Wow! The last few months have been rife with changes and more than a few setbacks. My feet are firmly on the ground and I'm back in the saddle! I hope you continue to follow along on my journey, health, wellness, and life from a ranchers perspective, these things are what make me who I am.
I'm pulling myself up by my bootstraps, holding the hands of those I love, and sharing this crazy and amazing ride. I'll be in San Luis Obispo Oct 17-19 talking to folks about sustainable ranching, my road back to health, and embryo transfer! What a mix! Nov. Takes me Down Under and I hope to take a few close friends to Kentucky for the Holiday's. Life keeps getting better even when major obstacles get thrown in the way. I love you all! Let's Rock This!
Friday, September 20, 2013
Back in The Saddle!
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
I am Amazed.....
The last week or so has been hectic to say the least! Getting back in the saddle and taking care of the cattle and making some major life decisions has been difficult. But the biggest thing is I am Amazed!
By what? Well for starters the support of the music community for those of us that work, no, Live in the world of Agriculture. I have been looking for months for a venue and support for a group that I hold dear, Rockstars of Agriculture, to hold a fundraiser to help youth in Ag reach their goals, as showmen, students, farmers, or in Ag Media. No one seemed willing to step up, until I talked to a friend that happens to be a Rock and Roll singer, never thinking that he would be interested, Boy Was I Wrong! In less than 5 minutes he said "Let's Do It!" Whoa! And Knuckleheads on Front Street gave us the venue and the support of their establishment, MIND BLOWN! Even more Amazing, The restaurant is now serving Grass Fed and Finished beef and Lamb, (from Whisperwood Ranch Partners Llc.) ( pastured Berkshire Pork (Loos Family Farm) and Organic Produce from local farmers! Holy Heck YES! Soooo, Sunday August 4th, starting at 4 pm and going until ???? We're having a fundraiser! Bring your voice, Your instruments, and your Appetite to Knuckleheads and Join in the fun! Local feed stores and markets have donated raffle items and $1.00 of every plate sold goes to help the cause! This is a Youth friendly venue with beer and wine available for the over 21 crowd. If you can't make it out for the event itself you can sure mail a check payable to Rockstars Of Agriculture. Thanks Guys! You're making a huge difference for the future of Youth in Agriculture, and have made this rancher Proud!
By what? Well for starters the support of the music community for those of us that work, no, Live in the world of Agriculture. I have been looking for months for a venue and support for a group that I hold dear, Rockstars of Agriculture, to hold a fundraiser to help youth in Ag reach their goals, as showmen, students, farmers, or in Ag Media. No one seemed willing to step up, until I talked to a friend that happens to be a Rock and Roll singer, never thinking that he would be interested, Boy Was I Wrong! In less than 5 minutes he said "Let's Do It!" Whoa! And Knuckleheads on Front Street gave us the venue and the support of their establishment, MIND BLOWN! Even more Amazing, The restaurant is now serving Grass Fed and Finished beef and Lamb, (from Whisperwood Ranch Partners Llc.) ( pastured Berkshire Pork (Loos Family Farm) and Organic Produce from local farmers! Holy Heck YES! Soooo, Sunday August 4th, starting at 4 pm and going until ???? We're having a fundraiser! Bring your voice, Your instruments, and your Appetite to Knuckleheads and Join in the fun! Local feed stores and markets have donated raffle items and $1.00 of every plate sold goes to help the cause! This is a Youth friendly venue with beer and wine available for the over 21 crowd. If you can't make it out for the event itself you can sure mail a check payable to Rockstars Of Agriculture. Thanks Guys! You're making a huge difference for the future of Youth in Agriculture, and have made this rancher Proud!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Why must we hate what we don't understand?
It's darned hot here in Southern California! But My cattle in Texas are swimming, my range land in Oregon is drying out 3 months early, and we're having rain in Kentucky that is wreaking havoc with the quality of forage back there. There isn't a blanket fix, we have to handle each ranch and manage it according to the seasons and the whims of Mother Nature. Regionalism is diverse and a challenge. I can't grow the same grasses in the Northwest that I do here, we have to deal with Blister beetle in Texas so Alfalfa is a no grow, endophytes and Naturally occurring cyanotoxins in the grass are a big concern in the East.
