Taking a moment to reflect of Fathers Day and thankful that God gave me the hard working, loving, funny, and silly Dad that He did.
My father has taught me to appreciate the great outdoors. Fishing as a child, with my dad, was one of my favorite past times. My Dad taught me to love fresh veggies in their natural state. Sitting there watching tv with him and eating fresh green beans, or radishes, or carrots was one of my beloved evening rituals.
He taught me how to pray, and tucked me into a tight little cocoon so I wouldn't fall outta bed. Always making sure to kiss my cheek goodnight.
As I grew up and started to cook, I appreciated that my Dad was always willing to try ANYTHING that I threw together and even if it wasn't "great", always treated it like a gourmet meal.
When I got married, I love that my Dad accepted my husband immediately as part of the family and treated him as such.
My father is also a wonderful Grandfather that adores all five of his grandkids (three mine, and two my older brothers) and treats them all as the individuals that they are. He finds something unique in each child and focus's on that.
My Dad's individual qualities has made me the woman I am today, and I kinda like her... so hey, Thanks Dad for all your sacrifices, and love and hard work. I love you.
While my father my not be perfect, I do believe he is the perfect father for me.
Love you Dad.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Thursday, June 14, 2012
As of late, it has come to my attention that we are all passionate about different things. I myself am passionate about God, my family and the health of myself and others.
I have become a bit obsessed with nutrition and exercise and this is a topic of some discord.
Everyone has the right to their opinions and while some people believe in one thing; I may not.
We need to learn that Your life is YOUR life and my life is MY life and we aren't living in some sort of reality where what YOU do affects ME or vice versa.
I make choices based on my faith, prayer, and what I believe to be the best for my loved ones.
How you make your choices is entirely up to you.
I think we all need to take a moment, pause and be happy we are who we are; be happy we think how we think; and be more judgemental about our own lives and less judgemental about others lives.
I'm not calling anyone out, I'm not putting anyone down............. It's simply a reminder of that we need to love one another and in order to do so have to put our high horses back in the stables and burn our soapboxes.
We are no higher up than anyone else and all bleed the same way.
This being said...
Love to you all,
I have become a bit obsessed with nutrition and exercise and this is a topic of some discord.
Everyone has the right to their opinions and while some people believe in one thing; I may not.
We need to learn that Your life is YOUR life and my life is MY life and we aren't living in some sort of reality where what YOU do affects ME or vice versa.
I make choices based on my faith, prayer, and what I believe to be the best for my loved ones.
How you make your choices is entirely up to you.
I think we all need to take a moment, pause and be happy we are who we are; be happy we think how we think; and be more judgemental about our own lives and less judgemental about others lives.
I'm not calling anyone out, I'm not putting anyone down............. It's simply a reminder of that we need to love one another and in order to do so have to put our high horses back in the stables and burn our soapboxes.
We are no higher up than anyone else and all bleed the same way.
This being said...
Love to you all,
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Todays "Jen"~ism:
Change is something that you must continue. There isn't a point in your life where you should be content with being where you are. Once you stop challenging yourself to change, you have given up on yourself and your future.
Realize that the future God has for you is so much greater than anything you have imagined. You should be striving for "HIS" image of what you will do and stop thinking about "YOUR" image of what your 'can' do. The two things are totally different. He will give you all tools you need to accomplish His will. You need nothing else.
Change is something that you must continue. There isn't a point in your life where you should be content with being where you are. Once you stop challenging yourself to change, you have given up on yourself and your future.
Realize that the future God has for you is so much greater than anything you have imagined. You should be striving for "HIS" image of what you will do and stop thinking about "YOUR" image of what your 'can' do. The two things are totally different. He will give you all tools you need to accomplish His will. You need nothing else.
My life as a former................ working lady:
believe it or not, I used to be a single working mom. I know, I know... the woman you have come to know is not the single, working mom type,... but believe me when I tell you that I was. I worked full time. Sometimes more than 40 hours a week and still managed to hold down a social life. This came at the expense of sleep because I wasn't about to sacrifice the few hours I was able to spend with my children.
The reason for this particular post is this:
I know what it is to be a stay at home mom, and I know what it is to be a working mom and I can tell you that there are two sides to every coin.
Let's start with the working mom shall we?
The positives of being a working mom:
1) having an open network of people to find babysitters
2) having a life outside your own home
3) having a sense of accomplishment when it come to you finances
4) Always knowing that you have a paycheck coming in
5) feeling confident as the breadwinner
6) knowing that you are providing insurance for your children
7) knowing that you are worth more than your domestic abilities.
The positives of being a stay at home mom:
1) always being available when your children are sick. No need to call in.
