Enviro Jen

Funny

2011-12-08T21:40:00.003-05:00

Today my sister sent a text to my parents, brother and I, that said, "Camille got her butt stuck in tupperware bowl." Well, my cousins name is Camille (married adult), and I thought, well that's cool they're talking to each other, but I wonder how she did that.

Later on I opened the text and there was a picture attached of the little baby girl she Nanny's ... I guess her name is Camille too.

You know what else is funny, Ellen. Click on the Funny title:)

-Found this funny photo there:)

Obama and War

2011-12-08T21:19:00.000-05:00

I'm listening/watching President Obama's speech from December 1, 2010.

He is such an eloquent speaker. He explains what his plans are in such detail and with such thoughtful brilliance and a kind heart.

During this speech he talks about how we had been at war for 8 years. 8 years!

He's talking about the completion of the Iraq war and when all of our troops return home.

The President also explains how he came to the conclusion that he needed to support the long standing request for more troops in Afghanistan and the plan of when we are bringing them home.

He speaks about the number of coffins he has come to see home. President Obama describes how many condolence letters he has signed and met the families of those who were killed in these wars.

The President describes what the Afghanistan people have gone through and support at this time will enable them to have their own country again and eliminate the Taliban.

I'm surprised he even wants to continue to be President. With the efforts and exhaustion it would take to be ON the majority of the time and still be able to be there for your family.

The Obama family is providing us a huge service. They are giving us a chance to do something for ourselves. Please support a government family we are so lucky/blessed to have.

They don't want us to give up any of our spirituality, no matter what that means to us as a person. Coexist!

This is just a small part of an educational, emotional, hopeful speech. I highly recommend listening to it and giving yourself a minute to really consider the sacrifice, so many American's, so many humans, children, worldwide have given in order us to find lasting peace. Let's do it in their honor, in whatever way that means to you.

It's our job to find a connection. It our job to be happy. It's our job to be here now. You and Me, we can do this together.

Web Page Designer ...

2011-12-07T22:23:00.000-05:00

I think this blog has so much more potential ... I think it could more organized with a section for healthy recipes, baby tips, saving money, consignment sales, products, places, websites, and blogs.

I'm going to share a day in the life by describing yesterday, today and tomorrow ...

0600: Awoke
0700: On way to work
0830: Big EMS Awareness presentation
1030: Back to office
1500: Leave work
1530: Pick Olivia up!
1600: Arrive at Lotus Acupuncture clinic for Olivia to be tested for NRT. See Aunt Victoria and get some snuggle time.
1620: Find out there are no drops to test Olivia with, so it was a long trip with no results, but resolved.
1730: Get home and snuggle with Olivia. Heat her dinner in toaster oven, prepare Olivia's lunch, and prepping meals (Paul working on his paper upstairs).
1830: Paul comes down, briefly catch up, I change, run out door.
1910: Arrive for Dr. Kearney's, 101 Positive Ways to Discipline your Children.
2145: Arrive home from Parent Chat
2145: Finish making chicken curry soup, Paul deboned whole organic chicken I'd had cooking while I was gone. Thank you, Paul! Make brownies for retirement party and wheat berry salad for Navy holiday party. I couple friends really liked the wheat berry salad too. :)
0100: Went to bed.
0640: Paul leaving.

Today:
0720: Woke up.
0740: Got up to Mommy, mommy, mommy :)
0840: Drove Olivia to school.
0900: Dropped her off.
0915: Worked
1130: Holiday part
1245: Back to work
2000: Home from work after Olivia went to bed. :( (3 more days of work, until Olivia time!)
2015: Intense Rain/Wind Storm starts on the 72 degree day with a 41 degree low tonight...
2030: 15 minutes with Paul to catch up about our days.
2045: Ran next door to Auntie Maggs to give her the soup I put aside for her and extra wheat berries.
2100: Cut brownies for retirement party
2130: Get ready for bed.
2200: Sit in bed and blog
2215: Laying in bed blogging, watching SNL with Paul while he takes a break from paper. The SNL with Steve Buscemi and Black Keys!
2330: Go to bed.

0600: Start all over again through next Tuesday ... Fun, happy, but busy. Trying to focus on getting some rest when I can.

Anyway, if you are interested in making this blog into something more organized and help me further educate the planet on how great it is to be green, happy, positive, peaceful, filled with joy and love and happiness for www.envirojensbaby.com. Please email me. I can barter and/or negotiate payment.

Also, if you'd ever like me to post a story you'd like to share, please email me too. I can do it with or with anonymity. I just want to share a good word and One Love!

An economic opportunity!

2011-12-07T21:31:00.008-05:00

"Do you know the difference between a rich person and a poor person? $0.01!"

Do you consider whether you've left the water on a little bit too long?
-Economic opportunity! Do it for shorter?

Do you sometimes look around and notice you have 6 lights on and 3 would be fine?
-Economic opportunity! Turn off extra lights and lights when you leave a room.

Do you wash your hands and then shake the water off, so there is less to dry on a disposable paper towel?
-Use a towel and wash them often! -If you're not washing your hands well or your family is sick, everyone could use their own towel. I know towels can share germs, but I try to wash my hands well, quickly and we have quite a few towels, so we can use a new one at least every other day. Also have a towel for Olivia only in the bathroom. I just feel better about that.
--Short term investment versus a long time expense.

I want to give my friend Charlie a shout out for inspiring tonights blog. He has lived fruggally in the ways that are important, is retiring and has a subaru and porsche! I'd say Life is Good! Congrat's, Charlie!

If we get it under control, our children, the next generation, won't have to.

Discipline

2011-12-05T18:37:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow night I'm going to a lecture on the:

101 Positive Principles of Discipline by Dr. Katharine Kersey - Included as the link on this blog. Our dayschool Director provided an short lecture on this principle and gave us the list of these 101 principles. She worked under Dr. Kersey and uses these principles at Ascension Day School.

Olivia has recently started to push her/our limits a little bit. When I have asked her twice to stop doing something, such as getting into the tv electronics, I have implemented time out, where she stands in the hallway corner. She has stayed there and just stares at me waiting for me to tell her it's ok to come out. I'm so glad it has been so easy! It's only happened twice, but there could be more challenging behaviors to come as she has started to shrug when I ask her questions at times... I try not to laugh because it's also so cute!

Paul and I agree we need to work out what our discipline procedure will be, but hope this is all it will take for the next year ... Especially, and I'm sure obviously, physical punishment is too harsh at this age, and possibly any age. I've had friends who have implemented time out in a corner of a certain area of the house and this has worked, so this is what I did.

I look forward to learning new ways to deal with upcoming challenging behaviors tomorrow night.

"Discipline doesn't break a child's spirit half as often as the lack of it breaks a parents heart." -Anonymous

"It is better to bind your children to you by a feeling of respect and by gentleness, than by fear." -Terence

Budgeting for baby

2011-12-05T18:30:00.000-05:00

I called into a local National Public Radio (NPR/WHRO - Here say with Kathy Lewis) show a few months ago when they were discussing people who choose not to have children because of the environmental impact more people will have on this planet. I called in to say, that I used to think like that, but I know Olivia has actually reduced my impact on the planet.

Ok, maybe I would actually be biking to work if I didn't drop her off at daycare before, but I'm sure I would have found plenty of excuses for weather/meetings/etc, to have done skipped this semi-regularly.

Either way, my point is, our babies can help make the planet a better place. We can use reusable diapers, make our own baby food and buy lightly used clothes through consignment and thrift and hand me downs from our friends. We can make choices that save resources for our children.

I know it is easier right now to buy pre-packaged, disposable, items for our kids, but you must weigh out the future we want for our kids. One small step at a time, just give yourself a breathier to think about whether we are headed in the right direction for us all ...

The bankroll portion of the following quote mostly applies towards her college fund and plane tickets now that she's 2 ... Wowza!

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten, and the future worth living for." -Anonymous

SINGLE PARENTS and TEACHERS

2011-12-05T18:04:00.000-05:00

I just want to reach out to the single parents, whether because of not being in a relationship, no involvement, divorce, deployment or otherwise! You are super hero's!! You make huge sacrifices every day, that require boat loads of thanks!!

Separate shout out to those stay-at-home parents!! You guys are single parents for at least 40 hours/week and as wonderful as this can be, this requires you to be on, even more than you would be if you were working for someone besides your family. Trips to the bathroom may still include a child at your heals, plus non-stop interactions, which most people can get breaks from at work.

As a dear stay-at-home mom and friend put it: "Every opportunity is a learning opportunity!" If your children haven't started school full-time yet, there is so much pressure to help your children develop socially and developmentally.

The thought of being able to do that has crossed my mind more than once over the last 3 years, since becoming pregnant, but everything happens for a reason and the need to work financially pushes away my guilt for not being able to be at home with Olivia 24/7. Even though, I miss Olivia and it hurts me to drop her off at a wonderful place each morning...

Perhaps to justify working for myself, but I know I make a difference in the world through my job and I can help mold the world into a better place for Olivia because of what I do. I am grateful for the passion and drive I have to do my job well for the world. The Navy is a huge employer and helping each person employed by the Navy to see how their job may impact the environment is a big deal.

I'm incredibly gratefully, that I know Olivia is developing well both socially and developmentally, thanks to amazing teachers at Ascension Day School. All lead teachers have degrees in higher education and most of the assistant teachers are either still in college pursuing their undergrad or Master's degrees and many speak second languages.

Most of all though, I really feel that she is loved!! She is happy to go to school, even though it breaks my heart when some days she says she wants to stay with me, and she's so happy when I pick her up. She is happy to be handed off to her teachers though too, asks where they are when someone is missing, or just goes off to play with her friends. After my parents kept her out of school for a week during their visit in October, the first week of drop offs was difficult, but we talked about it and now she is happy to go again.

I think half the battle is remembering is explain things to her. I can sometimes get wrapped up in what's in my head and finally realize I haven't been talking to her or responding to her, but once I do she understands and moves on. They are brilliant little sponges and I just have to remember to keep giving her something to absorb.

Kudos to all you parents who are the sole responsible party for doing it all the time!! Additional kudos to those amazing teachers who choose to do it all the time!! Olivia's teachers are so full of energy, love and just the right about of controlled discipline.

Last week and today she started yelling and running for her Director Erin and then today Mrs. Monique. It makes me so happy to see how excited she is to see them!

Thank you to all of the parents and teachers (professionally and part-time) who are helping to raise our future generation with lots of love, positive self-esteem and boundaries!! My sister is a Nanny, and I was always so happily amazed at how much time she spent talking to Olivia throughout the day!

I love this quote:

"Parents need to fill a child's bucket of self-esteem so high that the rest of the world can't poke enough holes to drain it dry." -Alvin Price

Detox 15 & 16 - food diary

2011-12-05T17:51:00.001-05:00

11/21/11 - I was still sick, but less congested and moving on to a scratchy throat and lots of dry coughing ... Less learned from this cold, keep taking really good care of yourself with lots of sleep even when you start to feel a bit better. Overdoing it has caused this to stay around longer ...

AM routine with 24 oz warm water

Really hungry

Salad with black bean, mango/pineapple salsa, ground taco turkey, spring mix

Coffee combo with 83% dark chocolate chunk

Dinner: Lentil soup

Tea tip: warm lemon water with local honey can help soothe a sore/scratchy throat, plus the local honey helps with allergies ...

11/22/11 - Probably getting old, but I was still sick, I apologize for these being so late and out of order, but I took my own advice and stopped posting to take it easy ...

AM combo

Baked red potato slices (left over from our summer CSA)

Coffee combo with chuck o chocolate

Mexican out for lunch: Chile relenos with refried beans, guacamole and shredded lettuce, few chips and a little salsa (corn and a little cheese, but no wheat)

I hope to be better motivated after the holidays ... Note to self, better to start detox diet after the holidays and do the best I can during ...

Food diary tips and soups for the week...

2011-12-05T17:49:00.001-05:00

Amanda Hamp, said it's good to write down how you're feeling before you eat, during and after. That way you can better gauge why you ate, were you really hungry or did you eat for your emotions ...

The ayurvedic practitioner, I have worked with said to wait until you're hungry to eat, that way your body will actually tell you when you're ready to eat.

A couple weekends ago we were all congested, but Olivia was her normal perky self. We went for walks Saturday and Sunday morning.

Paul made us lentil soup from scratch on Saturday, which I mentioned before. Once he got it going, soaked red lentils a few hours, rinsed and started cooking lentils in chicken broth* with carrots and celery on low for most of the day. Delicious and we ate on it all week! Tonight I am making a Coconut milk and chicken soup, which Amanda Hamp gave me the recipe for when I worked with her. This is also nice to eat on in the evening. I take a whole organic chicken from Costco, cook in a big pot of water until the meat falls off the bone. Paul is great enough to debone it for me.

Then we put part of the chicken back in soup and use some for making Olivia's quesadilla's are just for dinner the following nights. This makes a nice light meal for dinner time when your digestion is slowing down in the evening.

If only I were more blog savvy you'd see this picture straight on ... One day ...

Crock pots are great for this too and it's so nice to cook one night and just heat back up on the stove, or keep warm in the crock pot, without the big effort of cooking every single night when we could be playing with our kids!

*we were out of vegetable bouillon cubes and we have a lot of hormone free broth left over from my parents bulk package from Costco),

"The best way to make children good is to make them happy." -Oscar Wilde

Recycling Secrets, or 'Not so Secret Ways to Make Money and Go Green!'

2011-12-05T17:30:00.000-05:00

A great "conservative" guy I know summarized his "going green tips" just for you! Enjoy! Hopefully you can save the boat load of money he does too!

Recycling Secrets, or 'Not so Secret Ways to Make Money and Go Green!'

Nobody EVER refers to me as a "Greenie Weenie" because I'm one of the most conservative people my friends and relatives know, but I'm also the most green-minded, bar none. I recycle or re-purpose about 95% of everything that goes through my home. Literally. Recycling, and saving money, has become more than a habit; it has become a passion. I offer these examples as proof:

1) At present I only have to place my single city-supplied, blue plastic trash receptacle on the curb for pick-up an average of 1.7 times per year (that's only once every seven months)! Conversely, the same size city-supplied, blue "recycle" receptacle cannot usually handle the out-going volume on scheduled pick-up days.

2) Even though my house is approximately 4,500 square feet of heated, living space, my average electric bill averages $130-$140 a month year-round.

3) Except for my wife's dog, even all our "pets," which presently number about 55 rescued/abandoned, "recycled" animals!

4) Even common household junk, considered useless and thrown in the trash by most people, continues to generate cash at our house in several ways!

I will explain...

1) Recycle EVERYTHING! We have labeled and placed three large "Sorter Bins" under our kitchen cabinets; A. "Recyclables," B. "Paper/Cardboard," and C. "Garbage." It only takes a little practice and discipline to sort EVERYTHING into the correct bins to start the journey "out."

A. RECYCLABLES: All glass (bottles, jars, drinking glasses, etc.), plastic (bottles, containers, packaging, Tupperware, etc.), metal cans (sans paper labels), and bulk paper items not suitable for burning (magazines, telephone books, advertising catalogues), goes into the "Recyclables" bin and eventually into blue recycling receptacle for the curb.

B. PAPER/CARDBOARD: All burnables (newsprint, writing paper, bottle and metal container labels, popsicle sticks, cardboard containers are collected and used in lieu of "kindling" for starting fires in out fireplace. We have not needed kindling for more than 20 years. (We live in a rural, agricultural area and during the summertime the same burnable materials are utilized to start recreational bonfires and disposing of brush piles in accordance with municipal burn restrictions.)

C. GARBAGE: We recycle almost all vegetable wastes by distributing them across our nearly four-acre yard where our tractor's mulcher blades reduce it to compost. Meat scraps are saved (frozen if necessary), and fed to our various animals throughout the year. After all of the above efforts, only small amounts of unusable "garbage" remain, accounting for our scant, infrequent city trash pick-ups.

2) Our home is as energy efficient as is financially and humanly possible We have taken the below steps to maximize our savings and low energy consumption:

A. Optional "Time of Use" (TOU) electric program (voluntarily available through Dominion Virginia Power) which utilizes high "Off Peak" and low "On Peak" electric usage. We are charged a reduced rate for "Off Peak" usage, and schedule the use all of our large appliances (electric stove, washer, dryer, water heater, etc.) ONLY during these "Off Peak" times, if possible. Conversely, all large appliances are scrupulously avoided during higher rated "On Peak," times of day. This reduces our electric bill by $150-$250 a month, depending on the season.

B. In conjunction with above "TOU" rates, we have an electrical timer ($23) on our water heater (a major electrical usage appliance) limiting it's usage to two or three 1-1/2 hour periods per day, and ONLY during the "Off Peak" times and rates. This immediately reduced our electric bill $50 a month.

C. Digital/Programmable Thermostats were installed on each of our two heating/cooling zones. The $100 per unit expenditure reduced our electrical bill another $35-$45 a month and paid for themselves in just a few months. We estimate that we have been saving $3,000-$4,200 per year ($250-$350 per month) in electrical bills. Could YOU use an additional $3,000-$4,200 a year???

D. We have installed new, energy-efficient windows and entry doors and garage doors (see below), and we have added additional insulation in the attic. As major appliances need to be replaced (water heater, refrigerator, washer, dryer, etc.), we replace with the most energy efficient models available.

3) As a wildlife rehabilitator and rescuer, even our animals generate income in the form of an annual tax deduction!

4) At least twice a year I go through the garages and do a thorough cleaning and re-organization. I start out by placing large recycling bins by the doors. All metals and other recyclables are sorted as the cleaning process progresses. Regular recyclables are placed in the regular blue receptacle, but all steel, aluminum, brass and copper is sorted and taken to a local recycling center and sold for scrap. Each visit usually garners between $125-$250 in additional revenue... for USELESS JUNK that would otherwise be thrown in the trash!

DOUBLE SAVINGS: Recently we contracted to have our windows and doors replaced with new, energy efficient models. Now get this: We were rewarded with double savings by requesting to keep, rather than dispose of, our old windows & doors and the related aluminum "wrap." By so doing, in each case we had our original estimates reduced by $35-$75 per job, and then WE were rewarded with the cash from recycling the scraps, which is totally in the HUNDREDS of additional dollars! It was a Win-Win situation for us, and our just for the asking!

Think "Green!" (Dollars are GREEN!!!)

"Every journey begins with the first step."

Do Yoga, Feel Better!

2011-11-29T21:24:00.001-05:00

The fall into winter darkness is coming. Even to our sunny Virginia beach. We have been very fortunate to have some beautiful sunny, 70 degree days, this fall, but I'm not sure whether that just makes the cold, rainy, gray days that much tougher. I have been feeling a bit of the winter blah's, however today I did something about that slump!

Today, I went to yoga for the first time in at least a month. I feel so good!!!

There is nothing like yoga! I remembered to breath oxygen into each part of my body for a whole hour. I left my own thoughts for at least a minute several times. I felt amazing stretches, that made me euphoric! I went back to work and got a lot done, then came home and just felt so incredibly happy and grateful! I loved on Olivia and Paul tons and tons before Olivia's bedtime! We read books and did the bedtime routine together! Paul made kale chips, sauteed cabbage and Olivia's quesadilla for dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow, and did all the dishes before going up to work on the last paper of his MBA!

Today, my gratitude for life and the things that are good today are due to my taking the time to do an hour worth of loving myself, that has continued to the rest of my evening and my life.

If there was ever a good day for using one of yoga's key phrases, it is today for me. Thank you, yoga!

Namaste. Choose to be happy. Choose to just be.

Reading to children

2011-11-20T15:44:00.000-05:00

“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents."

^{- Emilie Buchwald}

Chrysler Art Museum in Ghent

2011-11-20T15:42:00.000-05:00

Olivia and I recently visited this museum and it's wonderful!

The museum is FREE, but the traveling exhibit was Curious George, really neat and only a small additional fee. At the end there was a reading room with lots of Curious George books for all ages & huge animal pillows!

The next exhibit is interactive and we loved it too!!

Add some culture to our lives and support local art!

Water Lover

2011-11-20T15:40:00.000-05:00

My husband and I recently began refilling the big BPA free water jugs versus using the fridge filter. I had been concerned for some time, that the fridge filter wasn't removing all that I would like, it's about $50 each time we replace it, and we prefer to drink our water at room temperature versus the fridge temperature. We used to drink water this way, so we already had a great ceramic water jug holder with a spout.

We are a water loving family! Huge benefit to living close to the Chesapeake Bay! More on water another day and/or click on the title...

Consignment sales, local consignment stores and deals

2011-11-20T15:37:00.000-05:00

Hampton Roads Consignment Sales:

Many change locations because they rent vacant stores for a weekend.

I haven't been to the one below, but they put out nice flyers ...
Anna Cruz Consignment:

www.annacruzconsignment.com #757-348-7917

POSH Baby Sale: www.poshbabyevents.com

Mother's of Multiple Sale:
This is crazy! People start waiting at 6AM for an 8:30AM opening. It's one day only in spring and fall and they have half off from 12-1ish. Check the website, but I would recommend volunteering if you don't want to deal with the chaos of this one.

Thrift Store USA: off Little Creek, between Tidewater and Ches Blvd. is great on kids stuff and I found Olivia a great dresser for $50 too! Shoes are usually $1.99 for kids and Keisha finds all kinds of great clothes and shoes there! I'm not so good at finding things for myself. The books are good too and between $1-3!

