To My Sister on her Wedding Day

I never thought writing a speech for my sister's wedding would draw up so many emotions. I obviously knew this day would come, but to put myself out there and put my heart out there made me a bit uneasy about the situation. I sat down a few times to start writing and didn't really know where to begin. But once I started typing, words just started pouring out and I let my emotions lead the way. Here is a bit of my speech to one of the most important women in my life - my friend, my inspiration, my sister.

Matron of Honor Speech

We all here have something really special in common. On May 21, 1987 Kelsey Rae was born into this world. Dark brown eyes and gorgeous strawberry blonde hair  - the cutest little thing you ever did see. And clearly, not much has changed! Never did I realize how much having a little sister would impact my life and that I would look up to her  probably more than she would ever know and love this little being so unconditionally.  Being an only child for 7 years is a big deal and within a split second my heart grew. My life certainly wouldn't have been the same without her in it and I believe that yours wouldn't either - which brings us all here together today.

Growing up, Kelsey allowed me to  treat her as if she were my own child - I would dress up her and her friends, play hair cuttery on a good day and go to all of her soccer games to cheer her on. And even though we always had separate bedrooms growing up, we always slept in the same bed (per my request). She was, and still to to this day, is my security blanket. I can be a little neurotic, she keeps me grounded. At times I can be too literal, where she keeps life simple.

When I told my girls I was writing a letter to Aunt Kelsey I asked them what I should say. They first said “to tell her how much I love her” and I asked “how much is that?”. They quickly replied “with all of your heart”..and you know what?! They were right. My kids look to Kelsey as if she were an extension of me. Its going to be tough when she has her own kids one day b/c mine will have a tough time sharing her. Although with all of the babysitting she's done for me there is no saying how often I’ll have her kids at my house :)

There is no denying that Kelsey is an extraordinary woman. She is, and always has been, a strong, independent, smart, kind and yet very easy going person. She lets the world drive her motivation and follows her heart like know one I’ve ever seen. Life has certainly brought her challenges like most others, but she has handled them with grace the entire way. There are no accidents in this world - only marvelous instances which bring us all together.

With that being said, I must take full credit for her and Justin getting together. I believe that without me none of this would have ever taken place :) Kind of kidding! Lets go back 8 or so years ago when Kelsey was in high school deciding where to go to college. And as a typical middle child, she had no direction or clue as to where she might end up. In walks my now husband into our lives who had gone to Virgina Tech himself and pushed very hard for Kelsey to share the same experience he had had in college. She conceded and went onto Blacksburg only knowing a few people and hopeful for a bright future ahead. Little did we know, “almost Uncle Justin” would be waiting for her right around the corner...they met, began dating, and the rest is history. So Kelsey, “you’re welcome”!

Speaking of “Almost Uncle Justin”, as my kids call him. Justin is an amazing man who has brought complete joy into Kelsey’s eyes. Virginia Tech is a special place Kelsey & Justin will always hold dear to their hearts, as I will mine. I was so honored when he allowed my family to be apart of their proposal last year when we were in Blacksburg for a football game. It showed his love of family and he certainly understood how much it meant to us. It hasn’t been an easy road with us kids growing up and Justin has provided Kelsey the stability, love and support where she needed it most. And I believe she has done the same for him. Not to mention The Chenualts themselves - Bert, Anne, Jamin, and Megan  (and who could forget Matt) who couldn’t be a better addition into our family. They are kind, loving, and warm people.

I have been waiting for your wedding day for a very long time and I know tomorrow is going to be a day to remember. Seen as how I accidentally broke your leg on the day of your Baptism, I’ll refrain from telling you to "break a leg" tomorrow. But I will give you two pieces of advice. My advice for tomorrow is to, at some point during the reception, pause, take a step back and a good look around. Soak it all in b/c this is a day you’ve been working towards for a very long time. And each and every person in that room loves you so much and they are all there for you! As for my marriage advice, its to simply love each other, always. When things get busy with kids, or hard with family, or tricky with work, or even intense in everyday life...remember why you got married in the first place and how much you love each other in this moment. It will get you through those times, I promise. Life gets crazy and its important to realize what a great couple you are!