2) knowing what your children are up to at any hour of the day.
3) being able to given them a home cooked meal daily.
4) being available to get them to appointments without any comprimising of schedules.
5) having the laundry done before your children get home from school.
6) having a few hours a day to work out and keep an healthy body
7) having the time to bargain hunt and save money on groceries.
Now lets talk about the negatives.
As a working mom, you always have someone to answer to. No matter what you do there is always someone to answer to. Someone to feel like you "owe" an explanation to.
I have missed so many things that my children have done because I've worked and I didn't have a choice at the time.
As a stay at home mom, there is this continual lonliness that you feel and there is this feeling like noone quite understands your needs. When you KNOW you are doing the best thing "emotionally" for your children but society tells you that you aren't doing the best thing "finacially" for your children... where do you draw the line.
Being a Mom in itself is hard enough but having to choose between working and staying home brings out the dogs.
Here is my advice as someone who has done both....:
Listen to your situation.
Noones sitaution will mimic yours, and NOONE can tell YOU what is best for your family so stop listening.
The person who knows what is best for her family is "YOU" and you need to listen to that person.
Is that clear enough?
No guilt, no shame, no hard feelings..................
Let go, and know that what your gut is telling you is what you are supposed to be doing.
I don't care what all these femanist's and liberals, or all these conservatives or religeous zealouts are saying...........
Let them all get mad at me..............
YOU know your family more than anyone else.
Do what is right for YOUR family and noone elses.
believe it or not, I used to be a single working mom. I know, I know... the woman you have come to know is not the single, working mom type,... but believe me when I tell you that I was. I worked full time. Sometimes more than 40 hours a week and still managed to hold down a social life. This came at the expense of sleep because I wasn't about to sacrifice the few hours I was able to spend with my children.
The reason for this particular post is this:
I know what it is to be a stay at home mom, and I know what it is to be a working mom and I can tell you that there are two sides to every coin.
Let's start with the working mom shall we?
The positives of being a working mom:
1) having an open network of people to find babysitters
2) having a life outside your own home
3) having a sense of accomplishment when it come to you finances
4) Always knowing that you have a paycheck coming in
5) feeling confident as the breadwinner
6) knowing that you are providing insurance for your children
7) knowing that you are worth more than your domestic abilities.
The positives of being a stay at home mom:
1) always being available when your children are sick. No need to call in.
2) knowing what your children are up to at any hour of the day.
3) being able to given them a home cooked meal daily.
4) being available to get them to appointments without any comprimising of schedules.
5) having the laundry done before your children get home from school.
6) having a few hours a day to work out and keep an healthy body
7) having the time to bargain hunt and save money on groceries.
Now lets talk about the negatives.
As a working mom, you always have someone to answer to. No matter what you do there is always someone to answer to. Someone to feel like you "owe" an explanation to.
I have missed so many things that my children have done because I've worked and I didn't have a choice at the time.
As a stay at home mom, there is this continual lonliness that you feel and there is this feeling like noone quite understands your needs. When you KNOW you are doing the best thing "emotionally" for your children but society tells you that you aren't doing the best thing "finacially" for your children... where do you draw the line.
Being a Mom in itself is hard enough but having to choose between working and staying home brings out the dogs.
Here is my advice as someone who has done both....:
Listen to your situation.
Noones sitaution will mimic yours, and NOONE can tell YOU what is best for your family so stop listening.
The person who knows what is best for her family is "YOU" and you need to listen to that person.
Is that clear enough?
No guilt, no shame, no hard feelings..................
Let go, and know that what your gut is telling you is what you are supposed to be doing.
I don't care what all these femanist's and liberals, or all these conservatives or religeous zealouts are saying...........
Let them all get mad at me..............
YOU know your family more than anyone else.
Do what is right for YOUR family and noone elses.
Monday, June 11, 2012
Todays "Jen"~ism
Lonliness is self-taught. By nature we are creatures that are meant to seek companionship in the form of Divinity (meaning our relationship with God our Father, Jesus His Son, and The Spirit that dwells within us upon being saved), friends, family, and a mate. If you are lonely; the thing you really should be looking at is the huge wall standing right in front of you that you built yourself. Noone else can build a wall around your life, and Yes; I understand being hurt by others making it difficult to trust, but there is a big difference between being overly trusting and trusting those that truly love you.
The longer you prevent anyone from knowing you; the closer you get to not knowing yourself. You see when you are not put into situations or settings where you are tested in any way, shape or form; you don't know how you will react. You don't know what you are capable of. You don't know how you'll feel when the situation is over. Therefore there is no change, no growth, and you haven't learned a thing.
