens, and/or cooking a wild game item such as Quail, or Duck.  Foul or obscene (some even call it derogatory) language is also discouraged.  Although, I'm able to look past certain individual's need to express themselves in that way, some of my other followers may not be as open minded.  We are all adults, well, most of us.  And, I'm sure we can (myself included) act like adults, by having positive, creative, encouraging and inspiring discussions.  YOU don't have to agree, and it doesn't matter if you don't, since you'll probably give me your opinion anyways, PLEASE do it in a polite, and friendly manner!  HEY... It's all good!

HOMESCHOOLING ROCKS