The Mommy and Me Consignment store: is on Tidewater Drive to the right of McDonalds. If you take a left from Little Creek onto Tidewater, it's just after the school on your right, before the McDonald's. It's right across from the Norfolk Parks and Rec Center and skate park. It's nice to have them resell for you there and then just have the store credit when you need things. They will give cash, but you have to remember to pick up your check and they tear it up after 3-9 months (can't remember how long they keep it). They also charge $10/year for a consigners fee.

The White Rabbit - on 21st in Ghent is cute, higher end than Mommy and Me, but I can find some great deals sometimes and great place for holiday outfits and things. They own the Wild Hare, which is a ladies consignment store right around the corner.

The consignment stores have specific drop off times when you consign, so call ahead to verify before showing up and being frustrated.

The big consignment sales, like POSH, offer early shopping if you volunteer, so check that out and the volunteering is fun. I've done it for POSH and the GUMP sale, which will happen again in February.

Thrift Store USA is the cheapest, but then I just shop around. The big consignment sales you price your own items, so there is a huge range, but the stores price your stuff and they are usually more expensive.

-Except for socks and shoes are from consignment sales and stores.

If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito. - Unknown

Movie marthon

2011-11-20T15:28:00.000-05:00

Date night:
We ended up being a bit under the weather, so I decided on a movie marathon. We put the futon, made snacks for us, and picked Halloween to cuddle up for Mellow, but a snuggled up success!

Home date night

2011-11-20T15:23:00.000-05:00

We don't have family in town and we haven't found a frequent babysitter, so it's hard to have our much needed date nights (we do have a fabulous sitter, but she books up by the month!). I've become tired of the routine ... Get ready for next day, have our 10 minutes and zone out in front of the tv.... We do get our 10 minutes together, but I need a little more. I asked Paul if he'd be game for home date nights, where we take turns planning date night for after Olivia goes to bed. Paul and I played rock, paper, scissors to see who would go first and Paul was the chosen one...

For our first home date night (he told me his plan):
-Puzzle: We chose a puzzle, which we'd been talking about for a while, 100 piece kids puzzle as it turned out, which we were able to finish over some great conversation! Nothing like a successful puzzle to start the date night off right!
-Film: Next we chose a film, Don Juan Demarco, for a romantic comedy, but ended up catching up on an hour worth of our Tivo'd funny shows, which was nice too.
-Chess: I thought about wearing more clothes, since I'm not yet a great chess player and this was strip chess, but I held my own enough and we stayed pretty even, until I lost, but does anyone really loose? ;)
-Massage: Paul had told me I was getting a massage, so I didn't let him forget that and the rest is history.

A successful first date night! As far as date night goes, cheap and easy, that's my motto, not me, the date criteria... ;) Highly recommend it, even if you do have family in town or a reliable baby sitter! Olivia loves our monthly sitter a ton, and so do we!! They go for walks, play in her kitchen and Keisha even gives her a bath when needed.

Pressures on, Friday is my turn! So far, I am making something out of a cookbook called "Inter Courses - an aphrodisiac cookbook" by Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge, that has great recipes and a good friend gave us 10 years ago for a wedding gift. Next, we have a bunch of Halloween wigs, so I told Paul to think about dressing up in character ... that's as far as I've got, so if anyone has any ideas... Click on the title or www.nest.com was pretty creative and has tabs for preparing for baby and a getting married site tab too.

Guilt Free Chocolate & other goodies

2011-11-20T15:13:00.000-05:00

I have learned to love dark chocolate with natural sweeteners or very little sugar. Here are some options, so you can have your chocolate and eat it too:) I have listed them least expensive and most available at regular stores.

Trader Joe's - 70% dark chocolate bars, 100 calorie, sweetened with beet sugar (downside they are individually wrapped, but it forces portion control).
Endangered Species, extreme dark chocolate, 88%, beet sugar and 10 grams of sugar per bar! Huge bonus, a portion of the proceeds go towards endangered species, such as the Panther for this one.
Ghirardelli chocolate comes in really dark chocolate with pretty low sugar, available at most grocery stores (downside: has dairy, not organic and real sugar)
Dagoba, eclipse 87%, cane sugar and milk, but a good option to regular mini mart chocolate bars and not too expensive.
Pure organic, chocolate brownie, tastes like a brownie! Organic, only sweetened with fruit and agave sugar.
Moonstruck, 68% cacao, but it is sweetened with sugar and 26 grams per bar.
Chuao, chocolatier, 60% cacao, dark chocolate with coconut, almond, cinnamon and coriander (found it at WM).
Santa Catarina, Seeds of Change, 61% cacao, does have sugar and milk and about 35 grams of sugar per bar.
Chocolate Mexicano, Taza Chocolate, Vanilla, Stone Ground and organic (one of my favorites!, but it does have regular organic sugar).
Pasqualina's gluten free goodies are homemade in Virginia Beach and really good. They do have evaporated cane juice.
Lulu's, Maca Green Bar, super healthy. Sweetened with coconut palm sugar.
Guylian, belgian chocolate, 54% cocoa dark chocolate (does use malitol as a sweetener, which I don't prefer, but it's good).
Oasis, raw chocolate, coconut mulberry bliss.
Righteously RAw, Maca Bar or 80% cacao bar, sweetened with dates and agave nectar.
GoRaw, Spirulina energy bar, sweetened with banana's (not chocolate, but I can crowd out my desire for chocolate with this).

As you get further down the page the bars get up to $5 each, but if you eat in moderation, it lasts long enough to spread out the cost and make it more affordable...

Luna and Larry's, organic coconut bliss, so amazing, organic and sweetened with agave.
Beach Biscotti, gluten free coconut chocolate almond biscotti, LOCAL made in Virginia Beach, beachbiscotti@gmail.com. Can keep fresh for a long time in the freezer and thaws in minutes!
Lucy's gluten free cookies are a good sweet option and the company was started locally by a doctor who wanted to be nutritious.
Oreo's your favorite, a slightly healthier option would be Newman's brand or Back to Nature Classic Creme cookies.

Gluten Free Baby/children treats & fish nugget option

2011-11-20T15:11:00.000-05:00

I've been told children under 2 years old should not have wheat and with as many gluten allergies as there are coming out, here are some alternatives:

Mrs. May's, Pumpkin Crunch, super delicious, low sugar, but not organic.,
Healthy Times, organic Maple arrowroot crackers, pretty low in sugar and delicious!
Foods Alive, Organic flax crackers with hemp meal.
Earth Chips, organic nutty cheeze kale (Olivia loves kale chips and while these are expensive, they were super handy for a great green food option when we were in a bind and prior to Paul becoming the Kale Chip master!
Edward and sons, brown rice snaps, great with humus!
Whole ancient grain, spelt puffed cakes, sweetened with agave.
Doctor in the Kitchen, Rosemary flackers (flax seed crackers).
Hot-Kid, organic baby, mum-mum's are great in a bind, but I have my reservations, since they come from China...
Taste Nirvana, Real coconut water, so delicious!

Quick dinner or lunch options:

Local's choice: Pasha mezze, lentil soup, organic, local farms, and so delicous! Can keep a container frozen for a quick dinner or lunch.
Henry and Lisa's, Wild Alaskan, fish nuggets, gluten free, and supports of the Marine Stewardship council, so you have a healthy ocean supporter. Quick and delicious!

Detox Day 14 ... Sunday

2011-11-20T14:56:00.002-05:00

I thought I should catch up on the posts, since I have actually been tracking this detox change in eating habits. I think my sister still calls this Sunday-Funday and it has been a great past couple Sundays! It's at least 70 degrees here today! We have the windows open and took a walk to the beach!

I have had some setbacks, since I started, but I want to be honest and realistic, that setbacks can occur and we can still move forward and progress is still being made. Amanda Hamp, www.eatwellbehappy.com, taught me to move forward. If you forget what you ate yesterday or this morning, just write down what you do remember and move on.

GOAL: GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES and organic, hormone free, root vegetables, and protein, such as beans, chicken, and low metals fish. The closer that we can stick to eating like that the more detoxed we will become. Green tea is a good source of caffeine, that being said, I'll tell you about my eating habits today.

Sunday:
AM routine with warm water, 1/4 cup organic, GF, oatmeal with organic blueberries and 2 small organic red/white local potatoes made into sliced fries baked in grape seed oil.
water
tofu, green beans, squash, square of dark TJ's chocolate with coffee combo - 1/3 cup coffee, water, almond milk, GF chocolate chip cookies - still left over from my parents visit and no one else is going to eat them ...

Plan for rest of the day:
Taco/burritos: ground turkey in taco seasoning, baked GF spinach tortilla's, with lettuce (or broccoli - if spring mix is passed par ...), GF vegan cheese, olives, sauteed green peppers and onions.

I hope you have a Sunday-Funday too!! Last week's Sunday-Funday!

Detox Journal - Days 7- 11

2011-11-20T14:50:00.001-05:00

11/13/11 - Sore throat, congestion, head ache...
AM routine
20 oz warm water
3 gluten free waffles w/almond butter
1/2 (big half) omelet (tomato, avocado, green onions, purple pepper, sautéed mushrooms)
20 oz water
20 warm water
Paul's Lentil soup w/roasted turnips, carrots, sweet potatoes
20 oz warm water at bedtime.

11/14/11 - Less congestion, body ache, hot/cold flashes
AM Routine
12 oz warm water
1/4 cup TJ's Wasabi Almonds (burn out the cold, too bad they have sugar on them too...)
20 oz water
1 granny smith organic apple
1 bite size dark chocolate & milk chocolate Hershey.
20 oz water
1/4 cup wasabi almonds
1 boiled egg & 2 cups organic spring mix
1 Amy's organic gluten free/dairy free black bean and rice burrito
1 cup wasabi almonds & TJ's dark chocolate (100 calorie stick)
20 Water
Lentil soup for dinner, 4 sweet potato fries
Water and fish oil at bedtime

11/15/11 -
Am Routine w/24 oz warm water
40 oz of room temp water
Small piece of rockfish (freshly caught in Chesapeake Bay last week), breaded with brown rice flour & 2 cups of organic spring mix (Big container at Costco is $4.50!)
1 cup of UTZ organic black corn chips
Water with vitamins (calcium, colostrum, black radish, vitamin D (getting dark - no D from sun...)
Walk
40 room temp water
Black beans, rice, avocado, tomato, salsa, sautéed portabella mushroom & 1 cup UTZ chips
1 cup of organic coffee with organic grain rice milk
100 calorie TJ's chocolate (sweetened with beet juice)
20 oz water
Lentil soup, 4 sweet potato fries, sautéed cabbage
Warm water at bed with vitamins

11/16/11-
AM routine with warm water
Breakfast - Drank chocolate "greens"
1/4 cup of coffee
Lunch - sautéed spinach, French fries, pumpkin soup
1/4 cup of coffee with small piece of organic dark chocolate
Dinner - Lentil soup
After Olivia's bedtime, very small glass of organic red wine and very small piece of dark chocolate.

11/17/11-
Am routine (still stick)
Olivia's 1/2 boiled egg, 2 raspberries picked from yard, 1 small slice of persimmon.
2 whole sweet potato's worth of baked sweet potato fries
1/2 water/1/2 organic coffee, 2 100 calorie TJ's dark chocolate
2 cups of spring mix

11/18-19-
Did not track, but almost 90% same foods, adding Paul's home made lentil soup into the mix yesterday! Yum!
Sweet potato casserole & 2 deviled eggs
Cabbage with egg tart (mushroom, avocado, tomato, onion)
Lots of water in between all day
Lentil soup and cabbage

Detox Day 6

2011-11-20T14:48:00.001-05:00

11/12/11 - Probiotic pill only with water
Boiled egg & 1/4 gluten free bagel with goat cheese
Coffee combo like past days (with almond milk)
1/2 Green Kombucha
3 sesame seasoned seaweed
1/2 cup black beans and rice
Cuban Casserole (rice, beans, pork) and salad - Great Cuban dinner party
1 glass of organic red wine, 1 gluten free chocolate chip cookie - leftover from my folks visit, but I turned out some really sugary, diary, wheat tastic treats for this one cookie at home:)

Day 5 Detox Diet - 11/11/11

2011-11-20T14:44:00.001-05:00

Sorry for the delay, I have been keeping track and I'll get these posted on time, when I can finally get time off my mind... ;)

I began better in February. Olivia was a huge motivation because I was confident that I could change my health and stop her ear infections through breastfeeding (I stopped nursing just after Olivia's second birthday recently). In February, I started so quickly, that I really felt the detox of carbs, with similar affects to the Atkins diet. I felt I needed more energy to function, so Mandy told me to add small amounts of rice and quinoa, which really helped me focus on sticking to the greens and protein without the corn, potato and soy, I have had this time. This time I have cut corners with corn and potatoes, plus the GF beer below ...

AM routine
Coffee combo
Samples at costco (small piece of dairy cheese & cracker) - hard to turn down samples, must avoid Costco ...
Bean dip (black beans, chipotle salsa), corn chips &Gluten free beer - Our awesome neighbor friend Victoria dropped of the dip - click on the title for her bands like and see them in Hampton Roads!
Collard greens (sauteed by Paul), black beans, rice, broccoli with 1 t mustard
Organic black beans, corn chips, brown rice krispies, 1/4 cup TJ's pumpkin granola w/1 cup almond milk

I'm just going to focus on what I'm doing right and trudge forward. I will be the change I want to see in this world, with minor missteps. I'm still good enough, strong enough, and dog gone it, people like me. - Stewart Smalley ;)

Chocolate Reward for breast cancer

2011-11-17T10:37:00.000-05:00

If you buy a Ghirardelli dark chocolate bar with the pink breast cancer bow on it and enter the code at the link, attached to the title, they will donate $1 to the breast cancer foundation.

So, if you get a 86% cacao dark chocolate bar (there are several chocolate bar options for this deal, but this has the least sugar), like I did, for $2, it's like you only paid $1 and donated $1 to breast cancer!

Did chocolate ever taste so good?!

Do it by 12/31/11 and don't forget to get the code off the inside fo the cardboard wrapper before it's recycled.

There's nothing like a little super dark chocolate with something warm to drink on winter mornings to make me feel warm and fuzzy! Now, if only the chocolate antioxidants would kick in and make this festering cold go away ... I think it will today!

"I'm so optimistic I'd go after Moby Dick in a row boat and take the tartar sauce with me." - Zig Ziglar

--Of course I wouldn't eat Moby Dick, though, SAVE THE WHALES!! :)

Voting

2011-11-12T16:12:00.000-05:00

I'm very happy to report that Ralph Northam was reelected for Virginia Senate! Voter numbers looked pretty good in some districts, as well, at almost 50%! I'm a little disappointed to say that 50% is good voter turn out, but I'm hopeful more people are getting involved.

Thelma Drake spoke at our Bay View Civic League meeting Tuesday night about her current position supporting the Virginia transit systems. She said Norfolk Light Rail has been a big success and soon Norfolk will have a high speed rail stop in Norfolk, that goes all the way to Boston!

Rail is a more environmentally friendly way to travel, so it's great to hear there is still a push for railroad travel. I haven't ridden the regular train, but look forward to not thinking about the take off and landing, the fact that we are so far in the air and the scenery you can see riding on a train. I imagine this will be less stressful than plain rides with more flexibility to walk around with Olivia too. I love light rail! We take it in Portland and we don't have to deal with parking, drivers or gas...

Detox Day 4

2011-11-12T16:09:00.001-05:00

I've had a few setbacks this week, but I feel well on my way to making the most out of this detox. I hesitated to share my setbacks because of my drive for perfection and difficulty admitting when I'm not perfect, however, I think it's very important that we share our setbacks, so we don't feel we must be perfect.

Eating habits today*:

Same morning routine as past days (probiotic, aruvedic powders and warm water)
1/4 of banana (I wouldn't normally eat banana's, due to high sugar, however Paul forgot his part and Olivia already had her half).
Breakfast: Collard greens & Italian sausage (Paul made me a bunch of great greens for the week, I picked up last weekend from our local organic farm: http://www.mattawomancreekfarms.com/ & italian sausage my co-worker friend).
Coffee (1 cup over several hours because I diluted with 1/3 water and 1/3 organic whole grain "milk") with the truffle, i.e. no-bake-chocolate-cake recipe if you click on the title) -Again this chocolate was made by a good friend who uses very low sugar and alters the recipe a little, so I feel fairly guilt free...
Lunch: Collard greens with a chicken breast
Snack: 5 Lundberg lightly salted brown rice cakes, I have a problem with portion control on these, but at least the only ingredients are brown rice and sea salt at 60 calories each and 35 mg salt. (These are the least expensive at Trader Joe's)
Around 5pm I had a green apple (Granny smith are lower in sugar, hence the sour taste) and I had about 75oz of water during the day.

Kickboxing from 6:30-7:30 through the Norfolk Rec Center. The instructor is amazing! Most fun I've had getting my buns kicked, ever! She has the best rhythm with her awesome music choices! I love it, even when I'm messing up!

Bowl of cooked collard greens and the 1/4 cup of remaining mashed cauliflower after kickboxing.

*I eat about 90-95% organic, unless someone else is feeding me or it's something with a thick skin and not on the dirty dozen list: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/health/the-dirty-dozen-and-clean-15-of-produce/616/. I like to eat organic anyway, but I feel like it's especially good to eat organic when you're trying to detoxify.

Detox day 3

2011-11-12T16:07:00.001-05:00

First thing, routine, probiotic, detox and women's tonic powders with warm water.

1/4 banana (Paul likes bananas, so I buy them, but they are high in sugar - even though it's natural - so I try to stay away from them. Olivia saw it, so the 3 of us split it.
Clean skin smoothie (parsley, carrots, garlic, ginger...) Not for the light hearted the way I make it, but I can be pretty hard core when it comes to eating things not to be wasteful...I think it's working though.
1/4 cup coffee, 1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup organic whole grain "milk" & small bit of the delicious very low sugar truffles (recipe on Day 4 detox blog title)...
8-16 oz. water
Italian sausage (friend cooked all of her freezer food when freezer went out ...)
24 oz. water
Grilled tuna with rice, beans, 1/4 cup shredded cheese (Captain Groovies $6 lunch specials!)
same coffee combo and truffle
Dinner with Olivia: 3 small cherry tomatoes from Mattawoman Creek, small amount of collard green and Small amount of mashed cauliflower (I didn't use "milk or milk substitute and it was still plenty creamy - recipe option available by clicking on title, but definetely recommend seasoning or they can be kind of bland - very similiar to potatoes, but much better for you and low in sugar -good for diabetics).
Snack: Sauteed Collard Greens (grape seed oil &garlic only - no pork fat:) - to crowd out (term Amanda Hamp used, which is really helpful!) cravings for unhealthy things... & 1 cup of organic brown rice with organic almond milk - vanilla flavored (accidently bought sweetened) with cinnamon.

I successfully avoided eating anything else I'd like to avoiding during detox, or otherwise, so that was a huge success!

Detox Day 2

2011-11-12T16:04:00.001-05:00

Delayed day 2... Rest of the days to follow soon.

When I began working with Amanda Hamp in February 2011, she was concerned about me quitting everything all at once. Change is challenging for most of us, but I was determined to do it at any cost to rid Olivia of ear infections and any other illness that would require antibiotics. This took a huge toll on our family because we hadn't tried to eat only whole foods before. When you cut out all processed foods to fresh, organic, leafy greens, it initially takes a lot more preparation time.

After a few days on leafy greens and some protein, alone, I felt exhausted from the drastic drop of carbs. Amanda suggested I add in a small amount (handful) of brown rice or quinoa, so I was still eating some carbs, but whole food versions of them. Although I did amazing at teh beginning, it was a lot of self-made pressure. This time around I am more able to forgive myself and move on. I may fall off the wagon, but most importantly, it's choosing to get back on.

Tools for success:
--Take a food diary. It's my experience that I pig out less when I'm writing down everything that I'm eating. If you miss something, just skip it and move on.
--Prepare a menu for the week. We almost always prepare this for Olivia and it helps us see what we need to prepare on Sunday and have a plan for the whole week. I've been less consistent preparing a menu for myself, but it's much easier to have a plan for having food on hand, so I don't get hungry and binge..

Today's Menu:

24+ oz. of warm water with an aruvedic, all natural, detox powder and women's tonic & Probiotic
Boiled egg (free range, organic from our local farm market, click on title)
Organic sauteed greens (My husband prepared for me with love) -Heated in toaster oven.
1/2 cup coffee with 1/2 cup hot water and 1/8 cup Mayfield chocolate milk (bought for Paul, since they just removed High Fructose Corn Syrup, yay Mayfield) - this is not on my detox menu, but I'm going to continue adding water to my coffee until I switch to warm water and tea only. I am weening off the dairy, also, but it was a sweet treat in my coffee this morning! My dear friend Amelia Baker, pointed out that heavy whipping cream does not have any carbs from sugar and only takes 1 Tablespoon!
Dark chocolate truffle -recipe link on day 4 detox (very little sugar, made with love from Amelia for dessert last night), also not on the list, but it's the little pleasure I will enjoy with my coffee gradually until it's gone:)
Sauteed Greens, chicken salad (curry and garam marsala)
1.5 cups of brown rice with 1/4 t of local honey, cinnamon and almond milk
1 gluten free beer (not on detox diet, obviously, but at least it's not wheat ...)
2 cinnamon bread wedges with cream cheese, a piece of fried chicken, 2 red meat with marinara balls 1/2 white bread ham and cheese sandwich and a store bought cookie ... (My downfall for the evening, civic league ran way over and the snacks after reeled me in ...)

Amanda Hamp, http://www.eatwellbehappy.com/ taught me it's not about beating yourself up and dwelling on the negative, it's about focusing on the things I did do right and moving forward.

