Tuesday, October 19, 2010

I Finally Have a Moment...

I've been meaning to post this for awhile, but time hasn't been plentiful lately. Speaking of time, I've been having this debate in my head. With the kids being in school, I thought I would have more time, but it doesn't seem to be the case. I've been looking for a balance in my life. Looking for ways to eliminate so I can have more time for things I enjoy. One thought came to mind was cutting back on computer time. Slowing down on blogging. Between counting calories, keeping track of numbers, going to bed early, getting up early to exercise, keeping up on blogging, well, lets just say that some days I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. But, as I began to ponder about things that should be eliminated, I came to the conclusion that this needs to not be one of them. Being healthy is my time, something I am doing for me. Being a part of this blog is for me. And quite frankly, I don't think us moms allow ourselves to have enough me time. So here I am, committed to me, and this blog because we have a strong support system going on. Not just about weight loss, or being a healthier person, but about supporting each other through life. About truly caring about one another.

Sue, I have thought a lot about you the last couple days. About two years ago I was going through the exact same situation you were going through. It is so tough. I had one really good friend from high school that told me we couldn't be friends anymore and other friends that seemed to slip through the cracks. I felt lonely. Yes I had my husband and family, but there is just something about another woman friendship that we all crave. I get that. I understand you. Even though we are all spread out, we are the woman friendship you need. We are here for you!

A couple weeks ago I received a call from Audrey. Just a check up to make sure things were going okay. I can't even tell you how much that phone call meant to me. She completely brightened my day.

So, here I am, committed to you and this blog. I'm going to be selfish, and make this blog time my "me" time.

BTW, where is Mindy???

So to make a long story short, here's the post I was going to do last week:

I've started doing this little trick with me kids. I have a fruit bowl that hardly gets touched by my kids. It sits by the kitchen sink. I always offer them fruit, but it's often turned down. When they are hungry and looking for a snack, they rummage through the fridge. I started experimenting with the fruit bowl, and leaving it on the table. And like magic, the fruit started quickly disappearing.
Here are some healthy fun lunch ideas I've been doing for my kids. They get sick of plain old sandwiches everyday. I do let them pick hot lunch once a week. We do have an amazing school cook, who makes most things from scratch, but I still like to be in control of what my kids eat. My daughter loves sandwiches on a stick!

The painted sandwich, sometimes has a note on it!



They love sailboats. My son hates eggs, but magically they taste amazing when they look like a sailboat!

This has been a new favorite in our house. Banana and peanut butter sandwich.


And lastly, I am volunteering at the school for their Halloween Party. I am in charge of a healthy snack so here's what we are making. The teeth are made from slivered almonds, but I might try using dried banana chips. So fun.
What healthy things have you been packing for your kids lunch?

8 comments:

  1. Alicia, I totally thought this post was written by my sister Becky until I got down to the picture of the fruit on the table. "That's not Becky's table... and who's the high school friend she's talking about?"

    It just goes to show how much we all have in common, how we often share the same voice and how we have the power to constantly bouy one another up. Our little community is a great source of strength, I'm glad you've decided to spend some time with us each day!

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  2. Alicia,

    Your kid food ideas are so fun! And, boy oh boy, am I glad to see you back with us! I too am always trying to find a balance between all that pulls at my heart. I feel that I frequently have to do a "computer time assessment" and re-adjust.

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  3. Alicia, I never thought about sandwich on a stick. What a great idea. And...how do you paint a sandwich? Food color? It looks like so much fun. I am so glad you are not cutting back on blogging time. We would miss you so much. You teach me so much.

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  4. Love the food! And who knows where Mindy is? She hasn't returned any of my calls. Mindy...MINDY!?

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  5. Alicia,

    What a great posting with such clever and imaginative food ideas for children, love all of them. I can't wait to fix some of these for my grand kiddos.

    I've been missing you so much but felt like maybe you needed a break or some space. Now I'm really happy that Audrey made that call, welcome home healthy wife...WE ALL MISSED YOU!

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  6. Alicia, I finally had time to sit down and read all the new post over the past few days...

    I'm glad that you are taking "me" time. We need to do that. Then we are more willing to give to others.

    Second! Please tell about the painted sandwich...and do you explain more about sandwich on a stick!

    Lastly, I think I'm going to do that apples for a party I'm going to next week. It's sure to be a winner!!!

    You're awesome! I can't wait to meet you someday because I feel like we have much in common and have taken this long journey together!

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  7. Those are some amazing pictures! What talent!

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  8. Um, yeah, I'd like to even claim one, but they are all from the inernet.

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