Monday, November 21, 2011

Montessori

Since big L was three most of her schooling has been Montessori.  I like the Montessori method, and am generally pleased with how she is learning and growing.  However, this year her teacher is having personal issues.  Her school is not communicating with parents regarding what they are doing to find a teacher for her room.  To be honest, between this and the person who runs the school and feels it is acceptable to treat parents as if they are children who do not know any better, I have had it.

Her learning has stalled since October because there is no one challenging her in class.  She doesn't come home spouting off addition/multiplication problems she is so proud to have completed anymore.  Instead she tells me about how she taught this student this lesson and that student that lesson.  All of that is fine, it is Montessori, but it should not be the majority of her day, or at least the only memorable part of her day.

After many pained hours of thinking about what would benefit her more, we have decided to move her to the local public school.  We don't have bad schools where we live.  What I have noticed the most is that my girl scouts who go to the public school are progressing quicker than the girls going to the Montessori school (big L excluded: we "work" a lot at home on reading).

There are many plusses at the public school.  They have programs set up to work with children at whatever level they are currently at in learning.  They have computer labs, a real art room, a library, and other options we just can't get at a school with 150 children, K-8.

In the end, I think the change will be for the best, but sometimes I worry that she won't adjust to sitting at a desk.  She has so many friends at the public school I believe she will do fine.  Did I mention they have a nurse?  No more stressing about accidental ingestion of a food that could endanger her life.

Starting in January, after winter break, big L is going to be taking the bus to her new school.  The bus makes it more fun for her, and much easier on me!  I hope the excitement overshadows the friends she is leaving behind.  We live in such a small town she will be in school with her new friends all the way through high school.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Remembering the Good

Little l is teething.  It was a long night, and it has been a long morning.  After 45 minutes of being inconsolable, teething gel, tylenol, and nursing she is finally sleeping.

I don't remember L being like this, though I am sure she was.  Teething is painful, and not much fun for the little ones.

I think today instead of remembering how she fussed I am going to choose to remember the funny faces she makes as she gets used to having teeth.  She keeps sucking her lip over her teeth, as if there is a foreign object in her mouth.  It is adorable.  Of course, even when she cries she is adorable.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Mish Mash of Ingredients

Since I am no longer working I am trying to cut down on wasted food, and the need to go to the store more than once a week.  So Sunday, I tried to figure out what to do with the odd assortment I had in the fridge.

What I did turned out pretty good.  I took two sweet potatoes, two zucchini, sauteed in grapeseed oil.  Added a little cumin and child powder.  i let this cook until the sweet potatoes were soft, then i took the ricotta cheese from the fridge and threw it in the pan, mixing it with the potatoes and squash.  i fried some corn tortillas, then made eggs for my husband and myself.  i must say it tasted pretty darn good, and used up items in my fridge that needed to be used.

YUM!

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Inspiration

Throughout the day I often think, "oh, i should write this for my blog."  then i begin writing it in my head, and feel quite happy with the way it begins.  Normally this is when I am driving, or otherwise engaged and unable to write it out.

Needless to say, today i sit here trying to figure out what i thought was so important to write about.

it is not coming to me.  next time i am inspired i will try to write it down!

Monday, November 14, 2011

Gratitude

I am a follower of the blog Soulemama.  I enjoy reading and looking at the pictures she provides of her life.  In some ways I wish I could follow in her footsteps.  Today her post on gratitude got me thinking.

After deciding I will not be working for awhile, I have finally overcome the stress about money, though it does arise every so often.  I have decided that it will all work out as it was supposed to.  Today though, as I walk through my silent house I am very grateful for the time I have at home with my little l.  She is eight months, and during the day we have a nice rhythm.  We eat breakfast together when big L and daddy have left.  We play a bit, nurse one more time and then nap.  Well she naps.  She awakens and we repeat the cycle with lunch.

Since I have decided not to work, I felt I should be doing more and I have been trying to cram as much work into her naps as possible.  My body has revolted.  My discs in my back that are not so good are screaming at me.

I watched a video on Fibromyalgia yesterday.  While I knew all of the things it stated, it helped to remind me that I have to take each day as it comes.  I can't force my body to be willing to work from dawn to dusk, and I need to have a little more moderation in my life.  I can't overdo it or I am in too much pain to do anything.  I need to wake up in the morning, assess how I feel and plan my day then, not the night before.

