5 Important Life Lessons Every Child Should Learn

Are kids today learning all the important life lessons?

I guess you're answer to that depends on what you believe the important life lessons are.

And for everyone it's going to be different.

Personally, the following is the five most important things I strive to teach my children:

1. BE KIND:  While I don't expect them to allow themselves to be used or abused, I also teach my chidlren to remember that everyone is an individual, with unique talents, personalities, and even personal difficulties.   Offer everyone kindess, even if they don't offer it to you.
2. LIVE IN THE MOMENT:  There is nothing wrong with planning for your future, but you have to make sure you enjoy the here-and-now too.  Especially childhood.  There's only one time in our lives we are offered the freedoms that come with childhood; don't overlook them or wish them away. Just live!
3. SAVE, SPEND, GIVE:  I believe this is the triad of financial well-being.  I teach my child to save for tomorrow, spend some for the things we need and want today, and give to those who are less fortunate.
4. INDEPENDENCE:  Some conformity is good, it's how we create law and order in a civilized society.  However, I also encourage my children to not be afraid to express themselves.  You don't always have to think inside the box.
5. IF YOU'RE HAPPY, THEN YOU ARE HAPPY:  You can't make everyone happyy all of the time, so it's important for children to know they have to seek out their own happiness.  Lose the negative friends, pursue the interests you enjoy, date that "uncool" gal or guy that your friends don't like - if it feels right, then it probably is...for you.  (Of course, I do have to remind my children this life lesson doesn't apply to homework, curfews, and the sort! lol)

All of The life lessons that I teach may not be what is right for your child(ren) but I hope somewhere in there I've given one idea that may change your child's life.

 

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Nanny McPhee Returns blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

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Hidden Valley Ranch Mock Mash Potatoes Recipe, Salad Style.

I'm always looking for new recipes and new ways to add a little more healthy foods to our diet.

Disguised, of course.  You know how picky little kids can be!

So when Hidden Valley© and TwitterMoms encouraged Moms to "recreate" Hidden Valley's Mock Mash Potatoes recipe, I jumped on it!

My creation turned into the Hidden Valley© Ranch Mock Mash Potatoes Salad.  Doesn't it look yummy?

Wanna try it?  Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 
  
  1 head cauliflower, washed and broken into florets (about 4 cups)
• 
  
  1/2 cup Hidden Valley The Original Ranch Dressing Light
• 
  
  1 tablespoon fat-free milk
• 
  
  1 tablespoon light margarine (tub style) or butter
• 
  
  1/4 teaspoon salt
• 
  
  Classic Iceberg Salad (pre-mixed)
• 
  
  Bacon pieces
• 
  
  Croutons

Directions:

1. 
   
   Steam cauliflower until tender.  (About 20 minutes)
2. 
   
   While steaming, place salad mix in to a bowl.
3. 
   
   Place cauliflower into blender.  Add dressing, milk, and margarine.  Blend until mixture reaches the consistency of mashed potatoes.
4. 
   
   Scoop mixture into center of sald mix.  Sprinkle with bacon pieces and croutons.
5. 
   
   Add salt and serve.

I served it as a side dish to chicken strips and it was a HIT with my family!   Especially the 5-year-old who is the SUPER PICKY eater of our family. 
It's tasty.  It's healthy.  And it's a fun "disguised" food.  So we'll definitely be having again!

If you decide to try it, be sure to let me know how it turns out!

This post is part of a blogging contest from the TwitterMoms community. There is a chance this post could be selected to win a $25 AmEx Gift Card, so wish me luck! For more details, you can view the contest page here.

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10 Little Things that Lead to a Happier, Healthier You

When trying to improve your personal health and happiness, sometimes big steps, like starting a new diet or exercise plan, can feel overwhelming and daunting. This spring season, we’re celebrating the little things we can do that add up to make a huge difference in bettering ourselves and our health, wellness and happiness!

TwitterMoms and Tropicana Trop50 have teamed up to bring you a "Spring Renewal" blogging program, asking for the "10 Little Things that Lead to a Happier, Healthier You."

This is a topic that I could spend forever on because it's something toward which I've spent working the last couple of years.

