Sono-ma

Rites of Passage: How Does One Become An Adult?

DeAnna Lam — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 04:58:31 +0000

How does one become an adult? Well, mostly by imitation... I grew up in a household of two (heavy) cigarette-smoking, coffee-drinking parents. For me, this was the epitome of adulthood... And when I started smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee, at the age of seventeen, I felt that I have arrived! The “arrival” was not celebrated in any way. However my Dad, who used to buy cigarettes in cartons (for him and my Mom) added a few packs to the family monthly cigarette shopping, on my behalf. I was given the stamp of approval: I belonged. And isn't this what Rites of Passage are all about? Arriving, belonging, getting in par with the adult world around us, which was mostly beyond our reach as children, and is now accepting us as rightful members. Indigenous cultures similarly rewarded their youth with belonging and acceptance, only that their requirements were far more meaningful. Youth were given a multitude of things that our young lack today: - Spiritual guidance from an early age, toward discovering the gift one was born to bring to their community - Active mentors who fostered different skills in a youth, each bestowing their own gifts on their young protegee - A prescribed set of challenges that will stretch a youth beyond their comfort zone, and will call them to find within them the ability to endure, overcome, and emerge triumphantly - A tradition of Spiritual Eldering designed to pass on wisdom and knowledge from one generation to the next - A tight knit community that is eager to collectively honor and celebrate all milestones in an individual's life In contrast, the guidance I received, growing up, consisted of explicit messages, overt assistance, and covert expectations, all directed toward achieving high grades at school, an academic degree, and a career that will guarantee enough money to ensure a secure retirement. There was no conscious guidance toward grounded, balanced, intentional adulthood, and in its absence I could only imitate what I saw around me. It took many years of unlearning (including quitting cigarette-smoking and coffee-drinking) to develop a sense of deeper meaning in my life. Deeper meaning is what the youth search for. The need we have as young human beings, while transforming from childhood to adulthood, is for meaningful challenges that will help us prove to ourselves that we are courageous and worthy; role models that will inspire us to strive, and communities that will accept us as equals. In the absence of such cultural offerings, the youth of each generation will devise their own tests that would lead them to become accepted by their tribe. For me, it was cigarettes and coffee that made me feel grown up and ultimately belong. For many today it is gang activity or teen pregnancy. These are the shadow manifestations of an authentic need. They seemingly include every element of traditional rites of passage: - Going beyond one's comfort zone to prove worthiness (gang activity and teen sex) - Performing daring acts that lead to approval (in the eyes of gang members, or boyfriend/girlfriend) - Ultimate acceptance or belonging (this last one applies to gang members but hardly ever to girls who get pregnant. They often end up shunned by both their boyfriend and their family) This grim picture only exists because we, as a society, abdicated our responsibility to our young! It is in our hands to restore the picture to its natural balance. It is our (exciting!) task to rally around our young in meaningful ways, to provide them with meaningful challenges that will stretch them positively, and to receive them as equals when they triumphantly emerge from their trials. _________________________________

To learn more about transitions into adulthood, DeAnna invites you to a cutting edge Tele-Summit:

RITES OF PASSAGE – Skillfully Guiding Girls to Womanhood & Boys to Manhood

http://www.ritesofpassageevent.com/

A 2-week virtual conference (to which you can listen from the comfort of your own phone) filled with exciting speakers, such as:

* Internationally acclaimed author & lecturer Marianne Williamson
* New Yourk Times best seller author Michael Gurian
* Internationaly renowned herbalist Susun Weed

and an array of speakers, each an expert in their field, who will share with you words of wisdom, inspirational guidance, and practical tools to apply with your Tweens & Teens right away! Online Event Dated are: Monday-Friday, February 6 - 10 & 13-17 DeAnna L’am, (B.A.) speaker, coach, and trainer, is author of Becoming Peers – Mentoring Girls Into Womanhood and A Diva's guide to Getting Your Period. She is founder of Red Moon School of Empowerment for Women & Girls™. Her pioneering work has been transforming women’s & girls' lives around the world, for over 20 years. DeAnna helps women & girls love themselves unconditionally! She specializes in helping women reclaim their cycle as source of intuition and spiritual renewal, helps Moms welcome their girls into womanhood with ease & confidence, and trains women to hold RED TENTS in their communities. Visit her at: www.deannalam.com

Whole Foods Encourages Families to Stock Healthy Pantries – Give Aways Included

Sono-Ma Holly — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:19:59 +0000

The New Year has a us thinking about a renewed focus on health. Not only is our family finding more ways to work in daily exercise (thanks to tips from Dufloth's Outdoor Family Fitness), we are also having fun refreshing our commitments around food. On Sundays we crowd together on the couch to pour over simple recipe ideas from Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, while we fill in our weekly menu and shopping list. Although we'll take inspiration from a recipe like "Sizzling Beef with Scallions", we allow our weekly box of fresh vegetables from Singing Frogs Farms to dictate which vegetables fill out the dish. We also find that having a good pantry stocked with versatile ingredients - rice, quinoa, oats, coconut oil and walnuts to name a few - makes it easy to create flavorful and nutritious dishes. Ready to get inspired to load your pantry with nutrituos staples? You'll find it is wonderful to have healthful ingredients at the ready come meal time. Whole Foods Market and Sono-Ma also hope to tempt you into action by offering you a chance to win a pantry-stocking gift card. Read on for ideas, tips and contest details!

