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Sugar Review

What was the craziest food product that you discovered had added sugar? How much effort have you been putting into avoiding sugar? Why or why not?

If you have been reducing sugar, what have you noticed about this shift? Does your body feel different? Have your taste buds changed? Spend a few moments analyzing your sugar intake, your kids’ sugar intake, what has shifted for you, what shifts could serve you, etc.

Personal Goal:
Whole Foods:
Sugar:
Water:

Water Review

Take a few minutes to review your water intake today, this week, and this month. What shifts do you need to make in order to meet your water intake goals? Pour a glass right now? Have a water bottle at the ready? Do you feel it is important to drink a lot of water but don’t? Do you place a big emphasis on it? Do you push water on your children throughout the day? Do you serve it at meal time?

Really bring your focus to your water intake today (and your children’s). What can you do to increase your whole family’s water intake?

Personal Goal:
Whole Foods:
Sugar:
Water:

Sleep & Eating

Sleep and food are closely related. Your body needs quality sleep and nutritious food…something that feels like an impossible task in certain seasons of parenthood. If the body does not get adequate sleep it becomes easy for us to overcompensate with calories to try and boost our energy. This often does not work out the way we hoped.

Take a look at your sleep in the past week (not your sleep in general, but where you are right now). How much sleep have you gotten on average this week? What is keeping you from getting good rest? If you are craving rest or better sleep, what are some things you can shift to make sure you get more rest and/or sleep tonight? Tomorrow? One day at a time? Can you go to bed earlier? Skip the late night show in favor of more sleep? Go to bed with the kids even just one night? Create a sleep environment that is conducive to sleep (wifi off, no lights in the room, essential oils, no screens before bed, etc. – research it if you need specific ideas). Or look into things you can do during your day that can lead to better sleep (ie. research circadian rhythm, limit caffeine after a certain hour, create a bedtime routine, etc).

Analyze this week’s sleep, your body’s current needs, and brainstorm ideas that can get you what you need.

Personal Goal:
Whole Foods:
Sugar:
Water:

Planning Ahead

Do you pre-plan your meals, food prep, etc.? Are you able to stick to those plans? What works well for you when you plan ahead? What do you struggle with?

If you don’t pre-plan, what keeps you from trying it? Failure to stick to it in the past? Time? Write about what blocks you from this task.

Today’s challenge is to research why planning ahead when it comes to food can serve you. Find a podcast, article, etc. and spend some time reading about food prep, meal planning, etc. Write down what you learn…then note which tips might work well for you and your family.

Personal Goal:
Whole Foods:
Sugar:
Water:

Comparison

One of the biggest perception shifts that has served me well is to accept the fact that every person’s body is unique. We all have different body types, genetics, needs in the moment, challenges, etc. Just because paleo is working for my friend down the street doesn’t mean it’s going to work for me. Even biological family members will be very different for you. Your sister could have a lot of health success as a vegetarian runner and you could have a dairy sensitivity and a bum knee.

Do you find yourself comparing your choices to those of others? Do you see inspiration in their choices or do they become an opportunity for comparison? When have you compared in the past? Do you feel like you compare now? Less than in the past? More so?

Brainstorm about ways to keep your focus on your own health journey. How can you remind yourself to stay focused on your individual health needs even when it’s tempting to compare yours journey to others?

Personal Goal:
Whole Foods:
Sugar:
Water:

Eat Five Vegetables a Day

Are you eating at least five vegetables per day? Are your kids eating at least five vegetables today? How do you feel about this goal? Is it overwhelming? Do-able? What would make it less intimidating? Brainstorm. Write about it.

Personal Goal:
Whole Foods:
Sugar:
Water:

“Treat”

Has the term “treat” become something that you use as a bribe? A reward for “good” choices? Or a justification for why we “deserve” sugary food? Take a look at how treats function in your family and every day life. Think about whether they are serving you or not.

Have treats become part of your every day, every other day, every week, or are they truly occasional? Write about what role treats play in your life at the moment and if there are any changes you would like to implement.

