Day: April 22, 2013

  • Eating Healthy

    Eating Healthy

    Keeping our bodies healthy means eating right, exercising and getting the right amount of play time and rest time.

    That’s hard to balance for kids!  I’ve noticed my oldest Princess V struggling lately to communicate her feelings. We were experiencing meltdowns way too often for anyone’s enjoyment. One day after her dance class, when we left early because it became too much, I decided we need to talk.  At 6 years old, I feel she can understand more on what she can do to take care of her physical body and avoid the it’s’ just too much and I’m just TIRED meltdowns.

    The first place I decided to start was with food. She has always been such a picky eater (despite my best efforts to follow the baby advice at starting with veggies and moving to fruits…it still resulted in a picky eater). I do my best to offer healthy options at all meals, and for snacks, but sometimes – the chocolate milk wins out, the cookies are set out, and it’s just too hard to cut up carrots that will be pushed to the side for lunch.  Excuses excuses – I know. So she and I are both doing better.

    It’s only been a few days since we first talked about making healthier choices with Princess V, but already she complains less about her food, and seems a tad more willing to try it out.  I was shocked when she ate all her peas, chose to finish her potatoes over her pork, and even asked for an apple! 

    The best part – the daily (often more than once a day) tantrums and meltdowns have seriously become almost non-existent. She is more pleasant to be around, and when there is a problem, we’ve been able to talk it out before hysteria sets in.

    I am so proud of my girl and the example she is setting, both for her sisters and for me. Her effort has encouraged me to look at what I eat more, and stick to the healthier foods, with sugary snacks as more of a once in awhile treat.

    I was given Skinny Spices E-Book to review, and the whole introduction really resonated with me.
    You could easily call me a spice addict. I love spices, and adding different flavors to dishes. The best part is, most spices add little to no calories and processed junk to your food. In basic terms – it’s a great way to add flavor while keeping it healthy!

    It’s not just about the food though. Like I said earlier, we have to care for our bodies through food, exercise, and a well balanced scheduled. The author of Skinny Spices knows this too, and she doesn’t sugar coat it (pun not intended…)

    oh I just love the way she put that. Can you picture it? Coating yourself in curry powder? My kids attempted it with flour once…not such a pretty sight…or mess…to clean up.

    I’m excited to try out some of the spice blends from this book, and the recipes that go along with them. In the new enhanced E-book edition makes finding recipes a breeze for what you have on hand!

    BUY THE BOOK
     
    *I received a copy of Skinny Spices to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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    Monday – Fast Fiesta Soup
    Tuesday – Princess R’s birthday dinner: Home made Pizza and M&M cupcakes.
    Wednesday – Pork Chow Mein
    Thursday – Spaghetti with Garlic toast (using the Mild Garlic and Parsley Blend from Skinny Spices)
    Friday – Sandwiches
    Saturday – Hamburgers and Hot Dogs with friends
    Sunday – Steak and Potatoes
     
    menu-plan-monday 
  • Earth Day Craft: Milk Jug Planter

    Earth Day Craft: Milk Jug Planter

    Monday is Earth Day!  I love this day to celebrate our planet, and give a little back. It’s also a great day for teaching our children. I know, I should be better about teaching them every day, but I’m not.  We’re working on that though.

    School days always get away from me, so I thought, hey let’s do a fun little learning crafty thing on Saturday. The girls were at first just ho humming, do we have to turn the wii off mom? attitude when I told them we were going to plant flowers.  (by the way, I’m a mean mom and they only get to play wii on Saturday’s).  Once I pulled out all the stuff, and had them run outside to find some rocks, their attitudes changed pretty fast.

    This truly is a simple “craft” that anyone can do, with very basic supplies. You’ll want to start with an empty milk jug. Wash it out as good as you can, and then using a pair of kitchen shears (or other good scissors) cut the jug in half, just below the handle.

     Step 1

    While you, the adult, are handling the scissors, send your children out into the wild to find some rocks. Not too large, but not too small either (unless of course you have a gravel pit, then by all means get a bunch of tiny rocks).
    Now that the dangerous scissor cutting is done, and you have a pile of rocks, layer the rocks in the bottom of the jug. I would go up about 1 inch for good drainage. You don’t want your plants sitting in too much water. 

    Step 2

    Next cover the rocks with dirt up to the top of the jug. I used some extra seed starter I had, but you can go out and get some backyard dirt for this project too. My kids I know would love any excuse to go dig up some dirt.  

    Step 3

    Now you’re ready to plant. I let the Princesses choose from a myriad of seeds, just because I already had them (thanks Mom!).  So in our recycled milk jugs we’re growing Marigolds, Sweet Peas, and Daisies. Once the seeds are planted give them a drink of water, set out in the sun, and wait for them to grow. 
    Since putting ours outside, the Princesses have been checking on them every few hours, to see if they’ve come up yet. So far the idea hasn’t worn off, and they haven’t lost their patience. I just have to continue to explain that it takes a few days for them to grow. 
    Next on our spring crafty list – A Fairy House!