Easy, Healthy Ingredients on Hand for Quick Meals

When my boy, Bryles, wakes up at 5:00 a.m. declaring his hunger, quick and easy oatmeal is my savior. Nourishing Traditions inspired our family to always have a bowl of oats soaking in whey and water on our counter. These pre-soaked oats cook up in minutes. I pull out our raw milk, butter, and syrup and give him the privilege of topping his own grains. (Yes, I watch him carefully with the syrup. But you should see how excited he gets to pour and chop on his own!) I grab my own bowl and layer on the walnuts, brewer's yeast and dried fruit. Bryles will later eat soaked rice or quinoa for lunch at school. He'll be served grains, pumpkin seeds, and brewer's yeast for toppings. He enjoys it so much, I try to have it on hand for our lunch-time meals at home. I opt to serve him quinoa as it is loaded with the protein my growing boy needs. I also toss in our fresh CSA vegetables - like this season's tasty broccoli - to round out the meal. Bryles will eat the broccoli, too, although much more willingly if I top it with some of our homemade mayo (made with extra virgin cold pressed olive oil) inspired again by a Nourishing Traditions recipe. Come the afternoon, we are sourcing our pantry for healthy snacks again. We might choose to make stove-top popped corn (drizzled in butter and sprinkled with sea salt) and smoothies. Our smoothie will feature raw milk and frozen or fresh fruit....and it gets fortified with some pantry items, too! We add in local coconut oil, organic walnuts, and other nutritive fats or super foods. Another good option is a carob energy cube - this is considered as good as a chocolate bar at 3:00 pm at our house. Then, at dinner, we are ready for soaked beans and more grains as well as our meats and fresh veggies. Again, pantry items like nuts, seeds, and oils are handy for boosting flavor, omega's, fats and proteins in our dishes.

Pantry Shopping List

We keep our pantry stocked by shopping at Whole Foods. I appreciate their clear labeling, which helps me purchase Local and Gluten-free items. I also love the fact that I am welcomed to bring my own mason jars to stock up on bulk items. The mason jars cut down on the waste our family produces, and shopping in the bulk department saves a considerable amount of money. (To use your own packaging, simply stop by the "Guest Services" counter and ask for tare weights to be written on your jars or bags.) Here is our family's list of suggestions for creating your own pantry-stocking shopping list.

* Celctic Sea Salt (or other mineral salt)
* 1 lb black beans
* 1 lb lentils
* 1 lb quinoa
* 2 lbs brown rice
* 1 lb rolled oats
* Organic Maple Syrup
* Brewer's Yeast
* Organic Walnuts
* Organic Pumpkin Seeds
* 1 lb cannellini beans
* 1 lb quionoa pasta
* 1 package no-oil sun-dried tomatoes
* Organic Coconut Milk
* Energy cubes
* Organic Popcorn
* Extra Virgin, Cold Pressed, Organic Olive Oil (Local options at Whole Foods Coddingtown)
* Organic Coconut Oil, Cold Pressed (Local options at Whole Foods Coddingtown)

Whole Foods gifted our family $50 to take the pantry challenge, and I was truly surprised at what we were able to bring home. With prices such as $1.64 cents for a jar filled with black beans, we filled our shelves in no time.

Contests, Contests and More Contests!

Ready to tackle your pantry? Sono-Ma and Whole Foods has a $50 gift card to help you with your task. Simply leave a comment below before midnight on January 29th to enter to win. Tell your friends about the contest by linking to this article and pick up an extra raffle entry (mention your Social Networking in your comment.) Whole Foods also plans dishing fun rewards via two other on-line contests: Customers can win pantry staples for a year by entering online at the Whole Foods Market, Whole Story Blog. The deadline is January 31 - so hurry to enter now. In addition folks can win a $50 "Pantry Re-fresh" by signing up for Whole Foods Market Coddingtown's e-mail newsletter in-store or from WFM Coddingtown's Facebook page. One local winner is selected every week. Remember - everyone wins who stocks a healthy pantry!

New Year New Camera with Mariah Smith and Mama Shots

Sono-Ma Holly — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 08:26:02 +0000

Mariah Smith wants to know, "Did you received a new camera for Christmas?" This mama and professional photographer has made an art of helping to explain photography – beginning with how to use your camera. Want to know how to actually use that fancy camera? Mariah will teach you the ins and outs of your digital SLR (the ones where the lenses come off). You can finally figure out what all those little buttons do and why you’d ever want to touch one. She'll also help you learn where the light is, and how to use it to capture quality images. This new skill will take your photography to another level. Then, she'll guide you in how to use Photoshop Elements to edit and print gorgeous prints. Finally, she'll share her expertise in how to do the "art part" of telling a story with photography.