So today I am grateful for a loving husband, who understands when I can only do so much; a wonderful baby who allows me to have a peaceful and quiet home during the day; a six year old who is grateful to have me as a mother; a back that reminds me, often with great force, that it is okay to take it easy and not rush through life.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Big Decisions

I have worked since I was fourteen.  I have always had some form of income I could call my own.  Recently, however, I was fortunate enough to have my Of Counsel position cancelled.  I am now unemployed.  At first, it was upsetting.  After thinking about it, though, I realized that my heart is not in it.  I don't want to practice law anymore, and to continue doing so is doing a great disservice to my clients.  In fact, I think all attorneys who don't have their heart in it should think of finding another profession.

Practicing law is not easy.  It takes hard work and dedication.  You have to enjoy it or you become bitter, and clients know when you are bitter.

The adjustment in my own mind though to not having income is proving a challenge.  It is not that I don't have all I need, I do, but I don't have my "own" money.  It is hard to explain why this feels weird, bad, good, strange, and many other things I can't describe.  In a way, it is good, as it is forcing me to discuss budgets and money with my husband, and I have always avoided that in the past.

The decision has been made.  For a while I will simply be a mom and wife.  There is nothing simple about it, but those are my only jobs.  I love my jobs, and my heart is fully in it.  Being able to see my little L grow up and big L become a little lady is just what my life calls for right now.

Simplicity. Love.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Love

I am married to the most wonderful man in the world. He attempts to anticipate my needs and provide for them.  Take this morning.  The baby awoke at 5 a.m.  I got up to feed her at 5:30 when she quit talking and started sounding urgent.  I was then surprised to see my husband running about, getting dressed, moving his computer to the sunroom, and preparing to be awake.  He is not a morning person.  I told him the baby was going back to sleep and not to worry about getting up, but the thought was nice.

I have not been sleeping well lately, and napping during the day has become unpredictable since little L is trying to have three teeth come in at once.  So his willingness to forego sleep for me was touching.

I have been thinking lately though about our relationship.  We have been together now for about two years.  In those two years we have communicated to each other by email on a daily basis.  That is, those days we are not together, so every week day he has had to work.  We stay in touch throughout the day by email so he can work, and I can do what I do.

I still want to hug him when he comes home at night (after he showers; he rides his bike to and from work), and I usually want to kiss him goodbye in the morning.  Sometimes, I am a bit cranky in the morning.

He still does thoughtful things, that in my experience a lot of men forget to keep doing when you are together for a long period of time.  Two years is not a long time, but I have never had a relationship last more than five years, so two years is a good start on forever with someone as thoughtful and loving as this.

It took a long time, and a lot of maturity and bad choices to finally meet the man of my dreams, but it did finally happen.  Each day I am grateful that I have him, and that we have such a beautiful family filled with love.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Depression

Anyone who knows me really well, knows that I have suffered from depression for most of my life.  Has my life been horrible?  No.  That is not what depression is about.  I vacillate between wanting to talk about it, and not.  I don't think I should be ashamed of depression.  It is not something to be ashamed of, but I also don't want to be perceived as a whiny victim.  The reality is, that it is a part of me, and if you don't know about my issues you may find me rude at times, which is not my intention.

After big L was born I had post-partum depression really bad.  I mean if I got dressed it was a good day.  My child was well cared for, but I was absolutely not cared for.  This go around I have been trying not to let it get bad, and help myself before it reaches the bottom.  According to my doctor my efforts may be in vain.

This is not to say that she can't help, she can, but the drug I likely need is not as safe for the baby as the one I am on.  She states that most post-partum depression is a serotonin issue.  Well.....

Since my depression could be the double whammy of genetics and post-partum, we are treating one issue and not the other.  I am going to try to make it until the end of my breast feeding before getting help with the serotonin issue, but if it doesn't work, we will be back to taking a medication the effects of which are unknown on little L.  That fact alone is enough to depress me and make me feel inadequate.

I am very stubborn, so I think I can take another six months or more.  We will see.  In the meantime, if you know someone who recently had a baby, call her up and make sure she is okay.  Sometimes, feeling loved by family and friends can make a little difference, and that is all you can ask for.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Being A Lawyer

For those of you who know me well you know I am a lawyer.  You may or may not know that I don't particularly like being a lawyer and if I had it all to do again I am not sure I would make the same choice. However, saddled with student loans I should never have taken out, here I am.  A lawyer.

