Vermont Beauty

Food & Drink (mostly drink) UK Adventures

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Thu, 7 Jul 2016 00:07:00 -0400

A compilation of food and drink from our recent travels to the UK. We started out with a week in Scotland where we ate as much haggis as we could get our hands on. #BTWhaggisisfantastic! Also along the same vein, cider (mostly local) where ever possible.

#ilovemesomecider

This was a rather fancy meal at the hotel. I called it haggis balls but I think the restaurant said they were truffles or Bon Bons.

Whilst in Edinburgh we feasted on haggis, tatties & nips. Yes please! It was smashing covered in whiskey gravy!

We made our way down to Lindisfarne, Northumberland (England) for a week long archaeological dig and consumed all of the coffee (at least it did seem like a substantial amount at the time). I cannot say enough good things about Pilgrims Coffee... They roast their own beans in a yurt just outside the coffee house. Smells amazing and tastes great. Plus the owner is fairly fantastic and authored a lovely little dark poetry book. I highly recommend the book & the coffee; oh, plus they have food. #cantgowrongwithpilgrims

Reading of the dark little poetry book, by the fire, on a cold day, whilst having lunch. #metotallygiddy

An important part of the archaeological process is the pint at the end of the day. I'm mostly certain the distance from trench to pub is considered in the planning stages.

#wellitshouldbe

Lesson learned: if you are at the pub long enough or you visit enough pubs each day, eventually you will see a monk, priest, or man of the cloth.

#ilovethisplace

Some of My Favorite Things

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Wed, 20 Jan 2016 00:18:00 -0500

The following are resources which I have found so helpful in my quest for knowledge and wellness. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do on your journey to wellness.

Warm Your Soul with Stuffed Acorn Squash and Spinach

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Tue, 12 Jan 2016 20:10:00 -0500

Who doesn’t love acorn squash, particularly when it’s chock-full of tantalizing ingredients including ginger, cinnamon and yummy veggies?

This Stuffed Acorn Squash with Spinach recipe is the perfect winter meal to thaw your bones, nourish your soul and push those pesky toxins OUT of your system. It’s stuffed with the rock star ingredient, spinach, which contains loads of fiber to help you release waste filled with toxins; flavonoids, which are warriors when it comes to cancer fighting; and antioxidants including selenium, zinc, magnesium and vitamins E and C.

It also contains ginger and garlic. Ginger fights fat cells and helps you lose weight. Ginger is also fantastic for nutrient absorption, and helps your cells get the vitamins and minerals they need. Even more, the garlic in this recipe will fight the cold and flu by boosting your immunity.

Let’s also not forget about the big daddy of the recipe – the acorn squash. Acorn squash is wonderful in the winter months and like garlic, it also boosts your immune system. It’s also a great choice for healthy carbohydrates, and its vitamins and minerals will make your cells smile (figuratively, of course). Acorn squash also has loads of potassium, which gives the heart a hand so it doesn’t have to work so hard and thereby lowers blood pressure.

Ready to rock with this recipe and release toxins? Here’s how to make it.

STUFFED ACORN SQUASH WITH SPINACH

Serves 2

Squash

1 large acorn squash

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1-inch piece of fresh ginger, grated (OR 1 to 2 teaspoons)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Pinch of sea salt

Sautéed Spinach

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

4 cups spinach

BAKE THE SQUASH. Preheat your oven to 400°F for 10 minutes. Slice your acorn squash in half from the stem to the tip. Remove the seeds with a spoon. Add the coconut oil, ginger, cinnamon and sea salt to the flesh of the squash. Bake for 1 hour. Serve with sautéed spinach.

PREPARE SAUTEED SPINACH. Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to a sauté pan. Add chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes. Add washed spinach. Sauté for another 3 minutes. Remove from the pan and serve with acorn squash.

Happy Eating

Beat Winter Body Blues with 24-Hour Veggie Soup Cleanse

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Mon, 11 Jan 2016 21:06:00 -0500

We’ve all heard about juice cleanses, but not everyone has heard about another hot health trend – the soup cleanse. Soup cleanses are fantastic for long winter months when our bodies could use a warm boost of energy.

Unlike juice cleanses that contain some fruits, soup cleanses are typically lower on the glycemic scale. This soup cleanse is packed with veggies that contain fiber and nutrients to help maintain weight during pre- and post-holiday overindulgence. They’re also jam-packed with immunity-boosting antioxidants.

To complete this soup cleanse, you’ll need a high-speed blender. I also recommend purchasing glass Mason jars for storage, then making all your soups in the morning so a busy day doesn’t ruin your plans.

When shopping for ingredients, choose organic whenever possible, and be sure to stock up on lots of water and herbal tea for maximum hydration.

There are five recipes below for breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner. If breakfast, lunch and dinner fill you until the next meal, you do not have to make a morning and afternoon snack, but you can if needed. Note that the Bone Broth recipe will take 24 hours to make, so plan to make this recipe the day before your cleanse. For an evening snack, drink herbal tea.

BREAKFAST

Creamy Coconut

Serves 2

2 large avocados

1½ cups coconut water

1 lemon, juiced

¼ cup basil leaves

2 cups peas

¼ teaspoon sea salt

Blend using a high-speed blender until smooth.

MORNING SNACK

Glowing Greens Soup

Serves 2

2 cups water or coconut water

2 small sweet potatoes, chopped

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

1 cup spinach

1 avocado

Pinch of turmeric

¼ teaspoon sea salt

Fresh basil (garnish)

Blend using a high-speed blender until smooth. Garnish with fresh basil.

LUNCH

Creamy Kale

Serves 2

1 bunch kale

1 avocado

½ cup coconut water or coconut milk

1 cup frozen or fresh peas

5 basil leaves

1 lemon, juiced

1½ teaspoon sea salt

Hemp seeds (garnish)

Blend using a high-speed blender until smooth. Top with hemp seeds.

