Whether you are dealing with a chronic health situation, or temporary but, or maybe expecting a baby or recovering from delivery, there will be times when you are NOT on top of things physically.  Then what happens to your well-orchestrated plan and the flow of your life when mom’s down and out?  How can we, as women, navigate these waters and keep them calm instead of dark and stormy?  Tune in as our host, Carolyn Pennington, relates her continuing trek towards health and teaches us strategies she’s learned to weather storms when mom is sick.

Challenge:  Gather things that give you a lift and place them in a drawer or box to bring out when you are sick or under the weather.  Include a favorite movie, a yummy chocolate, special notes from people in your life, a deck of cards, a special poetry book, scented lotion, a candle, soft bedsocks, and anything else that lifts your body, mind, and soul.  Add things to this collection when you are drawn to something that nurtures you.  And keep the chocolate well stocked!

Recipe:  Chocolate Smoothie

1 banana – frozen works great!
3 TBSP Cocoa Powder
1 can coconut milk – found in the Asian food aisle
2 TBSP Honey
2 cups ice cubes

Blend with the LID firmly in place!! Until smooth and frothy.

 

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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!

 

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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

 

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Vacations are vital to your health and emotional well-being and you are worth it! Stop waiting and start balancing work and play–vacation now! Learn how to take care of yourself with vacations and time to relax and unwind. Special guest Travel Guru Leslie Knecht shares her favorite tips on affordable travel.

Challenge: Set up a travel account, sign up for travel websites, make a travel vision board and PICK A DATE!

References: citydeals.com, cruise.com, google.com to look for coupon codes, marriott.com, southwest.com -download the ding deals, about.com, AAA card

 

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Do you fit everyone into your schedule – except you?  Remember the oxygen mask instructions on the airplane – put your mask on first before you help someone traveling with you.  Why?  You are no good to anyone passed in the seat next to them!  You can’t pour from an empty pitcher.  God never meant for you not to get any of your own birthday cake.  He’s watching with great interest to see how you enjoy the blessings he creates for you every day – blessing for you, not just blessings to channel through you to others.  Just for you. Time for you, solitude to enjoy being born to this fabulous life.

Challenge of the week: Plan and carry out a 10-15 mini-vacation just for you several days this week.  Observe how your day goes.  The unexamined life is not worth living.  Examine yours today!

Recipe:

Personal Mug Triple Chocolate Cake   123 Calories and 2 Weight Watcher Points

2 TBSP Pillsbury Moist Supreme Reduced Sugar Devil’s Food Cake Mix
2 TBSP Cool Whip Free, thawed
1 TBSP FatFree Vanilla Yogurt
1 TBSP FatFree Sugar Free Chocolate Syrup

Stir Cool Whip and ½ the syrup and place in the freezer.  In a mug sprayed with cooking spray, mix cake mix and yogurt until smooth.  Microwave on high for 1 minute.  Cool for 5 minutes.  Spread chocolate mixture from freezer on cake and drizzle the rest of the syrup on top.  ENJOY!!

 

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As a woman you play many roles each day. It is easy to feel overwhelmed and lose yourself in the attempt to juggle them all. How do you balance all your many roles, and is it even possible? Is balance in life a myth, or can we achieve peace? Learn specific ways to add depth to your time and enjoy the simple and stolen moments of happiness. Join your host Heather as she shares ideas about how to take back your power and find that elusive balance in your life.

Challenge: Today concentrate slowly on completing one task at a time, every hour of the day, until the day is over. You will gain the inner peace that comes from living fully in the present moment. I promise you will accomplish all you set out to do and need to do with much more ease, efficiency, pleasure, and satisfaction when you merge mind, body, and spirit with the task at hand.

Recipe: Yum Yum Brownie Muffins-Hungry Girl Cookbook (Listen to the show to get the recipe)

References: The 5 Laws That Determine All of Life’s Outcomes, Flylady.com, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy

 

 Confessions & Chocolate Episode 007 [27:37m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

If you are not yet, one day you’ll be an “Empty Nester”. Tune in as Deb shares her experience of renegotiating marriage after the kids are grown. Listen as the hosts talk about ways to prepare now by getting better acquainted with yourself, your partner, your interests and hobbies, and deciding to embrace whatever season of life you find yourself in right now.

Challenge: Write a letter to your husband or partner telling him all the wonderful things he does to make your life better. Really think outside the box and include everything you can to be grateful for about your spouse. Then give it to your partner and watch the sparks fly!

Spray the inside of a mug with cooking spray.  

Combine well in mug:

2 TBSP Fat Free Brownie Mix

4 TBSP Water

Cook on high for 1 minute in microwave.

Let cool.

Top with Fat Free Caramel or Chocolate Syrup and Cool Whip.

 

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Welcome to C&C. Hear the hilarious story of how Confessions and Chocolate was named and meet the hosts, Deb, Carolyn, and Heather. Listen to Deb White’s inspiring story. Laugh and cry with us about her struggles and triumphs with weight-loss and how she discovered the power within, and how you can too.

Challenge: Who are you, really? Write down WHO YOU ARE. You can not identify yourself in relationship to another person (ie: I am Bobby’s Mom). Really explore who you are—this can be very revealing and help you define who you want to become.

 

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