I considered staying quiet.

I am quiet by nature, a classic introvert. I’ve tried rallying against it, tried being an extrovert for others, but that’s not who I am.

I accept that I’m quiet – no, I embrace it! But everyone has a voice and this blog is mine. I do not want to silence it.

So, while I’m not participating in today’s blackout, I fully support it…

…in my own quiet way.

Are you an introvert or extrovert?

This post was inspired by Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking (Amazon Affiliate link). In her book, author Susan Cain explores how introverts can be powerful in a world where being an extrovert is highly valued. Join From Left to Write as we discuss this book. We’ll also be chatting live with the author at 1PM Eastern on January 26. As a member of From Left to Write, I received a copy of the book for free. All opinions are my own. This post is not intended as a review.

Or tried to help, anyway.

He insisted on pouring the ingredients in the bowl and then pouring the batter into the muffin tin himself. I had to try really hard not to help him; he was making such a mess and barely filling each cup. But I stepped back and let him do it.

And the muffins came out great! Here’s our donut muffin made with love*.

I adapted this recipe from AllRecipes.com to accommodate my son’s food allergies.

Donut Muffins

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup Earth Balance (or other dairy-free) margarine, melted

1.5 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 cup soy milk or other alternative

1 tsp baking powder

2 cups flour

Enjoy Life chocolate chips

Cinnamon sugar

Preheat oven to 375F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper baking cups. Mix sugar, margarine and pumpkin pie spice in a bowl. Add soy milk, baking powder, and flour. Fold in chocolate chips. Pour batter into each muffin cup, three-quarters full. Bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Cool.

*This post is for week two of Project 52, a weekly photo challenge hosted by My 3 Boybarians. The theme is Made with Love.

I got a new camera for Christmas. Its been on my wish list for over a year but it took me a awhile to figure out which camera I wanted (I decided on a Nikon COOLPIX S9100 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 18x NIKKOR ED Wide-Angle Optical Zoom Lens and Full HD 1080p Video (Black) — note this is an affiliate link). And then I waited for it to go sale (hubby got it at a good price at Best Buy).

I don’t aspire to be a professional photographer but I do aspire to be a better photographer. I want to learn how to use my camera to its fullest and to take better pictures.

So I thought I’d participate in Project 52, a weekly photo challenge hosted by Darcy at My 3 Boybarians. I discovered her blog during her 31 Days to a Better Photo series; check it out.

The theme for week one is resolutions. I don’t think my photo is terribly creative (another reason to keep at the challenge) but it represents some of my goals for the year, both personal and professional.

What are your goals for 2012? How would you represent them in a photo?

I set a new PR (personal record) earlier this month. I broke the 40 minute barrier! I ran the Wiggin’ Winter Dash in 39.30.

My brother-in-law asked me to join him in this race for juvenile diabetes research; he was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.

We did not run together. He’s faster than me for one and I’m still trying to build my endurance back up after my pregnancy-induced running hiatus.

I did a combination of running and walking and I fully expected to cross the finish line in my usual 45 minutes.

But when I rounded the street corner to the final stretch, I could see that the time clock was still in the 30s. I couldn’t believe it! I sprinted for the finish line.

It was exhilarating! Not just because of the new PR but because I felt like I did something good for myself (exercise) and for the kids we were racing for (raising money for research).

This is one of the reasons I like running – I could care less about the medals. The three races I participated in this fall were all for a cause.

On Thanksgiving, I participated in my second Turkey Trot (photo above). The race supports the Way Station, a not-for-profit mental health organization. I love this event because its so family-oriented and non-competitive.

There were nearly 3000 participants this year, many of them parents running with their children or pushing their babies in strollers. There were also lots of people on the sidewalks cheering everyone on. My clock time was 45.24, chip time 42.58.

Earlier in November, I ran the Red Run for the American Red Cross. My time was 46.56. Thankfully, I’m improving. Now I just need to keep up the running through the winter months. The spring 5K season will be here soon.

Why do you run?

Yesterday, as I was driving, I had an epiphany as to why I haven’t written a novel yet. Writing a novel is like running a marathon – it takes a good chunk of time to get from the start to the finish. I doubt I’m the first person to come up with this analogy but it was an a-ha moment for me.

I have no desire to run a marathon but, if I did, I would train. Training builds strength and endurance and requires discipline. So maybe I should apply that same concept to writing.

What if I adapted a marathon training schedule to writing? I could replace miles with minutes. Over the course of several weeks, I’d dedicate a few days to writing, gradually increasing the amount of time spent until I produce a novel.

Here’s the Novel Writing Training Schedule I created based on Hal Higdon’s marathon training plan. We’ll see if it works.