AFTERNOON SNACK

Chicken Bone Broth Soup

3-5 pounds of soup bones

Water (enough to cover the bones)

1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar

*Note: Ask at your local butcher shop. Soup bones are usually very cheap, if not free!

MAKE YOUR STOCK. In a stock pot, add the soup bones and enough water to cover. Add apple cider vinegar. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer for 24+ hours.

STORE YOUR STOCK. After about 24 hours, strain the stock into mason jars. Set them in the fridge to cool. Skim off the fat that rises to the top, and close tightly with a lid, or put in ice cube trays for quick use.

This will keep in the fridge for a few days or for four to six months in the freezer.

DINNER

Spiced Butternut Squash Soup

Serves 4

1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded and roughly chopped

4 large carrots, peeled and roughly chopped

1 to 2 tablespoons of coconut oil

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

4 cups organic vegetable broth

1 can organic coconut milk (BPA-free can)

Pumpkin seeds (roasted or raw) (garnish)

ROAST THE VEGETABLES. Heat your oven to 350°F. Take your chopped butternut squash and carrots and massage with coconut oil, cumin, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Bake on a cookie sheet for 20 to 25 minutes until tender. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

ASSEMBLE THE SOUP. Add the vegetable broth and coconut milk to a large pot. Mix together thoroughly. Add the cooled, roasted vegetables to a high-speed blender in batches with just enough broth/coconut milk mixture to cover. Blend until smooth. Add it back to the soup pot and set it on medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes. Serve topped with pumpkin seeds.

BECOMING CULTURE - HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 13:08:00 -0500

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/eccles_cakes_75687

I stumbled upon an interesting food article in the Northamptonshire Telegraph online . The article is a ‘how to’ for using left over hard sauce after the holidays and speaks of a recipe that I have never heard of called Eccles cakes. Apparently, Eccles cakes were a decadent cake that used butter and sugar that were outlawed in the late 1600’s – early 1700’s by Oliver Cromwell who believed that the cakes were so good that they must be a sin. Cromwell had been a soldier, politician, and devout religious figure in England, “Cromwell sought 'Godly reformation', a broad programme involving reform of the most inhumane elements of the legal, judicial and social systems and clamped down on drunkenness, immorality and other sinful activities” (Cromwell Association, 2005). His memorial statue is in place at Parliament square, where service is held annually on September 3^rd, Cromwell Day.

An aspect of culture and society, which holds a special place in my heart, is local cuisine and the stories they hold. When traveling abroad or to regions of the US, I always try to find some local foods or brews to try (…‘if I wanted a burger, I can get one at home’ is my usual saying when on vacation). When I came across this article in the Telegraph, it was the perfect opportunity for me to do a little research on the history of the cakes and Oliver Cromwell. In doing so, I discovered that Cromwell was a supporter of the religious rights of Protestants in England. My personal connection to this story is that my ancestors were Protestants that fled England in the early 1600’s in search of religious freedom.

It is my belief that in order to become a contributing and productive Global Citizen, one must not only understand differing points of view, but also the factors which were contributed; including history, religion, environment, and cuisine. To have a better understanding of a society’s world and self-view, one needs to know what events have affected their perception. Something as simple as having pastries and sugary treats banned is, in effect, one of the factors that led to the way holidays are celebrated with food in today’s societies.

Link to history of Eccles cakes - http://www.ecclescakes.com/History.html

Link to Eccles cakes recipe - http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/eccles_cakes_75687

Hard sauce has its origins in the 1700’s when it was used as an icing to pastries, cakes, and puddings.

Hard sauce is a sweet, rich dessert sauce made by creaming or beating butter and sugar with rum (rum butter), brandy (brandy butter), whiskey, sherry (sherry butter), vanilla, or other flavorings. It is served cold, often with hot desserts.

It is typically served with plum pudding, bread pudding, Indian pudding, hasty pudding, and other heavy puddings as well as with fruitcakes and gingerbread.

In the U.K., it is particularly associated with the Christmas and New Year season and Christmas pudding and warm mince pies, serving as a seasonal alternative to cream, ice cream or custard. At Cambridge, it is also known as Senior Wrangler sauce.

Though it is called a sauce, it is neither a liquid nor smooth. It could be more accurately classified as a spread and has the consistency of butter. It is easy to make and keeps for months under refrigeration. It can be pressed into a decorative mold before chilling (Black, 2005).

Link to recipe for brandy butter - http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/brandybutter_2535

References

Black, William. (2005). The Land that Thyme Forgot. Bantam
Cromwell Association Online. Retrieved 20 February 2013 from http://www.olivercromwell.org/cromwell_and_religion.htm
Kimbell, Vanessa. (30 Jan. 2013). Eccles cakes. Northamptonshire Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/food-drink/recipe-of-the-week-eccles-cakes-1-4736740

HAPPY EATING!

Whole30 Challenge-Kicking off the New Year

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 13:46:00 -0500

Nobody's perfect.... yeah I'm an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, but I've been slacking over the holidays and now I'm paying the price. I'm in pain from my auto immune condition, my eczema is flaring up, I'm on cold #3 this month, and sadly I'm feeling kind of bloated (insert embarrassed face). I'm making a commitment to rejuvenate myself to start the New Year off on the right foot. I'll be doing the ‪#‎Whole30‬ challenge and documenting it on my closed group Redo You. You are more than welcome to join me on the challenge or just follow along on my progress…

Redo You - Facebook Group

To get the party started right, visit the official website of Whole30

Purchase the books that got it started... It Starts With Food

Confessions of a Health Coach - Part 1

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 10:25:00 -0400

Some of you may be surprised to learn the reasons why my family & I try to have a ‘healthy’ and nutritious life-style. Could it be out of vanity to have a slammin’ body or the strive for immortality? I mean really, who doesn’t want to live a long life whilst having the bod of a super model? Actually, it’s a complex answer which has evolved over the past 20 years.

