Healthy Family Archives - Page 17 of 20

Dear Childless Mother on the First Day of School

September 6, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

Dear Moms,

As I was preparing to get my kids ready for school this year, for weeks now, I kept going back to gratitude. I am so grateful for a number of things, but at the top of my list is always, always, always my children. I’m one of the lucky ones. I have kids. Two of them, in fact. They’re happy, they’re healthy and there is a lot of love in our family. Some yelling and bickering, yes, but that makes us that much more of a family.

I told my husband earlier this summer, jokingly, that if our kids are alive and well at the end of the summer, that he needed to bring me flowers. To celebrate that we made it. Not only did we make it, but we made many memories over the summer months that I won’t soon forget.

I’ve seen my newsfeed explode with pictures of kids on their first day back to school, of Mamas celebrating and cheering, of steaming cups of coffee being drank hot and in blissful silence. Oh yes, I’ve seen it all. And I’ve celebrated and rejoiced. I, too, will be posting pictures of my kids as they head off on their life’s journey.

But, I keep thinking about our Mamas out there who have lost their babies. Those who will never get to experience the joy of the first day of school. Those that have experienced it, but now due to illness, accident or whatever circumstance life (and death) has thrown their way will not experience it again.

To those mothers, I am writing to you. I want you to know that in the celebration of kids off to school there is no disrespect. That we honour you and please know that I will be sending you healing and positive thoughts today. It must be an excruciating day for you. There is NO WAY I can ever understand what you go through, but I can imagine there is such sadness for your loss and anger towards the mothers who are celebrating having no children at home.

As a mother who is celebrating the first day back to school for my kids, it’s not so much about not having them with me, I’m celebrating that they’re growing up and becoming incredible people. I want to celebrate them getting older, learning and spreading their wings (as cliche as that sounds). And I know, I absolutely know, that you would love to be doing the same. I wish I could take your hurt and heartache away for you. But the only thing I can think to do is let you know that I’m here. We’re here. Reach out if you need to.

Please know that many of us, in the trenches of motherhood, take the time to reflect on how lucky we are. We are taking the time that I know you wish you had. I am not sure if this note to you will anger you, comfort you, or honour you, but please know I hope it’s the latter two. Please know I am thinking of you and I wish for you to get through this day with strength.

Forge ahead. You are a warrior. You are strong. You are remembered. You are cared for.

I will celebrate my children. I will post the pictures. I will let their excitement course through my body. And I will honour all of the Mothers out there, those with and without children.

You are ALL in my thoughts and if you ever wonder if we think about how lucky we are to have happy, healthy children, or if you wonder if we ever take the time to reflect on how hard this day is for you, please know we do. Again, we are here in motherhood solidarity. If you need us, reach out.

I will take your hand to my heart and your sorrow on my shoulders and help carry you through this journey if you need me to.

To ALL mothers, I am here. I will continue to respect and honour all of you and all that motherhood has meant and continues to mean to you.

With gratitude and respect,
Lindsay

Your Kids Are Watching: Isn’t That Awesome?!

September 4, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

As soon as our kids are born, in fact, BEFORE our kids are born, we’re told that they will watch absolutely everything we do. That our kids will watch us, imitate us and do and say everything we do. Pressure much? We need to watch how we speak, what we speak about and how we act. Don’t say this, don’t do that and for heaven’s sake, never ever let them see you lose your s**t as that just “gives them permission” to lose theirs as well.

While that’s all well and good, it’s time parents are also reminded of all the good stuff your kids are watching, all the kindness you’re showing and that they do, in fact, watch positive role modeling and also copy that.

Hot Mama Health & Fitness is a family fitness business whose vision is to build community through family fitness. One of our main goals is to get parents active so their kids will see that fitness and healthy living are important and that they’re a priority to their parents. What we’re really hoping and dreaming about is for exercise and proper nutrition to become a habit for our kids. That it is simply the way life is lived.