Even if you fall on your face, you're still moving forward.
Victor Kiam

Teaching our children healthy eating habits

2011-11-10T18:07:00.030-05:00

I visited the Navy's Child Development Center (CDC) recently. One of the things I learned is that the children have to eat there, parents cannot bring their children's food, unless they have food allergies. This may seem like a more manageable options anyway, but reviewing the menu to make sure your child has a balanced diet is also an important option. Olivia stays healthy when she doesn't eat wheat, dairy or refined sugars and they said I could bring her food after filling out a form for her exception. -- On a great note, they have tooth brush cubbies and brush teeth after each meal!

I thought this article (click on title) provided some helpful information on how much we need to get involved in what our children are fed. Michelle Obama has been very involved in getting more active and healthier eating habits.

I received an example CDC menu, which I think would be similiar to what any daycare facility or school would feed our children. As a sample, breakfast on various days included: Blueberry Pop-Tart, pancakes, apple spiced muffins, french toast sticks... Lunch and afternoon snack also includes a lot of carbohydrates, a very small amount of vegetable and some fruit. You should consider, that carbs may not have any servings of fruit, vegetable or protein. How are fillers helping our babies grow?

Olivia's typical meal plan:

At home - warm water with tiny bit of local honey and lemon

1/2 boiled egg for breakfast, a couple bribary raspberries from the yard (raspberries are used to get her into her diaper, carseat, dressed, etc.).

AM Snack at school or breakfast at home:

1 1/2 cups of quinoa cereal (cooked with coconut or almond milk) and frozen blueberries or raspberries)

Lunch: GF quesdilla with organic chicken, GF vegan cheese, portabella mushrooms, sauteed onion, and avocado. Baked sweet potato fries, and greens (broccoli, green beans) with mustard.
Afternoon snack: "Juiced carrot and ginger juice with aloe juice and sometimes organic, fresh pressed coconut milk/juice), flaxseed crackers, chick pea bites or apple and almond butter, seaweed chips from Trader Joe's, quick option in a pinch, or kale chips (2 of the mentioned).
Organic brown rice, aduzuki (quickly cooked from dried beans bought in bulk), black beans, tofu or humus, greens (noted above) and/or sweet potato fries.
The dinner below was mashed cauliflower, green beans, sweet potato fries, avocado and chicken salad with raisins and she ate it;).
- I'll be adding a list of lunches we've provided, as I have kept the masking tape of what it was ...

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

William James

Please Vote today!!

2011-11-08T10:33:00.000-05:00

It seems to me, many U.S. citizens want to blame the people currently in office for years worth of accumulated problems. It's my opinion that we are all responsible for where we are and people in the current parties shouldn't be blamed just because they were in office when the times became tougher. We all have a responsibility to get involved and affect change. Let's take a hard look at our candidates before we choose to vote for the other party.

Ralph Northam has been in his position for the Virginia Senate making some very positive and meaningful change over the last several years. He has great ideas to continue to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay, improve the Hampton Roads transportation system to encourage job growth and improve our educational system. I have met Senator Northam quite a few times over the years because he supports events and businesses in our area. He is from this area and has a vested interest in improving it for his children and future grandchildren. His wife is a teacher, so he knows the education challenges.

Please share a little bit of your time for all the years he has provided us and vote to keep him in office!

On a side note:
Barrack Obama's book, "A Letter to My Daughter's" is beautiful way to share history, inspiration and motivation to our upcoming generations. I read Obama's book to our daughter often and the amazing messages always choke me up. He says, "Have I told you that you are creative?", to which Olivia replies, "Yeeeees!" :) She enjoys it too! Such an inspiration and I'm so grateful to be able to share such a great message with our next generation! -This photo was taken on Olivia's 2nd birthday a few weeks ago and the shirt I'm wearing says, "Obama for your Mama". Obama for this Mama!

Day 1 - Detox diet

2011-11-07T22:46:00.001-05:00

Today, I started detoxing. It wasn't quite the rapid pace of last time because our dear friends, Team Baker, brought us Olivia's bd enchiladas (chicken, corn tortillas, cheese and delicious guac with homegrown jalapenos and tomatoes) and an almost 0 sugar truffle! Amazing!

My plan is to stick with green leafy vegetables (kale, collards, spinach, lettuce, mustard green, turnip greens, etc.), brown rice, a little quinoa and a few root vegetables, for the next 30 days, then ease things back one at a time to see how my body feels about it. No dairy, wheat, corn, white potato, red meat or pork. I will be eating everything organic and cut out the processed foods.

Wheat, corn and soy are highly subsidized by the GOV and therefore really cheap for processed product makers, even the good ones (Kashi, Cliff Bars, Luna). Sticking to the outside areas of the grocery store is a good way to get started (ask about grocery store tours at your local market). As you ease things back into your diet, one item at a time, you feel the effects of your food.

The biggest bonus is that my occasion heart burn and other uncomfortable things go away completely and I just feel better. This will be a bit more challenging around the holidays, but as Amanda Hamp taught me, it's not about falling off the wagon, it's about learning the tools to get back on.

30 days, it's not even 90% of your life to feel better. It's a way of life and as a bonus, you pretty much loose 10 lbs. and learn what ingredient are truly making you fat... Mine is wheat, sugar and probably white potato, maybe corn.

My best foods are green leafy vegetables, root vegetables, rice, quinoa and granny smith apples. If I eat like that I can reward myself with dark chocolate, red wine, and coffee here and there. If I eat outside those foods, I need to supplement with more exercise. My best exercise is, by far, yoga. 2 days a week and 20-30 minutes walks 4-5 times a week will do it, but I have to do the yoga. I am type A blood if you'd like to checkout the blood type book. I'm pretty much an A to a T.

My goal is to start taking you down the path to be able to figure out how to help yourself. If we all lived like this, I've heard cancer won't grow in a neutral pH system... "Live long and prosper." -Spock

Enjoy your babies!

2011-11-07T22:25:00.000-05:00

People need time for themselves. Introverted or Extroverted we need our time. "Down here it's our time..." -Goonies

Set a routine that makes things work for you. Take 5 minutes solid, uninterrupted, for your babies. Have dinner together. Maybe say why or what you're grateful for. Sing a bedtime song together. Take 10 minutes for each other. Then maybe an hour apart.

Starting a family is challenging, but indescribably rewarding!

Life is so full of love, just go out and enjoy it! "Between the 'i' and the 't'. -Justin Romito

Consignment Sale in Norfolk Starts today through Sunday

2011-10-14T15:21:00.000-04:00

I've never been to this one, but they put out nice flyers! Have a great weekend!

The sale is located:

3172 Azalea Garden Rd. Norfolk, VA 23513 #757-348-7917

Hours:

Friday Oct. 14th- 10:00am-8:00pm (open to the public free admission)

Saturday Oct 15th 8:00am-4:00pm (open to the public free admission)

Life is good! Choose to be happy! One Love!

Norfolk Consignment Sale Oct.1!

2011-09-18T14:20:00.003-04:00

Saturday, October 1st 8-1 is GUMP preschools fall consignment sale in Ghent, Norfolk, VA located at:

531 Raleigh Ave. Norfolk, va 23507 &

www.gumpreschool.org - click on special events and consignment sale. Questions email: gumpconsignmentsale.com

Great, high quality clothes and gear, plus anything without an "R" on the tag is half off from 12-1.

Awesome way to find this years Halloween costume, holiday outfits and name brand warm gear to prepare for winter.

There's still time if you want to consignment with a 60% profit and you name your price (recommended price list available to get an idea of the price most items sell). This will be my 3rd time consigning and I have made enough to pay for what I want!

Easy, great people involved and great way to make a little extra cash to buy your new to you kid stuff!

Volunteers get to shop early for first pics too!

Rain Barrels - Super Cheap in Chesapeake

2011-08-23T12:56:00.000-04:00

This is the best price I've seen for rain barrels and it's a great way to use the water from your gutters to easily water your gardens and flowers. A friend just built hers and said it was fun and easy! Thank you City of Chesapeake!

Water is an important resource to conserve, but even better SAVE MONEY and avoid drying your plants with the chlorine coming out of your tap!

Advance registration is required, so if you're interested, call the number below or just print this blog and send in the completed form and your check with the information provided below.

If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.

LORAN EISELY, The Immense Journey, 1957

Rain Barrel Workshop Registration

Learn about water conservation and build a rain barrel to use at your home.

1. Circle the workshop date you wish to attend. (Class size is limited to 20. Registration deadline is two days prior to each class.)

Saturday, September 17 at 10:00 a.m. at Chesapeake Arboretum
Saturday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m. at City Hall Agriculture Trailer

2. Fill out the contact information below for confirmation of registration Name______________________________________________
Contact phone number_________________________________
Mailing address______________________________________
Email address________________________________________
I want to build ____ barrels at $40.00 each (limit 2 per participant)

3. Pay $40.00 for materials (rain barrel and all parts) We do not accept credit cards so please send your check or money order, payable to VCE Chesapeake, 310 Shea Drive, Chesapeake VA 23322, with this form. You can also drop your registration and payment off at 310 Shea Drive agriculture office.

Note: Rain barrels are about 41 inches high and 20 inches around, please make arrangements to take yours home after the class. For additional information, please call 382-6348.

Sponsored by Dept. of Agriculture, Chesapeake Master Gardeners, and Public Works

FREE FUN: 4th Annual Books in the Park Returns to Celebrate the Joy of Reading - Sept. 17 12-4PM

2011-08-23T12:45:00.000-04:00

4th Annual Books in the Park Returns to Celebrate the Joy of Reading

TowneBank Fountain Park, Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk, Virginia

Saturday, September 17, 2011, Noon-4pm

Free and everyone is welcome!

This annual festival celebrates the joys of books and the wonders of reading with interactive experiences between authors, crafters, local businesses and festival guests. Celebrate the written word with poetry readings, author presentations, book signings, interactive workshops, children’s activities and much more! For little ones just learning to read and avid bookworms, there is a happy ending for everyone in the family. The 4th Annual Books in the Park is free and everyone is welcome.

Highlights at the 4th Annual Books in the Park:

The Cooking exhibition area will feature Chef Patrick Evans-Hylton, Food Editor for Hampton Roads Magazine and his best selling book "Popcorn". Cesca Waterfield author of "Bartab" will provide samples of her new organic beverages. William L. Kendle will sign copies of his book "Healthy Eating Made Easy". Ingrid Newkirk, president of PETA will sign copies of "Let's Have a Dog Party" and her new book "The Compassionate Cook".

The Writer's Pavilion will feature local authors Earl Swift, Cpt. Brittingham, Gerome Meminger, Rique Johnson, Tony Ruggiero, Ed Curry, Maloney Hunter-Lowe, Iyasha Edwards, Tracy Simmons, Gene Thornton (from the group The Clipse) and many more.

The Poet's Lounge will feature Phyllis Johnson, Ann Shalaski, Jamaal Richardson, Nancy Powell and more.

Children's Luau Garden will feature sidewalk chalk, freebies, and local children's book authors. Capt'n Sharky appearance and booth with the Ark Group. Dominion Derby Girls Klutzy demonstrations including big bubbles, face painting, and balloon creations. Kid karaoke with DJ E-BiGgs. Performance by Norfolk's own Skye Zentz. Children's boutique Silver Rattle with Ms. Dawn storytime at 2pm and special offers.

Tidewater Community College Professor Robert Kunzinger will be reading at the TCC information tent. NOOK demo table with giveaway. Great selection of books, kid's games, and more available for purchase.

The Muse Writer's Workshop with host a Writer's Salon, open to all writers from all genres from 12-3pm. National Poet Millicent Borges Accardi will attend. Magnetic Poetry and snacks provided. Photography exhibit.

The Virginia Stage Company returns with Mark Twain.

Andon Zebal of New Forest Earth will sell handmade blank books and journals.

Bring the family to the 4th Annual Books in the Park where unique opportunities await for book lovers of all ages. Enjoy the inspiring variety of book-related activities, exhibitions and demonstrations and interact with exceptional writers, poets and storytellers in the Hampton Roads community. BNTCC will have a great selection of books for purchase in the Park including titles from the Naro list, graphic novels, books from favorite authors, green living, cookbooks and many more!

Special Note: Lawn Chairs and blankets are welcome. Coolers, food and soft drinks are permitted. No Alcohol or glass is permitted; food and alcohol will be available for purchase during the festival.

For more information about events, including Park regulations, parking, and surrounding attractions, visit festevents.org or call 757.441.2345.

4th Annual Books in the Park is produced by Norfolk Festevents, Ltd, Barnes and Noble at Tidewater Community College and sponsored by the City of Norfolk, AT&T, and Port of Virginia.

Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale Saturday in Newport News

2011-08-15T16:09:00.001-04:00

Saturday, August 20th, 2011 9am-3pm

Green Home-Makeover at Wholesale Prices!

Rain Barrel $85

http://www.systern.com/

Compost Bin $70

http://www.earthmachine.com/

Also available on Sale Day:

Compost Aerator ($20)

Kitchen Collector Bucket ($12)

Rain barrel benefits:

-Cut water bills

-Use stored rain to water your lawn

-Reduce energy spent at water treatment facilities (which will reflect on tax payer utility bills)

All necessary hardware included, but homeowner will need to adapt downspout.

•

Compost benefits:

-Average homes produce 650 lbs of kitchen/yard waste a year.

-Reduce your load at the source by turning it into highquality odorless fertilizer.

Todd Stadium

12465 Warwick Boulevard

Newport News

Contact Amanda Wroten,

Event Manager

Phone: (757) 597-2842

amanda@newportnewsgreenfoundation.org

http://www.newportnewsgreenfoundation.org/

ADDITIONAL INFO:

LOCATION:

If you don't already own a compost bin and rain barrel this would be a great way to do so. Of course, you can also dump compostable material, such as vegetable, fruit and grass waste in a corner of your yard and it'll compost right there for you, but not as pretty... If you put animal waste in your compost you may attract unwanted pest. Just a few benefits of composting and rain barrels are included below:

Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale

The Wise: Maya Angelou

2011-07-21T10:50:00.000-04:00

In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older.

And, there on television, she said it was 'exciting...'

Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day......like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first.

The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words!

Maya Angelou said this:

'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.'

'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.'

'I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.'

'I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a life.'

'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.'

'I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back...'

'I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.'

'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.'

'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back....'

'I've learned that I still have a lot to learn..'

'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

"A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." - Maya Angelou

Footprint

2011-07-19T21:55:00.001-04:00

A co-worker told me today, that he produces ONE brown paper bag worth of trash every 7 MONTHS!! (correction from the 4 weeks I thought it was) and spends an average of $120/month for power for a 5,000 square foot home.

He said, I'm not a preservationist, I'm a conservationist.

I don't care what kind of "ist" he is, he is my hero!! I hope to learn his amazing ways tomorrow and pass them on! We have about 1500 square feet, have our air set no lower than 78, well occasionally Paul gets it to 76, and sometimes 80 comfortably (especially when it's 108 outside, that still 28 degrees cooler inside) and have 2 separate central units for 2 stories. In the winter we have it set at 68 or no higher than 70, but sometimes lower and we pay about $100/month.

What's the size of your footprint? Click the title and see, then ask yourself, what tiny thing can you do, that will make a significant difference if we all do it ...

Our future is worth it and I still need 4.6 Earths! So much for thinking I'm a Mother Nature Superstar. ;)

”Ecological Footprint is not about ‘how bad things are’. It is about humanity’s continuing dependence on Nature and what we can do to secure Earth’s capacity to support a human existence for all in the future.” --Our Ecological Footprint, 1996

A Civil Responsibility - City of Norfolk, VA

2011-07-19T21:31:00.004-04:00

I told my husband this evening, that while he may not support all my causes, I am so grateful that he supports me! He also came up with the title for this post.

If you'd like to get involved, please make a comment to me or email:
mayor@norfolk.gov; richard.dempsey@norfolk.gov; city.manager@norfolk.gov; council@norfolk.gov
-Perhaps just cut and paste that portion of the post and tell them you agree... Just a thought.

I read him the following email prior to sending it to a City of Norfolk Engineer and it met his full approval. I am providing this message, to show that we must do our part. I now feel I have done my part to publicize a huge safety issue and hope to contribute to my community by giving the City where I live ideas of how to make it better. When you work in an office all day, it's hard to see where the problems lie.

It's not easy to fit this stuff in, but I asked Paul for a little time this evening to do this, after I was inspired from sitting in the unexpected traffic jam on the way home tonight and he was really supportive. He and Olivia enjoyed some quality time laughing and playing downstairs, which was further inspiration to do my part.

A dear friend told me today, that he didn't want me to get mad, but when he was reading my blog it seemed like I was wearing myself thin and I even said so in one of my blogs. I explained that I had all these thoughts in my head and I had to get them down on paper or they'd just keep twirling and torching me until I did, but I still feel ok.

Word to the wise, as much as I encourage us all to choose to do our part, we will be able to do our best by taking care of ourselves and focusing on what's important. If we simplify and get back to basics, love each other, fuel ourselves with the foods that give us long term healthful energy and create endorphins through exercise and such, we will want to be the change we want to see in this world because we're living it.

To Whom It May Concern:

Nearly every day, my husband, daughter and I travel down Granby Street, through Wards Corner, to drop off our 21 month old daughter at daycare and continue on to work.

I work for the NAVFAC Mid-Lant branch of the U.S. Navy and my husband is an engineer for a leading ship builder in Newport News.

The section of the Navy I work is an engineering branch. Prior to my work for the Navy, I worked for a successful consulting company whose primary focus is on engineering and development, including roadways. While I was with this consulting company I became involved in contracting and preparing bids for jobs with different cities, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton and Virginia Beach. Through this experience I learned that the cities we did business with seemed to be organized, well managed and include S.M.A.R.T. goal thinkers, while Norfolk continued to pick LOW BID CONTRACTORS.

For example, the lights on Chesapeake Blvd. from Ocean View Blvd. to Little Creek are poorly timed. Nearly all of the side street lights change based on the one car sitting there and not the 35 mph speed the cars should be able to go in order to make them, which would encourage conscientious drivers to go the speed limit.

Reasons to hire the best people to do the job in a situation such as this and not a low bidder who ends up costing the City more long term include:
-Encouraging people to go the speed limit;
-Reducing air emissions with less cars idling unnecessarily;
-Gas is expensive so tax payers will be happier with better gas mileage due to less stops;
-More time with your family; and
-Happier tax payers.

Recently the DCR required that areas of Norfolk meet their Phase II requirements and the DEQ gave low interest loans to help fund this requirement. City of Norfolk Traffic, planners, and engineers in charge of granting right-of-way access allowed 3 parallel roads, WITH SIDEWALKS, between Chesapeake Street and Modoc Street TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION AT THE SAME TIME, and divert all remaining traffic down a street with NO SIDEWALKS, NO SHOULDER, and in poor condition.

By the time the contract was awarded the City already had knowledge that the contractor was not up to the job of replacing the water, sewer and storm drains, but STILL LET THEM START WORK ON THE ONLY 3 PARALLEL STREETS WITH SIDEWALKS, PLUS CHESAPEAKE STREET AT THE SAME TIME! The job was at least 6 months behind schedule and eventually another contractor had to be hired to help get caught up. The dust has been unbearable. Contractors have not covered up or stabilized dirt piles as required by DCR E&S law. Loud, exhaust blowing pumps sat outside my neighbors windows for far longer than we should have been required to bear. Getting around the construction down the only road open, which was in terrible condition, was a nightmare for at least 6 months, if not longer!

I can understand why you may question me rather than the City employees who made these decisions. Prior to my positions with the Navy, a private consulting company, and DEQ, I worked for the City of Chattanooga, Tennesee as a Soil Engineering Specialist inspecting City construction projects, similar to what the inspectors William and Rhonda did/do (who have done an excellent job responding and correcting what they could/can). My dad has been working for the City of Beaverton, Oregon for about 20 years in a position very similiar to William and Rhonda's. During visits this year he explained how this contractor was doing a poor job during the early stages of construction. After part of the work was done on Chesapeake Street, the portion from Virgilina to Ocean View Blvd began. At times the construction crews have diverted us off of Chesapeake Street with no notice. Blowing dirt from the tops of construction stock piles has made breathing and seeing challenging when we have walked our baby to the beach in the evenings and weekends. Due to the heavy construction equipment there is a deep separation in the road where Chesapeake Street and Ocean View Blvd. come together. Traffic is often going 35 mph down this road and I am afraid someone is going to drive off this separation, blow a tire and/or loose control all together hitting pedestrians or oncoming traffic. I have called about this several times and nothing has been done. Construction has been taking place down Warwick and all our parallel streets to this street, as well as down Chesapeake Street, so there is no safe and dust free area to walk around baby to the beach this summer. The areas where soil was disturbed were left with bare sandy soil. Top soil was not replaced and it was not seeded or mulched.

I understand this work was required. I am aware of the failing infrastructure in our country as a whole and the additional challenges we face with a high water table and sandy soils, in an area such as Norfolk. I also understand the need for this work and will appreciate the completion of this work.

However, I want to know what will be done in the future to prevent these issues again. I have a very challenging job and understand these problems may not be solved overnight, but I think they deserve considerable attention. I do not believe this kind of work would be tolerated in an area, such as East Beach, but even so, people should not have to spend their precious family time ensuring the City of Norfolk can manage their jobs effectively.

