Both of my boys are adopted from the foster care system here in Colorado. They are wonderful boys and I love them dearly. They moved into our home at the ages of six and seven.
My seven-year-old, we'll call him James for the sake of his privacy, wasn't able to read. He was limited to words like "and", "the", and "is". He went from a sub-par school district to an excellent one and was behind the minute he started. He struggled with his self-esteem and was often frustrated.
By the end of second grade, my husband and I knew we had to do something. We decided to enroll him into the Kumon program. Our expectations were high after talking to the owner of the center near our home. She promised he'd be up to grade level in six months.
Nine months later, we really hadn't seen any progress. His reading was better, but progressing at the same rate as his peers, which meant he was still about a grade and a half behind.
I'll give you a little insight to why I think this might be. Kumon's program sends a child home with daily workbooks to complete with visits to their center twice a week. James would bring home these workbooks and fly through them as fast as he could, even if that meant skipping words or just answering the questions without reading at all. This meant I had to sit with him while he did his workbooks in order to make sure he did them correctly.
While at the center, I suspect James would do much the same as he tried to do at home, except in the center, there are on average about three tutors (mostly high school students) to around twenty students so he would get away with cheating much easier than he did at home. The tutors jobs were simply to mark the incorrect answers in the workbook and send the student back to make corrections.
To top it off, the people weren't very friendly, the waiting room for parents was too small, I was expected to do the grading for the homework without a key, and I often found grammatical errors in the reading workbooks.
Overall, if your child is doing fine in school, but needs a little extra practice, or maybe your intent is to give your child an advantage by being ahead of grade level, Kumon might be the answer. However, if your child has troubles getting motivated, needs to work on the basics, and your intent is to get your child caught up, I would not recommend this program.
My husband and I have made the decision to leave the Kumon program and try something new. I'm sure you'll be seeing a review about the new program in a few months.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Sleep Number - A New Bed
In my opinion, one of the overlooked areas of fitness is sleep. Sleep is an important way to stay healthy and boost the immune system, but we often focus so much on diet and exercise, that we forget to sleep.
My husband and I had the same mattress for over fifteen years. We decided to buy a new one and to go big or go home when shopping. We understood that we spend a third of our lives sleeping and that we needed something great to help us in this area. We went with a Sleep Number i8.
Although it was delivered to us a couple of weeks ago, the jury is still out on the bed. We're waiting for our bodies to adjust to see if we start seeing a difference in our sleep patterns and the tired feeling we get during the day.
I do feel like I should mention that thus far, the customer service has not been great. When the bed was delivered, the installers couldn't figure out how to get the remotes that adjust our bed up and down to work. Once they left, after promising we'd get a call from customer service, my husband was able to figure it out right away. We never got the call we were promised and then we realized that the under-bed lighting was missing. A call to customer service resulted in yet another scheduled install with a large time window, but they did get it done.
Although it was delivered to us a couple of weeks ago, the jury is still out on the bed. We're waiting for our bodies to adjust to see if we start seeing a difference in our sleep patterns and the tired feeling we get during the day.
I do feel like I should mention that thus far, the customer service has not been great. When the bed was delivered, the installers couldn't figure out how to get the remotes that adjust our bed up and down to work. Once they left, after promising we'd get a call from customer service, my husband was able to figure it out right away. We never got the call we were promised and then we realized that the under-bed lighting was missing. A call to customer service resulted in yet another scheduled install with a large time window, but they did get it done.
Monday, March 24, 2014
First Exercise Goal Achieved!
Since in my past I haven't exercised much at all, when I decided to make my lifestyle changes, I promised myself I would take it easy at first and slowly increase time and intensity as I go in order to keep me from getting sick (which has happened in the past). I started by excercising for 15 minutes a day with the goal to grow to 30 minutes a day.
I would like to announce that I have now reached that goal of 30 minutes! Next, I will work on increasing the intensity of my workouts.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Elliptical Machine
After acquiring my Fitbit One, it became obvious just how much exercise I wasn't getting. As a woman who gets sick far too often, I'm a bit of a germaphobe. Therefore, the idea of going to a gym is out. I also have a slightly twisted tibia bone, which makes it hard to find running shoes that will keep my knees from taking a beating if I try running. So, I had to bring the gym to me.
After some research and reading a lot of reviews, I decided to get the Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine. I ordered it on Amazon and got free delivery. However, when they delivered it, due to insurance reasons (or so they said), they wouldn't take the 215 lb monstrosity beyond the garage.
Bless my poor husband and my friend Brandon. They had to haul the heavy equipment still in its box up a flight of stairs and into our bedroom. Once that was done, my husband spent a few hours putting it together.
