Wellness Wednesday- Vegetable Soup for the……..Butt?

Its no secret I am on a mission to a healthy lifestyle, mentality, and physique.   I have been eating pretty good, with the occasional splurge ( I have a severe weakness for fried food).  But here is one of my deepest darkest secrets- I HATE ALL VEGETABLES!  Yes I said it.  What kind of a mom and woman am I?  I do not like any of them.  Do I eat them?  Absolutely!  But I have found a recipe for Garden Vegetable Soup that is phenomenal.  You get tons and tons of veggies and if you are doing Weight Watchers it is zero points and on the Core Plan.  The recipe is as follows:

2/3 c sliced carrot

1/2 c diced onion

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 c fat free broth (beef, chicken, or veggie-I use veggie)

1 1/2 c diced green cabbage

1/2 c green beans

1 TBSP tomato paste

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 c diced zucchini

Spray a large saucepan with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil and heat.  Saute’ the carrot, onion, and garlic over low heat until softened, about 5 minutes.  Add broth, cabbage, beans, tomato paste, basil, oregano, and salt; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, covered, about 15 minutes or until beans are tender.  Stir in zucchini and heat for 3-4 minutes.  Serve hot.

So easy!  It tastes super great and I don’t know why, but it does.  Why question a good thing?  You can eat plain, over brown rice, or over whole wheat pasta.  I eat it most days for lunch and its super filling.  I get a little boost of energy when I am done and not the sleepies after lunch.  You can only imagine the health benefits from this meal versus a burger and fries.  Read here and here for more information on benefits of veggies.  I just dare you to have an entire lunch of veggie .

Wellness Wednesday-Massage

For today’s tip you can not be one of those people that does not like other’s in your personal space.  Massage is all about personal space.  But the benefits are ridiculous.  If you have never had a professional massage, you are really missing out.

This past Saturday, for the first time, I had a 90 minute massage ( I usually partake in a 60 minute massage)!  Can I say, “HOLY COW!”?  To put it lightly.  Sixty minutes will no longer be good enough.  There are mental benefits and physical benefits that come from massage.

Some people go to a massage and fall asleep, not me.  I want to enjoy every second of it and try to remember it, and hang on to that feeling.  Its a weird place I find myself in, kind of a zen-like feeling.  Maybe its spiritual, maybe its dreamy, I have no idea, but if I could achieve that feeling and bottle it up-I would be a millionaire.  Sometimes its hard not to fall asleep, but I just never do.  Mentally, its an hour to relax and have somebody pamper you like a queen or king.  Who doesn’t want that?  That is worth the money spent all by itself.

Physically there are so many benefits to massage.  Personally, for the last few years I have been seeking out a more natural medical lifestyle to follow.  Don’t get me wrong, when I have a super bad headache I am not against poppin’ in an 800.  But I do look up alternative ways in medicating myself and my family.  Massage is proven to be great for circulation, taking care of our skin (our biggest organ), fixing tense muscles, and so much more.  You can read more about the benefits here.

With my much improved exercise schedule, I am making it a priority to try and get a massage once a month.  If I could, I would have one once a week.  But with the great pleasures of massage, comes a price.  A good massage is a little pricey.  But if you take the money you might spend on fast food, or a new item of clothing, or a movie-you can get a massage.  Numerous places run specials all the time.  If you are a great bargain hunter, you can find some really great deals.  Two of my favorite places to have massages in Grand Rapids are Panopoulis on Burton & Breton and Vasio Life Spa.  Each place is a very different experience, but both have the same results-a euphoric goodness.  So find it in your schedule and budget to treat yourself-life is short live in the now!

Ratted Out By An Angel

I woke up this morning knowing I had to attend a memorial service for my Aunt.  More of a celebration of her life actually.  She didn’t want anything formal, just a gathering of friends and family and their memories.  Today was a beautiful day.  Sun shining, puffy white clouds in the sky, Sunday paper (I always look forward to that, more on that later though), and my family.

