Healthy Food for Healthy Living

As Cold and Flu season attempts to invade our life, it is important to consider some very easy ways to stay healthy that doesn't include drugs and shots.  We have tried hard this year to eat more organically grown foods however the budget can make purchasing such foods difficult. 

I found this list via Pearson Chiropractic at mercola.com. 

Of the 43 different fruit and vegetable categories tested by the Environmental Working Group and included in their Shoppers' Guide to Pesticides in Produce, these 12 fruits and vegetables had the highest pesticide load, making them the most important to buy or grow organic:

Peaches


Apples


Sweet bell peppers


Celery


Nectarines


Strawberries


Cherries


Lettuce


Grapes (imported)


Pears


Spinach


Potatoes


In contrast, these foods were found to have the lowest residual pesticide load, making them the safest bet among conventionally grown vegetables:
Broccoli


Eggplant


Cabbage


Banana


Kiwi


Asparagus


Sweet peas (frozen)


Mango


Pineapple


Sweet corn (frozen)


Avocado


Onion


So if you need to work within a certain budget, use this information to help guide you to the best choices when it comes to lowering your overall pesticide exposure.

We live a healthy lifestyle which keeps us out of the doctor's office.  Thanks to good food, plenty of rest, food suppliments and chiropractic care our family doctor doesn't even know we exist.  That's they way I like it.

Happy December 1st!

Better Than An Oreo

I love Oreo cookies but just can't allow myself to eat that stuff.  This week Reagan found something so beautiful at Trader Joe's...Candy Cane Joe-Joe's.  They taste just like pepermint oreos without all the HFCS, bleached flour and hydrogenated oils.  Trader Joe's, I love you and this product is just another reason why.

Making Memories

What are your fontest childhood memories?  My include making homemade taffy, cooking, riding my bike to the pool, going to summer camp, being with my grandma and aunt and playing in the big dirt pile to name just a few.  When I think about the people who made me feel special I remember my Aunt Delma.  Through the years she has remembered special days, sent me letters, taken an interest in the things I care about and most importantly she loves my children and Chris.  The last couple of weeks have been very stressful for my aunt (me too) but I am so blessed to be right here beside her all the way. 

This year our family was able to share Thanksgiving with Aunt Delma.  Just look at her, she really enjoyed her time with us.  I am so thankful to be sharing special moments with this wonderful woman.

Joy In The Little Things

I am so thankful to have children who teach me to find joy in the little things. 

 Fall is my favorite time of year for so many reasons but once in a while I start to dread the winter weather that is sure to follow this beautiful season.  We've had a little taste of cold with some 10 degree temps at night, oh how that brings back ugly memories of last winter.  However, when my youngest says things like, "Mommy, now I can jump in the leaves because the cold made them all fall on the ground," it is difficult to focus on the negative.

Today we are enjoying a day of relaxation.  I am so thankful that God gently reminds me to find joy in the little things too.



Sabbath Living

Do you know people who are over scheduled, over committed and just barely hanging on by a thread?  Well if you know us, then you do.  We aren't always like that but it is so easy to over commit, even when everything on the calendar is a good thing, it can be too much.

Today we heard a great message on the Sabbath.  Pastor Mark didn't pull out all the laws or try to make everyone feel guilty, no he told us about the gift God gave us in the form of a day of rest each week.  It doesn't have to be Sunday, it doesn't have to be Saturday.  It does need to be about God, family, friends and rest for 24 hours.  Chris and I have not been good about this command and we are excited to start living a life that teaches our children God wants us to rest.

I just had to capture this image of Chris as we were enjoying some quiet time in the living room. I am so thankful for God's gift of rest.

Thankfully Tugged

I know I have blogged about Random Acts of Kindness in the past, infact I have a list of 25 Random Facts on my facebook page that also comments on my love for RAK.  There are many things that make the "world go 'round", I believe one of them is the practice of RAK.  Just a simple note, hug, gift or kind word can change a person's entire day and when passed on to the next person the simple act is multiplied.  There are certainly people who are not Christians who partake in this practice however I know it is God who tugs at my heart when I suddenly decide to pay for a stranger's cup of coffee or offer to pray for a guy's wife in the elevator at the hospital.  Every time I listen to that tug, I am grateful that I have a personal relationship with a Savior who cares about people so much that He knows it's the small details like a hug that can change the world.

The last two weeks have been not only physically exhausting but mentally draining as well.  Each and every day I have tried to find a silver lining, some days are easier than others.  A few days ago a friend from several years ago surprised me with a RAK in the form of a Barnes and Noble gift card.  How cool is that?  This was a complete unexpected surprise...just what the doctor ordered.