It takes Knowledge and skill to keep livestock and forages healthy, a lot of hard work goes into bringing food to your table, and one devastating event can set you back years. I should know! One year ago this week we had an issue with the USDA processor we use here in Southern California, It resulted in a wholesale loss of over $40,000, Yeah Ouch! and let's not discount the fact that there was zero profit made from that loss. I am eternally grateful for those customers that talked to us, that stood behind us and have waited for us to be able to deliver what we promised, A year late! They get it, they know that there is an inherent risk in farming and ranching, they believe in us, and some of them have even put boots on the ground and cash in our hands to help. Wow! That's community! On the flip side, there were folks that rather than come out and talk to us, ask questions, or offer suggestions to assist, turned to bashing, and outright lying about us to make themselves feel better. In all honesty they darn near succeeded in California. Forcing us into bankruptcy to save the home place and watching sales dry up because people would rather believe hype than seek the truth. We've adjusted, accepted that people may not want to find the truth, and are moving forward.
Scarily, for me at least the same has held true for my return to health. Many of you know that I was a big fan of Paleo when I started out, in fact I still adhere pretty closely to the food aspect of the movement. But when I was vilified for not following the dogma, it was time to go. The trend toward misinformation to further a cause is something that I cannot support. I'm a rancher, albeit an overeducated loud mouthed one, but I know the facts, I know how the system works, where it is broken, and Just how hard we are working to bridge the gap between the consumer and the growers. Just because someone does things differently doesn't make them evil, in fact, they may have something to share that can help you. And if you're going to start cursing and calling people names just because they don't do things the way that you wish that they would, I really can't take you seriously. Let's talk rather than accuse, let's take constructive criticism and use it to become better communicators, let's learn from each other and reach out to help everyone succeed. That is the only way we are going to survive.
I want the hate to become understanding, and the viciousness to become positive discussion. Let's learn from each other and stop hating what we don't understand.
It takes Knowledge and skill to keep livestock and forages healthy, a lot of hard work goes into bringing food to your table, and one devastating event can set you back years. I should know! One year ago this week we had an issue with the USDA processor we use here in Southern California, It resulted in a wholesale loss of over $40,000, Yeah Ouch! and let's not discount the fact that there was zero profit made from that loss. I am eternally grateful for those customers that talked to us, that stood behind us and have waited for us to be able to deliver what we promised, A year late! They get it, they know that there is an inherent risk in farming and ranching, they believe in us, and some of them have even put boots on the ground and cash in our hands to help. Wow! That's community! On the flip side, there were folks that rather than come out and talk to us, ask questions, or offer suggestions to assist, turned to bashing, and outright lying about us to make themselves feel better. In all honesty they darn near succeeded in California. Forcing us into bankruptcy to save the home place and watching sales dry up because people would rather believe hype than seek the truth. We've adjusted, accepted that people may not want to find the truth, and are moving forward.
Scarily, for me at least the same has held true for my return to health. Many of you know that I was a big fan of Paleo when I started out, in fact I still adhere pretty closely to the food aspect of the movement. But when I was vilified for not following the dogma, it was time to go. The trend toward misinformation to further a cause is something that I cannot support. I'm a rancher, albeit an overeducated loud mouthed one, but I know the facts, I know how the system works, where it is broken, and Just how hard we are working to bridge the gap between the consumer and the growers. Just because someone does things differently doesn't make them evil, in fact, they may have something to share that can help you. And if you're going to start cursing and calling people names just because they don't do things the way that you wish that they would, I really can't take you seriously. Let's talk rather than accuse, let's take constructive criticism and use it to become better communicators, let's learn from each other and reach out to help everyone succeed. That is the only way we are going to survive.
I want the hate to become understanding, and the viciousness to become positive discussion. Let's learn from each other and stop hating what we don't understand.
Saturday, July 6, 2013
Moving forward.
Sitting on ones backside for weeks after surgery is a whole lot of no fun! Now that I am slowly getting back into the swing of things, I'm feeling better than I have in years!
My confidence is up, new things that were just a dream a year ago are reality, and great things are happening all around me! My Journey back to health is inspiring others and my ranch life is tied to that in ways that I never realized.
Our family has been raising cattle for four generations, and I sit and watch people with no clue about the realities of ranch life attempt to destroy that life daily. That hurts! Not just us but every single person in the Ag community. If you won't take the time to seek out the truth, with your own eyes, and accept misinformation and lies about where your food comes from and the people that grow it, you are no different than a school yard bully!
