About
I’m Alison, a former Computer Programmer turned Stay-At-Home-Homeschooling-Mom to my two darling daughters Ava and Maxine and wife to my loving husband Zak.
In 2008, thanks to revamping my approach to healthy eating and getting back to running, biking and other fitness related activities on a regular basis, I lost 35 lbs and got to the healthy weight I never dreamed I’d be able to reach.
I’ve come to truly enjoy preparing healthy meals for my family. I use organic products and produce whenever possible. The natural foods and produce sections are my favorite spots in the grocery store! I love preparing dishes with whole foods and work to keep processed foods to a minimum.
I enjoy cooking but have also come to enjoy learning about and preparing raw meals and snacks for myself and my family. The more I read and learn about a raw, living food approach to eating, the more I’m drawn to that lifestyle. At this time I eat both cooked and raw foods but am finding myself eating a larger percentage of raw meals and consuming fewer grains, dairy and soy products.
Losing the weight was the first part of my journey to a healthier life. Maintaining my weight, fine tuning my diet and my approach to a healthy lifestyle is an on going process that I work on and think about every day.
In my free time I enjoy running, cycling, Yoga and Pilates. I also spend time gardening and reading about child development, fitness, health (both physical and mental), nutrition and wellness.
Zak and I are vegetarians, so the recipes found here will be meat free. While Zak and I choose not to eat meat, we will allow the girls to make the decision to become vegetarian themselves (or not) when they are ready.
I’ve recently found myself gradually moving toward a more vegan diet, but do not consider myself a vegan at this time. I’m always on the look out for new meal ideas and I love preparing healthy, delicious, meatless meals for my family. I prepare many dishes made from vegetables, beans, lentils, fruit, seeds and nuts. When I cook with whole grains or dairy I opt for the organically produced variety.
This blog is a place for me share my adventures in motherhood and my ever evolving journey to health and wellness.
Related posts
I was homeschooled all my life, so I can say it’s totally worth it, and I’ll always respect my parents for doing that for me. Keep up the great work!
Wow Sarah, that’s great! Especially that you can look back and know that it was worth it. Homeschooling was actually Zak’s idea way back when, and I didn’t truly get on board until we met more homeschooled kids and families and saw how amazing homeschooling can be.
Hi Alison, thanks for stopping by the blog. I’m enjoying yours, as well. Your family is adorable! Bravo for showing your girls how to be active & eat healthy.
Your girls are adorable!! Great blog!
Hi! I just saw your guest post on The Daily Balance. Just stopping by to check out your blog. Very cute! I will be back!
-A
Thanks A!
THIS IS THE BAND MAMASWEED SAYING HELLO TO ALL YOU WEEDS …. PUT ON SOME MUSIC OF MAMASWEED TO YOUR WEBSITE
LOL, a Mamasweed band?! That rocks! (Literally.)
Thanks for stopping by my blog! You have a beautiful family!
What a wonderful family you have! Adorable! I love it. Keep up the good work… Your weeds are growing fast!
HI, I just ran across your blog from Andreas wellness notes!
another Mama living healthy! yeaaah!
I have a toodle bug, 16mos old and a teenager!
we’re busy too and I am enjoying your blog!
I just wanted to say HI!
Alison you are such an inspiration! Thanks for writing!
Allison,
Wow what a small world!! We should have a blogger meet up at Dinosaur BBQ! lol
I love your blog by the way!!
Rebecca
Hey Allison! I just found you through the Healthy Everythingtarian. I loved your guest post and your tips on running. I can’t wait to read more!
Gorgeous, beautiful family!!!
Hi Alison! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love “meeting” other locals in this healthy eating/living blogland. Your kids are adorable!
Hi Allison,
I’m a homeschool mom from Alaska. While we do occasionally eat meat (usually as a side dish or part of a casserole), we prefer homemade vegetarian meals. I’m bookmarking you to try some of the recipes you have. Best wishes for the upcoming school year.
Hi! I am new to your blog! Your family looks super cute
What a great idea about letting your girls choose, I can’t wait to read more 
!
You and I are a lot alike. I was actually wondering if it was possible to feed my little girl so healthy but I’m working on it and it is working out great. Your site is a real inspiration I hope you don’t mind if I link you from my site.
Great job keep up the awesome blog.
Hello, just found your blog and I am so happy to find another blogger who is balancing kids/workouts/eating etc. I am trying to teach my kids good eating habits now so it is less of a struggle for them later in life. Can’t wait to keep reading!
Finally got here sweetie! What a fun and informative site. I’m so proud of all the hard work you are doing to keep your family healthy and filled with joy! I love you and will visit now and then, Aunt T.
Oooh yum, I never thought of juicing my beets and beet greens. I’ll have to give it a try. haha, I probably won’t share with anyone though, even if it’s a teaspoon!
You go girl!!
hey hey! I was wondering if you would like to do a guest blog. I decided to take a little break from blogging during the Final Exam time. If you would like to do a guest blog- you can just send me the info/pictures…it can be on whatever… recipes, running/working out, life…anything! If you are too busy that is totally fine too I just thought I would check in and see! Thanks!!
Christina
Hey Alison, I came across your blog and I am absolutely enjoying it. You are a hilarious writer. I could not stop laughing after the Fish Tale post. I am relatively new to blogging and looking for to join a community of like minded runners/eaters. Mind if I add you to my blogroll?
I just found your blog! I am from Rochester, but live out west now and as soon as i saw the pictures I kept reading because I thought “Geez, that really looks like home”. Congrats on your weight loss and I look forward o reading more and seeing pics of Roch!
What a great approach to a healthy lifestyle! I’m glad to see another mama in the health blog world!
I randomly found your blog and I’m so excited. I’m a homeschooling mom who loves health and fitness too!
While I’m not a vegetarian I am trying to reduce our meat intake a bit b/c we really can’t afford to buy all grassfed/free range organic meat and I don’t like to support factory farming. I will definitely be checking out your recipes!
Looking forward to learning more about your life!
Hey Jenn! How fun to find another homeschooling mom who’s a health nut! It’s always nice to be reminded that I’m not alone out here!
I’m on a bit of hiatus right now but will be back, can’t wait to check out your blog, glad you found me, thanks for your comments!
Al- This is amazing!! I’m so psyched for you and all that you’re doing. I only hope to be the super mom you are some day!!! Love, Lance
I’m actually involved with this subject. When can I find out additional selective facts all-around this? Or, when it is possible to pursue this further much more right here.
First time on your blog…I love how you manage to stay so active and take care of yourself while being a full-time mother! I can’t stress how important that is…I work with a lot of mommy’s groups trying to teach mom’s how to be a good mother while integrating fitness as a priority in you and your family’s life. Also my friend literally was just talking to me about Born to Run! Now that you also commented about it I definitely have to read it! I too am a runner…training for my first half-marathon in September!!!
Hey Noelle, thanks! Born to Run was great, if you’re into distance running then it is surely a book you’ll enjoy.
How great that you are spreading the word within your mom’s groups – it’s so different when you hear it from a friend vs. reading it in a magazine or seeing it on TV.
Good luck with your half marathon this fall!
Thanks so much Lizzy.
Thanks Lainie! <3
Hi Jenn! Thanks for your comment and I would be honored if you linked to me from your blog!
Glad you commented, off to check your blog out!