What is My Passion Thursdays: Got Veggies?

Apron $20

Tote $15

Women Organic Tshirt (S-XL) $25

We will be filming Take A Leap in
Spain and South Africa.

 




 






We are selling merchandise (see pics above) to assist with our creative endeavors during two upcoming international trips. We're heading to Spain this Winter, and S. Africa next Fall 2014. We are super excited, and as you all know, we will be filming new webisodes of Take A Leap, with exciting interviews and awesome videos of the sites and sounds of each region we're set to explore. However, we've run into some challenges this year. Right after we booked the trip to Spain this past March, Rhonda experienced some serious health issues.  She was diagnosed with ovarian and endometriosis cancers.  

Here is Rhonda in her own words:

"This is how AMAZING God works. The intention of my operation in April was only to remove my left ovary. I had an extreme amount of pain on my left side from a mass and cyst that had formed over a period of time. During the operation a tumor was found and removed. It was cancerous. Only God could have had it occur that the removal of my cancer was done at the same time of the cyst removal. I was out of work for eight weeks and went through 3 rounds of chemo two months after my operation. Thank the Lord for my health insurance which covered 95% of the cost. With faith and the love of my family, friends, and church members being there for and with me, I'm stronger than ever. God had his hand in this. And for that I'm Thankful".

We are both about healthy eating and exercising, and have recently started taking a series of healthy cooking classes at USC. The merchandise items we are selling simply states "Got Veggies?" on the front, and on the back of the organic t-shirt (women only) it ask the same question in Spanish and Afrikaans. We'll be wearing these during our travels, and it'll help with the potential language barrier. Clever, huh? 

The second challenge has been that our trusty 2008 MacAir has crashed. We've recently purchased a new laptop and upgraded the  video editing software. Our goal is to raise $2000 by selling the merchandise ($5-$8 from each purchase is a profit for us) to cover the new purchases so that our videos will continue to have the "WOW" factor. Our previous videos got us on the Oscars Red Carpet. Who knows where these new videos will take us?? We hope you'll consider making a purchase by Tuesday December 3, and if enough men express an interest, we'll create t-shirts for you too.  Contact us at weconnectedprod@gmail.com or see us in person for details in making a purchase or if you'll like to forward a general donation.

Blessings, 
Rhonda & Sharee Washington



What are you Thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day?

Community Gardens

Next week I have a meeting at my church, Francis Burns UMC, that I'm super excited about.  Our health ministry (HEALS) is seeking to start a church community garden.  A community garden is a collective effort by a group of people to provide fresh produce and plants on a single piece of land. It'll benefit the neighborhood residents and church members.  Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Strawberries.....veggies and fruits galore!!  For those that don't know, Rhonda and I eat (or juice) veggies and fruits and it constitutes 80% of our daily food intake. If you only knew what our grocery bill looked like and how frequent we went, you'll see why I'm grinning from ear to ear.  Take a look below as to what a community garden looks like.

Photo Credit via visualizenashua.com

What does this have to do with Take A Leap?? Everything if you ask me.  You see over the last few weeks, if you remember from a previous post, I've been searching for legitimate travel volunteer/mission projects.  Travel with a purpose right?  There are so many options, but the expenses are like...whoa!!  The only two that I came across that I could #1- afford and #2- enjoy were identified as the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) and Workaway.  Both provide opportunities to volunteer and have your meals and accommodations covered by putting in a little work in a family's garden; teaching children; or a host of other creative and/or labor intensive volunteering projects.  The experience from our local church community garden will not only give us a green thumb, but also a learning experience that we can take with us to Africa, Europe, or South America from a period of a few days to several months, at minimal costs and an experience like no other.

Photo Credit via weber.edu

Have you participated in a community garden project in your city or town?  Have you traveled with either of the organizations noted above? If so, where to and what did you do??

Sharee

What Do You Really Want Out of Life?