Just today I was reading a post by a "Leader" in one of the food and wellness movements, They said straight up that they did not care if the information that they gave was correct, or even real...WHAT! Hold on a minute....You mean to say that it is okay to outright lie to the people that look to you as a leader for the sole purpose of furthering your agenda? Nononono!
What I want people to get, is that you have to do what is right. No matter what! My right may not be your right. But it has worked for me. And science is science. You can't ignore the fact that we are feeding a world of over 6 Billion people to promote a way of being that is unreasonable, untenable, and unsustainable. If I raised cattle the way that My Grandfather did I would be out of business! Better genetics, better management techniques, more efficient grazing practices, all of this makes a difference. We also farm, We raise Corn for the dairy industry, and hay for ourselves, as well as a large market garden. I also have to work off the ranches to make ends meet. I am a one woman show and my life as well as the lives of my partners and employees depends on me, and me alone.
I lost sight of that for a good long while, I ate myself almost to death because I was afraid to stand up, afraid that I couldn't measure up, afraid, no, terrified that I would fail....so I did not try. And every time someone knocked me, said something unkind or made a derogatory remark, I retreated, I hid, I did just enough to get by. Let me tell you, finding the will to fight back was HARD! It still is. I'm not perfect, never will be, no one is. But Damn it. I am worthy, I do make a difference, I am a steward of this land, I freaking feed America and I'm proud of that! I also Took control of myself and my life, pulled myself up by my bootstraps and fought my way back to health. And if I can, so can you!
I have made some Huge decisions in the last year. Moving my base of operations from a place it had been for over 30 years, Taking a job that puts me in the public eye and on the Agricultural front lines every single day. You need to see that we "hicks" are the ones that put the food on your table and the clothes on your backs! Did you know that per Capita more members of the Agricultural community have completed at least a bachelors degree than any other sector of America? Talk to us, ask us questions, visit our farms and ranches, learn our stories. We're really fun and interesting people! And a few of us are changing perceptions, One bite at a time!
My confidence is up, new things that were just a dream a year ago are reality, and great things are happening all around me! My Journey back to health is inspiring others and my ranch life is tied to that in ways that I never realized.
Our family has been raising cattle for four generations, and I sit and watch people with no clue about the realities of ranch life attempt to destroy that life daily. That hurts! Not just us but every single person in the Ag community. If you won't take the time to seek out the truth, with your own eyes, and accept misinformation and lies about where your food comes from and the people that grow it, you are no different than a school yard bully!
Just today I was reading a post by a "Leader" in one of the food and wellness movements, They said straight up that they did not care if the information that they gave was correct, or even real...WHAT! Hold on a minute....You mean to say that it is okay to outright lie to the people that look to you as a leader for the sole purpose of furthering your agenda? Nononono!
What I want people to get, is that you have to do what is right. No matter what! My right may not be your right. But it has worked for me. And science is science. You can't ignore the fact that we are feeding a world of over 6 Billion people to promote a way of being that is unreasonable, untenable, and unsustainable. If I raised cattle the way that My Grandfather did I would be out of business! Better genetics, better management techniques, more efficient grazing practices, all of this makes a difference. We also farm, We raise Corn for the dairy industry, and hay for ourselves, as well as a large market garden. I also have to work off the ranches to make ends meet. I am a one woman show and my life as well as the lives of my partners and employees depends on me, and me alone.
I lost sight of that for a good long while, I ate myself almost to death because I was afraid to stand up, afraid that I couldn't measure up, afraid, no, terrified that I would fail....so I did not try. And every time someone knocked me, said something unkind or made a derogatory remark, I retreated, I hid, I did just enough to get by. Let me tell you, finding the will to fight back was HARD! It still is. I'm not perfect, never will be, no one is. But Damn it. I am worthy, I do make a difference, I am a steward of this land, I freaking feed America and I'm proud of that! I also Took control of myself and my life, pulled myself up by my bootstraps and fought my way back to health. And if I can, so can you!
I have made some Huge decisions in the last year. Moving my base of operations from a place it had been for over 30 years, Taking a job that puts me in the public eye and on the Agricultural front lines every single day. You need to see that we "hicks" are the ones that put the food on your table and the clothes on your backs! Did you know that per Capita more members of the Agricultural community have completed at least a bachelors degree than any other sector of America? Talk to us, ask us questions, visit our farms and ranches, learn our stories. We're really fun and interesting people! And a few of us are changing perceptions, One bite at a time!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Sometimes you must treat yourself!