So, when our Hot Mama Minis (that’s what we call the kids of our Hot Mamas) told us that they wanted to race in a Mud Run this year, we set it up and registered their own little team, the Hot Mama Minis in the Mini Mud Mulisha. They began training for their race (scheduled for July) in May with their own weekly bootcamp class. The 30-minute class had them practicing their army crawls, running, practicing monkey bars and working on their endurance (the race was 1.5k). And yes, there were many-a-burpee.

Then the race came. It was interesting to talk with my kids (ages 5 & 7) about the race the night before because, well, they had “race nerves” and it was the cutest thing ever. Who doesn’t get a little jittery before a big race? Who doesn’t start to doubt themselves and their training? But, we talked through it and I got them to trust their training and reflect on their own strength and power. They were ready. The both said it out loud.

Race day. Possibly the cutest day in Hot Mama history. There were 22 Minis running the race. They donned their Hot Mama uniform (black shirts with our logo, headbands, and striped socks), did their warm-up with their trainer and headed to the start gate. Here’s where it gets a bit emotional.

I looked around the start gate and I saw super strong Mamas and super excited Minis and thought “these kids wouldn’t be interested in doing this if their parents hadn’t made fitness a priority in their lives”. Those kids wouldn’t have been giddy and excited and nervous and about to tackle their very own mud run if their parents hadn’t done the same months before. And how freakin’ cool is that?! Go, Mamas!

The kids hit the course and conquered every obstacle with huge smiles on their faces. They RAN between obstacles, they army crawled, they scaled walls, they carried wood logs, they climbed ropes and they got so very muddy. All the while their Mamas were right beside them cheering them on, encouraging them to do their best and watching with pride on all their faces. These are moments I will never forget. They did that. Those Mamas have guided their kids down the path of fitness and healthy-living.

I’m so proud of that. Of those Mamas. Of those Minis. Le sigh.

The Minis waited for their team members and crossed the finish line together. No beer was given out, but medals and juice boxes certainly were. So. Freakin’. Cute.

So congratulations, Hot Mamas. Fitness and healthy eating are priorities in your lives and yes, your kids are watching. You should be so very, very proud tbecause you’ve impacted the way they view fitness in an incredibly positive way. Fitness won’t just be something they dabble in at puberty, it will simply be a habit, something they have always done.

And that, my strong Mamas, is something to celebrate. Much respect to all of you. And congratulations to your kids. Big time.

Why Framily (Yes, Framily) is So Important

September 3, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

Framily. No, I didn’t misspell. I meant to write framily. Do you have framily? Maybe you’re not sure what I’m talking about? I don’t blame you, let me explain.

Framily are the people you consider family but are “just” your friends. They’re the people your kids call “Auntie” or “Uncle” even though they have no blood relation. They’re the people you rely on more than anyone else to help support your journey as a mother/father because if you have framily, you most likely don’t have family living close by, or you’re estranged from them.

I am truly blessed to have framily. No, correction, my kids, my husband and I are truly blessed to have framily. Our parents don’t live anywhere near us (they’re provinces away), we don’t have aunties or uncles close by, no brothers or sister, no cousins, not even a distant cousin. It’s really just me, my hubs and our two wicked kids living our lives and getting through.

But family is important to me. It’s important that my kids have Aunts and Uncles they can call on when life gets complicated and they feel like they can’t talk to us. It’s important that they know they have a safe and loving place to go outside of our house. Enter…framily.

I met my framily at a prenatal course 8 years ago. Her name is Jody and his name is Jay. She was MASSIVE (sorry Jods) and beautiful and funny and when I asked if anyone else would like to meet up with me and my ridiculous dog to go for a hike, she was the only one who said “YES!”. So, we waddled our way around Thetis lake week after week, getting bigger and bigger and more uncomfortable with every step. Her son was born 6 days before mine. Our bond was sealed through motherhood and she’s been my best friend ever since.

She is “Auntie Jody” to my kids and “Uncle Jay” is just as amazing and loving.

Why the nostalgia? Yesterday was a big, big , BIG day for my little girl. She got her ears pierced.

I remember getting my ears pierced with my Mama and it was a magical day. She took me for lunch, we went to a movie and then we got our ears pierced. So, when I asked Auntie Jody if she would come and make the day special for Miss P, she was all over it.

There was lunch:

There was shopping.