I love you more than you’ll ever know, Kelsey <3

Kid DIY: Reusable Lunchbox Napkins

So I'm not necessarily the craftiest of moms, but I do try and "save the environment" whenever I can. I have been using reusable grocery bags for years and have even dabbled with Lunchskins (although I don't think they hold sandwiches well). So when I came across this post on Pinterest from 100 Days of Real Food I knew I had to immediately surrender and make these! 

Photo courtesy of 100 Days of Real Food

Reusable lunch sized napkins for your kids lunchboxes - genius! Day after day I had put a new napkin in each of my girls lunchboxes without thinking twice. Napkins are cheap so whats the real harm? Well the fact that they were even rarely used was the problem. I was throwing away barely touched napkins every single day. Again, you might be thinking this is a bit ridiculous, but honestly I have felt so much better ever since implementing this at the beginning of the school year. I purchased about 6 plain white cocktail napkins from amazon.com for about $5.00 and my oldest daughter and I tie dyed them ourselves and although I still continue to buy paper napkins for use while at home, everyday they now get a fun napkin in their lunch which I can easily wash alongside their clothes. 

Its really as simple as that and a step in the right direction of cutting costs and helping the environment - one pink napkin at a time!

Recipe: Homemade Pumpkin Bread

Fall is here and its Pumpkin Season - you name it, I'll eat it! There is nothing I don't love about the Fall whether its food, football, or friends!! Even the thought of a warm Pumpkin Spice Latte makes me smile.

This has been my go-to pumpkin bread recipe for as long as I can remember. This recipe comes out perfect every time. It makes two loaves which are delicious eaten right out of the oven or frozen for your next home gathering. I have added my cream cheese icing recipe below for your added eating pleasure...its to die for if I do say so myself!

Ingredients

• 3/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
• 2 Tsp Baking Soda
• 2 Tsp Salt
• 1 Tsp Baking Powder
• 1 Tsp Nutmeg
• 1 Tsp Allspice
• 1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 Tsp Cloves
• 3 Cups White Sugar (I use 2 cups)
• 1 Cup Canola Oil
• 4 Eggs Beaten (Can use Egg Beaters)
• 1 Can Solid Pack Pumpkin Puree
• 2/3 Water

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two loaf pans.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, baking powder, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and cloves.
• In a large bowl with an electric mixer, blend sugar, oil and eggs. Stir in pumpkin. Slowly blend the flour mixture into pumpkin mixture. While blending the mixture add water incrementally. Pour the batter into two prepared loaf pans.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degrees oven for 90 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pans. Enjoy!

Cream Cheese Icing Recipe (w/ Pecans)

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 1 (1-lb) box of confectioners sugar
• 1 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
• 1 Cup Toasted Pecans (Lightly toasted on stove in pan)

Directions

• In large bowl, cream together cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. 
• sugar gradually, beating constantly. 
• Add vanilla and pecans. Fold in. 
• Spread on loaves ready to eat and enjoy!

Question of the Day: Weight Loss Cleanses

So the question I received today from a friend is "Do you know of any good weight loss cleanses? I'm allergic to fish & eggs".

Let me remind you all I'm not a registered anything - nurse, dietitian, etc. But I do get questions alot in regards to healthy eating and family feeding. I don't claim to be an expert, but am happy to give my opinion...so here is goes.

Although I don't think cleanses are the answer to long term weight loss, they certainly can be used to detoxify the body whether its from alcohol, sugar, too much meat, etc. And if you Google health cleanses you'll come up with 100 different sites that will "help you get that body you want"...yeah right!?