Being stuck on the couch is no fun! Soooo I have decided to make the best of it, going through things in preparation for the part time move.
Man I have a lot of stuff, not cool stuff or necessary stuff, just stuff! purging is good! And the biggie! I hired a housekeeper! yup! I did it! As many of you know I am gone A LOT, and Suzy homemaker is not my middle name!
The mega crew comes in Friday, I mean, carpets, floors, walls, windows, cupboards, the works!
And after that a cleaning lady weekly. This is something I let go when I came back to California. Dumb!
When my husband was Alive this was something that I did regularly, when he was due in, I had the cleaning lady come an extra time so the place sparkled when he came home. He knew I didn't do it, but the fact that it was done was one of the little things that showed that I cared. Another was great meals and impeccable laundry! That I did myself. Ironing and cooking make me happy, vacuuming and dusting, not so much....
I would rather pull calves at 2 am than scrub floors. Do you see where this is going? I've said for years that I need a man wife! In lieu of that, A cleaning lady will have to do!
As this journey progresses people really want to come visit, and nope! Not the way things have been let go around here! So, as a gift to myself I'm having someone else do the things I hate! I want to invite you in, feed you well and have great conversations!
Looking back these are the kinds of things that keep our relationships solid, little things, fluffy towels in the bathroom, notes in the lunchbox, silly stuff really does make a difference. With friends it's homemade chutneys, hand braided key fobs ,Bridles at Christmas if you are a rider, and beef! (pork when I have one in the freezer for me). I'm at that stage where I CAN let people into my world again and it's important to me that things are nice. I want to focus on the good stuff! So I'm' treating myself to A Nate Berkus style home renovation! When things are neat and tidy you really do feel better!
Next will be a detail guy for the trucks! Don't ask!
Until next time. M
Man I have a lot of stuff, not cool stuff or necessary stuff, just stuff! purging is good! And the biggie! I hired a housekeeper! yup! I did it! As many of you know I am gone A LOT, and Suzy homemaker is not my middle name!
The mega crew comes in Friday, I mean, carpets, floors, walls, windows, cupboards, the works!
And after that a cleaning lady weekly. This is something I let go when I came back to California. Dumb!
When my husband was Alive this was something that I did regularly, when he was due in, I had the cleaning lady come an extra time so the place sparkled when he came home. He knew I didn't do it, but the fact that it was done was one of the little things that showed that I cared. Another was great meals and impeccable laundry! That I did myself. Ironing and cooking make me happy, vacuuming and dusting, not so much....
I would rather pull calves at 2 am than scrub floors. Do you see where this is going? I've said for years that I need a man wife! In lieu of that, A cleaning lady will have to do!
As this journey progresses people really want to come visit, and nope! Not the way things have been let go around here! So, as a gift to myself I'm having someone else do the things I hate! I want to invite you in, feed you well and have great conversations!
Looking back these are the kinds of things that keep our relationships solid, little things, fluffy towels in the bathroom, notes in the lunchbox, silly stuff really does make a difference. With friends it's homemade chutneys, hand braided key fobs ,Bridles at Christmas if you are a rider, and beef! (pork when I have one in the freezer for me). I'm at that stage where I CAN let people into my world again and it's important to me that things are nice. I want to focus on the good stuff! So I'm' treating myself to A Nate Berkus style home renovation! When things are neat and tidy you really do feel better!
Next will be a detail guy for the trucks! Don't ask!
Until next time. M
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Take it Minute by Minute
Some of you know that I had skin removal surgery this week. It is another step in my journey back to health. Some people are already being critical and calling it vanity. WRONG! It was a necessary procedure, as soon as the swelling goes down and the stitches come out I will be able to do things I haven't done in YEARS! Crawl over the tailgate of a truck, slide down to change settings on the tractor, get on a horse without a mounting block. Wear clothes that don't stretch! Holy heck! People have been listening to me complain about being too short to reach over a set of duals to get stuff out of the truck for years! I wasn't too short! I had 8' of stuff in the way! I worked Hard! Got a lot of those pounds off, and now I can MOVE!
