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How Do I Cook With My Kids?

Filed Under: Kids, Mommy

How Do I Cook With My Kids and Not Go Crazy?

There are so many benefits to cooking with kids in the kitchen. It’s quality time that can be spent together but also teaches them many critical life skills during the process as well. Getting started can be a bit of a struggle sometimes. Knowing what is appropriate based on their age, finding a healthy recipe to cook with them, or figuring out ways to involve kids in the kitchen can get tricky (and let’s face it kind of intimidating) when you actually get into it.

Resources To Help You Start Cooking With Kids

I recently found some great resources to help answer all of these questions!  These provide some answers and ideas bringing kids in the kitchen to not only learn but help you out.

Fit Mama Real Food
This site has a page dedicated specifically to cooking with kids and she has some super helpful resources on the topic!

Teaching Kids to Cook By Age
100+ Simple Ways to Involve Kids In The Kitchen

Heather offers some great tips and advice. She’s a mom of four so you know life has to be hectic and she can understand the challenges that come up with bringing kids into the kitchen to help.

Food Network Recipes with Kids

Another great resource is Food Network, with their Cooking with Kids section which offers recipes to make with kids, as well as ideas on kitchen task and easy baking projects.

Cooking Task Kids Can Help With at Every Age

Kids Health from Nemours

Nemours is a trusted health resource and offers some advice on Cooking with Kids as well. Here are some of their suggestions:

  • Pick the Right time

Create opportunities for cooking with your kids when you aren’t short on time. If someone is hangry, it’s probably not a good time to try it.

  • Find Your Strategy

Prep work- Depending on your child/s age it can be easier if you do some prep work that could be pre-measuring for little ones, or pre-cutting things.

  • Set expectations

Most things work better when you set up the expectations upfront and this is no exception. Explain the boundaries and rules of the kitchen. If there’s a task an adult must complete let them know upfront.

  • Start Small

Keep it simple at first and let them complete a task that is small and easy to do with minimal assistance. This allows kids to build their skills slowly and the more you do it the more challenging the task can become.

  • Don’t Forget Breaks

Kids don’t have the longest of attention spans sometimes so it’s good to keep this in mind. For younger kids, it’s a good idea to give them a little bit of a break understanding they may not be ready to follow through from start to finish.

  • Acknowledge Their Work

Don’t forget to provide encouragement and affirm their accomplishments.  Be as specific/descriptive as possible with how they are doing a good job. For example, instead of just “great job!” you could say, “you did a great job mixing all the ingredients together and making sure they are all combined!” If something goes wrong, remind them it happens to everyone, and as long as they learn from it.

 

Kitchen Tools For Kids

Here are some tools from Amazon that are helpful and kid-friendly!


There are so many memories and lessons that are learned in the kitchen that kids will hold on to for years to come. It can be overwhelming and frustrating at times, so remember when those moments come, it’s not just you. There will be really fun and good moments too. The good moments will do your heart better than you can imagine!

 

 

Feeling overwhelmed with motherhood?  Check out the post below!

The Truth About Motherhood & Being An Awesome Mom feature

 

 

Kids are Great Cooks

Filed Under: Kids

Why Should Kids Learn How to Cook?

Kids Learn To Cook

If there’s something 2020 has definitely taught us; it’s the importance of life skills.  Due to the convenience of most things, we often take life skills for granted…that is until everything is closed, or supplies are limited.  Cooking is a vital life skill that even if you are someone who doesn’t prefer to do it, you still need to be capable of it which is why kids should learn how to cook.  Cooking involves critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

“If you give a man a fish he is hungry again in an hour.  If you teach him to catch a fish you, and you feed him for a lifetime. -Unknown”

What Skills Does Cooking Involve?

  • It is an activity that engages all the senses: smelling, tasting, touching, hearing, and seeing.
  • Temperature- converting temperatures for a recipe
  • Time- working on cooking times based on weight
  • Measurements- measuring correct quantities or changing measurements based on quantities that are being made.
  • Colors and Shapes
  • Fractions
  • Hand-eye coordination
  • Reading

Cooking Helps Teach Kids About:

There are many things that teaching children to cook helps teach them that goes beyond just nutrition for their bodies.

  • Family traditions with certain foods or meals
  • Other cultures
  • Combining flavors
  • Presentation
  • Science (what happens when certain ingredients are mixed together)
  • Promotes healthy eating
  • Promotes awareness about what you are eating
  • Math

Dr. Nimali Fernando, MD, MPH, FAAP, a practicing pediatrician, joyful experiences involving food can help kids overcome the anxiety they may have around tasting the unfamiliar.  Over time, cooking with kids can help build confidence and provide rich sensory experiences.