I am overweight currently and it is a struggle for me, but this alone is not the reason I choose to cut out the CRAP (carbonated drinks, refined foods, artificial food-like substances, processed stuff in a box) and start eating FOOD (fruits & veggies, organic, omega 3 fatty acids, drinking lots & lots of water). Ya see I was in pain & lots of it. When I was 32, I had the ‘perfect storm’ happening; I ate mostly fast foods & little to no nutritiously dense foods (I was poor, very poor. So much cheaper to buy CRAP than FOOD); I was misdiagnosed with Rhumatoid Arthritis, I was planning for my upcoming wedding, and I had a golf-ball sized lump in my breast (cancer is a scary thing, that runs hard and fast through my family). As you can imagine, with all the stress it became very easy to just give up and feel sorry for myself… which lasted for a few years.

Then one day, I decided I was tired of waiting for the complete disability to kick-in and made the choice to change my destiny. After all, I am quite determined. So I began to research anti-inflammatory foods and drinks which would help to alleviate my pain and those which cause the inflammation. What I learned was that highly refined foods and foods that have been MAN-ufactured cause a great deal of inflammation and pain throughout the body. Side effects of that inflammation include: cancer, obesity, diabetes, digestive problems, memory loss (foggy brain), heart disease, hormonal issues, pain, exhaustion, the list goes on and on. I for one was already dealing with a number of symptoms which only intensified throughout my 30’s.

In the beginning, I continued buying and cooking the same foods for my family and only concentrated on changing my own diet. I can testify that over the span of about a year, my quality of life completely changed. I could move, walk, bend, and twist totally pain-free (no cane required). Not to mention, way less infections, colds, flus, and illnesses in general.

It was the realization that my young children were suffering from some of the side effects of having a CRAPpy diet that we made the choice to invest in our grocery diet and cut back on the many medications we had been purchasing.

To be continued…

Dr. Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Diet

How to Prevent Head Lice

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:29:00 -0500

While looking for some other uses for Melaleuca oil, I came accross this amazing article on RM Barry Publications'. It's packed full of information on lice prevent and the dangers of pesticides.

It seems no sooner than you have said "back to school" and your child comes home infested with head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis). Why? Probably because it is estimated that 10-12 million children in the United States alone are affected each year. The number could even be much higher, because many cases are not reported to physicians, so there is no way of knowing for sure how many cases there actually are. According to Dr. Dirk M. Elston, M.D. from Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA, there is an epidemic of lice infestation, if not a pandemic, out there!1 And, the incidences of infestations, especially during the winter months, may be on the increase.2

Suffice it to say, if you have children in school, you probably have dealt with or probably will deal with at least one infestation of head lice. A few years ago, the outbreaks were blamed on the less fortunate of the population, but we now know that head lice are equally at home in any environment. Long hair, short hair, curly, frizzy, clean, greasy, you name it, those pesky creatures are not at all fussy. In fact, if you have hair they're happy! The good news is they cannot fly, jump, swim, pole-vault or hop. So, it is fairly difficult to become infested. They can, however, walk pretty fast! This is probably why elementary school children are the most likely to pass on a louse or two, because young children are quite tactile when interacting with each other. And that's all it takes!

Head lice are also passed around by children sharing hair and head accessories. Please teach elementary-school aged children not to share hairbrushes or hats. Check to see if your child's preschool has a dress-up station complete with hats. If so, you may want to forward this research report to the preschool staff!

Also be careful about hats in public places intended for communal use. One 7-year old girl became infested with lice after wearing a "birthday sombrero" at a restaurant for only the length of time it took the waiters to sing "Happy Birthday." Her parents realized she was infested days later.

One fertilized female head louse can lay up to ten eggs per day, which are literally glued to the hair shaft near to the scalp, incubating in the warmth of the child's head. The eggs (nits) take about seven to ten days to hatch into the first nymph stage. It takes another seven to ten days for the head lice to pass through two more nymph stages and become capable of laying eggs.3,4 Adult head lice have a life span of approximately four weeks, but can only live about 48 hours if they become separated from the human host. Unfortunately, by the time the head starts to really itch, the infestation has already taken hold. Both nymphs and adults feed every few hours on the host's blood, and it is their saliva, and possibly a reaction to their feces that causes the itching. In some cases, a rash may appear on the scalp and around the neck area. With constant scratching, it can become infected. Fortunately, head lice have not been known to carry any major diseases. They are only an irritation and not a threat to the host.5

It is ironic that the main threat to the infested child seems to be from the organophosphate poisons used on the child's head to control the infestation!6 Over-the-counter and prescription treatments containing organophosphates such as Lindane7,8,9 and Malathion10 are bioaccumulative, which means the organophosphates accumulate in the body. The initial treatment may not cause a problem. But a lice infestation can occur several times a year and a child may have many treatments during the course of their school days. Conversely, it has been known for a child to have a very nasty reaction from just one application.11 Recently, the FDA issued a strict warning letter to the maker of a Lindane lice treatment requesting a re-evaluation of its marketing materials. The FDA warned that the marketing materials "misled consumers by downplaying the rare, but serious, risks of the treatments." 12, 13

Children are at greater risk of neurological poisoning due to their small size and immature immune systems. Some schools operate on a "no nit policy" and your child could be sent home from school until he/she is completely free of lice and nits. The stigma could drive a parent to use these toxic poisons in an effort to get their child back into school. Even the treatments classed as less toxic such as the pyrethroids (e.g. permethrin and pyrethrin) can cause problems for susceptible people.14,15,16 But, it is more likely that they poison the child rather than the head lice! There are an increasing number of cases where the head lice are becoming resistant to these poisons.17,18

