Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Indy WAPF Groundwork Conference

Indiana friends:

Share this:
http://www.indywapf.org
GROUNDWORK CONFERENCE
Promoting farm-fresh, traditionally prepared,
nutrient-dense foods
DATE: Saturday, September 15, 2012
TIME: 8:30 - 5:30 (check-in will begin at 7:45 am)
LOCATION:  Harrison Center for the Arts
COST:  $55 (until August 1) 
Check out our website for more detailed information.

WHAT IS GROUNDWORK?
Groundwork is a conference designed to promote farm-fresh, traditionally prepared and nutrient-dense foods while exploring topics of optimal health, food freedom, non-toxic therapies and sustainable agriculture.  

THE EARLYBIRD CONFERENCE RATE IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE
REGISTER HERE NOW!    

WHAT TO EXPECT
• Taste & learn about nutrient-dense foods
• Hear documented research from local & national experts
• Sample & purchase local farm raised foods
• Enjoy a farm fresh lunch prepared by Homestead Heritage
• Encourage, connect and inspire yourself & others
• Learn to prepare great tasting, nourishing, family-friendly meals

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!
SHARE ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER!
FORWARD THIS EMAIL!

FEATURED SPEAKERS
Kevin Logan, MD attended Indiana University School of Medicine with a residency from the University of New Mexico in Internal Medicine and additional training in Chinese Medicine and multiple post-graduate training courses that integrate a mind, body, and spirit approach to illness.  Kevin's talk for the conference is titled "Dangerous Grains".
Michael Gossweiler, DDS attended Indiana University School of Dentistry, completed a residency in hospital-based dentistry in 1990 and received his specialty certificate in periodontics from the University of Kentucky in 1992.  In 2005 he and other members of his family, who are also dentists, became aware of the effects of mercury on their health.  Since that time, he has transitioned to holistic and integrative dentistry.  Michael will be talking about the Inside and outside story of fluoride.
Catherine Rupp, MD is trained in internal medicine and pediatrics.  Catherine has also acquired NAET certification and has most recently received training by Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride.  She is currently the only certified GAPS practitioner in the Indianapolis area.   
Chris Masterjohn is currently a doctoral candidate pursuing a PhD in Nutritional Sciences with a concentration in Biochemical and Molecular Nutrition at the University of Connecticut and author of website Cholesterol and Health and the Daily Lipid and writes for the Weston A Price Foundation website Mother Nature Obeyed.  Chris will have an opportunity to speak about the research of Weston A Price, the benefits of animal foods, and the synergistic effects of fat soluable vitamins A, D and K.  
Stephanie Seneff, PhD is a published MIT Senior Research Scientist.  Her interests are varied but focus most recently on the benefits of sun exposure, sulphur, the dangers of statin drugs and vaccinations.  
Don Huber, PhD is Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology at Purdue University and an expert on the dangers of GMO's and Glycophosphates.  Don most recently gained recognition and notoriety for his public questioning of the safety of modern agricultural practices and request for more thorough testing.
Denise Minger is a health writer and the owner of www.rawfoodsos.com, a blog dedicated to debunking bad science and discerning the truth about health - especially when it comes to animal foods, vegetarianism, fat, and other controversial topics.  She's currently working on her first book, "Death By Food Pyramid," to be published in early 2013.
Indianapolis Chapter of the Weston A. Price Foundation
PO Box 44 Keystone, IN 46759
Chapter contact, Leslie Gray
info@indywapf.org | Phone: 317-842-3757 | www.indywapf.org | www.westonaprice.org
Posted by at No comments:

Friday, October 21, 2011

Resources for Teaching Teens Biblical Sexuality

In July 2011, I wrote Training Our Teens in Biblical Sexuality, Part One: The What and the Why
In October 2011, I followed that up with Part Two: The When and the How 

If you haven't had a chance to read them yet, please check them out.  I'd love to hear what you think (feel free to comment here or over on the Modern Alternative Mama blog).

At the end of part two, I offered a list of resources to help you learn more.  This is that list.

Is this a huge list?  Yes.  Is it all worth reading?  Yes, if you're anything like me.  If you're not a "reader" or prefer to read less rather than more, then probably not.  Do you have to read everything here?  No.