~just some food for thought.
If you have social anxiety, put your faith in God and not yourself; He will put you in the correct social situations. He'll never steer you wrong if you actually listen to his guiding. "LISTENING" is key to guidance. Sort of like a child who keeps kicking a wall. The parent says "Stop kicking that wall, you will hurt yourself", yet the child continues to do it. Eventually the parent steps back. The child hurts themself and the parent waits to comfort the child but the child has learned a VERY hard lesson. If the child had listened in the first place; no pain would have been felt.
Lonliness is self-taught. By nature we are creatures that are meant to seek companionship in the form of Divinity (meaning our relationship with God our Father, Jesus His Son, and The Spirit that dwells within us upon being saved), friends, family, and a mate. If you are lonely; the thing you really should be looking at is the huge wall standing right in front of you that you built yourself. Noone else can build a wall around your life, and Yes; I understand being hurt by others making it difficult to trust, but there is a big difference between being overly trusting and trusting those that truly love you.
The longer you prevent anyone from knowing you; the closer you get to not knowing yourself. You see when you are not put into situations or settings where you are tested in any way, shape or form; you don't know how you will react. You don't know what you are capable of. You don't know how you'll feel when the situation is over. Therefore there is no change, no growth, and you haven't learned a thing.
~just some food for thought.
If you have social anxiety, put your faith in God and not yourself; He will put you in the correct social situations. He'll never steer you wrong if you actually listen to his guiding. "LISTENING" is key to guidance. Sort of like a child who keeps kicking a wall. The parent says "Stop kicking that wall, you will hurt yourself", yet the child continues to do it. Eventually the parent steps back. The child hurts themself and the parent waits to comfort the child but the child has learned a VERY hard lesson. If the child had listened in the first place; no pain would have been felt.
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Life of a former........... "fat girl":
So yes, I was fat. I admit it. When my husband, children and I moved 1200 miles from Massachusetts to Tennessee a couple years ago I had tipped the scales at somewhere around 200 lbs. On my 5' 6.5" frame I was an expert at hiding it with "just the right jeans and shirt" as most heavier girls are. I was depressed, and lonely and thought that I was fated to live a life of desperately chowing down in secret out of frustration.
I was a food addict. I would let my husband and children go for the day and take comfort in homemade quesadilla's and nachos, pizza and roast beef sandwiches, chips and cookies... basically whatever my craving beckoned me to scarf at the moment.
It was a vicious cycle of eat, feel guilty, exercise, eat some more, get frustrated, eat... etc. etc. etc.
I had lots of issues that I was dealing with from my past and lost of pain that I was trying to stuff down with every bite.
As someone who was once a size 3, this realization of how I was now squeezing into a size 20 was life shattering.
I had been diagnosed with Hashimoto's (an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland) and a few years before that had a strange accident that ended up needing serious spinal surgery to have full use of my left arm again. There seemed to be no hope for someone like me.
I'm letting you now, that there "IS" hope.
I joined my church's weight loss contest and for the first time admitted to myself that "I" was the cause of all my weight problems and that if I just asked God to help me on a daily basis to control my urges, that I could.
I totally changed the way I ate. (I now eat whole and real foods. What we call "God's Grocery Store" in my home.)
Exercised at least four times a week and became less afraid of the pain from pushing myself a little further each time. You see in order to make a change, its hard.
Its hard and painful to admit that you are the reason you are fat,
and its hard and painful to put down that spoon when you are used to finding comfort in a bowl of ice cream,
and its hard and painful to think that tomorrow will be just as hard and painful.
BUT, you have to ask yourself...
How hard and painful is it going to be to NEVER be able to see your grandchildren at play because you are bedridden from health issues you caused yourself?
Diabetes is preventable for some people. Heart attacks are preventable for some people. Strokes are preventable for some people.
Ask yourself if that doughnut or those fries are worth an early death?
I know this sounds dramatic but here is why I ask you that.
Our bodies were created to digest natural foods. Our bodies KNOW what to do with natural foods. We don't have an issue with whole fruits, veggies, meats and grains because God created us and our ancestors to process these things. It wasn't until man decided that these foods were no longer good enough because they had to last longer, that any of this changed. Man got greedy and wanted that harvest to be shelf stable so started adding ingredients that are not natural to our foods. Now, this being said; here is something to think about. If its not "naturally" found in your food; what makes you think your body "naturally" knows how to process it? What are you preserving in your body with those preservatives? If it does not biodegrade on a shelf; why would your body know how to break it down?
Honestly. Just consider that thought for a second before reading on.
I'll wait..........................................................