With all this in mind, parents can't be blamed for turning to the more unconventional treatments, and there are quite a few around, from combing a commercial brand of mouthwash through your hair to spreading lard on your head and donning a bath cap for three days (not something a child will easily do!). Therefore, it must be a comfort to know that Melaleuca oil19,20 is becoming a much more accepted treatment for head lice as more clinical studies are carried out. Both tepinen-4-ol 21 and cineole 1,8,22 the two major constituents in Melaleuca oil, have shown to help eradicate head lice.23

Many parents are supportive of a pesticide-free preschool environment. A summer 2007 report from PANNA (Pesticide Action Network North America) followed the efforts of one preschool during a head lice outbreak, and even recommends adding tea tree oil (Melaleuca oil) into shampoo or olive oil.24

And, because cases of scabies in schools are on the increase too2 it is good that Melaleuca oil is an effective eradication treatment for scabies as well.25

Before I finish this article I would like to give you some experiential, rather than anecdotal, information for clearing a head lice infestation. Last year, I treated my daughter's hair by saturating it with Melaleuca Original Shampoo for twelve minutes. She was quite squeamish at the thought of having a head full of dead and dying creatures, so I combed them out with a nit comb. Melaleuca Original Shampoo also conditions the hair, so it really is not an inconvenience.26 I actually repeated this at 5, 10, 15 and 20 days. On the 1st and 15th day, I added an extra three drops of Melaleuca oil to every tablespoon of shampoo (she uses quite a lot because she has long, thick curly hair). I have to stress here that when using Melaleuca oil it should initially be patch tested on a small area of skin to be sure your child does not have a reaction to it. I'm pleased to report that she has been free of head lice ever since. Knock on wood!

My family uses Melaleuca Original Shampoo on a daily basis which contains melaleuca oil and naturally repels lice without puting toxic chemicals on their scalps. If you are wondering where to get some of this miraculous shampoo, shoot an email to me at vermont.beauty@live.com with melaleuca shampoo in the subject box.

References

Research Report - Head Lice and Melaleuca Oil

Researched and Written by Karen MacKenzie 2006
Revised by RM Barry Publications' Jessica Alvarez 2008

Information retrieved November 15, 2012 from http://www.rmbarry.com/research/lice-melaleuca-oil.html

1. "Lice" Fact Sheet http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic229.htm. Emedicine by WebMD.

2. Downs AM, Harvey I, Kennedy CT. The epidemiology of head lice and scabies in the UK. Epidemiol Infect. 1999 Jun;122(3):471-7.
3."What you should Know About Head Lice" http://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/documents/f_headlice.pdf
4. Here are some images of nits to help with accurate identification. http://www.medicinenet.com/head_lice_pictures_slideshow/article.htm
5. Frydenberg A, Starr M. Head lice. Aust Fam Physician. 2003 Aug;32(8):607-11.
6. "Jesse's Story" at headlice.org http://www.headlice.org/jesseproject/jesse.htm
7. "Prescriptions For Harm" http://www.headlice.org/news/2003/pr040103.htm
8. Lindane: serious neurological effects. Prescrire Int. 2006 Apr;15(82):61.
9. Seth V, Ahmad RS, Suke SG, Pasha ST, Bhattacharya A, Banerjee BD. Lindane-induced immunological alterations in human poisoning cases. Clin Biochem. 2005 Jul;38(7):678-80
10. "Headlice Treatment Linked To Birth Defects" http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/print.html?path=GE0204/S00029.htm
11. "Malathion for scabies made user ill and didn't solve the problem" http://www.getipm.com/articles/letters/malathion-scabies.htm
12.Warning Letter to Morton Pharmaceuticals from the FDA FDA web site archives of warning letters. December, 2007.
13. FDA Cites Toxic Risk of Popular Head-Lice Drug.USA Today, Health & Behavior, January 31, 2008.
14. "PERMETHRIN" http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/permethrin_fs.htm
15. PERMETHRIN http://www.getipm.com/articles/pyrethrin-shampoo.htm
16. "Mother writes about Nix for headlice and her miscarriage at 8 weeks." http://www.getipm.com/articles/letters/headlice-nix3.htm
17. Downs, A.M.R., Stafford, K.A., Hunt, L.P., Ravenscroft, J.C. & Coles, G.C. Widespread insecticide resistance in head lice to the over-the-counter pediculocides in England British Journal of Dermatology 146 (1), 88-93.doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2133.2002.04473.x (2002)
18. "Head lice 'are becoming indestructible'" at headlice.org http://www.headlice.org/news/2006/061406_indestructible.html
19. Melaleuca Oil for Head Lice at Livestrong.com.
20. Treatments for Head Lice by Tash Hughes, 2004.
21. Priestley CM, Burgess IF, Williamson EM. Lethality of essential oil constituents towards the human louse, Pediculus humanus, and its eggs. Fitoterapia. 2006 Jun;77(4):303-9.
22. Toloza AC, Zygadlo J, Cueto GM, Biurrun F, Zerba E, Picollo MI. Fumigant and repellent properties of essential oils and component compounds against permethrin-resistant Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidae) from Argentina. J Med Entomol. 2006 Sep;43(5):889-95.
23. Mills C, Cleary BJ, Gilmer JF, Walsh JJ. Inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase by Tea Tree oil. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2004 Mar;56(3):375-9.
24. When Lice Attack: How to Nip Nits in the Bud. Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA), Summer 2007.
25. Walton SF, McKinnon M, Pizzutto S, Dougall A, Williams E, Currie BJ. Acaricidal activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil: in vitro sensitivity of sarcoptes scabiei var hominis to terpinen-4-ol. Arch Dermatol. 2004 May;140(5):563-6.
26. "The Benefits of Tea Tree" http://www.aztecfreenet.org/makingscents/articles/Tea_Tree_Article/tea_tree_article.html

A Few Pics of Autumn in Vermont - 2012

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Fri, 9 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Here's the remainder of my shots when we were at peak color. I got up very early one morning in October, bundled my babies up, and head out on the road with camera in tow. We drove around Northern Vermont to places like Lake Arrowhead where we sat and waited for the sunrise; then up to Stowe where we sat and waited for the fog to lift; the remainder of the day was a crisp, cloudless day and we enjoyed the sights on our drive home.