My cattle benefit from this as well! I no longer drive through the pastures and eyeball them from the cab of the truck, I walk those pastures, or ride them either on a horse or ATV. I can see and assess condition and health from 3 feet not 30, and Yes it does make a difference!
My journey is far from over, in fact it will never be over, and I'm thrilled that many of you have decided to take it with me! I have found friends that I did not know were there, and you all inspire me!
It truly is a journey taken minute by minute, emotions, attitudes, angst, they all have an effect on how I handle each and every day. Raising livestock takes dedication, Life takes dedication, and once you decide to make the choices that are right for you and the life you choose, things line out rather quickly. It's not easy, in fact it's damn hard! But you have to LIVE! Just existing sucks!
We all shuffle that if deck, If only I had done this, If I wasn't alone, If it wasn't so much work, and the list goes on. Set priorities, Set goals, Lose your negativity, I promise you that with hard work and dedication you can change anything! I'm living, breathing proof of that!
If you would have said to me even a year ago that I would be speaking to people all over the world about agricultural practices and how our own health ties into the big picture I would have said that you had lost your marbles! But guess what! I would have been wrong.
I believe that each and every one of us has a purpose, and mine happens to be talking about food, choices, and the future of agriculture from a real world perspective.
Too many people are disconnected from the real life issues faced by farmers and ranchers every single day! How do we feed the world? By being exceptional stewards, of the land, the bounty that comes from it, and the most basic tool that we use every minute to make that possible, our bodies. Because without that, we have nothing.
Until next time! M
My cattle benefit from this as well! I no longer drive through the pastures and eyeball them from the cab of the truck, I walk those pastures, or ride them either on a horse or ATV. I can see and assess condition and health from 3 feet not 30, and Yes it does make a difference!
My journey is far from over, in fact it will never be over, and I'm thrilled that many of you have decided to take it with me! I have found friends that I did not know were there, and you all inspire me!
It truly is a journey taken minute by minute, emotions, attitudes, angst, they all have an effect on how I handle each and every day. Raising livestock takes dedication, Life takes dedication, and once you decide to make the choices that are right for you and the life you choose, things line out rather quickly. It's not easy, in fact it's damn hard! But you have to LIVE! Just existing sucks!
We all shuffle that if deck, If only I had done this, If I wasn't alone, If it wasn't so much work, and the list goes on. Set priorities, Set goals, Lose your negativity, I promise you that with hard work and dedication you can change anything! I'm living, breathing proof of that!
If you would have said to me even a year ago that I would be speaking to people all over the world about agricultural practices and how our own health ties into the big picture I would have said that you had lost your marbles! But guess what! I would have been wrong.
I believe that each and every one of us has a purpose, and mine happens to be talking about food, choices, and the future of agriculture from a real world perspective.
Too many people are disconnected from the real life issues faced by farmers and ranchers every single day! How do we feed the world? By being exceptional stewards, of the land, the bounty that comes from it, and the most basic tool that we use every minute to make that possible, our bodies. Because without that, we have nothing.
Until next time! M
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Dogma, and the effects of peception.
Computer is back from the doctor so here we go!
Several days ago a great friend of mine went on a rant, It really got me to thinking about what we as a society are doing and why.
His rant happened to be about the strictures of "PALEO" and as I laughed at his postings, I had an AH HA moment. It's all about Dogma! You must adhere to preconceived notions or precepts or you are not "one of Us." The same holds true for Agriculture, If you aren't feeding this way, or managing your herds that way, you are wrong. I call BS!
Do what works! I have Celiacs disease so I don't do grains, When I know it is unavoidable (or that once a month biscuit and gravy) I plan for it, knowing full well that I will pay the price. It is a choice! I haven't dropped over 275 lbs listening to those that put me down for my choices. Heck no! So what if I'm not your definition of whatever fad you choose to follow this week. I am my own success! Same holds true for my Cattle, We follow a low stress program, we also irrigate our finishing pastures with a very specific formulation to get our Grass fed and finished beef to Grade out in the top 2/3 of choice. I giggle when people say that our beef isn't what it is because they don't know that it is possible to do what we do on graze alone. Oops! Better check it out!
