Baby Steps....

Just a few days shy of her 10 month birthday, Celeste took her first steps!  It's been such a site to see the determination and effort she puts forth as she has started walking.  What was her determination for her first step?  She wanted to reach her daddy's 'snack pack', and she was going to do whatever she could to get to it!

Lessons I have learned thus far from raising Celeste have been some of the most invaluable experiences of my life. 

The important lesson she recently taught me is when attempting to accomplish a goal that I may have never achieved before, I must go about it slowly and carefully by taking baby steps.

...Until Eating Disorders are History...

"It's time to talk about it".  National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is February 20th-26th.

Here are the facts:

-As many as 10 million girls and women and 1 million boys and men are battling eating disorders including anorexia and bulimia, while millions more suffer from binge eating disorder.  These numbers only represent a portion of those affected.

-42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner.  And 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat.

-25% of American men and 45% of American women are on a diet on any given day.

-More than one in three "normal dieters" progresses to pathological dieting.  Of those, 20-25% progress to partial or full-syndrome eating disorders.

-Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.

-At least 50,000 individuals will die as a direct result of their eating disorder.

(www.myneda.org)

As one who has experienced the devastation of living with an eating disorder first-hand as well as the journey of healing and recovery, I can say for a fact that there is hope.  Especially with a young daughter, it is my hope and prayer that she will grow up feeling proud of herself, her body and everything it enables her to do.  I hope that she will always be at peace within herself and confident in her uniqueness and all the things unrelated to size or weight that make her exceptional and beautiful.  I hope my own life is always a reflection of healthy self-esteem, positive body image, and self-appreciation & worth to her. 

The truth about Eating Disorders is heartbreaking, but the hope of recovery is promising and encouraging.

Check out this link for tips on how to teach children to eat well and feel good about themselves.  With statics revealing the startling young age that children are beginning to develop eating disordered patterns, it's never to early to begin prevention.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/nedaDir/files/documents/handouts/TipsKids.pdf

If you or anyone you know is struggling with an Eating Disorder, don't be afraid to reach out for help!  There is HOPE!

Prevention begins with awareness.
http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/index.php

Farmer's Market Fun

Vegetables.  They get such a bad rap sometimes.  They're often treated as a chore, or worse yet, a punishment.  More commonly describe as "bland" or "bitter" or simply the, "Oh no thank you, I'll pass on that" dish at the table, vegetables are often the afterthought of a meal and grossly underestimated.

So, my own challenge has become this: How can I introduce a variety of vegetables to our almost one-year old in  a way that won't traumatize her palate or discourage her from becoming a veggie lover?

I'm a firm believer that the earlier you start kids off in life with introducing the world of vegetables, the more apt they'll be to trying them and actually enjoying them! 

What better place to start than your local farmer's market? 

We headed there this past week to choose from the local fare.  Though I know Celeste is still to young to understand, I hope to introduce her to seasonal, local eating and teach her about nutrition with a spirit of curiosity and adventurousness, rather than skepticism.

Right as we turned the corner, I laid eyes on the most lovely bunches of Rainbow Swiss Chard I have ever seen.  Though Chard may be sneered upon for its astringent taste, there are increasing studies which reveal its unsurpassed health benefits such as a blood sugar stabilizer, supporter of bone health, and anti-inflammatory benefits...not to mention a rich source of antioxidants!  Yeah baby!  We definitely picked up a bunch to cook at home.

So we have this vegetable...now what to do with it?  It's actually a lot less complicated than one might think.  Simply chop the leaves into inch-wide strips (discarding the toughest end parts of the stalks, saute in a pan with olive oil, garlic, and a pinch of red-pepper flakes, cover and cook for about 5 minutes!

 I finished it with salt and pepper to taste and a small amount of butter. Delicious!  But the true verdict was up to a pint-sized eater, who was about to taste chard for the first time....
And she....

....ate it willingly and seemingly enjoyed it!  Seriously though...no forcing was involved!

Hopefully I can keep introducing new veggies to her evolving taste buds.  Maybe next time it'll be parsnips?

Creation, Is, Beautiful,

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."
Job 12:7‑10

For My Love...

One day I wrote his name upon the strand,
But came the waves and washèd it away:
Again I wrote it with a second hand,
But came the tide and made my pains his prey.
Vain woman (said he) that dost in vain assay
A mortal thing so to immortalise;
For I myself shall like to this decay,
And eke my name be wipèd out likewise.
Not so (quod I); let baser things devise
To die in dust, but you shall live by fame;
My verse your virtues rare shall eternise,
And in the heavens write your glorious name:
Where, when as Death shall all the world subdue,
Our love shall live, and later life renew.

9 months of Sunshine

I never knew how much joy a tiny little person would bring me...my life is overwhelmed with it.  Consequently, I was never prepared either for how much faster life seems to pass by with a little one.  Celeste turned 9 months old on Saturday, and I hardly know where the time has gone.

We had to celebrate the day right!  So we took C for her first swing ride at the park.  Although she's been to the beach before, she's never been in the water...so we had to dip her little toes in the ocean as well.

       C's first swing ride at the La Jolla Shores Park!

                                  I think she liked it!
She loved just sitting in the grass, chewing on leaves and sticks, and watching the other kids play.

Though she was a bit startled by the chilly ocean water, we're bound to return when it gets warmer!  Of course, she had to leave her mark before we left:

I'm so thankful for my precious daughter and have cherished every day with her these past 9 months. 

I'm Back!!!

Almost 9 months after my last post, I've decided to pick up blogging again!  This past year has definitely been a whirlwind, especially since Celeste has been born, but I'm so grateful for all we've been blessed with in the past few months.

On April 29th, Celeste was born and has brought our lives endless joy.  And she is growing up SO quickly...too quickly!  Today, she's on her way to walking, babbles, smiles, and squeals constantly, and is always exploring something.  From the kitchen drawers to under the beds, she's leaving no corner untouched.  We are so grateful for her health and for the incredible blessing she has been in our lives!

                              Celeste at 2 weeks old

                                 Celeste at 8 months

On August 29th, Scott and I celebrated our 2nd anniversary!  I couldn't be more thankful to have such a wonderful husband, who has been an amazing father to Celeste and provider for our family.  Parenthood has definitely been a big change in our lives, and there's no way I could do it without his constant love, support, and understanding.

                    Scott and I on our 2 year anniversary

Also at the end of August, we had the opportunity to move into our new home!  We are eternally grateful to our family and friends who helped make it possible!

                                       Home Sweet Home

                                       Move In Day

We started out the New Year with a Wedding!  We had the honor of sharing in my sister's wedding!  It was such a joy to partake in the celebration of their love and new lives together.  Congratulations again Nadia and Jason! 

                                The Beautiful Couple!

Reflecting back on this year leaves me completely in gratitude for all the ways my life has been blessed.  As always, we're thankful for our family and friends that have been a part of our lives and who have shared in our memories and experiences!

Here's to 2011 and hopefully, more blogging!

Until next time...