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Empowerment and Inspiration at Mt. Everest

The OrganWise Guys curriculum is proven to ‘empower children to be healthy and smart from the inside out’ by taking responsibility for themselves and making healthy choices. Empowerment should be encouraged at any age. OrganWise Guys team member, Julie Green, is proud to share the inspiring story of how her husband used a defining birthday year to prove that empowerment and accomplishment can be achieved at any age.

On September 17, 2015, Scott Green and his best friend set out to reach a goal of hiking to Basecamp on Mt. Everest. The trip was planned last November and preparations were made throughout the year, which included conditioning the body by doing many practice hikes and eating healthy. The hike took a total of 14 days to complete (9 days up and 5 days down) and the Basecamp Everest hike was achieved. Many friends were made along the way as well an overwhelming sense of awe of nature’s beauty and personal accomplishment.

“There were times during the trek when I honestly wondered to myself if I was going to be able to complete it. At these moments, it was the encouraging words of my co-trekkers, our Sherpas (hiking guides), and the other trekking parties we passed along the way that gave me more confidence in my ability than I had on my own. It’s one thing to believe in your own ability to accomplish something, but when others around you voice unwavering confidence in you that you are truly poised to accomplish great things.” ~ Scott Green

Scott Green - Everest

Congrats to Scott (and supportive wife, Julie) on such a tremendous accomplishment! 

Post-Baby Fitness Update: Four Month Progress

From our House

by Maria White

It’s been two months since my last post-baby fitness update. As I previously mentioned, I began an 8-week strength training workout twice a week. I’m happy to say I just completed those 8 weeks and even added a couple boot camp classes on top of the strength training to start getting some cardio in. Unfortunately, I hit a road block as I discovered a bump on my achilles tendon and started having some pain as well, which led to an MRI and a non-conclusive diagnosis. Needless to say it’s been an unwanted setback, but if you can tell by the pictures below, it has forced me to focus even more on the foods I am eating, since my workouts are not exactly where I want them to be at this point.
Here are some helpful tips that kept me on track with my food:

Post Baby Fitness Month 4

Drink water first thing in the morning – This is something I like to do to fill me up first thing in the morning. Plus, it’s great to flush your body with water after sleeping each night. It’s the perfect healthy habit to get into.

Have a daily smoothie – The easiest way to get in some fruits and veggies for the day is through a smoothie. I’ve made sure to blend up my favorite mix (frozen strawberries, one whole banana, a cup of water, and spinach) each morning. Get a single serve blender to make your life easier, too. Green smoothies may not always look appealing, but they really taste great! I find myself looking forward to them.

Prepare food ahead of time – I’ve probably recommended this tip each update, but it really is the one that is most important in keeping me on track. This month I stepped it up by packaging each lunch and dinner ahead of time. My husband grilled out chicken (extra crisp per my request), steamed some rice and veggies and then portioned them out into little containers. These are so easy to just grab and go and really makes it easy to eat that healthy meal when it’s all ready for you.

Eat healthy at restaurants – Meals out are inevitable. These days, with three small kids, Chick Fil A is one of the few restaurants we attempt to take the kids to, and fortunately they have some healthy choices, as you can see in the picture above. A small bowl of oatmeal with dried fruit and granola, a little cup of fruit and a small coffee is a great pick if you must eat out. Simply try and make the best choices when you eat out, or just make it a habit to eat half of the portion that you are served.

While, I’ve been a little discouraged about the workout situation, the nutrition plays such an important role in getting healthy and fit, so I’ve been excited to get myself into some daily habits that have really been working. I am down another 3 pounds and am about 8 pounds away from my pre-baby weight. I just have to keep reminding myself it’s a marathon, not a sprint!

*There was no compensation for the services mentioned in this post. They reflect my own personal opinions and do not have any affiliation with The OrganWise Guys Inc.  

 

Special Moments from OrganWise Moms

Happy Mother’s Day! There’s nothing like being a mom and having the incredible responsibility of raising a child. We are all about raising a healthy child both inside and out! In honor of Mother’s Day we thought we would share some sentiments from our OrganWise moms to you.

What is your favorite thing about being a mom?