Lake Arrowhead at Dawn

My favorite crane shot of the day...blue hues, lovely.

Lonesome Crane at Dawn

Railroad Crossing at Dawn

Sunrise over the Hills

The Steeple of Stowe

I saved the best for last.

Losing Weight, Feeling Great: Five Things You Can Do

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Sat, 3 Mar 2012 01:29:00 -0500

This is the 2nd article in my weight loss series

to read the 1st one, follow this link.

Click here to Print

Because I’m not a negative person by nature & would rather seek out the positive in life; I chose to keep my focus on what I can do instead of what I cannot.

About a year ago, I started making some changes in my life in order to feel better & in all honesty I was hoping to see smaller numbers when I stepped on the scale. Some of my motivations for wanting to lose weight were:

To rid myself of back pain
To be able to jump, run, & play with my kids
To hike the Long Trail with my honey
To feel better in general

In order to accomplish my weight loss goals, I created the following task list...

1) Take an inventory of your pantry – Donate anything and everything that is going to hold you back, keep you down, or knock you out. Send it to your local food bank, church or a neighbor in need.

I took inventory of my pantry and refrigerator and the results were frightful; boxes of sugary cereals, cookies/crackers, a myriad of carbs, and prepared meals high in preservatives. The list just went on from there and only got worse. It was no wonder I was still hanging onto the weight I had gained with the pregnancy of our 6th baby.

2) Plan your meals ahead of time – It will help keep you from making unhealthy food choices on a whim; and the bonus is, you will save money, because it cost less to cook your own food, than to buy prepared meals, grabbing food at the gas station, or dining out.

I invested in a life-time subscription to Menu Planning Central from Christine Steendahl at TheMenuMom.com. It took me awhile to get used to the website; but once I got into the swing of things, I began to save time and money with Christine’s easy to print recipes, menu planning tools, and grocery shopping lists. Christine also has available a selection of e-books to assist the gourmet-challenged. After having used her site for just a couple months and perusing through some of her e-books, my initial investment had paid for itself in the savings we recouped in our monthly grocery budget.

3) Keep a stash of healthy snacks available in your pantry, your purse/diaper bag, your work desk, and on the go.

I like to purchase a large bag of raw almonds and portion them out in sandwich baggies for an easy to grab snack on the go; walnuts are great too.

Cottage cheese is a good protein booster to keep handy and full of energy. It is less expensive to purchase the quart size containers and portion out in single servings to have ready to grab when a craving hits. For those with a sweet-tooth, you can add fresh or frozen fruit.

I have also ventured into making my own granola (which can have any number of dried fruit and nuts added to it) and yogurt. In the words of Rachael Ray, “Yummo”.

4) Begin a workout regimen – If you’re just not sure where to start, go to your local gym and ask to speak to a personal trainer. See how much it would cost to just have one session in which they can do a basic assessment and help you to form a weekly workout routine that you can do at home.

In this arena, I did a few things: I contacted a local trainer and asked her to do a fitness assessment on me and I began attending her Pilates classes. After having enjoyed Pilates for about 6 months, I was eager to try more of Liza’s classes. So I built up the nerve to go to her Body Pump class. Almost instantly, I began seeing a difference in how my clothes fit and my stature.

She really is an amazing trainer and knowledgeable in weight loss and nutrition; I highly recommend her to anyone in the northern Vermont area.

5) Stay hydrated – Carry with you a reusable bottle and continually drink and refill it with water.

This was difficult for me, because I was in the habit of going through the drive-thru to grab a soda each time I left the house. I had to train myself to take sips from the water bottle whenever I would get those soda cravings. I found that after a couple days, it began to feel more natural and less forced. I also found that I really like the flavor of cucumber/lemon infused water.

Place 3-4 slices each of fresh cucumber and lemon into your water bottle at night and place it in the refrigerator. It makes it easy to grab on your way out in the morning instead of a cup coffee (or after the coffee, if you haven’t broke that habit yet).

When I started out on this trek last year, I began using My Fitness Pal app & linked it to my blog so youcould see my progress. I’ve made some friends on the app that help to keep me motivated as time goes on. Feel free to check my progress on the side-bar; I started out with 30 pounds to lose.

"Make the decision, then do something - no matter how small - toward accomplishing what you want."

Author Unknown

Please leave a comment below,

I'd love to hear all about your weight loss challenges and successes.

More to come…

Goal setting & progress tracking printouts
The “Can Dos” of my new healthy fitness lifestyle
The Benefits of Meal Planning

Weight Loss Poem

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Wed, 8 Feb 2012 13:00:00 -0500

I stumbled accross this little poem today and I thought it was cute,

and is keeping with the theme of the current weight loss series.

I hope you like it!

T'was the Month After Christmas

Twas the month after Christmas,

And all through the house,

Nothing would fit me,

Not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled,

The chocolate I'd taste

At the holiday parties

Had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales

There arose such a number!

When I walked to the store

(less a walk than a lumber).

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;

The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese

And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt

And prepared once again to do battle with dirt...

I said to myself, as I only can,

"You can't spend a winter, disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.

Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished

Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie, not even a lick.

I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie.

I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore...

But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.

Happy New Year to all, and to all a good diet.

Author Unknown

Here's to another day of staying motived!

Losing Weight: Feeling Great

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Tue, 7 Feb 2012 18:15:00 -0500

Click here to Print

Have you ever noticed when someone tells you about their new diet, all they talk about is what they’re not allowed to eat? I certainly have; all I can say is that’s exactly why I don’t like trying out the new diets that come on the market.

