Mick’s up Winter

What do you do for exercise in the winter?  If you live in a warm climate, you might find it easier to be active outdoors than those who live in the tundra.  Then again, those in the freezing cold are most likely there because they like it, and they find activities that allow them to enjoy their environment.


If you have kidderz or grandkidderz, you can go outside and have fun digging snow caves and tunnels or building snow forts, and have a snowball fight… or how about some sledding!  That climb back up to the top is exercise for sure!  Oh… cross-country skiing… is one of my favorites.

How about a wog around the neighborhood?  Yes, I said, “wog.”  That is what my husband called my walk/jog exercise regimen that got me from a walk to a run.  It’s really fun!  I found a coaching schedule at Nike Running.  All you do is walk for a bit, then jog for a bit, and repeat it several times.  You could even do it in an interval training style.  Start out at a walk, then burst into a run for 20 seconds, and go back to a walk.  Repeat it as necessary.  That is so much fun, I want to go do it now!

Whatever you choose, remember this season’s To Do List, and exercise a day or two more each week of this Christmastide.  You want to stay healthy, right?

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’

Job 37:5-6 (NIV)

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Mick’s up Moms

This is dedicated to all the moms out there!

Being that this blog from a mom’s perspective has the goal to help families live healthier, and because it’s my mother-in-law’s birthday, today’s post is dedicated to moms.

I asked some friends of mine (who in the recent past have discovered a new lifestyle including running) for some words of wisdom, from a healthy mom’s perspective.  Enjoy!

Jenny writes:

♪♫ Happy birthday, Mom W!♫♪

“My experience with healthy family life really evolved out of my own up and down weight.  I did not start out teaching my girls healthy habits.  I admit they have eaten their share of frozen chicken nuggets and fries.  I was not much of a cook early in their lives.  As I learned more about how I needed to eat to feel better and maintain a healthy weight, I also learned how to cook.  This is not always greeted with enthusiasm by my kids, but they have learned to try new things and even grown very fond of many great healthy dishes.  Lets face it, cooking at home is so much better and cheaper.  Oh and letting my kids help in the kitchen has increased their awareness of what they eat and gotten them more excited about it. I also was very aware, as a mother of girls, that I needed to lead by example.  There are frightening statistics on teen and preteen girls and eating disorders.  So I wanted to lead by example.  I cook healthy, eat regular meals, and work out at least a few days a week.  I also discovered that a one month membership to the Y was cheaper than one evening out to dinner and a movie with my family.  As a family, we discovered the beautiful area in which we live and do some hiking.  I won't say we never eat out or enjoy a less than healthy treat but we do so in moderation.”

Stay tuned for Shannon's writing:
“[Shannon's awesomeness entered here!]”

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Some quick ideas for healthier nutrition for the family can be found in the resource I have used for the past year to get my family to our current improved state of health, which is the Maximized Living Nutrition Plan book by B. Lerner, BJ Hardick and K. Roberto.  It has similarities to the Paleo Diet or Raw Diet or Primal Diet… but it is less raw, much better, yummier, easier to follow, and more family-friendly.  Have fun exploring!

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A fellow blogger Carla Gardiner of CarlaJGardiner.com posted an article that fits well with today’s Mick’s up Life:  Why Do People Sabotage My Health Plan?  Enjoy… and become inspired! 

Attribution Statement: This article (Why Do People Sabotage My Health Plan?) was first published at CarlaJGardiner.com.  To receive your own FREE "Secret to Turning Back the Clock" video, go to CarlaJGardiner.com and claim your free video NOW!

Carla J Gardiner is an ex-banker turned entrepreneur who built an auto transport brokerage and dispatch center from the ground up. With half a days training and little else Carla learned the business inside and out the hard way…by doing it. Her passion and purpose lies with the people she works with daily; the client, dispatcher, broker and truck driver. Her frustration within the industry has birthed a new division of her company; a part-time business to to properly train, encourage and mentor others in turning back the clock and regaining youthful health.

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“A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life…. 
She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
‘Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.’
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

Proverbs 31:10-12, 26-31 (NIV)

~

Mick's up Grandparents

"Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." Proverbs 17:6 (NIV)

Yesterday was Grandparents' Day!  Did you let anyone in your life know how much you appreciate them as grandparents, whether natural or adopted?

There are such fond memories in our family.  Grandparents have always been an important factor on both sides.  Christmases at the Lanning house were always special, as all of us 15+ cousins reconnected.  Long summer days spent on the Johnson Farm with the horses, kittens, dogs, and cows, were filled with activity.  Grammy never let us be idle.  My brother learned some of his best baking and gardening skills there.  Somehow, those traits missed my genetic makeup. 

Grammy sledding at age 85 with my children

When it comes to grandparents, my dad and father-in-law have something in common.  They didn't know theirs, because the grandparents died either before they were born or soon after.  Realizing what they missed is what makes the grandparents in our lives and the lives of our kidderz so much more important.

My husband and I were blessed with grandparents all during our growing-up years, and even into the adult years.  My great-grandparents were around long enough for me to remember family gatherings at their house.  My husband and I see how blessed our kidderz are to have all four of their natural grandparents alive to spoil them and watch them grow.  It's even more special that our kidderz have great-grandparents to love on them.

The last of my husband's grandparents passed away in Ohio one month before we started dating, so I never met them.  I was looking forward to getting to know Grandpa and Grandma, but their opportunity to meet Jesus in heaven definitely takes the cake!  So, that left Jay with no grandparents to spoil him… but the Johnson clan was ready for the task!   A wonderful bond developed between them, and Jay has been proud to call them his Pappap and Grammy, too, for the past 16 years.

It is so comforting to know we have parents praying for us every day.  Who doesn't need someone to pray for them?  Remembering that, I pray every day for our parents and grandparents.  I look forward to many more winters of watching my Grammy slide down the snowy Pennsylvania hill on cardboard with the kidderz, as well as a bazillion New York summers full of kidderz and activities with our parents.

Listen now to the stories your grandparents and parents have to tell.  Take all the advice you can from them, while they are here.  They are full of wisdom!  Make a recording, if you can.  We never know when the last story will be told.

Go ahead!  Make some memories!

Remember:  There are always grandparent-types nearby, if you need to adopt a grandparent!

Celebrate grandparents throughout the year with these ideas:
Cool Mom Picks

Links describing the History of Grandparents' Day:
National Grandparents Day
Legacy Project
National Grandparents Day History
Grandparents.com
Wikipedia

"The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old." Proverbs 20:29 (NIV)

"Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness."  Proverbs 16:31 (NIV)

Have you noticed grandparents seem younger these days?  You can be one of those young grandparents by keeping your health!  Try making 80 the new 40!