A Healthy Balance

Hello! I was looking through my Teachers Pay Teachers' store to find some free resources to share. Here is an easy lesson on recycling. It would be appropriate for grades 2-5 and involves reading comprehension. If you have internet access and a printer, you're good to go!  1. Listen to the story "One Plastic Bag" by Miranda Paul on youtube.  Story on Youtube   (12 min) 2. Download and print my resource from Teachers Pay Teachers:  "One Plastic Bag" Earth Day FREEBIE    If you've never used this site before, it's free to sign up and many resources are also free. This resource includes multiple choice comprehension questions, a guided summary, and writing. (20 min) 3. Last, show your child a video of a bag being made.  How to Recycle Plastic Bags into Purses: Isatou Ceesay - Njau, Gambia  (10 min) 4. Extensions:  Your child might be encouraged to upcycle something around the house. Could an empty cereal box bec...

I haven't done a "Top 9" yet. I want to reflect on my own, first, without being swayed by how many "likes" a photo got. Some of the biggest hurdles and successes of this year never showed up on Instagram, anyway. The most notable excitements of the year include getting engaged and buying a townhouse--two things I've wanted for so long but was unwilling to take the plunge if it didn't feel right. God whispered to me to look at Stafford, and I finally had the lightbulb moment of "This is the one!" when I found our end-unit, wooded view house in a diverse neighborhood that felt spacious and calm, and oh! So many windows to let in natural light! I stretched my budget more than I like (frugality suits me better) but it was the right choice, and I have no regrets.  The summer was tough, being in a new place without friends and too much free time. (Patrick doesn't believe that too much free time is a thing, but for me, it definitely is...

I recently finished two inspiring reads that I feel compelled to share. Neither of these books are new , but I am very glad I finally decided to give them a chance. The first book is Born a Crime , by Trevor Noah. This book is equal parts informative and soulful. Noah lays the context of his childhood by describing apartheid culture in South Africa, where people of different races are systematically pitted against each other and hatred is fostered so that those in power can maintain power.  Trevor's mother was a strong woman who ignored some of these structures, taking Noah to churches of different denominations, living in a white neighborhood, and exposing her son to a world outside of the invisible fence where he was supposed to stay. Trevor describes his journey of racial identification (being mixed), his scrappy entrepreneurial ventures as a child and teen, and ultimately why he decided to leave the bubble of South Africa and move to the United States.  ...

Hey guys! It's been a while! As many of you know, I've moved to Stafford, VA. We LOVE our quiet, conveniently-located neighborhood but I am driving a bit longer to connect with friends and family. Lucky for me, I've discovered a few new podcasts to spice up my drive! 1. Work, Play, Love with Lauren Fleshman and Jesse Thomas : This podcast is great for runners or athletes trying to find a balance between training and work/relationships. Lauren is a retired professional runner (now coach) and Jesse is a current professional triathlete. Together, they run a company called Picky Bars . Oh yeah, and they're married! Each episode, they discuss what's going on in their personal lives and then answer questions from listeners.  What I love: Both Lauren and Jesse are candid about their experiences: the ups and downs of business, athletic careers, and their own relationship. They don't come across as know-it-alls or experts, but rather as kind friends willing to sh...

Why do we enjoy certain reality television shows and not others? I can't stomach The Bachelor but I adore Real Housewives, despite objections from family members.  When I lived with my parents, my Dad would notoriously ask, "Do you feel dumber after watching this?" If it's The Kardashians , my answer is yes. I will watch 20 minutes every now and then but do feel brain cells slipping away. I don't usually feel the same way about The Real Housewives , however, and I've taken some time to consider why: 1.  I enjoy analyzing the social dynamics. Who would I be friends with? On which side of a disagreement would I stand? Would I have reacted the same or differently in a specific social circumstance? It's fascinating to see the different levels of vulnerability within the group, the range of communication styles and skills, and the ladies' ability (or inability) to forgive and move on after conflict. Watching reminds me of how I want to behave and treat...

Hey guys! It's been too long! I was scrolling through my photo album this morning and thinking about all kinds of things to share. Sometimes it's hard to pick. If you haven't heard, I've ended my part-time job at Muse Paintbar. The time commitment was too much, and the hours became very draining. So here's what I've been up to instead... 1. Selling children's books! I've become a consultant with Usborne Books and More, since I can't get enough of these books! I've been avidly reading the chapter books and watching youtube "peek inside" videos in order to become an expert on the range of books we offer. Check out my personal collection below! Let me know if you want to host a pop-up party, need recommendations for reluctant readers, or really want to talk books in any way. I'm obsessed. You can check out my online store  here. Just some light weekend reading I love opening a box of brand new books! 2. Working on my...