In all, my honey and I have 6 kids; his, mine, & ours. After the birth of the first 3, I never had a problem losing the baby weight. I noticed as I aged, and we continued to have children, that the weight doesn’t just melt off like it did when I was younger. I believe I am experiencing that dreaded slowing metabolism everyone talks about. I’ve heard rumors that this process starts in your 30’s.

About a year ago, I started making some changes in my life in order to feel better & in all honesty I was hoping to see smaller numbers when I stepped on the scale.

Fresh Raspberries from our CSA

Some of my motivators were:

Weight loss
To rid myself of back pain
To be able to jump, run, & play with my kids
To hike the Long Trail with my honey
To feel better in general

Because I’m not a negative person by nature & would rather seek out the positive in life, I chose to keep my focus on what I can do instead of what I cannot. After careful consideration and lots of instruction from my personal trainer, I compiled the following list things I can do.

Set goals
Eat 5-7 small meals a day
Buy locally grown organic foods, direct from farmers; join a CSA
Eat whole foods with no preservatives
Eat wild or free range meats: seafood, poultry, beef, lamb, and eggs with no added hormones or antibiotics
Drink organic almond milk or coconut milk: chocolate is my favorite
Eat organic Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, cultured butter (not margarine), whole cheeses, fresh and sour cream.
Use oils rich in omega 3’s: cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, sesame, flax, coconut and palm oils.
Eat raw, organic, fresh fruits and vegetables when available; frozen is second best.
Eat almonds and almond butter: they’re brain food
Prepare stocks by boiling veggies, bones of chicken, beef, lamb or fish and use it to make home-made soups and to saute foods.
Drink lots of water: add lemon, cucumber & mint, it’s divine.
Use Real salt (it’s pink not white) and fresh herbs
Make your own salad dressing using vinegar and olive oil or try home-made stock with Italian herbs and evoo.
Use natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup.
Become mobile: walk around the block, in the Mall, or on a treadmill. Anything that increases stimulation; I like riding my bike.

Our Blueberry Bush

When I started out on this trek last year, I began using My Fitness Pal on my computer & linked it to my blog so others could see my progress. I’ve made some friends on the app that help to keep me motivated as time goes on. Feel free to check my progress on the side-bar; I started out with 30 pounds to lose.

Soon to come…

Goal setting & progress tracking printouts
The Can’s of a healthy fitness lifestyle
Things to Avoid
The Benefits of Meal Planning
Some Yummy Recipes

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

Eleanor Roosevelt

A Peck of Goof-balls at the apple orchard

Feel free to leave a comment below,

I'd love to hear all about your weight loss challanges and successes.

Free Saving Money ebook from The Menu Mom

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Wed, 1 Feb 2012 22:11:00 -0500

Christina over at The Menu Mom has released another awesome ebook. She's letting this one go for free this time. It's got a lot of great tips to saving money on groceries.

I downloaded a copy myself & have found it quite useful so far.

Follow this link to get your free copy.

A Good Snow

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 18:39:00 -0500

It’s hard to believe that just two weeks ago I was complaining that it just doesn’t feel like winter in Vermont. I had snapped this photo off my front porch and posted it on Facebook to let all my friends and family know that we haven’t had any significant snowfall and I was feeling gloomy.

I was a bit like child waking up on Christmas morning when I looked outside today and saw all the snow that fell overnight. I could only manage to stay outside for a few minutes because it is downright frigid. But I did manage to snap a few photos to share with you.

St. Albans Bay Flooding Images

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Thu, 19 May 2011 02:05:00 -0400

I snapped some pics of the flooding at the bay today. The water was looking quite eerie...my 14yo daughter mentioned that it looked like unicorn blood (from the Harry Potter movies). I'd have to agree with her; it seemed to shine with a look of silver - beautiful.

St. Albans Bay

St. Albans Bay Park, parking lot

Driftwood - flood line

Flood fishing

I ran accross this young fellow while walking about and asked him if he's caught much. I was astounded to find out he had an entire ice chest full of fish! Way to make good use of these high waters.

A week prior this house was completely surrounded by water. Thank goodness they were able to get sandbagged and semi-dried out. BTW-My husband's brother & wife used to live here.

B&W Driftwood on Beach

Lake Champlain Flooding

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Tue, 17 May 2011 14:15:00 -0400

I took a little drive down by the lake to see what I could see. What I found was flooding; just about everywhere. I grabbed my camera and shot the following photos.

Rte 36 - currently the road to nowhere

The following exert taken from Vermont.com

Current ALERTS for northern VT

Flood Warning
Date: 11:41 am EDT on May 17, 2011 Expires: 12:41 PM EDT on May 18, 2011
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Flood Warning continues for the Lake Champlain at Rouses Point. * At 11:00 am Tuesday the stage was 102.4 feet. * Flood stage is 100.0 feet. * Record flooding is occurring and record flooding is forecast. * Forecast...Lake Champlain will continue rising to near 102.7 feet by early Thursday afternoon. Additional rises may be possible thereafter. * Impact...at 102.5 feet...widespread severe flooding occurs. Lakeshore homes will be flooded and local roads will be inundated. In Vermont...the following highways will flood...Route 125 at Chimney Point...Route 36 in St. Albans...Route 7 near Highgate State Park...Route 129 from alburgh to Isle la Motte...Route 2 at The Sand Bar and between Route 78 and Route 129 in alburgh. In New York...the following highways will flood...Route 9 in Plattsburgh near Route 314...Route 9n near Route 185...and Route 185. Neiles

Current Forecast for northern VT

Rest of Today
Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 50s. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tonight
Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Lows around 50. East winds around 10 mph until midnight...becoming light and variable.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday
Cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the mid 60s. Light and variable winds...becoming southeast around 10 mph in the afternoon.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday Night
Cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Lows in the mid 50s. Southeast winds around 10 mph.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday
Cloudy with a chance of showers. Highs in the upper 60s. Light and variable winds. Chance of rain 50 percent.