GRANBY STREET:
Nearly every day we drive our daughter to her day school near DuPaul Hospital and continue to work. This means that nearly EVERYDAY, we drive on the sharp detour for the diversion culvert construction project between BayView Blvd. and the 564 overpass. I have called at least 5 times, since this job began because this diversion IS DANGEROUS! The gravel on this sharp diversion GETS WORSE or stays the same each day. I was told that the inspector said he makes them sweep it at the end of every day, however the INSPECTOR has NEVER CALLED BACK and as a very frequent driver on Granby and formerly in construction, I know this cannot be the case. I am SERIOUSLY AFRAID that someone is going to go around this diversion too fast and SERIOUSLY INJURE MY FAMILY! This is written proof, that I have been warning the City frequently, with phone records to prove it, in the past months. PLEASE MAKE THE INSPECTOR MAKE THEM SWEEP THIS CULVERT CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EVERY DAY!

I DO NOT WANT MY FAMILY, OR ANYONE ELSE'S FAMILY, TO GET HURT DUE TO THE CITY OF NORFOLK'S NEGLIGENCE.

WARDS CORNER:
Yesterday, Monday, July 18th, I had a meeting at 0830 at Naval Station Norfolk and left my home at 0745 for a commute to my daugters school that usually takes me 15 minutes each THROUGH WARDS CORNER. I arrived at my daughters school at 0830!! I drove through Wards Corner during the weekend and there were no signs saying there would be a closure of the whole Wards Corner section of Granby during Monday, July 18th RUSH HOUR! I

Just before the 564 overpass, heading towards downtown, TRAFFIC STOPPED! I was required to take a left at the 564 off ramp light, go around Farm Fresh and back out to Granby on the other side. HAVE YOU TRIED TO GO ALL THE WAY AROUND WARDS CORNER WITH ALL THE OTHER TRAFFIC FORCED AROUND WARDS CORNER AT RUSH HOUR ON A MONDAY MORNING with NO WARNING THIS WAS GOING TO TAKE PLACE?! As a City, it is highly recommended that you do your best to communicate with your constituency and I do not feel this is taking place.

I understand the weather is pretty perfect for paving right now, as I have a dear friend who is a Supervisor of a paving contractor. I also understand funding can be crazy and all come through at the same time, or it's the end of the fiscal year and it needs to be spent.

However, I do not believe this gives the City of Norfolk an excuse to be NEGLIGENT. Repaving recently began around the Tidewater Drive section of Granby to the cemetery. There have been no signs recommending diversions or road closures.

I haven't seen crews working from 0730-1630, as I would expect of a paving crew on a major Norfolk thoroughfare. I definitely don't see them working during low volume times, such as in the evenings. I have driven all during these hours and many times I have not seen the crews working or I have been forced to go the opposite way with no notice.

Last week, I was driving down Granby Street and there were no cones as to which side of the road I was supposed to be on. I asked a Policeman if he could have cones placed, FOR SAFETY, to show which side of the road we were supposed to be on and he said he couldn't get them to do anything.

It is becoming more clear to be me that the CITY OF NORFOLK is not putting SAFETY FIRST. CITY OF NORFOLK may be an accident away from a lawsuit that takes a toll on ALL OF THE TAXPAYERS OF NORFOLK and I'd like the City to be proactive in putting measures in place to be responsible and do the Civic Duty of the City to keep the citizens as safe as possible, especially for its own citizens.

We should have gone from Granby to Thole to Tidewater today, but forgot and went all the way down Granby on our way home. We were stuck in traffic, with our baby, from 564 to Bay View Blvd for 30 minutes. There are no bike paths on Granby, so it's infeasible to bike. Who knows how many air emissions we added to the already bad air quality day and how many more gallons of gas we paid for and burned because the culvert crews and paving crews appear to work from 8AM to 4PM or shorter every day.

I belong to Bay View Civic League. We are the largest Civic League in Norfolk and have been active. I have bet Mayor Fraim, Ralph Northam, Paula Miller, Sheriff McCabe, Councilman Smigel and others multiple times over the years and I am active in my community.

While I live in the West half of Ocean View, a mile from Granby and love Norfolk, my experience with construction projects makes me question whether I will continue to live here or recommend Norfolk to friends when people inquire.

Norfolk does some great things, worth noting:
-Keep Norfolk Beautiful! They do countless great things in our community including organizing volunteers to read earth friendly books for Earth Day at Norfolk schools! More people environmentally aware, means less waste clean up for the City and a more attractive place to live.
-The Lightrail!
-Norfolk Public Libraries! Perhaps worth mentioning here, that the library late fee goes back to the Norfolk General Fund and not back to the library. It seems like the library should be able to use this extra money to... Buy Books.
-All the waterfront, family friendly, activities.
-Ocean View Park concerts

Attractive Norfolk features include:
Norfolk Botanical Garden
Norfolk Zoo
The Chrysler Art Museum
Art Everywhere
The Boot
Norfolk 5 points Farm Market
Green Alternatives
Quenna's
ODU
The Norva
The Tides
The Opera House
The Scope
Norfolk International Airport
& more

I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you, relaying your progress and posting this information in the social forums I use, including facebook and my blog: www.envirojensbaby.blogspot.com

v/r,
Jenna Sells

"Great power involves great responsibility."

Franklin_D_Roosevelt

Books currently on my night stand

2011-07-18T00:25:00.000-04:00

The books I am currently looking at are:

Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes - Who wouldn't want to read about a writer restoring a beautiful home in the wonderfully described Tuscan area of Italy! Ahhhh, now that's the pace of life I'd like. Olivia running through the organic fields, picking grapes, olives and other yummies. Enjoy dinner over a beautiful pollution free sunset.

A Compliant Free World by Will Bowen - Just picked up at a thrift store for $1.50. Great book if only for the cover encouraging me to think about the topic each day.

Mindset by Carol S. Dweck - I've written about this before, but highly recommend it as a thought on what really points us toward a certain positive or negative behavior. Relationships, work, our children. I read a few pages or a chapter or 2 and the digest for a while.

Skinny Bitch by Freedman & Barnouin - Well, I haven't opened in a few weeks and I've been eating a little white, refined sugar, a few non-organic, but GF beers, etc. I currently weigh 5 pounds more than I did when I started eating really well in February and I feel more lethargic. About 30 minutes after I had a couple bites of a delicious box cake (enriched wheat flour & white sugar) today, I got a headache and then felt sick to my stomach. Coincidence? Perhaps if I open this book I'll find more motivation to get back on it, but I'd also like to find a similar book written in a nice way. Sometimes we need to hear the bitter truth to break through. On top of how I feel, Olivia is congested and I still nurse, so when I eat these things she gets them through me and stays congested. Motivation, I think! If only good weren't such a relaxation/get away for me. In our culture it takes a lot of motivation to continue to eat well with challenges at every corner. Eventually we can weed out the junk with things we love, however! Crowding out! Tonight, I ate raw spinach (as the chips) and about 4 Tablespoons non-organic humus from Costco. It's better to eat beans organic, but it's better than eating the leftover birthday cake... Mandy Hamp has said, "Put chocolate on your vegetables if it will help you eat them."

Meditation from the Mat by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison - It's great to use the library and cut down on the millions of trees cut down for creating them and I still strongly prefer books to Kindle's, but if we all owned just one book, this should be it! Beautiful, inspiring, real! Each time I read it I reconnect with what's important. I guess I still choose to be a little restless and that's why I don't read a day, each day...

Choose to be happy. Choose to set a good example for the world and read a page or write a page each day. Believe it or not, at a quick glance I can't find one photo of us reading her the 10 or so books we hit every day, so choose to laugh. :) Here's a photo of the great organic roasted veggies from a recipe Mandy Hamp, www.eatwellbehappy.com.

Meditation

2011-07-16T15:35:00.000-04:00

Did you know that some CEO's in fortune 500 companies meditate? Did you know some of these companies encourage, and give work time, employees to meditate because it increases productivity?

My acupuncturist told me I need to start meditating. I think it gives your body a chance to heal.

There is a fabulous book called "Meditations from the Mat." The author says, even when your mind is running circles, if you keep your butt glued to the mat eventually it will stop. My mind feels like it's always running circles planning for my next move, trying to get caught up ... I believe if I give my mind some quiet, I'll get better quality out of my brain.

Try 5 minutes. Sit somewhere comfortable and just be here now. As thoughts come into your mind, picture wiping the words away like chalk off a chalk board. Ommmm...

"Be the light in your own darkness, and a silence to the noisiness." -A favorite song lyric of mine I need to find the title and artist.

Supply, demand and TP

2011-07-16T11:36:00.000-04:00

Trader Joe's has the best toilet paper option!

Trader Joe's TP is 35% post-consumer content, not bleached, and you can buy 12 double rolls for $5.99!

They have a regular kind too, so make sure you buy the right one. Also, if you're still using paper towels they have a great post-consumer paper towel resource and tissue option too. We keep paper towels in the top back of the pantry for use in cleaning dutch ovens or other things that may be unbearable to wash later.

Post-consumer content means they're using at least that percentage of previously used recycled materials. This is a way to get more bang for your buck and save the trees for producing our fresh air!

When you buy previously used recycled products, you help to complete the circle (or triangle) and produce a supply and demand process that makes these products cheaper for us all. Reduce, reuse, recycle.

It seems ridiculous to me, that we think we need toilet paper white given what we use it for. Paul worked for a company called EDT, that has created environmentally friendly methods to break down paper for its intended uses. Since paper products have been bleached for so long, it's the way paper plants were developed. In order to change the way a product is being produced it will take money to redesign a processing plant. If we are buying products made with this new less toxic method, eventually companies will need to change their methods too, to produce what consumers want.

I personally want chlorine bleach out of my life. Vinegar can be used to sanitize and kill germs the same way bleach can, but vinegar is non-toxic to breath and touch. If you click on the title you will go to a Green Peace page with recipes for green cleaners. I'm not saying I support Green Peace, just provided a resource for environmentally friendly alternatives.

Small changes, like changing your TP, can lead a very significant impact! We can choose to drive our economy to what we want! Green jobs, green lives and more time to enjoy them hanging out in a hammock with our friends!

Hammocks

2011-07-16T10:45:00.000-04:00

I am very happy and grateful to report that I am writing you from my new ENO double hammock on the front porch. This is the third and forth hammock installation Paul has completed for me and a couple nights ago we hung out on it for our 10 minutes and I fell asleep in it next to him.

My acupuncturist said sleeping in hammocks brings in Delta waves, that are like the ones we experience in the womb and a deep meditation. All I know is that I was very comfortably sleeping and happy. :)

I met the owners of ENO at the Neptune festival on the Virginia Beach boardwalk and they were super cool and the hammocks were so comfortable! Their hammocks are made out of sleeping bag material and they sell straps that you can easily put around poles or fence posts without having to put in hooks. Paul has used straps to secure it so far, but we'll probably order their straps.

My dad is a very avid backpacker and he said their are no straps that are considered "leave no trace," so hammocks are still hard on the tree. Bummer. I am a huge tree lover! I guess we should only use a hammock in the great outdoors when you're climbing an enormous mountain and need to sleep thousands of feet up! It blows my mind to see photo's of people doing that!

If you haven't heard of Patagonia, www.patagonia.com, they're an incredible company who donates 1% of their profits towards environmental causes. Their clothes are super rugged, but also very hip and they last forever! Paul could live in his Patagonia jeans and t-shirts. They have super cool organic T's and I think his jeans are organic too! I have some skirts I love and they will recycle a few of their fabrics into new Patagonia clothes when they're too worn out. They support all kinds of planet saving alternatives like tying wilderness areas together.

For example, there are huge blocks of land tied up for wilderness (Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Teton's, Sawtooths, etc., but many of them are not tied together by any kind of corridor. This means biodiversity is lost because species cannot get to each other to mate.

Patagonia magazine, actually their catalog, has incredible and inspiring photos of people doing awesome outdoor stuff all over the world and great articles in it about their causes. The creator of the company wrote a book called "Let my people surf." It's a really good too!

Patagonia is having their AWESOME SEMI-ANNUAL SALE the week of July 23rd-ish... Great time to get into them! Paul and I wear their underwear and we'd never go back to anything else! Pricey, but it's a great long term investment. Paul and I are wearing our Patagonia down jackets in this photo that we bought during one of the big Patagonia sales several years ago. We were walking around the historic downtown of Poulsbo, WA across the water from Seattle. Olivia has an awesome fleece Patagonia snow suit her Trey Trey bought her too. :) Buy less stuff, but higher quality and stay active enough it fits for a while...

I keep reminding myself of that as I want to eat a whole sleeve of rice cakes and a dark chocolate organic candy bar... I'm doing yoga at 12:45 today, so that's justifiable right. :) Enjoy this day we were grateful enough to wake up into and do something active and fun! Life is good!

Know your facts

2011-07-15T16:23:00.001-04:00

Choose to be informed. It's important to take a second to know who's being truthful and the example people are setting for our futures.

It's ok to disagree. We can still be friends. Just know what we are really disagreeing about. Perhaps we agree on more than we think we do...

http://www.politifact.com/virginia/

Choose to be involved. Choose to be informed. Choose our future. Choose to be happy:) Happy Friday!!

Hampton Road Farmers Markets

2011-07-15T16:07:00.001-04:00

Farm Market info, not well organized (cut & paste from another source), but wanted 2 pass this out, thanks to Rogue coffee out of Hampton, VA. Paul loves their organic ethiopian!

Also, You Pick berries:
Www.youpick.org

http://www.williamsburgfarmersmarket.com/

http://www.smithfield-virginia.com/OldTowneCurbMarket2009.html

http://www.vasc.org/celebrationsbythebay/marketplace.html

Saturday:
Smithfield Farmer's Market - Hours: 9:00 - 12:00. The Farmer's Market
is located on Main Street in between Church and Mason Streets in the
beautiful, downtown historic district. There will be plenty of crafts,
baked goods, produce, food and musical entertainment.
http://www.smithfield-virginia.com/OldTowneCurbMarket2009.html

http://www.vasc.org/celebrationsbythebay/marketplace.html

You can also pick up a bag of Rogue Elephant Coffee at the Good 'N'
Green Market on the 1st and 3rd Sundays this summer in the Via
Creativa Gallery parking lot (332 N Great Neck Rd. Suite 101, Virginia
Beach, in Chambord Commons Shopping Center). Additionally, Via
Creativa Gallery and Ecomaniac will be selling our coffee at the Old
Beach Green Market on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays in June, July and
August. The Old Beach Green Market will be located on Cypress Ave. at
19th Street (Virginia Beach oceanfront). If you'd like to learn more
about the Good 'N' Green Market or the Old Beach Green Market, you can
visit their Facebook pages

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Beach-Green-Market/143810249024681?sk=info
and http://www.facebook.com/pages/Good-N-Green/223991140945901).

Below is a complete list of restaurants/cafes and retail locations
that carry Rogue Elephant Coffee. Thanks in advance for supporting
the businesses that support us!

Five Points Community Farm Market/Get Fresh Cafe
2500 Church St., four lights south of the Norfolk Zoo at 26th St.
757-640-0300

Get Fresh Cafe Direct 757-966-6577
Hours: Thurs. & Fri. 11-7, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 11-5
www.5ptsfarmmarket.org
You can also follow them on Facebook.

O Jardim Brazilian Cafe
110 La Valette Ave at the Tanners Creek Garden Center near the Norfolk Zoo
Norfolk, VA 23504
757-227-3527
Hours: Mon. - Sat. 9-4, Sun. 10-4
Free Wireless Internet
www.ojardimcafe.com
You can also follow them on Facebook.

handmadeVA (seasonal)
inside the Mystic Mermaid
308 W. 21st St. (The Palace Shops in Ghent)
Norfolk, VA, 23517
757-618-6345
Mon - Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
http://www.handmadeVA.blogspot.com/
You can also follow them on Facebook.

Boot - Local Kitchen and Wine Bar
123 W. 21st St (Ghent)
Norfolk, VA 23517
757.627.2668
dinner 5-10pm
late nite 10-2am
closed Sundays and Mondays *unless otherwise noted.
www.insidetheboot.com.
You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Via Creativa Gallery
332 N Great Neck Rd, Suite 101 (intersection of Great Neck Road and
Virginia Beach Blvd.)
Chambord Commons
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
757-200-5600
Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
www.ViaCreativaGallery.com
Via Creativa Blog
You can also follow them on Facebook.

757 Creative Space
259 Granby Street
Norfolk, VA 23510
757-912-0006
http://www.757creativespace.com/home
You can also follow them on Facebook.
Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9:00
a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Luna Maya
2010 Colley Avenue (Ghent - Corner of W. 21st St. and Colley Ave.)
Norfolk, VA 23517
757-622-6986
lunamayarestaurant@gmail.com
www.lunamayarestaurant.com
Tuesday - Saturday 4:30 - 10:00 PM

Local Farms:

Batten Bay Farm, Carrollton: zucchini, squashes, new potatoes, cabbages, lettuce, onions, cucumbers, greens & kale.

Baybreeze Farm,
Virginia Beach: beets, peas, onions, new potatoes & herbs.

Bergey's Breadbasket,
Virginia Beach: strawberry pies, ice cream, milkshakes, peas, potatoes, lettuce, onions, spinach & more.

Brookdale Farms,
Virginia Beach & Chesapeake coming soon: sweet corn & PYO potatoes

College Run Farms, Surry: PYO blueberries

Cromwell's Produce,
Virginia Beach: green beans & more.

Cullipher Farm Market, Virginia Beach: squashes, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, corns, blackberries, beans, beets, chards, sunflowers & zinnias.

Gilly's Creamery,
Virginia Beach: homemade ice cream.

Oliver Farms Produce, Smithfield: sweet corn, peas, snaps, squashes, tomatoes, cucumbers & more to come.

Skipper Farms,
Chesapeake: squash, zucchini, green beans & before too long, sweet corn.

Stoney's Produce,
Virginia Beach: flowers, squash, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes & NC seafood.

Vaughan Farms Produce,
Virginia Beach: squash, cabbage, kale, chard, peas, herbs & eggs. Sweet corn by late June.

We have over 1,275+ friends on Facebook. Thanks for your support!

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

Ches Bay Distillery

Coastal Food Tour of Virginia

CULCO

Dominion Printers, Inc.

Greener Results

Herb Society of America:
Tidewater Unit

Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation

Kitchen Barn

Painted Fern

Pungo Strawberry Festival

Runnymede Corp.

Silver Diner

Towne Bank

VB Farm Bureau

VirginiaGrown:
VDACS

Va Tech Extension

Thanks to Members who have joined or re-newed since
April 2011

Cush Dobbs
Charlene Ihrig
Laurie Jones
Joseph Kasperowski
Gary Medlin
Ann Wright

Summer activity for grades K-5: FARM TOUR TREASURE MAP

Buy Fresh Buy Local is proud to team up with the VB City School System. See below for details.
Mark Your Calendars!

June 1: Ynot Wednesdays Farmers Market from 4 - 8pm and every Wednesday through the summer at Virginia Beach Town Center. www.sandlercenter.org

June 3: Fresh on Fridays, a NEW farmers market from 8:30 - 1pm every Friday through the summer at the Simon Family Jewish Community Center in VB. www.simonfamilyj.org

June 11: Healthy Eating Day from 11 - 3pm at VB Farmers Market

June 18: Opening of the Red Mill Green Market from 8 - 12 noon and every Saturday morning through the summer at Red Mill Commons Shopping Center, VB.
Fresh and Local Coming in June

Find squash, zucchini, green beans and before long, sweet corn at Skipper Farms, Chesapeake.

Stoney's Produce on First Colonial Road, VB, will have bouquets of flowers to freshen up your table, laden with the likes of squash, cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes, coming soon. Stoney's has fresh NC seafood, every day but Wednesday.

Look for summer squashes, red, white, all blue, all red and fingerling potatoes, vine ripened tomatoes, cucumbers, blackberries, white and bicolor super sweet corn, green beans, yellow wax beans, beets (red, yellow and marbled), ruby red and rainbow chard, sunflowers, and zinnias, all coming soon, at Cullipher Farm, VB.

This just in - College Run Farms has just opened for PYO blueberries!

Strawberry pies, ice cream and milk shakes, all homemade with fresh picked strawberries from Brookdale Farm on Mt. Pleasant Road, Chesapeake, are available at Bergey's Breadbasket. Bergey's produce stand outside features May peas, red skin potatoes, lettuce, onions, spinach and more.

Full Quiver Farm's website is updated with all the meats that they have currently available. On-farm pick up day is Saturday, June 25, and Full Quiver also is at the Old Beach Farmers Market on Saturday mornings or you can join their Buying Club to purchase meats for delivery in different cities.

Vaughan Farms Produce, VB, is planning on squash, cabbage, kale, Swiss chard, herbs and eggs as well as some sugar snap peas and May peas early in June. And corn by late June. Find them on FaceBook for up-to-date info or call 615-4888.

Cromwell's Produce, VB, will have green beans by June 10, corn by June 25 and lots more in between!

Batten Bay Farm, Carrollton, has zucchini and several other varieties of squash, new potatoes, cabbages, lettuce, onions, cucumbers, turnip and mustard greens and kale.

Oliver Farms Produce, Smithfield says to keep your eyes open for sweet corn, butterbean crowder/field peas, snaps, squashes, tomatoes, cucumbers and more coming in toward the end of June.

Brookdale Farm expects early sweet corn in early or mid-June, depending on how hot it gets. Also you-dig red, white and blue potatoes in late June or early July. Call or check FaceBook for late-season strawberries.

Beets of many colors - along with sugar snap and May peas, onions and new potatoes at Baybreeze Farm, Sandbridge Road, VB. It also has stevia (30% sweeter than sugar + no calories) and other herb plants. 757-721-3288.

