Wahi Malie

Kettlebells!

2012-02-06T12:44:00.003-07:00

This last year, I have lost 30 lbs through diet and exercise. It's been a long year but a rewarding one. I feel great. I want to feel even better.

Summer is on its way and I want to keep up with my family. Especially my boys. This means I need to get in better shape. I may have lost the weight but now it's time to tone up what is left.

I have been interested in Kettlebells for awhile but don't enjoy the big class settings. Did some research online and found a great little studio in my hometown, not too far of a drive. Before I could talk myself out of it, I made sure to show up to the class at 9:30 a. No ands, ifs or buts.

The people were wonderful, their stories inspiring. The owner definitely knows her stuff. Between the exercises and conversation the hour long class flew by!

An hour of Kettlebells and I'm jell-o. A gal in class told me Kettlebells can be addictive. After only one class, I see what she means. I'm looking forward to my Wednesday class even though I'm pretty sure I will be very sore!

I'm so grateful for healthy addictions.

If you are in the Nampa area, check out FitnessXpressions at www.fitnessxpressions.com.

Maybe I will see you there?

Time to Revamp

2012-02-06T12:35:00.002-07:00

A good friend had a great idea! She advised me to start blogging my journey as a Health Coach. I've been thinking about it since our lunch date last week. But...what would I blog about exactly?

During the week, I receive emails from people I coach. They ask really good questions. Sometimes I have to go searching for the answer. It dawned on me this would be a great thing to add to my blog. My clients can't be the only ones asking these questions.

Other blog posts would include what I'm learning. I am currently studying to become a certified Health Coach with Take Shape for Life.

I will post what I'm learning but also answer all these great questions that are coming my way.

Got a question? Please send them my way!

Vaun

Eeeps!

2011-03-12T20:34:00.005-07:00

Looks like another year has passed. Oops, my bad.

I've taken up couponing. Actually, I'm rather hooked on it. I enjoy the thrill of how little I spend on how much I bring home. I have often wondered if I should return to work, perhaps part-time to contribute to our family. When my youngest was still home, I often thought I could never stay home by myself. What ever would I do with myself? Turns out there is still plenty to do, it's just a little easier now without potty breaks, macaroni and cheese requests, nap time, etc.

I've also discovered that through couponing, I make money by saving money. My job is saving money and stretching our everyday dollar. By the time I would pay for a work wardrobe, gas money, car maintenance, lunch, etc... I would be spending more than I would probably bring home. All that energy - life energy (which you can never get back), would be going towards someone else's dream.

By contributing to my family in this way, I am investing my time, energy and efforts in MY dream, which is my family. I am much more motivated putting all this hard work into my family versus someone else's business.

After all, this is my business, my investment, my life. This is what I do. I love it!

So again, I am going to post the every day things I have been doing and learning. Projects that excite and motivate me and things I am able to do to support my family, my marriage and prepare my kids. They are growing up fast...

I like that life mission plan much more than any competitors out there!

Why the Heck Not?

2010-02-01T12:35:00.004-07:00

Time sure passes quickly if you are trying to come up for topics for blogs. So my next posts will reflect all the things I am learning. I love to read and listen to podcasts. I pick up so many daily tips and ideas. It's a wealth of information. So I am focusing on health, personal finances, teenagers, kids with special needs and your basic domestic bliss.

Podcasts I am listening to are Vicky and Jen (of course), Kitchen Savers (wonderful podcast, wish they hadn't stopped), and Once a Month Mom. There are many others but I would like to share the ones I listen to the most.

My resolutions have begun in February not January. Although some are carrying over. Such as...January I went soda and caffeine free. February I am working on minimizing artificial sweeteners (the stuff is in everything!), and salt.

What goals are you working on this month? As the cliche saying goes, "Is this your year?" If not,...why the heck not?

2009-08-05T23:31:00.001-06:00

Still testing this feature...

2009-05-13T11:42:00.001-06:00

Testing "BLOGGR on the Go!"

New Cookbooks I'm "Eating Up!"

2009-05-13T11:11:00.000-06:00

Eating Clean by Tosca Reno:
I took most of these books out of the library and loved them so much, I ordered my own copy on Amazon.... (gotta love Amazon).

Hungry Girl/Lisa Lillien:
Lisa now has 2 books out and I'm loving them both. Again, bought them on Amazon!

Have you checked out your local library lately. My favorite feature is going online and putting books on hold. I simply walk in the library, pick my books up at the hold shelf, get in line and I'm outta there...with kids in tow!

