Muffins with Mom – Temptations of a teen

photo credit

To be, or not to be…vegan; that is the question. This is not a soliloquy by William Shakespeare, but rather a parody from the life of my teen son. He wants to become vegan for the health of it. An attempt was made a few months ago, to live this lifestyle, but my son was met with temptations.

The next attempt at the vegan lifestyle, my son gathered recipes, but was again tempted. This time it was in the form of a dream. He called to give me an update, “I had a dream…”

I cut him off mid-sentence, “Let me guess, you had a dream about beef.”

“Something like that.”

“Were there, seven lean cows and seven fat cows?”

“Huh?”

“It’s a Bible reference,” I said. Pharaoh dreamed about seven lean cows and seven fat cows.”

“Anyway…I dreamed I was at a sandwich shop and had a sandwich with bacon and pepperoni. Then it turned into a mirage.”

There was a pregnant pause. I spoke first. “Are you waiting for me to interpret your dream?”

“Could you?”

“Well, it sounds to me like maybe you went to bed hungry.”

I’m no dream interpreter, however, I reminded my son of a thought I’ve heard. When faced with temptations, you have to renew your thinking.

To be or not to be…tempted. How do you handle temptations?

Fun Friday – Temptations-when food and fitness clash

I grabbed the white, aluminum apparatus with invisible numbers, from behind my closet door. That’s where it is hidden, until needed. I placed the item onto my bathroom floor and gently stepped on. Digital numbers appeared. “Grrrrr.”My weight was up two pounds.

How heavy is your hair?

It’s the time of year where people are shaping up for vacations, weddings or that summer, tank top body. I thought I was on the road to success, until the bathroom scale indicated otherwise. How did I gain 2 pounds? It must have been my new hairstyle.

Surely, I did not gain weight due to the pasta meals I ate that week, or the Italian bread. I don’t think it was the Jolly Rancher candies either. I only ate three of them…at two different intervals…two nights in a row.

I know my weight gain wasn’t due to the gingerbread I baked because I told my son to help make that disappear. All I ate was a sliver of a piece, with my coffee - double cream, double sweet-n-low. The unwanted pounds had to be due to my hair. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Okay, I’ll fess up. My fitness routine was the same – regular workouts, drinking water daily, blah, blah, blah. It was my eating habits that took a nose dive. I was tempted by treats that I don’t normally keep within arm’s reach. My poor eating was cancelling out my workouts. My food and fitness habits were clashing with each other.

How does one keep temptations at bay? You can do it with positive self-talk, will power and a plan. By positive self-talk, I don’t mean, “I’m going finish off this cake today and eat healthy tomorrow.” Come up with a mantra or quote to help keep you focused. If you struggle with will power, remember that eating in moderation is key.

My plan for fighting food temptations is to prep my meals in advance and keep healthy snacks with me. On those special occasions where food is the main event (conferences, parties, etc.) I offer half of my dessert to a friend or stranger. This method helps me keep the digital numbers on my scale from flashing exceedingly high.

So...was my new hairstyle a factor in my slight weight gain? Not really.

What are your tips for keeping food temptations subdued?

Words of Wisdom - Kindness

YouTube Video Credit: Fearless Soul

Motivational Monday – World Book Day - 3 Ways to celebrate

Do you have a book that has inspired you? Are you looking for something inspirational to read? World Book Day is celebrated on April 23^rd in the UK as a way to encourage people to read. You don’t have to live in the UK to join the celebration.

There are currently three books in my reading rotation (pictured above) and one in the wings. A friend recently recommended a book by Erwin Lutzer titled, Failure: The Back Door to Success. The premise of the book is that God uses our shortcomings and weaknesses in His plan. The book is said to help you redefine your idea of success.

Here are three ways you can celebrate World Book Day:

1.      Swap books with a friend

2.      Donate books

3.      Create a book based game – great for family night

Find more ideas here.

What are your ideas for celebrating World Book Day? Share a favorite book that has inspired you.

Fun Friday – National Humor Month

photo credit: My Identity Doctor

“Always laugh when you can, its cheap medicine.” – Lord Byron

Are you stressed at home or work? Find something to laugh about. The month of April is celebrated as National Humor Month AND National Stress Awareness Month. Perhaps it’s not you who is stressed, but a friend. Make them laugh. Let me help you find something to laugh about.

Journey with me though an atypical work day…

Traffic was bumper to bumper on my morning commute to a conference for work. After an hour of traveling at a snail’s pace, my coworker and I arrived late. The only seats left in the small room, were in the first two rows. She sat in the first row. I spotted the continental breakfast table, grabbed a bagel and coffee I forced and slid into the second row seat.

The first half of the day went well. Lunch was served - a half sandwich, salad, a spoonful of pasta and kettle chips. Surely I would be okay and alert during the afternoon portion of the workshop.

One hour into the afternoon session, and my eyelids became like steel doors, heavy, closing slowly. I forced my eyes to remain open, by doing a repeated eyebrow raises. I twisted in my chair, I played with my hair, but I lost the battle.

Before I could catch myself, my body relaxed, and my head SNAPPED backward. I quickly opened my eyes and tried to regain my composure. I got out of my seat and strolled to the refreshment table for a chocolate chip cookie.

I stood at the back of the room a few minutes, in an attempt to shake the sandman off my back. When I returned to my seat, I texted my mother and said, “I just fell asleep at my workshop and I’m sitting in the second row.”

My mother texted back and said, “Lord, please send your Holy Spirit to keep this child awake!”

If you find yourself in a stressful situation or experiencing a stressful day, find a way add a bit of humor.

