Confessions & Chocolate » family

Episode #045: Making Dinnertime a Joy Part 2: Overcome the Whining and End the Food War.

rbradshaw — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 01:00:36 +0000

Has dinnertime at your home become a battlefield? Feel like a short order cook in your own home…without the tips? If food has become a war between you and your children, it is time to get tough and end the battle. Deb and Heather share proven methods to eliminate whining, refusal to eat, poor table manners, and how to stimulate conversation about more than the ‘yucky’ green peas. Some of these ideas might just help your child learn to love broccoli, and if not, at least you can find ways to hide the broccoli in their food. Laugh with us as you hear stories that just may have been stolen from your kitchen.

Challenge: Choose one of the dinnertime obstacles you are facing and choose a solution to try. Give it a fair shot, at least a week, and really commit to following through. Note any improvement in your kids behavior and mealtimes. Keep trying ideas until you find one that works. Things will not change overnight, but keep the vision of the mealtime you want in mind, and you CAN overcome the food battles.

Chocolate Chip Meringue Bar Cookies- Taste of Home

Chocolate Chip Cookie Batter

3 egg whites

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

¼ cup chopped walnuts

Spread cookie batter in 13×9x2 in. pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until top is dry. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in brown sugar, vanilla and salt on high speed until stiff peaks form. Spread over warm cookies to within 1” of the edge. Sprinkle with walnuts. Bake for 25 minutes. Cut into 2 dzn bars.

Resources: Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld, Dr Laura Schlessinger

Episode #044: Making Dinnertime a Joy Part 1: What is Your Vision?

rbradshaw — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:00:32 +0000

When you picture the perfect family dinner, do you see the Cleavers gathered around the table with June in her pearls and heels serving a hearty pot roast and home baked pie to a happy grateful family? That’s not what happens in my house, and probably not yours either. If you want to change dinnertime to a sacred time and bring your family closer together, you need a vision. Listen and be inspired to create a new possibility for your meal time…the kitchen truly is the heart of the home.

Challenge: Spend time talking with your partner about the vision you have for mealtimes in your home. Together enlist your family and children in this vision. Identify major problems your family is having to making this vision a reality, keeping the possibility of a stress free, enjoyable time to gather each evening and talk with those you love the most about their days and the things that are important to them.

Resources: http://fitsugar.com/1078034/print, http://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/nut198.htm, http://www.mealsmatter.org

Episode #039: Putting Peace Back in Christmas Part 2 – All I Want for Christmas is . . . Simply Peace

rbradshaw — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:00:29 +0000

Putting Peace Back in Christmas Part 2 – All I Want for Christmas is . . . Simply Peace

You can simplify Christmas without sacrificing the 5 things that we all want most out of the holidays:
Realistic expectations about gifts
A few well chosen gifts
Relaxed and loving time with the family
An evenly paced holiday season
Strong family traditions

There are ways to bring the joy into the season AND get it all done when you plan together as a family how to incorporate what makes Christmas come alive for each family member from decorations to gifts to religious activities. Learn what Deb did to make gift giving a breeze and created lifelong memories for her family at the same time. We expect too much from Christmas and from ourselves. Remember, no one has the Kodak holiday – except the people who staged the photo shoots in Good Housekeeping! Create your own special rhythm and flare that fits your family to a tee.

Challenge: Don’t expect too much from Christmas. It can’t strengthen your family, lift your spirits in winter, stimulate compassion and generosity, keep tabs on far-flung friends, confirm your deepest religious beliefs AND show off your hostess skills at the same time. Let the holiday evolve with your family’s individual style and do the activities you truly enjoy. Of course that include making fudge!!!

Resources:
Flylady.com
OrganizedChristmas.com
Google: Stress Free Christmas
Unplug the Christmas Machine by Jo Robinson and Jean Staeheli

Episode #038: Overcoming the Hectic Holidays Part 1: Putting the Peace Back in Christmas

rbradshaw — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:00:20 +0000

For most women, the holidays are a time of joy and family…and stress, overeating and sleep deprivation. And each year we always say things like, Next Year I’ll Be More Organized, or Next Year I Will Feel Less Hectic, or Next Year I Wont Plan So Much to Do. Instead of waiting for next year, listen today and learn ideas to bring more peace to your celebrations this year and make the holidays about family, faith and togetherness. By simplifying and having a clear purpose you can experience a memorable holiday without the chaos.

Challenge: Spend time in quiet thought this week about the upcoming holidays. Decide what is vital and important to you and what you want to accomplish with the holidays.

Next, hold a planning meeting with your family and give everyone a chance to say what they would like to have happen for the holidays. To spark ideas and make it a fun gathering, get out old Christmas photos or family movies to get everyone in the spirit.