Part 2: It's Been Awhile

2009-02-10T16:27:00.000-07:00

Continuing with some "Must Check Out" podcasts are: Cooking with Moms, the Ensign Podcast, General Conference Podcast, New BYU Speeches, Stuff You Missed in History Class and Whit's Favorite LDS Talks. Download an episode or two and see what you think...

Most of these podcasts have great websites filled with tips, ideas and endless resources.

The rest fall under Miscellaneous....things I've been picking up here and there and entering in my Blackberry to follow up on later...

Ideas for Birthdays: Few Websites
www.birthdayswithoutpressure.org
www.birthdaysforcharity.org
www.donateyourbirthday.org

My oldest is having a birthday party here soon and in lieu of gifts, we decided to have a book exchange. Each guest was invited to bring a book from their own personal collection that they are tired of but think someone else may enjoy reading. The books are wrapped and we are going to play a game similar to the classic white elephant gift, making sure each child goes home with something they would like to read.

Birthday presents...to have or not...is a hot topic. We feel the birthday party itself, the time with friends is a present. My kids don't need anymore plastic in their toyboxes.

A fun idea I did hear for when the child receives a gift is to take a picture of the child and the gift giver. Using the photo, create a thank you card.

Trouble remembering birthdays? Try www.birthdayalarm.com

Again under the heading, "Miscellaneous"...some thoughts:

Reflect not regret...

Explore your musical side (if you feel you haven't one)...play the black keys only on a piano or keyboard.

Will my life be a success by my definition?

How to find out your passion? One clue is to think about what everyone is always asking your advice or expertise on....

This is such an odd post...I know, but thought I would share.

It's Been Awhile

2009-02-10T14:48:00.000-07:00

Can't believe it has been so long since I've posted... Today I just wanted to post a few of my favorite things...books, podcasts, websites, products, etc.

I have taken on my fitness this year and am excited to get some results. I was blessed to find a personal trainer around the corner who doesn't let me off the hook with my work outs and I always am sore...a good sign. I'm excited and motivated...most of the time.

I am excited for the FITBIT to come out which it should in the next two months. If you've ever heard of the Body Bugg or use a pedometer, you gotta check it out. Fitbit has a blog and a website. My husband preordered me one for Christmas and I am waiting anxiously... I think it will be a great health and fitness aid. It's a pedometer that tracks steps, your sleep, how many times you wake up during the night, how long it takes you to fall asleep and is wireless. When you come within so many feet of your computer it downloads your progress. It's reasonably priced and has a website with logs, reports, etc. I'm sure my description isn't doing it justice. Check it out.

Bought a fitbook to help me in the meantime. Check out http://www.getfitbook.com/.

Favorite podcasts...still loving What Matters Most (vickyandjen.com), but also love Tranquility du Jour or once called Hip Tranquil Chick... Another podcast I'm currently enjoying is the Mormon Potluck. Simply visit itunes for free downloads of most podcasts. You don't need an iPod but can simply download and listen to it on your computer.

I've got to get to my chauffeur duties but will finish this blog update later this evening! Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Staying in Balance as a Mom

2008-11-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

Finding the Balance between Parenting and Household Management for the Recovering Perfectionist: Random Thoughts & Quotes

“Learn to cherish the “doing” rather than the “getting it done”.

“People before Things”

Make everyday life a participatory family oriented event.

Make breakfast for your family in the mornings.

Read to your kids.

Spend dinner together; eat together as often as possible.

Volunteer in their classrooms. Get to know their teachers and friends.

Help with their homework.

Have kids help with dinner.

Talk to each kid at bedtime. Check in with them and their day.

Find out what your kids interests are.

Dedicate 30 minutes after dinner to family time.

Schedule one Saturday as family day.

Bake cookies with the kids.

Give them your utmost attention when they are talking to you.

Let it go… your home will never be immaculate… just remember a family lives here.

Let the kids help…whatever you are doing.

Let go of the need to have to control everything.

Author Anna Quindlen, “The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less” (Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).

Take advantage of the times they are naturally absorbed in something and try to sneak off and get some things done.

Keep a box of not-seen-very-often toys and get it out when you need time for a phone call or a task.

Progress Not Perfection

The lists shouldn’t rule your life.

Keep a fun box” in our house. Fun Box can have play dough, glow sticks, bubbles, crayons, finger paints - anything novel (and inexpensive) and looks like fun.

Don’t make excuses…just do it.

Workplace vs the Homefront

2008-11-10T15:58:00.000-07:00

This thought has taken on a life of it's own.
What if being a stay at home mom was a career (at least more recognized as one than it is...?)