One of my biggest concerns and what really shed a bright light on the issue was when one of the "Leaders" of the "Paleo" community had a great time at my expense, yet couldn't be bothered to travel 15 minutes out of their way to lay eyes and tennis shoes on our operation. That's right 15 minutes! Why couldn't they do it? I believe that it is because they would have had to apologize for their actions and they would rather play God than be wrong. That being said, Take the Church of Paleo and Shove it!
I eat REAL FOOD, I don't judge those that choose a different path, I share what works for me, and if I get one person interested in changing their life for the better, that's a MAJOR WIN! I have people come out all the time because they "Just can't Believe the BS" Great! Now they know how WE raise beef, how our operation works, a little bit about me and my choices and they come away THINKING!
My life and my operation has become multi faceted rather quickly, and frankly, I don't have time for the Negative crap! Life is hard! It takes work! Lots of it! And those people that are loving and supportive are what we NEED as human beings to keep moving forward. Perceptions can change in the blink of an eye just by tone of voice or intonation, Lack of knowledge leads us to follow the Dogma thrown out by people that truly have no clue, that scares me!
Think about what you are doing and why, do research, learn, work hard, play hard, love deeply, and be grateful. If you want Ice cream or a Burger with fries, EAT IT! Just not every day. Hold on to those that love you and let the rest go. It may hurt for a second, but let me tell you, negativity can kill you.
Several days ago a great friend of mine went on a rant, It really got me to thinking about what we as a society are doing and why.
His rant happened to be about the strictures of "PALEO" and as I laughed at his postings, I had an AH HA moment. It's all about Dogma! You must adhere to preconceived notions or precepts or you are not "one of Us." The same holds true for Agriculture, If you aren't feeding this way, or managing your herds that way, you are wrong. I call BS!
Do what works! I have Celiacs disease so I don't do grains, When I know it is unavoidable (or that once a month biscuit and gravy) I plan for it, knowing full well that I will pay the price. It is a choice! I haven't dropped over 275 lbs listening to those that put me down for my choices. Heck no! So what if I'm not your definition of whatever fad you choose to follow this week. I am my own success! Same holds true for my Cattle, We follow a low stress program, we also irrigate our finishing pastures with a very specific formulation to get our Grass fed and finished beef to Grade out in the top 2/3 of choice. I giggle when people say that our beef isn't what it is because they don't know that it is possible to do what we do on graze alone. Oops! Better check it out!
One of my biggest concerns and what really shed a bright light on the issue was when one of the "Leaders" of the "Paleo" community had a great time at my expense, yet couldn't be bothered to travel 15 minutes out of their way to lay eyes and tennis shoes on our operation. That's right 15 minutes! Why couldn't they do it? I believe that it is because they would have had to apologize for their actions and they would rather play God than be wrong. That being said, Take the Church of Paleo and Shove it!
I eat REAL FOOD, I don't judge those that choose a different path, I share what works for me, and if I get one person interested in changing their life for the better, that's a MAJOR WIN! I have people come out all the time because they "Just can't Believe the BS" Great! Now they know how WE raise beef, how our operation works, a little bit about me and my choices and they come away THINKING!
My life and my operation has become multi faceted rather quickly, and frankly, I don't have time for the Negative crap! Life is hard! It takes work! Lots of it! And those people that are loving and supportive are what we NEED as human beings to keep moving forward. Perceptions can change in the blink of an eye just by tone of voice or intonation, Lack of knowledge leads us to follow the Dogma thrown out by people that truly have no clue, that scares me!
Think about what you are doing and why, do research, learn, work hard, play hard, love deeply, and be grateful. If you want Ice cream or a Burger with fries, EAT IT! Just not every day. Hold on to those that love you and let the rest go. It may hurt for a second, but let me tell you, negativity can kill you.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Keeping your head high.
As many of you may or may not know I am in the midst of expanding from a small Southern California Location to a muli- regional one. We raise cattle in Multiple areas here in California as well as Oregon and soon further east, Specifically Oklahoma and Kentucky. There have been numerous setbacks in the expansion process not the least of which has been the lack of available funds. Lawyers tend to take their sweet time! Add to that the frustrations of all of those involved in such a monumental undertaking and nerves get frayed rather quickly.
I'm learning who actually fits and who doesn't, which brings me to the focus of today's post. Attitude!
I caught myself buying into a ton of negativity the last few weeks, It affected my workouts, my eating, my sleep schedules, the works! Everything was OFF! The only thing that remained unchanged was cattle needed to be moved and water provided. That's my bread and butter, and cannot be left untended No matter how I feel.