Shelter in St. Albans for flood victims

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Mon, 2 May 2011 17:19:00 -0400

Lake Champlain on the rise - Overlooking St. Albans (VermontBeauty image)

It looks like help is on the way for those displaced by flooding in Saint Albans. The Burlington Free Press is reporting the town will be settin up shelter for displaced flood victims at the St. Albans Town Educational Center located at 169 South Main Street.

Shelter set up in St. Albans for flood victims

View Larger Map

The following is from Vermont.com:

Current ALERTS for Saint Albans, VT

Flood Warning

Date: 11:51 am EDT on May 2, 2011 Expires: 12:51 PM EDT on May 03, 2011

The Flood Warning continues for the Lake Champlain at Rouses Point. * At 11:00 am Monday the stage was 102.8 feet. * Flood stage is 100.0 feet. * Record flooding is occurring and will continue at record levels. * Forecast...Lake Champlain will continue rising to near 102.9 feet by Monday evening. Additional rises may be possible thereafter. * Impact...at 102.5 feet...widespread severe flooding occurs. Numerous Lakeshore homes will be flooded. Local roads will be inundated. In Vermont...Route 36 in St. Albans and Route 129 in alburgh will flood.

Current ALERTS for Saint Albans, VT

Areal Flood Watch

Date: 3:20 PM EDT on May 2, 2011 Expires: 2:00 AM EDT on May 05, 2011

...Flood Watch in effect from Tuesday afternoon through late Wednesday night... The National Weather Service in Burlington has issued a * Flood Watch for all of northern New York and much of Vermont. * From Tuesday afternoon through late Wednesday night. * Steady rains will move from southwest to northeast across the north country Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday night. The rainfall will be heavy at times Tuesday night through Wednesday morning with total rainfall amounts in the one to two inch range. * While this event is not expected to produce heavy rain in a short amount of time...similar to the event last Tuesday...the high water across many areas of the north country will be impacted by the longer duration rains. River and lake levels will rise Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday night and Lake Champlain will still remain well above flood stage. Precautionary/preparedness actions... A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

Here's to hoping everyone stays safe and dry.

Vermont's Long Trail

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 17:36:00 -0400

There's a trail that Vermonters like to hike that's called the Long Trail. It was built between 1910 and 1930 by the Green Mountain Club and is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States. It runs the distance of the state from north to south. The Long Trail was the inspiration for the infamous Appalachian Trail; the two trails intersect and become one in the southern 1/3 of the state for 100 miles.

Illustration and graphic design by Dave Blumenthal

As it winds its way from Massachusetts to Canada along Vermont's highest peaks, the trail passes ponds, alpine bogs, forests, and streams. With its 273-mile footpath, 175 miles of side trails, and nearly 70 primitive shelters, the Long Trail offers endless hiking opportunities for the day hiker, weekend overnighter, and extended backpacker. (info taken from greenmountainclub.org)

I’ve been wanting to hike the Long Trail ever since I first heard about it -- which was about 2 years ago when I moved to Vermont. I am finally almost to the point of being able to give it a go. I’ve been working out trying to get my cardio up all winter in order to be fit enough for the hike. Soon my little ones will be old enough to either go with us or have a week long stay with their aunt & uncle.

When we finally do take the plunge & get out on the trail, we will have some great pics to post and a pretty awesome adventure to blog about I’m sure. Until then, I would suggest checking out the information that is available at from the Green Mountain Club. They're an organization that cares about keeping Vermont beautiful and that is A-Okay in my book. For more information log onto their web-site greenmountainclub.org.

CarShare VT- Keeping Vermont Beautiful

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:36:00 -0500

I'm having a good time finding organizations that are helping Vermonters live healthier, happier lives.
Todays find is helping to keep the beauty in Vermont while giving Vermonters the ability to get around without having the limitations of the train or bus systems.

When you need to have a car for errands, meetings, or an out of town trip, you can count on CarShare Vt to hook you up with the transportation you need without having to deal with leases, fuel prices, insurance, maintenance cost, taxis, or rentals. All you have to do is become a member, pay your monthly dues, reserve any one of the cars or trucks around town, and pick it up when you need it.

How easy is that?

I was impressed with what I read on their website and am thinking about attending an upcoming fund raiser.

My husband and I have been trying to find ways we could downsize everything from our budget to the amount of 'stuff' we own. The idea of only having one car is hard for to swallow with us having different schedules; compounded by the fact that we have six children. However, I don't need to have a car every day; I could plan to do all my errands in one day each week.

CarShare VT is not in our little town yet, but I can forsee it coming soon. Possibly changing this Vermont family's way of life for the better.

For more information on the benefit of car sharing in VT, click here.

Meal Registry

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:31:00 -0500

I have found the coolest website!

Meal Baby is a meal registry website similar to gift registry.

Let's say you're going to have surgery, have a baby, or have an emergency/tragedy;

wouldn't it be nice to not have to worry about how/what you and your family will be eating for the coming week/month?

On this website you can put your likes/dislikes, allergies, and dates you need meals. You send the info to friends/family and they can log on to see what meals are being delivered to you on which dates.

Makes it much easier for people to help you in your time of need!

I wish I had known about this when I had my 5 c-sections;
or when my husband was on deployment & I was pregnant, sick and had little mouths to feed;

not to mention when my father-in-law passed away.

follow this link to check it out for yourself

FYI: I'm not getting paid for this referrel, I just think it's that awesome!

Turning Papa’s Shirts Into Fun Aprons

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 02:43:00 -0500

Last summer I thought it would be a cute idea to ask Papa if we could have a couple of his old shirts so that I could make art smocks for our little sprogs for Christmas. I took my time and pondered how exactly I would pull off this project. I had every intention of telling Papa what I wanted to do for the ~~rug-rats~~ little angels. Unfortunately due to my procrastination, I never had the chance to pick the shirts up from him; Papa was called to Heaven to be with Gram-Gram unexpectedly. Now more than ever, this project has gained extreme urgency.