In the workplace I would:

1. Arrive on time each day
2. Take care with regards to clothing and my physical appearance.
3. Be responsible with petty cash and budgeting.
4. Make cost reduction a priority.
5. Monitor activities especially time spent on the computer.
6. Make and keep appointments as well as meet deadlines.
7. Keep workplace and space organized and efficient.
8. Eat at regular, scheduled times.
9. Treat coworkers, boss/partner with respect and consideration.
10. Implement and maintain a routine or schedule.
11. Retire to bed each evening at a decent hour.
12. Participate in monthly performance reviews re: improvement.
13. Attend and participate in continuing education programs.
14. Be punctual and respect other people's time.
15. Maintain a positive, helpful attitude.
16. Provide quality service at all times regardless of how menial.
17. Perform all duties as assigned.
18. Enjoy your time at work!

On the Homefront:

1. Wake up early at a regular time each morning.
2. Avoid the housewife frump look.
3. Be responsible with my money and my budgeting.
4. Find ways to be frugal and thrifty.
5. Stay in balance as a mother as in regard to time. Are you spending more time cleaning your toilets than playing with the kids?
6. Make and keep appointments, especially personal ones such as exercise, or date night with husband.
7. Keep home organized and efficient...this is possible even with kids!
8. Eat healthy meals at regular times.
9. Treat family and children with respect and consideration.
10. Implement and maintain a schedule and routine. What days are errands? Housework?
11. Retire to bed early that you may wake in the morning invigorated! Ready for another day!
12. Evaluate what is and isn't working in your home? Is dinner always late? House a mess?
13. Keep learning whether starting or continuing a degree. Learn about cooking, nutrition, sewing, home budgeting, food preservation, liberal arts, elementary education, child development, etc.
14. Be puntual and respect others time...and hopefully they will do the same. Always give yourself an extra 15 minutes.
15. Maintain a positive, helpful attitude. Being negative will get you no where but down in the dumps. Remember the example you are setting for your children, you are their role model.
16. Save yourself some time and do it right the first time. Take pride in your work.
17. Stick to your schedule and perform any responsibilities you agreed to take on.
18. Enjoy your time at home! The kids will be gone before you know it...

Laundry Woes

2008-11-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

My kids start doing their own laundry at age 9. They are taught laundry basics including loading and operating washer and dryer. Soap, bounce sheets, stain treatment, etc. Washing colors separate from darks. Warned not to shrink mom or dad's clothes...

Main laundry day for the kids is on Saturday. They are responsible for getting their clothes together and getting a weeks worth of outfits ready for the next week.

Saturday is also the day they are responsible for changing their sheets and towels.

Each kid is assigned a color. Maddie is purple. So her sheets are purple (2 sets each kid), her towels are also purple, (2 per kid). This color also extends into drinking cups to reduce the amount of cups washed daily. As well as school supplies, coats, etc. It is usually the kids favorite color.

Towels and sheets: Put away all beach towels, guest towels, scraps of towels, etc. where the kids aren't likely to go looking for them. This will cut down on the amount of towels you are washing. The same goes for sheets.

At age 11, they are old enough to do their own ironing and convenient if you need something ironed as this is a chore they like to do...and one I do not!

Each kid has a personal laundry basket. They are responsible for getting their dirty clothes to the laundry room during the week. When I happen to do some of their laundry, I return their clothing the way I get it. For example, if the shirt is inside out, it goes back in the laundry basket inside out.

After school, the goal is for each kid to take their laundry baskets back to their room with their clothing, whether I laundered them or not.

Something else that has proven very helpful is to only keep clothes out that match the season. It can be the dead of winter and my youngest child will wear shorts and a t-shirt. Since then, I put up all their winter clothes if it's summer and vice versa. This will reduce the amount of laundry you do daily.

Also try to remember, don't start a load unless you can finish it. Try to do at least one load a day. I have a friend who does all her laundry once a week and she says this works for her...whatever works for you.

Again, just some ideas.

In my laundry room I have four tall standing laundry baskets. Darks, lights, whites and towels & sheets. On a top shelf I have four smaller wicker baskets. Drycleaning, kids matched socks, mom and dad's matched socks, and spare socks. We found it easier to keep the socks where the shoes are instead of their individual drawers. They grab a pair of socks, shoes and they are a go.

2008-10-22T10:47:00.001-06:00

"Terrible ideas...don't you just love those?" From Under the Tuscan Sun

Check Out My Favorite Books

2008-10-16T09:46:00.000-06:00

Check my list of books at the bottom! All these can be found in the local library! Vaun

Comments, feedback and suggestions, Oh My!

