Taking Care of Mama Monday! Please join in...

Do you feel guilty as a mama when you leave your kids behind to do something fun for YOU?

This is something I struggle with constantly.  When an opportuntiy comes along when I could spend an afternoon or even a day without them, on comes the guilt.  I feel guilty for wanting time away, and I feel guilty for leaving dear ol dad, (who works full time), with the kids for that time.  Here's the deal though...during the week I'm an at home mama.  I do the bulk of the homeschooling, playdate arranging, cooking, shopping and cleaning.  On weekends I work.  And so sometimes I just need a break...I have come to realize that I deserve a day off with no children tugging at my arms, demanding my attention.  Yesterday was such a day.  After a night shift at work, and the morning with the family, I left...I left with my knitting basket, an assortment of yarn and some snacks to enjoy an afternoon without the kids!!

Our good friend Stephanie was brave enough to teach myself and another novice knitter how to get started on a scrap cardigan...she assured us that "anyone" can do it!

(This was the friend who sat me down and taught me how to knit about a year ago...after I announced that I am NOT a knitter and never will be...now with her guidance I'm tackling my first cardigan!) 

 It was a wonderful afternoon...and I came back to my family feeling refreshed and renewed.  Truly...on Sundays, after I'm exhausted from working all weekend long, I do my family a service by leaving and doing something fun, or just having a nap, (depending on how bad my night shift was).  I need this time alone, or in the company of friends to recharge my batteries.  Since I've started this journey of self care, the thing that amazes me the most is that when I take care of my own needs the end result is that my family is happier and our home is full of JOY!  I'm also learning an important lesson in releasing the "guilt" that we as mothers so often carry around!  Perhaps when my girls are grown up they'll know that they can take care of their own needs too, and perhaps guilt will never enter into the equation.

Please share with us your own journey of self care...it doesn't have to be done on Mondays...it can happen anytime, anywhere...you can share your links below.

Here's to some serious self lovin'!

xo maureen

Taking Care of Mama Mondays! Please join in!!!

Todays post fills me with shame...it shames me to no end to even admit to this, but I am obese, (my GOD how I hate that word)!!!  Around Christmas time, when I had my revelation that I needed to get onto the never ending "to do" list, I felt awful.  I was pretty darn close to the heaviest I've ever been.  I've never been attracted to junk food, but put a plate of cheese, crackers and bread in front of me and I'll eat the whole darn thing.  I've always been an emotional eater...when I'm troubled, bored, stressed, tired...and let me tell you, I've been pretty darn troubled, bored, stressed and tired these past few years.   I've spent my whole adult life being overweight...the weight I carry masks some pretty serious pain in my life, but I'm feeling like this is the time to come to terms with myself and I need to make the time to do this!

sorry folks...I'm not feeling brave enough to post my "before" pic tonight!

On Boxing day I cleaned my fridge...not just cleaned, but I had it sparkling clean.  I cleaned out the kitchen cupboards, (again to a sparkle), and then I filled my home with good, healthy food.  I joined an online weight loss group, (called Spark people), for support, and I started exercising again...putting myself up there on the "list".   In a month I'm down 12 pounds and soon I'll be classified as "overweight"...I have about 38 to go before I'm at a healthy weight.  The best part of it all is that I'm relearning how to eat...what a serving size looks like, making cooking wholesome food a priority, (and by taking care of myself, my family gets the benefit of some pretty amazing meals)! 

Taking care of our health is one of the most important things we can do as mamas. 

Please leave your link below if you're joining in this week.  You don't have to do it on a Monday to play along, just link to something inspiring that you do for yourself.  It can be as simple as carving out some time to knit or read, cleaning out your craft nook...something, anything that is for YOU and you alone!

Be brave mamas...take some time, (guilt free), to find yourself again!

xo maureen

Taking Care of Mama Monday! Please join in!

 Years ago at a womans gathering I recall one of our older mama friends musing about her feet.  There were tears in her eyes, as she talked about having calloused and rough feet, because she just never found the time to take care of herself.  I always remember this moment, because I'm so guilty of not taking the time out of my day to pamper myself in little ways.  I can feel the toll of neglect on my feet...my big toes have huge callouses on them...I have foot pain, (that comes and goes), and my toenails are in a horrendous state of disrepair, (and also have remnants of nail polish on them from the summer of 2010)!   These feet of mine carry me through my day, they help me run after my children, play and dance...they've carried the weight of 2 children and have helped me walk endless miles.

So...my new committment to myself...start taking care of these beautiful feet of mine. 

Here's a recipe I found for a basic foot scrub...it made my feet feel heavenly and soft!

1/4 cup ground oatmeal

1/4 cup cornmeal

1 Tbsp sea salt

3 drops peppermint oil, (optional)

*Mix with water to form a paste and massage it onto your feet...get it between your toes and all over, love those feet up!

Afterwards, rub in your favourite moisturizing cream and put on some thick socks!  This took about 5 minutes out of my day, but I'm feeling some serious self love here!

"The human foot is a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art."

-Leonardo da Vinci

Please join in our Monday linkalong!  You don't have to do this on Monday to play along...be kind to yourself any day of the week, or every day of the week because darnit...YOU deserve it!!!

xo maureen