9.27.2012

i can't believe i forgot!!!

I'm still pulling together all the information for the herbs post I promised but in the meantime, I realized that I forgot a GLARING omission from yesterday's post. The most exciting part of what happened to me at Mother Earth News Fair!

I.met.Temple.Grandin.

Yup. I shook her hand and had a wonderfully awkward conversation since I had no idea what to say to her. She was standing by her most recent book, Animals Make Us Human: Creating the Best Life for Animals.
She was ready to autograph the books for those purchasing it. I felt nervous about approaching her to talk to her about autism when she was at the MENF for her animal work. Having a child with autism, I KNOW how annoyed she might feel with me. How irritating the useless social nuances might feel to her. I almost talked myself out of it. My SIL convinced me to just go and do it. She said, "you of all people can read how she's feeling. If she looks uncomfortable, just back off but you have to go or you'll regret it." She was right. I had to go. So, I walked up to her and this was our conversation:

Temple <sticking her hand out to shake hands>: Hi, how are you?
Me: <taking her hand to shake and feeling a piece of lead drop in my stomach>: I'm good, thank you. 
Temple: So, what do you raise? <she was referring to animals>
Me: A kid. <she didn't see the humor in this statement but I must say it was brilliant!>
Temple: Oh. So, you must know me from my autism things.
Me: I do. I have a young son with autism and we are very inspired by you.
Temple: <eye contact is beginning to shift>: So, how's he doing? (this question felt incredibly scripted...I can tell at this point that she is done with the conversation).
Me: He really is doing well. He's a very happy kid. I am so glad I got to meet you!
Temple: Good. Nice to meet you.
<At this point I walked away>

So, that's my celebrity story. I met Temple Grandin. The example of hope for my child. Don't get me wrong, I know that God has amazing plans for Boogie. He has set a path for him as He has done for us all, but other special needs parents know what I mean. Temple is the inspiration that our children will be okay. So...that's it...just wanted to share. 

~Joy
(c) 2012 Joy-Jasmin Brunnelson All Rights Reserved

9.26.2012

food and soap and PCOS

This past weekend I went to the Mother Earth News Fair (MENF)! It was absolutely amazing! It was at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania, so as uncomfortable as it was to be in "Steeler Country"...the beautiful mountain views made up for it! My mama graciously let me take her Honda Insight for the trip (the gas mileage is pure awesomeness) but "Little Buddy" had a rough time with the mountain air. He huffed and he puffed but never gave up. He truly is the Little Engine That Could. 

I loved being around people that cared as much about food, health and the earth as I do. I made several friends, including a 66-year-young man named Don. He was my favorite. He taught me about the history of Hawaii (I know it seems random but it was awesome) and he told me about his juice fast journey. So inspiring! He has lost 40 pounds in 28 days juicing. Way to go Don! With recent major health diagnoses, he decided he "might be getting old but didn't need to be fat, sick and nearly dead". The documentary "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" inspired him to make a change...and he did it! He definitely inspired me to put into action the changes I want to make for myself. And to care for myself and be okay with that. 

I got SO MUCH information at MENF; herbs that can heal, what supplements will help my body work in the way I need it to, what veggies really do for you...kind of overloaded but so pumped to making the best food decisions possible for me and my family. It really opened my eyes to see how God has provided us with everything we need on this earth to heal and be healthy. Plus, I learned how to make soap and salves...BONUS! So, now you know what you're getting for Christmas this year! :)

Coming off of this past weekend at MENF, I also just started my PCOS Diva Jumpstart program this past Monday, which is perfect timing. Because this is a paid program that Amy (PCOS Diva) has put her heart and soul into, I will not give out recipe information and/or program details but I will say that learning how to eat to correct my disorder is hard and awesome and a lot of work and delicious. I have always believed that food is medicine and learning which foods can regulate my body falls right into line with that. The fact that everything that Amy teaches from PCOS Diva is exactly what I learned from the holistic health coaches at MENF makes me feel very encouraged that I've made the right decision in joining her Jumpstart program. I need someone to hold my hand and tell me what I can and can't do and what I can and can't eat...and Amy does that. She rocks. And here's a yummy picture of my dinner last night:
Salmon dinner with roasted root veggies and kale


As Amy has warned will happen around day 3-4, today I have felt awful (flu-like symptoms, nausea, and fatigue). Removing certain foods from my diet has caused my body to release toxins which is a good thing once they pass through but until they do, it is just "ugh". I will get past this though, I will push through. It makes me realize how much crap I was still feeding my body even though I thought I was eating healthy. I'm going to bed early tonight and hope to feel better tomorrow. 

Anyway, I'll pick one of the subjects I learned about from MENF and share tomorrow. Night y'all...

~Joy
(c) 2012 Joy-Jasmin Brunnelson All Rights Reserved


9.14.2012

please hold while your party is being reached...

Sorry for the delay. 2 month delay to be exact. After losing my job and acclimating to the SAHM position again, I was more like a chicken with its head cut off than a smooth-writing blogger. But I'm back now that my big Kindergartener is all settled in school and I have a bit of breathing room. Today's post is just a little silly but something to fill the page and catch you up on our summer while I organize my posts for next week.

To start, here is me on my first day home, unsure of what to do with myself now that I'm home...




I decided to make bread and Boogie watched intently:


We went on Walkersville's Southern Railroad for the 4th of July, Boogie brought Stitch and Sweetgirl brought a MH doll:



We went to see Daddy/Hubbs sing with the Waterboyz for Jesus at Keys Stadium:
Getting comfy while we wait to go in the stadium
No pictures, please!


Boogie got a haircut:

My aunt and uncle came to visit from Germany and this was my favorite family photo taken while they were here:

Boogie got to meet Bob the Tomato at the Family Christian Bookstore grand opening:

We went to the beach and celebrated Sweetgirl's 12th birthday while there:



We had a Monster High Sleepover party when we got home for Sweetgirl:
 
 


And finally... Boogie started Kindergarten!


~~Joy
(c) 2012 Joy-Jasmin Brunnelson All Rights Reserved.