I would start off by asking yourself if you drink soda and if the answer is "yes" that should be the first thing you work on cutting out. Its not an easy feat, but once its done...its done. Not only is the soda itself bad for you, but it also leads you down a path of destruction with everything you start craving beyond it - like chocolate and sweets. Increase your water intake - and if you have trouble downing plain water all day, add a lemon, lime, or even cucumber. Just this one change will make such a difference in your lifestyle. With the addition of light to moderate exercise you'll be on your way to a healthier heart in no time!

I also don't "juice", but can see where the benefits come quickly. I owned a very expensive juicer for one day and returned it immediately after I could barely inhale the awful looking drink that laid in front of me. At that very moment I vowed to eat as many colorful vegetables as I could per day to never have to do that again :) I do have friends who love juicing though - remember, this is just my opinion. If you are interested in a cleanse, I can however, recommend Harley Pasternak's book The Body Reset Diet. It is an easy read and perfect intro to healthy food, smoothie recipes and an overall healthier lifestyle. It truly can help you organize your meals and get you started down the road of a healthy lifestyle change.

I also must note that many cleanses have a disclaimer not to do this for over 3 days. As nutrient dense as a glass of juiced vegetables can be, your body needs real food. The act of chewing helps start the breakdown and metabolize food before it hits your intestines to then be distributed as nutrients (and released as waste) through your body.

I digress...when it comes to wanting to loose weight and feel better about yourself my best advice is choosing healthier options of your favorite foods and stocking up on more fruits and vegetables. Having certain items on hand throughout the day will help you avoid grabbing a quick bite on the go or eating that sugary granola bar (which you may think is a healthy option). Don't deprive yourself of the things you love, just don't overindulge in them. I also LOVE beans and I feed them weekly to my family. I substitute beans - black, kidney, garbanzo, navy - for meat in Mexican dishes and add them in with brown rice as a side dish to chicken or fish. Now being allergic to fish, you could substitute pork chops or even sliced avocado. But if you add more beans into your diet than that will give you that good fiber to aid in the overall digestion of your food as well as keeping you fuller, longer.

As for mid day snacks - think fruits, veggies, and/or nuts. Apples & peanut butter, sliced pears w/ a drizzle of honey, oranges, dark cherries. I buy Almonds in bulk and add a few dark chocolate chips to them almost everyday to get that salty/sweet fix I need.

Another tip I have is to make a giant salad on Sunday and fill it with your favorite veggies so that way its always in the fridge - and there are no excuses. Eat it for lunch and/or dinner daily and top it with grilled chicken, garbanzo beans, sliced avocado, tomatoes, onions, etc. Keep things simple for yourself and make things in bulk ahead of time. If you start off by eating the same lunch everyday because its easy...then do it! You'll get the hang of what you like and your body will adjust to eating less/healthier in no time. And that soda habit...gone!

Make a plan. Go shopping for the essentials. Organize your meals. Prep ahead of time. You're ready to go! Hope this helps!

Letter to My Daughters: Be Yourself

Dear Little Ones,

Simply stated, be yourself. As Oscar Wilde once said "Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Taken". It means just that. Never be afraid of who you are and who you want to be. Those differences and qualities are what makes you unique and special. Mommy and daddy are here for you, always. To guide you and support you with whatever decisions you make. When it comes to friends, school, and peer pressure it comes down to you, and you only to choose what is right for you. It is in those decisions that you grow as an individual and become independent and strong. As your parents we always want the best for you, but its also important for us to let you be you!

Respect yourself and stand by your decisions. Be proud of who you are. Always trust your gut instinct and follow your heart. Sometimes your decisions may get you into some trouble, but know we are here to help you if you fall. You are the most wonderful girls - sisters, daughters, and friends - we love you, trust you, and always want to instill confidence in you. You are beautiful inside and out. Life is going to bring you challenges - it is something you cannot avoid as a human being. But as long as you are true to yourself and know how much you are loved, you can never go wrong.

We love who YOU are - now & always!

