Robert and I have been struggling for a while to find an acceptable family diet that will also apply to kids. We have tried having separate foods but it just does not work. We will take candy from babies!
We tried being vegetarians since I have always struggled with the ethical and moral issues of eating meat. It didn't work. Robert was cranky and my baby had green poop. So we sucked up the cost and began buying meat from Pine View Farms. I am happy about this:)
We finally tried the Paleo diet. I was a little unsure since I've heard that there is no dairy. I have not researched dairy enough to make a decision as to whether or not we should be drinking cow milk. And I cannot deprive growing kids and a baby from milk without researching. I finally got around to it and checked some discussion boards online. To my surprise a lot of Paleo dieters say that it is common sense. If milk bothers you don't drink it. If it doesn't then include it. Awesome!!
So I have slowly been weaning ourselves and the kids off the processed crap. Just this week we are down to the last box of Nutri Grain bars. I have been replacing it all with nuts, fruits, veggies, meat, dairy, and the odd Paleo baked snacks.
It has been one week of clean eating and we feel better already! The kids are more calm. They aren't as hungry all the time and everyone is happier.
I know this isn't the end and we will want to cave but I hope we can keep it up!
I found a fantastic Paleo cookbook at Costco. Everyday Paleo Family Cookbook by Sarah Fragoso.
It includes snacks, dips, soups, slow cooked meals, entrees, lunch kit meals, sides, and quick "Oh my gosh I have nothing in my cupboard" meals. She even gives tips on what sides pair with which entrees and how to get kids involved with cooking.
Rather than just myself cooking and praying my house doesn't go up in flames while the kids are alone has changed! Now everyone is in the kitchen with me. This cookbook paired with my slow cooker, Acti Fry, and food processor has changed how we eat!
Upon cleansing my cupboards I have also noticed that 25 years has taken it's toll and they need some loving...summer project! :s
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Friday, March 22, 2013
Big, Dumb, Guard
Yep. Let's face it. Every time we see a jail guard portrayed in the media it is usually as incompetent, lazy, over weight, and not too bright. Or there is the other side in which they are seen as lunatics that beat up and abuse inmates every chance they get. Even our kids get to see jail guards in Disney movies as some sort of animal (usually a rhino) that screws up somehow, is too slow ( both weight wise and mentally) and the bad guy gets away.
I'm a jail guard. Or "jail police" as my kids proudly refer to me. I take a great amount of pride in what I do and the people that I work with. I keep bad guys in jail. I make sure they behave, assist them in receiving programming, help them with their rehabilitation back into society, and provide counselling as well. And while I do all of this I make sure that the jail is functioning well in terms of security. We refer to it as providing dynamic and static security. When I started my job I was bored most of the time. There is a lot to learn and they want you to master the static (doors, cuffs, locks, 24's, charges) before taking on the dynamic (counselling, programming rehabilitation). Now that I have been there 4-5 years I'm busy most of the time. In fact some days I can hardly keep up. I have my own case load of 5 inmates all the while providing for 30 inmates in an 8 hour shift. Oh yeah...and I only have 1 other partner on shift. Yep we're busy!
Oh yeah and in the 8 hours that I'm there I am so busy that I don't actually think about the fact that I am out numbered by inmates every day...so our lives are at risk too. Yep, I am trained to respond to fights, hostage takings, staff assaults, fires, etc. And I do respond...every time!
Did I also mention that we are under funded, over populated, and our building is constantly in need of repair? Sounds like most government buildings (schools, hospitals) so I won't focus on this part.
We also do a great deal of fundraising for the Children's Hospital Foundation. Does the media help us promote that? Nope. That's not nearly as interesting as drugs or sex. I'm riding 130kms in less than three months...on a bike...for the CHF. It happens every year. And we have raised tens of thousands of dollars.
The people I work with are incredibly intelligent, fit, and one of the most interesting and dynamic groups of people I have ever met. Everyone has a different story and different life experiences. I can sit back, watch, and listen for 8 hours no problem.
I chose this job because I have always had an interest in the justice system. I wanted to be a lawyer in high school but soon realized that being a successful lawyer and mom would be a tough balance. I do not want to be a police officer because then you are dealing with inmates...but they have weapons and are either drunk or stoned. Jail guard is a good balance. I get to do casework and security at the same time.
So while I get to study inmates, help inmates, manage our security measures and every now and then put an inmate back in his place, I also get to work with great staff. Saskatoon should be proud of the people that are protecting them!
Somehow I am a woman and a guard and I manage to not deal drugs, or sleep with inmates. Yup. True Story. I have not changed anything about myself for my job. I wear make up, I do my hair, my nails are done...because that's who I am...and still I somehow manage to keep it together. Thank you women who have screwed it up for the rest of us.
I am proud to wear my uniform. I do my job well and I take it seriously. I put my life at risk to protect others and try to improve society. I am proud of my co workers. Keep your heads up! Don't let the media bring you down. Even if no one else is grateful, I am grateful to have you as partners!
