.

Lunchtime at School, my least favorite part of being a Substitute Teacher is having lunch duty. I will tell you why! The Children load up their Tray with all that is required to be loaded and after their 20 minutes of lunchtime, getting up and yup you guessed it thrown the content of that loaded Tray in the trash. We start early to teach our Youngsters it is ok to waste Food. The Law was able to force the Kids to load but it is unable to make them eat the Food. While the choices of Fruit and Vegetables look appealing it is an entirely different story with the main part of the Meal. When staff tells of a 1:16 rule = 1 pd beef with mushroom and soybean fillers to produce 16 patties (knowing what we now do about soybeans being an almost 100% gmo food) and fillers anything but nutritional at any rate...where does that go in line with a healthier meal for our Children???? You also see very few staff members eating a school lunch! Please ask yourself why?

While the Law has forced the Children that choose the School lunch to put selection on their Tray, what about the Student sitting next with a home brought Lunch consisting of Cheetos, a purple beverage, a Lunchable with processed Meat and Cheese and Cookies loaded up with Soybean solids, Corn syrup and High Fructose Corn Syrup....I guess Michele could not get her Hand on that part. So now on both accounts have we got accomplished nothing good!!!!
http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/the-administration/253931-should-congress-trash-michelle-obamas-lunch-program
http://time.com/3176714/pink-slime-meat-prices-bpi-beef/  "edible trimmings and then treating the result"!!! A rather interesting way to describe something we are to consume!!!!!!!!!!!

However at the Heart of it all is this! The Children that throw the Food away now have had Breakfast at 8:45 am and will not be able to have anything else to eat until approximately 4:00 pm, and if they are Bus riders slated to go home their next chance for Food will be by perhaps by 4:30 pm or later, and what about the Students that go to Daycare? How many Adults face the same time frame without Food?

Who was wondering why Children struggle in many regards? The absence of Food in general and nutrition specifically may provide answers?!

It may be time to have a conversation with the Children. We are their guardians, their providers,
to love, teach, nurture, protect, respect and listen to our Children.
~ Communication is the gateway to change ~

P.S: How many patties can you get out of a 1 pound packet of Hamburger Meat?


Picture source thesource.com



Disclaimer

A wheel barrel would look so cool with some Pansies and Ivy I thought as I was driving down the road. A ton more thoughts followed and the Day went along. As I returned home that Day a neighbors lawn was looking nice and neat. Crazy I had left that morning thinking their lawn is needing cut.

Driving down another road a few Days later, what did you know? My wheel barrel, blue to boot (how perfect) sitting by the curb, seemingly with my Name on it. Loading her up in eager anticipation I took my granted wish home. There over a cup of Coffee I realized that I had thought of many things in passing, and had gotten them all over time. So then I thought why was this not the case when it came to matters of the Heart or the Pocket book that I spend more time and intensity wishing for...right here! I may have found my answer. When spending to much energy on a thought/wish it ends up getting clogged by the sheer intensity with which we wish (say that fast 3 times) and by way we tend to think about these subjects, almost in a forceful and manipulative kinda way, changing the energy surrounding that wish. If we can recognize that having wished for something almost in passing nothing in the way of expectancy was attached to that thought. Then there is the matter of being careful what we wish for ...we had been given that advice once or twice ...for it may not turn out well and we recognize that some time down the Road, hopefully before it is too late. Then there are the specifics of making the Wish come out right....yikes!

The spontaneous thought of things we wish for and receive is a beautiful manifestation of the universal love for us. So it is with the things that take time....oh how often have we recognized that something worked out far better than we could have imagined ourselves! Both we had spontaneous send out and went about our Day. We attached no time limit or any expectations to it. Interesting it be to journal those thoughts and the results.

It turns into a Life lesson. What we try to manipulate is met with resistance many times over!
~ Life's journey, amazing in many ways ~




Picture credit Biene

Brushing my teeth with the simplest of toothpaste I suddenly was reminded to all things a "famous" quote by Gus from the Movie My big fat Greek Wedding...."give me a word, any word, and I will show you that the root of that word is Greek". Getting back to that simple toothpaste, when we look at all the things we buy, all of them....they too had an origin...Nature...yup!