I've starred* a few resources in each category that I have found most helpful, as well as given a small overview of each resource so you know what it's about. I've broken the entire list down into categories; some books are for parents to read, some are for teens to read, some are best if parents read first and then give to the teen and set aside time for a discussion either as the teen reads the book, or after he's finished (I use the pronoun he, as well as him and his to indicate a teen of either sex.  Unless specifically noted, the non-fiction teen books are appropriate for both young men and young women.).

Please comment with any questions or to give your own list of resources.  Mine is by no means all-inclusive - these are simply the things I've read/watched/heard over the years and found to be very useful in developing my plan to train my children to understand and follow the path of Biblical Purity and Sexuality.

RESOURCES - BOOKS
  1. Fiction Books for pre-teens/teens.
    Unfortunately, I've found very little in this category that is aimed at young men.  Whether that's because boys tend to be less willing to read than girls, or for some other reason, I don't know.  However, I will say that what I've recommended here - while written from a female perspective - could be shared with boys.
  2. Books for Parents on Parenting and/or Dealing with kids/teens and sexuality:
Posted by at No comments:

Links for Teaching Teens Biblical Sexuality

Just a giant list of links.  Fairly self-explanatory.  Please comment if you find things I can add!
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

You can't make me if I'm not there!

My apologies in advance to my little sister, whom I dearly love!

Laura hated spinach when she was little.  I haven't had the chance to ask her lately how she feels about it, but when she was a little girl, Laura hated spinach, probably more than my kids hate any of their "hate" foods.  She hated spinach so much, that by the age of 4, she had a strategy in place to avoid it.  Every evening, she'd nonchalantly wander into the kitchen and sweetly inquire "What's for dinner?"  95% of the time, the item being prepared was not offensive to her, and she'd go on her merry way, waiting for the food to be ready.  But on the nights when the answer was spinach?  It didn't matter if it was the main course - as in Spinach Casserole - or if it was just a part of the meal - like Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes, salad and cooked spinach.  If spinach was anywhere on the menu, the plan went into action.

On the face, it was a pretty good plan.  She didn't throw a tantrum or get mad or upset, like most kids would.  It wasn't even obvious that she had a plan.  She simply said "ok" and walked out of the kitchen, apparently on her merry way, just as she did any other night.  Then she'd go to her room, climb onto her bed, and fall asleep.  Thus avoiding any chance that she'd be required to actually eat said spinach.

It took our parents a while to catch on to this tactic.  For quite a while, it was just "Oh, Laura fell asleep again.  I guess she'll miss dinner."  No one woke her up.  She simply slept through the meal and the rest of the night.  It probably took at least a year before someone said "Have you ever noticed that when we're having spinach for dinner Laura always manages to fall asleep before dinner?"  Lightbulb!

That's when the real struggle began, because the rule became "if you fall asleep before dinner, we'll wake you up so you can eat with us."  That's when she went the route other children did - tantrums, crying, begging, hiding the spinach.  You name it, she tried it.  (Well, she did - thankfully - skip the "throw it up" trick, which I used at the age of 4 to effectively keep okra out of the house until after I left home!)

Happily, such behavior is strictly the domain of small children.  Or is it?  Am I wrong, or is the recent behavior of the Wisconsin and Indiana democrats essentially the same thing?  They knew what was being served (because these were the issues that were being campaigned on, the promises that were being made by the politicians that ultimately won the seats).  But they don't want what's being served, so they're just going to disappear.  They're off to "take a nap" while the wheels of democracy grind to a halt.  Can't have democracy without a quorum.  Can't have a quorum without at least some of those democrats.

So, how long will we allow politicians to act like 4 year olds?
Posted by at 3 comments:

Thursday, December 16, 2010

I had a hissy fit at Target, aka Abdicating Thought

I have a problem with my temper.  It's funny, because around friends and family, I tend to hold my tongue fairly well.  But get my dander up for some reason and put me around a stranger (who probably has no control over whatever it was that got my dander up in the first place, but more on that in a second) and I'm liable to go off on a loud-voiced, indignant (and sometimes tearful) rant.  Last night at Target was no exception.