Love,
Mommy

Nutrition as Medicine for Pain

A few months ago I had the pleasure attending the Center of Integrative Medicine Health & Wellness Conference. This was right up my alley so I was as giddy as a little school girl to sit there and listen to these experts from all over the country speak about health and overall well being and how we can come together to make our society healthier and more aware of our bodies.

I learned so much, but more importantly was reaffirmed at all of the wonderful things I have learned over the years just by paying attention to my own body and listening to my children. There is so much that our own bodies are telling us that we don't listen to. Our bodies are amazing creatures - they were built to heal themselves for the most part, but there is the sensation of pain and discomfort to tell us when something might be more seriously wrong. We are in charge of how we take care of our body- it is our choice as to how we fuel and nourish it.

One of the main takeaways I had from the conference was just that, Pain Management. I've been lucky enough in my life to never have to deal with pain on a level as some of the speakers (and/or their patients), but I've come to know it all to well with loved ones - past and present. It was so important for me to take in so much of what these doctors and speakers had to say b/c it can honestly change a life. Specifically, they spoke about Nutrition as Medicine for Pain which I felt was like hitting the nail on the head. So much of what I try to feed and nourish myself and my family with is a type of preventative medicine for any illness or disease that might come our way. Pain, itself, is a failure to heal. This failure, going on inside your body,  is not allowing yourself to heal and that pain is the signal for your brain to know that something is not right. Proper nutrition is a way to nourish your body and ultimately heal that pain.

One of the things our family tries to do daily is stay active - whether its staying on our feet, going for a family walk, hitting up the gym, playing at the park, etc. Although its important to rest your body, staying active is good for our overall health - mind, body & soul. The pain management expert at the conference left us with this when referring to pain management: "when in doubt, take a walk." He strongly believes, through all of his research that it is the best health benefit to anyone over any drug/supplement you can buy. Although this is his opinion, he seemed to have enough years under his belt to know this to be true. You've always heard your parents say, "get outside and get some fresh air"....now there really is some research to back that statement up. Being outside and going for a walk helps our bodies on many levels. It enables our minds to stay open, our oxygen levels to increase, our endorphins to start flowing, our muscles to move and improve, and ultimately lower our risk of health risks and diseases.

When dealing with pain, its nothing to ignore. Your body is giving you signals as to what is going on inside of you and through proper nutrition maybe you can just decrease that pain to a level you can manage while letting your body heal.

For more information on Food as Medicine for Pain:  http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20309924,00.html

Dear Daughter: As You Head to Kindergarten

Dear Sweet Grace,

This week has certainly been full of changes - for both you and I. Although I feel you have been ready for kindergarten for years, its still hard to let you go. You were my first baby girl and we have spent countless hours together for the past 6 years. I stopped working shortly after you were born which has brought me insight into a world of stay-at-home motherhood I never thought I would be able to experience. My parents worked full time while I was growing up. I never a thought that I would be able to raise my own children on a daily basis and be there for the ins and outs of your ups & downs. As crazy as it can get, every second has been worth it!

Kindergarten is a big step for any parent and child. Its a full time gig. There are so many things I could tell you right now - how to act, how to meet friends, how to behave, etc. But whats the fun in that. One of the biggest accomplishments a child receives for attending school is to embark on their own journey. You have to learn for yourself how to navigate through life. How to handle friendships and being away from mom. No one ever said it was easy, but its an important factor of life - to let you go. My job is to be there for you when you need me and to remind you of how much you are loved. School prepares you for the world - a world of differences, of imperfections, of beautiful days, and not so beautiful days.

Although this has been one of the longest weeks of my life - without my baby girl - wondering if you're happy, if you're making friends, if you're doing alright. I know deep down in my heart that you're in a safe place that will help you grow into an even more beautiful young girl with so much to offer the world.

I only have one wish for all my kids - to be happy. I wish only pure joy for you!

Love,

Mommy xoxo