Gilly's Creamery has opened in VB Farmers Market, featuring homemade ice cream made with local products when in season.
Farm Tour Treasure Map
BFBL is proud to team up with the VB City School System to provide nearly 33,000 students, grades K - 5, an opportunity to savor the local "treasures" that our participating partners have to offer. Each student will receive a "local treasure" such as a fresh strawberry or an ear of corn straight from the field! Once they have received over half of their stamps they can redeem their map for a free ice cream cone from Gilly's Creamery at the VB Farmers Market. This exciting project will educate and inform students about the many benefits of eating local, as well as connect the students and their families with local farmers and farmers markets in an effort to support BFBL goals: to keep our community healthy, save small farms, help the local economy, and preserve our environment. - Lisa Austin, BFBLHR Education Co-Chair

Volunteers Needed!
Looking for volunteer work this summer? BFBLHR can use you! Every summer, we staff tables at multiple farmers markets and special events with the goal of educating consumers about the importance of buying fresh and local. We would love to have you join us. If you are interested, please e.mail us.

Buy Fresh Buy Local at Norfolk Botanical Garden!
BFBLHR members Jess Nelson, Lesley Hildreth, Lynn Schultz, Susan Killion, LaVerne Crown and Mary Reid Barrow created a banner for Norfolk Botanical Garden's summer exhibit "Get Lost! Be a MAZEd" opening June 18. Local artists, families, schools, organizations and businesses created canvas panels that will be used to build the Community maze. Guests can navigate through themed mazes, play games, solves puzzles and participate in amazing activities. Come visit the Community Maze and vote for our banner in the awards competition!

Kudos!
A Tip of the Toque to Rodney Einhorn, Terrapin's wizard chef/owner, whose local and healthy approach to food earned him recognition as one of the "Portraits of Power" in May's Distinction magazine.

We just learned that partner Batten Bay Farm was named Isle of Wight County Farm Family of the year in April! Congratulations!
Are you curious about Buy Fresh Buy Local? Do you have trouble explaining what it is when you tell people that you have become a member? Go to www.buylocalhamptonroads.org/pressroom.html and see how we are influencing the local food scene.

We're on Twitter! Follow us at http://twitter.com/BuyLocalHR. Tweet about your favorite markets, farms and seafood stores!

Friend us on Facebook! Send us your photos and tell us about your locavore experience. Which markets do you love? Who has especially good tomatoes, peaches, corn & more?

Enjoy Fresh Food & Support Local Farms - Join Today!

Partner: Farm $100
Market $150
Restaurant $150
Specialty Vendor $100
Heirloom: $1000 & up
Golden Gem: $250 - $999
Sweet 100s: $100 - $249
Celebrities: $20 - $99
Please contact bfblhr@gmail.com for information on how to join our campaign to promote fresh local foods.

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buy fresh buy local: hampton roads | 313 galleon drive | virginia beach | VA | 23451

The Pace of children

2011-07-14T22:58:00.000-04:00

Do you recall the song, or know it now, "If I only had a brain..," sang by Goofy?

Well I often think of that song, but to the lyrics, "If I only had more time..." Seriously though, be here now. Yesterday is in the past, tomorrow is in the future, just be here now.

I recently read in Parents.com how cool it is to take a minute to enjoy that bug and forget about time. Kids have so much to tell us if we choose to remember. Let's all make a choice to slow down.

Enjoy our babies, all babies, all of life. Babies just help us remember how great life can be in a responsible way.

LAUGH EVERYDAY!

2011-07-14T22:44:00.000-04:00

Watch Ellen!

Amazing dancer, funniest person!! Truly inspiring!! I'm so grateful that I have Tivo, so when I do watch TV, I can laugh! Helps her cause that she shares a birthday with a male nurse from Portland, Oregon. So fabulous!

Live, Love, Laugh! Be here now! Like a Baby! Choose to be Inspired!!

SATURDAY, JULY 23rd JAMBOREE !

2011-07-14T22:01:00.001-04:00

SUMMER JAMBOREE!

Next Saturday, July 23rd, Ascension Day School is putting on a Jamboree from 9A-1P in NORFOLK, VA on the corner of Talbot Hall Road and Newport Road! Click on the title for directions, but it's just off Granby Street, before DuPaul Hospital (if you're heading downtown).

There will be AWESOME baby and kid games, a bouncy thing, and snacks to entertain our young ones!

I will be working the Duck Pond, but there will be face painting, kid washing, a silent action for zoo, botanical garden and aquarium memberships, and corn hole to name a few, which Olivia and her dad will be enjoying while I volunteer, so come play!

Proceeds go to a new playground*. Currently the playground is old and made from deteriorating wood, so the babies can get slivers. Our director has found a great environmentally friendly playground, but we must raise the funds before the kids can enjoy it! You can see how much Olivia loves swinging! So come out, meet other families and most of all, HAVE FUN!!

*Full disclosure, this is not the Ascension Dayschool playground, this is the human cage at the Norfolk zoo. :) Olivia loved it!

Keeping it together

2011-07-14T21:42:00.000-04:00

Yesterday my acupuncturist told me that I seem like I'm keeping it together all the time. Even when I'm really stressed out, she would know as my acupuncturist/counselor, I still manage to look ok.

Well, timing is everything, and today Paul asked me what our plan was for an upcoming trip. I started talking it out with him and then decided to write it down, so we remembered and had a plan. He made a couple remarks of how planning goes against his thoughts of a vacation and he's not a planner. This is a great thought, and I look forward to future vacations like that, but when we're driving 9 hours with a 23 month old, staying with friends and family in 2 towns, planning dinners, and getting free tickets to watch our best friend play in the PGA Championship, it's a little more challenging to do that.

This all comes at a time when I'm so sick of planning it's the last thing in the world I'm trying to do. Every bone in my body wants to do something other than all the responsibilities I have.

I do choose to continue to go to yoga and breastfeed right now and I strongly believe both are so worth it. I chose to eat mostly vegetables to avoid my daughters ear infections and prevent my fatness from rolling on (I gained 5 pounds for the first time since February and I can almost rest assured it's been from minor amounts of wheat and refined sugar).

I may make these kinds of choices look easy, but it's not always easy. It would be easier, right this second, to eat wheat, dairy and red meat because it's in nearly everything. It would be easier to quit breastfeeding and stop eating organic because it's hard to find and even harder to find when eating out.

The key is, however, that I feel better, I look better and I am happier because of the choices I make. I may work harder at times, but I find balance. I listen to more music and watch less tv, which seems more tiring sometimes, but I have more quality time because of it.

I choose to think about how we are what we eat. It's even easily for me, since I'm passionate about our resources, to know and appreciate that we treat the planet how we treat ourselves and I believe we have more choices than we choose to believe we do.

Fake it till we make it! If you're having a mad/bad/sad day, smile non-stop to share that smile with others and they'll give it right back to you again. If that doesn't work, go play with a baby because there's nothing like hanging out with a baby to put you in a good mood! :)

Speaking of good moods... Next Saturday, July 23rd, Ascension Day School is putting on a Jamboree! There will be AWESOME baby games, a bouncy thing, and snacks to entertain our young ones!

I will be working the Duck Pond, but there will be face painting, kid washing, a silent action for zoo, botanical garden and aquarium memberships, and corn hole to name a few, which Olivia and her dad will be enjoying while I volunteer, so come play!

Proceeds go to a new playground. Currently the playground is old and made from deteriorating wood, so the babies can get slivers. Our director has found a great environmentally friendly playground, but we must raise the funds before the kids can enjoy it! You can see how much Olivia loves swinging! So come out, meet other families and most of all, HAVE FUN!! More information on the next blog ... TO BE CONTINUED ;)

Perspective, our future and the lessons I learn from my daughter.

2011-06-12T15:30:00.001-04:00

Sitting down writing this blog to you makes me feel like I'm on Sex and the City. :)

I went on an environmental audit to a Naval Communications base in beautiful Sugar Grove, WV. I stayed on site in a great cabin where I had the river 25 feet from my back deck. I got up about 2 hours early each day and just enjoyed my morning listening to the river and then walked to work or worked in the cabin. I worked a lot, but I learned a lot about work and life.

It was a great reminder of how much I want Olivia to grow up outside. Being able to smell the woods is priceless! I found my dad a card for Father's Day, that says, "If you fart in the woods and no one is around to hear it, does it still make a sound?" It was cool to find that card while I was out enjoying the mountainside! I saw tons of bugs, but didn't even get one bug bite! Again, priceless!

I conducted the audit, and met, a lot of great people. During the week one of the auditors started giving me a hard time concerning how I feel about my daughter having to pay back all of this debt (It is estimated that each American now owes $100,000 because of our countries large debt).

Well, although money is necessary and not having "enough"* can make life beyond challenging, I am making the choice to ask myself, what I can do! What will I do for my daughter's future, my future, my parents future? Versus who to blame.**

Well, I will tell you what I choose do. I will make the choice to be happy. It can sound silly, but making the choice to be happy is the best choice, and sometimes hardest choice, we can make.

It was my sister, Bree's, 30th birthday yesterday***. I started teaching Olivia how to say Happy Birthday, B. We focused on "Happy," in the mirror, and then she lit up and started saying, "Happy!," as we smiled at each other in the mirror, and repeated it over and over again.

Choose to be happy. Choice to be involved. Choose to be reasonable with the time, that you have and what you really want to do with it.

A great friends said he makes a schedule for his day each night and it has worked for him in organizing expectations. I started doing this a week ago and I learned that I have been setting unreasonable expectations for myself. When I wrote it all out, it was easy to see that I have less time than I thought. This helped me see, that time is not slowing down or speeding up. It's all about choosing what you do with the time you are given.

All Olivia wants is to be happy. All she wants in order to be happy is for her parents to be happy (and food, water, etc). Last night she suggested Paul and kiss. That made her happy.

Let's all do something each day to be happy, perhaps it would start your day happy if you wrote down a couple things you're grateful for, like being able to see, that you can read, that you can get up and know that the right thing to do is to be happy.****

What will you choose to be? "What I be, is what I be" --Michael Franti

False Cape Park, VA - Memorial Day weekend

* Enough - It's all relative. As we learn to live within our means, turn off societies pressure to buy, buy, buy, it will be enough. Whatever that is. We will have our gardens again. We will learn how to can and freeze for the winter. We will go pick our own blueberries with our family and freeze them for our oatmeal and muffins. We will humanely hunt for a deer, or split a local cow with a neighbor for the freezer or go fishing.

America is referred to as the vacation less country. I know plenty of people that loose annual leave every year, because they don't have "time" to take it. Let's make sure we picture the future we want and make a rational decision on what our definition of enough is. If you're not there, what is your plan to get there?

**Watching, "Meet the Press," from today at 0900 sparked this topic. They have the upcoming political campaigners on. They have members from all political viewpoints and political experts. Let's all choose to set the example we want to see in the world and choose to get along in our daily relationship! Be the change you want to see in the world.

***Paul thought it would be hysterical to text our sister, Happy 30th, Sis!", even though she's not quite there yet. She thought it was little less funny. :)

****Thank you, Olivia! I am so grateful for you!

Time & advice

2011-06-06T21:07:00.000-04:00

Even though a Denzel Washington movie gave me the chills about the song ... "Time, is on your side, yes it is!" It's true!

I'm sure there are countless songs about time. Ziggy Marley sings one, "Everyone's always worried about time, I just keep that shi$ off my mind." I'm far from the zen place Ziggy sings about so far, but I will become closer!

About a year ago, I had a phone counseling session with a past counselor, and the best counselor I have ever had. I was stressing about how I was going to feed Olivia when she started eating more solids and the time it was going to take to make them. She said something like, Jenna, you've got to be willing to give something up. She said after all Gerber has been doing something right for all these years. Well, I didn't go to Gerber (which I have found HFC in their packaged gummy stuff), and in February I went off the deep end to cure Olivia's ear infections with food. A year later I hear those words again knowing I had only added more to it at an unmanageable pace.

Don't get me wrong, I think being able to heal with food is an incredible thing and I have avoided countless antibiotics in doing so, but at the sake of what?

Last week, Paul finally "checked back in," which are the words our current counselor uses. He has been so busy with some challenging work situations and school, that he hasn't given or had much time to think of how he felt. The result of finally getting done with school was like hitting a brick wall when he realized our personal life was far from up to par.

In February, I pulled a 180 on Olivia and my eating habits by removing literally everything except green leafy vegetables. I thought I ate well before, but it was nothing compared to the detox I went through. This huge eating change threw a huge curve ball in our relationship because it was just one more challenge on top of work, school and our family life.

Now, that we are here, I am so grateful for the new eating habits we have and I can't even picture where we were, but again, at the cost of what?!

I am happy to say we have found it early and it's nothing unrepairable, but it got me thinking back to countless words of wisdom from very wise people...

What is the one thing we can't live without? LOVE!

Time cannot be banked, it cannot be earned. Love can be earned by giving it time.

So what if the laundry doesn't get done or you don't "find the time" to send a birthday card. Friends and family will understand and forgive you.

The one thing our children will remember, that our spouse will remember, is that we have taken the time to love each other.

Our counselor recently said, children our resilient, but I'm not going to waste another minute telling Olivia to hold on while I finish loading the dishwasher when these are the last few moments she will be asking for my love.

If someone asked for one piece of advice on how to best raise a child, I will say spoil them with love, show them compassion, kindness, and love for each other. Make time for each other, make time for yourself and LOVE one another!

We will never truly be able to make time, find time or get back lost time, but we can stop dwelling on it, waiting for the weekend or 5pm. Weekends are great, but I would rather have life make up my life, all of it filled with love, then a few weekends I spent my whole life waiting for.

Love for ourselves, love for our children, love for our spouses, love for the world! ONE LOVE!

MAY: National Bike Month

2011-05-12T13:43:00.000-04:00

May is National Bike Month so get those cycles tuned and road-bound. Check out: www.bicyclesafe.com for info on road safety or visit: www.mapmyride.com for tips on finding the best cycling route to and from your favorite destinations.

Bike to Work Week is all next week and Bike to Work Day is May 20.

Information compliments of Amelia Baker, owner of Green Alternatives, www.greenalternativesstore.com
and sign up for her Compost newsletter with enviro tips!!

I will bike at least one day next week, since my folks will be at home with Olivia and she won't have to be in the car.

Do your part, if you can't bike to work, just take one less car trip & bike to the store...

Safe cosmetics

2011-05-12T13:28:00.000-04:00

We need to be aware of what's in our personal care products!

Who knew the FDA allows things like formaldehyde and plenty of other carcinogens and toxins into things we apply to our skin!!

Our skin is our largest organ. Anything that's on our skin goes through our liver, kidneys, and heart to be processed, including our babies skin. Johnson & Johnson products are not as baby/human/earth friendly as you may think. When you see "fragrance" on the ingredients, it may very well be a carcinogen.

I challenge you to read the ingredients in your beauty products. Do you know what all the ingredients are? I use all natural body products, except occasionally wearing Coco Chanel when we go on a date... Paul loves the smell!

We need to be our own advocates. For us, for our children, for the future!!

The following information came from EWG*.

Myth: If the store sells it, it must be safe.

Fact: The government has no authority to require companies to test personal care products for safety before they reach the store shelf.

This is not news to you, because you rely on Skin Deep to guide you to safer choices that help protect your family from chemicals that could be harmful.

But do you ever stop and think; shouldn't the government be looking out for us?

Right now, the industry can use almost any ingredient in its products without testing it for safety. And at a time when some people are applying more than 100 different ingredients every single day, it's important to make sure they're safe before they reach the market -- and our skin.

The industry's self-policing panel, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, hasn't bothered to evaluate more than half of the thousands of ingredients that companies put in their products. And the government stays out of it.

But EWG doesn't. We're looking into these chemicals -- and you won't like what we've found. Our research suggests that 22 percent of all personal care products, including those made for children's use, may contain the cancer-causing contaminant, 1,4-Dioxane. Vitamin A added to sunscreens speeds the growth of skin tumors. Cancer-causing formaldehyde shows up in hair straighteners. Labels vaguely cite "fragrance," a catchall term for undisclosed blends of ingredients. Studies have even found lead in some lipsticks.

Congress needs to take action today. Tell our lawmakers not to leave you, your family and all consumers unprotected.

Get involved! Click here to sign our Safe Cosmetics petition to tell Congress that our personal care products should be tested for safety before they hit the market:

http://action.ewg.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1918&utm_source=2011cosmeticspetitionfull&utm_medium=email&utm_content=first-link&utm_campaign=toxics

Thank you for taking action. Together, we can make a difference.

For more information checkout:
Www.EWG.ORG

*The Environmental Working Group is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization dedicated to using the power of information to protect human health and the environment.

Find out what's local and in season anywhere in the country, click here!

2011-05-11T22:20:00.000-04:00

My awesome cousin, Camille, provided this link on a post about eating local:
http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/seasonal/ or click on post title, and I wanted to make sure I helped distribute it further. Thanks, Cuz! Great find!

If we each provide something that inspires one person with encourage, motivation, inspiration, love. Think of the impact this has on the world. We can do this each day by smiling, thanking someone for their service, being respectful, holding a door, letting someone in to your lane, turning off our car more quickly. It may seem small, but if one person you inspired was inspired to do this same thing for one more person, and so on ... I'm not great at math, but I think this could be a pretty large number. :)

Compliments of Dr. Amy Keech, taken at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, April 2011.

Thank you, Camille! You inspire(d) me!

"Oh hey, I saw this resource I thought you would like, you can plug in your state or town and it will tell you what is in season at what time of the year, so if you are interested in eating locally grown food this is a good resource, check it out http://www.sustainabletable.org/shop/seasonal/ Love your blog cousin, keep up the good work!! :)

What do you choose? Choose to be happy.

2011-05-11T21:39:00.000-04:00

During the holidays, a friend said she only listens to kids music anymore. I recalled this because I often have Dr. Seuss lines come to me at random times. "Do you ever have a feeling there is a zamp in your lamp?"

Our lives are so interesting, but yet so boring. We have a tendency to get wrapped up in drama and be drawn to the negative things in our path.

If we were just to take notice of the positive things, would the negative things happen anymore? Movie stars are famous because we buy their entertainment. If we all learned how to entertain ourselves again, would we spend much time watching other people live their lives.

Go for a walk, have a talk, throw a dinner party, laugh, love, live!

I was feeling really lost the last couple days. I was wondering if I could really be the change I want to see in the Navy, in the World. Maybe I'm taking myself to seriously, but I do believe we can all change our minds.

I loved Barrack's line about change because we can all do it. We don't have to wait for other people to tell us we can because we just can.

We can wake up tomorrow and just know that today is going to be a better day. Think of the things that we can do today, that no one in history has ever been able to do before.

For instance, I'm sitting on my soft, warm, cozy bed, listening to a live Dave Matthews & Tim Reynold's DVD and just taking a moment to write you about being happy.

At this moment, I am particularly happy because I found my watch that had been missing for almost a year, yesterday. Paul gave it to me for a wedding gift, the day before we were married. Paul and I will be married 10 years in October. October is our month, so adding a 10 to it makes it even cooler.

Paul lost his Mom 2 days and 20 years before Olivia was born, October 22. We found out we were pregnant on her birthday. His Grandmother passed in October, we got married in October and we love Halloween.

All that is probably a tangent for another day, but this all leads up to me knowing that the next moment is now better than the last. Tomorrow the sky will be brighter, more people will be smiling, less people will swearing, more people will be thanking each other, helping each other, loving each other.

The past 6 months were some of the hardest in my life, and Paul's life, yet here we are choosing to be happy. We are here knowing and choosing to be happy in this moment.

Maybe you know perfect people, but I faultier sometimes. Sometimes I get sad, even desperate, trying to balance the things I feel are important in my life, but Olivia helps me remember pretty quickly, that I want to choose to be happy.

Choose to be happy. Choose to smile. Chose to laugh while you are in the car by yourself from the bottom of your belly. Especially if your baby is in the car because they'll probably laugh with you, which makes it even more funny! Olivia has an uncanny timing to change the mood to something positive. As we know to distract her when she needs to be redirected, she already inherently knows when the air is heavy and laughing makes it lighter.

Let's take a lesson from our babies and watch their cues. The cues of the world. These little people are probably in the stage where they can use almost all of their brains, but once we start talking, perhaps we stop listening and start using a different part of our brains entirely. Just a thought. You choose. One Love.

2011-05-09T01:48:00.001-04:00

Going out to eat in HR- Eat Local/Eat Organic

2011-05-09T01:40:00.002-04:00

It's often challenging to find places to eat out that serve organic and/or local.

If you're in Hampton Roads, here's a quick list of some options:

Buy Fresh, Buy Local is a great resource for farms, restaurants, and all kinds of good stuff!

www.buylocalhamptonroads.org/

Norfolk:
Five Points Farm Market Cafe (Corner of 26th Street and Church Street -right at Granby turns into church after the zoo): www.5ptsfarmmarket.org/ -
--Cafe can tell you exactly what's in their food and uses local and organic whenever possible, always a vegetarian/vegan option and a red meat or rib lovers too! :)
---Let's not forget the incredibly inexpensive gourmet dinners for dine in or out (with biodegradable take out) Thursday-Friday 4P-7P: 2 for $12 It's a steal!! They will be on the food network soon, so enjoy before it's too crowded to get!

The Boot: (21st Street in Ghent) - www.insidetheboot.com
Features local, many are organic, and delicious simple options! I ordered collard greens, baked, sweet potato fries, and another delicious healthy side last time I met a friend there, but main courses are good too. The owners are great and I'm grateful they love what they do and it shows in their restaurant! --Wednesday's are draft beer night and they have plenty of local options to choose from!

