Simpler Yet Harder

That's what life used to be like years ago, when people lived off the land and survived without technology.  We recently visited a plantation close to my father-in-law's home where it was fascinating to see how people used to live in the 1600's.  I really enjoyed seeing the women work in a technology-free kitchen as well as the garden that provided daily nutrition on the table.  I walked past a woman who was searching for something along a path and she told me she was looking for strawberries.  I liked showing Noah some of the games the kids played...games and toys that didn't involve a touch screen or loud, annoying music that mysteriously starts playing when you walk by it.

It was a simpler way of life, but that doesn't mean it was easy.  I am thankful I am living in the 21st century with dishwashers and toilets, however, I am longing for a way to adapt some practices from long ago.  Simpler may not always mean easier, but it can mean less.  Less processing, less junk, less stuff.

My husband went on a fishing trip and brought home some fish for us to eat.  I can honestly say the crappie he cooked for us was some of the best fish I have ever eaten.

We picked strawberries and enjoyed some delicious strawberry shortcake with friends that evening.

She won't eat much, but when it comes to strawberries from daddy's garden, she wastes no time.

Spaghetti Squash

It is good to try new things.  That is why I finally tried to make spaghetti squash.  I have been challenging myself to try new foods in 2013--foods that are healthy and fresh--foods from nature.  So far I have enjoyed ginger, kale, parsnips, tahini, and since I have heard so much about spaghetti squash, I decided it was time.  Here's the thing:  even though some will try to lie to you about it, it is NOT the same as actual spaghetti.  Knowing this would be the case (and that my husband wouldn't be fooled), I decided to sell it as a side dish.  I did something risky and made it for some out of town guests as well...I knew they would be forgiving if it didn't turn out :-)  The verdict was pretty positive, even if they were just trying to be nice about it. 

Let me say it again, it is not the same as spaghetti.  However, if you are trying to cut down on your carbs I suppose you could use it at a substitute, but don't be surprised if the rest of the family still wants the real stuff next time.  My suggestion would be to just say what it is and have some protein with it.  Our meal included grilled chicken on a skewer (served with kale pesto from February's new food challenge), spaghetti squash and peas, corn on the cob, and salad.  I was very happy with the recipe I used from Clean and Delicious with Dani Spies, and will be doing it again soon!

I hope you have been trying new things too!

Sports: Part 3--The Adult Athlete

Most of us don't go pro after playing sports in high school and/or college.  Many people who have wrapped up their identity in being a high school or college athlete struggle with finding a role as an adult athlete.  Others, who have never played an organized sport in their life, thrive in the arena of "adult athletics".  I have found that, while the "glory days" are over, it is a new beginning and the world is full of opportunities to achieve all kinds of fitness goals.

I was pleasantly surprised when I got a picture on my phone a few years ago of my mom completing her first 5k at 60.

My brother-in-law, Phil, since graduating college has participated in competitive rowing, is an avid hiker, has run 12k's, and has lifted 450 lbs.

My husband participates in ultimate frisbee, frisbee golf, church softball, and plays tennis.

I have a friend, Amy, who recently completed her first marathon at age 40.

While working at a retirement community, I worked with people in their 70's, 80's, and 90's to participate in a triathlon of stair climbing, recumbent bike riding, and walking.

I have witnessed all types of people rock the zumba stage at the gym.


I remember a distinct feeling of excitement while training for a sprint triathlon a couple years ago.  After feeling unsure about my athletic identity after my soccer, basketball, and softball days were over, I didn't think I could call myself an athlete any longer.  I soon realized that there was a whole new world of athletics beyond what I knew.  

I have two final thoughts:  challenge yourself to do new things!  As C.S. Lewis said, "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."  And finally, teach the next generation to enjoy sports and remind them that there is life afterwards. 

Previous posts about sports:

• Part 1: The Little Athlete
• Part 2: The School-Aged Athlete

Sports: Part 2--The School-Aged Athlete

Friends.  Rivals.  A friendly rivalry.  This picture says a lot about the high-school sports experience.    I am going to list some thoughts on why it is good to encourage your kids to participate in sports at school.