Just so happened that some savvy business visionary came up with ways to imitate Mother Nature, on a cheap scale and then sell us something, often times not something we really need, but should want. Listen to the Ads on TV or on the Radio real closely and find the little "hock" that makes us look it up next time we went to the Store. I am not perfect...so yes....I did it too! My saving grace was that I did not buy it, but I wanted the education of what was hailed about needing this product so badly that they spend advertising $$$ to have us buy it (ever wondered if they themselves use these products???).
So of the top of my Head I could think of Hand sanitizer, or whitening toothpaste as something we should need and definitely want.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/09/29/antibacterial-soap.aspx?x_cid=20160115_infographiclink_antibacterial-soap_facebookdoc

Now so back to Mother Nature. Ok so baking soda http://www.care2.com/greenliving/green-cleaning-basics-wait-what-is-baking-soda.html  
now baking soda just mixed with coconut oil, a few drops of mint essential Oil makes a fantastic toothpaste = done....yup....that's it. If you have the baking soda, most of us do, coconut Oil maybe a first but a great new addition to the Family and so many fantastic uses in and of itself....Lotion, ahhh Jamaican vacation at 10 degrees below on a cold Winter's Night. So....baking soda = Nature, coconut Oil = Nature, Oils derived from plants = Nature....you see "give a word, any word, and it will show you that the root is Nature". That is if we are talking about real Foods and other Products. Even Hair color = Henna color = Nature ...and you thought Henna is only red, don't feel bad I did too. I have been using a dark brown myself and my Hair thanks me for it every Day http://www.rainbowresearch.com/chart.html
I will sign of now and give you a chance to let your mind wander to all the possibilities of learning and maybe converting to all the things that have their roots in Mother Nature.
I would love to hear what all you found in terms of natural recipes, and what changes you had made along the way, what recipes have worked for you?
~ There is an air of mystery to all the personal changes one can experience if one invites such guest ~


P.S I have been using the baking soda/coconut oil/3 drops peppermint recipe for toothpaste...my plaque has gone away and it appears that my gumline is returning on my teethes where I experienced loss.
However anything you try you do so at your own discretion.


Picture credit Biene

A Life without soybeans, corn syrup or corn oil...I say yes! Here is to our health....Not easily done...but I keep at it and learn along the way :) and now you are too.
Looking up typical ingredients i.e. for Worcestershire Sauce according to Wikipedia (The essential ingredients are barley malt vinegar, spirit vinegar, molasses, sugar, salt, anchovies, tamarind extract, onions, and garlic) Anchovies....who knew?

Not a mention of corn syrup but that is what is listed on a bottle of that stuff as we can buy it ready made...new stumbling block...I want to make homemade baked Beans and need that Sauce according to the recipe for which I have all the other stuff organic (don't even need much...but it all adds up!!!!)
Can we buy anything these Days without soybean, corn syrup or corn oil also is in
flour Tortilla's, Chips, Ice cream...yes Ice creme, most of the salad dressings, many Breads, Ketchup, Mayonnaise and many Jellies and I just got started.
And even in the best scenario...cooking with organic ingredients, then reaching for corn starch to thicken a gravy....and "bam!" So much to learn and the more awake we become the more information we can find http://thinkingmomsrevolution.com/gmo-organic-food-allergies-econference/ as time goes on.


What is awesome about that...taking complete control back. For our self, our family, friends we cook for and ultimately the World...because we are now an intricate part of getting the junk off and the real stuff in.

So now talk about the inability to make a difference...You are it Baby....the power of One!
If you had the stomach to read all the way to here than please know....I truly care for you and want only the best for you and the best is knowledge.
~ They say ignorance is bliss, not anymore, it isn't ~




Picture credit afreshlegacy.net

The things that make the World go round....ahhhh..."please", "thank you", "may I" they are so easily bringing a smile to the Face of another, yet somehow have been forgotten to be used anymore in most all conversations or requests. Replaced by "hey"! Why is that?

Could it be that thru texting and abbreviations we have learned to neglect these basic and beautiful ways of communicating with each other. I am afraid so!

Children in School, and I know this to be true as one of my many Hat's is that of a traveling Teacher, they come equipped with "hey" or worse "what the..." but in only rare instances with "Teacher can you please open my Milk". We are lucky if anyone even makes a complete sentence anymore. From firsthand experience I learned all to quickly where this way of being initiated....at Home. We are to be the shinning example to our Children and to the World. All to often that get's lost in the hustle and bustle of the World we live in now. But it is not to late....oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!

