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If we value the pursuit of knowledge, we must be free to follow wherever that search may lead us. ~ Adlai Stevenson

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Scattered Sunday Thoughts...

Dropping the Narnia study for a little while. Since we have listened to all of the Narnia books on cd before, I don't feel bad about this. Why are we dropping it? Well, we watched Journey to the Center of the Earth (the 2008 version) last night, and tonight we'll be watching the classic version. We're going to be reading the book as well at the demands of my children!

The kids and I decided that since 90% of their historical interests are centered on American history, we should make that the focus of our Sunday history studies, so look out Rainbow Book of American History... here we come!
Scratch that on the American history. I read from Roger Lancelyn Green's Tales of the Greek Heroes, and then we got into Greek history instead! However, I think we will try the American history next Sunday, unless the kids really want ancient Greek history!

I am so glad fall is on its way! This is my favorite time of year... the changing leaves, crisp fresh air, soups and stews, all the holidays approaching. I hung up the fall wreath on our front door yesterday after adding some beautiful (artificial) orange and red maple leaves.

Our vegetable garden is winding down. There are some tomatoes still ripening on the vine, and a few squash lurking on the plants, but I need to start planning out a winter garden!

I am totally confused about the optimal approach to diet and nutrition. I have lost fifty, yes fifty, pounds with a low carb approach, but am not sure that's how I want to live the rest of my life. I watched Forks Over Knives, which promotes plant-based foods, and really downplays use of animal products. I read Primal Blueprint, which says that fats and loads of protein are good, veggies are good, and grains, beans and dairy are evil. I've read Nourishing Traditions, which places an emphasis on animal products and pre-soaked grains, and The McDougall Plan, which is strictly a very lowfat vegan approach. And probably half a dozen other books with varying approaches. Now I'm reading a book on the Mediterranean diet, which says more or less everything above in moderation, but not too many fats. I want something that is versatile enough for my whole family, and not as expensive as paleo can be. So I am confused, wandering in the dark, so to speak. How do YOU approach healthy eating?

On today's agenda: an art project for the kids and I; some homeschooling; catching up on laundry and dishes (I hope); a little grocery shopping; muffin baking for tomorrow morning; and some more reading for my classes. I'm working my way through The Time of the Butcherbird and a few bits of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. I just finished grading two batches of papers!

2 comments:

  1. I'm totally with you on the diet and nutrition confusion! I mean really, what are we supposed to believe when there are so many conflicting yet believable sides to the story?

    Like you, I have read about and tried many of the various approaches to food. I think what feels best to me is the Mediterranean Diet approach of everything in moderation. Oh, and Michael Pollan makes good sense, too when he says "Eat (real) food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

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  2. In some ways, the food thing is easy for us as we are intolerant to gluten and dairy. Dh, dd, and I are all low carb (dh is the lowest carb of the three of us), and though the boys are not, they only have access to what I buy, so it's somewhat low carb. I emphasize healthy fat (coconut, olive, avocado), good protein, veggies, and fruit. Grains tend to be a once a day thing for the kids and I; we eat more eggs than I can keep track of around here. ;) It's what works. At least for now. LOL But, the dairy and gluten are non-negotiable, unfortunately. (I'd never eat another grain in my life if I could just eat some cheese!)

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What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
Emerson

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