I don't tell people I am a lawyer unless I am asked what I do.  I have a few reasons for this:
1.  Everyone has a problem, either a legal problem, or a problem they had in the past with a....(wait for it) lawyer.
2.  I don't want to give free legal advice all the time or in the doctor's waiting room. Seriously, I was at the allergist with big L and a woman next to me was proofing her petition or response and the lady next to her asked if she was a teacher.  She said she was a lawyer and for the next thirty minutes we, and the whole waiting room heard of all of her custody issues regarding her niece and nephew.
3.  Most people don't like lawyers, sometimes it is just a blanket prejudice; with some they think we are the root of all evil (see number one).
4.  I hate conflict.

Goodness you might say, what were you thinking when you went to law school?  Seriously, I was looking for a challenge, and wanted my dad to get off my back about going to graduate school.  He wanted me to do something with my life.  In reality, my BA in Religious Studies, with minors in Philosophy and Women's Studies, was not paying the bills.

I told myself that I would take the LSAT and since I would likely fail, I wouldn't have to go to law school and everything would be great.  HAH!  For the first time in my life I did extremely well on a standardized test (okay not the first time, but I BOMBED the SAT's).  Then I applied and got accepted both places I applied.  Not only that but my alma matter gave me a full tuition scholarship for all three years.  Needless to say, I went to law school.

I lived through the experience, though it was not always pleasant.  It was a challenge.  After years of easily being one of the top students in my favored classes, I was suddenly average.  Average.  I didn't quite know how to deal with this fact, or the fact that I actually had to study.  Like, for real, pull out the book and study for a test.  I had a few failures in law school, and my health was not good but I made it through.

It took me three times to pass the bar.  This is not because I am dumb, this was that issue I have with standardized tests.  Plus I could not afford to take Bar/Bri until the third time.  Once they told me how to pass the test, I passed (content was not the issue).

In reality, some days I love being a lawyer.  I get to help people.  Other days, I HATE it.  Some people think their life is horrible and that the sky is falling, and to them that is true, but they tend to fail to be greatful for what they do have, and that makes it hard for me to feel for them.  Don't get me wrong, I understand how stressful it is to be in a situation where you need a lawyer, I have been in that situation.

So, my blog, which if searched is unfindable, will lead you to many different blogs on the law if you type in momof2ls for your search.  Anyone who has been in law school knows that a 2L is a second year law student.  I can only hope that neither of my children will be inclined to follow in my footsteps.  In the meantime I am happy to help people with estate planning and bankruptcy.  Just remember to be greatful that, unlike the majority of Americans, you can actually afford to see an attorney when you need it.  Most people can't even afford an attorney to help them protect basic rights.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

What don't we get about food?

I don't think I am overly well read on nutrition.  Good nutritional information is available EVERYWHERE.  Super Size Me, did a great job of showing us what the junk we eat does to our body.  My daughter's school has nutritional guidelines in their handbook.  I am personally a fan of Rory and Kim at  Skinny Bitch.  Mostly because they are irreverent and crack me up while also making me want to whip myself into shape.

SO WHY ARE WE FUNDRAISING WITH PASTA THAT HAS MSG IN IT!?  I decided to educate myself, because what do I really know about MSG?  Not a whole lot.  Turns out it is a sodium salt of glutamic acid.  Okay....what the heck is that?  According to wikipedia (see this link MSG), it is a non-essential amino acid.  Apparently all the hubbub when we were kids (or at least when I was), was just that.  Also, apparently a LOT of our food contains MSG, they just call it natural flavoring.  The percentage of the population with an actual reaction to MSG is around 1%.  This is the same percentage of people Wikipedia's article claims have peanut allergies.

What does it all mean?  I guess the pasta the school is selling is healthy, if you have no allergies.  Those of us with food allergies are the minority.  Most people are not bothered by these issues, and while it would be nice for my daughter's school to offer something for her, I don't see it happening.  Ever.  Even when the school has claimed they would offer something for her that was safe they don't.