Mama Shots Workshop

February 21 - March 13 7:00 - 9ish pm Sebastopol Studio

take 1, 2, 3 or the whole series....

your fancy camera, simplified ~ 2/21

star light, star bright - how to use light ~ 2/28

now what? photoshop elements tips & tricks ~ 3/6

the art part ~ 3/13

Each class is 2 hours of interactive, individual & fun instruction on the most important aspects of photography. Learn a lot one night, practice all week and come back with all your questions! Take it with a friend and have a partner to experiment with. For maximum photog knowledge, take all for classes for only $199. If you just want to take 1 or 2, the first one is $69 and each additional is $49. Quite a little bargain! Don't forget to order your Workshop Workbook! It's full of presentation slides for future reference (trust me, it's a great thing to have around when I'm not there) and plenty of room for notes. At only $25, it's a must have!

Registration Dates

Mariah Smith Photography clients CAN REGISTER NOW!

Students registering for the entire series OPENS ON 1/17

Students registering for individual classes OPENS ON 2/7

For more info or to regist, visit Mama Shots Workshops. For updates and spcial offers be sure and like the new Mariah Smith Photography page on Facebook.

More about Mariah Smith

Mariah Smith is a well known mom-prenuer who was recently featured in the North Bay Business Journal. Sono-Ma loves that she is passionate about home births, which she hopes to write a book about one day. Mariah is also a breastfeeding advocate as evidienced by the breastfeeding gallery she created for the Sono-Ma Support Tent - a family oasis offered at local festivals. You'll also find her giving back by shooting photos for "Little Troopers" or the "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" family-support organizations. When it comes to describing her photography... "The images she creates during an unscripted family portrait session are unmatched. Mariah has an innate ability to connect with her subject and produce images that are as genuine to the subject as they are beautiful. She brings this skill to her scripted & commercial work as well. If you ever take one of her workshops, she’ll talk to you about “falling a little bit in love with your subject”. Mariah studies each & every subject and always finds at least one thing that she loves…whether it’s the shape of the vase, the way the 3 yr old crosses her ankles when she sits or the contrast of the dark truffle on the creamy brie. When she finds what she loves, she focuses on that and uses her camera to share that beauty with you." (via Mariah Smith About Page)

Beautiful Winter Days, Yes, but…

Farmer Paul — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:54:05 +0000

Last month was the 2nd driest December on record for Sonoma County, AND, more importantly, the 2nd coldest December on record for Sonoma County... and January hasn’t been any better yet. While the daytime temperatures have been in the upper fifties to low seventies with clear, beautiful, sunny skies, the nights have been cloudless and cold. The natural cold sink of our valley bottom has been shockingly frigid with 11 to 12 hours of subfreezing temperatures every day and lows in the mid to upper teens! Yes, when the mornings are around 35 degrees in Santa Rosa and there’s a little frost on windshields, the temps hover around 30 and 31 degrees in Sebastopol, and drop to 22 degrees at our house at Singing Frogs Farm and drop again to 18 or 17 degrees in the lowest fields below our house. When temperatures are this cold for this long, everything, and I mean EVERYTHING stops growing! For those of you who love to support local food and local growers, winter farming in Sonoma County presents some challenges to us farmers. While some farmers may have land up on the edges of Sonoma Mountain, or in the banana belt around Occidental, many others of us are growing in low valley bottoms where the construction of houses has been disallowed leaving the land for agricultural or conservation purposes only. While the very limited sunlight in the dark of winter (less than 8 hours per day) already has crucial negative impacts on vegetable crops this far north, the deep freeze that our county has been in since Thanksgiving has been even more devastating. When you read about heavy crop losses to weather, plagues, or other issues around the world, it’s important to realize that it can happen right here in our communities - even when the days are bright, sunny and beautiful. One shocker from the deep freeze has been the lack of growth of even pasture grasses. We, as well as the many dairy farmers in the county, are being forced to buy alfalfa to feed our livestock and our chickens have no green grass to scratch around in. More troubling, heads of lettuce which were about the size of a softball at Thanksgiving haven’t put on a single new leaf in 7 weeks - they’re still the exact same size! After all, what plant wants to put out tender new growth when 12 out of every 24 hours we’re experiencing subfreezing temperatures - into the upper teens! So our lettuce sits.... and sits... and sits in the fields, waiting for warmth and light to grow... just a little more. While waiting for our crops may not be the worst problem one can imagine, it precipitates another more devastating problem: If you are a truly organic (pro-Mother Nature) farm as we are and you don’t use any sprays (not even organic pesticides), then the longer your plants sit in the fields, the more damage is wrought by pests. Of 14 lettuce crops we planted back in September and October for a December and January harvest, we’ve lost 8 of the crops so far to mice, slugs and snails (mostly mice). Usually, our crops outgrow any damage by pests, but since our crops are in stasis, the pests are devouring them wholesale! We’ve had complete crop loss on some lacinato Kale, Collards, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Bulb Fennel, and numerous spinach and lettuce crops - tens of thousands of plants that were ravaged by the cold and/or by pests. While we have had some suprising successes this winter, and have learned a lot about plant growth, it has been an exceptionally difficult winter for us to keep production up. One other large, local CSA had eight things in their CSA box last week and only ONE of those was freshly harvested - everything else was processed foods or storage crops from the autumn. We faired a bit better with 4 fresh-harvested vegetables in last week’s box, but we’re barely holding it together. Gladly, many of our CSA members understand this, and many more are coming to the understanding that food security is really a very thin veil that separates us consumers from the global, industrialized food production system. One Singing Frogs Farm CSA member recently shared with us...