I have amazing people in my life, don't misunderstand, and I really owe them a lot, BUT when one person throws a monkey wrench into the works tough decisions have to be made. NO you may not insult me to make yourself feel better, NO you may not threaten, NO you may not use guilt, or try to cause unrest.
I caught myself sliding back into destructive habits and had to pull myself up by my Bootstraps and get a firm grip!
How did I do it?
I focused on what had to be done and let the rest go. I had to find one thing every day to give me joy, and I had to NOT turn to food for comfort. I worked harder at the gym, spent more time at the ranch, worked on getting my messy little house in order, surrounded myself with positive people, and the next thing I knew, that Major Upheaval was just a little thorn. I surprised myself by not falling into the Poor Me Syndrome. I'm better for it!
Sure things are tough, they always are, but damn! Let's work together to fix problems, let's help each other grow and flourish, let's not turn unimportant things into major Tragedies. Drama belongs on the stage or in the pages of a book, not in the daily running of a farm, or in our daily lives for that matter. Find the good, Embrace it, and the negative things will fall in line in due time.
The biggest thing I want you all to GET is that one person can make a huge difference, for good or bad, Had I not had people saying, "I'm proud of you" "you Matter" and "you make me happy" or taken the time to laugh, It could have been Bad. Really Bad.
I love Ranching, I'm the 4th traceable generation of my family to be doing it, I wouldn't change that for anything, and NO ONE can have the power to make me doubt myself and my abilities ever again. SO the next time someone asks me if getting my hair and nails done makes me think I'm sexy, the answer is Not particularly, but it makes me feel worthy, It's a treat to myself, it helps me put my best face forward and Smile! Oh and I like my eyelashes and new compression gear too! By the way, can you change out a Pivot or fix a six strand fence by yourself? Can you pull a calf? can you move hay bales by yourself? Neither could I 275 pounds ago!
Next time, lets talk feeding, both the cattle and ourselves for optimal health and happiness.
Keep smiling my loves! This IS ranching awesome!
I'm learning who actually fits and who doesn't, which brings me to the focus of today's post. Attitude!
I caught myself buying into a ton of negativity the last few weeks, It affected my workouts, my eating, my sleep schedules, the works! Everything was OFF! The only thing that remained unchanged was cattle needed to be moved and water provided. That's my bread and butter, and cannot be left untended No matter how I feel.
I have amazing people in my life, don't misunderstand, and I really owe them a lot, BUT when one person throws a monkey wrench into the works tough decisions have to be made. NO you may not insult me to make yourself feel better, NO you may not threaten, NO you may not use guilt, or try to cause unrest.
I caught myself sliding back into destructive habits and had to pull myself up by my Bootstraps and get a firm grip!
How did I do it?
I focused on what had to be done and let the rest go. I had to find one thing every day to give me joy, and I had to NOT turn to food for comfort. I worked harder at the gym, spent more time at the ranch, worked on getting my messy little house in order, surrounded myself with positive people, and the next thing I knew, that Major Upheaval was just a little thorn. I surprised myself by not falling into the Poor Me Syndrome. I'm better for it!
Sure things are tough, they always are, but damn! Let's work together to fix problems, let's help each other grow and flourish, let's not turn unimportant things into major Tragedies. Drama belongs on the stage or in the pages of a book, not in the daily running of a farm, or in our daily lives for that matter. Find the good, Embrace it, and the negative things will fall in line in due time.
The biggest thing I want you all to GET is that one person can make a huge difference, for good or bad, Had I not had people saying, "I'm proud of you" "you Matter" and "you make me happy" or taken the time to laugh, It could have been Bad. Really Bad.
I love Ranching, I'm the 4th traceable generation of my family to be doing it, I wouldn't change that for anything, and NO ONE can have the power to make me doubt myself and my abilities ever again. SO the next time someone asks me if getting my hair and nails done makes me think I'm sexy, the answer is Not particularly, but it makes me feel worthy, It's a treat to myself, it helps me put my best face forward and Smile! Oh and I like my eyelashes and new compression gear too! By the way, can you change out a Pivot or fix a six strand fence by yourself? Can you pull a calf? can you move hay bales by yourself? Neither could I 275 pounds ago!
Next time, lets talk feeding, both the cattle and ourselves for optimal health and happiness.