Still, I don't understand why every reward or "special fun item" at school has to be sugar and dairy filled.  So that gets me back to my point.  What are we teaching our children if every month or so they have sugar filled treats for reaching goals?  What am I teaching my child when I have to tell her to sell egg filled pasta (which she can't eat), so she can win an ice cream party for her class (to which she will have to bring her own frozen treat)?  Childhood obesity is supposedly on the rise.  Perhaps we should stop viewing food as a treat and explain to our children that food fuels their bodies and what they put in effects what they can do.  Perhaps we should allow healthy options only at this age, with occasional (2-3 times a year) treats.  

Another example in her life is cookies.  It is extremely hard when cookie sales for Girl Scouts come around.  She can't eat those either.  However, her troop did not come up with a sugary, non-allergy friendly prize if the goals were met.  They decided to go to the movies together.  As a mom and girl scout leader, I try to help my child and all of my girl scouts make healthy food choices.  I try to explain that they will receive more nutrition by eating natural and whole foods.  But let's be real they are little kids, and I am swimming against the majority in this case.  Maybe it is time that we all look more closely at what we eat, and teach instead by example.  Give children only healthy options, and try to include them all, even those with sensitivities.

Because big L can't eat and participate in these rewards she feels left out, and when she is a top seller I don't see that as fair.  Like my mom says, "I never said life was fair."  Perhaps someday when she asks, "Can I eat that, mom?", I will be able to answer yes.  For now, I try to educate her on what is safe for her to eat.  The Girl Scout reward is something I thankfully control in some ways, and that part of her life will be fair (I still feel guilty selling something that I myself don't think is healthy to eat).  As for the pasta, I think we are just going to forego the sale of pasta this year; our silent allergy protest.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Why am I fat? (or how I don't make time for me)

This is a humorous topic to me, mostly because I have to laugh not to cry about it.

The truth is that junk food (read almost all food found in the middle of the grocery) is addicting.  I can't seem to get enough.  In reality though I don't eat junk food frequently, but when I do eat it, I eat large amounts.  Case in point:  Pizza, not really healthy unless you make it yourself.  Do I need more than two pieces?  No.  But inevitably I end up eating four.  Why? Because it is there.

My true problem is that I eat the way I did when I was a teenager.  At that time I was growing a lot, and my metabolism was amazing.  I was also active from dawn to dusk.  Even in college I was active, hiking,biking, and working out.  Now that I am a grown up (see earlier post), I don't have this metabolism.  I have been working at office jobs for years, and my chosen profession is very sedentary.  Still, this is not an excuse.

I am fat because I don't make time to exercise.  Somehow between taking care of two kids, a husband, a home, and working part time I don't make the time for myself.  Honestly, exercise is time for myself, just like reading books is time for me.

So the goal for the week:  MAKE TIME FOR ME!  Exercise, swim and just do it and quit whining about it.

Oh yeah, the goal has to postponed for that epidural shot in my back on Thursday, but after that!!!  :-) (It's always something.)

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Baby Food

I purchased a baby food making kit a month or so ago.  (Time has little meaning for me since little l came along).  I read through the book (kind of) and started making food.  This weekend I took the time to read the book a little more it said that the jars in the store could be older than my child!  I recoiled in horror, thinking, then realized my child is only six months old and I have jars of apple butter older than her.  Still it did give me pause to think.

I have been making little l's baby food from the start.  Except for that box of rice cereal.  She has had pears, peas, sweet potatoes, acorn squash and butternut squash, so far.  She had a small rash after the butternut squash, so I have held off on giving that to her again, but so far my youngest appears to be food allergy free.

I wish that with big L I had made her food too.  My excuse at the time was that I had no time.  This time I researched and purchased this: So easy Baby Food.  It is easy.  I spent maybe twenty minutes this weekend between the sweet potatoes and pears.  In reality, I cooked the food while I did the dishes and cleaned the kitchen.  The smooshing took very little time, as did the spooning into the freezer tray (fancy ice cube tray with cover).  She loves everything I have given her so far.

This go around I feel more informed and smarter about what I feed my child.  Big L had mostly organic food, just like little l, but in reality, I did not do the food introductions the same way.  Also, I could not give L food as early as I can l.  L's allergies showed long before her first cereal.  When they got worse we stopped completely until she was a year old.

Little l is receiving one new food a week.  I try to mix it up now that she has choices.  Mostly, I feel good about what I am feeding both my children at this point in my life.  We try to eat mostly organic, but don't when it isn't available, and I try to make fresh food.  We still have pasta night weekly, and L has a hot dog every so often, but this to me is not as tragic as it once was because everything else she eats is so good for her.