Pasha Mezze: www.pashamezze.com - Gluten and/or dairy free, organic, vegetarian and vegan options. We shared several Tapas plates tonight for Mother's Day. Their patio was very nice, even with the loud train blowing its horn as we were leaving. I wasn't overly excited about their service, seemed a bit pretentious, but the food was definitely worth going back for and we will return. We shared salmon skewers, humus, a lentil cake, and a couple other things, all were great! They were very kid friendly too and all the kids were behaving, including Olivia, which is always pleasant. Don't let the "kids" menu fool you though. I would much rather Olivia eat what we are eating versus the pretty typical junk kids food menu options. A little better than most, grill cheese, pb&j, but not by much. I'd love to see some gluten free bread options too...

Quenna's Raw and Vegan - (on facebook) and located in Ocean View on Granby Street, diagonal from Dairy Queen near the intersection of OV Blvd. The food is all prepared from scratch, so call ahead or be patient, but it is made with mouth watering LOVE and melts in your mouth!! Sign up for their weekly menu! Delicious and the atmosphere is awesome!! Some of her food is organic, but things are not yet labeled as such.

Captain Groovies - East Ocean View, North of the intersection of Shore Drive and Little Creek. Local owners, good food and service, great happy hour! They have a great patio and a dog friendly night! $6 lunch specials during the week and a good weekend brunch. The food is most likely not organic and you can order unhealthy here, so watch yourself, but we love it and you can choose to eat healthy.

VIRGINIA BEACH: There are several great restaurants here, but for now I'll just give a quick shout out to our friends, including the amazing GREEN QUEEN herself at

Crocs: www.crocs19thstreetbistro.com/ -

They offer all the things I mentioned above, plus a Saturday farm market in their parking lot, Green Drinks the 3rd Thursday of each month and much, much more!

A couple weekends ago, Paul made us an egg frata with collards and avocado, free-range, nitrate free, turkey bacon, and sweet potato home fries. He's awesome at whipping us up a healthy breakfast on the weekends!

Apparently I was telling Olivia, whoooo was going to eat her food if she thought otherwise. She seemed to be taking me seriously;)

Eat well, be happy!

Replacing my COFFEE with JUICE what the ...?!?!

2011-05-09T00:54:00.000-04:00

I recently started reading the book Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin, which has made me take a harder look at my coffee consumption (Usually 1 cup/day). There have probably been as many positive reports about coffee as negative and this has been a heavily disputed issue in our house.

Paul (who love coffee!!) has read about how it may prevent Alzheimer's. Skinny Bitch just gave me the solid fact I needed to break the cycle.

Before you freak out and think I am trying to make you change your life and begin cursing me for even suggesting how you may be able to balance all your challenges, including sleep deprivation as a Mother or a person in our hustle and bustle society, keep in mind, education is power!

Just take one step at a time. I just want to give you the power to make an informed decision. If you choose to continue to drink coffee everyday, enjoy it! There's no reason to feel guilty about something you are choosing to indulge in. That's just twice as hard on your body both mentally and physically.

The fact I needed from the book may seem small to some of us, but considering the efforts I began over the last several months to create ideal milk for my daughter, it didn't feel so small for me.

Let's begin with some quick facts about CAFFEINE:
The book says, "(c)affeine can cause headaches, digestive problems, irritation of the stomach and bladder, peptic ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. It affects every organ from the nervous system to the skin. Caffeine raises stress hormone levels, inhibits important enzyme systems that are responsible for cleaning the body, and sensitizes nerve reception sites."

The fact I needed:
"Coffee, whether regular or decaf, is highly acidic. Acidic foods cause your body to produce fat cells, in order to keep the acid away from your organs. So coffee equals fat cells. Furthermore, coffee beans, like other crops, are grown with chemical pesticides. One insecticide D-D-7, has been banned in the United States, but is still used by other countries from which we import coffee beans. So every single morning, you are starting your day with a dose of poison."

The ACIDITY factor is what I needed, to want to make this every day habit one of moderation. Long story short, dispite all my excuses, lag time between nursing and coffee, I am still changing the pH in my body and I believe this must also be changing the pH of Olivia's milk. Many believe cancer cannot thrive in an alkaline body. If cancer can't, surely an ear infection and yeast, won't either ...

This is not a habit, that I am making myself drop over night. We still have one more week until graduation, my parents are coming soon and I have already improved my habits a lot over the last several months, so my small indulges keep me from cracking sometimes (while at the same time believing what the book says about caffeine adding to stress hormones).

However, I almost always only have coffee from home, the coffee I buy is organic, and fair trade when I can find it, bought from local small businesses. A great little coffee store, next to Organic Food Depot on Granby Street in Norfolk (behind Doumar's) gives $0.25 back when you bring back in your coffee bag!

My plan is to first, switch to Decaf daily, as it still has caffeine, and then coffee every other day, then just 2 special days each week, then one. I imagine once I am only using it as my ME time, personal indulgent at nap time, on the weekends or instead of a glass of wine when we go out with friends I won't even notice. For me, most days it's mostly just the mental craving, that reminds me of that old commercial, "Calgon (bubble bath), take me away ..." :)

If you need coffee for that caffeine pick me up, try juicing!! Take it easy, I have sometimes wanted to change everything overnight, and that leaves me feeling both overwhelmed and wanting to rebel. In the wise words of, Amanda Hamp (www.eatwellbehappy.com): "Crowd it out."

Juicing can be a great way to crowd out the energy you are currently using coffee to fulfill, please it's a super easy way to get your greens in and it's easy! Most of the work results from cleaning up your leftovers. Juice can be frozen too, so you can just take it out, as needed.

Paul and I will drink the juice regardless of the taste, so we sometimes juice only:
-Kale and Collards (whatever dark leafy green we have on hand);
-Celery and Cucumbers provide lots of water, so if you want to start slow and light this may be a good start for you.
-Carrots, sweet red bell peppers, or even an apple can add some delicious sweetness to get you started, as well.

The beauty of the juice is the PURE ENERGY you are receiving! You won't feel the side affects of coffee, including the drop off of the caffeine. I asked Paul to wait to have his coffee until he felt the energy from the juice and he loves it now too, along with 1 cup a day (down from 2-8 cups). He's also a great juicer!!

Finishing this note to you at 12:41AM is making me feel like tomorrow may not be my first day without coffee, but I will be starting my day off right with, 2 big cups of warm water, 1 T aloe gel, a probiotic, followed by 20-40 oz of water (I nurse in the AM, so it helps to replace all the lost liquid - I'll have to work on my water moderation when I finish nursing because I currently drink 128+ oz./day).

I will then eat one organic, granny smith apple after the water settles. At work, I'll have one cup of coffee with rice milk and a small piece of dark (83%+ cacoa and no sugar added) chocolate - 2 hours before I pump or in the afternoon -after lots of pumping replacement water - if I feel like crashing on either side of the day. For lunch I will have the leftover awesome frata (baked eggs and greens) Paul made for my Mother's day breakfast in bed and sauteed greens he made, as well.

That's as far as I am, so far, but usually I plan our meals for the week ... Tomorrow night we will be juicing and I plan on doing a quick sauté of cabbage in coconut oil in the cast iron wok for some quick greens for the week and I think I'm going to try making tempeh with soba noodles and peanut sauce (gluten free) I just watched a cooking video for. Yum! Now I'm starving, which I will wash away from a bunch of water I hope doesn't wake me up later ...

We can enjoy almost anything in moderation. I just want to take a step back to smell the roses and learn that moderation again. There is too much to enjoy in life to live it uncomfortably. Love the body you're in!

Juice

2011-05-08T23:37:00.001-04:00

About a month ago, we began juicing (If you purchase one, or anything that touches your food, make sure to verify BPA FREE).*

For Olivia's Juice we use fresh & organic everything:
1/3 kale &/or collards (any dark leafy green provides all kinds of amazing nutrients including calcium! Spinach also great, but doesn't yield much juice);

1/3 celery &/or cucumber (mostly water when juiced);

1/3 carrot & red sweet bell pepper (1/4 pepper) &/or a beet (here's where the sweetness comes from);

Splash of aloe juice (laxative, healing, all around goodness);

-For added sweetness I alter above for 1/4 each, 1/4 Fresh pressed coconut milk (ideal when I have it) or no sugar added fruit juice.**

*Started juicing thanks to a great class taught by Amanda Hamp, www.eatwellbehappy.com, and a good friend letting me use her Jack Lalayne juicer!

**Be so careful when purchasing "juice". FRESH PRESSED is best because it's not concentrated, so the natural juice has not been altered.

Next best, be sure no sugar has been added, especially no high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

FYI, light juice means water has been added (first ingredient)... Why not buy the regular stuff and add your own water... When we buy orange juice (not from concentrate), I always add water anyway. If you're going to buy concentrated juice, why not buy it frozen & add your own water.

Less resources, less money, less to carry home!

Olivia can sometimes be a stinker about eating her greens, but she LOVES her "JUICE"!

We can teach our children, and ourselves, how to be healthy!

I find Olivia's health and well being to be my best motivation!!

A friend on food...

2011-05-08T23:06:00.001-04:00

Hey Jenna,

I have been reading your blog a lot lately so decided to send you an email to see how you're doing! I love all your advice on eating, living, relationships, etc.

Also, your post that you're still breastfeeding Olivia, I had to laugh b/c my mom breastfed me until I was 18 months.

Anyhow, I have been reading a lot of stuff on the food industry over the past year and it's scary. I am actually almost done with The Omnivore's Dilemma.

Over the past 2 years I have gradually reduced meat in my diet and about 2 months ago I cut it out completely except fish.

I'm also always reading ingredients list b/c it is crazy what is in some "food" at the grocery store.

I try to cook a lot and eat whole foods, but as you know that's not always possible. How are you?

A summary of my response:

We are bf'ing our way to a future smarty pants like you! :) That's awesome!!

Thanks so much for taking the time to share this with me!! It takes a lot to stay motivated some days and I really appreciate the encouragement!!

That's great on your eating habits and it is scary! It's just important that we become informed, make the gradual changes as we can and remember to breath to keep from freaking out! ;)

Let me know that you think, I hope to read the book ( Omnivores Dimemna) too!

We are just trying to remember to breath and take it one day at a time:) Paul graduates on Sunday!!!! Yippee!!

Please tell your mom happy Mothers Day!! I know she's proud of the awesome lady you are!!

Taking it one day at a time at the Buckroe Beach Reggae on the Bay yesterday.

Olivia enjoyed the fresh coconut water cut just for her. Yum!

If you give children healthy sugars and healthy, yummy, substitutes it will take quite a while until they think they're missing out. I think by then Olivia will be able to tell, and enjoy the difference, between fresh fruit and veggie sugars and artificial ones made to taste like those.

Dream high, optimistic live longer! :)

Hampton Roads Green Cleaner

2011-05-07T15:47:00.001-04:00

Almost every Mother can attest to there being some days, weeks or months, when you wished you had more time or could get more done.

Well, as coincidence would have it, I was flipping through a little moleskin notebook I keep and came across a women's name I'd written down as a green cleaner in Hampton Roads.

My parents are coming Friday, for Paul's graduation, from the W&M MBA program!!!!, and I really needed an extra hand to get the house under control before they arrive.

My dad and I were talking about their trip this week and he said he likes to stay in "a halfway clean place (they are using a timeshare in Williamsburg).

Before anyone jumps to any conclusions about my father being a jerk because, he's awesome and always means well, I challenged him on saying this.

"Dad, I understand what you mean (pet allergies with our cat and dog), but in case I'm ever hormonal or tired, you should probably think of a new way to say that." He said, "Ok, how about dander free." I said, "Yes, that's perfect because that is what you mean."*

Ironically, upon Dottie's awesome twice over on our house, I now know that the previous condition of my house was like the inside of a vacuum. We have wood floors and they were just plain dirty...

We remove our shoes, but we have not been able to keep up and we are so grateful a million times over for her coming, on super short notice too!!

Her name is Dottie Stevens #(757) 679-3766

I got things in order, organized, piles that have accumulated everywhere, while she cleaned. I had breakfast, fed Livi lunch, we had family time... We had music on the whole time.

She was super receptive to all my requests, planned really well to work around Olivia's nap schedule. She brought her own supplies of green cleaners, but is willing to use yours if you prefer. She was at my house for 5 hours for $75, but her efforts and energy are priceless!!!

Plus, it's Mother's Day tomorrow and a great gift to myself and to keep my AMAZING, WONDERFUL, POWERFUL, INSPIRING MOTHER!!, from cleaning on her arrive! :)

Sometimes we need to treat ourselves, in order to be the change we want to see in the world!!

One Love to us all!! We're all in this together.

*We have this thing we've referred to as Gorman'itis where we sometimes don't think before we talk, especially with loved ones. I'm at least as guilty of it as anyone, but with the patient reminders from Paul, I'm getting better, we all have! I LOVE, and I'm so grateful for, ALL MY FAMILY!!

MAMA 4 OBAMA!!

2011-05-03T21:36:00.001-04:00

I want what's best 4 my baby and I believe deep down in my heart that the Obama family is that!!

Choose 2 b happy!!!!

Nursing at 18 months

2011-05-03T21:32:00.001-04:00

Sometimes people are surprised or give congratulations when it comes up I'm still nursing. Plenty of Mothers, including mine, said I lost interest around a year. Olivia still has an interest and I'm glad to still be able to provide her this whole food goodness.

I thought it may be helpful to see how often we still nurse, so hopefully it won't seem so daunting to continue.

Feeding schedule:
I feed her at bedtime (7-7:30P)
One Night feeding between 2-7A or upon getting up (lately she has been waking up around 5am, but this morning she yelled and went back to sleep until 7AM!

I try to pump at 11:30am or by 12:30pm, so she can have milk at school (3oz).

Occasionally, she has really wanted milk when we get home, but if she eats thoroughly then, I'm trying to stop nursing her again 2 hours later unless she seems sick (or extra clingy and needs more attachment time). Last night I nursed at 5:30, while we had family time on the bed and again at bedtime because she just seemed off... This morning she woke congested... I'm glad I paid attention to her cues that she needed more time and hydration from me. Hopefully she'll get well sooner!

I'm so grateful to still be able to provide her this gift. Paul is great about giving her a bottle at bedtime when I want a break, or if I nurse early to leave for something he'll give her dinner and put her to bed after he sings the ABC's.

Gently petting the kitty:) A Mother's love... She is infinitely priceless!!

Nursing at 18 months

2011-05-03T21:31:00.001-04:00

Graduates(Gerber) Baby Food and HFCS!

2011-04-26T22:03:00.001-04:00

Olivia received an Easter bag, beautifully decorated in stickers, from someone at her day school. The Easter bag contained a bag of:

Graduates for preschoolers "naturally flavored" juice treats & a Graduates for toddlers strawberry banana cereal bar.

I read all ingredients now and I had to share the disturbing thing I found:

- "naturally flavored" juice treats include: corn syrup and hydrogenated coconut oil.

- cereal bar includes HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP (HFCS) in both the enriched bleached wheat flour outside and the "fruit filling," along with regular sugar.

The reason I find this so disturbing is that we tend to trust manufacters claims that their food is good for our children, but it is very important that we take the time to READ the INGREDIENTS.

Corn, wheat, and soy are highly subsidized by the U.S. government. While this may have initially been for the right reasons, it has led to the overuse and misuse of these products as fillers in almost every product. All of these fillers are highly processed and"FORTIFIED," since they have been almost completely stripped of their natural nutrients. There is no better nutritional value from food than from WHOLE food. It just makes sense.

It is important to buy soy products organic since they absorb more pesticides very easily, most corn has been genetically modified (GMO), and wheat products are usually bleached.

It is up to US to look out for the health of our families and intuitively trust our gut vs. the marketing telling us "fortified" foods are the same as eating WHOLE FOODS. Let's get back to basics. I will go into more detail on the digestion and complications from HFCS, but if there is one thing you should try to eliminate from your life and your children's it is HFCS (not to mention stop giving money to "the man" who's getting rich off of making American's fat).

The second is also a very common ingredient in children's foods and that's just plain bleached, highly processed sugar, but I'd take sugar any day over HFCS.

Google: HFCS, "hydrogenated" oils and GMO's or I just came across a brochure about GMO's: http://www.nongmoproject.org This website offers alternatives to GMO products and an astonishing list of GMO ingredients ...

Some of my favorite non-GMO's include: Nutiva Coconut Manna (Coconut butter - YUM!), Coconut Bliss ice cream (YUM! YUM!), BORA BORA bars (YUM!), EnviroKidz organic, Happy Baby, Nature's Path organic and Earth Balance, Nancy's, Earth Best's Organic (available at TARGET), but there are many more. Of course you can always avoid all of these when you buy organic, whole foods and know the key WHOLE ingredients that could be GMO

I'm tired after a long day at work and preparing for tomorrow, but this face makes the extra effort worth it every time! This face inspires me to help educate and inspire you, so we can make a difference in the future for our little generation of game changers.

Consider telling Gerber how you feel about the ingredients they put in our food, so we can make a difference for the families and children who are less fortunate than us.

Mothers' Pesticide Exposure Linked To Kids' IQs

2011-04-23T14:10:00.000-04:00

Paul, Olivia's dad, found the following article linking a lack of pesticides while pregnant to smarter little people! Too bad I wasn't completely avoiding pesticides while I was pregnant, but maybe it makes up for it, since I only use organic for Olivia now (occasionally I do use non-organic avocado's and squash because they have thicker shells and I can buy squash locally).

There is a serious correlation between teh nutritional value of our food and the use of chemicals to grow it. I believe their health is worth the investment, even if you're not ready to do it for yourself. Trader Joe's is a great option for buying frozen organic fruit and vegetables.

I often sautee up a lot of garlic and onions, add frozen organic green beans (either from Trader Joe's or Costco), and put a lid over it all in the dutch oven wok, adding a small amount of pink sea salt and Ume Plume Vinegar (sweetens them up) and she loves them!

Easy, simple, good for them and they'll eat it! Enjoy!

Mothers' Pesticide Exposure Linked To Kids' IQs by Richard Knox - April 21, 2011

Scientists report that children exposed before birth to a common class of pesticides can have lower IQ levels when they reach school age. The pesticides, known as organophosphates, are widely used in agriculture.

The new data come from three independent studies published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

One study, from California, involved several hundred women and children who live on or near farms where pesticides are sprayed on crops.

Researchers tested the urine of pregnant women for traces of pesticide byproducts, called metabolites. Then after the children were born, the scientists tracked them as they grew — so far, up to the early grades of school.

"What we found is that mothers with higher levels of pesticide metabolites in their urine had children with lower IQs at age 7," said Brenda Eskenazi, a professor of epidemiology and of maternal and child health at the University of California, Berkeley.

Eskenazi says children whose mothers had the highest pesticide levels during pregnancy had IQs seven points lower than those with little or no exposure.

"That's equivalent to a 7-year-old child performing like a 6-and-a-half-year old," Eskenazi said.
She says the effect on developing brains is similar to high lead exposure. Lead is known to damage developing brains.

On the other side of the country, New York researchers say the pesticide risk is not just in farm workers and rural families. Two studies there looked at city dwellers.

Scientists at Columbia University studied a specific pesticide named chlorpyrifos. It was found in many household products. Until 10 years ago, many people used the pesticide in the home to kill roaches and other pests, particularly in New York City, according to Virginia Rauh, professor of population and family health at Columbia.

Back then, researchers found it in nearly 100 percent of apartment air samples.
The scientists also measured levels of the pesticide in the umbilical cord blood of 265 children in low-income households. Rauh says those with the highest levels of the pesticide at birth scored measurably lower on working memory and overall IQ when they were 7 years old.
"This is the type of thing that could eventually affect learning," Rauh said. "So even though it's a small effect that might be seen at 7 years of age, when children are just starting school, it could potentially affect the way in which they read and follow instructions."

It might also affect how tuned in they are to what's happening in the classroom around them, Rauh adds.

Chlorpyrifos is now banned for household use. But Rauh says it's still sprayed along roadways and on food crops. And many people have some level of it in their blood.

"They may be just as high as some of the residential levels that we saw in New York City," Rauh noted.

So if she were pregnant, Rauh says she'd take precautions.

"I would certainly wash all fresh fruits and vegetables and if I could afford it, I would prefer to purchase organic fruits and vegetables, where we are quite certain there have been no pesticides used," Rauh said. "And the same for my children."

But Rauh stresses that it is very important for pregnant women and children to keep eating fresh produce.

Eskenazi, the Berkeley scientist, says she'd be sure to scrub even fruits and vegetables that get peeled, such as oranges.

A third study published Thursday, also from New York City, found that some people are more genetically susceptible to the pesticide risk than others. Some groups want a total ban on chlorpyrifos. Others think there should be tighter regulation of its use on crops that are most likely to retain traces of pesticides. That includes fruits such as apples, strawberries and blueberries, and vegetables like celery, sweet peppers and potatoes.

A spokesman for Dow Agrochemicals, which makes chlorpyrifos, says the company won't comment until it's reviewed the new studies. But Dow has criticized earlier claims that children suffered developmental problems, saying its product was not to blame.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Environmental Protection Agency told NPR that it's taking another hard look at the risk of chlorpyrifos. The agency says it will take the new studies into account. [Copyright 2011 National Public Radio]

To learn more about the NPR iPhone app, go to http://iphone.npr.org/recommendnprnews

We are what we eat!

Earth Day FREE stuff!!

2011-04-22T14:53:00.002-04:00

FREE COFFEE @ STARBUCKS if you bring YOUR OWN CUP!

