A Note from My Mom on Mothers Day

I received this note from my mom today.

This year for Mother's Day, I thought I'd send a note conveying how much I love you and expressing some appreciation(s) and admiration(s). Here they are:


- the parenting style I see you and Dave put into practice. Your little girl knows she's loved and she's learning so many important lessons by participating in your family interactions and activities.


- your happiness quotient. You weren't called sunshiny in 1st grade for nothing; and that quality has followed you in most all you do, to this day.


- the quality and culture you surround yourself and your family with - from NPR radio to the variety of music streaming from the downstairs console, to plays and concerts, outdoor ventures, and on & on. It reminds me of a verse from Phillipians - "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

- your caring of others, who might be considered on the fringes, but you know they are great human beings and you help them see their worth.


- the dedication you posses to carry out your work creatively and with passion. You put your whole heart into making good things happen.

- your determination to make good on the life style changes you have put in motion. 

I leave you with my latest favorite commentary from the Daily Word, May 2nd: "Whatever choices I have made, grace assures me I'm still on the path to my highest good." 

And so we are - my best, mom.

I say "Mom, I love you for showing me love."

Submitted on Saturday, May 7, 2011.

 

My Mom is My Super-Hero

I've been very busy. I've woven workouts in between family life, work, travel and celebrating my mom's work - as the Director of the People Place in Ames, Iowa. She is retiring and her last day is February 28, 2011! She influenced my own work and family life in many different ways - she is my super-hero - and this celebration covers my contributions for the month of February!

MY MOM IS MY SUPER-HERO!

In a recent conference in Washington, DC, we were given a task to identify our own strengths and convey them in “Super-Hero” language and gestures. This is how I became “ENTHUSIASTIC CONCEPTUALIZER GIRL” which I belted in my largest voice with raised arms, emulating “ELASTA-GIRL” from the recent animation film The Incredibles.

My Mom and the People Place have been our SUPER-HEROs significantly influencing every one of us in diverse ways throughout our lives.

• My Mom’s first Super-Hero quality is EMPATHETIC WORLDVIEWER!

When we were in Elementary School, Mom wanted us to understand and reflect on the richness in our own lives, by acquainting us with poverty first-hand. One day a week, we would eat brown rice all day so that we could relate to people who do not have our riches, such as high-quality nutritional foods. The money saved from meals prepared that day, was sent to support organizations combating poverty or starvation around the world. I remember feeling a few pangs of hunger, and a little embarrassment, by my school lunch - a thermos of brown rice. However, as a young person I came to better understand the needs of others, and that Mom’s brilliance and guidance was helping develop my character.

I also remember one Christmas day in particular, working with my brother and sister to pack and deliver 4 grocery bags of food to a family who had just begun to participate in People Place activities, and who had no money or food over the holidays. We did this often, but in this case, I vividly remember the inside of the home we visited, where it was located in Ames, and the personal thank yous and hugs of the receiving family. These memories bubble over, when I think of the impact of Mom and of the People Place, on our lives.

Reflecting on these experiences stirs up the deep connections I made as a young person, to the needs of others around the world as well as to those of people living right in my own backyard. What a concept for a young person to learn first-hand!

• My Mom’s second Super-Hero quality is CREATIVITY SPARKLER!

The germ of an idea that became People Place first blossomed when Mom served on a parenting committee with then Ames’ Superintendent of Schools – Lou Kizer. She wrote a note to Lou in the meeting, and he nodded with great interest in her idea to develop a new parent resource center in Ames. That was the spark that started People Place!

There were many other opportunities to experience Mom’s Creativity Sparklers:

a)    In planned weekly family activities – such as regular walks traversing Ames’ natural places. During one such walk we collected elderberries to make Elderberry Pie, though learned very quickly when our mouth puckered, that raw elderberries are quite sour.

b)   In family meetings, appropriately named Friday Night Affairs, we addressed current family issues such as the next week’s schedule, teenager curfew, homework, the new style of clothes (bell bottoms), etc.

c)    In the children’s stories she wrote, she lifted up each of our strengths. I still remember the story she wrote for my sister – who was at home sick for several days – about the little squirrel whose daily activities brought cheer and laughter.

d)   She practiced parenting effectiveness skills on every family member all the time. We also became extremely adept at recognizing it, often responding to her: “Mom, you’re using PET on me!”

• My Mom’s third Super-Hero quality is ULTIMATE VISIONARY!

