Thrive on the Things that Matter

Recently, as we went through the process to get Dave discharged from the hospital, the nurse looked at us and said, “They are recommending an OTC drug. I highly recommend you research it before you decide if you should take it.”

I smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I already have, but I really appreciate you saying something.”

It was a glimmer of hope in what had been a mostly frustrating experience with the medical personnel, and it sparked a fabulous conversation. During it, the nurse said something that has sat in my mind and on my heart for over a week. The words were, “A few years ago, I decided no matter what, I was going to make sure people had all the facts and could make an informed decision. I’m willing to risk the repercussions of that because people deserve the truth. Not everyone will be thankful for it, but I know I’ve done what I could to help.”

His straightforward honesty had a huge impact on me. I know fully well that I have become quieter and quieter over the past four years. Oh, I share one on one with a small group of friends, and I’m occasionally no-holds-barred on Twitter. But when it comes to most in-person gatherings, Facebook, or Instagram, I haven’t been sharing my whole authentic self (what I share is real, and not just the good stuff because that’s how I roll, but there is plenty I’ve kept under wraps.) That changes today because, just like the nurse, I believe people deserve the facts, even if they aren’t ready for them.

Oh, and I know it is hospital food, but really, eggshell in my salad did not help that situation.

A statin. I already knew going in I would encourage my husband to say “no, thank you” if this was pushed. This is a perfect example of having to be your own advocate and knowing how to dig for answers. Doctors prescribe statins every day, and Google will automatically tell you there are no links to mineral deficiencies or dementia. HOWEVER, if you research “myelin sheath”, even that search engine will immediately tell you cholesterol is needed for production of myelin, which protects brain cells and their functions. Statins also cause a CoQ10 deficiency, which the heart needs to function properly.

There are other serious side effects, but I don’t want you to take my word for it. Do a little digging around places like pubmed or nih, searching for statins in conjunction with minerals, the myelin sheath, neuropathy, MS, and more. And I’m certainly not telling you which decision to make. I simply want you to have all the information before you do.

It was a spring day in 1997, and I was sitting at the dining room table in my sorority house, having lunch with about ten sisters. Several of us had come from a history class, and the conversation had spilled over. I don’t remember exactly how we got there, but I very vividly remember the sister who stated, “You can’t be a feminist if you don’t work outside of the home.”

I had a visceral reaction to this statement. I knew right away that I didn’t agree with it, but I was watching as almost everyone around me nodded their heads in agreement or made statements of affirmation. Lunch was wrapping up, and I decided not to speak at that moment because I was still formulating my thoughts.

You see, even as a 20 year old, I believed feminism should be about women choosing what was best for their family, whether that was the mother staying at home or working outside of it. And that week, I decided I never wanted to be referred to as a feminist if that meant criticizing women for wanting to raise their children or even having children, for that matter.

My mother is an intelligent and talented woman. When I was little, she worked in the medical field, and I stayed with either family or sitters. When my sister was born, she chose to stay at home with us. Then, when I was in 7th grade, she went back to school to finish her master’s and went to work full time. She loved her work, and she loved us, and I watched and learned as she and my father juggled two working schedules and two kids who needed different levels of involvement and care.

Fast forward to my husband and I starting a family. I was pregnant with our oldest while studying for my doctoral comprehensives. The university was a two hour commute from where we lived, and my due date fell during the week of orals, so I had to get special permission to move them up one week. My research year followed, so I was home with her, but then I was required to teach two days a week, plus office hours. So I packed my 18 month old up in the car (did I mention I had a two hour commute both ways??), and thankfully, my parents would drive one hour from the other direction, take her while I taught, and then we would spend the night in my childhood home. The next day, we would drive three hours back home so we could both sleep in our own beds.

I realized two things: I very much wanted to stay at home with our child and any future children AND I was tired of teaching other people’s kids, even if they were technically adults. So I stayed at home with her, and our son … and then my husband lost his job when our second child was only 6 months old.

He immediately took on three jobs to make ends meet. I am still in awe of all he was willing to do to keep me at home with him. Meanwhile, I did everything I could to contribute, from couponing to consignment sales, working weekends and selling at farmer’s markets. My parents were also a huge source of support. Looking back, while I wouldn’t wish those times on anyone, we grew so much and even in times of drought, our children benefited from having me home.

A few years later, we added baby #3. I’m still at home, and we added homeschooling to the mix. I learned about affiliate marketing, MLM’s, and creating programs from my strengths. Do I fit the current definition of feminism? Absolutely not, and I wear that as a badge of honor. I don’t want to be part of a group of women who constantly criticize other women. Now, if you are someone helping to redefine things, and you believe a feminist is someone who supports women staying at home, working from home, working outside the home, being an entrepreneur, or a combo of all of the above … I adore you, and feel free to call me whatever you like.

This simple recipe is a hit at every party!  People actually requests that I make it for every event I'm in charge of ... really, it's THAT good! You can print the recipe here.

Don't have the Lemon Vitality?  I've got you covered!   Lemon Vitality

I absolutely love to entertain, from a small group of friends who don't mind a cluttered house to a group of 250 homeschoolers for a dance.  What do those have in common?  I often have too many things on my "to-do" list, and this simple recipe definitely takes the pressure off.  Try it out, and then let me know what you think! 

 It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the plethora of information available and have trouble deciding where to start. Don't worry! This blog post will guide you through the essentials of homeschooling, breaking it down into easily manageable steps. Let's embark on this exciting journey together.  If you are like me and love a good printable checklist, I've included one for you here.

I've seen it time and time again.  Parents get excited about the idea of homeschooling, they jump into Facebook groups and start asking questions, and mostly well-meaning people sometimes give them bad info.  Before you ever start, you need to read the homeschool laws for your specific state.  Those laws can vary widely, with some states having little to no regulation, while others require documentation and regular assessments.  If you are uncertain where to find the laws for your state, HSLDA has a complete list. 