I am thankful for precious people who listen to that tug from God

Get Moving

The last week has been exciting, exhausting and un-explainable.  Seeing a loved one begin to fail is difficult, no matter if it is their health, wealth, faith or something else.  For as long as I can remember I have had a close relationship with my Aunt Delma, so it is not at all surprising that I would step in when she needed help.  I feel blessed to have her moving close to us however the process has been very involved.  The people in the picture above gave of themselves and had nothing to gain.  I am so thankful for Aunt Helen, Ryan-Dean, Marianne, Rachel and my very hard working hubby who missed his birthday to help my aunt relocate.

Certainly, it is Christ who compels us to offer love to others.  Not because we are good or they deserve it but because HE loved us first.  I serve a great God!

Conan O'Brien

Yes, I am thankful for that tall red headed guy, Conan.  Tonight is his first show since the big NBC debacle.  This guy makes me laugh!!

Short post tonight cuz Conan just started...

Naturally Thankful

There is so much joy to be found in the great outdoors.  Several years ago I bought some beautiful red mums from Sam's Club and I am still enjoying their beauty.  These incredible plants return every June and by October I have stunning red blossoms in my front yard.  Love it.  Love it. Love it.

It's not just my red mums that bring me joy and amazement.  I am in awe of the variety God created in plant life.  Some of it provides food, some of it provides clothing (think Adam and Eve in the garden.  :) ) and some of it is just for our enjoyment.  Thank you Lord God for your beautiful creation.  Could this really happen by chance?  No, I think not!  I am so thankful for the beauty found in nature every day.

Love Me Some HUsKeR Football

It is Game Day in the great state of Nebraska.  The Huskers will match up against the Iowa Cyclones.  There's nothing I would love more than a replay of last weeks first quarter...let's beat ISU and do it big time!

It's not so much that I am thanful for Nebraska football as much as I am thankful for the tickets we get every year.  Chris' grandfather purchased 4 tickets about 55-60 years ago, the family still has those same 4 seats.  Every game at Memorial Stadium is like a reunion.  Everyone around us knows us, remembers grandpa and inquires about the family.  Tickets are (in my opinion) extremely expensive at $54 per seat.  GEESH!  Then add on the donation at the beginning of the season, it's a big investment for Nana and Papa.  This year I have been to 2 games, Chris has gone to 2 games and Emma just attended her first ever UNL Husker football game.  Thank you Nana and Papa for being so generous with our family.

Thankfully Clean

I love to vacuum!  It's not really a fetish or anything weird like that but I get a joyful rush when I see those clean lines in my carpet.  The sound of dirt, rocks and filth being sucked up into my Dyson almost makes me giddy.  Probably 4 or 5 years ago I was in Omaha shopping for a Dyson.  I don't make purchases like this on a whim, it was well researched.  Chris and I had saved up, I had found the best possible deal and I went into Kohl's, coupon in hand, ready to make a purchase.  A very special person was with me that day and when I checked out, she whipped out the cash to pay for this machine.  I had no idea she was going to do that, I know I dropped a tear or two.  What a blessing K & R were to us that day.  Every time I use my Dyson (at least twice a week) I think of them and hope to pass that kind of blessing on to someone else one day.

I am thankful for my Dyson!

So Thankful

I grew up in a family that attended church almost every Sunday.  As a child I was proud of my near to perfect Sunday school attendance record.  I sang in the choir, learned my bible verses (usually cheated with the help of my partner in crime Abbey), was baptized and went through confirmation in middle school however it wasn't until I was married and living in Arizona that I learned what a relationship with Christ looked like.  Our new church was intentional about 1. Winning People to Christ 2. Training People 3. Sending Disciples out to spread the Gospel.  Chris and I began to realize that if we wanted to tell others about our Loving Creator we really needed to understand the love letter He gave us...the bible.

After years of bible studies I know I have grown closer to the Lord.  It's my prayer that I will never take my faith for granted and will always have a thirst to know more.  My greatest desire is to be more like Jesus, our King and Savior.  I want to see others as He sees them.  I want to love others as He loves them.

Thank you God for sending your perfect Son to live amongst us and while we were still sinners die for us so that we will one day live eternally with our Father in Heaven.

Attitude of Gratitude

As we enter the month of November, we naturally start talking about being Thankful. 

This month I will be posting pictures of things I am thankful for.

My beautiful family certainly deserves an early vote.

Halloween

(edited 11/01/10)

Dinner with some great friends and then we sat around the firepit drinking hot cider.

Our great crew of kiddos trick or treating and the Moms and Dads didn't even have to walk with them.

White puking pumpkin

Dragon Pumpkin...in honor of Auntie Angie

Cannibal Pumpkin

Cute kitty cat Pumpkin

Happy Ghost Pumpkin

I'm not really a very big fan of Halloween but the family carving party is pretty fun.  Chris is really the expert!



PUMPKIN PRAYER:

Dear Jesus, as I carve my pumpkin, help me pray this prayer:

Open my mind so I can learn about You; 

(cut the top off the pumpkin)

Take all my sin and forgive the wrong that I do.

(clean out the inside)

Open my eyes so Your love I will see;

(cut eyes)

I'm sorry for the times I'ce turned up my nose at what You've given to me.

