Sorry for the delay...

I know it's been quite a while. Between beach and mountain vacations, first days of kindergarten and new daycare, new job duties, birthday and just plain old life... it's been a while since I could sit down and write. I'm happy to report that things are moving quite well in my studies toward becoming a health and wellness coach. I'm also working out the details to plan a 2nd Discover Nature With Us.  As of right now, I'm planning an outing to a local elementary school farm plot where we will help with a little gardening and be graced with a presentation about the apiary that's on the grounds. It is so cool. Please check it out when you get a chance (www.wjfarm.wordpress.com)

As promised, I've included my daughter's "reflections" from our outing in August. What's so amazing is her details. The school of fish, the skate on the top of the water, the two different kinds of minnows, bubbles in the water, the "shaking" lotus with water drops in the middle, the "shower flower" (empty lotus bloom), the large beautiful blooming lotus and the dragon fly flying over - complete with a heart on its wing.  Gotta love it!

Stay tuned for details for the next outing in early November.

S.A.D. - Standard American Diet

If you are in the DC area, please check out the National Archives exhibit - "What's Cooking, Uncle Sam?" - The Government's Effect on the American Diet ~ www.archives.gov/exhibits/whats-cooking/.

The exhibit is a fascinating exploration into the Government's role in what we eat. It's amazing to see how marketing campaigns and propaganda have effected the health and well-being (and lack thereof )  of the American people.

From the distribution of genetically modified plant seeds to farmers, proposals to classify Ketchup and Relish as vegetables, "Vitamin Donuts"... really??? Milk - more important for children than meat or other proteins??? Wow!

I don't know specific stats but I wouldn't be surprised if the high rates of obesity, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, etc. are connected to these efforts of the Government.

My brief stroll through the exihibit really reinforces my desire to learn as much as I can during my coursework this year with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (http://www.integrativenutrition.com/  to help people develop heathly eating and self care habits through consuming whole foods, preparing meals and eating at home and enjoying nature.

I plan to spend a little more time in the exhibit to learn as much as I can.  Stay tuned...

Total Success!!

Thanks to Alexis, our ranger at the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, the maiden voyage of Discover Nature With Us was a total success. Thank you also to everyone who came. 

We had about 25 people including kids from the ages of 7 months to 11 years old. It was so great to see my closest friends and family enjoying one of DC's best kept secrets.  90% of the participants were from DC or have lived here for more than 25 years and had never been to the Park. 

We saw frogs, turtles, tropical water lilies and East Asian Lotuses. We were even graced by the presence of 3 red shouldered hawks at the end of walk. The weather was amazing - overcast and warm but comfortable.

As soon as I can, I'll post some great pix. My big Kindergartner-to-be drew an amazing picture of her reflections of her experience.  I'll put that  up too.

It feels so great to know that I'm on MY path.

I'm going to try it again....

Hopefully this historic heatwave in the DC area will begin to calm because the postponed inaugural outing is this Saturday, August 6 at 10:00 a.m. at the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens. The ranger led walk will meet and leave from the Visitor center promptly at 10:00 a.m.  I can't wait!

Tomorrow's outing is postponed...

The crazy heat in the DC area will continue through tomorrow so we will host the Aquatic Gardens outing on Saturday, August 6 at 10:00 a.m. With so many little ones coming tomorrow it's best to hold off until later. Hopefully the 100+ degree days will be behind us then.  I was really looking forward to seeing everyone's delight but I was told by the ranger that the turtles aren't even coming out to bask in the sun and the birds are quiet.  My family and I will most likely still visit the park very early in the morning so stay tuned for pictures...

I'm so excited... (and a litte nervous)

The first official outing is Saturday morning and it looks like we've got about 15 people coming; mostly family and close friends.  I've made arrangements for a ranger to lead the group around the gardens so that we really get a lot of valuable information. All of the folks coming, except for my mom (of course), have never been so this is a great introduction for them.  My intention for this and future outings is to introduce or re-introduce the rich and FREE natural resources in the Washington DC area to families with young children. I hope to encourage the discovery and appreciation of the natural world right here in the Nation's Capitol. 