There were cupcakes:

And then there was the ear piercing.

And the day was that much more special for Miss P for the simple fact that Auntie Jody was there. Life is super busy, so for her to take the time out of her crazy-busy day meant so much to both Miss P and myself. She bought my daughter a beautiful new dress for her first day of school. She bought her a cupcake to celebrate her big day. And she held her hand when she cried because…well…piercing friggin’ HURTS.

It is moments like this that I am eternally grateful for our framily. They invite us over for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, because if they didn’t…well, it’d be a quiet dinner and I’d probably just end of crying into my turkey and mashed potatoes. They hug my kids when they know they need it. They celebrate their successes and love them up when they’re scared. They are the family we need when family can’t be here.

So, if you don’t have family near you, I certainly hope you have framily. AND…if you are lucky enough to have framily, for goodness sake…let them know how grateful you are.

They’ll watch your kids so you and your hubs can go out for an evening. They’ll be your “Emergency Contact” for school. They’ll be your kids sounding board when they’re older because Lord knows, as parents, we just won’t know anything. And, they’ll be the ones who pour you a glass of wine, hold your hand and tell you everything is going to be okay.

So, Auntie Jody and Uncle Jay, you are my framily and I am so grateful for you . We love you both so much. Our family is loved and cherished and included because of you. My kids have other adults they can go to because they know they’re loved by you and you’re a safe place for them. And me, I’m grateful for all of it. The dinners, the wine, the love, the laughter, the memories.

Thank you, framily. You mean more to me than you could ever know.

Healthy Mighty Muffins

September 1, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

I love back to school. I love it for many, many reasons, but mostly I love the routine of school. Sweet, sweet blessed routine!

Getting ready for school is also fun…the kids are excited, I’M excited and I do love the prep that goes into getting everything ready and organized so when we kick our kids’ butts out the door, we know they’re ready.

I also love hearing my Mama friends fret about what to put in lunches for afternoon snacks, because I always, ALWAYS have the solution! Go me!

Enter my Healthy Mighty Muffins. These muffins are super easy to make, they’re gluten and dairy-free and they are YUMMY! Even better, you can mix in any add-in ingredients you want to cater to your own family’s taste buds!

Ingredients:

1 cup almond butter
12 dates, softened*
2 bananas
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp cinnamon
3 eggs
1/4 cup chia seeds

Add-ins (choose as many or as few as you like, mix & match, the world is your oyster!)

1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup pepita seeds
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, pecans or almonds
1/2 cup any dried fruit (I always look for dried fruit sweetened with juice to avoid added sugar)
1/2 cup berries
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Whatever the heck else you want to throw in there!!

I usually choose 3-4 add-ins for my family, but we like really loaded and “busy” muffins.

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F
Throw the first 7 ingredients into a food processor and blend until the dates are mixed through.
Stir in chia seeds and any add-ins you choose
Bake for 15-18 minutes
That’s IT!

These store in the fridge for about 5 days, or even better, throw them in the freezer and put one into your kid’s lunches. They’re thawed and ready to eat for afternoon snack and you KNOW they’re eating something that will help them finish their day strong!

ENJOY!

*Note: To soften dates put them in a microwave safe bowl, cover them with water and microwave for 50-55 seconds on medium power.

Finding Grace When Gratitude is Missing

July 29, 2016 By Lindsay Gee

I practice gratitude. Every morning and every night I practice gratitude. I list three things I’m grateful for each morning and I list three things I’m grateful for each evening. I try to do this daily. I’m not successful every day, but most days I hit it. I encourage others to practice gratitude and I try to show it to those around me as often as possible without it coming off as fake or sucking up. FYI…it’s never about sucking up…I’m always genuinely grateful.

Yes, some days it’s hard. Some days I’m grateful for coffee, peanut butter and sleep. But hey, I’m still grateful. Other days I could write a book.

Recently I’ve been struggling with the lack of gratitude from others. The lack of thank you’s, the lack of appreciation and oddly enough, an increase in demands and expectations. I’ve been frustrated and yes, angry because my gratitude to the universe has not been reciprocated. I’ve been pissed at gratitude.