Research has shown that cooking at home often leads to healthier meals.  According to research from John Hopkins, when cooking at home people consume less sugar and fat.

 

Empowering Children to Learn to Cook

Kids Are Great Cooks Subscription Box

So how do you help your kids learn to cook?  What if you aren’t all that experienced yourself in the kitchen?   I was recently able to try out a new subscription service called Kids Are Great Cooks.  It is a monthly cooking club for kids that teaches them to cook with step by step instructions, build kitchen skills, grow self-confidence, and increase their independence in the kitchen.  The box is aimed at kids from 7-14+.

The Difference in Kids Are Great Cooks

There are many subscription boxes out there, and there are websites that you can google recipes on, however, what makes Kids Are Great Cooks stand out is the video tutorials for each recipe.  The videos are taught by kids and give more details about how to prepare a dish.  The additional details include things such as what the consistency of something should look like, as well as kitchen tips which explain the different types of pots and pans as well as what types of tools you should use for them (wood, plastic, metal) depending on if it is a stainless-steel material or non-stick material.  One thing that really sets this subscription box apart from others is the kid led videos.

 

Kids are Great Cooks Subscription Box
Kids are Great Cooks Subscription Box
Kids are Great Cooks Apron
The apron that comes in the first box
Game Board
Game Board to enhance the fun

There are also bloopers and outtakes which are fun because they give a behind the scenes view to kids.

The Kids Are Great Cooks Blog has some fantastic information for kids (and adults!) where topics such as seasoning and flavorings, kitchen tools, herbs, kitchen how-to and more are covered.  If you need an indication of the expertise that will be provided in the subscription I recommend checking out the blog.  It’s detailed and there is a wealth of knowledge that is well laid out and authored by kids so that it isn’t overwhelming.

They offer three plans, a 3-month plan at $28/kit, a 6-month plan at $26/kit, or a 12-month Plan at $24/kit.  You can check out what the subscription plans include on the subscription page.

Additional resources on the benefits of kids learning to cook:

https://mommyuniversitynj.com/2015/03/16/10-benefits-of-cooking-with-kids/

https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/developing-early-mathematical-skills-through-cooking/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/learning-to-cook-and-cook_b_1099863?

 

What is Dermaplaning? The At Home DIY Explanation

Filed Under: Mommy

What is Dermaplaning An at home diy explanation

I’m not into the trendy beauty treatment thing because let’s face it, most of the trendy stuff that goes around is too good to be true and I don’t have the time for it.   One of my favorite Instagrammers, Abby with The Chic Mamas, works in the dermatology field, and she’s straight forward about things which has made her a “go-to” especially when it comes to skincare.  A few months back, during quarantine she shared a DIY option for dermaplaning at home to get smooth skin.    I had never heard of it prior to Abby’s explanation and always thought that if you were to “shave” the hair on your face it would come back thicker and with a vengeance.  I was happy to find out that wasn’t the case and about all of the healthy skin benefits that dermaplaning offers.

What is Dermaplaning?

Dermaplaning is an exfoliating treatment that involves shaving your face with a single blade (resembles a scalpel) to help remove the dead skin cells and peach fuzz. By removing the top layer of skin (the dead skin cells) it allows skincare products to absorb better and helps to boost collagen production which decreases fine lines and wrinkles.

Dermaplaning is performed with (very sharp) surgical scalpels by professionals in a dermatologist office.

Why is Dermaplaning Important?

Over time, your skin builds up dead skin cells on your face which can lead to breakouts and dull skin. It takes care of the layers (and layers) of dead skin cells that are just hanging out on your face.  For some, peach fuzz can add a slightly dingy look to skin especially around the hairline, ears and chin. When that is removed it can allow for skin to be more even toned.

What’s the Difference Between Professional Treatment and DIY?

Rachel Roff, CEO and Founder of UrbanSkinRX, explains “In a professional office setting, such as a dermatologist office or medical spa, the treatment is performed by a licensed aesthetician using a surgical blade that you can only purchase with a license, with this professional-grade blade, clients receive deeper exfoliation that wouldn’t normally get when they perform it themselves. Plus, in-office treatments provide additional treatments clients can add to their treatment to achieve optimal results.”

What are the Side Effects of Dermaplaning?

I know what you’re probably wondering.  Will it make the hair grow back thicker?  The answer is no.  As explained by Dara Levy, the founder of Dermaflash, “The hair on a woman’s face is called vellus hair (a.k.a peach fuzz) and is soft and fine, the hair on a man’s face is called terminal hair and each piece is like a strand of copper wire. [Dermaplaning] removes the fuzz just above the surface of the skin and does not (and cannot) impact the growth, color or texture of a woman’s facial hair.”

