Turn off the computer and turn to your kid

Don't mean to sound preachy. But really, what a gift we have when we are parents. It's not something I realize every waking day. Believe me, there are some days that I truly need to be separated by many miles from my kids so that I can be sane. More recently, I've started to really search for what this great big motherhood thing means to me. And to me, it really is a gift. To enjoy my children and all the things great and small that they are capable of. It's a rare opportunity for me as an adult to bask in a slower, yet hectic, pace of life. One that is filled with homework, nap times, diapers, cuddles, lots of hugs and kisses. Yes, there's temper tantrums, scattered toys--everyday, wild hair--both mine and theirs. Yes, sometimes I do long to look put together and chic. Yes, sometimes I do wonder were that great looking twenty something went and how fast I've turned into the "mam" who's in her mid to late thirties. No longer do I get to bask in being young and careless, my routine dictated only by myself and my needs and desires. I have bigger, but simpler things to do. I wonder how working moms do this--or single moms. Do they get to enjoy their little ones in the same ways? I hope that they do get those rare moments of talking with their children late into the night or reading them a book and tucking them in for the night. I hope they don't rush those hugs and kisses as they have to get themselves ready for work. I also realize that I can't say I'll enjoy my kids later. This is it. Some people say they get to enjoy their grandkids. I really believe that the grandparent grandchild relationship is very different. Sure, it's nice to not have to be the disciplinarian as a grandparent. But I know that I will not have the energy as a grandparent that I do now with my own children. And even more importantly, I don't want to give up those precious moments with my children. So my goal for May, in the midst of so many things happening around our family, is to slow down and enjoy my children and the life I have with my husband. And a little thank you to my kids, for yet again, making me realize all the treasures that life has to offer.

The "No Sugar Added" Challenge

So, the hubby and I watched a documentary about food. We've done this many times, and are very aware of the decline of the quality of our food here in the United States. It's a big problem, but after watching most documentaries, I feel that I can rationalize my actions to continue eating the way I do. It seems that you can argue for and against eating meat, for and against having some dairy, for and against eating all organic or going Paleo or Gluten-free. But after watching the documentary "FED UP" http://fedupmovie.com I really did feel fed up with the abundance of unhealthy food. Fed up with how the food industry is making us sick. Fed up with how government has yet to take a serious stance against the powerful food lobby (and they are very powerful). But very glad that I watched the movie. It talks about a number of issues with our food, but deducts that the most pressing one is the amount of sugar we consume as a society. Sugar that is not just in sweets, candies and breads, but in things that shouldn't have sugar, like TOMATO SAUCE. Sugar in canned tomatoes with flavor additives. Sugar in flavored waters, in yogurt, in baby food and baby formulas. After watching the movie, hubby and I couldn't just go to bed as if we had watched another episode of "Modern Family". Instead, we went to our pantry and threw out the left-over candy from easter. We know that as a family our crux has always been our addiction to sweets. We've always justified that having dessert every day after dinner is fine because we eat fairly healthy and stay away from sodas and fruit juices. But we didn't realize that we were so dependent on high amounts of sugar. So we've taken up a 10-day "no sugar added" challenge. And it is a big challenge. I will be posting what we've eaten every day for the next 10 days--a food diary of sorts. The whole family is involved, although we've come to realize that the children may not stick to the "no sugar added" verbatum. But they will not be having desserts or sugary snacks. So what is off limits? Any processed food with sugar added. This means: breads, cereals, anything that has had sugar added to it. We can eat fruits, vegetables, proteins. legumes and starches, like rice and potatoes. It doesn't sound too dificult but I can tell you that giving up sugar will be difficult for our family.