• It's fun...when you don't take it TOO seriously, of course.  
• It's exercise.  Need I say more?! 
• The kid learns about being committed to something, and to someone--their team.
• You win some, you lose some.  That's life, kid.  Teaching kids how to deal with heartbreak on a small scale will help them when it happens on a bigger scale.
• It develops a social support system.  In the above picture,  I stand with 3 of my closest school friends and with 3 friends I played sports with since age 6.
• Discipline...and not only the obvious way of training and working hard physically, but often times student athletes end up being better students because they are more disciplined with their time. 

Here's the thing:  balance is key.  There is more to life than sports, so we need to make sure kids realize that.  There is more to a person than being a good athlete, and many struggle to find their identity once the "glory days" are over.  Make sure kids know they are loved even when they disappoint on the field.

Sports: Part 1--The Little Athlete

Sports.  People have had all kinds of experiences with them and have developed all kinds of opinions on the matter.  I will speak from my perspective--someone who played 3 sports throughout high school, several recreational sports throughout college, and is now encouraging my little ones to play them.  This topic is so extensive that it will be a 3-parter: the little athlete, the school-aged athlete, and the adult athlete.

My son's favorite toy has been a ball ever since the day he could pick one up.  He goes through phases and alternates between red ball, baseball, football, soccer ball, basketball, golf ball, broken ball--if it's round, he loves it.  This is probably pretty typical for a 2 year-old boy...playing games is in his blood and it's most natural for him to do it.  Playing "balls" is how he learns about gravity--what goes up must come down, right?  It is how he learns about trajectory and force and various concepts of physics.  It is how he learns about perseverance--if you miss the first time, keep trying!  It is how he learns to take turns.  It is how he gets exercise and develops skills--fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and not to mention coordination.

I know all kids are different, but the littlest of athletes participates in sports because they are fun, because there is still a love for learning, and because it is something to do with friends.  There is something so innocent in young kids playing sports...until adults get involved.  Here is part of an ACSM Letter to the Editor: Solutions in play for inactivity epidemic:

Youth sports programs and recreational leagues for people of all ages are highlights for millions of Americans in spring and summer. This helps accomplish a fundamental goal of the burgeoning Designed to Move initiative – to give every child a positive early experience with physical education, sports and physical activity.

The last sentence is what got me motivated to write on this topic:   "to give every child a positive early experience with physical education, sports and physical activity."  It is our role as adults to help little kids have a positive experience with sports--whether it's organized or not.  Let kids be kids.  Let them have fun, learn new things, and make new friends.  

In my "little athlete" years, I had a very positive experience with sports.  They were fun, not too competitive, and I am still friends with some of the people I played with.  I believe these positive experiences led me to desire competition during my school-aged years.  

23.5 Hours

Watching this video is worth your time.

Tahini

This year I am trying new foods.  Foods that are real, pure, and true.  This self-challenge to try a new food each month was inspired by the cookbook, "True Food: Seasonal, Sustainable, Simple, Pure" by Dr. Andrew Weil.  I did not have a whole lot of motivation for April until a friend asked about tahini.  The only thing I thought of when I heard the word tahini was hummus.  Hummus doesn't really excited me; I don't hate hummus, but I don't really crave it either.  I wanted to find some alternative uses for this ground sesame seed paste, since (in my opinion) you can only have so much hummus.

The first thing I tried was a variation of a recipe I saw for "Tahini Cherry Ice Cream."  I didn't have everything on hand so I made it with frozen raspberries instead of the frozen cherries.  It was a good snack and even had spinach in it.

 The next thing I tried was a "Kale and Potato Salad with Tahini Dressing."  I was trying to use up some potatoes and kale, so this was the perfect recipe to try.  I really liked it!

By the way, I saw this idea on Pinterest and had to share my excitement: shredding shears in the kitchen!  I cut up the kale, and even shredded some cheese the other day--great idea!

I would love to hear if you have any ideas for how to use tahini!