Tools Needed for At-Home Dermaplaning

These Schick Silk Touch-Up Multipurpose Exfoliating Dermaplaning Tool work great and they are only $4.99 on Amazon!

 

How to Dermaplaning at Home-

  1. First, you will thoroughly cleanse and dry your skin.
  2. Next, take your blade in one hand and place it at the jawline. Hold the skin tight/taut with your opposite hand. Then stroke the dermaplaning tool in short, feathery like strokes downward. Continue until you have covered the full cheek and jawline area on both sides.
  3. Repeat on the lip, chin, nose, forehead, and neck. Do not repeat strokes on an area you have already covered.
  4. Once you’re done, apply your treatment product or your moisturizer. You can repeat these steps every 3-4 days. Some people find that they are happy with doing it every 2-3 weeks so it depends on your preference.

# Tips and Reminders for Dermaplaning at Home

  • It’s also important to note if you have any breakouts you want to skip those areas or wait until your skin has cleared up before trying this at home.
  • If you have sensitive skin this at-home treatment may not be for you
  • Because you have just exfoliated your skin, you’ll want to be careful with your sun exposure.

 

I love this at-home option because it’s one less appointment that I have to try and get to (or make time for) and it’s an easy way to practice some self-care at home. It makes skin feel super soft as it removes pore-clogging dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover.   Plus, there aren’t worries of the hair coming back thicker, is a huge relief!

 

What is Dermaplaning and Why it's good Pin

The Truth About Motherhood and Being An Awesome Mom

Filed Under: Mommy

The Truth About Motherhood & Being an Awesome Mom

The Truth About Motherhood

Motherhood is beautiful, chaotic, confusing, overwhelming, and amazing- sometimes all at once.  It can bring you to the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.  To grow and birth a human from one’s own body is an amazing, monumental experience. At some point though, we started treating it like it should be an easy, leisurely walk in the park.  This mindset sets us all up to feel like failures when things don’t go as smoothly as we anticipated.  The problem really comes in because are so entangled in the weeds that it is hard for us to see no, it isn’t because we are weak or incapable- it’s because it really is hard. 

A while back, I was listening to Lauren Conrad’s “Asking for a Friend” Podcast and her guest was Leslie Anne Bruce, a best-selling New York Times author who was coming out with a new book about transitioning into motherhood.  The podcast quote started off with this quote from her-

“I always say when it comes to mom guilt, we try so hard to to avoid it but I say lean into it.  Bathe in that guilt.  Let it cover you.  Because I think that feeling guilty is a really, really awesome reminder of how much we care about our kids.”

Mom Guilt Quote

I had never heard anyone put it quite that way, it’s always been ‘ignore the mom guilt’ or ‘push past the guilt’ and her statement just clicked. You don’t have to ignore it or try and push past it, just accept it’s a reminder that you are aware that you want to do your best for your kid(s) and that you’re conscious of how you try and handle things. 

The book is titled “You are a F*cking Awesome Mom: So, Embrace the Chaos, Get Over the Guilt, and Be True to You.”    I’ll be totally upfront and honest… I grew up in the south, in the bible belt, so when I saw the title it wasn’t something I would have just picked up, which I why I felt it was important to create this review.   

“You are a F*cking Awesome Mom” is one of the most brilliant, honest books that I have ever read.  In listening to the first chapter, I literally started crying because it was like validation that I was not alone in my feelings of just how overwhelming it all is.  The book also helps connect the dots of why motherhood and transitioning into it is harder for women now.  Leslie points out that while many of us have been raised as “hear me roar” girl, which is incredible and great, we sort of lost some of that generational knowledge of motherhood being passed down.  

Becoming A Mother Quote From You Are A F*cking Awesome Mom

While (as it points out in the book) it is fantastic that women are now recognized as being capable of more than just motherhood it also makes it way more difficult than it was for previous generations because women today are having children later than prior generations meaning they’ve experienced more and know themselves a little better than they did at eighteen.  I love that at one point in the book Leslie asks the question, that many of us have wondered after having a baby, “how did those teen moms do it?”  Once again, it comes back around to the older we get, the more experience and knowledge we have which makes us view things from a different perspective. 

I was growing someone new and somewhere in my subconscious, I must’ve known I was becoming someone new.  Which meant I had to say goodbye to the woman I’d spent 32 years being.  I just didn’t realize this at the time.  So instead of preparing for my own transformation on top of stockpiling diapers and burp clothes, I kept telling myself I’d get back to being myself soon.