If your body is now confused by trying to figure out how to process this "stuff" we are accepting as food; its going to start changing and I can tell you its not going to change in a good way.
So we talked about diet... now lets talk about exercise.
I'm not telling you,,.... GO OUT AND RUN A 5K NOW!!! If you are not used to running you are not going to be able to. But you can walk, and in a week, add 30 seconds of jogging every few minutes, and continue to push yourself. No gym needed, no equiptment... just you and your route of choice.
Thats it...
The key is to keep pushing towards your goal knowing that if you give up, you will NEVER reach it and will then you will become a quitter and a coward. YUP I said it.
Get mad if you will, but I am speaking to you about what "I" learned.
Change is uncomfortable and the sooner you accept that and are willing to feeling uncomfortable for a little while... you will start to see your body transform into what you want it to be in the first place.
A key word of advice though;
Go for being strong and not skinny. Skinny is NOT healthy no matter what the magazines and fashion tell you. I'd rather be muscle bound and rock solid than look like you could break my bones with a hug.
So get a workout video that appeals to you and start slow, adding five more minutes each time if you can't finish. Just keep pushing. You CAN do this if you want to.
Get a workout buddy and hold each other accountable.
Also, use a calorie counting web site. I used caloriecount.com and was amazing to see just where my daily calorie overload was coming from. Once you understand where your fat building areas are... its easier to avoid and make healthier decisions.
Tip: If you have an iphone, or phone capable of snapping a photo; take a picture of each meal both before and after. Having a visual of what you are putting into your body is often shock enough.
Don't be afraid and push yourself. If this girl can lose 50 lbs and go from a size 20 to a size 6; then I KNOW you can do it. You just gotta wanna do it for the right reasons.
I'm open to questions on this matter since I've learned ALOT and done tons of research.
I do not believe in supplementing meals with shakes and other fads because that isn't teaching you the proper way to do anything. It is simply substituting one bad habit for another. That is NOT what we want. I want you to learn why and how to change things that you can stick with. Once you stop drinking those shakes; do you really think the weight is gonna stay off? When you stop buying to pre portioned meals and stop listening to when and how you should eat; have you learned how to make those choices for yourself?
I know this post will upset alot of people, but if that is the motivation you need then get really really irrate... thats okay... just get moving.
Love you all, and thanks for reading my post about my:
Life as a former fat girl.
So yes, I was fat. I admit it. When my husband, children and I moved 1200 miles from Massachusetts to Tennessee a couple years ago I had tipped the scales at somewhere around 200 lbs. On my 5' 6.5" frame I was an expert at hiding it with "just the right jeans and shirt" as most heavier girls are. I was depressed, and lonely and thought that I was fated to live a life of desperately chowing down in secret out of frustration.
I was a food addict. I would let my husband and children go for the day and take comfort in homemade quesadilla's and nachos, pizza and roast beef sandwiches, chips and cookies... basically whatever my craving beckoned me to scarf at the moment.
It was a vicious cycle of eat, feel guilty, exercise, eat some more, get frustrated, eat... etc. etc. etc.
I had lots of issues that I was dealing with from my past and lost of pain that I was trying to stuff down with every bite.
As someone who was once a size 3, this realization of how I was now squeezing into a size 20 was life shattering.
I had been diagnosed with Hashimoto's (an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland) and a few years before that had a strange accident that ended up needing serious spinal surgery to have full use of my left arm again. There seemed to be no hope for someone like me.
I'm letting you now, that there "IS" hope.
I joined my church's weight loss contest and for the first time admitted to myself that "I" was the cause of all my weight problems and that if I just asked God to help me on a daily basis to control my urges, that I could.
I totally changed the way I ate. (I now eat whole and real foods. What we call "God's Grocery Store" in my home.)
Exercised at least four times a week and became less afraid of the pain from pushing myself a little further each time. You see in order to make a change, its hard.
Its hard and painful to admit that you are the reason you are fat,
and its hard and painful to put down that spoon when you are used to finding comfort in a bowl of ice cream,
and its hard and painful to think that tomorrow will be just as hard and painful.
BUT, you have to ask yourself...
How hard and painful is it going to be to NEVER be able to see your grandchildren at play because you are bedridden from health issues you caused yourself?
Diabetes is preventable for some people. Heart attacks are preventable for some people. Strokes are preventable for some people.
Ask yourself if that doughnut or those fries are worth an early death?
I know this sounds dramatic but here is why I ask you that.