Since the beginning, Mom’s vision of the People Place has always been focused on prevention. The idea is that if families and parents get assistance up-front, in the areas of parenting, child care, work skills, nutrition, family life enrichment, the future challenges that any one individual or family experiences will be easier to handle, or even avoided. What an idea! To invest in the future? To invest in parents and in families, up front?

Mom told us about people who gained their first work experience while at the People Place, learned how to put together a resume and went back out into the job force. We met many people who came through a particular People Place program, and ended up working or volunteering there. We were fortunate to hang out with Mom’s colleagues or partners in the People Place business. These individuals avidly supported Mom, the People Place, and its’ vision. We regularly heard about activities taking place every Thursday night over the dinner hour at Community of Families’ meetings. As young people experiencing this program and Mom’s vision first-hand – this was life-changing. Indeed, some aspect of this vision has remained in our lives, and is stamped into our own work.

• My Mom’s fourth Super-Hero quality is ORGANIZATIONAL AND PROGRAM DEVELOPER EXTROIDINAIRE!

           

The People Place had its initial beginnings in the basement of our home. Arriving home from school, I could hear the first program assistant (also named Nancy) typing in our basement, while mom was leading a Parent Effectiveness Training workshop, or off at a meeting in the community.  A lot of work was accomplished in the basement. However, this arrangement did not last long, because the People Place occupied several different Ames landmarks besides our basement – another church, the Whittier School basement, and now the United Church of Christ (while affiliated with Lutheran Social Services of Iowa).

Mom marshaled each family member’s skills to support People Place programming. Early on we each had opportunities to create brochures and quarterly programming calendars. In evaluating the brochure design we tried to incorporate images that complemented the People Place logo and philosophy. This logo and philosophy remains to this day – depicting diverse people of all ages, sizes and races standing side-by-side.

Later on, we sat alongside our mother, in Ames City Council meetings when there were political discussions of mergers and slashed and/or increased city support for social services. We helped out in People Place Child Care and assisted with multiple grant writing efforts. (Communication/writing is one of Mom’s strengths, which she readily passed on to each of us.) Mom also told us about the WuWu’s. This is an amazing group of people and organizations that came together regularly to talk about collaborative efforts to meet the needs of all Ames, Iowa citizens. (Really, Mom, explain the WuWu’s.)*

Every family member has called, organized, coordinated and/or contributed in some small or large way to the annual Call-A-Thon, which takes place every April, and wherever there is a large bank of phones and oodles of volunteers. Sometimes the “calling” space is donated by a local bank, or the Iowa DOT. (As the use of cell phones has increased, finding the appropriate bank of phones has become less necessary.) My daughter Catherine, who just turned 10, has watched her cousins Mallory and Mitchell assume different responsibilities at the Call-A-Thon. Indeed, Catherine anxiously awaits her turn/assignment to volunteer at the annual Call-A-Thon in April, 2011!

Under Mom’s watchful eye, the People Place became a wonderful place for learners of all ages. Many an ISU student – undergraduate or graduate – learned organizational development and management, while their unique strengths and abilities were utilized in the Child Care Room, organizing the files, coordinating activities, writing stories, etc. We all heard about each student’s strengths. Mom was impressed by the skills of the many students who passed through the People Place every semester, and always delicately guided their future in Social Services.

*There are a lot of programs not mentioned here, and the MELD program is one important example. (Again, Mom, please explain.)

• My Mom’s fifth Super-Hero quality is FULL HEART CONDUCTOR! 

We watched our Mom work with passion, love and life every day. She poured her heart into the Community of Families; she worked night and day fundraising for the People Place, getting everything in place for the Call-a-Thon; she crafted the exact words that would ignite interest from a potential grantor; she did that one special thing that would move an individual or family further along in the program; she encouraged our full participation; and most importantly she encouraged that same quality of effort and passion in all that we do. She did all this while raising her own family, successfully navigating the teenage years, maintaining relationships with colleagues, and all in a time when working women had not yet been granted their full due. We know that whatever the task, idea or assignment, our Mom gives her Full Heart – to the People Place, to her family and to her community.  

My Mom’s qualities live and breathe in the People Place, and through each of us. Please join me in raising both arms in the air and shouting out loud for all to hear!

HERE’S TO MY MOM…LYNN ENGEN…MY SUPER-HERO!

EMPATHETIC WORLDVIEWER…

CREATIVITY SPARKLER…

ULTIMATE VISIONARY…

ORGANIZATIONAL AND PROGRAM DEVELOPER EXTROIDINAIRE…

AND FULL HEART CONDUCTOR…

GIRL!

With full-hearted LOVE from your daughter,

Nancy

Submitted on Monday, February 28, 2011.

