Miscellaneous
Farm to Table Dinner with Dear Old Friends
Bucket list items that involve getting together with long ago friends are often very difficult to implement. So, when about 8 girlfriends from our Elementary and High School days found a date that worked, we put it on our calendars and a beautiful afternoon and evening of food, fellowship and fun ensued.
I offered to come over the day before to the beautiful location where we would be gathering. My friend, who was hosting had a menu planned and the two of us went to town. We shopped at a lovely Farmer’s Market and visited a few specialty shops in her town to find just the right ingredients. We prepared all the parts of the meal that could be done the day before and then we went on a lovely walk and talked until bedtime. We did have a delicious meal together that first night but with the anticipation of all the “farm to table” food that we would be preparing and eating the next day we kept that dinner fairly simple. The next morning we arose early, dashed out for the last minute items we needed and began our preparations. We had so much fun cooking together.
As the saying goes…”A picture is worth 1,000 words” so here is our story in pictures…
The appetizers were local cheeses, farm fresh vegetables and fruits and an artichoke bake. For dinner, we made unique salads with figs, melon, herbs and a lemon thyme dressing, a caprice salad with fresh heirloom tomatoes, a lemon herb baked salmon and hot sourdough bread form a local bakery. Dessert featured fresh peach, berry cobbler. We had a glorious time feasting on delicious and nutritious food and reminiscing about “the good ole’ days”
Bucket list item checked off the list-new memories made and wonderful times of …
Read MoreHow to Motivate this Generation (JT Ayers Guest Post)
How to Motivate this Generation
By JT Ayers on 10/29/2018
Talking with coaches and teachers that have been at it for a while you will quickly hear “I just don’t understand this generation.”
Today’s athlete is different from years past. My generation (1980-1999) has moved through college and is in the world. The present generation is different. Instead of forcing this generation to be motivated the way we were, what does the research say?
These Young People Are Easily Bored, Are Socially Connected To Their Peers, Proficient In Technology, And Desire To Be Challenged By Their Teachers.
I recently read an article on Motivating the Modern Athlete by Dr. Marty Durden. This article can be found by Clicking Here. His findings are worth sharing.
Coaches generally agree that athletes’ perceptions of authority have changed in past decades. Years ago the coach was viewed as an authoritarian figure akin to a military leader. Many still try to motivate in this way. Paul “Bear” Bryant and Bobby Knight were able to achieve a high level of success based upon strict discipline and demanding leadership. Are you trying to motivate in this way?
The modern athlete seems averse to this style of coaching. This generation’s athlete desire much less direction from coaches and have access to the answers online. The culture of athletics continues to change and influences the perceptions that modern athletes have toward competitive athletics, teammates and coaches.
In this modern sport climate, the concept of servant-leader coaching remains a relevant model for the contemporary coach.
Evidence supports the notion that ethical core values have a significant positive effect on player motivation. Coaches still possess unique standing in our society and are widely viewed with respect. Parents tell me on occasion “Can you help me? My son/daughter wont listen to me. …
Read MoreLife is messy
My past few weeks have been filled with alot of dirt. My two year old son’s favorite place is covering himself in dirt… Whether we are at the park, the baseball field, at home… he sits in it, pours it on himself, puts all his tractors in it, eats it, and throws it (we are trying to kick that habit). He could sit for hours and be having the time of his life. I keep telling myself that he’s just getting ready for baseball… But all in all I could be pretty stressed out or spend all my time trying to keep him clean. But I have realized, I have to let him be who he is and part of that is expressing himself through his love of dirt, tractors, and everything dirty. I can’t focus on the excessive loads of laundry I am doing weekly or how I have to figure out how to give him a bath with a newborn or how we don’t make it through a whole day in the same outfit (usually half the day is spent in just a diaper). What I can focus on is his joy, his exploring, and him just being a BOY! I don’t want to live my life stifling the boy he wants to be because I want him to be a certain way. And I want to enjoy life with him. Seeing life through the eyes of a child is such a gift! Take it in my friends. Today is a gift. And time flies. Now that we have two kids, I barely blink and she is already 2 months. I realized this the other day as I was doing dishes that I needed to stop and just be in the giggles and the joy of the moment …
Read MoreBecome a Better You
Sometimes the thought of learning or changing one more thing is overwhelming, but growth, maturing, changing can be a really important part of the process of life. We can always been gaining more information, different perspectives, insight, advice in so many things in our lives. There is nothing wrong with seeing something around you and wanting to grow or move more towards that. You just have to keep it in check. Is that desire something tangible, doable, and good for you, or are you stuck comparing yourself to someone else? So keep your growth in check so you can grow to become a better you, not become someone else. You are the best you you can be. That doesn’t mean you are done where you are today, but do the best you can for each day, and you will continue to grow and become more excellent in who you are.