Papa's old shirts

I have been searching the Internet like a ~~wild~~ determined woman tying to find just the right pattern. I didn’t want it to look like any old ordinary apron; it needs to be obvious that it was once Papa’s shirt.

Truly, it was all in vein. Since I couldn’t find what I wanted, I decided to just design my own.

Oh, My, Goodness…I haven’t designed anything in years! What was I thinking!?

In the end I came up with the following design; I hope you enjoy it as much I have enjoyed creating it.

Due to this project being of special importance to us, we wanted to laminate the material to keep it safe from stains. I bought some Heat n Bond iron-on vinyl and followed the instructions on the package.

Separate the front of the shirt from the back; cutting off both sleeves.

Remove all button and pockets. I laminated the breast pocket with the Heat n Bond for protection.

Line up the two pieces that made up the front of the shirt where it buttoned & stitch together. After I got the two front sides attached, I pressed it with the Heat-n-Bond.

Carefully remove the collar from the back.

Press and stitch the bottom edge of the collar closed. I added a personalized tag where the shirt's original tag used to be.

Lay one of the sleeves flat, cut off the cuff, unfold it and cut it to the size of the sleeve width.

Turn the cuff onto the sleeve, pin together the rough edges, and stitch together. The sleeve is going to be the artist's supplies pocket on the front of the apron. I ironed-on some of the vinyl to protect it as well.

Place the sleeve in the middle of the apron where you would want the pocket and top-stitch to secure.

I used my embroidery machine to stitch 2 labels that say "My Papa's Shirt" (one for each apron)...I would've done this by hand, but my stitching is about as bad as my handwriting.

I then top-stitched one of the labels onto the breast pocket and then top-stitched the pocket in place on the front of the apron

Attach the back of the shirt to the front (right sides together) and stitch. Make notches in the curved portions where the sleeves were attached.

Turn right sides out and top-stitch around the 2 sides and top (leaving the bottom edge open).

Pin the side of the collar that once had a button attached to the top corner of the apron and stitch in place.

On the opposite corner sew one of the buttons on that was removed.

Gather up all the buttons that you removed and begin to sew them into place where there are visible button holes. (Don't forget the cuff on your supply pocket)

Attach some straps to the sides in order to tie around the waist.

A-N-D

TA-DA

Thanks for stopping by my blog& remember if you like what you've read, please remember to share it.

Joannie

Homeology Natural Home Cleaning Products

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Fri, 3 Dec 2010 15:58:00 -0500

I'm thrilled to introduce you to Jasmin Driggers, a Gold Canyon Living Well representative serving the Manhattan Beach area of southern California.

I first became familiar with her family when Jasmin was starting her freshman year in high school. I was enrolled in a German clas at the local college that her mother taught & Jasmin was ever present in the classroom. I'm truly blessed to have countless memories of her and her parents from our many get-togethers through the years.

Jasmin is all grown up now and starting her venture with Gold Canyon.

I couldn't wait to log on to her website to check out all the products when her mother told me about it. Quite frankly, it was all new to me because I have never heard of Gold Canyon products.

I can honestly say that I have fallen in LOVE, LOVE, LOVE with the idea of their

Homeology line of Natural Home Cleaning Products.

Others may know Gold Canyon for their scented candles;

anyone that knows me well, will tell you that I'm no candle girl.

Green clean, however is all me!

If you'r interested in trying their products, hosting a show, or becoming a GC representative,

head on over to Jasmin's web-site by clicking on the link below.

GoldCanyon.com Homeology Natural Home Cleaning Products

Thanks for stopping by!

If you like what you've seen on my blog,

please remember to share it!

All the best,

Joannie

Jackie's Life in Surrey: Tablescape at Beaulieu

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:18:00 -0500

When I was a little girl my dad was in the US Air Force and we were living in England. Of the eight years we lived there, I only remember one REAL vacation we took. We went camping at the seashore and on our way we stopped at the most remarkable place called 'Beaulieu'.

Picture from http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/beaulieu/index

I've often thought of our tour through the abbey and motor museum, but could not remember the name of the place that I found so remarkable.

Jackie of Jackie's Life in Surrey has a wonderful pictoral of her recent trip to Beaulieu.

Jackie's Life in Surrey: Tablescape at Beaulieu

Thank goodness I stumbled upon Jacie's blog! Next time I'm in England I will be able to make a trip to Beaulieu.

For more information on Beaulieu click here

Thanks for stopping by & remember ...

If you like what you see in my blog, please remember to share it.

All the best,

Joannie

ArtsCow Personalized Gifts

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:11:00 -0500

I scored this beautiful porcelain ornament from ArtsCow.com for just $1.99 shipped using coupon code ORNTS2010.

I liked it so much that I ordered all these additional gifts for 25% off using coupon code DISCOUNT25P.

They have tons of personalized photo gitfts to choose from.

With Christmas right around the corner, I thought the ornaments were fitting.

Click here to claim your $1.99 ornament, score 1200 free prints credits, 3 8"x8" photo books, & other great photo gifts credits

*disclaimer - readers have been know to 'ooh & ahh' uncontrollably while viewing photos of my children :-)

Thanks for stopping by & remember ...

If you like what you see in my blog, please remember to share it.

All the best,

Joannie

A Mothers Courage: Talking Back to Autism

Joannie @ Vermont Beauty (Joannie @ Vermont Beauty) — Fri, 5 Nov 2010 21:04:00 -0400

I Went to school with a couple that is featured in this film with their children. They have three sons and two daughters; all of their sons are autistic.

A Mothers Courage trailer from Amothers courage on Vimeo.

You can purchase a copy of the DVD here.

Thanks for stopping by & remember ...

If you like what you see in my blog, please remember to share it.

All the best,

Joannie