Thursday, April 30, 2009
Swine Flu Worries Kept in Check
It is reasonable to be cautious as moms. We wash our kids' hands excessively during the flu season. We hold their hands while crossing the street. We teach them not to eat things they find on the ground and not to go anywhere with strangers. However, life can be overwhelming, especially when events are out of our control.
With the recent swine flu pandemic, I have felt feelings of fear and have felt a lack of perspective with my own family. I have asked myself, "Am I doing enough to keep my kids safe?" even though I have hand sanitizer in my son's lunch pail, almost every room of the house, and in both cars.
Likewise, I have pondered, "If my kids get this flu, will they all pull through?". Last night, I had to watch a tv show online just to relax. I felt like I couldn't get my mind off of these entangling worries. Every news page I read is freaking me out with headlines about "more deaths to come".
Can we do more than wash our hands, cover our mouths and noses when sneezing or coughing, and avoid sick people? Not really. We have to use common sense and then surrender the outcome because worrying doesn't really help. Initially, the anxiety causes us to go into hyper-freak-out mode as we buy an additional supply of water and food for the house, place a plethora of sanitizers about, and overdose our kids with vitamin C. However, after that, the benefits of the anxiety dissipate. So, we have to stop worrying.
What's our response as moms? Take it one day at a time. We should stay informed, but maybe only a few times a day. At first, I was checking various news websites multiple times per day. Likewise, I was viewing the CDC website more frequently than they themselves were. It got me nowhere except feeling stressed and helpless. So, yesterday, I took my kids to a beautiful garden setting where we frolicked in the outside sun and chased butterflies. We avoided plenty of germs and I was nowhere near my laptop, so my temptation for updates was kept in check.
Besides leaving the house to stay distracted, calling a friend or visiting with someone is great anti-worry therapy as well. I decided to take a drive with my kids to visit my twin sister for lunch. It kept my mind distracted and I didn't feel so weighed down by my concerns.
Let's all do our best to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. That means, we do our best to protect ourselves and our kids from this swine flu while simultaneously taking things in stride. That way we won't exhaust ourselves unnecessarily.
With the recent swine flu pandemic, I have felt feelings of fear and have felt a lack of perspective with my own family. I have asked myself, "Am I doing enough to keep my kids safe?" even though I have hand sanitizer in my son's lunch pail, almost every room of the house, and in both cars.
Likewise, I have pondered, "If my kids get this flu, will they all pull through?". Last night, I had to watch a tv show online just to relax. I felt like I couldn't get my mind off of these entangling worries. Every news page I read is freaking me out with headlines about "more deaths to come".
Can we do more than wash our hands, cover our mouths and noses when sneezing or coughing, and avoid sick people? Not really. We have to use common sense and then surrender the outcome because worrying doesn't really help. Initially, the anxiety causes us to go into hyper-freak-out mode as we buy an additional supply of water and food for the house, place a plethora of sanitizers about, and overdose our kids with vitamin C. However, after that, the benefits of the anxiety dissipate. So, we have to stop worrying.
What's our response as moms? Take it one day at a time. We should stay informed, but maybe only a few times a day. At first, I was checking various news websites multiple times per day. Likewise, I was viewing the CDC website more frequently than they themselves were. It got me nowhere except feeling stressed and helpless. So, yesterday, I took my kids to a beautiful garden setting where we frolicked in the outside sun and chased butterflies. We avoided plenty of germs and I was nowhere near my laptop, so my temptation for updates was kept in check.
Besides leaving the house to stay distracted, calling a friend or visiting with someone is great anti-worry therapy as well. I decided to take a drive with my kids to visit my twin sister for lunch. It kept my mind distracted and I didn't feel so weighed down by my concerns.
Let's all do our best to stay healthy, both physically and mentally. That means, we do our best to protect ourselves and our kids from this swine flu while simultaneously taking things in stride. That way we won't exhaust ourselves unnecessarily.
Labels: mommy, swine flu, worry
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Life's Rhythms
Life is so unpredictable. One minute things are going so well. The next minute, you can feel you have lost who you are or where you are going. And yet, some things are so certain. The sun will rise and set. The moon will wax and wane through its expected cycles. Our small children will eat and sleep and grow on a daily basis. The seasons will come and go. Tragedies will befall every neighborhood, as will celebrations and parties. New things will lose their newness. Old things will pass away.
Dreams are born in the midst of life’s rhythms. Then, they too will fade away into oblivion. But, there is Hope. It is born even out of dying or dead dreams because there is ONE who gives amazing HOPE, even when there is none. His name is JESUS! He is consistent at all times. HIS Love is always there for us! HIS forgiveness embraces us before we even ask. The Cross carried a dead KING into eternal LIFE. Whatever rhythm you find yourself in, hold on to the GIVER of HOPE!
Dreams are born in the midst of life’s rhythms. Then, they too will fade away into oblivion. But, there is Hope. It is born even out of dying or dead dreams because there is ONE who gives amazing HOPE, even when there is none. His name is JESUS! He is consistent at all times. HIS Love is always there for us! HIS forgiveness embraces us before we even ask. The Cross carried a dead KING into eternal LIFE. Whatever rhythm you find yourself in, hold on to the GIVER of HOPE!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Organic and Eco-Friendly Cooking and Eating
Two of my primary passions are cooking and eating. For me, the passion begins by choosing fresh organic products. I create most of my own recipes based on the plethora of foods in my kitchen or garden. If I have two organic chicken breasts and some fresh onions, cilantro, and organic cheese, then I opt for sizzling fajitas.
The thing about passionate eating is that you have to indulge frequently. Heavenly indulgence occurs by using high quality ingredients, such as organic and responsibly grown foods. They taste better and they’re healthier. Additionally, if you're willing to cook with decadent ingredients, you're likely to savor each bite while eating less. Furthermore, a glass of your favorite wine and a metered helping of a lavish dessert enhance the dining experience.
The balance is found in your overall health. If you nourish your body and mind, then you will stop eating when your body says you are full. Likewise, if you cook with healthy and environmentally friendly ingredients, you will take pride in your culinary masterpieces and will feel good about yourself and the planet. By choosing great eco-friendly ingredients, you will never compromise on life's every day indulgences.
The thing about passionate eating is that you have to indulge frequently. Heavenly indulgence occurs by using high quality ingredients, such as organic and responsibly grown foods. They taste better and they’re healthier. Additionally, if you're willing to cook with decadent ingredients, you're likely to savor each bite while eating less. Furthermore, a glass of your favorite wine and a metered helping of a lavish dessert enhance the dining experience.
The balance is found in your overall health. If you nourish your body and mind, then you will stop eating when your body says you are full. Likewise, if you cook with healthy and environmentally friendly ingredients, you will take pride in your culinary masterpieces and will feel good about yourself and the planet. By choosing great eco-friendly ingredients, you will never compromise on life's every day indulgences.
