Learning About CollegPlus

Tonight's presentation on a way for my son to earn college credits without stepping inside an institution has really sparked my interest. The best is that this distance education is very tailored to helping my son reach his goals as well: CollegPlus Prep

Getting Organized

I guess that would be the title for the next six months. First I have to organize my DS curriculum and looks like that's my morning task.

With our basement being re-organized, I have a pantry to design. I really need a pantry and I am having one custom built. Here is a design I found online that uses baskets on wheels and clear containers which is very accessible and easy to see what is in the pantry.

I'll add more to this post later. Hopefully, I will feel more organized by the end of tomorrow. As a homeschool mom it just never ends but purging is one rule I have on my list to keeping me sane in this area.

Also, a good friend of mine directed me to this website: Simply Living Smart

Racoons in our shed

This summer we did experience a couple of racoons setting up shop in our back shed. When they took off we sprinkled some whole cloves in the area where they were sleeping and I don't think they've been back since.

Here's an article on coping with racoons and their habits.

Getting Fit

One of my goals is not only to eat healthier and follow my Genotype food lists but also to follow my Genotype exercise plan. That plan includes building muscle and cardiovascular strength in my body. I have been using the Pilates Boot Camp with Mari Winsor and it has been a tremendous endurance strengthener for me. It's only 20 minutes and it works great! The other routine I do 2 - 3 times per week is Gunnar Peterson's Core Secrets Boot Camp Workout DVD. I friend gave me this one and I cannot find the exact link to it but here is his website: http://www.gunnarpeterson.com/

Overall, I am feeling stronger since I started in March the above routines. Since the heat has hit this summer I'm not as regular as I should be.

If you are in the Toronto area and looking for a Naturopath to help put you on the right track in regard to your diet and exercise plan click here.

Learning About Detox

Every change in season is a good time to detox. Here is a basic and helpful detox protocol written by my ND: Total Body Detox

Homemade Spelt Bread

Place the following ingredients in order into your bread machine:

1 cup of water
2 tbl. olive oil
2 tbsp. honey or brown sugar
2 cups of spelt (whole grain)
1 cup of spelt (light)
1.5 tsp. salt
1.5 tsp yeast

Select basic and regular setting on your bread machine panel and press start.

Duration: 3.5 hours

Yummy Sweet Potato Frittata

1 peeled- diced sweet potato
3-4 strips of leeks sliced thinly
1 cubed portabello mushroom (lightly stir -fried)to reduce its volume
2 beaten eggs
sea salt
feta cheese

mix beaten eggs with the first three ingredients and poor into a shallow pie plate
spread the lightly stir-fried mushroom on top of mixture
sprinkle sea salt on top

bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes

Take out of oven and sprinkle the feta on top

Keeping Hydrated in the Summer

One of the challenges I find when gardening and being out in the summer heat, is keeping well hydrated. Another challenge is to replace the electrolytes that have been lost from sweating. Sometimes I just come in the house from gardening and pop under my tongue a natural sea salt crystal or two, let it melt and then drink water. I don't do well on sugar so drinks like gatorade would not do it for me at all.

Another great concoction is put together by my ND at her website here. She illustrates how to put together a drink to restore electrolyte balance. It includes the following ingredients:

1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tbl. agave nectar (or maple syrup or honey)
juice of half a lemon
1L water

you can add a bit of a berry concentrate at the end to taste but it's not necessary.

I have to admit that I haven't tried this yet but it does look tasty.

Perimenopause

I guess I've reached that age between 45-55 where I am noticing symptoms more pronounced than previous years. I have found that keeping my diet very nutrient dense is so important and of course staying away from gluten has helped me tons.

Dr. Christine Northrup's book Women's Bodies Women's Wisdom is full of valuable information for us women as we age.

Here is a link from her website on perimenopause and the symptoms relating to hormonal changes in the body.

My Type B Smoothie

Papaya Sunrise Smoothie (TYPE B)

Ingredients:

• 2 cups papaya juice
• ½ cup of plain organic yogurt
• 6 ripe organic strawberries or other compliant fruit :)
  
• 1 tsp l-glutamine powder
  
• 1 level scoop of Protein Blend Powder B/AB

(Optional: 1 tsp. spirulina, 1 tsp. hemp oil)