"I just want you to know how wonderfully connected I feel to the earth because of you. I often hear of "crop failures" in the world, but because I can buy anything I want in our wealthy US economy, especially in California, I rarely understand what this really means at a gut level.I am enjoying knowing that this cold, dry winter is making it hard for me to eat the delicious food you grow for me. It even makes me more aware of the plantings in my own yard! I willingly and gladly give up your wealth of delicacies during these hard times because I know when times are good (like last fall), everything tastes soooo much better than usual! I don't want to buy veggies and feel a little under nourished in the veggie dept. This is a new feeling for me and I like it. It's good to crave the new fresh greens of spring when deep in the middle of winter. I'm going to eat veggies this spring with an entirely new appreciation. It is easy to eat junky, fast food in our lives when we stop appreciating how important the farmers and their crops are in creating good food for us. We forget the food is grown by someone; it doesn't just show up on a truck and go into a grocery store.My experience with CSA has been worth every penny I've spent on it and indeed, has returned to me far more nourishment than I ever expected. Your farm nourishes my body, and also my soul." - Karren Wofford, CSA Member

Thank you Karen. (c) 2011 Paul Kaiser Paul Kaiser served in the Peace Corps in The Gambia, West Africa. He worked with several rural agrarian communities to develop sustainable land use management systems that incorporated multi-purpose trees in the farm fields and gardens for soil replenishment and protection, biodiversity promotion, and household products such as fuel wood, timber, fruits, leaves, animal fodder, etc. Since then, Paul earned dual Masters Degrees in Natural Resources Management and Sustainable Development from the United Nations University for Peace in Costa Rica and the American University in Washington D.C. In the last four years, Paul and his wife Elizabeth have married sustainable land management with local food production at their biodiverse and family-friendly Singing Frogs Farm. In addition, Paul created his “Night Heron Woodworks” business, where this accomplished furniture maker sells hand-crafted, salvaged hard wood pieces.

Nicole Daspit of Inner Discovery Invites Kids to Explore Thoughts and Feelings

Sono-Ma Holly — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:42:46 +0000

Dear Parents, How were your holidays? Hope you had some good times with your kids! My family had some really joyful moments and our share of stressful moments, too. We juggled family gatherings, holiday expectations, a trip to Yosemite, and that rather delicious but often dicey thing called "unstructured time." Something interesting happened when we were at a lodge in Yosemite that got me thinking about stuff kids (and we adults too!) need help with. The fire alarm went off twice, once around 10 in the evening, and again at 1:30 am. It was a very loud, extremely irritating sound as it should be, but having never really heard one at a hotel, it was unnerving. It was even more upsetting for our son who has sensory integration issues. He became very agitated and his heart rate was elevated, but eventually, when we learned it was a false alarm, he was able to calm down and go to sleep. When it happened again, it shocked him out of bed. He was shaking and angry and scared all at once. It was very hard to convince him that it was a false alarm this time. Even though we called the front desk and got confirmation that there was no danger, he no longer believed it was all "okay". He didn't get to sleep until almost 4 in the morning! I was thinking about how challenging it is when we are in the grip of a difficult feeling to be talked to "rationally" by others. We explained to our son that he was in no danger, that everything was fine now, but in his body and mind, he felt a very real danger. We want our children to feel better when we see them suffering. So, often we try to talk them out of their feelings or show them logically why their fear is unwarranted - all of which I have done more than once. But, as I was sitting with my son that night, I really saw how the message of "Don't feel that!" is seriously unhelpful! Anyone who is afraid to fly or speak in public knows on one level that there is no serious threat but that doesn't mean our bodies and minds don't have the feelings they do. Having sensory integration challenges is one thing, but how many times a day do we and our children also have emotions and troublesome thoughts that arise in response to something which on the surface seems totally irrational? How can we support our kids in noticing what they feel and working with their emotions without suppressing what comes up or making it wrong? How can we help kids learn how to identify their feelings and empower them to take positive actions that will allow them to move through an emotion? With that in mind and considering the suggestion of a friend, I am offering an afternoon workshop for kids which can begin the lifelong process of learning how to work with difficult thoughts and feelings. (Although, come to think of it, if they learn some skills now, maybe they won't have to struggle for the rest of their lives like most of us did!) I have shared feelings awareness tools in after school enrichment classes in various Sonoma County schools and I have found that once kids learn the basic language of feelings and the various ways those emotions can feel in the body, they can begin to make sense of their inner landscape. It becomes less confusing and overwhelming - way more understandable. They can often do this more quickly than adults! They also learn to become compassionate towards themselves instead of self-critical and recognize when others are likewise suffering. Often, kids even know what they need in order to move through the feeling. Each child has within him/herself the ingredients to reconnect to good feeling. With some tools, a little space and support, it is amazing to see how creatively they ease their distress and find solutions for themselves! -Nicole Daspit

Upcoming Inner Discovery for Kids Events

"Thoughts & Feelings: What's the Deal? (and How to Deal)" Saturday January 21 1-4 pm, for ages 9-12 $45 Location: ID Classroom in Sebastopol, CA call 874-8104 or e-mail to register This will be an afternoon of exploring what goes on in our minds and bodies and how to work with, rather than resist or fight, what we experience. We will use art, drama and journaling as a means to learn about ourselves and how to: * name and identify the "usual culprits" (aka difficult feelings) * shift out of negative thoughts and pictures * help our bodies feel better * reconnect to ourselves

Inner Discovery Workshops always include circle time, creative expression, guided meditation, a wholesome snack and usually some spontaneous happening that is fun and/or meaningful to the group. To learn more about our programming please visit: Inner Discovery for Kids on Facebook or our website: innerdiscoverykids.com.

