How to Pole Dance Like Nobody’s Watching
A few Saturdays ago, I ran out of gas. Literally. This is not the type of thing that should happen to a fully functional adult. But, there you are. I rolled the dice one too many times with the empty light and came up short.
We’d been in a rush to get to my daughter’s soccer game (what else is new) with not a moment to spare for gas. After our mad dash though, the game was delayed. Figures. I really, really wanted one more cup of coffee. So, I jumped in the car and started for the bakery — not the gas station. Good priorities. Read the story »
Zen Mommy Minute: Skinned Knees Rock
As we begin the 2010-11 school year, I’m needing to remind myself of this:
As parents it is important to allow our children to fail, to fall down and to be disappointed. Sound harsh? Believe it or not, it actually helps our kids build their self-esteem when we refrain from “saving” them from life.
What have you done when your child has left his or her lunch/homework/gym shorts at home??!?!! Do you remember being a kid and learning from life when it gave you a skinned knee or two? I’d love to hear about it. Read the story »
How to Make Quick Fried Rice
I really detest cooking in the summer. Did I mention it’s 100 degrees in the shade these days? And frankly, my kids and I have more fun things to do that take too much time in front of the stove. Like last night, we were on a mission to squeeze in a few more episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender. But the mom in me said chips and twizzlers just was not going to cut it for dinner. So while the girl was in the bath, the boy and I whipped this up in 10 minutes!
And the best part was they loooooved it. Both my 8 yo and 6 yo asked for seconds. We finished the whole thing, which meant I didn’t even have leftovers to put away!
So here’s the recipe, which Rachael Ray-style, is not very exact. My 6 yo sous chef and I kinda made it up as we went along.
• aidell’s cooked chicken and apple sausage,chopped
• 1/2 zucchini, chopped
• handful of button mushrooms, chopped
• 2 eggs
• pre-cooked white/brown rice. It’s better if it is made at least 1 day prior. Ours happened to be a week old.
• salt to taste
• 1 tbs of vegetable oil
Heat vegetable oil on medium high in frying pan or wok. Add EVERYTHING, one by one in order of how long it takes to cook. I added the chicken sausage first until brown. Then, the mushrooms. Then, the zucchinis. Then cleared a spot in the middle. Dropped in the two eggs. Mixed it all together.
We added the salt in each serving bowl to taste.
By the way, this recipe so in the spirit of traditional fried rice. Really, put anything in there you want. Leftover steak is especially good.
Do you have any go-to quick dinners? I’m always looking for more ideas!
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Practical Mommy is Ria Sharon, co-creator of the Yoga Parenting course. Are you ready for parenting to be easier, more fun and less stressful?
Baby Watch
34 Weeks: Stress and Football
Scary moments on Monday. I had to go to the hospital because I was having major cramping and back pain during the morning show. They hooked me up to monitor Skittles and me. He was okay but the doctor said my uterus was very active and irritable. He told me that getting up at 1:15 in the morning for work and the routine stress during my shift is causing it. Well, I can’t avoid those two things so I am playing mind games with myself in the morning to try and stay calm. The natural adrenaline rush television reporters get while they are on air isn’t unhealthy but apparently pregnant woman have more adrenaline in them any way so the combo is too much. A lot of people think morning news anchors just show up, do their hair and read. John and I get to work earlier than most morning anchors. We are here by 3AM and help write the two hour show plus we read over the scripts and rewrite them. We are never done by show time so we are also writing during the show when we aren’t...
Wordless Wednesday
Tree Hugger
Future tree hugger! —— For more cute-school pictures, go to our Huggable Moments Gallery. ...
Weekly Practical & Inspired Product
Graham & Brown Frames Wallpaper
We’re all about CONNECTION! Are you tired of hearing that yet?! Well, connection is why I personally love this inspired wallpaper idea from Graham & Brown. My kids and I had a blast personalizing an area of our home together! Watch the VIDEO and see! Because the whole concept serves multiple purposes, Frames Wallpaper is practical too. • It was a great indoor activity as the temperature outside soared to 100 degrees. • It added a splash of creativity to the house. • It was easy to do — this took me 10 minutes to put up. For real. • It sends a powerful message: every time we see it, it’s a great reminder of our collaborative work as well as how much I value their creativity and artistic sensibilities. Now through August 16, get 25% OFF your order with COUPON CODE: EXCITE 25 $40/roll Width: 20.5in, Roll length: 32.8ft. Check out these other great ideas for how to use Frames. I really love them all. Read More →
Yoga Parenting
Positive Parenting Tip: The Importance of PredictabilityOur Yoga Parenting audio tips are presented every Friday by Michaela Turner, BS Ed, CYKT, YKT, Co-creator of the Yoga Parenting course. A great tip for both kids AND parents! Listen to this :15 AUDIO TIP: Are you ready for parenting to be easier, more fun and less stressful? Read More →
Book Reviews
How to Trust Your Gut
How do we teach our kids how to pay attention to their gut instincts? Expert Mommy and author, Carrie Silver-Stock shares some great tips with us from her book, Secrets Girls Keep. Personally, I loved the fact that Carrie organizes her book in such a way that highlights seven powerful tools for tween and teen girls, regardless of the situation. Carrie’s positive approach to parenting is very much in line with my own. This book was encouraging, a pleasure to read, and oh so practical! Watch this VIDEO interview with Carrie Silver-Stock. Related Articles How to Teach Intuition Read More →
Babies & Kids
How to Bathe Your BabyAdmittedly, Zen Mommy is super mommy as seen in this VIDEO! *wink* But there are a few handy items that make bathing baby easy. The Puj tub is one, which is why I chose it as Practical Mommy pick for NEW MOM gifts on my segment on Great Day St. Louis. That segment is posted here. Related Articles How to Give Your Newborn a Bath Read More →
Tweens & Teens
How to Start Talking Birds & BeesHow do you start conversations with your teen/tween about how their bodies are changing: why they need to start wearing deodorant or when they can start shaving or why everyone is whispering about Suzy and Johnny? Watch this VIDEO of a Girls in the Know session with Dr. Denise Meckler, OB/GYN. Related Articles How to Talk About Sex — Practical Mommy is Ria Sharon, co-creator of the Yoga Parenting course. Are you ready for parenting to be easier, more fun and less stressful? Read More →
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How to Make a Pomodoro Sauce: Easy, Versatile, Practical
Ever since a trip to Italy years ago, I’ve been in search of the perfect Pomodoro. It’s a fabulous summer recipe, light and healthy. After many years, I’m proud and happy to say, I just made it up myself! Thus, it is super easy! 8 roma tomatoes 2 tbs. of olive oil basil (fresh or freeze dried) olive oil spray 1/2 cup of fresh grated parmesan cheese mozarella (optional) salt to taste First, place the tomatoes in the broiler, sprayed with olive oil, and sprinkled with a bit of salt and basil. Broil until tender (10-15 minutes). Cool. Mash. Add parmesan cheese. Add 2 tbs. of olive oil Mix. That’s it! Pour on pasta and top with fresh mozarella! I’ve already made it twice this week and my 6 year old loved it. Here’s another tip: make a whole pot of it and keep adding stuff. Great options: roasted vegetables like zucchinis and mushrooms, meat, eggplant, bacon. The possibilities are endless. I also used it to make bruschettas for lunch one day. How’s...