Reconcile your ideas with your families since, we all know, you will be the driver behind making the holidays happen in your home. Make a master list and tack it up so you can stay on track. Or if you like to take your organization a step further, check out one of the resources listed below for holiday planners and enjoy sailing through your holidays with plenty of peace, time for quiet, and what matters most.

Resources:

www.flylady.com
www.organizedhome.com search for Christmas
google search ‘stress free Christmas’
‘Unplug the Christmas Machine’ by

Episode #035: Protecting the Gift Part 3: Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! Preparing Your Children for the Dangers in Our World Today

rbradshaw — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:20 +0000

Just as mothers on the prairie had to protect their children from rattlesnakes, bears, and other dangers in their world, we women of today must keep our children safe from the inherent dangers in our world. Be informed yourself, teach your children, follow safety protocols, and then turn your children over to God – they are His children first. Here are many websites as resources in this journey through the “wilds” of 21st Century living:

www.ncmec.org National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

www.fbi.gov/hq/cid/cac/registry.htm

www.nsopr.gov U.S. Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Registry

www.ice.gov/graphics/predator/sexoffenders.htm

These sites have teaching tips, safety quizzes for you and your children, and ideas for both of you in being safe and having peace of mind.

Protecting the Gift by Gavin DeBecker

Recipe:

No-Bake Chocolate Pie

7 milk chocolate candy bars chopped
20 large marshmallows
½ cup milk
2 cups whipped topping
1 graham cracker crust

In a heavy sauce pan, combine the candy bars, marshmallows and milk. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat and cool. Fold in whipped topping and pour into crust. Cover and put in fridge for 4 hours.

Episode #034: Protecting the Gift Part 2: Coping with the Reality of Sexual Predators. 4 Steps to Safety

rbradshaw — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:00:38 +0000

If you are prepared you shall not WORRY. Heather and Deb take you further into the world of protecting your children through education and action. The best antidote to worry is action. Almost all of the worry parents feel about keeping their children safe evolves from the conflict between intuition and inaction. Learn the steps to eliminate worry, listen to intuition and how to educate your children without making them paranoid.

Challenge: First, when faced with some worry or uncertain fear, here are two questions you can ask.
Am I responding to something in my environment or to something in my imagination?
Is this feeling based on something I perceive in my circumstance, or merely something in my memory?

Secondly, get educated. A great place to start is the book Protecting the Gift by Gavin deBecker. Then educate your children.

Episode #033: Protecting the Gift Part 1: Replace Worry with Intuition to Keep Your Children Safe in Today’s World

rbradshaw — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:00:57 +0000

The world can be a scary and dangerous place to raise children today. As mothers we are blessed with a special gift to tune into the dangers and replace worry with intuitive action. Join Heather and Deb as they discuss a life-changing book Protecting the Gift and explore how you can let your Wild Brain free to protect your children and let go of your worries. Also learn the important of true fear and how it can move you to action.

Challenge: Commit to really listening to your intuition. Pay attention to that gut feeling you get when something or someone isn’t quite right, and act on it. Trust that you can let go of your worry and be a mother with power and intuition.

Resources: Protecting the Gift by Gavin DeBecker.

Episode #29: Play Ball!! Part 2: The advantages of Free Play and UNDERscheduling our children.

rbradshaw — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:14:51 +0000

Hosts Deb White, Heather Johnson, and Carolyn Pennington discuss youth sports in America with Dr. Mary Sara Wells, an expert on the topic. The upsides of participating in team sports. Getting your kids to enjoy physical activity at a young age can develop healthy habits that will continue with them into adulthood. There are many activities that your kid can do besides the traditional sports like basketball and football. For example, skiing, snowboarding, rowing, mountain climbing, biking, lacrosse etc. Other benefits for putting your children is sports is that your children learn how to interact with others and to work together as a team. They also learn how to fail in a controlled environment.

Listen to the show and make comments to get 2 FREE tickets to the upcoming woman’s conference!

Resources:

startupprincess.com
naturallysweetrecipes.com

Episode #28: Play Ball!! Part 1: Have we forgotten the “PLAY” part of that?

rbradshaw — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:25:02 +0000

Hosts Deb White, Heather Johnson, and Carolyn Pennington discuss youth sports in America with Dr. Mary Sara Wells, an expert on the topic. It is difficult as mothers to find a balance between keeping our children active and pushing them to hard. Many children’s are so structured with every moment that their is no room for free time and creativity.

Challenge: Take a look at your child’s schedule and see if you are over scheduling their life.