What are some fun ways to grow?
- What is your trade? Read books and articles in that field
- Focus on what you are thankful for and the good things
- Listen to podcasts
- Teach your kids about something new (you may learn from it too)
- Talk to people, become good at asking questions
- Be a good listener
- Set goals and intentions
This past weekend I got to go to a Fit4mom Training to grow in my group fitness instruction skills. I loved the time I got to spend with my team, and the things I learned. I never want to stop learning and growing to become a better teacher and leader in Fit4mom. 
All in all, just pick one or two things that you can focus on, and watch yourself grow. Feel the change happening by taking a little more focus and intention. And write things down so you can reflect …
Read MoreGratitude is Contagious
There are so many things to be thankful for in our lives! However, sometimes we get distracted by all the frustrations or difficulties happening around us. But always remember, our kids are watching.
“While teaching and instruction have their place in growing gratitude in our kids, the best teacher of all is our example.“
Gratitude is contagious. And, when are children can see our grateful hearts lived out everyday in us, they will want to have that same heart of thankfulness.
“Gratitude is more effectively caught than taught. How contagious are you, especially at home?”
Gratitude Challenge, Day 14 -Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
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A Grand Adventure (Part 1)
Three weeks of my life disappeared in a blink of an eye. Time is such a unique phenomenon. When you have a “to do” list a mile long it seems to hang over your head and creates stress and tension on a day to day basis. But when you have a deadline that includes leaving the country…..you power through that list in a day or two and get everything checked off-DONE!
That sensation of being free from the day to day commitments and obligations is a vacation in and of itself. Adding to that, a long awaited, much anticipated vacation to one of the spots on your bucket list is like a dream come true. Our 40th anniversary trip to Italy last month was all that rolled into one of the best vacations we have ever taken. It was far from “relaxing” but it was a GRAND ADVENTURE!
The planning and preparation was a bit more tricky than I anticipated because in the middle of planning our trip we had the unexpected kitchen disaster that dipped into our finances. But for me-the bargain hunter extraordinaire, it was a challenge that motivated me even more. Armed with my Rick Steve’s books, our Marriott points and our United mileage plus points, I began the process of planning. My goal was to provide the best trip possible on a shoestring budget and be able to see and do all the things we had dreamt about for years. Mission accomplished.
We began our trip in Venice. A very romantic city. Wandering the streets alongside the meandering canals was relaxing and fun. Although we had to navigate around the throngs of people who were there for the Italian Film Festival being held on the island of Lido and this prevented us from seeing the Armenian …
Inspiration for a New Season
FALL IS HERE!
And even though the weather in Sunny Southern California has yet to receive the memo, we are still VERY excited. To me, Fall means holidays, celebrations, food, and fun.
BUT–it can also mean BUSY BUSY BUSY.
So how to we find inspiration to have fun and make the most of this time of year without getting caught up in the fast pace of it all?
- Make Lists – write down what is MOST important to you. Make time for what matters most, leave a little time for last minute plans, and be prepared to say no to things that don’t make the list.
- Evaluate your goals – what is the motivation behind things you want to do or accomplish. This will help you see what is most important! Things that have meaning have value and will be more likely to get done!