It started out innocently enough.  I had a couple of items to return to Target that had been laying around the house for a few weeks, so I threw them in the car so I'd have them with me when I did some shopping while the kids were at AWANA.  I started with the returns, waiting only a moment before it was my turn at the customer service desk.  First item up: A package of 3 Hanes boys' Boxer Shorts.  I even had the receipt, which is the exception for me; usually I just have them look up items using my debit card.  I handed underwear and receipt over to the customer service rep.  She scanned the receipt, then handed the both items back.

"I'm sorry, you can't return these.  Your receipt is more than 90 days old."  She reached for the next thing without waiting for my response.

I took the boxers back without comment.  Well, actually, I think I said, somewhat slowly "O...kaaay" before I took them back.  She did a return for the other item and then turned away to go back to sorting through the returns.  I walked away, somewhat frustrated.  Okay, so Target has a 90 day return policy.  Fine.

But as I walked through the store, filling my cart with the items on my list, I started wondering.  Why couldn't they take them back?  Was it because they no longer carried the item?  Carried them, but now at a lower price?

Well, I happened to have one item that I needed to get from the boys' section, so while I was over there picking out socks, I checked the underwear aisle.  Okay, interesting.  They still carried the item - same size, same style, same color, same UPC on the back.  The price was not, as I'd thought, marked down, but rather marked up.  Dander?  Officially up.

They carry this item.  I don't want or need this item.  Why, besides the fact that I purchased it 4 months ago instead of the requisite 3, would I not be able to return them?  I drove my cart around picking up a few more things while I tried to think through any plausible explanations.  I couldn't think of any.

Shopping finished, I headed back toward the customer service counter.  I drove the cart back and forth through the men's department several times, trying to get up the nerve to ask again to do a return.  Finally, I marched back over there.  There was now a different clerk, and I explained my dilemma to him.

"Hi.  I tried to return these a few minutes ago, and the person working told me that I couldn't because my receipt is more than 90 days old.  But I just looked and you still carry this item in stock, and at a higher price. So I don't understand why I can't just return them."  The guy takes my package, scans it, and then says,

"I can give you $5.24 back as store credit."

"That's fine."  Okay, technically, they're ripping me off for sixty-four cents, since I originally paid $5.50 plus 7% tax for these.  But I'm not going to fight for that sixty-four cents, because right now all I want is to be rid of this package of boxer shorts that I can't use.  And I'm shopping here anyway, so the store credit is fine with me.

"I'll just need to see your ID."  I actually hesitated for a moment, because my first instinct was to laugh.  I'm sorry?  You need my personal identification so I can return a set of boy's boxer shorts?  Am I missing something?

Well, it just so happens that I don't have my ID on me.  I'm not a girly-girl - the only time I carry a purse is when I go to the movies, so I don't have to stuff my pockets with tissues, socks and foot-warmers.  When I shop, I generally stick a card in my pocket and go.  And it isn't my ID card.

But that's beside the point.  What possible reason could they have for needing all my personal, private, identifying information, when all I'm trying to do is return underwear?

"I don't have an ID on me.  All I have is this."  I pull out my debit card.

"Sorry, I can't do a return without your ID."  I pulled back from the counter.  I imagine that I inhaled a large lung-full of air, because I'm pretty sure that the rest of what I said came out in one breath.

"You have got to be kidding me.  I'm trying to return underwear!  I have a receipt, so you can see that I bought it here.  You still carry this, and at a higher price than I paid.  I'm not even asking for ALL my money back, because all I want is get rid of this underwear, which I don't need.  But you can't return it without my private, personal information?" Voice goes up an octave.  "Because I might be some underwear-returning scam artist???  You could take this back today, and turn around and sell it for $2 more than I paid for it.  Well, forget it.  It's not worth this.  THIS...IS...RIDICULOUS!"  I said this last part as I'm marching away from him, all fury and indignation.  I'm pretty sure that everyone on the south side of the store heard me.

I huffed all the way to the other end of the store to check out, and then smiled sweetly at the cashier, as though I hadn't just had a hissy fit and yelled at one of her co-workers.  She looked exhausted, as I imagine most people who work in retail are at this time of year.  I felt a twinge of guilt.  Then a poke, and then a huge nudge.