More About Nicole Daspit

Nicole offers classes, camps and private sessions designed to support children's creativity, self-acceptance, emotional understanding and playful imagination. Nicole taught at Brush Creek Montessori, River Montessori, Mary Collins School and homeschool groups in Sonoma County. She lives in Sebastopol, CA.

“How Parents Can Raise a Socially Resilient Child”: Kim John Payne, M.Ed Speaks January 25th

Sono-Ma Holly — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:26:48 +0000

Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm welcomes and encourages parents to attend an exciting skill building session "How Parents Can Raise a Socially Resilient Child" with Kim John Payne on January 25th, 2012. Kim John Payne will share strategies for addressing teasing and bullying via a simple, step-by-step format. Join Sono-Ma and other parents in a lively discussion of how to break the cycles of reactivity, exclusion, and escalation.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 Time: 7:00 p.m. Cost: $10 per person Location: Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm, 655 Willowside Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404 More Information: 707.575.7194 or www.summerfieldws.org

More on Kim John Payne, M.Ed

"A consultant and trainer to over 110 U.S. independent and public schools, Kim John Payne, M.ED, has been a school counselor, adult educator, consultant, researcher, educator and a private family counselor for twenty seven years. He regularly gives key note addresses at international conferences for educators, parents, and therapists and runs workshops and training’s around the world. In each role, he has been helping children, adolescents and families explore issues such as social difficulties with siblings and classmates, attention and behavioral issues at home and school, emotional issues such as defiance, aggression, addiction and self-esteem and the vital role living a balanced simple life brings." (via Simplicity Parenting.com's bio page.) Check out Kim John Payne's site for specific, immediate tips you can use such as his five steps for simplifying family life!

Other Events and Resources

Kim John Payne's website-based calendar lists his speaking engagements, so if you are not in the vicinity of Sonoma County, we hope you can find another talk to attend. If not, audio cds of his talks are available for purchase, and other audio interviews and articles are listed on the new Simplicity Parenting site. Our family listened to the Soul of Discipline CD and found several useful tools for the parenting tool belt.

2012 Resolution: Fitness

Sono-Ma Holly — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 09:18:56 +0000

There it is again - exercise at the top of the list of New Year's Resolutions. You know it is living large in my mind as I raced to Fleet Feet on December 31st for my first pair of running shoes in seven years! Feeling extra committed to moving more in 2012, I even treated myself to a fancy sports bra.

Who wouldn't want to exercise knowing daily workouts can lift spirits, shrink waistlines, keep hearts healthy, AND create increased energy? Most moms would happily take help in any of these categories. Targeted stretching and strength training can also help ease body pain and tension - two other common complaints for parents. Still, many of us struggle to make daily time for fitness. So... how are we going to change things in 2012? Local mom and personal trainer Anna Dufloth says she's got the key ingredients to help you sustain your fitness resolutions: 1.) Value Yourself. 2.) Get Fitness on the Family Schedule 3.) Build Support 4.) Enjoy the Benefits.

Valuing Yourself

Anna will tell you that she has a typical busy mom's life wrangling her two little ones into the van in time for school, waging war on the dust bunnies, and finding energy to stay on top of her career. Only... Anna does all of this and manages to train for marathons by running several days a week. “I started doing personal training to answer the question of ‘Who am I?’ after becoming a mom. I found I didn’t recognize my own body, I’d left behind activities I used to be passionate about, and I had these new goals of being tuned into my kids. I needed to find a way to get back to the Kinesiology career path, and I wanted my body back. But I also wanted to keep my kids close. So, I opened a Baby Boot Camp franchise. When my kids got too big for the stroller, I closed the franchise and started my own family fitness classes.” This go-getter knew that she needed to feed her own soul in order to maintain her strength as a mom. Opening Baby Boot Camp helped her get outdoors and moving – and it helped other moms to do the same. “My kids grew up with me leading a trail of moms and strollers up and down hills.” After taking her first steps to get fitness back in her life, Anna found her passion rekindled. “It felt great to work my body, and I realized how much I missed it.” Soon, she found herself dreaming of taking her workouts to the next level. “I asked my husband to set aside Sunday mornings for the kids, and I put on my running shoes. While I am out running, James figures out how to create some quality time with our little ones. Lately, they've been making breakfast together. I get my time and they get time with their dad. And I come home happier, more patient, and with more energy.” This past year Anna put in 1,016 miles over 185 hours. This translated to 120,500 calories burned (or 34.4 lbs of fat calories). She's gained muscle and lost 10-12 pounds in the process.