Once it was together, I was very impressed by how quiet the machine was. The last one we had was pretty clunky, so I can appreciate a smooth and quiet stride. After it had some continual use, however, it got a little noisier. There's a slight clunking noise and some squeakiness to it.
I've used it every weekday so far and on most Saturdays since I've had it. I haven't seen much of a result weight wise, yet, but I'm keeping my exercise routine simple and easy right now and slowly increasing the intensity and length. I want to do this right and I know that a slow start is the way to go.
Bless my poor husband and my friend Brandon. They had to haul the heavy equipment still in its box up a flight of stairs and into our bedroom. Once that was done, my husband spent a few hours putting it together.
Once it was together, I was very impressed by how quiet the machine was. The last one we had was pretty clunky, so I can appreciate a smooth and quiet stride. After it had some continual use, however, it got a little noisier. There's a slight clunking noise and some squeakiness to it.
I've used it every weekday so far and on most Saturdays since I've had it. I haven't seen much of a result weight wise, yet, but I'm keeping my exercise routine simple and easy right now and slowly increasing the intensity and length. I want to do this right and I know that a slow start is the way to go.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Fitbit
Now that I had a personal blender to help me get more antioxidants in my diet, it was time to move towards fixing my lack of exercise issue. My first step was to go to my local Target and buy a Fitbit.
Fitbit is a series of devices that you clip onto clothing or strap to your wrist and it tracks your steps throughout the day. We've all heard of these types of pedometers, so what makes this one so special?
I went for the Fitbit One. It can clip to my belt or slip into my pocket and is small enough that I don't really notice it. There are some watch options, but I don't really like wearing items on my wrist because they usually end up at my elbow.
This pedometer, however, doesn't just count your steps. It calculates how many calories you've burned throughout the day and even tracks any restlessness during your sleep. Since sleep is also an area I'm looking to improve, this was definitely the device for me.
The Fitbit takes all the date it collects and the syncs it with your computer and an app you can install on your phone. It will also let you see the progress of your friends (if they allow that in their settings) so that you can see how you compare and how your friends are doing.
After only having the Fitbit One for a week, I went back to the store and picked up a Fitbit Aria. This is a scale that syncs with the Fitbit dashboard so I can track both devices in one place.
I've had my Fitbit devices now for over a month and so far they have confirmed what I already knew, I don't get enough exercise. As I work to change this, the Fitbit will be a great tool to track how much I've progressed.
I went for the Fitbit One. It can clip to my belt or slip into my pocket and is small enough that I don't really notice it. There are some watch options, but I don't really like wearing items on my wrist because they usually end up at my elbow.
This pedometer, however, doesn't just count your steps. It calculates how many calories you've burned throughout the day and even tracks any restlessness during your sleep. Since sleep is also an area I'm looking to improve, this was definitely the device for me.
 |
| iPhone screenshot |
After only having the Fitbit One for a week, I went back to the store and picked up a Fitbit Aria. This is a scale that syncs with the Fitbit dashboard so I can track both devices in one place.
I've had my Fitbit devices now for over a month and so far they have confirmed what I already knew, I don't get enough exercise. As I work to change this, the Fitbit will be a great tool to track how much I've progressed.
 |
| Chrome screenshot |
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Personal Blenders
As I made my resolution to become more healthy, one of the areas I knew I needed to focus on was my diet. I love fast food and eating out. It's convenient, it's saves time, and I don't have to turn my oven or stove on in the summer. It's no secret, though, that fast food is bad, bad, and bad.
When I wasn't eating fast food, I was snacking on chips, drinking Diet Pepsi, and munching on Ramen. More badness all around. Fruits and vegetables were rarely ever to be seen on my plate.
One area I can say I was doing well in was avoiding sugary snacks. As another health issue reared its ugly head, sugar had to be greatly reduced. I've cut sugar out of my diet now for over twenty months and don't intend on going back.
Nutrition was key here. If I no longer want to get sick, I needed more antioxidants in my food so that I could boost my immune system. I decided I would try a personal blender to help me mush up some fruits to my liking.
The first blender I bought was a Farberware 17-Piece Rocket Blender. It cost me $20 at Walmart. I didn't expect a lot from this blender, but I wanted to make sure that I was going to actually use it before buying something a bit more costly. As expected, I got what I paid for. The blender left big chunks of fruit, including whole blackberries, untouched. It left my smoothies a bit chunkier than I would like. Despite the blenders lack of quality, I still used it daily.
My husband took to the machine as well. We found that we started making more trips to the grocery store for some fresh fruit and both found different recipes that we liked. So, I decided to go ahead and purchase the NutriBullet 900 Pro Series personal blender.
The NutriBullet 900 Pro was a bit more pricey, but my husband and I now knew we'd used and figured we should put some money into our health. I found it for $149.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond and we've been using it on a daily basis. It grinds up the fruits really well, including the spinach I throw into mine.