Make a simple Earth Day resolution today! It can be as easy as:

-- only getting coffee when you have your own cup;

-- putting your items back in the cart if you forget to bring your own bag;

-- planting an herb that maintains itself like Rosemary, thyme, marjoram, lavender or mint (Rosemary & mint can be invasive, so put these in a pot or an area that it can go crazy without taking over everything else);

-- Plant a native bush or tree to help create natural habit for wildlife;

--replacing 3 bulbs with energy efficient bulbs;

--start recycling (even if you have to drop it off somewhere)...

Small changes by each of us, make a HUGE impact on the Earth!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!

Do it for our children, do it for us, do it for the world! What's your Earth Day resolution?!

Green Roof Contest!! Text needed...

2011-04-20T18:18:00.001-04:00

A small, local ,environmental business is in a contest for money to build a roof garden, donating the food to a local shelter. All you have to do to help them win is TEXT ONCE!!

Text: Top2 to #269411

Couldn't be easier!! Thanks for your help for a productive roof, greener Norfolk, greener & happier WORLD!!

To find out more: www.monarchbank.com

Upcoming Hampton Road Organic Veg/Herb Plant Sales

2011-04-19T22:57:00.000-04:00

Upcoming Events

Everything we offer for sale at all of our events is grown by us and is certified organic.Vegetable and herb plants that we are growing for sale are listed at the bottom of this page.

Saturday, April 23, 2011
Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)
at Taste Unlimited - Bayville Location
4097 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Open Farm Event and Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)
at Mattawoman Creek Farms
4103 Barlow Creek Lane, Eastville
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Free Farm Tours at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)
at 30th Annual Herb Sale and Festival at the Fred Heutte Center
1000 Botetourt Gardens, Norfolk
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday, May 1, 2011
Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)
at 30th Annual Herb Sale and Festival at the Fred Heutte Center
1000 Botetourt Gardens, Norfolk
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Open Farm Event, Vegetable and Plant Sale in conjunction with the Buy Fresh Buy Local Eastern Shore Tour
at Mattawoman Creek Farms
4103 Barlow Creek Lane, Eastville
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Free Farm Tours Available
Saturdays, May 28 - Sept. 3, 2011
Farmers Market
at Old Beach Farmers Market
620 19th Street, Virginia Beach
8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

Vegetable and herb plants that we are growing for sale are listed below. Availability will vary from week to week.

Tomatoes - 12 varieties including several heirlooms
Sweet Peppers - 4 varieties
Hot Peppers - 3 varieties
Cantaloupes and Watermelons
Yellow Squash
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Onions
Basil - 8 varieties
Cilantro
Chives and Dill
Oregano and Sweet Marjoram
Peppermint
Sorrel
Parsley, Sage and Thyme
Lemon Balm

Starting on her second summer eating the incredible Mattawoman organic CSA goodies!

Mom workouts at home

2011-04-19T16:36:00.000-04:00

I thought this link might be helpful (click on title).

Paul, Olivia and I typically go for 5-7, 30 minute, walks a week (with her in the Ergo, Moby or Kelty pack). We just had a baby bike rack installed this weekend as well, so that will be an added exercise component for weekend trips to the store.

I took a personal yoga lesson with Mandy Hamp, www.eatwellbehappy.com, so I could have something structured around my limited time. This includes completely swinging my arms from side to side, which Olivia and Paul also like to do:), and swinging my arms together up and down. These help to get your heart rate up, which I didn't really consider yoga before. I try to encourage Olivia when she hangs out in downward dog and touching her toes.

Along with bringing awareness to the sacrifice of our military families, Michelle Obama is trying to encourage our families to eat smarter and get active. They have planted a garden in the White House lawn (for the first time!!) and have kids playing sports there too! Find out more at: www.letsmove.gov

Let's set an early example for our kids and get moving! It just takes one step, one block, one mile, and we can drive the difference from couch potatoes and obesity to a love for the outdoors and a healthy future for our kids!

Military Families

2011-04-19T16:20:00.000-04:00

I work for the Navy, so it may seem strange, but I thank almost every person in uniform for their service daily! The time away from their family alone is enough to tear me up! For as frustrated as I get at Paul sometimes, I am so grateful he isn't spending a month, 3, 6, 12+ months away from us!!

It almost brings me to tears to think about the sacrifice military personnel and their families make every day to protect our freedom! No matter what your political views or opinions are, I believe we all share our appreciation for the selflessness and bravery these people and their families make.

"The View" had a good episode called: "Red White and View," that Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden were on to present awareness for our military families (I have a Tivo wishlist set for Obama - hence why I saw this episode).

Hampton Roads, VA has a large military population, so there are plenty of opportunities to thank military personnel and their families here regularly.

Click on the blog title and you can type in your zip code for things you can do for the military families in your area (www.serve.gov). It's always amazing to me how selfless and surprised people, including Veterans, are when I thank them for their service. Consider doing something small to help these families, often so far from home, feel appreciated and at home near you.

If Olivia ends up taking after her Mama, she will also be incredibly grateful our freedom of speech!

Thank you all so much for your service!!!

Afternoon Melt Downs

2011-04-19T15:55:00.000-04:00

I was reading a daily email I receive on this topic (www.parents.com):

It said children often have meltdowns when their parents pick them up after daycare because they finally feel comfortable and safe enough to do so after keeping it together all day.

This was particularly relevant to me, since a note was sent home yesterday stating that Olivia had tripped and fallen on the way in from outside and her upper lip had bled a little. She was ok, but she probably cried a little and it's traumatic to hit your face on the floor. :( The area she hit is hidden, so I wouldn't have known had I not had a responsible daycare reporting these incidences.

That morning I had watched through the window after dropping her off as a little boy tried to take her lego's (she held her own). Then two bigger girls were dancing and she was smiling and looked like she wanted to join in, so one of the teachers helped her join the circle. The girls were being goofy, a little rough, so another teacher stood behind to make sure she didn't get knocked down. I was happy to see the teachers looking after her, since they didn't know I was watching. :) It's a good school!

The article said, consider running errands at another time, since the child may do better once they have wound down from the day and are comfortably with you again.

Anyway, my point is, we often have rough/stressful/exhausting days and may really want our children to be angels when we pick them up, but they are often going through these same feelings we have during their day and are unable to communicate to us that they just need us to be patient and let them get out some of their stress to wind down from their day, as well.

We are "blessed" to have our little ones in our lives! They teach us so much!! Help them feel confident enough to be able to let down their guard to melt down after you pick them up.

Get down on the floor and crawl around. Stop to read books to help fuel their early and continued desire for learning. Watch the ants as they go marching one by one. Make up silly songs to sing to them before they're judging us or being embarrassed by us. ;) Talk to them about the trees, birds, gardens, and other bugs. Take this opportunity to be a kid again! Remember how to laugh and love even more!!

All the other stuff we think may be important can wait! When you think it can't, remember the song, "Cats in the cradle..."

For other working Mom's I think you probably feel the incredible bittersweet side of having some space (while at work), while wanting to spend every second with them, feeling guilty you're not, but grateful for the social interaction they're receiving while at school/daycare.

Forgive yourself, laugh, be here now!

FREE DIET

2011-04-19T15:29:00.001-04:00

If you are interested in figuring out what your and/or your food allergies are, here's a start:

Depending on how much you feel you can do, you can start by eliminating things for 7 days (or 30 days) to include:
WHEAT (Gluten free)
DAIRY (including whey)
CORN (canola oil)
SOY (If you don't eliminate soy, be sure to buy organic as soy absorbs a lot of pesticides)

You can eliminate one thing at a time for 7 days and just track how you feel after you add it back in.

I'm not suggesting any of these are bad, but we are so used to having so many things in our diet, our body may be telling us what it's allergic to with much larger symptoms then we think are from our food.

If you want a whole body, ultimately you'll want whole food. Our children are an incredible inspiration for a better future!

I learned these suggestions from Amanda Hamp, www.eatwellbehappy.com

Good Chocolate!! YUM!!

2011-04-17T22:55:00.000-04:00

For those off days:

RAW! ALL ORGANIC! DIARY FREE! WHEAT FREE! SOY FREE! CORN FREE! NO REFINED SUGAR! THE BEST BAR YOU'VE EVER HAD!!

It better be too becuase it's $5.00 a bar!!

-Righteously Raw - 80% CACAO BAR covering an exotic superfood truffle: www.earthorganics.com
---Ingredients: Cacao butter, Cocao powder, Acai berry (freeze dried), coconut palm sugar, agave nectar, coconut oil, Yacon, vanilla bean, Himalayan pink sea salt. (That's it and INCREDIBLY AMAZING!!!!)

-Lulu's - Maca Green Bar: www.luluschocolate.com
--Ingredients: Equadorian cocoa butter, wildcrafted maca, coconut palm sugar, cacoa nibs, spirulina, mesquite, vanilla bean, sea salt and love.

These have no actual sugar, very little fat and calories. It's like eating the most incredible chocolate in the world without any rolly side affects;0 Feel good about eating chocolate once and for all! At this price moderation is key;)

You can safely eat these two bars without remorse.

I would stick with only eating 1 bar, and I only eat 1/8 or less of the bar at a time and also snack on celery, green apples, carrots, brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, handfuls of spinach, organic brown rice cakes, lightly salted, or sometimes either warm water, organic coconut/brown rice/almond/soy/hemp or organic red wine from Trader Joe's is good and inexpensive, and if you must have beer checkout:
New Grist beer made from Sorghum and rice extract. $7.99/6 pack, just drink in moderation. While this beer is Gluten Free, GF, it still makes my sister feel ick and she doesn't do well with any wheat. I also feel ick and now feel like I may not try it again, except for those low times when I forgot about the ick...

You may not know you have an allergy to wheat until you detox and really feel the affects of your food. It's interesting to gain this knowledge about yourself. Prepare to be amazed!

Off days with healthy dinner options

2011-04-17T21:31:00.000-04:00

As I start to tell you about what things are working for me to crowd out the cravings I used to have for Coca cola, reese's peanut butter cups, doritos, etc. I occasionally ate before, I should tell you what I do when my body/mind tells me I want to rebel.

Here are some options I use to ensure I am having the least affect I can on my body, while feeling content and crowding out the cravings for the big hunk of burger, sesame seed bun and Anne's cheddar cheese macroni.

But first, let me tell you what I had for dinner, despite and around, these cravings:

For dinner tonight I had an amazing fresh, previously frozen, piece of salmon, which Paul grilled for 11 min, over charcoal. It had slices of organic* lemon, diced cilantro, and cracked pepper. Super delicious!!

I made mashed organic cauliflower by boiling for 10 min, strained, and mashed with smart balance, cajun seasoning, tumeric (a natural anti-inflammatory), and unbleached Himalayan** salt.

-Ingredients list are in the order of the MOST ingredients. If sugar is listed first, then wheat flour, those are your first two ingredients and so on ...

Dinner was freaking delicious!! Thank you, Paul!! I have a great husband!! --He says he reads my blogs, let' see;)

*I ALWAYS buy the top "12" organic. In fact, the only things I don't buy organic are occasionally avocado and I'd buy banana's non-organic occasionally, but I will choose organic 95% of the time.

I rinse all fruit and veggie skins with Castile soap to ensure the outside junk doesn't get pushed in with the knife, but I am not that careful about washing greens, except to get the dirt and sand off. I just don't think I would really be able to get anything serious off the other junk anyway. That's why it's important to buy local, join a CSA and know your grower or selling store whenever possible.

--There are huge benefits to sticking to small and local businesses!!

**I have been told almost all regular salt is bleached and the USDA is not required to tell you! Consider making an investment in non-dyed pink sea salt from your local natural (hippie/expensive yuppie;)) store.

Small investments like this make a big investment because your food talks back to you. Even salt, like this, is something that should be in your diet ...

To be continued ... ;)

Seasonal allergies, wheat allergies, ear infections ...

2011-04-17T16:06:00.000-04:00

Two quick notes on allergies:

If you have allergies, buy local honey. Local honey was made from bees who could have used the pollen you may be allergic to to make their honey, hence helping you build up a resistance to the pollen making you crazy.

In January, by acupuncturist told me that children under 2 years old, should not have wheat (I'm sorry I didn't mention this earlier), so I stopped giving Olivia almost all wheat around this time and knocked it out entirely by February. If it doesn't say Gluten Free, it has trace elements of wheat.

Beginning in early February, I started working with a whole foods nutritionist to deal with Olivia and my yeast issues. Don't be alarmed, I didn't have it anywhere down under, but I finally listened to the millionth comment having to do with yeast when someone suggested a yeast issue could be causing Olivia's ear infections.

Well, in early February, I started a 30 day elimination diet to cleanse myself, start balancing the yeast and slowly figure out if there was a food allergy causing the ear infections.

I'm unsure of what has exactly eliminated the yeast, but we have been free of ear infections, which remained almost constant from November-January, since February!

More on elimination diets, to determine your allergies, to come ...

For now, try to find alternatives to giving your children wheat, even whole grain wheat, any refined sugars (ingredients labeled as sugar - organic or not - and High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFC)). Consider looking for "brown rice" products as a starter.

Spend more on food now and less time and money at doctors appointments, on prescriptions and sick time away from work for you and your children. Let's give our children a great foundation from the start and lead by example! If we don't teach them, who will? Are you really going to leave it to those commercials telling us that fruit loops and lucky charms are really fortified with the same stuff you buy fresh?!

Read the ingredients! See how many ingredients you recognize, know not to be harmful to you, and can pronounce. It may amaze you! It did me!

LESSONS:
--Read your ingredients;
--Avoid HFC and "sugar" in your ingredients list;
--Buy what you can, and will, organic;
--Give some thought to what your children's health is worth;
--Don't let this information overwhelm you.

I'll give you easy steps to make a healthier transition for you and your family and a better world for us all.

When buying organic ...

2011-04-17T15:48:00.000-04:00

There are certain fruits and vegetables, that absorb more pesticides than others. I probably mentioned this before, but ALWAYS buy soy products organic. The following list is additional items to always buy organic, celery being the #1 most important and so on.

ALWAYS BUY, the following ORGANIC:

1. Celery
2. Peaches
3. Strawberries
4. Apples
5. Blueberries
6. Nectarines
7. Bell Peppers
8. Spinach
9. Cherries
10. Kale/Collards/Greens
11. Potatoes
12. Grapes (Imported)

Print yourself out a cheat sheet at www.foodnews.org. I'll provide more information on this in the future, but organic foods have more vitamins and minerals since the soil was not stripped of all it's natural resources. What's the point of consuming all of our much needed fruits and vegetables if we're not getting what we need from it or worse we are absorbing pesticides and other carcinogens.

Danger near waves and windows

2011-04-17T14:50:00.000-04:00

Try to pay attention to the little signs life shows you.

Recently I was in Olivia's room, upstairs, with her two windows wide open. Occasionally she would go over and look out, gently pushing on the screen. I gave this a little thought that day, but didn't think I'd have to worry about her pushing too hard for a while. A few days later, I heard a story of children falling out 2 story windows. Lesson learned.

Olivia slept through the night and woke up at 0645. It was a restful night sleep, besides Paul waking up and waking me up too, from a nightmare (more on this in a later blog about the nuclear issues in Japan). I had just woken up from our dog pacing for the bathroom and she was really ready to get up when I turned off the alarm to let him out, so I gave Paul a break this morning and let him sleep in.

We brushed our teeth, quietly getting ready (to show her dada it could be done;)), and took our dog for a walk to the beach. As we were walking down the beach, I thought, if a rogue wave were to get us I'd never let Livi go (morbid thought I know, but occasionally my mind drifts).

We were using the Moby Wrap this morning because I couldn't find the Ergo and I didn't get her in it quite right, so I set her down and she started walking down the beach. We were pretty far up the beach and there was a steep slope to the water before our flat area. I was watching her, with my back to the Chesapeake Bay, and trying to fix the wrap when a wave came up (about ankle deep) and I launched forward (about 2 feet) to grab Olivia (who also got her feet and bottom of her pants wet). Considering I had just thought about a rogue wave and knew never to have my back to the water, this freaked me out and I will take this as a my one precautionary beach lesson.

When my brother was little, a wave swept his feet out from under him and he went under before my dad could grab him on the Oregon coast. Luckily he was fine, but needless to say, we were all freaked out.

LESSONS:
-Keep your windows closed enough your children will not fall through them.
-NEVER turn your back on the ocean.
-ALWAYS stay close to your young children when on the beach and keep life vests on the older ones if they must go in without you.

Women, and men, can be very intuitive. It's not necessary to be afraid, just be aware and don't write off coincidences that perhaps need more consideration.

Piece of Peace (YOU TIME)...

2011-04-17T14:31:00.006-04:00

I truly love every second I have with Olivia, but it's a heavenly recharge when I can spend her nap time getting some much needed R&R. I have often spent this time frantically trying to get things done that are much more difficult when my little Dune bug is following me around saying, "Baby Up*," but I strongly encourage Mother's** to use this time for YOU!

Take a nap, meditate, stretch (find a quick 10-30 minute yoga routine). These are the small treats that will give you so much more reward and recharge than all those things you think you need to get done instead. You and your child(ren) will see the difference this YOU time has made as they wake up recharged from their nap.

It's easier to be the change you want to see in this world when you take care of yourself first!

*To combat the whining, and teach her, when she wanted up, I'd say, "Baby, if you want up, you need to tell Mama," or sometimes when she whined I'd ask, "Baby, Up?" She just started putting two words together, and it took me a few days to figure out why she was saying, "Baby, Up" when she wanted up. Good lesson to be mindful of what we say around our children. I certainly don't want to be an "AssHooooole." -Meet the Folkers (hysterical movie!)

**Whoever you are as a caregiver, it's so important to find a way to recharge. Our children won't remember whether the dishes, dusting or laundry is done, but they will remember how loving their parents (or caregivers) were because they remembered to take time for themselves!

You are not alone!

2011-04-16T23:13:00.001-04:00

Earlier today I received an email from a dear friend that brought me to tears in such a meaningful and inspired way I just had to share for all of us! I'm so grateful she shared her valuable time to inspire me! Thank you!!

I'm looking forward to turing this blog into an open forum for all of us to share and learn the feelings we are having are ok.

Life has hills, but we can acknowledgeable them and find inspiration in those beautiful baby faces everywhere to know that we are making a difference. They are worth it! We are worth it!

Love yourself! Do what you need to to honor yourself, forgive yourself and make time for yourself! Be here now.

Hi Jenna. I hope you are doing well!! I just had to write to tell you about something that happened this morning. I was up early and had some free time before (my daughter) woke up and saw you said you posted updates on your blog. So I went there and I started reading and the next thing I knew, I was crying. No, not crying, sobbing. My brain was asking (itself) why are you crying?!?!! And I realized that, in reading your blogs about the stresses of your marriage, for the first time in quite some time I felt far less alone than I've felt in months. I had bottled my feelings so deeply, in efforts to appear "happy and normal" to others, that I didn't even realize what I was really feeling deep down inside. When I read your posts, I suddenly realized how lonely I was and how I shouldn't feel so lonely b/c so many people are going through the same thing... I shouldn't place so much emphasis on 'acting' happy instead of focusing on doing something to actually make myself REALLY happy. Being truly happy will make me a better wife, a better friend, and most importantly a better MOMMY... and what is more important than that?!?!
I wish so much that we were still in VA. I still don't really have any "real" friends in this area we're in. I know that adds to the stress and loneliness. I have no one I can go grab a cup of tea with and sit and talk about my feelings. But I need to stop feeling sad about all of that and try to do something. I've said that for months now, but I'm going to really try to take that feeling I had immediately following reading your blog and I'm going to try and push myself to step outside of my comfort zone and do someting to better my life and (my daughters).

OK, I'm crying again... but in what I think is a "healing" way. I hope this email has come across the way I meant it to... I'm not trying to get sympathy or something like that. I just know you are SUCH a caring and wonderful person and I thought you would be honored and happy to know that you had touched my heart in the way that you did. If you ever have doubts about posting things about your personal life out there (where people might critique or judge you), please know that for any of those, there are those like myself who are grateful that you are being so honest and open!!

Much love to you, Paul and Olivia!! I love seeing her pictures... she's a beautiful little girl!!

Thank you! I agree;) I'm so grateful!!

Local organic plant sale!

2011-04-14T12:11:00.001-04:00

Coming from our CSA's farm:
http://www.mattawomancreekfarms.com/UpcomingEvents.htm

Everything we offer for sale at all of our events is grown by us and is certified organic.Vegetable and herb plants that we are growing for sale are listed at the bottom of this page.

Saturday, April 16, 2011
Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)
at Taste Unlimited - Bayville Location
4097 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Saturday, April 16, 2011
Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb) in conjunction with the Eastern Shore House and Garden Tour
at Ker Place
69 Market Street, Onancock
9:30 AM to 2:00 PM

Saturday, April 23, 2011
Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)
at Taste Unlimited - Bayville Location
4097 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Saturday, April 23, 2011
Open Farm Event and Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)
at Mattawoman Creek Farms
4103 Barlow Creek Lane, Eastville
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Free Farm Tours at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30

Saturday, April 30, 2011
Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)
at 30th Annual Herb Sale and Festival at the Fred Heutte Center
1000 Botetourt Gardens, Norfolk
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, May 1, 2011
Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)
at 30th Annual Herb Sale and Festival at the Fred Heutte Center
1000 Botetourt Gardens, Norfolk
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, May 14, 2011
Open Farm Event, Vegetable and Plant Sale in conjunction with the Buy Fresh Buy Local Eastern Shore Tour
at Mattawoman Creek Farms
4103 Barlow Creek Lane, Eastville
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Free Farm Tours Available

Saturdays, May 28 - Sept. 3, 2011
Farmers Market
at Old Beach Farmers Market
620 19th Street, Virginia Beach
8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

Vegetable and herb plants that we are growing for sale are listed below. Availability will vary from week to week.