Personal Goal:
Whole Foods:
Sugar:
Water:

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“Are you telling your soul to sit down and shut “Are you telling your soul to sit down and shut up so you can do the ‘more important’ work of getting through the week?” -Allison Fallon

A lot of writers worry that their writing isn’t going to be any good—but then find a way through that doubt during their writing. A lot of moms worry that what they’re doing isn’t any good either. What if moms had a tool to work through that doubt? Today’s guest Ally Fallon makes a solid case for how writing could be just the tool we need. She brings all kinds of encourage and insight about the sacred act of making space for writing in our lives and how to not get stuck in our to-do lists or lost in distractions. 💕

Ally is a new mom with a new book: The Power of Writing It Down: A Simple Habit to Unlock Your Brain and Reimagine Your Life. She’s going to help us see the myths surrounding writing (including the one that writing is for some people and not for others). She shares how writing has been transformative in her own life and shows us how it can reveal things we didn’t know about ourselves before we wrote them down. Writing is revelation and learning through play…things that we see and encourage in our children on a daily basis. Ally shows us how we can now turn that same philosophy and encouragement inward and apply it to ourselves as moms. 

We talk about all the things: writing, motherhood, misconceptions, spirituality, connection, life-long learning, the power of getting to know ourselves, and what you can do to get started today. We’re going to bust through some learned writer’s block and show you how to use writing as a vehicle to get to know your truest self.  This is a great episode for all moms—whether you identify as a “writer” or not. And if you’re a homeschool mom, it’s easy to see how these writing ideas can crossover into homeschool as well. 

Ally’s Bio: Allison Fallon is an award-winning author, sought after public speaker, and nationally recognized writing coach. She has worked with thousands of people to realize their writing potential and become published authors. Check her out: @allyfallon 📚😘
Writing has been a huuuuge part of my life for a l Writing has been a huuuuge part of my life for a long time. I have two master’s degrees in literature and creative writing. I love journaling and write guided journals. I jot things down on napkins, receipts, and piece of scrap paper surface I can find...

AND YET.

I still learned so much from reading @allyfallon ‘s newest book The Power of Writing It Down. 🙌 Ally is on the @elevatingmotherhood podcast this weekend talking about her book that is available this week! Tune in and be inspired! 💛😘
Do you study or appreciate or follow certain educa Do you study or appreciate or follow certain educators or education philosophies? 📚 The work of Charlotte Mason has been an extremely positive influence in our homeschool and in my motherhood journey. I’m curious to know what quotes, notions, & ideas influence you 😘
Did you read the title of this episode and think, Did you read the title of this episode and think, “I can’t seem to get ONE type of rest as a mom let alone 7!?” I know I did a double take when I first read about Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s idea that there are 7 different types of rest and that we need all 7, but…my curiosity was peaked! Diving into her explanations has brought me so much personal clarity, I’m so grateful for her work and all the ways she shows up and encourages mothers. 

This episode is so life giving—Dr. Saundra is articulate, kind, authentic, and just so generous with her insights. She teaches us what we need to show up as our true and best selves. 

I left this conversation feeling so understood—and I know you will, too. As Dr. Saundra presents these 7 types of rest, she doesn’t do it in a way that’s overwhelming but rather shows us a bigger picture and that we really are all quite unique. The types of rest I need most in this season of my life probably aren’t the same types of rest you will benefit from the most right now. There is no one size fits all answer for everyone, but when it comes to rest, there are a lot of options! These ideas about rest will help you learn more about your true self so that you can understand what you need—and then confidently meet that need armed with information and insights about these 7 types of rest. 

This topic is also a great conversation starter. Once you hear the different types of rest and take the quiz online (www.restquiz.com), I bet you’ll want to send this quiz to your partner, spouse, sisters, friends, and moms group so you can dive deeper into this topic with them! It’s the resolution we didn’t know we needed going into the new year. Learning about rest is a great way for us to become more self-aware so we can support and nourish our true selves, recover our lives, renew our energy, and restore our sanity. 

Dr. Saundra’s Bio: Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a Board-Certified internal medicine physician, speaker, and author. She is an international wellness expert featured in numerous media outlets including Prevention, MSNBC, Women’s Day, FOX, Fast Company, Psychology Today, & as a guest on Dr. Oz show. More in the show notes on the EM website!
You know what most of my “top posts” in 2020 c You know what most of my “top posts” in 2020 contained? Baby goats. 🐐😋😂🥰 

They are pretty life giving, stinking adorable, and fun to be around. (New life, new hope and all of that). 💕

If you’re one of the mamas who liked the baby goat pics, I have some good news for you! 😍 One of our other goats, Eddie, is (most likely) pregnant and due around Mother’s Day! I say “most likely” because it’s always hard to tell if it took, but she’s moody and bossy and acting like she did the last time she was pregnant. 

