My Mommy Manual (For the Journey)
In pregnancy, parenting, loss, healing and growth, there is no one right way. The manual is ours to write, but we don't have to write it alone.
It’s a delicious and nutritious seasonal snack and it’s easy enough for kids to make almost entirely on their own! My daughter who is a HUGE fan of pumpkin seeds (especially if she made them…) teaches us how kids can whip up a batch in the kitchen. Recipe included in VIDEO (2:31).
Do your kids have a go-to recipe that they love for Halloween or Thanksgiving? Share it with us in the comments below. And give Reilly some props! She’s a natural!
I surrender. I give up and give in to the ten tons of laundry that has invaded my home, along with the despicable crumbs of food everywhere and the fact that I haven’t showered in three days. And no, I don’t have two newborns… not even one!
It’s New Years Eve Day and well, that’s just how it is around here. You know what, I think I’ll make it. 2011 will come anyway… no end of the world, despite my clearly having lost my Type A Mom status.
But seriously now, “surrender” was my word for 2010. When it came to me on New Year’s Eve 2009, I didn’t realize the weight of it — it’s significance and what it would require. What?! You mean I actually have to do it? Give up control?! It was only when I actually let go that I realized how tightly I was holding on — and how tired I was from doing it.
Have you ever watched your kids insist on doing something “the hard way?” Just recently, I told my 7yo, “Trust me on this one. It’s better if you…”
Of course, he summarily dismisses my shoe-tying “wisdom” but eventually he does learn from doing it BOTH ways that I actually sometimes know stuff. But he had to get there all on his own.
A highlight from 2010 was when I shared a panel discussion with Kimberly Coleman and she said, “You make plans and God laughs.” I imagine God laughs a lot when She watches me insist on doing things my way too because She’s been saying, “Trust me! It’s easier THIS way.”
I remember Kim fondly when either me or my kids insist on “pushing rope.” I have a much greater compassion quotient for their desire to control their own destiny. And I’m slowly developing some self-compassion for the times I’ve chosen to summarily dismiss Divine Wisdom myself and at least learned, if but the hard way, that there is an easier way.
I’m wrapping up 2010 and putting a bow on it. It doesn’t look pretty right now but it feels really, really good.
What’s YOUR word for 2011?
I got mine in the wee hours of one morning but that’s a subject of an entirely separate post!
Happy New Year, my friend!
I love to eat sweets. I love to bake. (Which came first, the chicken or the egg?)
My older two girls have inherited my sweet-tooth I am proud (and horrified) to say. So when the publishers of “Bon Appetit Desserts” asked if they could mail me their new 689 page cookbook full of only (you guessed it) desserts to review, I said, “Heck YEAH!!!” The deal was sealed when they agreed to send an additional cookbook to pass on to YOU. (Just comment – gotta play to WIN!)
Described on the cover as the cookbook for “all things sweet and wonderful”, I’d have to agree. A forty dollar value and I don’t know how many pounds heavy, you’ll want to sit down with a cup of coffee and flip through this eye-pleaser thanks largely to award winning photographer and frequent Bon Appetit contributor Con Poulos.
This 50 second video from when the kids and I took it on a “test run” this past Thanksgiving holiday weekend will give you a good look at what you could win! (Did I mention 689 pages?) We poured over our new, easy to follow and pretty-to-look-at cookbook and picked three non-fussy recipe to make. [Read more...]
As part of The Great Purge of 2010, we’re on a Real Food regimen for the next few days. This means vegetarian, no wheat and minimally processed food. Diann, a Master Cleanse veteran has offered some advice: have everything you need ready in advance. #wise
I’ve made a double batch of granola. It’s a no excuse simple recipe, really. And nut-free since I have a severe peanut and tree nut kid.
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey (I used local organic)
4 cups oats
2 cup raw sunflower seeds
2 cups raw pumpkin seeds
1 cup diced apricots
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup dried cranberries
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix oats and seeds and oil and honey thoroughly in a big bowl.
Pour into baking sheets. Bake for 25 minutes until golden brown, stirring every 5 minutes.
Cool for 5-10 minutes. Add fruit.
Store in airtight container.
I’ll be sharing any more ingenious quick and healthy recipes we come up with… but we could always use more so if you have any, leave a comment, will ya?
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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?
Kids love Halloween. I don’t know about yours, but mine love everything leading up to the big night as much as the trick or treating itself. Plans for what to wear begin as early as July. And no matter what ages your kids are, it’s always fun to get creative in the kitchen. Cooking is such a great way to connect.
Here are three super easy ideas that don’t take a lot of supplies, talent OR time. And they are SURE to be a hit with your tots to tweens.
Watch the 5 min video below and I’ll talk you through making each one. The segment was taped live on Oct 29th on the St. Louis morning show Great Day St. Louis. The cliff note version is below as well! 
Watermelon BRAIN: Just a small watermelon, [Read more...]
I wanted to talk about ways to keep your children entertained while on a coupon run. I always recommend that if possible avoid couponing with your kids, however that is not always possible. In fact for many of us shopping with our kids is our only option. I wanted to share with you some ideas for ways to make your experience positive for both you and your children.
I always look for inexpensive ways to reward my son as we shop. It is always amazing to me what entertains him and what simple steps I can do to “include” him in the process.
1. Make a shopping list for your child. I always make a special list for my son to carry at the store. He always wants my list so if he has his own it works out better for us. I include a few of his favorite items on the list and give him a pencil/crayon to mark of the items as we put them in the cart. [Read more...]
This recipe was a total mishap but it turns out to be one of my husband’s favorites!! A couple of weeks ago we strayed from the menu because we were so wanting Chicken and Noodles. So I put a split chicken in the crock pot in 2.5 cups of water and cooked it all night on low!! It smelled so good!! The next morning I was up shredding and picking the bones out of the chicken! That is when the phone rang and we received a dinner invitation we could not refuse! So I put a Ziploc bag of shredded chicken in the frig!! The next day, I wanted to make sure I used the chicken…
Shel’s Accidental Tex Mex Dinner was born and it is so so EASY!!!
You need:
Spilt Chicken Breast
2 cans of RoTel Tomatoes with Green Chilies
1 can Green Enchilada sauce
2 cans refried beans
1 bag of Kraft Mexi Cheese
Sour Cream
Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch
1 Santa Fe Rice
The idea of their son volunteering and pitching in with chores may cause some parents to weep for joy, but getting your son to contribute to the household should not be a horrible chore in itself. In fact, chores can really help boost your son’s confidence, fulfill their need to be needed, and teach them to respect their own, as well as other people’s, time and effort.
One key to get everyone to help (as happily as possible) is how you present the idea of chores. If you, as parents, complain and grumble, your son will follow suit with this same attitude. Instead, try and maintain an upbeat attitude and use music or games to make chores as enjoyable as possible. It’s also a good idea to start at a young age. Let your son follow you around while you do chores – maybe even let him fold/play with a towel while you do laundry, and it would be a fun time for him to imitate and interact with you. Seeing you do chores will also instill in him the understanding that chores are not impositions, but necessary in maintaining a comfortable home.
Getting started: Nobody likes to be taken for granted, so if your family decides to assign chores make sure there is a reward. Rewards can be anything from a praise to allowances and chore charts*, this has to be determined by what works for your family and how old your son is. [Read more...]