My Routine and The Recipe for Exercise!

Since I started this workout adventure I have been asking everyone around me about the ideal "recipe" for exercise. And while I give a lot of credit to my trainers/health coaches for providing new challenges at each and every workout, the one thing I've learned is there are many different ways to make a cake! As a result I've taken a "pinch" here, and an idea or "dash" there, and a "cup" of movements here, to piece together a weekly routine that works. Here is my current plan:

• Mondays and Wednesdays 6-7:15pm Group Workout led by a Trainer. These "circuit training" sessions include warm-ups, weight-training, cardio and stretching exercises, and are the most strenuous of all. Two to three additional colleagues participate along with me. The trainer always challenges us to try new things, even if it is just to perform one exercise, to get a sense of how it feels. These sessions are "must do's" for me.

• Thursdays 6:30-8:00pm Individual Workout. I use everything I learned from my trainers, Cardio Rehab, Trim & Fit and Group Workouts to patch together my own workout sessions. For the Cardio part of the workout, I complete 10-15 minutes on the Windjammer, 10-15 minutes in NU-Step intervals, and 10-20 minutes on the Treadmill (rate of a 20-minute mile). I follow this with two sets each of 25 squats, 25 push-ups and 25 sit-ups. I end the session completing aHuman Sport weight training routine that was set by my trainer, culminating with 10 minute stretch. 

• Saturdays 5:30-7:00pm Individual Workout. I repeat the Thursday evening workout on Saturday.

• Sundays 3:30-5:30pm Water Aerobics Workout. My colleague Deb leads us in 60-70 minutes of water exercises that include warm-ups, cardio exercises and stretching. We follow the workout with a hot tub and lots of pampering.

I am still very new to exercise, and still very curious about how strength, core, flexibility and cardio activities benefit me physically, medically and mentally. This weekly routine was created based on what works now...it is the absolute best recipe available to me at this time. Most certainly, though, this plan will change, as I still have much to learn.

Submitted on Sunday, January 23, 2011.

Sacred Spaces, Sacred Time

I am surprised at how much of my new exercise life feels sacred. I feel safe and protected in the spaces where I work out. Having completed a weekly routine or a special workout makes me feel accomplished. It is like a deep meditation and a long sigh of health soaking every corner of my being. The spaces where I work out have a history that influence me to this day. These are sacred spaces and sacred times.

The Cardio Room - This is where I started working out and first learned about at Lifepointe, in the summer of 2009. It is the place where I completed 18 sessions of cardiac rehabilitation, where I was closely monitored (blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate) and got used to regular, timed workout sessions. In the rehab sessions I used the treadmill, Nu-step and windjammer for 45 minutes of cardiac exercise two times a week. In Trim & Fit we often completed the cardio portion of our workout, and this is where I learned about the concept of "intervals" using the Nu-Step machine. Here, I also learned to ever-so-slightly increase the number of minutes in cardio exercise using intervals. Now as I incorporate these cardio exercises into my routine, I have really come to love this space. This "womb" is where I feel most comfortable, listening to NPR on headphones, and closing my eyes, concentrating on my body, and letting the sweat soak in - completing 40 minutes of cardio exercise as part of every workout.

The Pools - This is where I meet my friend/colleague Deb for regular Sunday afternoon water aerobics sessions. The pool is refreshing... and my body responds differently to movement in water aerobics. There's no "sweating" like there is in "land-based" workouts. (Even though it is an equally cardio-full workout!) Deb and I spend an hour in the pool - using noodles, kick-boards and weights, and lots of water walking simulating many exercises/workout routines that I also learned in Trim & Fit or in group workouts. Time in the pool is capped with a hot tub or a chat in the warm pool, and pampering - including a long luxurious shower in the "family room."

Stretching Area - This small triangular shaped area, alongside the track, is flanked by a half wall and lined with four or five floor mats. Here I can relax and unwind after each workout. This has special significance - it is where I first learned to get down on the floor and to stand back up - my first really big exercise challenge. This is where I stretch, stretch and stretch. I am cut-off from the noise of exercise machines and blaring television lights of the main gym, the heart of Lifepointe energy. During stretching, I center....center in the luxury of sacred spaces and sacred times.

Submitted on Saturday, January 8, 2011.

A Whole New Language - What is a Perfect Squat?

The last eight months have brought a whole new language into my life. Below are just a few of the many new words (and exercise movements) that I have learned as part of this adventure. In the future I hope to share about strength, flexibility and/or endurance exercises, as well as the kinds of workouts that specifically enhance cardiovascular health. Again, these are all new concepts to me...and the subject of future posts. So back to the new words....