2008-10-15T16:45:00.001-06:00

Please feel free to make any comments. I would love your feedback and suggestions. Thanks, Vaun

2008-10-15T10:54:00.000-06:00

Halloween Ideas from one of my favorite websites, Sugardoodle:

http://www.sugardoodle.net/mambo/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3162&Itemid=429

2008-10-15T10:47:00.000-06:00

Halloween Dinner Idea:

http://morganandemily.blogspot.com/2008/10/ghostly-shepards-pie.html

2008-10-15T10:39:00.000-06:00

Beautiful idea for pumpkin topiaries:

http://janiszettel.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-i-wanted-and-what-i-got.html

Catch Up

2008-10-12T21:38:00.000-06:00

A new school week starts tomorrow...

1. Saturday, kids are responsible for getting a full weeks worth of outfits (or uniforms in our case), ready. This includes socks and shoes, coats, etc. In our home, our kids are taught to do their own laundry at age 9. This helps everyone involved! It cuts down on the amount of laundry I need to do but also helps them be more independent. Once you get past the pink socks...

2. We try to clean out book bags on Fridays ready for the following week. I have a basket set up in my Art Room where kids place any papers, permissions slips, order forms, etc. that I need to see. Hopefully if it's a good week, the kids are doing this every night. I try to go through any papers from school and those that need to be returned I put back in their back packs for the following day.

3. Saturday...clean the car out. This includes snacks on the floor, papers, homework, toys, clothing, socks (don't know how but...), garbage, etc.

4. Stock the fridge and pantry for the following week. I have bins in my pantry labelled "Lunch Box". Here I try to keep snacks for the kids lunches. This may include applesauce, fruit leathers, crackers, fruit in a cup, puddings, etc. I have also designated a drawer in the fridge where we keep cheese sticks, gogurts, juice boxes, etc. By the end of the week, both of these need to restocked for the following week.

5. I bought a relatively cheap cleaning caddy at Target. We keep it in under the sink in the bathroom closest to the garage. I try to keep it stocked with brushes and combs, hair spray for the girls, gel for the boys. Elastics, barrette's, toothpaste and deodorant. This has been very helpful for mornings when we are running around...imagine an assembly line! :)

6. Review of the weekly calendar. I purchased a dry erase calender from Pottery Barn. Can't imagine not having it. It is in the laundry room which is the room they come in and out of from the garage/car. Kids now know to look at this daily. If they have piano lessons the following day, they know to grab their piano books and stick them in the car. I even list on the calendar whether they are pickups or bussers. I have seen how others have used a different color dry erase pen for each kid but I found this to be too time consuming. I simply put by the task or to do the person's name.

7. Every kid has a 1" binder with their name on it. In these binders I keep information that I may want to refer to in the future. It's also the place where we keep monthly Progress Reports, reading logs, instrument practice sheets, monthly calendars and cafeteria menu, etc. The kids are not allowed to have these binders. They are more for me than for them. If the papers get into the binder, we are never looking around trying to find lost papers. This has been helpful as well when I am out of town or even in bed sick. My husband has been able to simply pull out their binder to find the information he is looking for or needs to sign (such as nightly reading logs). This was a great tip I picked up from the Fly Lady. If you haven't been to her website...you need to check it out! http://www.flylady.net/

8. We are a Love and Logic family...we feel our kids need to be responsible and that unless they learn now it will only handicap them later. If a kid leaves their lunch, homework or an instrument at home, I don't run it into town for them. The kids have learned to be responsible and in the beginning, they did have to eat a few dry sandwiches from the cafeteria or lose marks on late homework. While this may sound hard, they have learned. I don't remember the last time I received a call from school. They rarely ever forget their lunches or homework...(I'm still trying to get them to complete their homework! :) ) http://www.loveandlogic.com/

9. Everyone has heard this one...but doing as much as you can the night before. I will even try to have bowls, spoons and cups on the kitchen table with a few boxes of cereal and fruit. All that is required the next morning is for the kids to get the milk.

10. Lunches are made the night before. Both my girls have been making their own lunches for years. Now that I have a kindergartner, I give him a hand, but am teaching him to do the same. We discovered the kids will actually eat what THEY pack. Rather than trade or throw out what I pack. I usually will try to take a peek that their lunches don't consist of gogurts and cheese sticks only.

Have a great school week!