Tomatoes - 12 varieties including several heirlooms
Sweet Peppers - 4 varieties
Hot Peppers - 3 varieties
Cantaloupes and Watermelons
Yellow Squash
Cucumbers
Lettuce
Onions
Basil - 8 varieties
Cilantro
Chives and Dill
Oregano and Sweet Marjoram
Peppermint
Sorrel
Parsley, Sage and Thyme
Lemon Balm

Olivia's lunch one day this week, yum!

Norfolk, VA - 2nd Annual Spring Fountain Fair

2011-04-11T12:26:00.000-04:00

Free Family Fun!

2nd Annual Spring Fountain Fair - find out more at:

http://www.festeventsva.org/ by calling 757.441.2345 or find them on Facebook.

Saturday, April 23, 2011, 9am – 5pm • FREE & Open to the Public

Where: TowneBank Fountain Park in Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk, Virginia (adjacent to Waterside Festival Marketplace and Waterside Marina along the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront)

Admission: FREE and everyone is welcome!

Special Note: Lawn Chairs and blankets are welcome. Coolers, food and non-alcoholic beverages are permitted. No alcohol or glass is permitted; food and alcohol will be available for purchase during the event.

The Spring Fountain Fair and Town Point Market are produced by Norfolk Festevents in partnership with Port of Virginia and sponsored by AT&T, the City of Norfolk , 94.9 The Point and 101.3 2WD.

Norfolk, VA (March 28, 2011) Spring has sprung at Town Point Park!

Festevents invites everyone to celebrate the change in seasons with the 2nd Annual Spring Fountain Fair. We’re opening the fountain - so put on your bathing suit, grab a towel and be part of this great family fun day in TowneBank Fountain Park along the downtown Norfolk waterfront. Enjoy free rides, free cotton candy and balloons; good ol’ fashion lawn games, relay races, contests, corn hole and more!

Norfolk Festevents will commemorate this special event with FREE family activities and entertainment. The fair will feature FREE Easter egg hunt, cakewalks, egg in spoon races, Hula Hoop contests, sack races, games of corn hole for children and adults, FREE cotton candy and FREE balloons give-a-ways and more!

In addition, fair guests are invited to enjoy FREE rides on the G-Force Twin Spin or test their strength on the High Striker, to see who can ring the bell at the top of the tower. The Spring Fountain Fair will be open from 9am – 5pm; admission is FREE and open to the public.

…And while the children are wrapped up in lots of fun activity, mom or dad can stroll through the Town Point Market. This eclectic shopping experience will feature products ranging from stain glass, jewelry, antiques, photography, paintings, prints, glassware and more. The Town Point Market will be open from 9am – 5pm; admission is FREE and open the public.

…So pack up the family and spend the day in TowneBank Fountain Park. Omar’s Fountain Café will be serving tasty Spring Fountain Fair foods and beverages for purchase. Picnic spreads are welcome.

Activity Schedule for Spring Fountain Fair

9:00 am - 5:00 pm Fountain Opens for Play!

9:00 am - 5:00 pm Omar’s Fountain Café Opens for the Season!

9:00 am - 5:00 pm Town Point Market Opens!

9:00 am - 5:00 pm FREE Rides: Hi Striker and G Force Twin Spin

9:00 am - 5:00 pm FREE Cotton Candy and Balloons

9:00 am - 5:00 pm FREE Lawn Games

9:00 am - 5:00 pm FREE Cornhole games for youth and adults

9:00 am - 5:00 pm FREE Family Games and Contests

Easter Egg Hunt: 9am- until all eggs are found

Hula Hoop Contests: 10:00 am, 11:00 am, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:00 pm

Water Relay Races: 10:15 am, 11:15 am, 12:15 pm, 2:15 pm, 4:15 pm

Limbo Contests: 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm

Sack Races: 10:45 am, 11:45 am, 1:45 pm, 2:45 pm , 3:45 pm, 4:45 pm

Cake Walks: 9:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm

If you want to be happy, be. ~Leo Tolstoy

30 days

2011-04-10T22:37:00.000-04:00

A week ago, Paul and I both hit a breaking point. We were both so tired, we had worn tired of each other. We have been together over 12 years and married 10 in October. With high divorce rates in our country I think it is sometimes easy to let your mind go there in tough times. Going to this dark place (Mordor for Lord of the Rings fans;)) helped us see the light, along with some very pivotal advice (one was my appointment with Vijay the very next day to discuss my and Olivia's yeast imbalance). The second was a counseling session from my good friend, Judy, prior to meeting with Vijay.

She suggested that Paul and I each give up something for 30 days.

I think I probably inwardly scoffed at this idea initially because I feel like I have made a lot of sacrifices for us, for our baby, to provide our daughter with the best future I can. I get up with her in the night when necessary, pump at work, feed her before bed and in the morning, plan and primarily prepare her food (Paul does contribute), plan her doctor appointments, dentist appointments, etc. and I have recently drastically modified my eating habits to get rid of Olivia's ear infections. Paul finishes his MBA in May, became a Supervisor over 6 months ago and is a strong father/husband contributor, but his work/life balance sometimes leaves me with a bigger life burden. I only describe all this, so we don't feel like we're alone.

When I came home from seeing Vijay, Paul and I had our 10 minutes and he let me read my notes from meeting Vijay and I told him Judy's suggestion that we each give something up and we did.

I gave up negativity. I feel better already! Paul is responding to my positive or more level attitude with enthusiasm and it has rekindled our feelings for each other.

Visualize the future you want. Small changes make a very big difference and in this case it's giving us both what we want. We all just want to be heard and loved ... Have you listened and loved someone today?

10 Minutes

2011-04-10T22:16:00.000-04:00

A counselor Paul and I see on an irregular basis says, "Plan for success."

One of the ways she suggested we do this is to take 10 minutes each day to talk about our day. Nothing negative about each other (I have to leave my nagging behind).

This gives us an opportunity to reconnect about our day, which usually entails a recap of everything Olivia that we missed. Once we have our 10 minutes we can work with and around each other to finish our scurrying of evening activities, but without it we are on each others heals.

10 minutes can lead to a very big difference. It has for us.

Are you inspired? Job stress ...

2011-04-10T22:11:00.000-04:00

I recently went to an appointment with an Ayurveda counselor named Vijay (I'm not sure if that's his title, but that's what the meeting was about). During our session, we talked about job stress. To paraphrase, Vijay said:

If you think about your job as something that you do to serve a greater good; God, Buddha, a higher spirit, whatever your ideology, then it may be easier to manage job stress.

I didn't have to think about it, really. It was a journey, but I LOVE what I do! I LOVE the impact* it will have on the world. I am being the CHANGE I want to see in this WORLD! I have a tremendous opportunity to help manage (organize) the Navy's impacts on the world! This serves us ALL well as United States tax payers because less waste means less in disposal costs and less in purchasing costs. Less is more money for us (tax payers), in this case and reducing the debt for our children without cutting education funding, the arts, and funds to National Public Radio.

President Obama has signed an Executive Order further assisting many cost saving environmental goals.

This serves the world well because less disposal means, less pollution and less pollution means a better outlook for our children at 30.

Do you stress about your job? Do you enjoy what you do? Do you feel you serve a higher power in your actions each day to inspire our children by leading my example?

Do you show your child(ren) what kindness, generosity, LOVE feel like everyday? If you haven't fully recognized the potential of your strongest asset, consider what my wise Mother told me at least 16 years ago. "Be the best at anything and everyone will need you for that thing."**

We can't get there overnight. I still have some demons in my closet, but I am starting to visualize what I want my future to look like and feeling THE SECRET (in reference to the book). The Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman - Great Book and Easy Read, also!

What do you want the world to look like for you, for your children, for each other?

I see an amazing future full of Garden's with vegetables growing and children playing sports in the yard at the White House, as well as, more active families and our country having easier more affordable access to healthier options. Thank you, Michelle Obama!

I see all of us with a garden of at least one organic vegetable and maybe rosemary in a flower bed (because it takes care of itself and is good on chicken and potatoes). I see us enjoying family dinners and all participating in making them and cleaning them up. I see walks and other activities outside and visits with friends and family.

There have been times when women, minorities and gays didn't/don't have equal rights. Whatever inspires you, whatever your cause or belief be the change you want to see for this dream.

We can do this! You and I have the power within us to make all of our dreams come true! Please join me. Together we can be the change we want to see in this world!

*ISO 14001 identifies "impact" as having any impact on the environment, good or bad.
**Paul, as well as a great past employer - KHA, helped me identify my strongest assets several years ago, which are: building relationships and organizing. It can also be a demon when I think I need to organize my relationships. :?

"...a small change and lead to a very significant difference." -David Suzuki

Consignment Sale Fri-Sun in Norfolk!

2011-03-28T20:11:00.001-04:00

Checkout:
www.poshbabyevents.com

Much is half off on Sunday!!

Located in the Norfolk - East Beach strip mall with Food Lion on the corner of Little Creek and Shore Drive.

Consider getting on their mailing list, if you volunteer 4 hours you can shop early! First dibs! Great deals! Great way to resale too!!

Why shop any other way?!!

Olivia's lady bug came from their last year! She loves it! $10 & great shape!!

Mantra

2011-03-28T20:04:00.001-04:00

Up until Olivia was about 3 months old, breastfeeding was euphoric! Well, after the first 2-3 weeks when the teeth gritting latching pain went away.

Mothers produce endorphins with breastfeeding, so I literally was happy and just ate up this time together. At about 2 1/2 months I went back to work and my sister moved in to nanny, so I soon became caught up in work and home frustrations. I became increasely more frustrated I wasn't focusing on this incredible gift, but know how important it is to be positive in order to provide her with the best food I could. So, this is how I finally got there.

When I'm feeding Olivia, or pumping, I say to myself:

"Peace, love, hope, health, happiness, kindness, patience" and whatever other positive words I can think of to help me "Be Here Now." Sometimes my mind drifts, but I come back whenever I notice.

When all else fails and nothing else seems right in the world, think about this amazing bond and whatever words you need to help you pull through.

One thought can lead us to a fork in the road, let it choose the positive road.

I appreciate you...

2011-02-23T08:16:00.001-05:00

My mom wrote this to me and I just had to share to spread the love and the warmth it gave to me and the growing bond a parent can have with their child.

Share the Love! Nothing else matters! All that other stress is temporary & in our heads. Live longer, healthier & grow stronger with the inspiration of your children! One Love!

Hello sweetie,
I just wanted to tell you how proud Iam of you for being such a great mother that is why Olivia is such a wonderful little girl. You have exposed her to so many wonderful experiences and they way you make her first in your priorities is obvious to her that her mommy loves her very much. I watch other parents interact with their young children and by leaving them in car seats for long periods of time waiting in line and leaving the child on the floor in a car seat down with everyone's feet. It is so great how you have used the moby wrap and hugo to keep Olivia front and center and secure you can see it in her comfort zone. When I think back to her birthday party and how well she interacted with everyone and was happy for hours is rare in a one year old so you as parents can be proud that you instilled that in your little girls personality and self confidence. The way you feed her ensures she will be healthy both in mind and body. I still have those who met her while she was here remark at what a remarkable baby she is and such a happy child you should be proud I know I am.
Thanks for sharing her with me I cherish every moment I have with her. And thank you for keeping her familiar with us with facetime I know it is hard to work it all in.
She is a good baby.

Thank you for the sweet card you left here for my I do enjoy your notes, postings and text messages and all those pictures. I also enjoy your blog I learn new things all the time.

Have a wonderful day I love you always
Mom

I love boiled egg for breakfast! Yum! Then I have rice/quinoa cereal simmered with almond milk & blueberries for second breakfast. Yum yum!

Location:Atlans St,Norfolk,United States

Richmond Consignment Sale this week!

2011-02-23T08:10:00.001-05:00

I haven't been to this one, but it sounds good & BIG! There's a Norfolk sale in March on Granby & April, Mothers of Multiples in VA Beach!

Kids Layne Spring Sale
Its HERE!!!!! www.kidslayne.com

February 24-27, 2011

Canterbury Shopping Center
10616 Patterson Ave.
Richmond, VA
(intersection of Pump & Patterson)

BRING A SHOPPING BAG/BASKET TO MAKE SHOPPING EASIER!!!!!

Kids Layne is now offering....
the whole caboodle for your little doodle

In addition to our great clothes we've got: Thirty-One (monogrammable lunch boxes), Discovery Toys, Monkey Grass (organic, earth friendly kids items) Stella & Dot (an adorable girls line now) & more!
Overstock Brands include: Bibbity Bobbity Bows, Castles & Crowns, Fantasia Too, Frances Elizabeth, Girls Day Out, Lollipop Laundry, Mulberry Street, Olive Juice, Pink Chicken, Ralph Lauren, Sophie Dess, Stella Jane, Tea Collection, Simply Bows, Twinkle Couture, Zutano & so much more!

We are excited to offer onsite monogramming for our shoppers at the sale!
Olive Juice, Olive Juice & more Olive Juice!!!!

We've got more Olive Juice than ever before at more than 50% off! And...tons of sizes 5-14! So, for all the big kids out there, we have comfy, cute clothes for you too!
Frances Elizabeth Spring 2011 Samples & Trunk Show! For girls & moms too!
Kids Layne is thrilled to host our first trunk show with Frances Elizabeth Originals for girls and moms! Yes, that's right. That adorable brand from our Fall 2010 sale has now added women's clothing and we are going to have it! You can design and order your very own outfit or find a discounted sample or two. To see the line check out the links below.
2011 Spring Trunk for Women
2011 Spring Trunk Show for Girls
Consignors & Volunteers!
Consignors: make sure your items are entered in the system by midnight February 22! You can print and hang your items later!
Volunteers- WE NEED MORE! If anyone else can come out and help us we would really, really appreciate it!
New to Kids Layne: Maternity Wear!
Kids Layne is thrilled to be adding maternity overstocks to our offerings. Party/cocktail dresses from Liz Lange and Fierce Mamas (designed by Christian Siriano- winner of Project Runway),Serfontaine jeans, Paige Denim, Habitual and James Jeans, Nursing bras, pajamas, dresses and more!

Please pass the news on to your preggo friends! They can shop Thursday, Feb 24th from 7:30-9PM
Castles & Crowns purchased at Kids Layne Spring 2010 Sale
Shopping Days/Times:
Premier consignors and premier volunteers: Thursday Feb 24, 5-9PM

Consignors & volunteers: Thursday Feb 24, 6-9PM

Marketers: Thursday Feb 24, 7-9PM

Pregnant moms & grandparents: Thursday Feb 24, 7:30 - 9PM

Facebookers & tweeters: Friday Feb 25, 8-9AM

Public Sale Hours:
Friday Feb 25th 9AM - 7PM
Saturday Sat Feb 26th, 2011 8 - 4PM
Sunday Feb 27th 8AM - 12 Noon
www.kidslayne.com for details
_________________________________________________________
Kids Layne continues to donate a portion of our sale proceeds the Children's Hospital Foundation.
Leftover donatable clothing will go to Children's Museum of Richmond.

Karen and Jennifer

P.S. Find us on Facebook "Kids Layne Page - local business" to get the latest info on brands, sale updates, and merchandise previews!
_________________________________________________________
Kids Layne is a semi-annual sale featuring designer overstocks and nearly new boutique children's consigned clothing and other items. We sell clothing in sizes 0-12. Other items include: Books, Puzzles, tote bags, toys, American Girl Dolls and accessories, Radio Flyer wagons and trikes, Kettler Trikes, Lionel Trains, John Deere riding toys, whole room decor and bedding
www.kidslayne.com

From my brain...

2011-02-06T10:03:00.001-05:00

Paul and I were cuddled up talking last night and I told him about something we both agreed would be great for telling you. He said "You should write about it." and I started pretending to type in the air and said if only this was how easy it'd be to post something right now, I would. Does anyone have the technology?! ;p

So many good ideas, so little time...

Yesterday Paul was getting dressed and Olivia brought him a sock to put on! These memories are priceless, and even though you may remember forever, you may not remember to tell your children.

I suggested to Paul he use a moleskin notebook to track little Olivia thoughts, memories or feelings. I keep track of some of mine here, but also keep little notes in a small notebook. These memories will be sweet for our children to read about later and for us to reminisce when the days seem so long ago and during challenging times when we (us&them) want to remember, a little more, how much we really do love each other. ;)

Livi & friends

2011-01-27T12:08:00.001-05:00

I pump in a friends office at work (who gave her the super cute hat, scarf & mittens too), as I am now, and she has 5 photos of Olivia up! I love it! It's especially helpful when I'm trying to relax and think about her for good production!

There's a movie called "What the bleep do we know?!", where they do studies on how our energy affects to separate glasses of water. They look at water molecules under a microscope to compare how someone mad and happy affects the speed of the molecules. Their findings are that happy people make happier water molecules.

When I'm feeding or pumping for Olivia I say this simple mantra to myself, "Peace, love, happiness, healing, positivity." This may do nothing, but I'd rather error on the side of being a positive influence.

After all, "what the bleep" do we really know about everything in the universe anyway?! Keep smiling, be positive, choose to be happy!

Enviro Jen

Funny

Obama and War

Web Page Designer ...

An economic opportunity!

Discipline

Budgeting for baby

SINGLE PARENTS and TEACHERS

Detox 15 & 16 - food diary

Food diary tips and soups for the week...

Recycling Secrets, or 'Not so Secret Ways to Make Money and Go Green!'

Do Yoga, Feel Better!

Reading to children

Chrysler Art Museum in Ghent

Water Lover

Consignment sales, local consignment stores and deals

Movie marthon

Home date night

Guilt Free Chocolate & other goodies

Gluten Free Baby/children treats & fish nugget option

Detox Day 14 ... Sunday

Detox Journal - Days 7- 11

Detox Day 6

Day 5 Detox Diet - 11/11/11

Chocolate Reward for breast cancer

Voting

Detox Day 4

Detox day 3

Detox Day 2

Teaching our children healthy eating habits

Please Vote today!!

Day 1 - Detox diet

Enjoy your babies!

Consignment Sale in Norfolk Starts today through Sunday

Norfolk Consignment Sale Oct.1!

Rain Barrels - Super Cheap in Chesapeake

FREE FUN: 4th Annual Books in the Park Returns to Celebrate the Joy of Reading - Sept. 17 12-4PM

Compost Bin & Rain Barrel Sale Saturday in Newport News

The Wise: Maya Angelou

Footprint

A Civil Responsibility - City of Norfolk, VA

Books currently on my night stand

Meditation

Supply, demand and TP

Hammocks

Know your facts

Hampton Road Farmers Markets

The Pace of children

LAUGH EVERYDAY!

SATURDAY, JULY 23rd JAMBOREE !

Keeping it together

Perspective, our future and the lessons I learn from my daughter.

Time & advice

MAY: National Bike Month

Safe cosmetics

Find out what's local and in season anywhere in the country, click here!

What do you choose? Choose to be happy.

Going out to eat in HR- Eat Local/Eat Organic

Replacing my COFFEE with JUICE what the ...?!?!

Juice

A friend on food...

Hampton Roads Green Cleaner

MAMA 4 OBAMA!!

Nursing at 18 months

Nursing at 18 months

Graduates(Gerber) Baby Food and HFCS!

Mothers' Pesticide Exposure Linked To Kids' IQs

Earth Day FREE stuff!!

Green Roof Contest!! Text needed...

Upcoming Hampton Road Organic Veg/Herb Plant Sales

Upcoming Events

Saturday, April 23, 2011Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)at Taste Unlimited - Bayville Location4097 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Saturday, April 23, 2011Open Farm Event and Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)at Mattawoman Creek Farms4103 Barlow Creek Lane, Eastville9:00 AM to 1:00 PMFree Farm Tours at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30

Saturday, April 30, 2011Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)at 30th Annual Herb Sale and Festival at the Fred Heutte Center1000 Botetourt Gardens, Norfolk9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, May 1, 2011Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)at 30th Annual Herb Sale and Festival at the Fred Heutte Center1000 Botetourt Gardens, Norfolk10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, May 14, 2011Open Farm Event, Vegetable and Plant Sale in conjunction with the Buy Fresh Buy Local Eastern Shore Tourat Mattawoman Creek Farms4103 Barlow Creek Lane, Eastville10:00 AM to 4:00 PMFree Farm Tours Available

Saturdays, May 28 - Sept. 3, 2011Farmers Marketat Old Beach Farmers Market620 19th Street, Virginia Beach8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon

Mom workouts at home

Military Families

Afternoon Melt Downs

Saturday, April 23, 2011
Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)
at Taste Unlimited - Bayville Location
4097 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Saturday, April 23, 2011
Open Farm Event and Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)
at Mattawoman Creek Farms
4103 Barlow Creek Lane, Eastville
9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Free Farm Tours at 9:30, 10:30, 11:30

Saturday, April 30, 2011
Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)
at 30th Annual Herb Sale and Festival at the Fred Heutte Center
1000 Botetourt Gardens, Norfolk
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, May 1, 2011
Plant Sale (Vegetable and Herb)
at 30th Annual Herb Sale and Festival at the Fred Heutte Center
1000 Botetourt Gardens, Norfolk
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, May 14, 2011
Open Farm Event, Vegetable and Plant Sale in conjunction with the Buy Fresh Buy Local Eastern Shore Tour
at Mattawoman Creek Farms
4103 Barlow Creek Lane, Eastville
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Free Farm Tours Available

Saturdays, May 28 - Sept. 3, 2011
Farmers Market
at Old Beach Farmers Market
620 19th Street, Virginia Beach
8:00 AM to 12:00 Noon