Get Fitness on the Family Schedule

Anna says that today's fitness research calls for an average of 30 minutes a day of exercise - or 180 culminuative minutes per week. "You can do three big workouts or spread out your workouts to just a half an hour 6 days a week." I thought about where I could fit in those 180 minutes. I could try to hop on my bike more often and join the kids in zooming around our court each afternoon. I could try to make sure that we walk downtown every week... However, I often do these things rather casually and don't break a sweat. I asked Anna, "How I could make these activities count?" "The goal is to move hard enough and fast enough that you are breathing more quickly and your heart is pumping. You don't want to over do it, but you don't want to stroll either," explains Anna. With some intention, I think I could exert myself a bit more. But then I asked, "What if I miss a few days of working out? Bryles could get sick, the weather might dissuade us, or something else might come up and get us off our groove." "You just find a way to do a little something," suggests Anna offering a few choice examples, "If your kid is lying on the couch recovering from the flu, you get down on the floor next to them and do some sit-ups or leg lifts. Or if you end up with a long list of errands that could dominate your afternoon, try walking to each of your destinations -- one day my kids and I put in 3 miles walking to the bank, the grocery store, and the mall. Get creative and work it in." Anna also offers a 90 minute "Outdoor Family Fitness" class every Saturday of the year. This gives me a once a week opportunity to get at least half of my mandatory exercise in! I hit the court for a good circut training, while Bryles and the kids play in the park or join us for cardio activities like line tag. These workouts engage my full body and definetely get me breathing harder! We also have a lot of fun - look at Anna's son working this balancing ball and broom during our Halloween workout. Anna says working out through Outdoor Family Fitness might actually save time by bringing the whole family together rather than trying to fit in several different personal activities:

"One of the main reasons I designed this class was to show people that it is not only possible, but also extremely fun to get in a great workout as a family. Too often these days, fitness activities are done as individuals. Each parent has their own activity preference, each child is involved in one or more sports; but why don't most families incorporate a fitness activity that they can all do?"

Finding Support

If you need someone to notice if you miss a work out, will meet you on the asphalt, and who will give you feedback, you can sign up today for one of Anna's child-friendly family work outs. At less than $15 per family per class (and first class free for Sono-Ma readers!) , you can't pass this up:

Upcoming Schedule of Classes & Events All classes are held on the Basketball Court unless otherwise noted.

Date	Time	Event
1/7/12	9:30 -10:45 am	Double Strength Day!
1/14/12	9:30 -10:45 am	Upper Body Class
1/21/12	9:30 - 10:45 am	No Equipment Necessary Class
1/28/12	9:30 - 10:45 am	Butts & Thighs Class
2/4/12	9:30 - 10:45 am	Core Class
2/11/12	9:30 - 10:45 am	In honor of Valentine's Day, it's Partner Class! Bring your significant other, or a friend/family member to class; or have Anna pair you up with someone in class.
2/18/12	9:30 - 10:45 am	Full Body Class
2/25/12	9:30 - 10:45 am	ALL ABS!
3/3/12	9:30 - 10:45 am	Progressions Class
3/10/12	9:30 - 10:45 am	All Bridges Class
3/17/11	9:30 - 10:45 am	Favorites Class! Email Anna you favorite exercise(s). The 10 exercises with the most "likes" from all of you will make up the class workout for today!

* Schedule is subject to change.

*In light rain, class will be held under the gazebos.

Enjoying the Benefits

"Being active and eating better leads to more energy, weight loss, increased muscle tone, a stronger immune system, and best of all, an increase in self confidence and self image. So do yourself a favor this year and make health and fitness a priority!" says Anna. Anna shares some of the own benefits she's experienced during her past three years of rediscovering her commitment to fitness, "I moved down dress sizes (from a 14 to a solid 6), and I am holding firm at a great weight. My PMS symptoms have disappeared. I feel strong and happy - even given some tough circumstances this past year." Anna feels much more confident about her body, and feels like she can fully engage with her family as she has found time to feed her soul. Her spirits are up, and even her husband is happy to report that she has more energy for him. And I must add that since Sono-Ma's last story on the Dufloth family, James stopped suggesting fastfood. Anna says her commitment to health and fitness is really rubbing off on the whole family. Need I say anything more convincing? Load up the kids and join us next Saturday for health, fitness and fun, with Anna D. and Outdoor Family Fitness! Mention Sono-Ma and get your first class free!

Sono-Ma.com’s 2011 Highlight Reel

Sono-Ma Holly — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:24:54 +0000

"Is Christmas really over, mommy?" asked my 5-year-old earlier this week. We looked at the vacant space the Christmas tree left behind, and sat in silence pondering his question. For me, both the emptiness and the pause were a symbol of the grand adventures of 2011 now wrapped up, completed, and tucked away...now mere memories. As 2011 draws to a close, I invite you to pause while reflecting on a eleven choice moments captured on Sono-Ma.

1. Studio Soirees Celebrate Crafting and Community

“Have you ever thought about bringing all the artists you write about together?” asked Leslie Fiorella, textile artist, in early 2010. "I adore the feeling of community I glean from the stories of other people like me carving out time for their craft. But wouldn't it be wonderful if we could meet each other? Share our inspirations and struggles live? We could be like the Impressionist Artists who would gather to redefine their arts and propel each other forward…” Why hand’t I thought of that? The idea of hosting “Soirees” was born, and a few months later we had our first gathering of local artists at the Cast Away Yarn Shop. There we decided it would be wonderful to gather in local artists’ studios where we could see a crafts persons tools, workspace, current works in progress, and full collections. Not long later we gathered at Monica Ashley’s adorable studio. In 2011, the soirees continued with three more fantastic gatherings featuring Paul Kaiser's Night Heron Wood Works, Marc Feyh's Fairy Museum, Isla Corbett's Modern Felt Designs, and Sharon Eisley Fine Artist as well as 150 enthusiastic guests. We wore costumes (shown above), tasted chocolates, enjoyed conversations, and more during our free, inspiring, evenings.

