Healthy Food But Only on Weekends

I was appalled to read an Associated Press report this morning that congressmen are protesting the healthy lunch intiative because it would cost $.14 extra per meal to feed school children.  First of all many behavioral problems not to mention health problems are directly related to the food we eat.  How can you teach Health to a child as a subject in school then send them to the lunch room for junk?  Surely there can be a place in the budget to accomodate healthy meals.  Perhaps if the government would subsidize healthy food instead of gmo corn and soy healthy food would be cheaper and this would not an issue.  Perhaps if the government would pay farmers to grow healthy food instead of paying them to not grow crops (yet it happens when there is surplus) 14 cents would not be an issue.  That is my rant for the day.  Please check in for I am sure that I will have another soon.

New Favorite Quote

My new favorite quote is "I don't want to survive. I want to live!". This is from the movie Wall-E. We caught the last part of this movie and the ship captain says this line when he is told that it is unsafe to return to earth. This line has resonated with me and been brought to my mind over and over the last few days. In modern society I think we have chosen survival over living. There are virtually no merry go rounds left in the US because they are too dangerous. This saddens me because that was my favorite playground toy at recess. Going round and round faster and faster till you felt you could fly was living at its finest. Our "take a pill to fix all problems" society has us just surviving. When we self medicate to feel nothing are we truly living? Self medication can take many forms such as alcohol, anti-depressants, cigarettes, food, tv..... Is not feeling emotions truly living or just surviving? Are prescription medications with serious side effects truly living? Especially when healthy food, exercise, and managing stress are the answers to so many of our lifestyle diseases. I think I will choose to live for just surviving is not enough.

Some of My Favorite Things at the End of Strings

Such As

Little Boys

Big Girls

Handsome Men

And Kites

Great Weekend

For the last four years our Memorial Day Weekend included a pool party for family.  Ahhhh...but we no longer have a pool nor family within 5 hours so we found ourselves with nothing to do.  I mean no cleaning, prepping food, vacuuming pool, I was almost lost.  With all that being said this weekend was the best weekend in a long time.  On Saturday we piddled around the house.  I made my family breakfast and lunch with foods from the farmers market.  The farmers market is one of my favorite places so right at the start of the day was a SMILE.  I got to see my friend Tracy from Youngblood Grassfed Farms which totally made my day.  We went to the races that night and both my racers made it to the "A" feature.  Go Edwards!  The next day was heavenly.  The whole Edwards clan slept until well after 9:30.  That does not happen frequently but sleeping in next to my sweetie was fabulous.  We had a very late breakfast and vegged out on the couch and watched Parking Wars.  Side note: my family is obsessed with the show, frankly it is like watching a train wreck so I can take it or leave it.  We then had a late lunch and watched Nanny McPhee Returns.  It was as good as the first in our humble opinion.  We finished the evening by trying to fly kites.  My husband is a Rock Star in my book for flying kites with the kids.  Unfortunately the wind would not blow so we gave it up.  Monday was a lot like Sunday except we woke up at 6:30 after all the sleep on the day before. We watched more Parking Wars, did a little shopping, and finished the night watching Cake Boss.  We use our DVR a lot if you are wondering how we watch all these shows on off nights.  Derek and I went for a walk/bike ride on the walking trail because I needed some exercise.  I hope your holiday weekend was as fulfilling as mine.  There is truly no place like home and home is where my family is!

What I Can't Ignore

This video is powerful.  Most people do not know what is in their food supply.  I have been thinking of organizing a Food Day event in Texarkana.  http://foodday.org/

This will focus on educating people about the food they eat and the importance of nutrition.  I have been battling the enormity of such an event as well as the fact that I am new to Texarkana.  This video re enforced to me the need.  If you are interested in being on my team for Food Day let me know :)

Derek and I's Great Adventure

Derek and I's great adventure took us to Pine Mountain, Georgia.  Our journey took us through Lousiana, Mississippi and Alabama before arriving in the great state of Georgia.  Our first stop was Franklin D Roosevelt State Park to check into our cabin and throw a line in the lake.

My brother Clinton joined us for the weekend.  He showed Derek a great time while I was in class. 

Doesn't he look happy? 

I started the next day in the greenhouses at Callaway Gardens.  It was beautiful!  Next we were on to the herb walk.  The class I went to was the Herbal Medicine Boot Camp taught by Philip Fritchey ND.

Huge bonus for me was Thomas Anstett ND and his beautiful wife were in the class as well.  Thomas is one of my favorite instructors :).

We ate lunch outside the Butterfly Palace.  Aren't they beautiful?

The next day we made tinctures, salve, tea and encapsulated herbs. Then it was time to say good to the cabin until next time.  It was a gorgeous place to stay.

Next was the long journey home over the swollen Mississippi.  We crossed as those poor families were packing their belongings and moving to high ground.  I loved spending the weekend with my little man.  So thankful.



13 is a Big Number

We kicked off the month with Jenelle's 13th Birthday! We started off her day at Genghis Grill for lunch.

Look what they brought her for dessert in honor of her birthday:)

Then we were off for some girl time.  After all becoming a teenager is a big deal!

Beautimous!

We finished off the day with cake and presents.

Her birthday didn't end there!  Her daddy took her on a date to a fancy smancy resturant on Friday night (Park Place) and then to a movie.  Dad even wore his dress pants.  He gave her a beautiful ring engraved "Love Waits".  I am so proud of the beautiful young lady Jenelle is.  I am so grateful God entrusted her with us.  I pray this milestone is one of many in her life and I could not be more blessed.