Last week, we attended the Woolly Worm festival in Banner Elk, NC. My parents treated both of my kids to their "own" woolly worms to race...Rapunzel was my daughter's and Woolly Woolly Jake was my son's. Yes, I said race. This money pit of a festival is based on the tradition that woolly worms can predict winter weather based on the darkness of their black stripes. It was hilarious. Ridiculous. Ludicrous. And yet, my kids loved it!
The idea is that you buy a woolly worm and compete in a heat with 19 other hopeful woolly worms and their "trainers." You put the worm on a special mark on the string, and when the leader says go, you start urging your worm up the string without touching the worm or string at all. Some people had straws and blew on the worms to get them moving. Others cheered loudly or fanned their worms. The chaos that ensued was beyond absurd. Even at the fastest possible speed, the race moved along at a...dare I say...crawl. (Pun intended, I suppose). The winning worm of each heat got $25 and the chance to return for a semi-final. Semi-final winners received $50 and a chance to compete in the finals for $1000! The winning worm was then analyzed to predict the winter weather.
Throughout the festival they had art booths, crafty items for sale, and plush woolly worms tacked onto all kinds of hats, clothes, scarves, etc. It was truly a money pit, but everyone seemed to be having a blast.
Even though this was beyond absurd, I am glad we were able to attend. While at one time I used to be ashamed to live in the region of the country that I do (I was Cajun born and raised), now I find contentment in the country traditions and festivals that surround us. Though silly, they are a part of the culture where my kids will be raised, and I hope they learn to take pride in their heritage. However, I hope they take pride in the legend of the woolly worm withOUT having to revisit the celebration. Once was enough for this mama!
Friday, October 26, 2012
WW, Week 9
I have completely dropped the ball writing about WW. I hope none of you were on the edge of your seat waiting to hear all about it! If so, hopefully you didn't fall off the seat during the interim. Climb back up there and I'll share a few things I've learned.
First of all, I am down 13 pounds in about 9 weeks. I feel like it has been excruciatingly slow, but when I look at the total, I realize that it's really not! I'm a "streaky" loser. I will go 3 weeks and only drop half a pound, and then in one week I'll drop 3 or 4 at once and repeat the cycle. So, those in-between weeks can be frustrating and try my patience, but the "big loss" weeks are great motivators!
What have I noticed in my first 2 months?
1. Portable snacks for reasonable point values are few and far between. I did find a Kashi bar that doesn't taste like cardboard and is only 3 points. It will do in a pinch. Because of my blood sugar issues, I have to always have something available FAST just in case. I want something I can leave in my glove compartment in the event of a sugar crash.
2. Eating out is horrible. Even when you think you are making good, healthy choices, you aren't. It frustrates me that eating out is such an integral part of our society, and yet there are few choices out there that facilitate healthy living. Thankfully, we don't have the money to eat out often. My newest endeavor is to find reasonable meals to eat out for those times when we "have" to.
3. Too much of our society revolves around food. No need to elaborate, but I will. Have you tried to find something fun to do with your adult friends that doesn't involve food? Especially if you share the Bible's views on alcohol and don't allow it in your life! As kids, we could go to the park and play and not need food, but what do adults do for fun? Interesting.
4. Food labels are not created equal. You can't assume that a muffin is a muffin is a muffin... You have to read labels diligently. Take your points calculator to the store with you! You will be shocked at some of the values of "regular" foods that we eat daily! Likewise, when eating out, restaurants vary widely in point values of similar foods. Do your research!
5. Points are not created equal. I will challenge those of you attempting weight watchers to measure out 3 or 4 points of cookies or chips and compare it to what you can eat if you choose zero or 1 point fruits, veggies, grains or lean meat! Some things just aren't worth the points because they provide no long-term satisfaction.
6. You can't take a break or let your guard down. Ever! Plan, plan to plan, pre-plan, and plan some more! Don't get caught off guard. Don't make uneducated choices about points.
7. It is so hard to teach healthy eating and healthy image to children! My kids are aware that I am doing this program, but I try so hard to focus on it as a way to EAT HEALTHY rather than a way to lose weight. My daughter is especially intrigued by this, and if I am not careful, she becomes obsessed with whether a food is "good for me" or not. I am a firm believer that the occasional sweet or junk food treat is fine. In fact, even necessary! I try to teach that there is nothing with any food, in moderation. But, this is so hard to teach! I don't want my kids to dwell on or obsess over food, weight, body image, etc., but I DO want them to learn healthy habits. Quite a difficult parenting dilemma!
8. Support makes all the difference. I thought at first that the meetings were cheesy, but now I can't wait until the next one. Everyone is so supportive and encouraging, and as they share things that have or have not worked for them, I feel empowered to make good choices! When someone gets up and receives an award for her accomplishments, I cheer along with them as everyone claps. When it's my turn and others clap, I feel motivated to get to that next goal.
9. People in the "good old days" had the right philosophy. If you can't pick it or slaughter it "fresh," it probably shouldn't go in your mouth. I've been moving away from processed food as much as possible for about a year, and I wish I could completely ditch it. It's so nutritionally void.
First of all, I am down 13 pounds in about 9 weeks. I feel like it has been excruciatingly slow, but when I look at the total, I realize that it's really not! I'm a "streaky" loser. I will go 3 weeks and only drop half a pound, and then in one week I'll drop 3 or 4 at once and repeat the cycle. So, those in-between weeks can be frustrating and try my patience, but the "big loss" weeks are great motivators!
What have I noticed in my first 2 months?
1. Portable snacks for reasonable point values are few and far between. I did find a Kashi bar that doesn't taste like cardboard and is only 3 points. It will do in a pinch. Because of my blood sugar issues, I have to always have something available FAST just in case. I want something I can leave in my glove compartment in the event of a sugar crash.
