Help vs Support

Help and Support are different things, yet somehow we find ourselves equating the two ideas.  When my daughter was first diagnosed with cerebral palsy, the case workers I dealt with kept asking the same question: "Do you have a good support system?"

I said, "Yes." even though I had no idea what a support system truly was.  I guess I thought it was composed of whoever would help me with my kids.  But, now that I am more experienced, I realize that it means something more along the lines of "Are there people in your life who will come together to steady the metaphoric shaking rope-bridge of a tough situation while you cross it?"

Because nobody can do anything FOR you when you have a dependent with special needs or illnesses.  There is no true burden that anyone else can alleviate.  No one else can take on the feelings of what it is like to be the primary caregiver, as much as they may try.

I finally came to terms with the fact that my support system is not there to do anything but be present while I make the hard decisions and experience the routine of therapies and doctor visits and extra homework help.

These people are not there to HELP me do anything.  If they do help me, it is because that is their desire.  Not anything they are obligated to do.  And I am grateful for what help I have received.

And rarely do I need anybody to meet me half way on the bridge and hold my hand as I cross it.

My daughter wants, more than anything else (other than a pet pug), to be independent.

As a mother I realize that facilitating her independence is one of the biggest gifts I can ever give her.

So, I choose to support her - and back away from helping.  Every morning as she gets into her wheelchair on her own, I hold the back of it steady.  I watch her move into position on her seat - sometimes swiftly and gracefully.  Sometimes it's a struggle.  I have to ignore the impulse I have to reach down and help her up.  Because I know my daughter is capable.  

She just needs me to hold the bridge steady while she crosses it.

Paleo Turmeric Tea

Ground Turmeric

Have you been trying to get more turmeric into your diet, but can't stand the bitter, earthy taste?  Or perhaps you've been missing those sugary chai-latte-drinks.  I can't begin to express how excited I am about this Paleo Turmeric Tea!  This "tea" has all the benefits of turmeric and the creaminess & flavor of a chai latte with just a teaspoon of sugar in the whole cup!  I chose to use maple syrup, but honey would be very good too.

This recipe's inspiration is from Mark's Daily Apple. You can find his recipe here.

I didn't think I could handle a whole cup of either almond or coconut milk today, so mine has a water base to which any amount of milk can be added.  Keep in mind that turmeric relies on fat for its absorption, so don't skip the milk!  Also noted in the MDA comments: an ingredient in black pepper enhances the benefits of turmeric.

The Recipe

In a mug, mix:

1/2 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

pinch of clove

pinch of nutmeg

pinch of black pepper

On the stove, heat a little more than one cup of water to a boil.

Add 1 tbsp of boiling water to the mixture in the mug and stir so it is without lumps.  Then, pour in the rest of your water (1 cup) and stir.

Add 1 tsp of maple syrup.

Add coconut milk (I used about 1/4 cup)

Stir well and enjoy :)

You can read more about the benefits of turmeric here!

I can't wait to see what benefits I notice from drinking this "tea" regularly. 

Tropical Traditions Coconut Oil Review

Visit Tropical Traditions

I was recently sent a quart of Tropical Traditions Gold Label Virgin Coconut Oil to try and review.  I cook almost exclusively with coconut oil, and I have tried several brands.  I would rank this one my second favorite, behind Nutiva.  

It does a great job at providing a non-stick surface for stainless steel pans or glass bakeware.  And it is wonderful for using as a moisturizer.  The taste does have a hint of coconut, which does not bother my family, but may be a bit noticeable if it is your first time cooking with CO.  

I really do like this product, and would definitely consider buying it again once I run out.  

If you are interested in purchasing some for yourself, please visit Tropical Traditions' website!  If you use this link, they will even send you a free gift when you make your first purchase.

Disclaimer: Tropical Traditions provided me with a free sample of this product to review, and I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose.  Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product.  If you order by clicking on any of my links and have never ordered from Tropical Traditions in the past, you will receive a free book on Virgin Coconut Oil, and I will receive a discount coupon for referring you.

Mostly-Paleo Lunches

[click photo for a larger image]

Here it is!!! I am so proud that I followed through with this promise. This is what my girls had Monday-Thursday this week. They both wanted to buy a lunch on Friday, so I let them. They ate only home made food all week long, so I think they earned it.

