Finding Happiness After Infertility

Posted on May 13, 2024 by Evan Glenn

Finding Happiness After Infertility: Our Story of Hope

Finding happiness after infertility has been a journey for me and my husband, Evan. For years, we struggled with the heartache of not being able to conceive, and it took a toll on both of us. But through it all, we’ve discovered unexpected joys and a deeper appreciation for our relationship. I’m excited to share our story with you today, in hopes that it may offer comfort and inspiration to others facing similar challenges.

Want to hear our story in our own words? Check out our video here, or keep scrolling for more insights and reflections.

Our Infertility Journey: Years of Trying and Heartache

Finding Happiness in Our Infertility Journey

We tried for a while and did lots of research. That’s what we do; we’re planners. We saw doctors, underwent tests, and I even had exploratory surgery.

I was prescribed a medication to help me get pregnant, but it didn’t work for me. Instead, it made me very emotional and caused a lot of ups and downs. I realized it wasn’t healthy for me, so I stopped taking it.

We consulted a fertility specialist, but she wouldn’t perform the procedure because I was on anxiety medication. I understood her reasoning, but coming off the medication nearly caused a nervous breakdown. It was an incredibly difficult time.

We considered further fertility treatments, but there were obstacles. We were older, the cost was a concern, and there was no guarantee it would work. Plus, I struggled with how I would handle the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy. Ultimately, we came to the conclusion that having children naturally wasn’t in the cards for us.

Embracing Life After Infertility: Finding Joy as Aunt and Uncle

Reaching that acceptance was a long and painful process. But now, we find joy in other ways. We cherish our time with our nieces and nephews, who call us “Uncle Evan” and “Aunt Lala.” We love being their fun aunt and uncle, and we’re also proud dog parents. Our furry friends bring so much joy into our lives.

Exploring Alternative Paths to Parenthood: Adoption & Fostering

Adoption was another path we considered, and we were even approached by people who thought we’d be great parents. But those situations didn’t work out. Evan grew up with foster siblings, and the experience of kids coming and going was difficult for him. I also knew the heartache of goodbyes would be too much for me to handle.

Healing from Infertility: Discovering Happiness in Unexpected Places

Our journey with infertility has taught us that happiness can be found in unexpected ways. I’ve learned the importance of having a partner who is not just a potential parent, but also a best friend. Evan is my best friend, and that’s what has gotten us through the tough times.

Overcoming Infertility Challenges: Hope for the Future

While we’ve made peace with not having biological children, we’re open to exploring other options for the future. I’m seeing a new doctor who is helping me manage my health issues, and we’ve discussed revisiting fertility treatments. It’s a decision we’ll make together, weighing the potential benefits and risks.

Sharing Our Infertility Story: Building a Community of Support

I’m sharing our story because I know there are others out there struggling with infertility. It’s a lonely road, but it doesn’t have to be. By sharing our experiences, we can build a community of support and understanding.

Thank you for listening to our story.

With love,

The Glenn Home

If you have any questions or want to share your own experiences, please leave a comment below. We’re in this together!

Want to stay connected and learn more about our journey? To learn more about my health and wellness journey, including my experience with the TIF procedure, click here.

Want to stay connected and learn more about our journey?

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Simplify Meal Planning Using These 5 Tips

Posted on March 24, 2024March 24, 2024 by Evan Glenn

Introduction:

Welcome to our next post in the series on meal planning! Continuing from our previous posts “Meal Planning Magic: Your Key to Stress-Free Meals!” and “Healthy Meal Planning: Finding the Right Recipes”, we’ll share five practical strategies to simplify your meal planning routine and make it a breeze.

In this post, we’ll explore how the Meal Planning and Preparation Guide can assist with techniques like batch cooking, family involvement, dedicated planning sessions, utilizing technology, and preparing the kitchen for seamless meal prep. These tips are designed to help you streamline your meal planning process and reduce stress in the kitchen.

Simplify Meal Planning Using These 5 Tips

After learning these tips, you’ll be ready to jump right into simplifying your meal planning routine and enjoying stress-free meals.

1. Long-Term Planning for Sustainable Meal Prep:

Meal Planning: Full Grocery Carts — Full grocery carts after hours in the store.