Easily Managed Motherhood quote by Leslie Anne Bruce

In the book, Bruce talks about how we expect ourselves to “tackle motherhood with the same self-sufficient self-gusto that we exhibited in our pre-baby lives” which is like comparing apples to…a chair.  It’s two completely different things.  Growing a baby inside your body and birthing that baby is a big deal.  It’s a monumental experience that we’ve tried to make just another Tuesday which leads us to feel like we’re not up to par because we are judging ourselves by this measuring stick that just doesn’t apply.   

You are an F*cking Awesome Mom is the book that delves into the true pre-baby checklist that all of those other baby books and baby prep classes skip over.  How you are changing during pregnancy and why we feel that post-partum identity struggle.   

Quote from You are an effing awesome mom

 

About the Author

Leslie Anne Bruce is a New York Times Best Selling Author, Award-Winning

Entertainment Journalist, Online Community Builder, Wife, and Mother of two as well as one of my new heroes.   You can check out her blog, Unpacified which was launched in 2016 with the goal of connecting with women and offering support as they fumble through motherhood.  You can also find her on Instagram as leslieannebruce.  

Insta Mom Truths from Leslie Anne Bruce

Major Points in the Book

  • Motherhood is gonna come at you like a thief in the night.  You never had a chance because you never saw it coming. 
  • No one tells you the full story
  • Pregnancy is not just about growing a baby, it’s about you preparing yourself to be a mom and transitioning into this new life. 
  • The importance of self-care
  • The truth about the Insta Mom
  • Conflicting feelings are OK
  • Sleep is a REQUIREMENT not a luxury.  There’s a reason sleep deprivation is a torture technique.
  • How you feed your baby is NOT up for public debate.

I could write a much longer list, but you’ll get more from it if you read the book.  

 
Motherhood is like a Thief in the Night Quote

 

What I Loved

I related so much to this book it was just insane.  My youngest is now six, and my oldest nine, but it helped me understand so much of my struggle and that it was ok.  Motherhood is a big deal, which is why we struggle and sometimes fumble through.  I wish this book had been around the first time that I got pregnant, I feel it would have made things easier.  

The Verdict

I feel like OB’s should give a copy of this book to women at their first sonogram.  It’s completely and totally legit.   It’s the parenting book that talks about how pregnancy is the time that is preparing you for motherhood, it’s not just about growing a baby inside you and getting the world outside ready for that new life.  

I understand the reluctance with the title; however, this book is full of so much that expectant moms/new moms/ moms in general, can find helpful that I think it’s worth checking out.  There’s some colorful language but it’s not in an offensive manner at all (which is probably why it’s referred to as ‘colorful’).

If you have someone in your life that is expecting, or that has young kids this makes a great gift.  If you are expecting or have kids, it’s something worth reading.  Even though it is focused on expectant and new moms, there is a lot in there for experienced moms as well such as knowing that you weren’t alone with those feelings and understanding some of the reasons behind the struggles you face(d).   

Make sure you check out Leslie on Instagram, she’s one of my favorite accounts because she is entertaining and thought-provoking.  

Get You Are A F*cking Awesome Mom on Amazon!

Happy Mom, Happy Baby

GARMIN VIVOFIT Jr 2 Review

Filed Under: Kids

Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 Review

Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 Review

It’s important to encourage kids with physical activity without making it seem like a chore or punishment.  As parents, we want them to associate fitness with something positive, not negative. When we get up and move it is not only good for our body but our minds as well.   It’s also good to teach kids to be mindful of what they are doing and how their time is spent.  The Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 is a fun fitness tracker that provides a way to introduce kids to exercise and help them establish healthy habits.

What is Garmin Vivofit Jr. 2?

garmin vivofit jr 2

The band is a fitness tracker geared specifically towards kids.  They have fun bands that include favorite franchises such as Star Wars, Avengers, Disney Princesses, and more. The main purpose of the tracker is very similar to what adults use them for- it allows for steps to be counted, daily goals to be set and it can monitor sleep as well.  To up the ante on fun, Garmin has created a Vivofit jr. App which has fun games that kids earn moves on based on their activity.

Kids are able to set up competitions with themselves or with others to see who can get the most steps in a certain timeframe. This could be anywhere from a toe to toe challenge for two minutes, to a week-long competition.

The bands are waterproof and come with a 1+ year battery (which is replaceable) so there’s no need to worry about charging.

Another cool aspect of the bands is that timers and chores can be set within the app.  When the chore is completed then they can earn coins that accumulate until a reward is reached. You can set reminders which will show on their band, for example, if they should start homework at 3:30, the watch will display an alert at that time.

GARMIN VIVOFIT Jr 2 Review Screen Shots

Why is Physical Activity Important?

