Fall

Depending on where you live it may not feel like it but today September 22nd, is the first day of fall. I have mixed feelings about this season. Ever since graduating from high school (some few years ago) I have become overwhelmed with emotions during this time of year. The smell of fall made me miss the sounds of high school – the football field with the flags flapping in the wind, the beat of the drums, and the spirit of being a part of something great. I would always become sad no matter what was going on in my life but now I no longer long for those days I celebrate where I am now.
 
I still enjoy the spirit of high school sports and relish in some high school memories but I treasure the changing seasons and treasure the celebrations each season brings. Fall has so many wonderful reasons to celebrate and being weighed down by sadness of old times does no one any good. So this fall I prepare for my many celebrations and hope you will join me.

 


Please, share any celebrations or ideas you may have for fall! Here are a few to help you get excited!

Fall Celebrations:
Election Day
Apples
Columbus Day
Bosses Day
Day Light Savings Day
Halloween
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving

Positive Thinking Day

This day, September 13th, is Positive Thinking Day! This is a definite day I need to celebrate. I let too much negative thinking seep in my thoughts and my whole self can get bogged down because of this. I will try to day to block out negative thinking and keep positive thoughts in my mind.

Grandparents Day

My mother's parents were a huge part of my life! Both have passed away but both have given me gifts that will last my entire lifetime.

My Grandfather was one of the few positive male role models I had in my childhood life and boy what a great role model he was. He possessed so many qualities that I hope my son will possess. He was strong yet gentle and made me feel oh so special.

My Grandmother was a character and over the years we shared so many great memories. I always turned to her when I needed a strong ear and a great prayer partner. She loved her family and prayed for us night and day even when we didn't think we needed it.

I have been blessed with these great two people. To have them as grandparents is such a great thing.

Today on National Grandparents Day we need to celebrate our grandparents even if they are no longer with us. Make cards for the nursing home, plant a flower in their honor, or share with someone a memory about them. If your grandparents are living call them and tell them how much they mean to you. Love them, send them a card, eat dinner with them, whatever you do show them your love and appreciation.

Enjoy the following grandparent quotes:

Grandchildren are God's way of compensating us for growing old.
Mary H. Waldrip

Grandparents are a delightful blend of laughter, caring deeds, wonderful stories and love.
 Author Unknown

They say genes skip generations. Maybe that's why grandparents find their grandchildren so likeable.
Joan McIntosh

It's funny what happens when you become a grandparent. You start to act all goofy and do things you never thought you'd do. It's terrific.
Mike Krzyzewski

Grandparents make the world...a little softer, a little kinder, a little warmer.
Author Unknown

Internationl Literacy Day

Literacy is and always has been a huge part of my life. My grandmother taught adult non-readers how to read in her living room while my cousins, brother and I played in the den. My mom is a teacher and has always loved reading and shares that love with many students, co-workers, and her family. Reading has been a joy for me and while I do not always read adult material as much as I would like there is nothing like slipping away into a great book. Even children's books can be a great treat.

Today, September 8th is International Literacy Day. On this day we should all read a book, magazine, or even a blog or two...just read. Do not take for granite this gift we have been given. Not all learn how to read and it is a fact that can be changed. Help eradicate illiteracy by visiting your local Literacy Council, school or library and asking how you can help in your community.

For More Information and ways to help visit one of the following sites:

ProLiteracy - A national literacy organization that certifies trainers and provides instructional materials and support. http://www.proliteracy.org/

National Center for Family Literacy- A non-profit organization that supports family literacy services through programming, training, research, advocacy and dissemination. http://www.famlit.org

Literacy Powerline - Works to increase literacy levels through effective and sustainable community collaboration and engagement. http://www.literacypowerline.com

Literacy.org –A resource for research and development on literacy in the U.S. and worldwide. This site is jointly sponsored by the International Literacy Institute (ILI) and the National Center on Adult Literacy (NCAL) at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education. http://literacy.org/

What's for Breakfast?

I love breakfast food but as a person that does not like mornings I do not really enjoy eating breakfast in the mornings. September is Better Breakfast Month and this gives me a reason to try and enjoy a healthy breakfast in the morning. Now to kick of the month we enjoyed breakfast for dinner which is always a big treat. Eggs, turkey bacon, toast with jam and OJ in the evening just seems like a celebration all in its self. But for this month I have tried to plan out healthy breakfast treats for our mornings.

This morning English muffins with cream cheese and strawberry preserves topped with strawberries. Yummy! Fast, easy, and not to bad for us. My kids love cereal and oatmeal so I can not take those staples out of the rotation but our new muffins with strawberries has been added in. We also have enjoyed Omelet bites which are easy for me to make than a traditional oven and just the right size for my little ones.

How ever you decide to start your day remember a healthy breakfast should be included. Even if you do not have time for a sit down meal there are ways to eat healthy breakfasts every day. Below our some links and the recipe for omelet bites. Hope you enjoy a month long celebration with wonderful breakfast treats!

 please share any recipes!

Omlet Bites: (Found on superhealthykids.com)

3 Slices of  Chese quartered (We use American)
9 Eggs
Precooked bacon slices, pulled into pieces (we use Turkey Bacon)
salt peper to taste (we use none)
Preheat Oven: 375degrees
Spray muffin tin with cooking spray
Mix eggs, bacon, salt and peper
Poor into muffin tin evenly
Top egg with one peice of chese
Bake 20 min
Cool for 5 - 10 min before serving

http://www.choosemyplate.gov/ Visit for helathy food options for breakfast and All day!

Celebrate Yoga!

 September is National Yoga month -Yoga helps us mentally, physically, and emotionally and is a practice that I really enjoy. When I first heard of Yoga I thought it equaled skinny, youthful looking women chanting and placing their bodies in unheard of ways. This may be true in some practices but my experience with Yoga has been challenging, rewarding, and oh so calming. I have taken some classes and try to learn new moves on line when I can. Yoga helps me feel strong and emotionally regulated so it’s a practice that I am incorporating in my lifestyle and I’m excited to celebrate Yoga this month. Many places are offering free Yoga classes during this month so try it out for the first time or try a new Yoga style (there are six styles of Yoga by the way).I’ve been trying the Daily Dozen, 12 simple poses, try the daily dozen or visit http://www.yogajournal.com/ for great information all about Yoga.

Find YouTube videos if not familiar with the poses.

Sara Ivanhoe's Basic Twelve or Daily Dozen

Cat
Mountain
Standing forward bend
Lunge
Tree
Standing side stretch
Downward facing dog
Downward facing dog
Cobra
Child's pose
Seated spinal twist
Seated forward bend

Day of Knowledge

Russian schools recognize Day of Knowledge on September 1; students take flowers to their teachers to help start of the new academic year. This is a great reason to celebrate. School years are an important part of our lives and teachers play a huge role in our school experience. Let us celebrate our teachers (old, new, or just a teacher you know) by giving flowers. Let us celebrate knowledge and show our thanks to those who help us learn!

Cut flowers and take to a local school or give to a teacher you know
Plant a flower garden at a local school (with permission of course)
Send flowers to a teacher from your past with a thank you note
Make flowers and give to your child’s teacher