Meal planning isn’t just about deciding what to eat for the week; it’s about creating a long-term plan that spans several weeks. We recommend scheduling a trip to the grocery store once every three weeks to ensure you stay organized. During this planning phase, check your pantry for items running low and add them to your grocery list. Select recipes that you can use for multiple meals and compare ingredients to ensure you have enough to last at least three weeks.

Long-term planning ensures you have ingredients on hand for several weeks, reducing the need for frequent trips to the store.

2. Involving the Whole Family in Meal Planning:

Get everyone in your household involved in the meal planning process to simplify meal planning and foster teamwork. From choosing recipes to helping with meal prep, involving your family fosters teamwork and ensures that meals cater to everyone’s preferences and dietary needs. Make it a fun activity by allowing each family member to pick a favorite recipe for the week.

Family involvement not only simplifies meal planning but also ensures meals are enjoyed by all.

3. Dedicated Planning Sessions for Optimal Organization:

Meal Planning: Calendar — Setting Aside Time On The Calendar for Meal Planning.

Set aside dedicated time for meal planning sessions. During these sessions, review recipes, create grocery lists, and plan your weekly meals. By dedicating time to meal planning, you can avoid last-minute decisions and ensure that your meals are nutritious and well-balanced. Use a meal planning template to stay organized and on track.

Planning sessions help you stay organized and ensure meals are nutritious and balanced.

4. Utilizing Technology for Efficiency:

Take advantage of technology to simplify your meal planning process. Use grocery store apps to find discounts and deals on the items you need. Apps like Ibotta offer rewards on grocery purchases, providing further incentives to stick to your meal planning goals. Use these apps to save time and money while grocery shopping.

Here is a video where we explore the question of whether to use online grocery ordering and pick up versus going into the store to get our groceries ourselves, to determine if it adds a layer of convenience or frustration to our meal planning routine.

Watch this video on YouTube

Technology streamlines meal planning by offering discounts, deals, and rewards on grocery purchases.

5. Preparing the Kitchen for Seamless Meal Prep:

Meal Planning: Prep the Kitchen — Prepared Kitchen.

Prepare your kitchen in advance for seamless meal prep. After a long shopping trip, put away groceries in an organized manner. The next day, clean countertops, pots, pans, and utensils to create an efficient workspace. Set aside time for kitchen prep before your designated meal preparation day to ensure everything is ready to go.

Meal Planning: Break Bowls In A Line — Meal Planning: Breakfast Bowls In A Line

A well-prepared kitchen sets the stage for efficient and stress-free meal preparation.

Conclusion:

With these five tips, you can simplify your meal planning routine and make it a stress-free experience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced meal planner, these strategies will help you save time, reduce stress, and enjoy delicious and nutritious meals every day. Start implementing these tips today and transform your mealtime routine for the better!

Are you ready to take the stress out of meal planning? We’re thrilled to announce that we’re giving away our comprehensive Meal Planning and Preparation Guide for FREE to all our newsletter subscribers!

✅ Helpful tips and instructions to streamline your meal planning process

✅ Weekly grocery lists to make shopping a breeze

✅ Meal planning templates for every day of the week

✅ Space to jot down your favorite recipes and meal prep rotation

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to revolutionize your meal planning routine! Simply subscribe to our newsletter and get your hands on this invaluable guide today!

In conclusion, meal planning is not just about deciding what to eat; it’s about creating a well-thought-out strategy that simplifies your cooking routine, saves you time, and ensures you enjoy delicious and nutritious meals every day. By implementing the tips and techniques shared in this series, you can transform your meal planning experience and make it a stress-free part of your life.

Be sure to stay tuned for more meal planning posts in the future, where we’ll continue to share valuable insights and tips to help you on your journey to healthier eating habits. We’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to comment below and share what you’ve taken away from this series. Your feedback and insights are invaluable to us. And if you haven’t already subscribed to our YouTube Channel, THE GLENN HOME, we would love for you to do that to stay updated on all our latest content and meal planning adventures!

Healthy Meal Planning: Finding the Right Recipes

Posted on March 23, 2024March 24, 2024 by Evan Glenn

Introduction:

Welcome back to our series on Meal Planning. In our previous post, Meal Planning Magic: Your Key To Stress Free Meals , we discussed how our journey began. In this post, we’ll share how we discovered recipes for 3 meals per day suitable for healthy meal planning.