After purchasing these personal blenders, my diet has already changed. I'm eating foods now with more vitamins and antioxidants than I ever have before. It was the first step to a healthier me.
When I wasn't eating fast food, I was snacking on chips, drinking Diet Pepsi, and munching on Ramen. More badness all around. Fruits and vegetables were rarely ever to be seen on my plate.
One area I can say I was doing well in was avoiding sugary snacks. As another health issue reared its ugly head, sugar had to be greatly reduced. I've cut sugar out of my diet now for over twenty months and don't intend on going back.
Nutrition was key here. If I no longer want to get sick, I needed more antioxidants in my food so that I could boost my immune system. I decided I would try a personal blender to help me mush up some fruits to my liking.
My husband took to the machine as well. We found that we started making more trips to the grocery store for some fresh fruit and both found different recipes that we liked. So, I decided to go ahead and purchase the NutriBullet 900 Pro Series personal blender.
After purchasing these personal blenders, my diet has already changed. I'm eating foods now with more vitamins and antioxidants than I ever have before. It was the first step to a healthier me.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Stitch Fix - March 2014 Review
As I make all these lifestyle changes, one thing I considered was an award system. So, I decided if I was going to do all this work to feel great, why not look great, too? ;)
I chose to do a subscription service called Stitch Fix. I'm not going to explain exactly how it works because there are plenty of other places you can get that information. All I'll say is that you get five fashion items shipped to you each month or so and then you decide what you keep and what goes back.
I was so excited for my first "Fix" and it just came today. My stylist for my first Fix was Megumi.
I chose to do a subscription service called Stitch Fix. I'm not going to explain exactly how it works because there are plenty of other places you can get that information. All I'll say is that you get five fashion items shipped to you each month or so and then you decide what you keep and what goes back.
I was so excited for my first "Fix" and it just came today. My stylist for my first Fix was Megumi.
Freida Skinny Jean - $118.00
I love these jeans! They fit me just right in the waist and hips. Even the length was great. I really struggle finding jeans that fit this nicely and are flattering. On top of that, I really need jeans. However, hello, sticker shock! At $118, I just can't justify buying them. I'll have to sadly return them.
Status: Sent back
Cosette Crochet Detail Knit Shirt - $48.00
Out of the box, I wasn't too fond of this shirt. When I put it on, it still didn't call out to me. I didn't care much for the knitting at the top of the shirt. The material was also very thin and the color of my skin came through especially at the stomach.
Status: Sent back
Jaimie Eyelet Striped Cardigan - $48.00
The note from the stylist left in the box suggested that I pair this cardigan with the shirt reviewed above. I did this, even though I intended to send the other shirt back. I really liked the detail in this cardigan and I can imagine layering over many shirts I already have in my closet. The price is reasonable as well.
Status: Kept
Vita Boat Neck Stripe Knit Shirt - $68.00
This shirt didn't flatter me at all. I put it on and I immediately wanted to take it off. It seemed to make my stomach look bigger than it actually is. On top of that, the price was a bit much for what seemed like something I could get at Target for $20. This one can't go back fast enough.
Status: Sent back
Hallowell Ombre Knit Sweater - $48.00
Once again, out of the box, I didn't like this one much. Once I put it on, though, I quickly changed my mind. I love the color, love the length of the sleeves, and it will be wonderful to layer with during a Colorado Spring. The price is right, too.
Status: Kept
Overall
I was hoping for more than two out of five, but this Fix was a bit on the pricey side, so that's probably for the best. There was only one item that I at least didn't consider and I so wish I could keep the jeans. Overall, it was fun to try on some new things at home and I'm already looking forward to my next Fix.
If you like what you see here, make sure to sign up for Stitch Fix and get your first Fix scheduled!
My next Fix is scheduled for April 8, 2014.
My next Fix is scheduled for April 8, 2014.
Friday, March 07, 2014
Cravings During Lent
I can get some crazy cravings sometimes. A certain food will pop into my head and it will linger until it's fed. Sometimes, a substitute will work, such as a sugar-free Reese's cup instead of a Godiva coconut creme, but these instances are rare.
For Lent, I decided to give up sweets altogether. I'm not really supposed to have them (chalk that up to yet another health issue), but I haven't been doing great at staying away. A bite here and a nibble there adds up to a lot of sugar and more frequent cravings. I figured this season would be a good time to recommit myself to staying away.
So, when the craving hit, you might have thought it would have been something sweet and sugary. Nope. It was Qdoba calling out to me and I intended to succumb to that craving. I hopped in my car, dealt with the snow that has been falling at a pretty fast rate, and got myself a bowl of deliciousness to bring home. As I turned the ignition in my car off in my driveway, it suddenly hit. It's Friday. It's Lent. I'm Catholic. No meat on Fridays during Lent and my bowl has yummy shredded beef.
