Sorry for my absence. I thought it would be a breeze going back to school, working, raising a family, playing taxi cab to our many family events, and blogging. I sure did think WRONG! Scheduling is sometimes circus like, but we manage (not quite sure how, but we do).
I am getting all the basics down, but the extra things like blogging kind of fell by the wayside. My total lifestyle has changed since starting school. I was always feeding my family a healthy diet, but I now go for all organic, non G MO (genetically modified organisms), and no artificial colors. It had gotten a bit more costly in the beginning, but not so much now because we aren't buying all the other "stuff." I don't buy all the junk food (healthy) snacks. I know what to buy now.
I have become a green juice and smoothie aficionado. You just would not believe how much I feel better after I have my green drink. It did take some time getting used to drinking something green. I first had to start with drinking out of an opaque plastic cup just so I couldn't see what I was drinking. Now I'm a pro and I drink it from a clear glass jar. If I don't get it after a few days, I start getting achy and tired. That drink packs a powerful punch!
Going through this journey, I realized I truly need to downsize and purge. I went through so many aspects of life purging. My girls aren't too happy about some of it, but they will get over it. Here's the start of things and subscriptions we eliminated: housekeeper (twice a month), extended cable TV, Spotify, YogaDownload, and some unknown credit card subscription for an unknown service to a company that no longer exists. I am still working on purging everyone's closets and drawers. It is hard work, but is so liberating when complete. The end result is less clutter and more money in our pockets!
My next adventure has been exercising. I have never been a fan of exercising because it often brings on an asthma exacerbation. Therefore, no running or aerobics for me. I am a low key yoga or walking kind of Bayou Chica. My sister and I started a 30 Day Squat Challenge. Today is Day 8...a day of rest. The first few days were ROUGH. But by the fifth day, I am getting into it and enjoying it. I am seeing great results in just the past 7 days.
I'm off to visualize results then actually get some stuff done. Positive words of affirmation can do wonders for the soul.
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School. Show all posts
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Back to School
Monday was the first day of school, for me! I enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. Did you know it is the largest nutrition school in the world? I was surprised to learn that.
It is a really exciting journey for me. I have been on a roller coaster with the health of my family for years. We spend so much money for medical care and health insurance and feel like we don't get much in return. I've become a skeptic of Western medicine. It is a shame because I work in the medical field. I am tired of band aid medicine where they just treat symptoms. I want to get to the root of our health problems and fix them.
I find the better I eat, the better I feel. Food has become my medicine. In addition, I am learning other alternative modalities. Are they really alternative? These are things that have been used for many years, but got squeezed out by Western medicine.
In addition to juicing, I have grown fond of oil pulling. My teeth really like it. They have gotten whiter and feel smoother with less plaque buildup. The main reason I use oil pulling is for my sinuses. After I do it, I have less congestion and mucous. This morning I woke up with a sore throat and after oil pulling (and drinking hot water with ginger, lemon, and cayenne), no more sore throat.
Back to my school excitement. I can't wait to share all of my new knowledge with you!
It is a really exciting journey for me. I have been on a roller coaster with the health of my family for years. We spend so much money for medical care and health insurance and feel like we don't get much in return. I've become a skeptic of Western medicine. It is a shame because I work in the medical field. I am tired of band aid medicine where they just treat symptoms. I want to get to the root of our health problems and fix them.
I find the better I eat, the better I feel. Food has become my medicine. In addition, I am learning other alternative modalities. Are they really alternative? These are things that have been used for many years, but got squeezed out by Western medicine.
In addition to juicing, I have grown fond of oil pulling. My teeth really like it. They have gotten whiter and feel smoother with less plaque buildup. The main reason I use oil pulling is for my sinuses. After I do it, I have less congestion and mucous. This morning I woke up with a sore throat and after oil pulling (and drinking hot water with ginger, lemon, and cayenne), no more sore throat.
Back to my school excitement. I can't wait to share all of my new knowledge with you!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Immersion Works!
My latest cause is immersion programs in the school system. My husband and I went round-and-round trying to figure out where and what kind of education to choose for our children. After endless conversations and hours of research, we decided on a world language immersion program.
So far, so good. Our oldest daughter just completed first grade with "A" honor roll all four 9 weeks.Our 2nd child finished pre-k 4 with a great foundation for her target language. We feel like it was a really great decision. Initially, we had SG enrolled in a parochial school. The one part of public school we were torn about was the fact that there was no daily religion class and they wouldn't get the religious foundation we hoped for. SG also tested into an advanced placement school which you must score a 95% or higher. She did and was accepted, but still we wanted that language immersion.
As the end of the 2010-2011 year approached, we got word that the immersion programs within the Jefferson Parish Public School System was considering eliminating them. The worse part is that the school system didn't notify the principals, coordinator for foreign language and immersion programs, teachers, or parents before the news story broke.