The way we acquired new habits and adopted them quickly is the same way we can choose to step back take a look at our surrounding and our Family circle and Friends and take back what once was a good way of being and bring back the smiles on the Faces of the World around us.

Habits have made a "Nest" in our everyday Life...but just like a Bird...we have a awesome power to let those fly away again.
~ The World we live in is touched by our way of living ~



Picture credit ignitedquotes.com

Love conquers all...
For the last many years I have been pondering that very thought on and off...
When no amount of love, support, steadfastness aka patience has made a difference, sometimes seemingly appearing quite the opposite, then the question becomes "Letting go...has Love conquered all?" Conquered the fear to not have waited that "one more moment"? The fear that one lacked that Love is patient, Love is kind...

It stands to reason that setting free is also a form of Love...maybe more for one self when loving has exhausted all reasonable avenues.

Has it conquered because expectations hoped for have been relinquished? Conquered maybe because true Love can open the hand and tenderly let the Butterfly take flight and believing that if it is meant to be that Butterfly will find itself back resting on that hand not rushing to take flight yet again.

Love is our most exquisite way of walking through our journey called Life and it takes on many forms. We own nobody and listening to that sweet and tender voice, for many a guide from the Heavens above we do good to go about the very question of Love that conquers all with all the kindness that Love has to offer and Love itself will lead the way.
~ Inspirations are like wings of an angel, they carry us to the most amazing places ~




Picture credit Biene

When we hear the word Chivalry the first thought of most is that is a way of the past, the second thought for many women is accompanied by a sigh and we think of courtesy towards us. Oh yes, the time a stranger takes to acknowledge our presence and put us first. Often it is the only time that happens. Carrying a load of groceries without having to juggle the Door too, it does not matter who the recipient is, if there is fault to be found for chivalry offered....I will let your thoughts wander.

Ahhh  we are way past the time of Knights and the feminist movement that came rolling in and chivalry by way of offering kind gestures got pushed out. Jumping years ahead as Stage Manager watching the many Female Performers at the International Festival that were offered the hand of a young volunteering Marine standing by the stairs holding out the Hand to guide down safely that Lady...getting denied with a look that was less than kind....accompanied by misguided thoughts as well. I felt for the young Men every time for their Heart was in absolutely the right place.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=chivalry
Life is about balance....and this qualifies, for we can be equal with a bit of kindness in both directions.

We had jumping from one extreme to another and not for the better. There is Hope however....next time we are encountering a Man who takes time to acknowledge our presence and holds open that Door, we can be the Lady that says "Thank you" and in turn become the motivation needed to extend such gestures of kindness on to the next unexpecting Woman (a new word....a lovely direction...a better way...a happy medium) nothing more...nothing less.

I am reminded of the saying "everything old becomes new again" ...a nice new!!!

~ Opening the Door is just that, an open Door ~






Picture credit pinterest

 

I knew I would be talking about the things we eat ... and the more I look around (I don't want to help that either) the more there is...to talk about that is.
No better than the rest I too fall for some of the "new and better ways" and then my nosy nature get's a hold of me and "oops" not such a good choice after all. Take the case of the Almond Milk...one of the newer crazes. We all know how amazing they are for us... the Almonds, straight up. That being said why can it not stop there? We buy, enjoy and our health will thank us for it. Ahhh but then there are missed opportunities to take us down the road not so good traveled, calling our name to purchase this fantastic and oh so healthy product. Thankfully we are awoken quickly....if we find somebody that will bring us back to reality of marketing and profits http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2014/07/lay-off-almond-milk-ignorant-hipsters

Here we go again...having to read that Label, I mean really read!!! Yes there goes that call for our time, which there is so little of it seems. Now I might get myself in a whole lot of trouble with you, but please, say it won't be so. If social media on the phone could wait until a little later....would you have a moment then?  When did it happen anyways that seemingly the World started scrolling, flipping, texting (under the most horrible circumstances while driving...texting has become a social norm (how bad is that) since the year 2000) at every moment of every day. Teachers, Teachers Aids, Cops on their patrol bikes (sorry... did see it) Nurses on their rounds, Secretaries at the front window  etc., etc., (all while on the clock).  I can only be but grateful that my little phone can do none of such tricks....as a matter of facts I think I scarred a 4 year old for Life because he asked if he could play a Game on my phone and I showed him that I don't even have apps to play in the first place.
It has moved far beyond just being a fad http://www.crazyfads.com/10s.htm, but rather a way of Life (sadly) for it really took away so much from Family time and personal Time and the World is consumed by what others are doing on social media....why????