The peanuts aren't paleo, but you can easily sub them for almonds or macadamia nuts. And I did use deli meat one day because it was a very hectic first week of school and appointments. But I don't plan to make it a habit.

I'll post the paleo pumpkin muffin recipe later this week.

Enjoy your day!

Packing Lunches

School starts tomorrow!! All the supplies have been purchased, and all the teachers have been introduced to my two lovely 6th grade girls. So what is left on my mind is LUNCH!

To give an idea of how this could go...We qualify for free lunches at school, which would make it very easy to just let the girls eat what the school offers. But, this year, I am committed to packing their lunches every day. Not because I want to be hip, and certainly not to show off. But because I believe it is what is best for them.

For the most part, I am going to include only Paleo items in their lunchboxes. The best way to do this on a tight budget is to avoid any convenience meat items such as deli meat or hot dogs. These things really cut into our food budget when we purchase them. I am going to stick with things that can be eaten cold to start off with, and then I hope to incorporate things like Paleo chili and soups.

To keep this relatively simple on my end (if it's too time-consuming I won't follow through!) I will do a round-up on Saturdays with a photo collage of what was packed during the week.

This is me stating my intention and broadcasting my commitment!

I hope all of your little ones enjoy going back to school, and that you choose a project that's a bit challenging to tackle in their absence!

Recipe: Paleo Meatloaf

Kid-Approved Paleo Meatloaf with Bacon

I don't usually succeed when I attempt to create a meatloaf, but I somehow managed to come up with a recipe that I would even consider serving to guests. Nothing too hard about this recipe. Takes a few minutes of your time to mince and saute the onions & garlic, but that is about as involved as it gets!

This Paleo meatloaf is very moist and is packed with flavor. It generously feeds 6. Or make it for dinner, and have the rest for lunch the next day.

Paleo Meatloaf with Bacon

3.5 pounds of ground beef

3 slices of bacon

3/4 cup ketchup (or BBQ sauce, or a mixture of the two)

2 eggs

2 Tbsp coconut flour

1 Tbsp coconut oil

1/2 cup onion

2 Tbsp garlic

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Preheat oven to 400 F

1. Dice and cook bacon; let it drain.

2. Mince 1 medium onion.

3. Mince 3-4 cloves of garlic.

4. Add coconut oil to a pan. Over medium heat, cook onions until translucent.

5. Add garlic and cook until fragrant: 1-2 minutes.

6. Put garlic, onions, and bacon into a large bowl.

7. Add salt, pepper, coconut flour, eggs, and ketchup. Stir to combine.

8. Add meat and incorporate well with the wet ingredients.

9. Place meat in a loosely packed rectangle onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

10. Cook for 1hr 15mins.

11. Enjoy!

Strength in Progress

When I carry the groceries into the house from the van, I can't help but think "Farmer's Carry." When I lift my 75 pound daughter from the floor to my chest, I think "Power Clean." And, last week when I lifted a 20 gallon Rubbermaid tub full of my kids' out-of-season clothing items from the ground to rest on top of my right shoulder before pushing it overhead onto a shelf about 7' high, I thought "Atlas Stone" and "Push Press."

CrossFit is fun, yes, but it is also important. Think of all the things you lift and push and pull and carry throughout a regular day. Now, imagine how liberating it would be if you knew the safest way to deal with each of those obstacles. Not to mention how awesome you would feel with all that knowledge and power!

Every day, as I wash down my kitchen counters, I am reminded of a time when even completing that task would bring tears of pain into my eyes. Just bearing weight against the countertop was too hard on my torn shoulder muscles. I am SO thankful that I have the opportunity to be reminded of how far I have come each time I wipe off a counter. I am thankful that I no longer have to worry if I'll be able to put away my cast-iron pan after cooking in it. I don't have to bring in the grocery bags one at a time anymore. And I don't need assistance with very many heavy things.

I picked up a box of materials from the printer's shop last week for the gym. The nice employee said he would carry it out to my car for me, but I got to say "Thanks, but I've got it. I lift weights down there." The lady working there with him enthusiastically said, "Good for you!!" And I thought, "Yes. Good for me."