2. Eating out is horrible. Even when you think you are making good, healthy choices, you aren't. It frustrates me that eating out is such an integral part of our society, and yet there are few choices out there that facilitate healthy living. Thankfully, we don't have the money to eat out often. My newest endeavor is to find reasonable meals to eat out for those times when we "have" to.
3. Too much of our society revolves around food. No need to elaborate, but I will. Have you tried to find something fun to do with your adult friends that doesn't involve food? Especially if you share the Bible's views on alcohol and don't allow it in your life! As kids, we could go to the park and play and not need food, but what do adults do for fun? Interesting.
4. Food labels are not created equal. You can't assume that a muffin is a muffin is a muffin... You have to read labels diligently. Take your points calculator to the store with you! You will be shocked at some of the values of "regular" foods that we eat daily! Likewise, when eating out, restaurants vary widely in point values of similar foods. Do your research!
5. Points are not created equal. I will challenge those of you attempting weight watchers to measure out 3 or 4 points of cookies or chips and compare it to what you can eat if you choose zero or 1 point fruits, veggies, grains or lean meat! Some things just aren't worth the points because they provide no long-term satisfaction.
6. You can't take a break or let your guard down. Ever! Plan, plan to plan, pre-plan, and plan some more! Don't get caught off guard. Don't make uneducated choices about points.
7. It is so hard to teach healthy eating and healthy image to children! My kids are aware that I am doing this program, but I try so hard to focus on it as a way to EAT HEALTHY rather than a way to lose weight. My daughter is especially intrigued by this, and if I am not careful, she becomes obsessed with whether a food is "good for me" or not. I am a firm believer that the occasional sweet or junk food treat is fine. In fact, even necessary! I try to teach that there is nothing with any food, in moderation. But, this is so hard to teach! I don't want my kids to dwell on or obsess over food, weight, body image, etc., but I DO want them to learn healthy habits. Quite a difficult parenting dilemma!
8. Support makes all the difference. I thought at first that the meetings were cheesy, but now I can't wait until the next one. Everyone is so supportive and encouraging, and as they share things that have or have not worked for them, I feel empowered to make good choices! When someone gets up and receives an award for her accomplishments, I cheer along with them as everyone claps. When it's my turn and others clap, I feel motivated to get to that next goal.
9. People in the "good old days" had the right philosophy. If you can't pick it or slaughter it "fresh," it probably shouldn't go in your mouth. I've been moving away from processed food as much as possible for about a year, and I wish I could completely ditch it. It's so nutritionally void.
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Baby stacking toys
We are having a baby boom in our local congregation, almost all girls! I love to make handmade gifts, and I used to make cross-stitch, but I got to where I couldn't keep up. So, when my sewing machine got fixed after almost a year of not working, I tackled these cute stackers! The fun part is that they can be "mismatched" and still look cute! :) Someone needs to have a boy (besides Denise, because I have something else planned for you!), so I can make a sports-themed one. :)
The pattern comes from here: http://heatherbailey.com/
Here are the few I've made so far... They definitely LOOK handmade ( as opposed to professional), but I think that's part of their charm.
The pattern comes from here: http://heatherbailey.com/
Here are the few I've made so far... They definitely LOOK handmade ( as opposed to professional), but I think that's part of their charm.
Mouse House
Wow...I am way overdue for posts! Among other things (like this oh-so-fun respiratory mess everyone is passing around), I have been a little preoccupied lately with a rather large mouse problem in our house. Thankfully, so far they have stayed downstairs, but they are starting to overtake our basement. Yesterday, we finally broke down and called an exterminator, and he came to set out bait and to do whatever else those guys do. Today we have a mouse party going on downstairs. No joke. They are running around EVERYWHERE. It was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. When a mouse ran around my shoe in the laundry room, I am not sure who was more freaked out...me, because I am sick of mice, the mouse because I started yelling, or my poor husband, who didn't see the mouse and just heard me yell and saw me run off crying. Talk about a meltdown! All the stress and frustration from this (and some other personal issues going on) were more than I could take. But, I was reminded of the therapeutic benefits of a good, long cry! I think my kids thought I'd lost my mind.
Anyway, all that to explain my absence.
I will work hard this week to do some catch-up on posts, as I have many things to share! We just got back from a family-friendly trip to the DC area, Monticello, Mount Vernon, and Natural Bridge. Our kids LOVED it. I didn't expect them to get quite that into it, as they are still young, but they had a blast!! I want to share our itinerary and tips for those places, in case others want to go.
I also have some weight watchers updates to post. I have now lost 10.5, in a little over 7 weeks. It has been slow, but steady, and I have high hopes for great future results!
And, of course I can't forget to write about the Woolly Worm Festival that we attended in a nearby state today. Cheesiest thing I have ever seen, but the kids loved it! Thanks to Nana and Grandaddy for treating us to an unparalleled level of absurdity! :) :)
Anyway, all that to explain my absence.
I will work hard this week to do some catch-up on posts, as I have many things to share! We just got back from a family-friendly trip to the DC area, Monticello, Mount Vernon, and Natural Bridge. Our kids LOVED it. I didn't expect them to get quite that into it, as they are still young, but they had a blast!! I want to share our itinerary and tips for those places, in case others want to go.
I also have some weight watchers updates to post. I have now lost 10.5, in a little over 7 weeks. It has been slow, but steady, and I have high hopes for great future results!
And, of course I can't forget to write about the Woolly Worm Festival that we attended in a nearby state today. Cheesiest thing I have ever seen, but the kids loved it! Thanks to Nana and Grandaddy for treating us to an unparalleled level of absurdity! :) :)
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