2. Support Tent Becomes a Family Oasis at Local Festivals

Sono-Ma and community partners created a family oasis at 6 local festivals. More than 6,000 people found comfort, nursing support, and information at our shady pavilion. Taking inspiration from the Mom’s Breastaruant movement, our local Support Tent provided families with a space to nurture healthy families. From space to nurse, a diaper changing station, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, water, samples of locally made products, and stellar local resource information – it’s no wonder families left last year’s tent expressing heart felt thanks!

3. Farmageddon Raises Questions About Small Farming Practices and Access to Raw Products

Many Sono-Ma community members gathered at the Arlen Francis theater to watch the Farmegeddon movie and discuss issues facing local farmers. Sono-Ma's Farmer Paul joined in the discussion to talk about new Community Supported Agriculture regulations and wage issues for farm hands. We raised a toast to "civil disobedience" and drank tiny cups of cold, raw goat's milk in support of a local farming family who is refusing to adhere to an order to stop selling raw goat's milk shares. (Those of us who are raw food lovers and Nourishing Traditions followers truly appreciated this event!)

4. Japan's Radiation Crisis Raises Questions for California Parents

Readers raced to review Doctor Sloan's advice (with more than 1,000 link shares in just 2 days) on protecting our children from radiation. The crisis in Japan shocked and saddened the world. It also left parents reeling with questions. Dr. Sloan posted the top questions arising in his pediatric clinic and offered reassuring advice to families. He also offered reports from the Home Birth Summit, and kept families focused on health with stories like More From the Obesity Front.

5. "Babies Need Hats" Has Thousands of Parents Bundling up Babes

Donna Stusser, Early Childhood Waldorf Teacher, shared her “Babies Need Hats” article on Sono-Ma drawing more than 1200 readers from around the globe. Those of us who've taken Donna's classes or read her article are now bundling our children daily. My boy has on woolen under clothes and a hat wherever we go!

6. Real Play Story Becomes Holiday Shopping Guide

Last year's Sono-Ma’s story: “Pass me the hammer, Daddy” – Family Harmony Found in Work and “Real” Play inspired many to check out the Real Play Work Bench Shopping List. Hundreds of parents passed the link for the article detailing how to support your child’s “real” play this 2011 holiday season. Sono-Ma's work bench diagram and tool list helps you prepare your own play/ work space for your child.

7. Waldorf-inspired Living Stories Gather Interest

Our family's walk along the Waldorf path inspires many Sono-Ma stories. From "Discovering 'What is a Nature Table' on Summer Solstice with Monica Ashley Designs" to "Bringing Advent Home with Local Waldorf Families", Sono-Ma shares photos, songs, fairy tales, and other resources to help local families bring Waldorf education into the family rhythm.

8. Sono-Ma Celebrations Offer How-to Create Wholesome and Homespun Celebrations

Local parents shared creative ideas for family celebrations via Sono-Ma's new Celebrations series. "Garden Party" took the cake for good outdoor kid fun, while the "Fairy Tea Party" offered fly away ideas for activities and crafts. Our "High Tea Celebration" offered novel ideas for celebrating mother's-to-be. This stories are examples of just the kind of idea sharing we've always wanted to facilitate on Sono-Ma!

9. Preparing for Your Girl's First Period & Other Women's Empowerment Stories

DeAnna L'am kept up her noble efforts to empower women's pride for their bodies. She challenged us to "Stop the Rain" and pass on new legacies to our children. Many passed on the link for her article encouraging families to prepare for their daughter's first period.

10. Farmer Paul Got Families Out on the Farm

Farmer Paul Kaiser brings his hard won food raising insights to Sono-Ma with monthly stories. These vignettes paint a vivid picture of the seasons as Paul shares his tales of farm work and celebration. His photos of apple pressing with his son or harvesting brocoli with his daughter inspire appreciation for Sonoma County's agriculture as well as a deep grattitude for our abundant and diverse food crops.

11. My Pantry Shelf Brings Families to the Kitchen

Karen Wilkinson of My Pantry Shelf frequently posted family recipes and treats to tempt Sono-Ma readers. Encouraging families to come together in the kitchen, Karen offered ideas for snacks, dinners, and holiday gifts that found their way into many Sonoma County homes. Popular stories included the cranberry cashew granola bars.

2012?

Today's images and story clips are just a few of the many rich moments we were able to document on Sono-Ma in 2011. There were others that our family - and yours - held and privately savored. Last night we closed the year with a final community celebration. We gathered around a bonfire and sang in celebration of all that's come to pass. Embers floated up in the clear night sky as we lifted our voices, and held our hands open to receive 2012. We look forward to sharing all that is coming!

Holidays His Way – Helicopters and Trains Included!