The point of this meandering is that you can easily make baby food for your baby, and healthy fresh food for your big people.  If I had known how easy it was I would have been doing it all along.  Happy eating everyone!


Monday, August 29, 2011

Is it a cake safe for L?

This was a question I heard often at my husband's birthday party Saturday.  Can L eat it?  Well of course she can, do they really think I would bake a cake and tell her, "sorry honey, but it has stuff your allergic to in it."????  Over the years, my family has graciously eaten a few not so stellar cakes. 

I think the comment has more to do with the fact that it has taken me SIX years to master a cake that actually tastes good.  Admittedly the hardest part was frosting.  Recently I discovered Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Chocolate Cake mix.  Love it, it bakes up nice and moist.  For eggs we use applesauce and baking powder, milk=rice milk.  It turns out great.  For the frosting, I have begun using earth balance soy free.  I am so grateful for finding this product.  There is no margarine out there without soy or dairy, except this one.  I have to drive to Scottsdale to buy it, but I don't mind! 

The whole party (minus the ranch veggie dip) was L friendly, and I spent the day worrying about guests and not worrying about my daughter's exposure to inappropriate foods.  The big plus was that no one seemed to notice the differences, and didn't complain at all the healthy choices they had.  Either that or my family and friends are finally growing accustomed to my food eccentricities. 

Monday, August 22, 2011

Trying to Broaden Food Horizons

I consider myself lucky.  My food allergy child, likes food such as broccoli, spinach, and frozen peas.  However, I have a hard time getting her to try new foods.  You know, squash, potatoes, and cooked varieties of the stuff she likes raw.

I am hoping that watching her baby sister eat these items will make her more willing to try new things.  However, when I think about it, we tend to eat the same items every week as well.  So, in order to broaden our horizons I have decided to subscribe to a weekly food delivery.  Every week we have yummy organic fruits and vegetables delivered right to our door.  This way I can avoid the junk at the grocery store, and I can make myself try new things as well.  The bigger plus to this delivery is that we will be eating foods that are in season, have more flavor and aren't raised to simply be in the store year round.

This weeks new item....Kabocha squash.  Honestly, I love squash, but some of them scare me in the store.  They are odd shapes and colors.  I have this pretty squash sitting on my counter, I have perused the internet for a recipe, and sometime in the next few days we will be eating a new kind of squash.  Now I just hope that I can get the oldest L to try it.   

Friday, August 12, 2011

Food Allergies: Deadly Classrooms?

My daughter's school informed me the other day, prior to sending home a note, that the classrooms on her side of the school will be peanut free this year.  While I am pleased about this, I am a little leery that maybe they don't quite get it even now.  Peanut allergies have to be the most advertised, talked about food allergy out there.

Guess what people, kids and adults can have severe deadly allergies to ANYTHING!  Yes, I said it, anything.  Last year they gave my daughter milk, she is VERY allergic to milk.  She vomited immediately (good sign you are allergic to what you just ingested), then spent two days wiping her nose and wondering why mom was monitoring her breathing.  So please, just because you are taking a peanut allergy seriously don't forget the facts. People can be deadly allergic to anything.

My daughter's one and only anaphylactic reaction was to GOAT'S MILK.  Yes, the most hypo-allergenic dairy product out there sent her to the ER, and me into a panic.  She was only nine months old at the time, and was tested for food allergies after the incident.  This of course means we have not had a severe reaction (until last years school incident) since that time.  Avoidance is the name of the game and we are very good at avoiding the items she is allergic to.

While I applaud her school's attempt to take all of this very seriously, I am concerned that everyone still doesn't get it.  Anything can be deadly to a kid with food allergies, we test and avoid, and prepare for the worst.  Thankfully, the worst has not happened, and yet that is thanks mostly to my diligence, training my daughter, and always being prepared.

So please, if you know a kid with food allergies, listen and be careful. Don't assume you know how to deal with something based on the latest news report. 

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

OMG I am a grown up

Growing older is a fact of life that has never particularly bothered me.  I have never thought about it. Truly.  I was happy about sixteen because I could drive, 18 because I could vote, and 21 because I could drink (though I decided quickly that wasn't really for me).  I work with people in their 80s and 90s, I am not old.  I have never thought of myself as older, or an adult.  Until recently.  I recently purchased a mini-van.  Yes, the bastion of motherhood.  The beast that guzzles gas, but can hold six kids and all the junk required to keep them happy.  I finally did it. 