Our bodies were created to digest natural foods. Our bodies KNOW what to do with natural foods. We don't have an issue with whole fruits, veggies, meats and grains because God created us and our ancestors to process these things. It wasn't until man decided that these foods were no longer good enough because they had to last longer, that any of this changed. Man got greedy and wanted that harvest to be shelf stable so started adding ingredients that are not natural to our foods. Now, this being said; here is something to think about. If its not "naturally" found in your food; what makes you think your body "naturally" knows how to process it? What are you preserving in your body with those preservatives? If it does not biodegrade on a shelf; why would your body know how to break it down?
Honestly. Just consider that thought for a second before reading on.
I'll wait..........................................................
If your body is now confused by trying to figure out how to process this "stuff" we are accepting as food; its going to start changing and I can tell you its not going to change in a good way.
So we talked about diet... now lets talk about exercise.
I'm not telling you,,.... GO OUT AND RUN A 5K NOW!!! If you are not used to running you are not going to be able to. But you can walk, and in a week, add 30 seconds of jogging every few minutes, and continue to push yourself. No gym needed, no equiptment... just you and your route of choice.
Thats it...
The key is to keep pushing towards your goal knowing that if you give up, you will NEVER reach it and will then you will become a quitter and a coward. YUP I said it.
Get mad if you will, but I am speaking to you about what "I" learned.
Change is uncomfortable and the sooner you accept that and are willing to feeling uncomfortable for a little while... you will start to see your body transform into what you want it to be in the first place.
A key word of advice though;
Go for being strong and not skinny. Skinny is NOT healthy no matter what the magazines and fashion tell you. I'd rather be muscle bound and rock solid than look like you could break my bones with a hug.
So get a workout video that appeals to you and start slow, adding five more minutes each time if you can't finish. Just keep pushing. You CAN do this if you want to.
Get a workout buddy and hold each other accountable.
Also, use a calorie counting web site. I used caloriecount.com and was amazing to see just where my daily calorie overload was coming from. Once you understand where your fat building areas are... its easier to avoid and make healthier decisions.
Tip: If you have an iphone, or phone capable of snapping a photo; take a picture of each meal both before and after. Having a visual of what you are putting into your body is often shock enough.
Don't be afraid and push yourself. If this girl can lose 50 lbs and go from a size 20 to a size 6; then I KNOW you can do it. You just gotta wanna do it for the right reasons.
I'm open to questions on this matter since I've learned ALOT and done tons of research.
I do not believe in supplementing meals with shakes and other fads because that isn't teaching you the proper way to do anything. It is simply substituting one bad habit for another. That is NOT what we want. I want you to learn why and how to change things that you can stick with. Once you stop drinking those shakes; do you really think the weight is gonna stay off? When you stop buying to pre portioned meals and stop listening to when and how you should eat; have you learned how to make those choices for yourself?
I know this post will upset alot of people, but if that is the motivation you need then get really really irrate... thats okay... just get moving.
Love you all, and thanks for reading my post about my:
Life as a former fat girl.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Hey everyone:
I've got an idea and would love to hear what you think.
The title of my blog is Life of a former............
We are all a former "something" in our lives.
Each day I would like to discuss our "former" lives and what has changed to make us who we are today.
I'd love to hear your suggestions, and testimonies on what kind of "FORMER" you are.
If you have a question about one of mine... please feel free to ask. I will be as honest as possible (without comprimising anyone else's privacy of course), and share any insight I may have.
SO:
Think about the type of former you are and would like to hear about and send in your requests or stories. After all.... YOU; the reader is the most important part in this equation.
Love to you all in computer land.
~Jen
I've got an idea and would love to hear what you think.
The title of my blog is Life of a former............
We are all a former "something" in our lives.
Each day I would like to discuss our "former" lives and what has changed to make us who we are today.
I'd love to hear your suggestions, and testimonies on what kind of "FORMER" you are.
If you have a question about one of mine... please feel free to ask. I will be as honest as possible (without comprimising anyone else's privacy of course), and share any insight I may have.
SO:
Think about the type of former you are and would like to hear about and send in your requests or stories. After all.... YOU; the reader is the most important part in this equation.
Love to you all in computer land.
~Jen
So today starts the first day of my life as an official blogger. I've started this because my mind, body and soul have been going through some drastic changes over the last year or two and I've had some personal revelations I'd like to share. I call them "Jen"~ism's.
These are just ideas, thoughts, and wisdom that I've learned through my trials and victories.
Some may seem mundane, but I never said I was a quick learner.
Hope you enjoy my blog as much as I will enjoy sharing it.
All my love to you out there in virtual world.
These are just ideas, thoughts, and wisdom that I've learned through my trials and victories.
Some may seem mundane, but I never said I was a quick learner.
Hope you enjoy my blog as much as I will enjoy sharing it.
All my love to you out there in virtual world.
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