I have created some habits in Belize that I'm trying to figure out what to do with. Shoes is one of them. When you haven't worn them or socks for nine whole weeks it takes something to like them again! I don't like anything on my feet but the weather is chilly and barefoot is hardly practical here.
I embraced my curls in Belize. I used a straighter every single day for years and it had become a habit to use it after every shower. In Belize it was no use! My hair was curly no matter how much I tried to straighten them so I didn't use my handy straightener gadget for nine weeks, now it feels like maybe I should use it again yet I'm determined to embrace a curl...:)
My kitchen was so limited in Belize I saved and used every single thing, like the sour cream containers, baggies, foil and everything just got reused!! I find myself washing them all out before I realize that clutter will accumulate really fast if I save all this stuff. I'm so blessed with containers here I really have no need to save all those throw away containers.
I'm finding it feels like home again (it feels awesome!) yet I have these strange habits that I didn't have here in my own home before!...:)
Running... It's great here!
Dave and I met for a run this morning. We are back to hills. We had flat, cobblestones, sand and beach all winter and its an adjustment to the body to run in this climate once again. Dave asked me this morning if I'm running the Bird-in-Hand half marathon this summer? I said Yes. I will need to get back into endurance runs soon...:)
This is what fits me and running so perfectly!!... All except I listen to stuff while I'm running. Not my breathing and feet hitting the ground. That gets pretty boring for me in a hurry!..:)
We miss some things about our Belize home. We miss the weather number one. We really enjoyed a place on Middle Street called "Izzy's Shake Shack". Izzy knew us by the time we left Belize. Dave was trying to get him to move to the village but he is not ready to open a second shop and he has the best spot on all of Middle Street so he don't want to move.
Izzy makes healthy shakes that are super healthy and so yummy! He showed us how its done and Dave requested we do it here at home just the way Izzy does it!! We are enjoying Izzy shakes right here at home now!!...
Dave says the Vitamix has become his new best friend!...:)
Here is how we do it... Put greens (kale, collards, chard, spinach or whatever you have) in a zip lock freezer bag along with carrot, a chunk of ginger, blueberries, apple, pineapple, orange, lemon, lime, banana. I just mix and match the bags. I don't add all this different fruit into one serving but I might do greens, carrot, ginger, handful of blueberries, pineapple and a half a banana in one bag and the next I'll do apples instead of pineapple or a lemon or lime wedge now and then. I just mix it up.
When Dave is ready for an Izzy power drink he adds chia or flax seeds yet and throws it all into the Vitamix! Coconut water is added just to wet it but it don't take much at all. The lemons and lime wedges get chopped up peel and all! The Vitamix is perfect for this and it has no problem chopping up the frozen fruit and veggies in minutes! This leaves you with a refreshing smoothie without all the ice or milk! We are all sharing one of these about once a day and it feels like we are back at Izzy's!
Kombucha Tea was great in Belize!! It seemed stronger then mine here at home and it made a great new baby scoby every week!! I brought one home along with some already made tea from my Belize batch and we can't wait until its ready! We had some here when we left but it didn't take us long to burn through it and now we are out and anxiously waiting for our next batch!
Summer is a great time to drink Kombucha so if you are thinking about getting started making it now is a good time!! The benefits are MANY and this is our main drink in the house all day long!!
Everybody needs a great probiotic these days!!
I'm making fire cider today to. This is my "Go To" for everything!! Its the powerhouse of health!!
I was so glad for this stuff in Belize and we used a large bottle of the straight stuff this winter!!
This is how I do it...
Chop up onions real fine ( 1 medium), Chop up garlic. (ten cloves) Shred up lots of Ginger. Shred up Horse Radish Root. Shred up Turmeric Root. Chop up hot peppers (3-5 jalapeno or harbenero) Chop up fresh Rosemary. Squeeze out a few Lemons. Mix it up good and put it in a glass two quart jar. Fill to the brim with Real Apple Cider Vinegar. (raw with the mother) Let it set on my basement steps for a month (I shake it everyday when I by pass to do Justin's morning work)
Strain it out with a cheese cloth after a month and add a few more lemons juiced into lemon juice and Real Raw Honey. This is something that will clean you out when you eat to much Belizian style foods that tend to stop you up!...:) Its perfect for indigestion or any kind of discomfort after a meal!! It takes care of the issue in a matter of minutes!...:) Try it!
Since we are back I'm slowly easing into a busier lifestyle. It feels strange to once again be alone so much! I loved having Dave and the kids around me all the time! I find its so quiet here yet I remember I like this to...:)
The garden is ready for planting!! The grape Arbor got tightened up and the grapes got trimmed up. The compost got tilled into the wood chips lightly and I can't wait to see how the garden performs this year compared to last! The blueberry bushes look like they grew over the winter and it looks like we will have a great blueberry patch this year! The strawberry patch got raked out and I'm feeding them liquid fish. I hope to have a great batch of strawberries so we can freeze some instead of just eat them all as they get ready..;) These Izzy Shakes will be great with berries yet!!
We are all struggling with the Daylight Savings Time time change!! Belize is already an hour behind us here so we are struggling with a two hour time change instead of just one! The Little's just can't believe it when I come to wake them in the morning!! They declare its still midnight!! I'm feeling at the time like it is to and I feel so bad for them!...:) They fell onto the couch this morning instead of coming for breakfast! We did not have time for this since I already was needing to push them so we get to the bus stop on time! Talk about blasting them back into the rat race!...:} We are hoping the mornings brighten up again soon!
Last night was again homework. I appreciate the teachers organization now more then ever! After trying to keep the school stuff organized all winter I realize the work that goes into this! Each child has their own stack of school stuff in Belize but by the time we left there it felt like it was all mixed up and unorganized! I was more then happy to return their school books back to the teachers on Friday! We just have to figure out the best time to do homework again on top of our already tired selfs...:} Last night we were all ready for bed by seven and the homework was a struggle for the Little ones when they were so tired!
We will continue to adjust... We were thinking of this place on Sunday!!... The Truck Stop was mentioned a few times throughout the rainy Sunday that we had back here at home...
We so enjoyed our Sundays here in Belize and I already miss them. I think we need to start our own get together for Sunday afternoon "Corn Hole Tournaments" right here in Lancaster County! Maybe I'll think about this!... It could be a blast and a way to get in great fellowship!! We like our naps but its funny how we never even missed them in Belize!
We have plans to go out with the Stoltzfus Structure office crew tonight. A fancy place with a fancy ride is on the agenda. We do this as a treat to the office staff every year the yearly sales record gets beat! They work hard and the staff does a great job in the sales department!
We have reached beyond the record for the past number of years and we feel so blessed to have a great team behind it!! They waited on us this year as we normally do these nights out in February! We are thankful they waited and we are looking forward to a great meal at Seven Stars!
The kids are disappointed to not be making it to the schools spring banquet at Shady Maple tonight but we had to cut something out so they will be here and hopefully they will catch up on homework and rest! Mornings are rough and we are not used to this anymore!...:}
Mom and Dad are home from Florida!! Welcome Home guys!!
I'm enjoying my fresh paint so much and I'm not sure how to ask my dad to keep on going with all my other rooms!... Maybe he will see this and get the hint... LOVE YOU MY PAINTER DAD!!:)
Stay warm and dry... We are cold/damp but oh so BLESSED!!
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