It was about the six month of my pregnancy when I took a good look in the mirror.  I noticed that my cute "freckles" aren't so cute anymore and they have multiplied.  Then I looked at my hands and just about passed out.  I have AGE SPOTS!  Am I old enough for this stuff?  Didn't I just graduate from college?   Oh yeah, I graduated over ten years ago!  Then I thought about motherhood.  I just had my first baby right?  Wait, that was SIX years ago (what happened?).   I guess I have been a grown up for awhile, except for that cute car...

I have always had fun cars.  A jetta, a bmw 5 series, and my latest a Beetle (new version).  I LOVE my beetle.  It is me.  I get to have a flower in a vase, and dangle wind chimes from my rear view mirror.  My daughter and I fit perfectly in it.  That would be the older L.  Then we found my husband, and we still fit.  Finally, the little L came along.  The only way I could possibly comfortably fit a rear facing car seat in that car would be to shrink about six inches (maybe I exaggerate, but only a little).  Quite the quandry since in the summer, my car stays cool and my husband's station wagon never cools off where the kids sit.  Trust me when I say I tried to fit that car seat in the car.  I forced the driver's seat down, and in the jetta wagon, I rode with my knees pushed against the glove box. 

So I woke up, realized I have to start acting like a grown up when it comes to vehicles and bought the mini-van.  I am sad to say I love it.  I should have done it sooner.  Who wouldn't love automatic doors for the kids, rear a/c, a back end that will hold the stroller without having to arrange and move everything carefully, utilizing every inch to fit all of the "stuff"?  But still....I finally feel like a real grown up, you know, the kind that says, "oh, kids today......".   By the way, have you noticed that kids today just seem so....young?

Now to deal with the consequences of years of sun worship as a youngster...




Monday, August 8, 2011

A beginning

I always feel I have something to say, and no one to say it to.  My husband hears most of it, but honestly, baby brain has set in and I think all day, but by the time he gets home I don't remember a thing I wanted to talk to him about!

I don't know yet exactly where this blog will go, there are so many paths it could travel, but I will start it out and see what happens.

I have two daughters.  One has life threatening food allergies.  So far the baby does not.  My oldest started first grade today, and despite some trepidation on my part, is returning to the school that gave her food she was allergic to.  Silly to worry, and part of me hopes and feels that they won't screw up again because they felt so bad the first time.  Alas, I don't know, and anytime she eats outside of my own kitchen I cringe with the lack of control I have over cross-contamination and just plain outright consumption.

I love to cook, but cooking for my family has its challenges.  I was also recently diagnosed with food allergies (you would think with all I do for big L that this would have been obvious to me, but I ignored my own symptoms), and big L has her own allergies.  I am a vegetarian, my family is not.  So meals generally make me feel like a short order cook, despite my planning.  I am fortunate in that my husband and oldest daughter love fruit and vegetables.  I am frustrated that I prefer it cooked in yummy recipes and they would rather eat it raw (or frozen).  We put up with each other and muddle through.

Lately, I have fallen in love with an awesome cookbook, Skinny Bitch:  Ultimate Everday Cookbook, http://books.google.com/books/about/Skinny_Bitch_Ultimate_Everyday_Cookbook.html?id=BMdjgQUXPu8C.  The book provides great recipes, some of which take little time, and they all taste great.  It is one of the few vegan books I have found that doesn't include soy products in the majority of the recipes.  Since big L is allergic to soy this is a big deal in our home.  Slowly but surely my oldest is learning to eat more foods, and as long as she is only adventurous at home where I can control it, I am okay with that!

I recently read an article that stated France has an increased obesity rate, and they are looking at how the latest generation views meals for a solution.  Apparently, they are becoming to "American" in their eating habits.  They normally value meal time for its peace and togetherness.  Meals aren't eaten in the car on the run.  After reading this, I realize that I find myself eating on the go and not making time for meals, especially lunch.  There is so much to do in our lives, but I am learning the hard way that if I don't make time for a healthy meal, junk sneaks into my diet and I suffer for it.

So the goal for August is to cut down on eating out/fast on the go foods, and sit down and savor the mealtime and the company I have (even if that company is a sleeping baby).

m