It wasn't his fault that I couldn't return the underwear.  I mean, take a look at Target's crystal-clear return policy:
A receipt dated within 90 days is required for all returns and exchanges.
According to this, it's obvious why I couldn't return the underwear.  I was outside the limits of the policy.

But I'm going to be a pill and ask "Why is this the return policy?  What is the reasoning that lies behind it?"  I did a little online digging and came up with this:
You probably bought the item in question, but some people (gasp!) steal the item, or buy at another store to return for more credit/cash than they bought it for. Don't take it personally, it's why there is a policy.
So, I can't return the underwear because I might have stolen it, or bought it somewhere else for cheaper, and I'm just trying to scam Target out of the money?  Except...I actually could prove that I bought the item at their store.  Just not within 90 days.

So it must be the 90 days thing.  What's that all about?  I suppose it would make sense that they wouldn't want you to have an indefinite period of return.  The longer you have something, the more likely it would be that you're trying to pull a "use and return", or that the item is no longer made or carried in the store.  Except...again, I could actually prove that the item was still carried in the store, and anyone who's seen underwear packaging should be able to easily tell that the pack had never been opened, much less used.

What's my point?  My point is that a "90 days with a receipt no exceptions" rule is ridiculous.  Take Kohl's.

Kohls has a "hassle-free" return policy, which allows you to return any item to their store, without a receipt, whether you bought it there or not.  And no, they do NOT ask for your ID in order to process the return.  If they carry said item in their store, you can return it there.  Somehow Kohls manages to stay in business this way, so the argument that Target's return policy keeps people from taking advantage and driving them out of business doesn't hold water.

Maybe things would be better (and you could be off reading something more interesting) if I just left well enough alone.   I can understand the need for a policy.  I can understand the need for a receipt to make a return.  I can even, somewhat, understand the need for a time limit on returns.  Obviously returning last year's iPod and expecting to get all your money back - the same amount it costs to purchase this year's iPod - is unreasonable.  Even if last year's iPod is brand new in the unopened box.

But why can't the policy have enough wiggle room it in that my 3-pack of boxer shorts is not treated the same as last year's iPod?

Here's my theory: Because that would require training the people working the customer service desk.  It would require allowing them to (gasp) THINK.

So you had to wade through all that, to get to this.  When is the last time you saw someone working in retail that had to think?  Come to that - when is the last time you saw someone in any customer service-type job that had to think?  How long have the buttons on the cash registers at fast food restaurants been labeled with food items, instead of numbers?

It's funny - for years we've read about how American schools are not graduating students that can compete with their counterparts from Europe, Japan or China in math or science.  My guess is that none of these countries even care about graduating students that can think for themselves.

If I went back to Target with the offending package of underwear, and managed to keep my temper under control, what do you think would happen if I asked the customer service desk personnel to really think through the situation and give me a reasoned answer for why I can't return said package?  Would they parrot the return policy?  What if I asked a manager to give me a reasoned answer?

That's a social experiment I'd be interested in seeing.  Or...I have a 3-pack of boys' boxer shorts up for grabs.
Posted by at 7 comments:

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Welcome, and Introduction - part 2

Another blog???  I know!  There are so many blogs out there, no one can keep track of them.  Surely blogs are the next 'bubble' that will soon burst.  There are so many blogs that I try to read, I'd have to set aside 3-4 hours a day to just read every single one of them.

But that's the fun.  Finding people that you can relate to, and sharing their journey.  Getting that sneak peek into a part of someone's world, and having the chance to interact with them a little bit.  Or deciding that you aren't really on the same page after all, and making the choice to stop sharing that particular journey.

All I know is that there are a lot of things in my head I'd like to share.  I'm not sure with whom, and right now that doesn't matter.  For all I know, this will just be my own personal journal, and that's perfectly fine.  I'm more interested in getting the thoughts out of my head and "onto paper," so to speak, than in having a large audience for said thoughts.

But I figure it's only fair to let you know what you're in for, should you choose to read.  I have the feeling that there will be a variety of topics, so let me just share a few of the subjects I'll probably be writing about.