Keep smiling my loves! This IS ranching awesome!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Where it all began....
I grew up raising cattle and horses, was in 4-H and FFA, took my passion to College and earned multiple degrees in the field of Agriculture. I lived my passion, openly and with my entire heart and soul.
My world Crashed in January of 2001 when my husband died suddenly from a parasitic infection Contracted in Argentina, My best friend and dance partner literally bullied me to keep going, working and dancing. I was going to be okay! I could get through the bad days, handle business and even smile once in a while. That went down in flames on Sept. 11, 2001. My anchor was at Windows on the world when those towers fell, Randy was gone, and I wanted to die....
I tried to commit slow suicide, I ate....and ate and ate and ate. Until I hit 504lb. I looked at my cattle rather than working them, my horses got fat and lazy, I was out of control. That pretty girl was a mountain! 10 years of self loathing and trying to hide the pain in a bag of cheese puffs manifested as a sick, obese, angry woman.
In late 2010 two of my customers asked me to try Robb Wolfe's whole 30 on the same day. I did! 30 days and 45lbs later I was on my way to a permanent lifestyle change. It wasn't easy, sure there were setbacks, the worst of which was a doctor who prescribed the wrong medication and turned me into a raving lunatic! But we'll save that story for another time.
What I really want to share with you is my journey back to health, I've dropped over 270 lbs to date and am still moving forward. I have great people in my life, my cattle are some of the best in the country, and the work I do every day is important. I can show you how I do things, my Choices, as well as the trials and tribulations that go with it. I hope I inspire some of you to visit a farm or ranch, learn that those of us that raise your food are real people with real issues, and most of all that the Choices are yours, I choose health and happiness. You won't get the candy coated version here my friends. The struggles have been very real, and so have the successes. It takes HARD WORK, DEDICATION, and developing a thick skin! I've been called every name in the book, accused of crazy practices, and I've come through it, Stronger, Smarter, and wiser. Stick around! you just might learn something about yourself in the process!
m
My world Crashed in January of 2001 when my husband died suddenly from a parasitic infection Contracted in Argentina, My best friend and dance partner literally bullied me to keep going, working and dancing. I was going to be okay! I could get through the bad days, handle business and even smile once in a while. That went down in flames on Sept. 11, 2001. My anchor was at Windows on the world when those towers fell, Randy was gone, and I wanted to die....
I tried to commit slow suicide, I ate....and ate and ate and ate. Until I hit 504lb. I looked at my cattle rather than working them, my horses got fat and lazy, I was out of control. That pretty girl was a mountain! 10 years of self loathing and trying to hide the pain in a bag of cheese puffs manifested as a sick, obese, angry woman.
In late 2010 two of my customers asked me to try Robb Wolfe's whole 30 on the same day. I did! 30 days and 45lbs later I was on my way to a permanent lifestyle change. It wasn't easy, sure there were setbacks, the worst of which was a doctor who prescribed the wrong medication and turned me into a raving lunatic! But we'll save that story for another time.
What I really want to share with you is my journey back to health, I've dropped over 270 lbs to date and am still moving forward. I have great people in my life, my cattle are some of the best in the country, and the work I do every day is important. I can show you how I do things, my Choices, as well as the trials and tribulations that go with it. I hope I inspire some of you to visit a farm or ranch, learn that those of us that raise your food are real people with real issues, and most of all that the Choices are yours, I choose health and happiness. You won't get the candy coated version here my friends. The struggles have been very real, and so have the successes. It takes HARD WORK, DEDICATION, and developing a thick skin! I've been called every name in the book, accused of crazy practices, and I've come through it, Stronger, Smarter, and wiser. Stick around! you just might learn something about yourself in the process!
m
Thursday, May 9, 2013
And Away we go!
Welcome! Folks have asked me to share my story of ranching, and my journey back to health. I will concentrate mostly on telling that story, introduce you to the people that have impacted my life, and hopefully inspire you to take a look at the world of Agriculture and the faces that feed this nation. My belief is that we all have choices, some good , some bad. and if we share our experiences maybe, just maybe we will make a difference in one persons life. Over the last 3 years I have dropped over 270 lbs. no doctors, no surgery, just a shift in perspective, renewed pride in myself, and a driving need to debunk myth and disinformation. I hope you enjoy my story, and engage in a positive way.
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