My thirteen year old son is going to kill me for this. When I found this note stuck to his bedpost today, I was both tickled with the content and delighted with his process. He’d set goals or at least objectives for himself and his behavior. A series of blog post ideas immediately began popping off inside my head. So, I’m starting with the big picture – the notion of personal planning.
Every year, typically during the final days of December or sometimes around my birthday in March, I take time to evaluate the year that is closing and outline how I’d like the next one to go. I run through various aspects of my life with an eye on what I’d like to achieve. My list includes the areas of spirituality, health and wellness, family, friends, finances, fun and a learning agenda. I begin by focusing on desired outcomes in each of those areas followed by a tactical list of how I’ll achieve them. My process ends with a short list of positive statements or affirmations that I can use as daily reminders. As some of you will remember, the creation of this blog was one of those desired outcomes for this year and it won’t come as a surprise that participating in Community Supported Agriculture is one of the tactics that I use to achieve my health and wellness goals.
I’m pleased with my son’s desire to focus on his healthy behaviors! Admittedly, at age 13, it’s more about wooing 7th grade girls than it is about disease prevention but I can finally see the product of thirteen years of my efforts and that’s a pay-off. And, because I know that this is one of his 2010 objectives, I’ll work with him to support it. With Michelle Obama’s focus on childhood obesity, there is a lot of talk about the nutrition of our children. While we wait on a two-year University of North Carolina study that compares the nutritional levels of local food versus food which travels 1500 miles in refrigerated trucks, a paper published in October in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry by a University of California, Davis team demonstrated that organically grown tomatoes have significantly more vitamin C than conventional tomatoes. And of course, I find great value in being able to visit the farm and observe the farming practices where it is all grown.
A portion of this week’s CSA delivery
What is your recipe for accomplishing your desired outcomes? Who will you tell that can support you in that journey?
Agrigirl's Blog 
Nourishing Words
/ February 28, 2010Going public with our beliefs, whatever that may mean to each of us, feels like a critical step in owning them. For me, putting some of them out there on my blog has deepened my understanding of my own values and clarified my goals. There’s nothing like writing things down, especially if someone else reads what you write.
Tammy McLeod
/ February 28, 2010Well said. And well admired as a blogger. Thanks for reading!
Sally and Vickie
/ February 28, 2010We just finished a fabulous breakfast of Vickies wheatberry and gorgeous greens, salad and homegrown eggs. We love what you are putting out there! Thank you splendid MOM and daughter!
Tammy McLeod
/ February 28, 2010Yum! Wish I was with you two. Thanks for reading the blog. I really appreciate your support.
Judy
/ February 28, 2010What a great reminder for us all. Thanks for sharing!
Tammy McLeod
/ February 28, 2010You’re welcome. Thanks for reading Judy.
Theresa Ip Froehlich
/ March 2, 2010Tammy, great blog, great photos, and great values. I went organic 8 years ago after being diagnosed with cancer. We are what we take in – food, attitudes, habits …. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.
Tammy McLeod
/ March 3, 2010I’m also a cancer survivor and totally agree with you about the space between stimulous and response! Thanks for reading my blog.
cupcakesinparis
/ March 7, 2010Great post! The vacation I just took helped me reassess my goals and needs. Just like your son, eating healthy is definitely at the top of my list. Luckily my husband shares my opinion on food and health and he is always ready to come help me carry the ton of fruits and veggies I buy from local producers at our neighborhood’s market!
Thank you very much for sharing!
Tammy McLeod
/ March 7, 2010Thanks for taking a look at my blog.
newRDcook
/ March 9, 2010Thanks for the link to the UNC study – looking forward to seeing those results. I’ve joined a CSA and now shop at Farmers Markets regularly to improve my personal health, learn and experiment with seasonal foods while supporting local agriculture and economy. Great post!
Tammy McLeod
/ March 9, 2010Thanks Lisa. Let me know how it goes with the CSA. Love your recipes.
Tammy McLeod
/ March 11, 2010Lisa, silly question for you… what is the difference between a dietician and a nutritionist?
newRDcook
/ March 11, 2010Hi Tammy – Dietitians are required to be certified as Registered Dietitians, which means they must complete required undergraduate coursework, obtain certain number of practice hours through an accredited program post-college, and then pass the exam to be qualified as “Registered.” Some states require licensure to practice, as well. Nutritionists are typically not certified or licensed and there’s no real oversight or regulation of this term. So, you’d always want to ask for credentials before hiring.
Hope this helps!