Except for Kendra and Tanya Beauchamp...the media can bring them down...whoops! Typo :s
I'm a jail guard. Or "jail police" as my kids proudly refer to me. I take a great amount of pride in what I do and the people that I work with. I keep bad guys in jail. I make sure they behave, assist them in receiving programming, help them with their rehabilitation back into society, and provide counselling as well. And while I do all of this I make sure that the jail is functioning well in terms of security. We refer to it as providing dynamic and static security. When I started my job I was bored most of the time. There is a lot to learn and they want you to master the static (doors, cuffs, locks, 24's, charges) before taking on the dynamic (counselling, programming rehabilitation). Now that I have been there 4-5 years I'm busy most of the time. In fact some days I can hardly keep up. I have my own case load of 5 inmates all the while providing for 30 inmates in an 8 hour shift. Oh yeah...and I only have 1 other partner on shift. Yep we're busy!
Oh yeah and in the 8 hours that I'm there I am so busy that I don't actually think about the fact that I am out numbered by inmates every day...so our lives are at risk too. Yep, I am trained to respond to fights, hostage takings, staff assaults, fires, etc. And I do respond...every time!
Did I also mention that we are under funded, over populated, and our building is constantly in need of repair? Sounds like most government buildings (schools, hospitals) so I won't focus on this part.
We also do a great deal of fundraising for the Children's Hospital Foundation. Does the media help us promote that? Nope. That's not nearly as interesting as drugs or sex. I'm riding 130kms in less than three months...on a bike...for the CHF. It happens every year. And we have raised tens of thousands of dollars.
The people I work with are incredibly intelligent, fit, and one of the most interesting and dynamic groups of people I have ever met. Everyone has a different story and different life experiences. I can sit back, watch, and listen for 8 hours no problem.
I chose this job because I have always had an interest in the justice system. I wanted to be a lawyer in high school but soon realized that being a successful lawyer and mom would be a tough balance. I do not want to be a police officer because then you are dealing with inmates...but they have weapons and are either drunk or stoned. Jail guard is a good balance. I get to do casework and security at the same time.
So while I get to study inmates, help inmates, manage our security measures and every now and then put an inmate back in his place, I also get to work with great staff. Saskatoon should be proud of the people that are protecting them!
Somehow I am a woman and a guard and I manage to not deal drugs, or sleep with inmates. Yup. True Story. I have not changed anything about myself for my job. I wear make up, I do my hair, my nails are done...because that's who I am...and still I somehow manage to keep it together. Thank you women who have screwed it up for the rest of us.
I am proud to wear my uniform. I do my job well and I take it seriously. I put my life at risk to protect others and try to improve society. I am proud of my co workers. Keep your heads up! Don't let the media bring you down. Even if no one else is grateful, I am grateful to have you as partners!
Except for Kendra and Tanya Beauchamp...the media can bring them down...whoops! Typo :s
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Adoption Support?!
Since my last post I have found a whole world of support available to us and the kids! Thank you so much for your comments :)
There is an Adoption Support Centre right here in Saskatoon. Here it is in point form as to why it is AWESOME!!
- There are Adoption magazines that come out six times a year that have articles in them specifically for biological parents, adoptive parents, and adopted children. My favorite articles so far are the ones about the emotional stages of development of children and how they are different for adopted children. I feel like they are talking about our kids! It discusses how to treat children based on their emotional age and not their physical age. There was also a pamphlet on the inside for teachers and the differences they ay find in the classroom among adopted youth compared to the other children.
- They have youth groups for adopted youth! This addresses our kids coming home from school and asking where are all the other adopted kids :) They love youth group! It makesthem feel special and it is led by a social worker to help with any issues or questions that may come up during the group.
- They host the Adopt A Walk every year and the money goes to a scholarship program to send a local adopted child to university! Which is great! I have found a charity to send my extra cash ....lol. When I have it :s A family of five is a huge financial wake up call!
- They have parenting groups for adoptive parents and biological parents that have given their children for adoption.
- They have a massive library filled with books for all ages all about adoption. They will even mail books to me for free!
What a huge resource!! We are so excited to use it!!
There is an Adoption Support Centre right here in Saskatoon. Here it is in point form as to why it is AWESOME!!
- There are Adoption magazines that come out six times a year that have articles in them specifically for biological parents, adoptive parents, and adopted children. My favorite articles so far are the ones about the emotional stages of development of children and how they are different for adopted children. I feel like they are talking about our kids! It discusses how to treat children based on their emotional age and not their physical age. There was also a pamphlet on the inside for teachers and the differences they ay find in the classroom among adopted youth compared to the other children.
- They have youth groups for adopted youth! This addresses our kids coming home from school and asking where are all the other adopted kids :) They love youth group! It makesthem feel special and it is led by a social worker to help with any issues or questions that may come up during the group.
- They host the Adopt A Walk every year and the money goes to a scholarship program to send a local adopted child to university! Which is great! I have found a charity to send my extra cash ....lol. When I have it :s A family of five is a huge financial wake up call!
- They have parenting groups for adoptive parents and biological parents that have given their children for adoption.
- They have a massive library filled with books for all ages all about adoption. They will even mail books to me for free!
What a huge resource!! We are so excited to use it!!
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