Do you have a story to share for National Humor Month?

Words of Wisdom - Get Inspired

YouTube Video Credit: Quotes

Muffins with Mom – When your child realizes your value

Cinderella had a Fairy Godmother, the Shoemaker had elves (The Shoemaker and the elves) and in modern day times, my son has discovered the Editing Fairy. What exactly is a fairy? Oxford dictionaries describes a fairy as, “a small imaginary being of human form that has magical powers.”

According to the above definition, my son truly believes I’m a fairy.  Let’s dissect the definition. 

Small – I am shorter then my son. Imaginary – I’m sure my son pretends I’m a figment of his imagination when I say something he doesn’t want to hear. Magical Powers – he believes in magic. Let me tell you how I know…

One dark night, as I lay in bed curled against my down filled pillow, I heard the buzz of my cell phone. It was a text message from my son who was away at college. “Ma, I need you to proof read a paper for me…by tomorrow.”

“Hmph. Not gonna happen tonight.”

My son thought I had magical powers or that I was going to work through the night like the elves in the story of the Shoemaker and the Elves. Bless his heart. I was able to help him the next day, but reminded him that I needed more notice for my proof reading services.

There were a couple more assignments my son asked me to proof read, in a timely manner. Then he slipped up and ran out of time on a recent paper; he didn’t complete it in time for me to proof read before he submitted it. When my son received his paper back from his instructor, he sent me a text message.

“I can’t turn in anymore papers without you looking them over first.”

“What happened? I asked.

“Looks like my instructor used all the ink in her pen to correct my paper.”

The text message ended with two crying emoji’s.

My son learned the value of his mother’s editing services and he learned to plan ahead. An editing fairy has her limits.

DISCLAIMER: In case my son’s instructor reads this post – I don’t write his papers, only proof read.

Has your child discovered your value?

Fun Friday – Scrabble Day

Photo Credit: Thunder Bay Literacy Group

It’s Friday the 13^th oh my goodness what ever shall we do? Some people associate this day with bad luck. However, this is also National Scrabble Day. Has your family ever played this popular board game?

Word tiles scattered across our faux marble table, my boys stacked letters to form words. Some were actual words, others were created from my kids’ imagination. Nevertheless, a game of Scrabble spelled F-U-N in our home.

Celebrate National Scrabble Day by dusting off your board game and gathering the family around the table. If you’re a writer, use Scrabble during your brainstorm sessions, as an idea generator.

In addition to Scrabble, there are other games that make use of word tiles. Another one that I like is Bananagrams. Boggle is a good one too.

Keep your mind sharp by playing word games. If it’s been a while since you played a board game, National Scrabble Day is a good reason to get reacquainted.

How will you celebrate Scrabble Day?

Words of Wisdom - Inspirational Quotes

Photo Credit: Motivational Travel Quotes

Photo Credit: Inspirational Quotes - Brainy Quote

Photo Credit: Goodnet.org

Motivational Monday – 4 things that make you feel rich (not related to money)

“Timing is everything. If it’s meant to happen, it will, at the right time, for the right reasons.” 

Author Unknown

Flipping through pages of a book, I stood in line at the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop bookstore. Two ladies walked up behind me, chatting and laughing. As I turned around, I was greeted with smiles and an invitation to sit together for dinner. Another smiling face appeared on the other side of me, and our dinner party was up to four. A friendship was birthed.

We studied the pages of our conference booklet and made plans. “What session are you going to next?”

“Let’s meet outside the auditorium, so we can sit together for lunch.”

It wasn’t long before we realized that our personalities clicked. We were the Three Musketeers, plus D’Artagnan. “All for one and one for all.” We shared information, encouraged each other and promised to keep in touch.

What non-monetary things make you feel rich? Here’s my list…

1.      Friendships – friends provide support and encouragement. It doesn’t hurt to add new friends to your circle. When you find a good friend, you’ll never be poor.

2.      Knowledge – continue to learn new things. My mother used to say, “One thing that can never be taken from you is an education.” Knowledge can be used to build financial wealth.

3.      Love – support and love of a family makes one rich. Show love to your children, a spouse or significant other. Don’t be afraid to fall in love.

4.      Pursuing your passion – perhaps you have heard of someone who is financially wealthy, yet unhappy. Pursuing your passion does not mean everything will work out perfectly, but it’s worth an effort.

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Les Brown

During the Erma Bombeck Writer’s Workshop, my new friends and I were pursuing our passion. We were there for one reason, “develop our gift of humor, to give it away,” (Rita Davenport-Comedian).

To my new friends and old, I am richer for having you in my life.

What things make you feel rich (excluding money)?

Words of Wisdom – Activate Your Great

“Build it and they will come.” This statement is used frequently in the Activate Your Great success building sessions facilitated by founder Rennette Gordon. Do you know that you are destined for greatness? Have you thought about starting a business?

Join one of the free conference calls with Rennette and learn about writing your vision and making it plain. She uses biblical principles combined with business practices when discussing branding and building your business.

The theme for this quarter of Activate Your Great is, It Behooves You to Move.

Motivate

Ourselves for

Vision

Execution

Are you ready to set your dream of starting a business in motion? It’s time to plant seeds. “You must have a plan and brand yourself (Rennette Gordon).”

Will you take advantage of free information? Join the online call on Fridays at 12:00 noon or Tuesdays at 9:00am bit.ly/ActivateYourGreatMeeting

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Antione Saint-Exupery

Motivational Monday - Never Give Up!

YouTube Video Credit: Yoan Vuille