WINNER ANNOUNCED BELOW
I’m sitting in the car with her as we’re driving to school. I look over and she just looks defeated. Anxious. Nervous. Worried.
“You know its going to all work out fine.” I say for the 20th time.
She purses her lips and grunts as she grabs her stomach.
All last night she complained of achey muscles, headaches, and a sour stomach.
“Its just that I’m so tired. I’m so over it. And its only the 4th day of school. I’ll never be able to do everything that everyone expects me to. I JUST CAN”T. And YOU won’t listen.”
But, I am listening, though she doesn’t believe me. I’M LISTENING. Of course, I’m listening, she is the light of my world. And I know. I went through this very same thing.. . only she doesn’t want to hear that.
“Its different these days. That was a long time ago. You don’t understand..”
I should tell her that when I was in the 7th grade I tried out for volleyball, and I was so scared. Paralyzing type scared. I locked myself in my bathroom. Yelled and screamed and cried until I couldn’t breathe. I think my father had to take to door off the hinges to get me out. And they still made me go to tryouts. I showed up with red balloon face of tears. I made the team. And every year after.
But only because my parents made me do what I didn’t want to. . . .despite my fears of failing.
I KNOW ITS NOT THE SAME SITUATION. I KNOW THAT WAS THE 1900’S AND THIS IS THE 2000’S. But for the love of Pete, it’s still. the. same. point.
WE CAN NOT RUN FROM OUR BOOGEY MEN.
Well, I guess we can. . . . but if we do. . . . we’ll be running forever.
We have to turn and face them head on. It’s the only way to defeat them.
I told her that too.
And I hugged her with tears in my eyes.
And I rubbed her hair and smoothed her skin.
I prayed for her and tried to comfort her.
It’s a hard thing to watch.
The true struggles that our children go through in life. A big part of me wants to just let it go, let her quit, life would be so much easier.
But then, she’ll never learn.
And how will I be sure that when even BIGGER boogey men come, and I’m not around, she’ll know what to do.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
I can’t fight this demon for her, but damn it, I sure am going to load her up with artillery.
First things first, today I’m changing her sheets, fluffing her pillows, making her made a place that just beckons ‘come hither and take a rest’.
Second, since she is feeling a little under the gun, I think I’ll help to reorganize her closet a bit, iron and wash her clothes (she usually does that), and I hope that will give her a little more time to get other things done, like schoolwork, volleyball practice and REST.
3rd- I’m about to dizzle drop some home cooked superfood goodness in her belly. I’ve been a little lax lately about cooking EVERY night, but I think she really needs MORE, and this is how I can best help. She is a bit of a health foodie, so I’m thinking even if she hates me for making her do what she really wants to do anyway, she’ll appreciate my extra added effort.
Starting with this smoothie.
Guaranteed to jump start anyone’s new school year program with a bang!
The recipe is taken from new Cookbook SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIES: 100 delicious, Energizing & Nutrient-Dense Recipes by Julie Morris.
Full of great ideas for smoothie meals or snacks, recipes designed to be vessels of purpose driven fuel.
Which is exactly what we need around here. The first chapter of the book gives good nutritional background information about the basics of making smoothies, what bases and thickeners to use, and things that make a more pleasurable and flavorful smoothie . . . like flavored ice, liquids, and sweeteners.
All the recipes are listed with the ingredients that should be thrown into the blender first, to ensure the best textural result. Base, Bulk, then Powder and Superfood.
Today, Shelbi has agreed to peruse the book with me and choose out a few to try for breakfast next week ( like Chocolate (with steamed Cauliflower) or Apple (with Broccoli). Something to help concentration, stamina, endurance.
Anyway, its a really good book, one that I’m really enjoying.
And one that I’m really giving away.
TODAY.
TO YOU.
IF YOU ENTER A COMMENT AND ARE THE WINNING RANDOM # CHOSEN.
TO ENTER:
Just answer the following question in the Comments section of this post:
“What do you eat to power up for a busy day? ”
THE RULES:
One entry per person, please. And make it good. My kid’s happiness is depending on it.
The SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIES GIVEAWAY will end September 5th, 2013 at midnight CST. The winner will be announced on Friday, September 6th, 2013. Entrants limited to US and Canada. They will be chosen randomly using http://www.random.org/
Good Luck!
And. . .THE WINNER IS. . .
-
-
Serena Powell I make smoothies with a lot of fruit and Greek yogurt.
Please contact me at [email protected] to claim your prize in the next 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.
– – – – – – – –
And one more thing. Because I love you so. . . .
A recipe to try out for yourself from SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIES BY JULIE MORRIS. Try it out.
MIXED BERRY SMOOTHIE
Reprinted from SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIES© 2013 by Julie Morris. Permission from Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
Makes 2 16-ounce servings
1 1/2 cups frozen mixed berries
1 cup ice
1 cup chopped ripe pear
1/4 cup mashed avocado
1/3 cup goji berries
1 tablespoon flaxseed powder
2 teaspoons maqui berry powder
1 1/2 cups almond milk
sweetener, to taste (optional)
Blend all the ingredients together until smooth and frosty. Taste, and adjust sweetness if desired.