Episode #027 Mother of Bridezilla Part 2: Are Bridezillas born of made? Use the 4 C’s to keep the happiness flowing.

rbradshaw — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:00:49 +0000

Helping to plan your daughter’s wedding is a significant rite of passage in your life. Tune in to share in the up’s and down’s of wedding planning ala MOB (Mother of the Bride) and learn some powerful strategies to deepen and enrich your bond as mother and daughter through this life changing time. A daughter is a magical thing – if you are blessed to have one, recognize this blessing.

Challenge:

Remember the 4 C’s: Be your daughter’s Cheerleader, Complimenter, Confidante, and Champion!

Episode #026 Mother of Bridezilla Part 1: Whose Wedding is it Anyhow? From “Will You” to “I Do” with your daughter.

rbradshaw — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:47:10 +0000

So you’ve gotten the amazing news that your daughter is getting married and the joy and happiness is tangible. How do you get from “Will You Marry Me?” to “I Do” and keep that joy and happiness alive and well for both you and your daughter?

Chocolate Recipe:

Another choice chocolate find – Amber Lyn Chocolates. Amber Lyn makes a healthy, yummy chocolate high in anti-oxidants, diabetic safe, all natural, sugar free treat that tastes just the way chocolate should!!! You’ll find it at Costco and Sam’s Club on their road show weeks or visit their website at www.amberlynchocolate.com

Episode #018: Proud to Be an American? Fun Ways to Teach Your Children Patriotism and Get Involved in Your Community

rbradshaw — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:37:23 +0000

Deb White, Heather Johnson, and guest host Kimberly Small (mother/attorney) talk about what it means to be a Patriot. Teaching your kids to develop love for their country. Do simple things like teaching your kids ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ on a road trip, teach them how to fold the flag, send letters to people in the military. The importance of becoming involved in the community to have your voice heard! A great show for the 4th of July season!

Listen to the whole show to get another great chocolate recipe!

Episode #017: I’m Bored! Beat Kid Boredom with Fun Crafts, Recipes and Activities From Family Fun Magazine

rbradshaw — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:48:33 +0000

Summer is a magical time of year of kids. No school, no homework, no schedule. But how do you beat the ‘I’m bored!’ summer blues? And how do you stay connected and have fun with your kids after they are grown and moved out? Laugh and learn how to keep your sanity, whether your babies are in preschool, or newlyweds. Senior Associate Editor of FamilyFun Magazine, Ellen Wall, also shares some great craft ideas and easy activities for all ages to keep your kids busy, learning, and having fun all summer long. You will relate to these ideas and surely find some you, and your budget, can live with.

Challenge:
Start a summer bucket list—things you want to do with your kids or family before the end of the summer. Let every family member give ideas. Narrow them down to a manageable list and schedule the activities on the calendar. Then see your summer transform into one anticipated event after another.

Get more family fun ideas by picking up a copy of FamilyFun Magazine or go to FamilyFun.com and subscribe for a year of fun family ideas. You can also usually find copies of FamilyFun at your local library. Don’t forget to comment at the end of this podcast for a chance to win FREE copies of FamilyFun Magazine.

Recipe:
Chocolate-coated mousse-cream cones (Hungry Girl)

2 flat bottom ice cream cones
1 jell-o sugar free pudding snack any flavor
2 T sugar free chocolate syrup, room temp.
½ c. Cool-whip fat free

Put 1 T syrup inside cone until evenly coated and put in freezer.
Put cool-whip and pudding in dish and stir. Chill in freezer 45 min to an hour- but not fully frozen
Spoon cool-whip mixture into cones.
Top each cone with a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
Only 84 calories and 1 gram of fat.
Enjoy!

Resources:
www.familyfun.com

Episode #006 – Design a Nurturing Home in a Crazy World: Tips to Keeping Your Sanity as a Mother

heatherjohnson — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 20:07:34 +0000

Children. Kids. Our little ones. Whether young or grown, they will always be our babies. We love them, would give our lives for them, but being a parent sure isn’t an easy task! Join host Carolyn as she shares parenting ideas and strategies to keep yourself from losing it in those difficult moments and to nurture your children’s spiritual needs. As women and mothers we have power inside our homes to create the world… through our children. Focus on the positive in your children and praise the good they do each day. You are raising our world’ future leaders and we have the power to bless our little ones with the tools they need to be people of character.

Challenge: Register for the FREE parentwithpurpose.com reading program for your younger children (under age 8). Go home this week and find ways to shower your children and spouse with love. Tell them you love them, acknowledge the good they do, and give a bit more positive praise.

References: parentwithpurpose.com free reading program, The Power of Positive Parenting by Dr. Glenn Latham