NO! I contemplated cheating. My husband is at work and my kids are at school. No one would know. Well, that last part just wouldn't be true. I would know and God would know. I don't believe that God would strike me down for eating meat on a Friday, but I do believe He knows why we have this tradition of sacrifice. I like to think that He appreciates it despite how small the sacrifice might be compared to what He has given. When we mess up, I imagine He understands and doesn't hold it against us. However, I also think to deliberately shrug it off is to deliberately shrug off any sacrifice He's made, and I can't imagine that's a way to make God happy.
So, literally for the love of God, the bowl went straight into the refrigerator, untouched. The smells of the seasoning and salsa have lingered in the house offering a battle of wills. I'll prevail. The bowl can wait until midnight. Maybe, if I make it to Heaven, God will provide me with all the Qdoba I can eat. ;)
For Lent, I decided to give up sweets altogether. I'm not really supposed to have them (chalk that up to yet another health issue), but I haven't been doing great at staying away. A bite here and a nibble there adds up to a lot of sugar and more frequent cravings. I figured this season would be a good time to recommit myself to staying away.
So, when the craving hit, you might have thought it would have been something sweet and sugary. Nope. It was Qdoba calling out to me and I intended to succumb to that craving. I hopped in my car, dealt with the snow that has been falling at a pretty fast rate, and got myself a bowl of deliciousness to bring home. As I turned the ignition in my car off in my driveway, it suddenly hit. It's Friday. It's Lent. I'm Catholic. No meat on Fridays during Lent and my bowl has yummy shredded beef.
NO! I contemplated cheating. My husband is at work and my kids are at school. No one would know. Well, that last part just wouldn't be true. I would know and God would know. I don't believe that God would strike me down for eating meat on a Friday, but I do believe He knows why we have this tradition of sacrifice. I like to think that He appreciates it despite how small the sacrifice might be compared to what He has given. When we mess up, I imagine He understands and doesn't hold it against us. However, I also think to deliberately shrug it off is to deliberately shrug off any sacrifice He's made, and I can't imagine that's a way to make God happy.
So, literally for the love of God, the bowl went straight into the refrigerator, untouched. The smells of the seasoning and salsa have lingered in the house offering a battle of wills. I'll prevail. The bowl can wait until midnight. Maybe, if I make it to Heaven, God will provide me with all the Qdoba I can eat. ;)
Thursday, March 06, 2014
A New Beginning
I have been inspired to make a lot of lifestyle changes lately. It all started back in November when I became sick. It's not uncommon for me these days; hasn't been since I developed pneumonia several years ago. I catch a cold or suffer from seasonal allergies and then, WHAM! Sinusitis. Once it hits, it sticks around for at least three weeks.
I managed to get better just in time for Thanksgiving, but it didn't last long. On Christmas Eve I was sick again, this time for four weeks. Just as I started feeling better toward the end of January, I was hit with a stomach bug.
No, I'm not a hypochondriac ... at least I don't think I am and no has ever accused me of being one, at least not to my face. It's just that I always feel sick. After three months of being sick, I realized I had to make some changes to my lifestyle. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired all of the time. It was time to change my diet, exercise routine (or lack thereof), and the way I sleep.
I've already made some changes in the last few weeks and I plan to write about those here. The purpose of this blog, partially, is to share my journey with the world, or at least the occasional web surfer who trips upon my blog. Truly, however, I hope it will keep me inspired and motivated to see this through. I hope this will serve as a timeline so that in the future I can look back and see how far I've come.
I won't only be writing about these healthy lifestyle changes, but also some other topics such as family, religion, and life in general. I hope you'll find my rantings interesting enough to come back every once in a while.
I managed to get better just in time for Thanksgiving, but it didn't last long. On Christmas Eve I was sick again, this time for four weeks. Just as I started feeling better toward the end of January, I was hit with a stomach bug.
No, I'm not a hypochondriac ... at least I don't think I am and no has ever accused me of being one, at least not to my face. It's just that I always feel sick. After three months of being sick, I realized I had to make some changes to my lifestyle. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired all of the time. It was time to change my diet, exercise routine (or lack thereof), and the way I sleep.
I've already made some changes in the last few weeks and I plan to write about those here. The purpose of this blog, partially, is to share my journey with the world, or at least the occasional web surfer who trips upon my blog. Truly, however, I hope it will keep me inspired and motivated to see this through. I hope this will serve as a timeline so that in the future I can look back and see how far I've come.
I won't only be writing about these healthy lifestyle changes, but also some other topics such as family, religion, and life in general. I hope you'll find my rantings interesting enough to come back every once in a while.
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