It’s been proven that regular physical activity can help kids improve cardiorespiratory fitness, build strong bones and muscles, control weight, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and reduce the risk of developing health conditions such as heart disease (CDC).

The Vivofit Jr. 2 Band is a great way to make kids aware of how much activity they are getting and allows them to challenge themselves to real goals.  It’s a great tool to encourage physical activity and make them aware of how much they are getting in a fun way.

Verdict on Vivotfit Jr 2 Band Review

The kids love their Vivofit Jr. 2 Band and that they earn moves on the app when the meet their 60-minute activity goal.  For my nine-year-old, it also helps when she wants to sit in front of the tv and don’t realize how long she’s been doing it until I ask what her activity for the day so looks like.  It also makes for less arguing that “I haven’t been sitting here all day” which is a bonus.

My six-year-old loves his band as well and enjoys the challenges.  He also likes having the ability to set timers whether it’s for a challenge or to see how long it takes him to take a bath.

I want fitness to be a part of what they do not some dreaded forced activity.  The Vivofit Jr. 2 Band helps accomplish that.  Since using the bands, there is a definite increase in awareness of activity and fun in making sure that they meet challenges and goals.  Yes, there are definitely still lazy days but there is also excitement when they meet two activity rings or have a large number of steps giving them a sense of accomplishment which is a lot of fun to see.

The bands themselves are very durable and we haven’t had any issues with the graphics on them or the band coming off.  As mentioned earlier they are waterproof so the kids can wear them in the tub or pool with no worries of damage.   I’ve found that these have been a really fun way to remind the kids to be active without being pushy or feeling forced.

I hope you found this Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 review helpful!

Where to Find

You can find the Garmin Vivofit Jr 2 Bands at retailers such as Target and Walmart as well as on Amazon.  You can also find bands only on Amazon so that you can swap them out with new bands.

Bands ONLY

Have you tried the Vivofit Jr 2?  I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 

Interested in more fitness ideas for kids? Check out these post!

Avengers Workout for Kids

Workouts for KidsUNO Fitness Workout

Avengers Workout for Kids

Filed Under: Kids

AVENGERS WORKOUT FOR KIDS

Avengers Workout for Kids

 

My kids LOVE the Avengers.  It’s become part of our nighttime routine that we all sit down and watch one of the Avengers animated shows on Disney+.   Right now, we’re on Season 2 of Avengers Assemble.   This Avengers workout for kids was something they found fun and it interested them more than just trying to “exercise” because it felt more like there was a purpose behind it.  After all, who doesn’t want to be an Avenger?  Not to mention the benefits kids gain through exercising.

Tabata Avengers Workout

This Avengers workout is a Tabata workout.  Tabata is the creation of Dr. Izumi Tabata, a former hockey coach, who helped to develop and refine the system in the 1990s.  The workouts are broken down into 20 seconds of HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) during which the exerciser goes as hard and fast as they can, followed by a 10 second rest period.  This is repeated for the duration of the workout, which lasts for 4 minutes.  The same exercise can be done throughout; you can choose to do 2 or more different exercises and rotate them, or do up to 8 different exercises.

An almost limitless range of exercises can be incorporated into Tabata workouts.  You could literally work out for years and not do the exact same workout twice.  This makes it a great form of exercise for anyone who is easily bored.

Examples of Tabata exercises 

  • Lunge (or lunge variation of your choice) ex; back lunge, side lunge, jump lunge
  • Squat (or squat variation of your choice) ex; wide squats, jump squats, frog hops
  • Mountain Climbers
  • High Knees

The video is by Get Kids Moving and they have many other workouts that you can try as well that are themed- Wonder Woman, Frozen, Star Wars, and more.

Avengers Workout

Warm-up 5-10 minutes 

Perform each move below, alternating 20 seconds of all-out effort with 10 seconds of rest. Repeat the same move for 8 rounds, for a total of 4 minutes.

Your Exercises:

DRAX PUNCHES – 20sec

REST – 10secs

SUPER SOLDIERS – 20secs

REST – 10secs

ASGARD SMASH – 20secs

REST – 10secs

INFINITY SQUATS – 20secs

REST – 10secs

HYDRA PUNCHES – 20secs

REST – 10secs

SPIDEY KICKS – 20secs

REST – 10secs

INFINITY JUMPS – 20secs

REST – 10secs

WAR MACHINES – 20secs

 

Click the youtube link below to follow along with the video 

Here’s another Fun Avengers Workout to also check out.