My son is teething, so my daughter and I decided to go to church ourselves and have a mommy/daughter morning.  This would also include pancakes at IHOP (not necessarily on the diet).  We haven’t been to church in the summer in a while so I assumed it started at 9:30, only to arrive at church with it half way done.  We walked in just in time for Children’s Time.  We quietly found a seat by the band and she proceeded up to the front to listen to the Pastor.  After his message, she proceeded to raise her hand and tell the entire church that her mommy was late for church.  Needless, to say it made the entire church giggle.  She came back to her seat and asked, “What was so funny?  I was telling him the truth.”  I told her that people thought it was silly and that seemed to be good enough (thank goodness).  During the song after communion she also turned to me with some more important information, ” Mommy, I decided that instead of a donut maker I would like to be  singer like that lady in the band when I grow up.”  Do their minds ever stop?  We than proceeded with the rest of church and our date at IHOP.  It was all fabulous!

We decided to bring our children to the memorial service and attend as a family.  Children lighten the atmosphere a bit and they were important to my Aunt Jerri as well.  I am so glad that we brought them.  The little one just kind of stayed in my husband’s arms, but my daughter-well my daughter was a true angel.  The memorial started off with a song that was requested by my Aunt to be played.  The song was by Celine Dion, “Because You Loved Me”.  Take a listen  and imagine the emotion ( Because You Loved Me).  I hid my tears (very poorly) behind my sunglasses.  My daughter noticed and came and sat on my lap.  She whispered in my ear, “Wipe those tears Mama.  Aunt Jerri is in a good place.”.  I truly think she is on Earth to serve.  She than proceeded to go around the tent and give hugs to people that were crying.  Bless her heart.

Then there was a part of the memorial that people got to share their memories and thoughts.  I was asked to read my blog posts, so I did.  You can imagine how difficult that was, especially following that song.   But I will tell you it felt good.  I am glad that two very important people asked me to do this, because I do not think I would have had the courage to do so had they not asked.  I felt a release that was freeing.

Once again, it goes to show how the power of the pen (keyboard) and the innocence of youth can set you free.  I wish you all a very blessed week while we try to get back to a little normalcy if that is even possible.

Final Peace to a Wonderful Woman

Today my Aunt, Jerri McKellar, left this Earth for a better place.  I wrote about her before on this post.  But today is the day that numerous different emotions, feelings, and thoughts have occurred to me for the very first time.

Sadness is such an overwhelming emotion.  True to the core sadness.  Than throw in external factors to make that sadness dig deeper.  Your mothering concerned about her sister’s last breath, a family a little bit out of sorts on how to deal, coming to terms with the stages in my life, and the innocence of youth.

I have nothing but great love and admiration for my mother, for she is one of the greatest woman on this planet Earth!  She has the biggest heart, is intelligent, is extremely loyal, beautiful, funny, honest (if you only know how honest ), and lost her first sibling today.  But what I admire most about my mom, is her focus.  She is remembering the good and her own personal relationship with my Aunt.  I love her for that so much.

With any great family comes a little bit of drama.  Now my family could probably create their own television show and entertain the world, but I think we will just keep that to ourselves.  What I do know and what I have learned is the following:

-There are two sides to every story

-Emotion makes people do and say things they do not mean

-It takes a bigger person to forgive.

And we will leave the family drama at that.

With today’s events I have come to terms with the fact that every day is so very precious.  Its that time in my life to start really cherishing my days with family.  I am in my mid-thirties and I am just coming to terms that some day I will lose the people that I love most in this world-and that sucks!  We will all lose those people.  We have got to have faith.  We have got to do good.  We have got to remember the good.  We have to honor those people that are not physically present anymore.  Its a lot to take in on a Thursday, but its so very real.

Finally, realizing the beauty of innocence.  My 4 1/2 year old daughter said a prayer tonight that blew my mind.  She went through her usual thanking God routine, you know, beautiful mom, family, Earth and than stated the following, “God, I am so glad that you get to meet my Aunt Jerri now.  She is wonderful.  Talk to her a lot because I will miss her.  I know she can hear me, but can’t talk back.  So tell her I love her and thank you God for making her well again.”.  My goodness!  I have no words to describe the emotion I felt at that moment, but my daughter gave me something tonight that nobody else could-CLARITY.  Is it that simple?  Really?  Who knows, but she made me feel so full of love at that moment I do not know how I can ever thank her.