New Words/New Exercises/New Way of Thinking
Plank or Side Plank
Cobra
Squats or Sumo Squats
Push-ups and Sit-ups (thank goodness for some familiar sounding words)
Nu-Step
Lunge
Intervals
Elyptical
Lats and Lat Pull-Down
Bear Walk
Crab Walk
Biceps, Triceps and Qaudriceps (familiar words, but what the heck are they?) 
Core
Push the Car
Steps

Not only are all these new to me, but the exercise groupings, the parts of the body impacted as well as the latest workouts are each gaining familiarity. With each new training, I learn something entirely new. I also use different techniques to incorporate this new learning into my own workout lexicon. For instance, every so often, my colleague Deb and I repeat all the arm and leg muscle groups addressed in our strength building sessions - the triceps, biceps and quadriceps. We repeat them out loud, and point to their locations on our bodies, in order to remember them. We tell each other which muscle is impacted by each water aerobic exercise. It's like learning essential math facts in the first and second grades. Practice and rehearsal are absolutely key to remembering!

A training concept stressed by my health coaches relates to the importance of refining each movement so that it is "performed perfectly" - such as a "perfect" squat or a "perfect" lunge. Each trainer works with us individually to demonstrate the proper, or rather perfect, movement, and to refine that movement for the biggest and best impact. Indeed, one of my trainers will not count a movement if it is not performed perfectly. (Perhaps this is unfair to the neophyte exerciser?)

Another way to extend the impact of exercise, is to seek ways to actively integrate this new language into my life, making it immediately relevant. In my work at a regional performing art center I discovered two photos that reminded me of SQUATS - a new movement I had learned in Trim & Fit, and refined in my group workouts. I shared these "Perfect Squats" with my exercise colleagues. Below are the photos of members of the Alvin Ailey Dance company performing perfect sumo squats in their performance of Revelations!

Submitted on Sunday, January 2, 2011.

Perfect Weighted Squat

Multiple Sustained Perfect Sumo Squats

Black Bean Brownies

This is short and sweet. I meant to post this simple recipe earlier in the fall, when I first heard about it, but decided to take the opportunity to share it now....

This recipe was recommended by one of my personal trainers. He said these brownies are healthy for you and taste better, on average, than those with high fat and added cholesterol. My colleages at work and I tried them, and agree, they are a good replacement. Not bad at all! And if you ever crave a "chocolatey" treat, you might consider this healthy alternative?

Use a box of brownie mix and stir in one can of black beans (pour in everything from the can, including the water). The black beans and water actually replace everything that was to have been added to the brownie mix - such as eggs, water, etc. Follow the directions for baking on the package. And VOILA, simple Black Bean Brownies that are full of fiber and much healthier than traditional brownies.

Submitted on Monday, December 20, 2010.

My Doctor's List - A Prescription for Exercise

Last Friday was my 4th visit to my doctor since beginning this new exercise journey in early April 2010. According to my doctor's records I had lost 27 pounds (over 30 pounds at Lifepointe) since she started tracking the impact of exercise on my health. And I must admit, I feel pretty good.  I tell her that even though I am still quite heavy, I don't feel as winded or tired after exercise. She says that the exercise has most likely impacted my endurance. I feel certain she is experiencing this journey with me. (I feel fortunate that we have such a good relationship.)

As my doctor began reading and checking off each medication regulating cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, heart health, kidney function, and more, I could see that one more medication had been added to the end of her list. It made me smile out loud. Here is how the list of medications read in my chart:

Metformin 500
Niaspan (and an aspirin) 1000/day
Fish Oil - 3 1000
Lantus - 50 units at night
Valturna - 300/day
Coreg - 625 twice daily
Welcohl - 3 pills, twice daily
Vitamin D3
Exercise

When she got to the end of the list, she asked about my prescription for exercise. I told her about my workout schedule and commitment to exercising 5 times per week - Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I mentioned the importance of my work with a trainer two nights a week because "he pushes me in ways I cannot push myself." I told her about the water aerobics that I plan with my friend/colleague Deb, and about the strength training using the Human Sport machines and and cardio exercises I work on individually, two times each week.  

I have spent these last 6-8 months getting a sense of this exercise plan, with the help of very capable health coaches/trainers, and it is obviously making significant difference in my life. I celebrate (a happy, happy dance inside my head) and think to myself "there's no doubt about it, I have come a long way, baby!"

Submitted on Sunday, December 12, 2010.

P.S. Happy Birthday daughter Catherine. I love you!