Also, here’s a fun Avengers Challange for adults to check out

 

Uno Fitness Workout for Kids

Filed Under: Kids

UNO Fitness Workout For Kids

UNO Fitness Workout

Here’s another idea for making fitness fun for kids.  It shouldn’t seem like a punishment or something they absolutely dread, but just part of life, like brushing your teeth or putting on your shoes.  Something you just do because it helps to keep you healthy and strong.  This activity switches things up a bit by using Uno Cards to help determine the activity and how many reps that will be done.  You could also do this with a regular deck of cards and instead of colors use the card symbol to determine the activity.

Don’t forget to check out the benefits of fitness for kids!

Purpose of Activity:

To increase cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength.

Materials Needed:

– Deck of “UNO” cards
-Colored signs (1 of each color in UNO deck)
-Paper card with an exercise listed;   ex: red=push ups, yellow=mountain climbers; blue=wide sumo squats, green=side jumps (or lateral jumps) or you can create your own exercises for each color.
wild card draw pile with cards with activities listed on them

Description of Idea

Each child is dealt or draws a UNO card. They are to perform an activity by the following criteria:

 

  • Skip Card — skip one lap around the yard or down the street and back

 

  • Reverse Card — jog/walk 1 lap around the yard or around the street or neighborhood

 

  • Draw 2 Card — draw 2 cards from regular UNO cards deck and perform the activity which corresponds to the card color using the number of repetitions indicated by the number on the card

 

  • Wild Draw 4 Card — draw 4 cards from the UNO deck and do all 4 activities

 

  • Wild Card – Pick a color and do the activity for 10 repetitions

 

  • Number Cards — the child does the number of repetitions indicated by the corresponding to the color. Example: A child draws a card that is 5 red. Go to the red sign with the exercise listed and do 5 push-ups or whatever that sign has listed.

 

After completing an activity the student puts the card back in the completed pile and the student is dealt another card. Continue this for a set amount of time or each child has completed a certain number of cards.

Here is an updated version of the activity that allows you to do this at home.

Variations:

Other types of activities could be included such as jumping rope,  bench steps, or frog leaps to get away from traditional exercises.

Try the activity as a group challenge. Can your group do X amount of the activity in a given amount of time? How many cards were you able to complete?

Want more fun?

Workouts for Kids

Deciding What to Click and Share Online

Filed Under: Mommy

Should You Click and Share That Post?

Deciding on What to Click and Share Online

Deciding What To Click and Share

Covid-19 has taken the internet to new levels.  Yes, I guess it was possible.  We’ve seen those cellphone video moments of people screaming over mask, coughing on others, throwing mask off displays- you know the ones.  I won’t even touch the various political post.  You may feel appalled or outraged seeing this content. The knee jerk reaction for many is to click and leave a comment or share.   The thing is, should that be our reaction?  Should we continue to spread it?

There’s a great article by Andrew Macdonald that discusses how we should handle what we see online. Conspiracy Theories, Engaging Online and Wisdom: The Intersection of the Three and How to Respond Biblically.

 

Being A Solution Instead of Just Talking About The Problem

Be the Change

Mental health is something we’ve long neglected and this situation that we’re currently in isn’t helping that at all.   No, these actions are not excused because of that however it does help explain why it may happen.  Instead of reacting to the outburst maybe we should step back and think about the root issue.  The fact that this person may have more going on than what we can see.  As Christians, maybe we don’t share the content, but we stop what we’re doing, and we pray.  We pray for God, who is the only one who fully sees the situation, to guide us for how we should proceed and what we can do to help.   We pray for him to hold them close and give them peace.   The other side of this is that the constant negativity and ‘fake news’ starts to chip away at our own self and is only giving us negativity.   Remember the old theory of ‘garbage in, garbage out’?  It applies to the situation as well.  Sometimes you just have to step back and turn it off.

The fear that the Covid-19 virus has brought on is very real, and everyone handles it differently. The fact that we were quarantined and that for a month or more in some places there were “stay at home” orders has taken a toll on everyone.  We won’t soon forget the toilet paper shortage fears anytime soon.   Yes, I’m sure some people were mean beforehand but regardless the current conditions don’t help.  Instead of spreading fear and hate, it’s time to come together and pray.  It’s time to come together and find creative ways to serve our community.   Maybe that’s an encouraging note, maybe it’s a smile as you walk down the street.   Maybe that’s not discussing politics and conspiracy theories, but instead breaking bread and inspiring others based on how you live your life.

 STRIVE TO INSPIRE

Strive to Inspire

Let your life inspire people to find out how you have joy in the midst of despair.  I’m not saying ignore things or that you won’t wonder sometimes if things will be ok. We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds it.  Choosing to trust isn’t the easiest thing to do.  For most of us, it’s not the natural reaction thing to do either.  It takes practice and a conscious decision to do.   The human connection between us all is very real.   Six degrees of separation is more of a legit theory than we want to admit sometimes.