Once you understand the legal aspects, it is time to decide what you want your child's education to look like and which materials suit each child's learning style.  Do you prefer a more traditional, structured approach, or a child-centered, flexible methodology?  The beauty of homeschooling is its adaptability to your child's unique needs and interests. So, choose a curriculum that aligns with your educational philosophy and your child's learning style.  Cathy Duffy's Top 101 Picks is a valuable source for this, and a copy can also usually be found at your local library. 

.I hear you - I used to have a hard time accepting this, too, especially if it was an expensive one.  Take it from someone who learned the hard way:  it is NOT worth taking away from your child's love of learning, or even worse, damaging your relationship to finish out a curriculum that clearly isn't working.  The ultimate goal is your child's learning and development, and if a particular curriculum isn't facilitating that, it's okay to let it go. Remember, educational needs can change, and adapting to those changes is part of the homeschooling process.

In the beginning, you may get this question quite a bit.  Some of those asking will be friends and family, but pre-2020, I found the most curious people to be those in the grocery store who simply could not comprehend why children would be out of school at 10AM on a Tuesday.  Usually, the only folks concerned about socialization are those who have never spent time around a homeschooler. There is a myriad of opportunities for social interaction, and more importantly, these are usually with various age groups, races, economic backgrounds, etc.  You know, in short, more like real life than a 5th grade classroom. 

Here's the reality:  homeschoolers actually have to turn down social opportunities to fit academics in.  Your child can have meaningful interactions with a wide variety of people through service opportunities, church, sports, music, homeschool co-ops, 4H, Scouting, internships, employment, and more. 

Okay, this one may sound silly, but it's really simply a reminder to embrace the flexibility that comes along with homeschooling.  Explore museums, parks, and historical sites at your own pace, and make the world your classroom.  There are many places that offer homeschool days and discounts while public school is in session.  Don't see a date that meets your needs?  Ask the business or organization!  You'll be amazed how many are willing to work with you.

Homeschooling is a wonderful opportunity for teaching life skills and turning everyday activities into fun learning experiences. These moments of joy and discovery will create lasting memories and foster a love of learning in your child.  Bonus is that if you teach them to cook, they will have taken over dinner duties before you know it, occasionally giving you the evening off.

This can be a tough one, even if you understand it going in.  You see, there will be people you love who don't "get it."  For me, I knew my usually tidy house was going to take a backseat as home became the classroom, the library, the cafeteria, the theatre, and more.  I was okay with that, and some family members were decidedly not.  Another aspect can be financial challenges, especially if one parent is moving from a full time job to staying at home.  As long as you are aware of these changes before you start, they don't have to be a complication.

Finally, remember that there will be tough days. Homeschooling can be challenging, and it's okay to feel overwhelmed at times. But these moments don't mean you have failed. Instead, they're opportunities to learn, grow, and adapt. 

This educational choice is a rewarding journey of discovery, learning, and growth. It's not always easy, but the beauty of it lies in its adaptability and the opportunity to nurture your child's unique potential. So, take the plunge, embrace the challenges, and celebrate the joys of homeschooling!

If you're looking for a tasty, versatile recipe that can be enjoyed in different ways, look no further than this Instant Pot Carnitas recipe. With just a few simple ingredients and the magic of the Instant Pot, you can create delicious and tender pork carnitas that can be served as tacos, nachos, or a burrito bowl. Here's how it's done:

Ingredients:

- 4-5 lbs pork loin, cut into chunks (excess fat trimmed off)

- olive oil

- salt and pepper as seasoning for pork chunks

For Mojo Sauce:

- 1 cup beer OR chicken stock

- 1 head of garlic. peeled and minced

- 1/2 cup fresh orange juice

- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (or 3 drops of lime vitality)

- 1 tsp dried oregano

- 1 tsp ground cumin

- 1 tsp fine sea salt

- 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Sprinkle both sides of pork chunks with salt and pepper.  Add olive oil to Instant Pot ( enough to fully cover the bottom) and select Saute.  Once hot, add 1/3-1/2 off the pork (whatever will fit without overlapping), and brown on all sides.  Repeat until all pork is browned, removing  to a clean plate as you go.  You may need to add more olive oil for last batch.  Turn off heat when done. 

2. While pork chunks are cooking, whisk together all ingredients for mojo sauce. 

3. Add all pork and sauce back to Instant Pot, stirring to combine. Close lid and set vent to sealing.  Cook on Manual for 30 minutes, following with natural release (will take 15-20 minutes.)

4. Set oven on broil.

5. Remove lid from Instant Pot.  Using slotted spoon, transfer pork to rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Shred pork using two forks, then pur about 1/3 of sauce over meat, tossing to combine.  Broil for about 5 minutes until the edges of the pork start becoming crispy.  Remove from oven, pour a second third of juices over pork, toss to combine, then broil again.  Repeat a third time and meat will be ready. 

6. Now comes the fun part where you get to choose your toppings and serving style of choice!  Here are some of our family faves:

Tacos:  corn tortillas with carnitas, guacamole, cojita cheese, cilantro, and salsa verde

Nachos:  favorite chips with carnitas, queso, cojita cheese, cilantro, sliced cherry tomatoes, and salsa verde

Burrito Bowl:  carnitas, Spanish yellow rice, black beans, cojita cheese, and cilantro

Make it your own and let me know what you used for toppings!

This Instant Pot Carnitas recipe is a great option for busy weeknights when you need something quick, tasty, and versatile. Plus, it's a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy, whether they're eating tacos, nachos, or burrito bowls. Give it a try and see how delicious and easy it is to make!