As much work and worry as it is, I’m grateful that we have something to look forward to that gives us purpose and hope. 🙏 

Are you finding that you need to lean into future fun or hope at the beginning of the year here now that Christmas and New Year’s Day is over? 😘

Photos: @mrsmeganmiller
My word for 2021: Motherhood. 🌺 No, seriously. My word for 2021: Motherhood. 🌺

No, seriously...I know that my podcast is called Elevating Motherhood and that the way I show up for others is aaaaaaall about motherhood, but this year I’m also going to be reflecting on what it means to ME. 💕

I’m going to use it as a way to focus my writing (I’m working on books about and for mothers), a way to focus on our homeschool (thinking about motherhood first will help me lean into connection over things like grading systems), a way to focus on my marriage (let’s be real…a lot of disagreements among spouses center around parenting differences), and even as a way to learn more (I want my kids to see their mom learning and growing and reading and dreaming…to understand that that is part of what motherhood is, too). 

“Motherhood” is such an unglamorous seeming word when compared with others that are being shared in the New Year and doesn’t seem to be at the top of anyone’s list. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Honestly, I didn’t intend to choose a word—I feel like this one chose me. 💗 I’m not big on resolutions (I see them as incognito expectations and those lead me straight into funks), but I am into guiding lights.🌟 So motherhood will be my guide this year—I’m excited to see what that looks like, feels like, and what it grows within me. 🥰

What is your word for 2021? Do you have one? Would you consider choosing motherhood? ✨

Photo: @kristycopperfieldphotography 😘
Welcome to 2021! 🥳 The New Year brings with it Welcome to 2021! 🥳 The New Year brings with it a lot of talk about expectations, health, & overhauling our lifestyles and diets with goals, resolutions, & the best of intentions. 

To be honest, I find all of the expectations surrounding the New Year really overwhelming. 🙈

And if our main goal is a healthy body, mindset, & lifestyle—what does that mean? What does that look like? Over the years, I’ve come to believe that true health varies for each person—& the more we can learn and broaden our understanding of “health,” we can easily begin to apply a wide variety of perspectives, ideas, & teachings to ourselves & our own health journeys. There is no one size fits all answer when it comes to our children’s health, our family’s health, or our own health. 

I’m really excited for the opportunity to introduce you to @holistichilda —someone who has been very influential in my own personal health journey. In fact, her voice & work is such an everyday presence in my life & learning that I realized it’s probably time I shared more about her & her work with you. She’s frequently referred to as “Holistic Hilda,” (which, the idea of holistic is just one more layer in the “what is true health” conversation). In this episode, Hilda & I talk about @westonaprice + the realities of modern motherhood, what holistic means, ancestral concepts of nutrition, how we can nourish ourselves & our children, intuition, connection, ideas for improving our diet & overall health, as well as myths & expectations surrounding the idea of health & wellness in our modern world. 

Hilda’s Bio: Hilda Labrada Gore is the host and producer of the Wise Traditions and Tradiciones Sabias podcasts. A certified health coach, she has traveled the world exploring traditional practices for optimal well-being. Hilda shares the best of experts, experiences, & epic adventures on the podcasts, her Holistic Hilda YouTube channel, & on ancestral health tours that she leads. Hilda is also a podcast coach & the author of “Podcasting Made Simple.” Hilda has energy to spare thanks to her love for sunshine & liverwurst. 😉
Wow, y’all. 🤩 There is some silver shine that Wow, y’all. 🤩 There is some silver shine that seems to have popped up overnight! Wowza! I love it! 😍

#cantstopstaring #silverhair #silverhairtransition #silversisters #silversisters2020 #greyhair #greyhairtransition #grayhairrevolution #silverhairdontcare #silverhaircolor #grayhairmovement
Today is the #vigilforem This week Emily and her u Today is the #vigilforem This week Emily and her unborn child passed away. She was a light in the homeschool community & we are feeling the loss. More of her story can be found over at Wild & Free’s page. I’m humbled by her messages & teaching. Today I am grateful for my children, my husband, and my life. Praying for peace and clarity for her husband, children, and friends.

Baby Tula

Tula

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