Overcoming Healthy Meal Planning Misconceptions:

Meal Planning: Frozen Meal — Frozen dinner in a plastic tray with a cover

Meal planning often conjures up images of uninspired leftovers tossed together in a big container, waiting to be reheated as a lackluster meal option. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The truth is, many of us struggle to find the balance between convenience and nutrition. We want to eat healthier, but the idea of salads and grilled chicken every day just doesn’t excite us. And let’s face it, those frozen meals marketed as “healthy choices” often leave much to be desired in terms of taste and appeal.

Embracing Healthy Recipes:

Meal Planning: Large Pot of Spaghetti — Large pot of spaghetti noodles with meatballs spilled out.

While we cherished comforting meals from our past, they weren’t always nutritious. It’s easy to cling to traditional recipes, but understanding nutritious foods opened our eyes to new possibilities. Clinging to the sentiment of “there’s nothing better than mom’s [insert favorite dish here].”

However, once we became more aware of what constitutes nutritious food—choosing the right meats, vegetables, and fruits—we realized there’s a whole world of healthy recipes out there waiting to be discovered.

Meal Planning Beyond Lunches:

It’s not just about work lunches; it’s about transforming all meals. Realizing this was transformative. We shifted from seeing meal planning as a chore to embracing it for health and culinary exploration.

We made a video recently about How Meal Prep Enhances Our Life on our YouTube channel. We would love it if you would subscribe to our channel.

Watch this video on YouTube

Discovering Delicious Recipes:

Enter dishes like our Savory Sunrise Breakfast Bowls, Sizzling Chicken Fajitas, and Sweet Potato Chicken Fajitas—perfect examples of Healthy Meal Planning Recipes that are both tasty and wholesome. These recipes not only taste delicious but also pack a punch in terms of nutrition.

Meal Planning: Some of our favorite recipes. — Some of our Favorite Recipes on our Free Meal Planning Guide Recipe Card Page

Streamlining Meal Planning:

Faced with the challenge of deciding what to prepare each day or night, we realized the importance of having a well-organized meal planning process. Simply deciding to meal prep for the week isn’t enough; preparation is key. To succeed, ensure you have all the necessary ingredients, cooking utensils, pots and pans, and containers for storing your meals. Set up your kitchen space to accommodate all your meal prep needs efficiently. Being in the right mindset and having ample time are crucial for successful meal planning. Meal planning requires more than just a decision; it’s about creating the right environment and mindset for success.

In our upcoming post, we’ll discuss how to create a stress-free meal planning routine. Stay tuned as we share practical tips to simplify your meal planning process and transform your time in the kitchen!

Conclusion: Embrace Healthy Meal Planning Today!

Healthy meal planning isn’t just about selecting recipes; it’s a lifestyle change. Overcome misconceptions and embrace nutritious recipes to transform your mealtime routine and prioritize your health.

With dishes like our Savory Sunrise Breakfast Bowls, Sizzling Chicken Fajitas, and Sweet Potato Chicken Fajitas, you can enjoy flavorful, diverse, and enjoyable meals.

Whether for yourself, family, or friends, meal planning is an opportunity to explore new flavors and nourish your body with wholesome foods.

Ready to embark on your own healthy meal planning journey? Start by incorporating nutritious recipes into your weekly menu and discover the joy of preparing delicious meals that support your health and well-being. Happy cooking!

Our Free Meal Planning Guide:

✅ Helpful tips and instructions to streamline your meal planning process

✅ Weekly grocery lists to make shopping a breeze

✅ Meal planning templates for every day of the week

✅ Space to jot down your favorite recipes and meal prep rotation

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to revolutionize your meal planning routine! Simply subscribe to our newsletter and get your hands on this invaluable guide today!

Curious to learn more about our meal planning journey and the reasons behind our transformation? Check out our previous post for insights into how we’ve reshaped our mealtime routine. and be on the lookout for our next post, Simplify Meal Planning Using These 5 Tips, where we’ll share practical tips for simplifying the meal planning process.

Meal Planning Magic: Your Key to Stress-Free Meals!

Posted on March 22, 2024March 23, 2024 by Evan Glenn

Introduction:

Welcome to The Glenn Home, where meal planning isn’t just a task—it’s a fun adventure that brings us closer together. Follow along as we share our journey from mealtime chaos to organized bliss, and discover how it transformed not only our eating habits but also our lives.