- Stay Active – many people are waiting until January to start new fitness goals, but WHY WAIT?!! Wouldn’t it be SO MUCH BETTER to enter the Fall season with energy and feeling great! Schedule in your workouts. Make plans to meet friends for accountability. Sign up for a new class to challenge yourself!
- Eat Nourishing Food – Health is SUPER important to our family and we would love to make a plan with you to make the Fall season your healthiest yet!!! (Email us weisserwomen@growingweisser.com or message us on Facebook or Instagram).
- Have quiet time – schedule in time for quiet. My favorite is first thing in the morning for devotions and yoga before my kids wake up.
- SERVE – Do unto others! This is a great time of year to take the focus off you. This can be something big, like volunteering, or something small, like taking a special meal or treat to a
Out with the Old, in with the new
After a blissful free summer, sometimes school and fall can hit you like a slap in the face. School, homework, practice, holidays right around the corner, and the days getting shorter. But… I guess it is good to have a reality check and get back into the swing of things. I think this time of year is the perfect time to set some intentions, try new things, reorganize your priorities, and get after it!
Keep an organized Calendar. Whatever it is, phone, planner, chalkboard, be consistent. And make sure you add new things when they come up.
Choose one new thing that challenges your mind. Try something new. A class, book, hobby, writing, job, side biz… Whatever it is, challenge yourself to broad your horizons, even if its just a little bit. Just don’t be afraid.
Keep the most important things the priority. Set your intentions. Know yourself. Do the most important things first. Life tends to just roll right through if you aren’t intentional with your time.
Choose a time of the week. Chose a time of the week where you are going to get organized, plan out the week, make lists, set goals, and get after life.
Don’t be afraid to try new systems. Don’t get stuck in the old ways. If you want to try something new like meal planning or a new grocery list app or a new online ordering system, do it. If it works for you, great, if not, stop. But you will never know if you don’t try.
It is okay to say no. You do not have to do everything. Say no, and don’t feel guilty about it. You can only handle so much.
Get rid of a few things. Look at your closet or your space, …
Read MoreThe Benefits of Barre
After my first Barre class, I was sold. I loved the concept of getting deeper into the moves while using the ballet barre for balance. With the focus of tone and on muscles you didn’t even know you had, you will definitely feel these workouts. In a Fitness Magazine article, Sadie Lincoln, the founder of barre3 fitness says,
“Most barre-based classes use a combination of postures inspired by ballet and other disciplines like yoga and Pilates. The barre is used as a prop to balance while doing exercises that focus on isometric strength training (holding your body still while you contract a specific set of muscles) combined with high reps of small range-of-motion movements.”
The article continued with the many benefits of barre…
- Improved Posture
- Muscle Definition
- Weight Loss
- Increased Flexibility
- Reduced Stress
- Low Impact making these workouts doable during pregnancy
- May help with Imbalance and Stability during pregnancy
- Combines Strength Training and Cardio
Some added benefits…
- You don’t need any special gear – just a yoga mat, chair (use as your barre), and sometimes light hand weights and resistance bands
- *You don’t need any dance experience*
I have loved adding Barre workouts to my weekly routine. Unfortunately, barre studios can be pretty costly. However, I discovered that you can find quite a few options of Barre workouts on Youtube to do at home. Last week, I tried out these At home Barre workouts from Brit + Co. Each video is a different style of barre so it really shows you the variety that each class can have. Also, take advantage of your local studios that give a free class to try!
What are your favorite workouts or most recent workout trends to do at home?
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Fail. Learn. Grow.
We fail. It’s part of our nature. Part of learning. Sometimes we fail small. Mostly, we fail big.
Maybe you are failing at something right now. I know I am.
But here’s the secret:
It’s only FAILURE if we give up.
Are we going to choose to learn and grow from a fail, or do we let it define us? When you are defined by a fail–that’s FAILURE.
It’s a few weeks into 2017 and chances are you aren’t living up to all your expectations. Maybe you’ve already failed at a few of your resolutions/goals. I’m here to encourage you. I’m here to tell you to keep moving forward.
Failing is part of the journey. When you go big, there are more opportunities to fail, but there are also so many opportunities to GROW.
“Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.”
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