So if you are reading this I have thankfully not offended you and it is never my intention, then with all the buzz around us, to find time for what is really most important, our Health and was connected to it, is (or should be) at the top of our List of what really matters.
I would love to read your thoughts about this. Please join the conversation.
~ When we talk together there is much chance to understand ~










Picture credit azquotes.com

Hopping on my soap box...I care, so I share what I have learned and had not known before...

The Dating Game of a different kind! Say what?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NRDC: The Dating Game

Living a life without regrets...it's under every circumstance the Life to live...but then Life itself tends to get in the way through the choices that are made and the regret that follow, sometimes years later.

We give in so easily....that can be a good thing and a not so good thing.
When it comes to relationships...giving in can be the strength that keeps giving, build on good communication and the respect that exist to make communication so!!!

On the other hand giving in to the conveniences "of frozen meals" let's say have taken away so much more than we realize....by opening the freezer, reaching for that box, popping it in the Microwave, loading it on the plate, taking the phone, iPad, laptop or sitting in front of the computer and communicate with everybody but the people who's plate we just filled.

So maybe...just maybe next time we talk about the meal we want to prepare, take the time to shop for the ingredients we need....together...and then prepare the meal...together...and without the use of force turn off the gadgets...together...and spend time...together.
Idealist you say....it seems far fetched...for sure....but....it is possible!!!
Together we have the power and choice to give in....and it would be a very good thing!
~ The moments we spend together are precious, priceless and quickly fleeting ~





Picture credit www.quotationof.com

                     



It's all in how we see things......

Life is sometimes like a plugged up drain...You get a bucket and a bowl!...do you know what to do? (if the plumber is not an option)

Here are some options you do have!
#1 being grateful you still got water
#2 actually finding a bowl and a bucket
#3 thankful and downright giddy that you still have your wits about you...laughing in the side of adversity...well..and then you go to work...fill the bowl, wash the dishes, scoop the water if it filled up the tub after each shower...and through it all you not only learn what you are made off, but through gratitude I am telling you your circumstances have not only already changed, but it will get better because you put yourself in a better place...(oh yes you could have gone to the plumbing hardware store....or whatever they call the manly mans places hihihi and bought that stuff that actually works to unclog such inconvenient situation,,,,but then that be too easy...and you'd never known how awesome you can be, resilient and giddy too!!!
 ~ Lemons are the stuff that awesome juice is made of ~



Picture credit Biene

There was a time when eating and drinking nourishing Food was an easy thing to do. It might still be, but we are learning more and more about how our Food comes together, and that is less than appetizing!

A crazy notion!
What if today everything you did, you did so with a time delay to allow for really experiencing the moment. When you got up this morning, did you recognize that your Foot hit the Floor, that you had a Floor, had a Foot? You got through the Night without problems, had a Night to go through. Then when you reached for your morning libation (an offering to us... getting the Day started) you had something to reach with and reach for. Moving on to the daily cleansing ritual....the Water, Soap, lovely scent, invigorating feeling...did it feel invigorating? Did it feel anything at all...were you in a hurry? Why?
The World was on my mind as these questions hit me up....standing in the shower and being happy about the scent of my soap.
When you can find one good thing about this morning...maybe got a smile on your Face, be for warned...it becomes exciting for where there is one...there are more!
As in all things when we suddenly thing we have seen the Light and go at it in a crazy sort of way...it rarely if ever lasts. After all it may have taken Years to get lost, so don't get overzealous now....
then again if this is YOUR MOMENT all has come together right for this moment then go for it. Oh and while you are at it, pass it on. The gratitude that is, the feeling and thought process of all that is good and right in Life, right here and right now. There will be plenty....no I am not talking about Cars, TV's, big Houses, fancy clothes.....none of that. How about the bills? Is this the time to cut back, adjust the budget, then would there be the money to pay a bill? The health or what all is good about the Health. You are the Captain of your thought....and you are what you say! "I am sick and tired" has rarely gotten anyone anywhere except depressed and unable to see what these words can really do...rarely anything good!
I am wishing you a wonderful Day, filled with endless possibilities to experience the Moment.
~ Life is made up of choices, our choices in response to Life ~




Picture credit transforminglifenow.com