Enjoying being with my now adult children and feeling so very proud of the fine young men they have become. I love watching the way they interact with one another and love their sense of humor. They always keep me laughing (even if it’s often at my expense!) – Dr. Michelle LombardoMichelle and Boys Crop

It has taught me to happily accept that I am perfectly imperfect/imperfectly perfect, which I think is a great lesson for kids to learn early. – Karen McNamara

I have many favorites but most importantly that I (along with my husband) was entrusted by God to raise these precious gifts: Children are True Blessings from Heaven. Listening to kids giggle, sleep, sing and play and then watching them grow and learn about life whether it is hard or easy tops the list as well as getting all the hugs and thank yous and being able to play with your kids at any age they may be. – Julie Green

Knowing that I am one of two people in my kids’ lives that they love and trust the most. Feeling this unconditional love through hugs, smiles, tears and everything else is incredible. I love that I was given the responsibility and opportunity of raising my sweet blessings. – Maria White

What do you do as a mom to influence your children to make healthy choices in life?

I try to set an example through my own healthy life choices and remind them that being safe and healthy (being Organwise!) will keep them strong and happy. – Julie Green

Julie Mothers DayI strive to be a good role model, but not too rigid. – Karen McNamara

Karena and Family

We make healthy living a constant conversation and while we are not always perfect in our choices, they are learning which ones are the best ones to make. – Maria White

At this time all of them are out and on their own. They are all extremely conscious of what they eat as well as exercising on a regular basis. I guess growing up with Hardy and the gang really rubbed off on them. They all cook regularly (just like their mother) and choose organic when they can. – Dr. Michelle Lombardo

What has been your favorite Mother’s Day gift from you kids?

In different years, each of them has brought home from school a seedling in a makeshift Mother’s Day container. The message being something to the effect of, “Just like me, this seedling is destined to be so much more than it is now! Have fun watching it grow.” – Karen McNamara

Well this Mother’s Day I received a call (actually several days in advance) to come over to my oldest son’s house for a Mother’s Day brunch (which includes my youngest son – just missing my middle son who is on his honeymoon!). I honestly am one very happy and proud mom! – Dr. Michelle Lombardo

The best gift is being able to enjoy an event as a family. Last year, I was surprised with tickets to an Atlanta Braves Baseball game. It wasn’t tangible, but the memories are cherished. – Julie Green

My kids are young and so the homemade masterpieces that they excitedly bring home are so special and meaningful. – Maria White

Maria Family

Happy Mother’s Day! Enjoy your special days … we know they are well-deserved!

Teacher Appreciation Gift: Last Minute Idea

by Julie Green

by Julie Green

Looking for a last minute teacher appreciation gift idea? We like to share this fun idea every year, because it’s really a cost-efficient, yet meaningful way to show teachers your appreciation for all the hard work they put in day in and day out!

Kids are getting excited that the end of the school year is soon approaching. It’s almost summer time!! As a parent, the end of the school year means some added expenses that may not be in the budget, including costly teacher appreciation gifts. If your child has several teachers, or you have several children with one or many teachers, this can be a costly undertaking.

Teachers love gifts, but mostly gifts from the heart of the children they have taught. An Acrostic Poem from a student will always be a cherished gift; it is a creative way to communicate feelings of appreciation in an artistic way.

Our illustrator helped us create this one, but your child could decorate with paint, crayons, cut out pictures, fabric, etc. Be original and have him/her put their own personality into the project. To make it more formal, you could put the poem in a frame with the school year and date on it. Not only will your child be proud of the gift, but the teacher will also be impressed and have a personal and positive memento to cherish.

OWG acrostic Poem

For even more ideas, last week we shared some other ways to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. What is your favorite go-to teacher appreciation gift?

Post-Baby Fitness Journey Update: Two Month Progress

From our House

by Maria White

If you’ve been following our blog lately, you’re aware that I’ve been working on getting back into shape following the birth of my third child. I’m not the most patient person when it comes to obtaining a fitness goal and I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I want to see the results of my hard work instantaneously. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Instead, it’s about staying committed to a goal despite how daunting it may seem. Last month I focused on my nutrition and mixed in a little exercise, while this month I have not only committed to healthy eating, but to working out more intensely. I’m happy to report that I’ve lost another 5.5 pounds, which is always a good feeling.

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