Understanding Meal Planning:

At The Glenn Home, we discovered the joy of menu planning as a family activity. From creating grocery lists together to exploring the aisles hand in hand, and spending quality time in the kitchen on Sundays after church, menu planning became more than just a chore—it became a shared experience that strengthened our bond.

We’ve even turned our grocery shopping day into a fun date! First, we enjoy a delicious lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, then we head to the grocery store together. It’s a blast, and you can see just how much fun we have in one of our YouTube videos below. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for more fun and inspiration! The Glenn Home on YouTube.

Watch this video on YouTube

Why We Started Our Meal Planning:

For years, we relied on the “what do you want for supper?” routine, spending too much money on fast food and too much time deciding what to eat. But everything changed when health challenges arose. Lisa discovered food allergies and triggers for her chronic migraines, as well as managing GERD through the T.I.F. procedure, while Evan realized he needed to make healthier choices for his high blood pressure. These health concerns emphasized the importance of prioritizing nutritious meal planning for our family’s well-being. To learn more about Lisa’s journey with GERD and the T.I.F. procedure, check out our post here. TIF Procedure and GERD Journey: My Reflections

Despite our busy schedules—Lisa as an elementary school teacher and Evan as an IT professional—we were determined to make a change. With exhaustion looming at the end of each day, we knew we needed a solution. And so, we turned to menu planning.

Flexible Menu Planning:

Over time, we built a collection of recipes tailored to our health concerns and dietary goals. These recipes not only supported our journey to better health but also simplified our meal prep process. With containers filled with prepped meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, we were ready for the week ahead.

Oven Baked Salmon & Asparagus

Sweet Potato Chicken Fajitas

Sizzling Chicken Fajita Salad

We set aside time every three weeks to create a grocery list and embarked on a joint shopping expedition. Sundays became our sanctuary—a day dedicated to preparing nourishing meals that would sustain us through the week.

Conclusion:

Our menu planning journey has been super cool, helping us take charge of our health and time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by what’s for dinner, come join us on this awesome adventure! Let’s learn together how menu planning can make life easier and more delicious.

✅ Helpful tips and instructions to streamline your meal planning process

✅ Weekly grocery lists to make shopping a breeze

✅ Meal planning templates for every day of the week

✅ Space to jot down your favorite recipes and meal prep rotation

Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to revolutionize your meal planning routine! Simply subscribe to our newsletter and get your hands on this invaluable guide today!

Keep an eye out for our next post, where we’ll share some yummy and healthy recipes we’ve discovered, plus more about our meal prep routine. Get ready to spice up your meals and make cooking fun! Healthy Meal Planning: Finding the Right Recipes

Digital Balance for Families: TECHSAFE Toolkit Solution

Posted on March 5, 2024March 12, 2024 by Evan Glenn

Introducing the TECHSAFE Family Toolkit

The Ultimate Guide for Your Family to Unlock Digital Balance

Hey there, tech-savvy families! Are you tired of feeling like your digital devices are taking over your family time? Do you worry about staying safe online while still having fun? Well, fear not! We, Evan, an IT Pro, and Lisa, an elementary school teacher, created the TECHSAFE FAMILY Toolkit out of a mission to promote digital balance for families, a mission shared by us here at The Glenn Home. Additionally, it’s a mission to promote digital balance for families. Here at The Glenn Home, we hope to inspire foundational family values through our lives as we share them here.

Get a free peek inside to begin your journey to digital balance.

Meet The TECHSAFE Family Toolkit: Your Guide to Digital Balance

The TECHSAFE Family Toolkit is your ultimate guide to navigating the digital world safely and responsibly, promoting digital balance for families like yours. Packed with practical tips and expert advice, this toolkit empowers families like yours to enjoy all the benefits of technology while minimizing the risks. If you want to learn more about the TECHSAFE Family Toolkit and how it can benefit your family, click here to read more.

Here are some tips that you will find inside of the toolkit.

Set Screen Time Limits: Encourage healthy digital habits by setting specific limits on screen time for each family member. Use tools like parental controls or screen time management apps to enforce these limits and promote a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
Practice Safe Social Media Habits: Teach your children about the importance of privacy settings, safe sharing practices, and how to recognize and report cyberbullying. By instilling these habits early on, you can help protect them from online threats and foster a positive and respectful online environment for the whole family.

