Food for Thought

Have you ever wondered how to get your kids to eat healthy? Here is the quick tip of the day: If you want them to eat healthy, you have to eat healthy.

I was at one time a raw foodist and I still have a few favorite recipes that I like to whip up now and again. These are definitely not your traditional fare. But my kids want to eat whatever I am eating. They don't care that no other kid on the block is eating raw tabouli salad for lunch. What they care about is that mommy is eating raw tabouli salad - and they want it.

There are some things that they might try and decide they don't want. But usually if they see me eating it on a regular basis, they try it again because, gosh darn it.... they want what I have!

Sure my kids like to eat chicken nuggets and french fries. But when they beg for fruit, eat green salads, raw nuts and whole wheat pasta on a regular basis, do you think I worry about the occasional junk food? Nope.

That is the unfortunate truth of it...if you want your kids to eat healthy, then it starts with you.

And since I mentioned it, here is the recipe for raw tabouli that I make...yummy and chock full of nutrition.

In a food processor chop several green onions, about 1/2 bunch of parsley, and 1/2 bunch of cilantro. Mix in a handful of chopped raw almonds and 1 large chopped tomato. Mash a ripe avocado with the juice of 1/2 small lemon, a drizzle of EVOO, and a little honey. (optional) Stir the avocado dressing into the salad and chow down!

Christmas Letter Pizzaz

Are you dreading creating your family letter for the year? Try this approach to get your creative juices flowing and make it more interesting for all involved. (i.e. your readers!) Write down the highlights you want to hit for the year. Now start creating a letter that reads like "The Night Before Christmas." To do this, you want to have 12 syllables per line and you want to rhyme each group of two. Here was our family letter from last year to give you an idea of how it goes. (I haven't worked on this years yet, but heck, the years not over!)

The year 2006 has come and gone so fast
With bittersweet memories that are sure to last.

The year started off with long awaited good news
A baby was due before Trinity reached two.

February we learned about love and respect,
A marriage conference we will never forget.

News came in April of the first of our losses,
Amy’s Grandmother went home to be with Jesus.

Amy went to Illinois to say her goodbyes,
Then returned home in time to turn around and fly.

Off to Florida for vacation we were bound
We stayed with Aunt Cookie and she showed us around.

The Cubs and the Diamondbacks played in early May
What a great way to celebrate Amy’s birthday.

But what was so much fun became cause to be sad,
When at the end of the month, we lost Amy’s Dad.

What a tremendous loss to all those who loved him
It seems so unreal we won’t see him ‘til heaven.

Somehow we moved on and prepared for the baby
Angelina arrived on September twenty.

Three years of marriage, one year of David’s Salon
Now two children at home, how fast the time has gone!

If we could talk to our dad two things we would say
We love you so much; tell Jesus “Happy Birthday!”

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
David, Amy, Trinity and Angelina

Give it a try - you may find it's not nearly as hard as it looks!

Too Many Toys!

This is starting a new category - quick tips.

Are you buried under a mountain of toys? Here is a quick tip that worked for me. When the kids were soundly sleeping, I gathered all the toys together. I took three plastic crates and divided all the toys into the crates. I'm talking about all the little stuff - the slinkies, baby dolls, race cars, Shrek watch, bouncy balls, teething toys, etc. I tried to separate like items so there was some of each in the crates. Then I packed up 2 boxes and put them in my closet. I let the kids play with the toys in one crate until I notice that they are starting to spend more time exploring non-toy items, i.e. getting into cabinets, dragging around my broom, etc. Then that night, I pack up the toys and exchange out the crate. The next few days are so exciting as they find "new" toys to play with and forgotten about long lost friends.

Keep smiling! :)