Sono-Ma Holly — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 22:43:59 +0000

I'm out numbered 2-1 males to female at my house. Yes, I must always be alert enough in the middle of the night to ensure the toilet seat is lowered. But would you believe me if I told you even our holiday celebrations could be scripted by a page in the Dangerous Book for Boys? As a an alternative to a birthday cake on my December birthday, we purchased ready-to-bake gingerbread dough from Healdsburg's Downtown Bakery. Did we make gingerbread men this year? No! Why bother with playing dress up with people cookies when you could instead make gingerbread train cars? We also did a sugar splurge - a first in Bryles' lifetime - at Powell's Sweet Shop, where we gathered gum drops and licorice for candy decorations. Who knew a gingerbread man's buttons (aka black jelly beans) could also serve as great locomotive wheels? Or that a gum drop could be cut in half and inverted as a train's smoke stack? You could almost hear the "chugga-chugga" of a train in motion while my boys got creative with their cookies. Now, sticking with me in developing this "Holidays His Way" theme, can you guess how my men wanted to meet Santa Claus? By waving him down from his Reach Helicopter, of course! Yesterday Bryles and his Daddy layered up in hats and sweaters to make a trip out to Santa Rosa's airport. There Santa Claus - or one of his many look-alike-"helpers" arrived in a red helicopter. Nevermind that the copter roared in with deafening, whirling blades that forced families to try to simulatenously hood their eyes and cover their ears. My guys happily stood in awe anticipating the landing. This small, annual airshow hosted by the Pacific Coast Air Museum, gave my boys the opportunity to view a F-15 (in fact the first plane to respond to the World Trade Center attacks) and climb aboard a vast array of retired aircraft. My five-year-old boy is well versed in indentifying aircraft types - a hobby he loves to share with his dad. "That one's an Eagle, right dad?" A few years ago we also met Santa Claus on the Skunk Train. Here my boy got to ride on a vintage train that rustled loudly over tracks to the center of Mendocino Redwoods. Santa then boarded the train to give out sugar cookies and hugs to all of the kids. While I never imagined holidays roaring in with helicopters or trains, my boys and their excitement keep me smiling through the season. What special gifts do your family members bring to the season? What suprise traditions have you adopted over the years?

Support Kid-Entrepreneurs & Shop for Delightful Handmade Gifts Saturday December 17, 2011

Sono-Ma Holly — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:34:53 +0000

I couldn't resist stopping by a young boy's booth at the recent Winter Faire. At barely five foot tall and twelve years old with big, sweet brown eyes, this child hardly looked like he could be among the ranks of dozens of other well established (and much older!) artisan vendors. Yet, the boy seemed undaunted. In fact, his radiant pride in his personally designed and hand crafted birdhouses compelled many customers like myself to come closer for a visit. "See, I put these braces here to make it easier for you to attach this to a tree. And this is a small feeding tray, so the house is really both a feeder and a bird home. I even packed you some seeds so you can fill the tray right away," says Eli eagerly pointing and ready to hand me a wax bag full of sunflower seeds. At the low price of just $7, this kid-preneur had me at hello. I was soon walking away with a nifty little gift for my bird loving mother-in-law.

Beyond Business Math

Amazingly, Eli is just one of more than twenty kids in Summerfield Waldorf School's 6th grade who has started his own business. Becoming entrepreneurs began as a school assignment aimed at sharpening math skills. Classmate Iren chose to make earrings and start "Iren Song's Jewelry" while two other girls paired up to start a cupcake company. Not surprisingly, baking is quite a popular business theme with these students. They often harvest, prepare and serve their own foods as part of their school curriculum. C&A's Chocolate Chip Cookies are shown here: Local business owner Sarah Lee of Sarah's Silks is coaching the students in developing their business plans, and enjoying watching these pre-teens running with their projects. "It's really fun!" says Sarah who marvels at the student's energy. These eleven-twelve year old students are soaring beyond developing math skills. They are learning to make flyers, place ads in the school newsletter, conduct sales, and collect money - and they do it all in a wonderfully creative way. Just ask for a few of the business names for a great examples of youthful imagination - "Lily's Luxury Soaps" or "St. Finnian's your Ho Ho Ho Pro."

Student-Crafted Gift Offerings

Ready to peruse these student offerings for yourself? One sixth grade family offered to host a holiday craft fair in their home to give all of the sixth graders a chance to showcase their wares. This Saturday, the sixth grade will gather in the Westman's lovely, old, craftsman-style home in downtown Sebastopol to offer local shoppers and supporters a host of special items including: Handmade soap Earrings Bird houses Playclips Silk toy bags Handmade hats and mittens Hand painted t-shirts Lip balms Lotions Cupcakes Cookies Apple bread Cotton Candy Popcorn Cocoa, tea and coffee Christmas tree Ornaments Funny buttons Pencil holders

Westman Winter Wonderland Holiday Craft Fair Details

Date: Saturday, December 17th, 2011 Time: 2:30 pm - 5:00 pm Location: Westman Family Home, 182 North High Street, Sebastopol, CA 95472

More About Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm

Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm was founded in Santa Rosa in 1974. It provides a Waldorf-based education for children from early childhood through high school. Community members are welcomed and encouraged to visit the school for annual winter events including the Sheppard's Play and other theatrical performances by teachers and students. Please visit the school's website for current event information.