But I guess his food allergies are special needs. I just don’t want them to be. I want him to be normal, whatever than means.

Food allergies are an invisible disability, which might be why I don’t think of them as special needs. I don’t see my son’s food allergies when I look at him. I see an adorable three year old who melts my heart. Of course I would see him that way; I’m his mother. But others don’t see his food allergies either. They just see a toddler.

And therein lies the threat.

Last fall, before my son had any awareness of his allergies, we went to a parade where participants were throwing candy into the crowd.  A well-meaning grandmother (no relation) kept handing candy to us. I didn’t have the energy to explain to her why our son couldn’t have the candy. Thankfully, at two, he wasn’t all that interested; he was more into the fire trucks.

This year, we went to the same parade and he delighted in collecting candy (we came home with a bagful) but now he understands that some foods, candy included, make him sick. For the most part, he’s happy with whatever safe alternative we provide. And he doesn’t get upset when he’s eating a Popsicle while all his classmate get to enjoy ice cream.

I hope that one day this won’t be the case. I hope that one day he won’t have any special needs. But, for now, food allergies are our reality and the only label I care to deal with is a nutritional label.

Disclaimer: This post was inspired by Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic, a beautifully written memoir by Martha Beck about expecting a child with Downs Syndrome. As a member of the From Left to Write Book Club, I received this book for free. These opinions are my own. This post is not intended as a review. The book link is an Amazon Affiliate link.

I want to try again but not this year. Its just not feasible with an infant. I was going to devote these 30 days to writing an e-book about food allergies. Instead, I’m going to give myself six months and publish it in time for Food Allergy Awareness Week.

And now that I’ve announced that on my blog, I guess that means I have to commit to it. : )

Wish me luck!

I recently read Lost Edens – A True Story by Jaime Patterson, a book about the author’s failed marriage. There were so many poignant lines but the sentiment that resonated with me was Patterson’s struggle with her faith during this dark time in her life. She asks “Where is God in this?.” She prays for answers but feels she’s not getting a response, at least not the one she wants.

And this I get because I’ve been struggling, too, and wondering where God is in all this darkness.

At my darkest point, when I felt I wasn’t strong enough to carry the burdens weighing on me, I turned to a friend whose faith is solid. She encouraged me not to lose faith, that God wasn’t punishing me; He was crying with me and I wasn’t alone.

So I prayed. And I bargained. And I got through.

I truly believe that everything happens for a reason even if that reason isn’t always evident. I just have to remember to keep believing and I’ll find my faith.

Disclaimer: As a member of the From Left to Write Book Club, I received this book for free. These opinions are my own. This post is not intended as a review. The link is an Amazon Affiliate link.

That’s why I switched from liquid foundation to mineral powder makeup and I love the way it makes my skin look.

I’ve used several product lines and have recently discovered Mineral Fusion, although, I haven’t tried their makeup…yet. But I have tried their skin care line.

I was going to wait at least two weeks before writing about it; I wanted to give it time. But after a day, I was in love.

I. kid. you. not.

I like the scent – kind of a deal breaker for me – reminds me of going to the spa. And I love that the products are paraben free, which means natural in my book.

I love these products so much I’m being cautious not to waste to a drop. I use about a quarter size of the Purifying Gel Facial Cleanser, a dime of the Skin-Balancing Facial Moisturizer, and a pencil point of the Revitalizing Eye Treatment on each eye.

I’ve tried several eye creams since the crows feet started to make their mark and this is the first time I’ve seen a visible effect. The wrinkles actually seem to disappear! Now, I know they are still there and that no beauty product is going to stop time from marching across my face and through my hair, but I’ll take the illusion.

While my wrinkles seem to be fading, my acne seems to be reappearing. Not bad but I am breaking out a little. It could be the minerals purifying my skin. Or lack of sleep (I have two small children). Or poor hydration (I drink more coffee than water). I am not deterred, though. I’m going to keep using these products, together, and hope my skin clears up.

I’ve heard that using several products in a line together is the secret to good skin care – that and drinking lots of water. Maybe that’s the secret to this success.

What’s your favorite natural skin care product?

Giveaway: Mineral Fusion has partnered with Dermstore and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (a cause important to me) to give away five Mineral Fusion Glam Kits. Visit the link to enter. Their giveaway ends November 3, 2011.

Disclaimer: As a member of the Mineral Fusion Beauty Crew, I received these products for free. These opinions are my own. I seriously love this line!

Who knew? You’d think I would.

So, in honor of this day, here’s a post I wrote awhile ago about why I write. Still holds true.

Enjoy.

What have you written today?