In closing, I love you Aunt Jerri.  Everything about you, even the things that drove me crazy.  You are truly one of a kind and woman that people should look up too.  Your bravery and determination can not be matched.  It is an honor to have been loved by you and to know you.   It is an honor to have laughed so much with you and know that you are truly one of a kind.  Your memory will be kept alive by the people you touched and made laugh.  On a lighter note, if I could, I would open a Bingo Hall and call it Jerri’s House O’ Chips!  The menu would be Diet Coke, cottage cheese, half eaten chocolate candies, all salty chip foods, and a good cookie.  Catch you on the better side some day!

Wellness Wednesday-Pilates

On my quest to becoming a healthier person overall, I have discovered Pilates.  I never thought I would like something like this or that it would have the effects on my body that it does.  Every Wednesday I go to an hour long Pilates class.  After I am done I feel refreshed, relaxed, extremely worked out, and just wonderful.

I take a Pilates Mat class at the MAC.  This a Pilates class that is predominately done either laying down or sitting on a mat.  At first I just thought that I would get great ab work by doing such a class.  But the overall benefits are amazing.  You are working your entire core, but by doing so your inner and outer thighs, gluts, and arms all get a great work out as well.

This is the type of class that you are constantly challenging yourself mentally.  I am constantly telling myself its only holding a pose for thirty seconds of my life.  I can do it!  My instructor is fantastic!  She is very aware of people’s different levels of fitness.  So for every pose or exercise we are doing she gives a beginner, intermediate, and advanced level position.  She also makes it a point to get to know new people coming to class.  She take a moment to see if there are any ailments, injuries, or concerns she can watch out for and make modifications to.

You can learn more about Pilates in general here and here (odd place for me to reference, but has great information).  If you do not belong to a gym or the YMCA, most Parks and Recreation departments have fitness classes.  I know here in Grand Rapids, they have an awesome Pilates class and the price is very reasonable.  Also, at the MAC you can buy a punchcard to attend group fitness classes versus joining.  Another great resource that many people forget about is On Demand.  If you have digital cable, chances are you have On Demand.  There is an entire fitness section in there with, not only Pilates sessions, but tons of other fitness programs.   I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new when it comes to your exercise program.  Whether its just getting moving period or bumping up your level of activity.  Let’s face it we all have 30 minutes a day to extend our lives in the end.

Late Green Friday-Crystal Mountain a Green Vacation

I am enjoying my last full vacation day at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, MI.  This is our second year coming to this awesome resort for the 4th of July week.  I could talk about this resort for pages and pages, but I am going to try and keep this to the point. 

We came last year for the first time as a family and we were sold on coming here every 4th of July until our children are grown up.  The resort is filled with tons of things to do from Alpine Coaster, climbing wall, pool with slides and mini sprinkler, kid camps, bonfires, golf, carnivals, fireworks, and on and on and on.  So my family is sold on returning.  We check in this year and immediately are told the indoor pool is closed due to a new spa they are building.  At first I was very frusterated because the day we checked in it was raining.  So we went to our condo and set up our kids for some indoor play and parent move-in time.

I sat down to read up on the lastest happenings at the resort only to find out a few wonderfully “green” things about Crystal Mountain.  The first thing I found was that they offer recycling in all their units.  Its a resort wide in-room recycling program.  They make it easy for the guests too.  There are either bins inside the unit or just outside.  I have been monitoring the amount of stuff we would normally throw away at any other resort, and have been amazed at our contribution as one unit to reducing waste.  Way to go Crystal Mountain!

Next, sit down, this is awesome!  This coming December is the grand opening to a full-service destination spa and upgraded indoor pool and fitness center.  Some of you might be saying, “So what, its a new spa?”  Well, this spa is special it is being build with numerous different green efforts.  This spa will also have a LEED Certification.  LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  You can learn more about LEED here.

LEED buildings cut energy use by 30-50%, use 40% less water and generate 70% less waste.  This to me is fascinating beyond imagination.  You can learn more about the construction, spa, and resort here.  To name a few of the green aspects concerning the actual construction they are utilizing bamboo flooring in the lobby and lots of use of natural light. 