The current environment feels more like every man for himself rather than a sense of community.  Since March, we’ve been thrown into what sort of feels like some sort of alternate reality horror flick.  It’s time that we realize that we’re all intertwined and what we do affects more than just us.

That retail worker that just asked you to put on a mask?  Her mom may be a heart surgeon that saves your aunt’s life.  That janitor that you stuck your nose up at?   He’s the one that is sanitizing your child’s school to help make sure that everything possible is being done to prevent a Covid-19 outbreak.   No job is too big or too small.  Without all of us working together things suffer.  One person can’t do it all, but individually we can all play small parts that makeup something great.

I’m not insinuating that it’s easy and that it won’t feel like a complete waste of time to choose kindness when it feels like it isn’t making a difference, but I’m just saying; sometimes results from our seeds aren’t immediately seen.  This is where faith comes in.  Faith that the seeds will grow and create change.   So before you click and share that content, stop and think about what you’re re-generating.  Is it hope?  Is it helpful?  Is it just bad that you are giving value to by sharing?

 

Choose kindness.  Choose love.

Choose Love Over Fear Heart

 

Need some encouragement? Check out these encouraging quotes!

More Resources for Mental Health during Covid-19

Managing Stress and Anxiety

Mental Health during Covid

Helping Kids with Worry

Let’s work on being the hands and feet of Jesus rather than the heckling crowd that sits back and watches with comments and theories but no action to make things better.

Workouts for Kids

Filed Under: Kids

Making Workouts for Kids Fun

Workouts for Kids

Why Is It Important?

Exercise has been proven to have many benefits both physically and mentally.   According to children’s specialty health provider Nemours, some of the main benefits of exercise for kids include:

Need more benefits?  Check out 10 Benefits of Physical Activity for Kids from Parents Magazine.

As kids exercise they are working on endurance, strength, and flexibility.  It also plays a part in improving their mental health as well. Being fit and exercising doesn’t mean it has to be a rigorous, dreaded activity.  It is about moving and having fun.

17 Exercise Ideas That Aren’t Boring or Intimidating

Going on a Bear Hunt

Remember the song “I’m going on a Bear Hunt” from when you were a kid?  Have some fun and act out the motions as you sing!  Swim across the lake, climb up the tree, and stomp over the bridge! Kids will have a blast as they run and scurry from the bear at the end!  They’ll feel like they’re just having fun, singing, and acting it out while they are working their arms, lifting their legs, and running around doing cardio.

Hula Hooping

Kids love hula hoops!  Check out this Hula Hoop Challange for inspiration! Find Hula Hoops on Amazon

Follow the Leader

This is super simple and fun.  Throw in some jumping jacks, stomping, and squatting to make it fun and challenging.

Dance Party

Put on a playlist of your favorite songs and get moving!

Freeze Dance

Another option to a dance party to kick it up a notch is to play freeze dance and be ready to stop and start at a moment’s notice!  You can even get Alexa to play Freeze Dance!

Bubble Smash

Blow some bubbles and have the kids run and try to see who can smash them.

Pillow Fight.

You know how that works ;).  They’re getting in activity and movement and they run and swing that pillow, never realizing that it’s an exercise in motion.

HopScotch

This can be done inside or outside by using floor markers or tape inside or chalk outside.   While playing a game they will be jumping and practicing balance as well.

Balloon Ball

Don’t let the balloon touch the ground!  Each child can have their own balloon or it could be a game with just one where they continually move and hit it to keep it from hitting the ground.

Parachute

Using a parachute or a sheet at home, each kid will take an end of the parachute (or sheet) and fan it upward while one of you runs underneath.

Wheelbarrow Race

Have kids race from one end of the yard to another, or time a pair to see how long it takes them to wheelbarrow around the house three times. Check out this Kids Wheel Barrow Race on YouTube!  It’s sure to tire them out for the evening!

Clean Up Race

This is an activity we do a lot when I’m tired of fighting with the kids to get stuff done.  Set a timer and make it a competition for them and it seems to set off some inspiration!  Plus, things get done quickly!

Obstacle Course

You can use couch cushions, pots and pans, and plenty of other household objects to construct an engaging and challenging obstacle course!  Kids can climb under blankets stretched between the couch and coffee table, or they can somersault across the living room. This can be done inside or out!

Bubble Wrap Attack

What kid doesn’t love bubble wrap?  Put some on the floor and have them jump around until it’s all popped!

Headstands

This is a great way to work core muscles!  Many times kids catch on quickly.