These tips are just a glimpse of the valuable guidance offered in the TECHSAFE Toolkit, consequently helping families navigate the digital world with confidence and security.

Stay Smart, Stay Safe With Digital Balance

Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from online threats with the TECHSAFE Toolkit. From creating strong passwords to recognizing phishing scams, you’ll discover essential strategies for staying safe in the digital age.

Create Strong Passwords: “Using weak passwords is like leaving the front door of your house unlocked. With the TECHSAFE Toolkit, you’ll learn how to create strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts, keeping hackers at bay and your personal information secure.”
Recognize Phishing Scams: “Phishing scams are like digital traps waiting to catch unsuspecting victims. In the toolkit, you’ll learn how to spot the red flags of phishing emails and websites, empowering you to protect yourself and your loved ones from falling prey to online scams.”

By implementing these strategies from the TECHSAFE Toolkit, as a result you can strengthen your defenses against online threats and enjoy a safer digital experience.

Secure Your Gadgets, Protect Your Family

Additionally, keep your devices and your family safe from cyber threats with the TECHSAFE Toolkit. Discover how to secure your smartphones, tablets, and computers with easy-to-follow tips and best practices.

Parental Control: With the TECHSAFE Toolkit, you can set up parental controls on your devices to limit your child’s access to inappropriate content and monitor their online activities. From filtering websites to setting time limits, you can customize the level of restriction based on your child’s age and maturity level.
Home Network: Learn how to secure your home network against unauthorized access and cyber attacks. With the TECHSAFE Toolkit, you’ll discover how to set up a strong Wi-Fi password, enable firewall protection, and update your router’s firmware regularly to ensure maximum security for your family’s online activities.

Are You Ready to Find a Digital Balance for Your Family?

In conclusion, are you ready to take control of your family’s digital well-being? Don’t wait any longer – empower your family with the TECHSAFE Family Toolkit today and achieve the perfect digital balance for your family! With practical tips and expert advice, you’ll gain the tools you need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Say goodbye to digital overwhelm and hello to a happier, more secure online experience for your whole family. Click the link below to get started now!

Protect Your Family Now!

TIF Procedure and GERD Journey: My Reflections

Posted on December 8, 2023March 5, 2024 by Evan Glenn

TIF Procedure and GERD Journey: My Reflections and Addressing GERD, Post-Surgery Challenges, and Spousal Support

In July 2020, amidst the challenges of the COVID era, I underwent the Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF) procedure to address my Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Now, nearly three years later, I want to share my TIF procedure and GERD journey with you.

Back in the room after procedure.

After the procedure.

Waiting to go back for the TIF Procedure — Waiting to go back.

Filling out the paperwork for my TIF procedure and GERD journey. — Filling out the paperwork.

If you’re curious about the most recent developments in my recovery, I encourage you to watch our latest video where my husband, Evan, and I discuss the ongoing aspects of life post-TIF. This video provides valuable insights into the physical and emotional aspects of my journey, addressing both positive outcomes and the ongoing considerations post-surgery.

GERD & US How We Still Fight It 3 Years Later

Watch this video on YouTube

For a comprehensive understanding, consider exploring the entire playlist, including pre-surgery videos, the surgery day itself, and the subsequent recovery. Each video captures a different phase of this my TIF procedure and GERD journey and its transformative experience, offering a holistic view. Your curiosity might find answers, and your support is always appreciated. Join us on this informative and supportive exploration of digestive health.

Lisa’s TIF Procedure

Understanding GERD Symptoms

GERD had me struggling with constant throat sensations, dry coughs, and a racing heart. Post-TIF, about 75% of these symptoms have alleviated. However, occasional challenges persist, as highlighted by a recent episode at a restaurant where reflux symptoms resurfaced.

Weight Struggles Post-Surgery

Thankful for coffee and no artificial sweeteners. — Thankful for coffee.

5 months post TIF procedure and GERD journey. — 5 months post procedure.

Adapting to a liquid and soft food diet for eight weeks post-surgery posed a significant weight challenge. Returning to regular foods led to a struggle with weight regain. My journey emphasizes the importance of listening to your body during recovery.