  • Faith - I am a Christian, and everything else in my life is based on that.
  • Parenting - I'm the mother to four children.  They are: two boys, ages 13 and 11; two girls ages 7 and 5.
  • Marriage - I've been married to my college sweetheart for 15 years.  We've had some really high "ups" and some really low "downs."  But we've made it this far, and we are 100% committed to spending the rest of our lives together.
  • Homeschooling - My oldest son attended less than one semester of public school kindergarten before we made the decision to homeschool.  I'll be sharing quite a bit of our homeschool days, and I'll also be sharing the story of our homeschool journey.
  • Real Food - I grew up in a "whole food" type household that shifted toward more of a processed food diet as I got older.  When I got married, we were firmly Pop-Tart and Cheetos people, and over the last 6 years, we've come back to a Real Food lifestyle.  I'll be blogging about our experiences and the reasons we've come to our current beliefs about what we eat and why.
  • Politics - I've been a registered voter since the day I became eligible, though the first 5 years or so I just voted along party lines.  As I've "grown up" I have taken a lot of interest in the direction of our country and though I am by no means a politician, I feel that too many people sit back and allow the politicians to make sweeping changes.  I have begun to take a stand, and I'd love to encourage a few more people to do the same!
  • Random interesting stuff - As I said, I try to read a lot of different blogs, and I often come across things that I feel are worth sharing.
  • Pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, etc - Though I am not currently pregnant, I hope that I might have that chance again.  I'm not sure how often it will come up, but I may blog about these topics from time to time.
I look forward to sharing with you!

Jennifer
Posted by at No comments:

Welcome, and Introduction - part 1

I grew up in a home full of classical music.  Both my parents had master's degrees in music; my mom was a violin teacher and played in a professional orchestra, my dad played piano and/or organ at every church we ever attended.  It was a rare thing indeed to have any other music but classical played in our home, and when it was played, it was usually to the disapproving glares of my parents.

One year my father was asked to accompany a singer for a wedding, and came home with Sandi Patty's cassette, Make His Praise Glorious so he could write out an accompaniment part for the solo.  I managed to snag that tape, and found the song Love Will Be Our Home on it.  I listened to that song over, and over and OVER again.  It was so calming, and peaceful, and was such a great song.  I just knew that when I grew up, that's what my home would be like.  If you've never had the pleasure, let me introduce you to a few of the lyrics.
Wherever there is laughter ringing, someone smiling, someone dreaming...  Wherever there are children singing, where a tender heart is beating...  Where there are words of kindness spoken, where a vow is never broken, we can live together there - love will be our home.
Ah, that was what a "home" was supposed to be like?  Not that there was anything wrong with my home at all.  I grew up with five siblings, though, and I can tell you that there was a lot more screaming and yelling than laughter ringing and children singing.

When I got married and had a family of my own, I decided that Sandi Patty (or whoever wrote the original lyrics) really didn't know what she was talking about.  Home is not all sweetness and light, as anyone with a family can attest to.  Sure, we'd love a home brimming with all the love in that song, but those moments are usually the exception, not the rule.

Then I grew up a little more.  I realized that Sandi Patty probably knew all that when she was singing the song.  It's not about deceiving yourself, it's about hope.  After all, if a little girl of 10 can believe that she will one day have a home like that, isn't it possible that we all do?  We're broken, and we live in a broken world, but our hearts yearn for those things all the time.

So why did I choose to name my blog Love Will Be Our Home?  Well, if you take a peak at the actual URL, you'll notice that the real name is Agape-Bound Home.  As a mother, a wife, a homeschool "teacher", a sister, a daughter, a daughter-in-law, my heart yearns to build a home and a life filled with the love that God teaches.  Agape.  Unconditional, no-strings-attached love.  Whether my children are laughing and singing, or breaking dishes and screaming at each other.  Whether my husband brings me roses and chocolates, or chooses to work a few extra hours.

I know that I will fail - miserably sometimes.  I also know that "as far as the east is from the west" God leaves those failures behind and can redeem even my worst moments for his glory.  I hope to be able to share that journey with you, even on the days when no one wants to live with me.

Welcome to my home.

Jennifer
 

 
 

Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)