It's going to be a hot, muggy morning on Saturday - but we'll have a ball!!

So thrilled...

As of Monday, I am a student of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (http://www.integrativenutrition.com/).
This year at IIN I will learn how to live and eat in a healthier and balanced way by:
1) learning how to prepare whole food meals that my family enjoys
2) laying the foundation for a successful business that combines my passion for nourishing and empowering children through healthy eating and getting outdoors; especially for families of color and in an urban setting
3) earning an income, by seeing clients on a part time basis, to pay back tuition before graduation
4) strengthening/improving/attending to all aspects of my Primary Foods (relationships, physical activity, spirituality and career)

I'll keep you posted on the progress.  

It feels so amazing to know that I am on my path of fulfillment.

Join us for the Inaugural Discover Nature With Us Outing - Saturday, July 23, 2011

I'm so excited to announce that we are all set for our first outing next Saturday at the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens (http://www.nps.gov/keaq/index.htm) in Washington DC.  I visited this place so many times as a child and as an adult with my daughter. I absolutely love it. Interestingly enough many native Washingtonians (some of my friends and family members) have never been.


We will have a guided tour of the park and have an opportunity to enjoy the water lilies and lotuses in full bloom.

Can't wait.

July 9 Aquatic Gardens Excursion has been postponed...

Stay tuned for more information

Inaugural Discover Nature With Us Excursion- Save the Date - July 9

We will hold our first Discover Nature With Us trip at the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens on Saturday, July 9, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.

More details to come.

Now that I've started...

the ideas keep coming. I see an opportunity at work to create my perfect job to align my desire for environmental stewarship and education with my agency's sustainablility goals.  I'm hoping my discussions with the folks responsible for our sustainability efforts see the connection and are encouraged by my ideas.  My husband reminds me that I'm happiest when I'm walking, talking, investigating, being outside, away from a desk and sharing my knowledge about wildlife and nature.  I hope I can get my agency's support to do this for a living. 

More to come...

And so it begins...

.... my journey to awaken my passion for nature.

As long as I can remember I've loved being outside. Big thanks to my mom who took my brother and I on walks through the woods near our house, regular visits to the Arboretum, Rock Creek Nature Center, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, the National Zoo and many other great and FREE natural resources in the DC area. She helped us learn how to identify, by sight and song, many of the local area birds.  I am so appreciative to mom for taking the time to teach us about the natural world around us.

Aside from enjoying and observing nature on these various excursions, I also noticed, as I got older, that we were the only or one of  few families of color visiting these places. What seemed so normal for our family was, more often than not, somewhat unique as I talked about my weekend activities with friends at school. 

Throughout college and my professional life I struggled with the strong desire and passion to do work that involved caring for animals or helping others appreciate nature and the need to earn a comfortable income.  I ended up choosing the latter. A 20 year career of event/conference planning and project management has afforded me a stable life but my passion is missing.
 

I feel super charged and invigorated when I take a jog and walk and hear a Downy Woodpecker in the distance; in the heart of Washington DC or sit on my back patio and look up and see a Red Tailed Hawk gliding high above towards the Capitol.
 
The time has come for me to finally take action. It's time for me live my passion.  I can no longer ignore my strong desire of encouraging a connection of youth to nature and eventually help broaden the scope of their awareness.

Among other things, I want to:
1. Promote appreciation and enjoyment of nature
2. Promote environmental stewardship
3. Provide "Nature Parenting" skills - lead families on trips to local natural treasures- around their neighborhood and within 30 minutes of DC; and
4. Help people learn about the trees, birds, flowers, animals, etc. most often found in our urban setting of Washington, DC

By the end of 2011, I will launch Discover Nature With Us.

More to come on the details but my first action will be to host a Discover Nature With Us Family Nature Club excursion. Plans are underway for the first trip between mid July and mid August to the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens to take advantage of the Victoria water lilies and lotuses in full bloom.