The Impact of TIF Procedure on Lifestyle and Diet

Returning to regular foods involved stretching the valve, contributing to weight regain. Challenges with artificial sweeteners due to allergies added complexity. Coping with GERD post-surgery involves navigating dietary adjustments and understanding one’s body.

Spousal Support in My TIF Procedure and GERD Journey

Evan, my husband, shares his perspective on supporting a loved one through my TIF procedure and GERD journey. Initial reservations transformed into acknowledgment of the positive impact on my well-being. Mutual support and understanding during the recovery period are crucial.

“It’s always hard to see your spouse go through pain. When it’s GERD, things are not comfortable. You just don’t feel good.”

“Knowing that she’s had this success with it has really been good for us.”

– Evan

Specific Challenges and Occasional Reflux Episodes

Specific challenges, like the inability to vomit post-surgery and the impact of a stomach virus, added layers to the recovery process. I also highlight occasional reflux episodes triggered by specific foods like tomatoes and pineapple.

Overall Satisfaction with the TIF Procedure and GERD Journey

Despite the challenges, I express overall satisfaction in my TIF procedure and GERD journey, stating that I would undergo it again. The journey provides insights into the physical and emotional aspects, addressing both positive outcomes and ongoing considerations post-surgery.

Reflections and Looking Ahead

As I reflect on my journey, I recognize the relief from GERD symptoms, but also acknowledge the need for ongoing management. The TIF procedure has been transformative, yet the path post-surgery involves continuous adjustments and awareness.

Conclusion

In sharing my experience, I aim to provide insights for those considering the TIF procedure for GERD. It’s a journey with ups and downs, requiring patience, resilience, and the support of loved ones. If you have questions or want to share your experiences, feel free to leave a comment. Together, we navigate the path to better digestive health.

Connect with Us: Have Questions or Want to Share Your Story?

We’re here for you! If you have questions or simply want to share your own experience, drop us an email at theglenns@theglennhome.com. Find us on Facebook @theglennhome, catch us on Instagram @theglennhome, and make sure to hit the subscribe button on our YouTube channel The Glenn Home. We’re all about sharing our life together to offer insights into Marriage, Family, Relationships, Health and Wellness experiences, and making the most out of life’s adventures. Looking forward to connecting with you!

How You Can Help Your Community

Posted on November 13, 2019November 13, 2019 by Evan Glenn

In our last post, we said that we are a few weeks behind on our posting. This is working out for us, because we have had several things happen that needed our attention and gave us an opportunity to work on something that we have been wanting to do for a while. Read on to find out what has kept us from staying connected and what we want to do to help our community.

On Saturday, October 26, 2019, a bad storm blew through our area. Some say that it was straight line winds. Some say it was a tornado. Some say it was remnants of a tropical storm from the gulf. Whatever it was, it caused a lot of damage to our area. There were trees blown down all over the county, knocking power lines down, landing on houses and blocking roads. Thankfully, there were no major injuries or fatalities.

Picture via Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Page

The pictures above were taken from the Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. This a small sample of damage. There were rooftops blown into trees. Semi trucks blown over while on an interstate bridge. Many people were without power. There may be some still without. We were fortunate to only have one small tree fall in our yard and not cause any damage. However, we were without power for 6 days and nights. Luckily we were able to borrow a generator from a family member, allowing us to keep some lights on , the fridge running, and to cook food. Thank God for family! However, with the power poles and lines down, that meant that the Internet lines to our house were also down. Where we live, even though it is within a cell tower range, the cell signal is terrible at our house because of a large hill blocking its reach to us. On a good day, we may have one bar of 3G service. When the Internet is out, we are disconnected from the outside world, sort of. Communication was limited to coming into our town and being able to use our cell phones. I, Evan, worked with my team to ensure that the school system IT infrastructure was ready to go as soon as school resumed.

I am afraid that we are kind of use to situations like this, and as I said, Lisa and I were very fortunate. This is not the case for many, and still many are in need of help. Lisa and I have been trying to figure out how we can help our community more. We are able use our hands to help by checking on our neighbors and offering our assistance, but this only limits us to those we come across in passing. We have been trying to figure out how we can help more people on a larger scale. This brings me to what we have been working on. We have opened a merchandise store to help support our efforts. You can access the store from the top of this page. Yes, we will benefit from the sale of the products in our store, but the real reason is to give to our community. You can browse and select one or many of the products, currently shirts and hoodies, and the proceeds from your purchase will go toward helping your neighbors with financial needs. Certain items in our fundraiser section, that when purchased, 50% of the proceeds will go toward a non-profit organization that we choose needs help at that time.