Inside the spa you will find the following:  a dozen treatment rooms offering numerous different services, locker rooms with saunas and steam rooms, meditation room with private garden and hot tub.  This spa is attracting our family to possibly make Crystal Mountain a twice per year family vacation spot.  Winter ski trip and summer fun trip!

Once again I can not say enough wonderful things about this resort and now that I am aware of their green initiatives, I am even more in love.  I wish I could stay all summer long!  So if you are looking for a great family spot, this is the place to be!

Wellness Wednesday- A Proposed Question for Mental Well-Being?

I am on vacation and enjoying every single bit of it.  Quality time with the family.  My husband, children, and father.    We have a cottage and some of the greatest conversations are around a bonfire/campfire.  But that is another whole post.

To this evening I am proposing a wellness question to any readers that may pop by this mini blog.  I am in the middle of two seperate sets of family “drama”.  Now every family has drama and that is well and fine and healthy.  But my drama includes seperates issues unrelated with my mother and father.  Their individual issues include death and family and on the other hand communication with a spouse.  So my proposed question is, when do you not say anything?  What is too much?  How much advice do you give?  What is a healthy amount of involvement when you love and care for two people so very much?

For those of you that might know me, I am a straight shooter.  I live by telling it like it is, sometimes that gets in the way; but its me.  They are asking and I am giving, but how much is too much?  Because its weighing on my mind heavily.  Thank you in advance, I like to learn from others.

Packing! Can I just zip myself in the suitcase?

I have two small children and a husband. We are packing for an eight day adventure and we have a four door car. HOLY COW! I know it was great to get rid of my gas guzzling SUV, but seriously thinking about packing might be worth the $1000 I spent to fill up the tank.

Living in Michigan, you can never be sure what the weather is going to be like. For example, tonight we went to a beautiful woman’s 30th birthday party. We left and it was 80ish, a rain storm blew in, and than it literally was in the upper 50s. Ridiculous! So I am packing bikinis and snowpants! Just kidding. I just need to be more organized when I am packing now. I can’t just throw in anything because we have the space. So anyone that has any packing tips for me in the future please leave a comment and I would love it. Wish me well on vacation and enjoy the Birthday Party the good ole USA!

Green Friday a little late- Paper plates be gone!!!!!!

Sorry this is late, but I am packing to leave on vacation for a week and its taking its toll.  Enough excuses, right?  Sooooooooo, tis the season for picnics.  I am challenging everyone for the rest of the summer to do away with paper plates.  Can you imagine if everyone did this, even just for a season, how it would impact waste?  You can go to the dollar store and purchase plastic, reusable plates.  Spend 10-15 dollars and you have plenty for most gatherings.  If you get your close friends to do this, you can borrow if you have a bigger party.

Think about it!  When you go to a picnic you sometimes get a plate for appetizers, a plate for dinner, and another plate for desert.  That is three plates per person.  Rather ridiculous if you ask me.  So go purchase some cute and trendy reusable plates to serve up some great summer picnic food on.

Wellness Wednesday- “Speak your mind and the rest will follow….”

For my Wellness Wednesday I want to showcase the power of speaking your mind.  My my faithful two readers, you might get something for this or just nod your head and say “Amen Sister”.  There is such truth in the statement, “The truth will set you free”.  This statement encompasses so many different thoughts and ideas.  You might be asking yourself, “what in the world does this have to do with wellness?”  Well let me tell you!

Bottling up emotions most certainly causes you stress.  Here are some of the basics about stress and aging.  Stress can literally take years off or your life.  For those of you that have a successful marriage, children, careers, extended family, hobbies, or things that make you happy in general; why would you want to cut your life short?

If you know me, you know that I am who I am.  I am not perfect and will never claim to be, but I do live my life in a manner that eliminates or avoids as much stress as humanly possible.  I still get overwhelmed.  I still get mad.  I still get sad.  I still get stressed.  But, its rare and it comes and it goes.  So when something is bothering you, say something.  If the person, thing, or whatever does not like the comment, sometimes the truth hurts.  I will end this with a saying I heard from a fellow bookcluber, “Save the friend before the friendship.”  The grass is greener on the other side, come sit on the grassy knoll with me!