FLOWER Beauty is a makeup line by Drew Barrymore, banking on the fact that this information alone will be enough for customers to open their wallets. That's actually the marketing strategy; by eliminating traditional advertising, the brand can cut costs and sell "luxury" products at prices affordable for everyone. Walmart was chosen as the sole retailer when the brand originated in 2012, which supports this vision. Later, FLOWER opened an online store, and just this month (Jan. 2018), FLOWER products are available at Ulta.  Drew promises not to hike up her prices, so I'm excited to watch this brand evolve. Products I Tried and Love: Lip Suede Velvet Lip Chubby  (<$10)-This product was featured on several "Best of 2017" videos I saw by beauty gurus/editors online. The design is simple yet stylish, and the lipstick glides on easily. I love the moisture-rich formula, especially in winter! I decided to order online, and chose several colors to tr...

Just in time for the new year, here are 5 Ways that Running Can be Spiritual: 1. Running fosters gratitude.  Running has a way of simplifying life and reminding us of our basic needs. When I relax into the steady cadence of a run, I am reminded of what a gift it is to have functioning limbs, a beating heart and clean air to breathe. I appreciate my running shoes, cushioned and treaded to provide me with the ultimate running experience. Luxury swaddling my feet. After a hot sticky run, I am grateful for the ease of which I can grab a glass of ice water, take a shower, and then relax in a temperature-regulated environment. Running reminds me that all my basic needs are met, and more. 2. Running allows us to experience God’s creation. When I run on trails, surrounded by trees, my feet on a dirt path, I feel closest to God. I have time to admire the unusual twist of a tree trunk, a blanket of tiny bluebells, or a fleet of darting deer. I’ve also encountered the shock of s...

Taylor Swift's sixth album,  Reputation, was released a little over a month ago, on November 10, 2017. I've been listening to it on my morning commute and can't help but analyze the themes. (This is much more fun to ponder than the day's impending workload.)  Similar to previous albums, Swift alludes to her victimization. ( "I don't love drama, it loves me")  Her upbeat, sassy lyrics suggest that Swift has risen above it all, but the very fact that she has focused an entire album on mourning her reputation suggests otherwise. She explicitly addresses her reputation in several songs, almost as if the album is an elegy for it. There are also hints of disillusionment but, really, isn't that a stage of development in young adulthood? Growing up and losing innocence happens to us all, though maybe not with the public scrutiny Swift endures.  There are more adult undertones in the album, as well, most notably the dramatic spike in references to d...

In my steady crawl towards hippiedom, I decided to try using natural deodorant. I don't have any hard evidence that regular deodorant is harmful and the smell of Old Spice lights up the nostalgia part of my brain-- But I also believe that a shorter, more wholesome list of ingredients is usually preferable to the opposite. I settled on the Charcoal-Magnesium formula from  Schmidt's . It's kind of festive in a dark way, right? First impression: Yikes! This stuff has no glide! It feels really abrasive against the skin and is difficult to apply. The back label instructs to hold the deodorant against the skin for a moment to warm it before applying. I didn't notice a big difference after doing this but the label also said you don't need very much so I figured I would be fine. Day 1 (evening): I was shocked that my armpits were essentially odorless after a full day. Usually I can smell the deodorant's fragrance and also some body odor, as if the two forces ar...

I was introduced to essential oils several years ago but have really integrated them into my routine this past year. Essential oils are simply highly concentrated oils from plants.  I still use regular medicine but I try the oils first when it comes to stomachaches and headaches. Several of the citrus oils help me feel awake, focused, and motivated so in that sense I think they help adjust my mood (I still use prescription medication to treat my anxiety). Also, we diffuse oils in the house instead of using candles--the scent is so light and pure that I just can't go back! I use oils from a brand called Doterra, which maintains a high standard of quality, "Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade," which means no fillers, contaminants, etc. and that they test it rigorously for quality control "to ensure exact purity and composition potency". The oils can be inhaled, diffused, used topically, or even ingested (maybe with a few exceptions). Here's an example of mul...