Our current fundraiser will be going to the Humphreys County Long Term Relief Organization. This organization helps those in our county with monetary and labor needs that are and have been affected by the recent storm in our area. The HCLTRO reaches out to find those that can’t physically clean up and repair their property and then provide the relief that they need to “make their homes a home again.” If you would like to help them and aren’t able to be a volunteer to help, then a monetary donation will go a long way. They provide furniture, appliances, roof repairs, removal of duct work for HVAC systems, and many other ways to attempt to give relief. That’s just a brief sample of what they do. If you want to help, you can through The Glenn Home store above. The purchase of one of the “Bless Our Home” shirts (T-shirt, Long Sleeve, and/or Hoodie) will help families that are in need.

Picture via Trull Family Pharmacy Facebook page.

We have also teamed up with Trull Family Pharmacy. They are a family owned pharmacy in our town, and together with them, are wanting to make the effort even better. They are going to have an anniversary event on Saturday, November 16th to celebrate their one year of being open to the public. Inside their beautiful store is a gift shop. On that Saturday, they also are going to donate proceeds from sales of their gift shop to help the Humphreys County Long Term Recovery Organization. We have talked with them since the day they announced their plans of wanting to give back to the community that supports them and came up with this partnership. We will combine our proceeds and present a donation to the HCLTRO. Both Trull Family Pharmacy, Lisa, and I appreciate your help in our effort to help the neighbors in our community!

Be on the watch for many other fundraisers that we will have in the coming future!

The Journey of Building A Community

Posted on October 22, 2019October 23, 2019 by Evan Glenn

What a busy summer it has been! Yes, I know it is already October and close to Halloween, but we just got back from our annual beach vacation…and that brings Summer to an end for us. If you have followed along on our journey through our social media, YouTube, Facebook , and Instagram, then you have enjoyed some of the fun we have had. Lisa and I do a lot of things together. It may be just the two of us or with the company of family and friends. Life is a journey and it is better when we share it with someone, and even more so when you have a community that you can lean on as you travel through life.

We haven’t kept up our side of the journey.

First, we want to apologize for the lack of posting on this blog and more recently, not uploading our vlogs. I, Evan, had a technical issue with my computer and thought that all of the photos and videos that were copied to the editing hard drive were lost. My typical routine is that as soon as we finish with the cameras at the end of the day I copy all of that footage to an editing hard drive on my computer so that it can be fine tuned before being posted/uploaded. Once it is exported, I then move it to an external storage drive. We had been so busy with work and going on our trips that I had been putting the footage on the drive until I had time to edit it. When the time came for me to start editing, the hard drive was not showing up. I am a computer tech/nerd(25+ years), so it took time to recover the data from the drive, copy it our external back up, purchase a new hard drive, and finally move the recovered footage back to the new drive. Even though we had this issue going on, we continued to keep the cameras rolling and used our external hard drive for storage. Whew! That was a close call. If you want to learn more about the technical side of how to capture your precious memories, I have separate website and social media platforms to help you learn more about them at casuallysharpmultimedia.com.

The reason for the journey.

Second, let’s be clear. We are not a vain couple who wants to show ourselves to the world in a selfish way. The true reason we do this is to be an example to those who care about having a loving, caring, fun, and meaningful marriage themselves and to build a community that encourages one another. In doing so, the hope is that you will find the posts to be interesting, entertaining at times, thought-provoking, challenging, encouraging, and conversation starting.

Onward with the journey.

Third, we have a lot of catching up to do. The technical issue put us behind on our posting. We will be several weeks behind on current activities, but this will allow for us to enjoy the activities and not feel rushed to come home and start editing right away. We also work full-time. With this in mind, we are thinking about making our posting on a regular schedule instead sharing a lot and then being silent for periods of time. We have an idea as to what that schedule will be but don’t want to put it in black and white just yet. Please be patient with us as we get this routine down.

We hope you have had a great Summer as well and that the Fall brings you warm thoughts as the season changes. If you would like to be on the journey of building a community with us and be involved in our community, please subscribe to this blog, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Its time to eat, and eat, and eat!