(cut a nose)

Open my ears so Your Word i will hear;

(cut ears)

Open my mouth to tell others You're near.

(cut the mouth)

Let Your light shine in all I say and do!  Amen.

(Place a candle inside and light)

Change is Good

Life is ever changing and isn't that a good thing?
Just about the time I think it's getting easy I have a surprise.
In case it wasn't obvious in my writing,
fall 2010 was a little over whelming for the Raabes.
The most stressful part wasn't even blogged.

It's post high school softball season so
Chris has started writing again
and we are working on marketing for the book.
Change is Good

Comets soccer has ended as well as Sizzle softball
so I am working on year end parties and fund raising.
Reagan is talking about what sport she can play next.
Change is Good

Dance never ends!
Ok, so that doesn't change.

Scrapbooking has become a thing of the past
My poor client is going to fire me if she doesn't
get something fabulous in the mail SOON.
The worst of it all....
I've had TWO scrap weekends cancelled.
Change would be good.

So you might think that I have some time to myself.
Well...

My aunt is moving from Kansas
to a townhome in my neighborhood.
This is no small feat. 
I have found an assisted living facility
which she refuses to live in.
I have found a townhome
that hopefully meets her needs.
I have secured movers, trucks and boxes.
I have talked to doctors, attorneys, accounts and finance managers.
I have signed paper work.
I have made decisions that I didn't know I was qualified to make.
This is no small feat!
Change is Good.

Today I shifted gears to a loved one in the hospital
Healing can begin but only with change of lifestyle.
Change is Good.

Not that life should be easy or boring
Life is not static, it's ever changing
Thank you God for a life that shapes me and molds me
into something I never knew I could be.

Date with My Daughter

Emma and I really needed a fun night out. 

We laughed

We ate cookies

We took lots of pictures

We even saw a "private" moment between 2 llamas.  (yikes)

Emma and SL

cello performers

Michelle and Melanie

Some of my favorite things...

my daughter

fall

pumpkin patch

hot drinks

friends

We were pleasantly surprised to run into our friends,

certainly a topper to an already great evening!

New Pictures

Sorry friends, these are quick snapshots of pictures we had taken this week of my beautiful daughters.  Please excuse the blurry dark condition of these photos.

Let me start by saying we went in to get a black and white picture of Chris and Reagan to complete my wall of pictures in the living room and a large picture of the girls for the family room.  Here's the problem, the lady tricked me...she took too many great pictures of the 3 subjects that I am a sucker for...my girls. 

seriously...LOVE this picture.  18x28

it's going to look amazing on my wall.

This one is going on Chris' desk.

There are also pictures for the grandmas but I can't show them here, they have to wait until christmas.

LoVe GrEeTiNG CarDs

Lately I have displayed a lack of ability to mail off cards in a timely matter so it is to my great surprise to open my mailbox and find birthday cards BEFORE my special day.  Reading greeting cards is something I really enjoy, so much that I sometimes hang out in the card store reading and laughing.  

  The card I got from my mom-in-law today was perfect for me.

Linda knows I blog and look to see who has visited and who has left a comment.  BTW, not many comments lately.  :)

Tonight I have a house full of kiddos playing Rock Band.  Tomorrow you will find me at the soccer fields watching Reagan in her final soccer tourne of the fall season.  I am hoping for a yummy carrot cake when we get home.  Maybe Chris will even remember candles but just a few.  (38 candles may be unsafe.)

U-G-L-Y

Nothing like a Saturday afternoon in Memorial Stadium, the 3rd largest city in Nebraska on game day!  As far as today's game, I hope there really is never anything like it again.  It was one of the ugliest football games I have attended in YEARS!  Not only did Nebraska play poorly but they were out coached.  The officials were not the greatest but honestly when you drop 3 touch down passes, who cares how bad the refs were.  The family was going to sell the 4 seats for this game which would have paid for the whole years worth of football tickets, looking back I think that would have been a good idea.  :)  Actually, I still had a great time..I just love college football.  The best play of the day came in the 4th quarter when we had a 95 yard return for a touchdown.  I was hopeful that play would jumpstart our team, no such luck. 

A huge thank you to my father-in-law for staying home with my hubby and daughters to watch the game from the couch so I could take in the game day atmosphere again.  I love you guys...and not just for your season tickets.  :)

The Year Was 1997

I am refering to the last time I shopped for apartments, until today.  The girls and I hit the road looking for new living arrangements for my dear aunt who will be moving to Omaha in the next few months.  Believe it or not, the ammenities I looked for in 1997 were much different from what my aunt needs in 2010.

Even though the girls were not overly excited to listen to the leasing agent and me chat about square footage, monthly rent, garages, bathrooms and mailboxes but they did enjoy discussing our findings at the end of the day. 

I'm not sure that I will be making the final decision about where or when Aunt Delma moves to Nebraska but it is a pleasure to do some of the foot work to get her here.