Dinosaur Workout

This is one of our favorites.  The kids both LOVE dinosaurs!  You can make it up as you go, or use Fit Mom Go’s Dinosaur Theme Workout!

Speaking of Fit Mom Go, she has a great playlist of Mommy and Me workouts to check out.

Fun Yoga

Cosmic Yoga has fantastic videos for kids to get moving and practicing yoga with themed workouts such as Alice in Wonderland, Super Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog and so much more.

 

Check out At Home Activities- Movement!

VIvofit Jr

UNO Fitness Workout

The Little Market- An Ethical and Empowering Brand

Filed Under: Gifts, Mommy

The Little Market

The Little Market

It’s a good feeling when you buy something that you not only like but that also does good beyond just what you get out of it.   This is one of the reasons that I love The Little Market.  This isn’t a sponsored post, just me sharing about a great brand with products that I absolutely love.

What is The Little Market?

The Little Market is a non-profit that was created by women, to empower women.  Founded by Lauren Conrad (Laguna Beach, The Hills, Clothing Designer, DIY Queen, Author, Blogger, etc. etc) and Hannah Skvarla (her background includes non-profits and human rights work) they are changing lives for the better through the products that are offered on their site.  You can read more about it on Bumble- Inside the Little Market

From their website:

The Little Market is a nonprofit fair-trade shop featuring ethically sourced, artisan-made products. Behind each of our products is a person who created it — and a story. We seek to empower artisans around the world by extending their products’ distribution and supporting sustainable income opportunities. We are committed to upholding the dignity of artisans, celebrating their cultural techniques and traditions, and bringing attention to social justice and human rights issues faced by their communities.

They offer a variety of products that all evolve around empowering women, paying fairly and promptly, prioritizing marginalized individuals, promoting a safe and dignified workplace, ensuring cultural maintenance, cultivating environmental consciousness, and advocating for human rights and social justice.  According to their wesbite, they source from 75 artesian groups in over 25 countries and sovereign states.

Another cool fact is that in each purchase, they include a little card about where the product was made and who made it.  It’s a lovely touch that helps you see the difference that your purchase makes.  It also creates the feeling of a connection and makes you feel good to know that your purchase goes beyond just the use that you get out of it.

Read more about The Little Market and How It’s Different.

Favorite Products from The Little Market

 

Totes

I am so in love with their totes!  They have the best quality, are cute and very durable.  They make the best gift bags that can be used as an everyday tote.   I’ve purchased some for gifts such as the

Best Teacher Ever Tote Bag

I normally try and stay away from things that teachers get a lot of as gifts, but I couldn’t pass up this adorable tote bag.  We used it as a gift for Teachers Appreciation Day and she loved it.

Best Teacher Ever Gift Bag from The Little Market
from thelittlemarket.com

 

Bride Tote Bag

We got this one for one of the kid’s teachers that was getting married.

Bride gift bag from The Little Market
from thelittlemarket.com

 

Best Day Ever Tote Bag

We use this one to carry the kids’ stuff in when they go to their grandparents during the day or when we need to carry things with us somewhere.  It’s the Best Day Ever which (for me) is a nod to Rapunzel.

Best Day Ever Tote Bag from The Little Market

 

Sugar Scrubs

These sugar scrubs are absolutely amazing!  A-m-a-z-i-n-g.   I’ve bought these for myself and for gifts.    They’re made in Chicago, Illinois.  They’re made by Bright Endeavors which empowers young mothers that are from under-resourced communities.   For those that want to purchase a product that makes a difference in the United States, this is a great choice.

The scrubs are incredible at exfoliating and leaving skin super soft.

 

Organic Body Scrub from The Little Market

Lemon Body Scrub from The Little Market

 

 

Tassels Keychains

Tassel Keychain Flamingo Pink from The Little Market

I am always losing my house key because it’s rarely used, normally I go through our garage.   When I saw these yarn tassel keychains, it reminded me of a hotel we stayed at in Denver, Colorado they had big ones on the end of their room keys.

Little Market Tassel on Mickey Key

Tassel and Product Card from The Little Market

 

These would work well for a key you don’t want to lose or as a purse/bag accessory.  There are many options!

 

Toys

They have some of the most adorable toys for kids!!

Flamingo

Flamingo from The Little Market

 

My daughter love flamingos.  Loves them.  So I found this one at The Little Market and bought it about 4 years ago now.   She still has the little card that tells you about where it was made and who made it.  She insisted on sticking it on the little bulletin board frame on her wall.

Product Card for Flamingo from The Little Market

 

These are just a few of my favorites, there is so much they offer that is unique and beautiful.  If you haven’t checked out The Little Market yet, I highly recommend it.

Want to know more about The Little Market?  Check out Inside the Little Market!