Posted on February 8, 2017 by Evan Glenn

This is going to be a long post. Let’s discuss how nutrition works with our bodies. I am going to try to keep it simple and easy to follow.

Losing weight is simple. There are a couple of things you need to first understand. The first of these is how your body survives, and another is what RMR is.

Your body knows how to survive and keep working.

A little analogy: Imagine that you were going to be going to the desert but couldn’t take anything with you. You could prepare for the trip though. You should drink lots of water. When you get out in the heat, your body might expel some of the water in the form of sweat, but after a while, it recognizes that it is not getting any more and will retain the water in your body to survive.

This is how it works when not in the desert as well. Drinking little to no water throughout the day, your body retains the water in your body to survive. The more water you drink and on a regular interval throughout the day, your body says, “I am getting water every so many minutes/hours so I don’t have to keep it. I will expel it.” This causes calorie burn.

The same goes for food. When you only eat once a day, your body holds all of those nutrients, because it goes into survival mode. It doesn’t know when it will get its next meal, so it holds it. The more times that you eat throughout the day, your body processes/digests the food, which causes calorie burn.

Did you catch what I said happens when drinking water and eating often throughout the day? Your body has to expel/burn it. The most important part of losing weight and trimming down is eating. When you eat several (4-6) times a day, your body begins burning calories all on its own. No exercise needed!

Now before you repeat that last sentence out loud with exclamation, you have to look at the drinks/foods/meals that you are eating 4-6 times a day. If it is sodas, candy bars, and chips and large

Name calling...Bad, Bad food — Name calling…Bad, Bad food

helpings of fried foods, then your body turns all of that into fat. Consuming more calories than your body can burn becomes extra energy that becomes fat.

Calories provide fuel your body needs to function, whether it’s from protein, carbohydrates, or fat. Each day you expend a certain amount of energy based off or your metabolic rate (RMR) and by doing daily activities. This energy is fueled from the calories you consume or breaking down energy stores— such as fat. Therefore, the more active you are, the more calories you will burn.

Your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) usually accounts for about 60-70% of daily expenditure of calories. Energy to maintain cardiac function, neural function, and repair the body’s cells and structures are included in your RMR. In addition, the more muscle mass you have, the higher the RMR—so you will burn more calories.

So how do you figure out your RMR? There is a very long formula based on metric units of measurements that then have to be converted to standard measurements so that you can get the number of calories that your body needs just to maintain/survive. An easy, simple version of this is for you to stand on a scale and read your weight then if you are female multiply by 10. If you are male, multiply by 11.

How can you turn eating all day long into losing weight? Yes, you eat less amount of calories. But you do it the smart healthy way. You still need to eat from all of the five food groups so that your body can function properly and you remain healthy.

Now I will tackle the “No exercise needed” statement. In order to achieve results of weight loss, exercise will need to be engaged. Physical activity burns additional calories. We can discuss the different ways and levels of exercising later. I will end this post by saying if you consume less calories and add exercise to your day, the scale will not shout when you stand on it. Also, be patient. Your body does need to adapt to the new routine. Those “quick diets” and other schemes will get you results, but they are stopping your body from functioning how it is supposed to in order to survive.

New Adventure!

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Evan Glenn

The way that multimedia and technology have become such a commonplace in everyone’s lives today and continues to grow in leaps and bounds each and every day. I have decided to take some of my knowledge that I have acquired over the last 20 years and share it with the world.

I have been pondering doing this for some time and finally decided to give it a go.

My reason for beginning this adventure is to share with you the knowledge that I have learned to help you enjoy the multimedia and technology in your life. Do I think that my opinions or unbiased views are the only authority in these fields? No. There are many great sites and blogs that cover most of the topics that I will speak on as well. I hope that I can provide advice for you in connecting, turning on, setting up and using the media and tech in your home that will stand out from the crowd.

I have set up a website and a facebook page to help with getting the advice out to everyone. I do ask that you help share the sites with your family, friends, and peers. Also, I ask that you give me some feedback on the site and the posts. Keep in mind that this is a work in progress and will continue to grow. Please be patient as I put more information together and present it to you. Thank you for your help in advance.

www.casuallysharpmultimedia.com

facebook.com/casuallysharpmultimedia