We have gone 1 school year with great results from both of our children. I don't want to see this program go. I was brainstorming with another parent and we came up with an idea to fight the school board and educate everyone what immersion is, the importance of it, and why we need to keep it in the public school system. That is when Immersion Works came alive.
We were just a group of 2 and have grown to a Facebook group of 219. We now have a voice! We had a voice before, but now it is a stronger, louder, and a very educated voice. Our school board members didn't even know we had immersion programs much less what an immersion program was. One of the school board members did attend one of our meetings and went away very knowledgeable and is now an advocate for Immersion Works.
June 7, 2011 at 3:00 PM is the school board meeting that will determine if the immersion programs will truly be cut. As a group, we will attend the meeting en masse all wearing the Immersion Works logo T-shirt. If you are in the area, please join us to show your support.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Good Teacher Bad Teacher
I have been hearing a lot about good teachers versus bad teachers within the US school system. Even Obama is talking about programs to get rid of the "bad" teachers. Maybe there is a lot more to this situation than just bad teachers.
I am not a teacher, but I am a mother of three preschool and school age girls, PTA president, school volunteer and I do teach first graders (as a parental volunteer) a class once a week for thirty minutes at one of the local public schools.
Yes, I am sure there are good teachers and bad teachers, just like there are good employees and bad employees, good and bad students, good and bad everything. I seriously have a hard time believing a "bad" teacher is the one to make a whole school's grade percentage to fall below.
This has become a blame game and no one wants to take responsibility. So, therefore, the fingers are pointing toward the so-called bad teachers. What are the schools doing to support their "bad" teachers? Are teachers getting annual workshops on learning newest teaching methods to adapt to the needs of children today? What else are the schools doing to support their teaching staff? Are these schools with "bad" teachers reaching out to the families to get them involved in their child's education?
Maybe this is a family issue; a problem that starts in the home. When these reports go out about the "bad" teachers, are they looking at the students' home life, parental involvement, how much time does this student spend on homework and studying?
From my personal experience in both the public and private school system, it is the same. The more involved the parents are in their child's life, whether it be social, school, extracurricular, or personal, makes a huge difference in the child's academic career.
Parents, get involved in your child's life. See what's going on with them. Volunteer at school. Help out with homework every night. Decrease television, computer, and game time. Do more things as a family. Eat dinner together as much as possible. I know kids can be difficult and don't necessarily want you around, but let them know you are there for them. I feel like if we, as parents, take these small steps in our child's lives, it won't make a difference if they have good or bad teachers. They will learn to strive for the best and do well, regardless. We are the ones that have to lay down a solid foundation for them and be a good role model.
I am not a teacher, but I am a mother of three preschool and school age girls, PTA president, school volunteer and I do teach first graders (as a parental volunteer) a class once a week for thirty minutes at one of the local public schools.
Yes, I am sure there are good teachers and bad teachers, just like there are good employees and bad employees, good and bad students, good and bad everything. I seriously have a hard time believing a "bad" teacher is the one to make a whole school's grade percentage to fall below.
This has become a blame game and no one wants to take responsibility. So, therefore, the fingers are pointing toward the so-called bad teachers. What are the schools doing to support their "bad" teachers? Are teachers getting annual workshops on learning newest teaching methods to adapt to the needs of children today? What else are the schools doing to support their teaching staff? Are these schools with "bad" teachers reaching out to the families to get them involved in their child's education?
Maybe this is a family issue; a problem that starts in the home. When these reports go out about the "bad" teachers, are they looking at the students' home life, parental involvement, how much time does this student spend on homework and studying?
From my personal experience in both the public and private school system, it is the same. The more involved the parents are in their child's life, whether it be social, school, extracurricular, or personal, makes a huge difference in the child's academic career.
Parents, get involved in your child's life. See what's going on with them. Volunteer at school. Help out with homework every night. Decrease television, computer, and game time. Do more things as a family. Eat dinner together as much as possible. I know kids can be difficult and don't necessarily want you around, but let them know you are there for them. I feel like if we, as parents, take these small steps in our child's lives, it won't make a difference if they have good or bad teachers. They will learn to strive for the best and do well, regardless. We are the ones that have to lay down a solid foundation for them and be a good role model.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Proud Mom
Monday, I was going through my daughters' school folders and they each had a bright orange paper. I just assumed all the parents got one, but no.
It was an invitation to the Student of the Month and Terrific Kid Presentation. Neither child really knew what it was all about except that they should have a parent present on the said date. So, I got myself ready and headed over to school to find out that not one, but two of my daughters were chosen as their class' student of the month.
I was beeming with pride and content. It is great knowing that they both got this school year started off well. I only hope it continues. What am I saying? Of course they will.
It was an invitation to the Student of the Month and Terrific Kid Presentation. Neither child really knew what it was all about except that they should have a parent present on the said date. So, I got myself ready and headed over to school to find out that not one, but two of my daughters were chosen as their class' student of the month.
I was beeming with pride and content. It is great knowing that they both got this school year started off well. I only hope it continues. What am I saying? Of course they will.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)