Early in life I learned that dreams and big ideas belong to you, and that you don't have to make excuses to have them.  There will be people that will doubt you.  People that don't understand what you are trying to accomplish.  Or obstacles that may seem impossible to overcome.  Where ever you are in life, it's important to know what you really want out of life.

I know what I want, and I go for it everyday in the knowledge I seek and actions I take.  I want my spiritual life to grow.  I want to improve my overall health and wellness.  I want to develop meaningful relationships with family and friends.  I want to live out loud the real meaning of Take A Leap in a new career and new travel adventures.  I want Take A Leap to be more than a webshow, travel blog, and career mentoring program, I want it to be a way of life.

In recent weeks, family members have shared with me that their employer will be closing business.  One will be within the next three months.  The other has ten months, but may take advantage of an early retirement package.  I share these two incidents because it speaks highly of the concept of Take A Leap.  Will they seek a new career? Relocate to another company facility? Take a long needed vacation?  Time will tell, but as the date gets closer to the closing of their respective company facilities, the question of what they really want out of life is ever more pertinent.

So I go back to the initial thought of dreaming big and having big ideas.  When a big set-back happens, are your hopes and dreams dashed or is it a chance to make a new beginning for a life you really want?   

And don't forget to check out our newly published E-book as a guide to transitioning to a new career and taking advantage of travel opportunities, with great tips on financial and career planning.  The link to make a purchase is found on the top right column of this blog.  Also, the Take A Leap Career Mentoring Program Mentee and Mentor applications are available until August 31.  The program begins in September.

Here's To Your Health

Monaco, France

Traveling have often caused havoc on people's nutritional habits and overall health.  We talked in a previous post about health precautions to take in consideration as you head to your destination. Now we want to address staying on top of your nutritional health at your destination.

Often times, people are quick to go off their diet or nutritional plan when they are on vacation.  Sometimes it's because they are in unfamiliar surroundings, and they don't have the time to find an appropriate place to eat.  Other times it's because they are on the go, go, go, and it's just easier to grab a bite to eat from a popular fast food chain. Or maybe you are on a nutritional regiment, and vacation is a time to "blow it off".

We're sure you've heard these "excuses" before.  So we thought we'll give you some tips on how to stay healthy on the road and at your travel destination.

Sandwiches & Peanuts

#1 Bring drinks and snacks. The items may differ based on mode of transportation, but the ideal foods to have on hand are fruits, hand-made sandwiches, nuts and trail mixes, and water.  Carbonates, cookies, and chips should be consumed in moderation.

#2) Shop at the local grocery store for fresh foods.  It is interesting to find foods that may not be readily accessible in your hometown. We have tried fruits, veggies, and local delicacies that we never heard of in South Carolina during visits to Italy and China food markets. This is also a great time to learn the local language if you're in an international destination.

#3) Keep food allergies and nutritional plans in mind.  There are so many variety of foods to be found in restaurants, and whether you order by the plate or eat from the buffet line, there are bound to be foods you may question as it relates to your health.  If you know you have a food allergy, it may be best to order from the menu.  Those on specific nutritional plans such as vegetarian, vegan, organic, etc should identify restaurants of their liking with a simple Google search or by utilizing a travel guide.  It also helps if you have an advance look at the menu via the restaurant's website or by talking to the host.

#4) If children are with you, make sure they eat a well-balanced meal.  Sugary drinks, burgers, and pizza are common place at amusement parks and other major attractions.  They can also break the bank and make your child "less energetic" in the long-run.  Limit the amount of these foods your child(ren) consume, and bring along plenty of fresh fruit and water, as long as they are permissible at the venue.  Check the website in advance.  If it is not permitted, bring what is (often a sealed bottled water), and once in the venue, seek out places to eat with a wide selection of foods.

The Pizza Rhonda made while in Italy (2009). Please eat in moderation.

What other tips or advice do you have to help you stay nutritionally healthy on the road?

Rhonda & Sharee Washington