Odds and ends

2008-10-02T19:03:00.000-06:00

Time Saving Tips:

1. Buy Costco Rotissiere chicken. Tonight I bought three and took what meat I could from off the bone. Using my food scale, (a cheap little thing I picked up from Bed, Bath and Beyond), I freeze the chicken in Ziploc bags. I freeze a pound of chicken in each ZipLoc. These have been a huge timer for me especially on nights when I am running behind. I simply thaw the chicken and throw it into a casserole, soup, stew or other dish. We had it last night for a recipe called Mexican chicken. Using my microwave rice cooker, I made white rice. We enjoyed a good meal and it didn't take long to prepare.

2. Buy a clock for your bathroom...especially helpful for those us who spend a lot of time with make up, curling irons, etc.

3. Using ZipLocs, store all manuals and packaging in one large Ziploc. These can then be stored in the decorative boxes (similar to hat boxes). Ross's has a great selection and they are reasonably priced.

4. Jott.com. I love this website! I have been using it for a few months now and it has been great! It's a free service (although they do have upgraded plans), which allows you to have reminders, notes, etc. transcribed and delivered to your email inbox. I have assigned a speed dial number on my phone for Jott and then when prompted, "Jott your note", I leave myself a message, reminder, etc. It is then in my inbox within a few minutes.

5. Car Organization: School has started and i was so frustrated last year with the mess in my car from bookbags, instruments, lunch totes, papers, loose homework, snacks, etc. that I decided to organize my car. I found a front seat organizer (Target), which goes on my passenger side seat and is easly removable for when someone is going to sit in the passenger seat.

I bought a cell phone holder that inserts to one one my air vents and when in the car, I always know where the phone is. No digging around while driving!

Also, my favorite! I bought bungie cords with the plastic hooks at the end. I wound them around the top of my car head rests and now the kids simply hang their book bags, lunch bags, etc. on the hooks. I also use them to hang coats, jackets and shopping bags. I wound two around the head rest of the passenger side so two hooks face back and two face front. I use the front hooks to hang my purse, grocery bags, etc.

I also keep a folder in my car and when kids get in the car from school, bus stop, lessons, etc. I ask them for all their papers and stick it in the folder. Later that evening, I will sort through the folder and return it to the car organizer ready for the next day. No more papers on the car floor.

Cooler in the back to keep groceries frozen, cold, etc during the warmer months.

Phone book in the car for easy reference. We tend to get a few phonebooks and even if you don't, often last years can be just as useful. I also keep a copy of the ward directory in the car, this has saved me so many times!

Visor CD/DVD organizer. This can be used not only for CD's and DVD's but for store coupons, take out menu's at favorite restaurants, etc. Or buy two and keep it on the passenger side visor.

Parenting Class # 4

2008-09-30T22:33:00.000-06:00

Today was the fourth class of the ten week parenting course offered by Carleen Tanner. She is an amazing woman with a wealth of knowledge regarding all matters spiritual.

Today some great ideas were mentioned in class. Last week the class discussed traditions.

"Develop family traditions. Some of the great strengths of families can be found in their own traditions, which may consist of many things: making special occasions of the blessing of children, baptisms, ordinations to the priesthood, birthdays, fishing trips, skits on Christmas Eve, family home evening and so forth. The traditions of each family are unique and are provided in large measure by the mother's imprint."
(Elder James E. Faust, Ensign, May 1983)

Some of the great ideas mentioned included Halloween pillowcases. I purchased some Halloween fabric (which is on sale at Joann's), a different print for each kid. The kids get to sleep on them the entire month of Halloween and finally on Halloween night, use the pillowcase as a bag for trick or treating. I am excited to start these tomorrow...here are some instructions I found on the web. www.wikihow.com/Make-Pillow-Cases

Another idea is to sew chair covers with pockets on the back for love letters. These would be great for the birthday child on their birthday.

Sunday Sundaes...Based on children's behavior before and during church will determine the amount of scoops of ice cream the child earns. Using the principle of "Good, Better, Best", depending on the child's decisions, determines the amounts of toppings they may choose for their ice cream later Sunday evening. Total behavior modification! Based on children's attendance, participation and behavior.

What was the best and worst thing that happened to you today? At dinner, have everyone share. At family prayer, family members can remember each other in the prayer and what issues they are currently dealing with.

I have lots of notes to share but it's time for bed. Early to bed, early to rise.... Night.

Wahi Malie

2008-09-30T22:23:00.000-06:00

My goal for my home, heart and spirit...

Wahi Malie

2008-09-30T22:20:00.000-06:00

Wahi Malie is Hawaiian for "Place of Calmness". I have been blessed to visit Hawaii a few times with my husband and have fallen in love with the Island. I chose the name for my blog as one of my many goals is to have my home a place of calmness as well as my spirit.