These are the 10 things I do for a healthier, happier ME:

1. Choose Food Wisely:  Sometimes we don't even realize it until we change it, but diet plays a big part in our happiness as well as our health.
2. Sleep:  This can be a tough one, especially for Moms, but getting a minimum of 8 hours of sleep each night allows the body to "reset."  And resetting is something we all NEED!
3. Nix Negativity:  Other people and situations can bring you down too.  I found that by eliminating negative people and situations that were causing me stress (where possible) did a lot for improving my mood.  And since we know that stress often presents itself with physical symptoms, 86'ing the negativity factors can also improve overall health.
4. Sunshine:  Whether it's spending time in direct sunlight or throwing open the curtains to let it in, sunshine is an AWESOME happy stimulator.
5. Exercise:  I personally prefer Zumba and Wii Fit for exercising, but no matter how you choose, exercise not only burns calories but produces endorphins that are proven to improve our moods.
6. Get Your Groove On:  Okay, so maybe it goes hand in hand with exercising, but have you ever just listened to a song and began feeling more upbeat?  When I'm feeling a little down, I'm prone to put on Kenny Chesney Live and let go!
7. Talk it Out:  The more reserved probably won't find this helpful, but I've personally found just spending fifteen minutes "letting it all hang out" goes a long way for destressing.  I talk to my husband, my best friend, or - yes, I admit it - I even talk to myself.  :)
8. Cleanliness is Next to Godliness:  Clutter and dirt can affect mood as well as health.  While I'm not a cleaning fanatic like my mother - gotta love her, after 20 years her house looks like it's never been lived in...lol - I do try to get clutter to a minimum, dust, sweep, vacuum, mop, and keep the bathrooms clean.  And I feel so much better when those things are done.
9. Have a Little Faith:  Knowing we're not alone in times of struggle, feeling as though there is something greater than us, has been shown to promote both healthiness and happiness.
10. All Work and No Play Makes You a Very Dull Person, Indeed:  As Moms, are lives are constant go-go-go, centered around the children.  And that's great, but sometimes we all need a little "Me Time."  I find a little time each day to read, watch a sitcom, or just do nothing.  Just a few minutes in a day to do something I want to do can give me that second wind needed to get through the rest of the day.  Try it!

That's my tips for creating a healthier, happier me.  What's yours?

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Tropicana Trop50 blogging program to be eligible to win 6 free Juicy Rewards points and a $30 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Sign up the Tropicana Juicy Rewards Program and use coupon code TWMOM-READR (worth one Juicy Rewards point – that’s up to $5 in savings) free prizes and super discounts!

This one-time use code is valid for new accounts ONLY. Must be entered within 6 hours of creating your account. Limit one new account bonus code per new account. All accounts must be created and all codes entered by May 7, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST.

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My Top 10 Ways to Get Fit After The Holidays

Most of us will gain a few (or a lot) pounds this holiday season.

And then we'll celebrate New Year's with a resolution to get them off.

The following is my top ten ways of losing that pinch-(more than)-an-inch from my waistline:

1. Exercise a minimum of 15 minutes per day/minimum of 5 days per week: A brisk walk, Wii Fit, or other heart-pumping exercise for a minimum of 15 minutes per day will not only shed pounds but keep your body functioning as intended. Allow at least 2 days out of the 7 for your body to rest.
   
   
2. Goodbye whites: White starches are fattening and hard for the body to process. Switching to whole grains - available in breads, pastas, crackers and more - is ideal to maintaining a healthy weight.
   
   
3. Eliminate carbonate: Carbonated drinks offer nothing positive in the way of nutrition, whether regular or diet.
   
   
4. Watch what you eat: In this instance, it's watching your portion sizes. Too often we eat mainly for pleasure, not for survival; which in turn leads to weight issues. While it's not necessary to "eat like a bird" (one of my mother's favorite sayings), portion control is important.
   
   
5. Six small meals versus three large meals: Eating six small meals, strategically spaced throughout the day (breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, dinner, and bedtime snack) keeps the body's metabolism on an even keel; resulting in optimal weight loss.
   
   
6. Protein, protein and more protein: Protein helps the body to feel full longer. In addition, protein assists in the breaking down of other foods. Offering larger portions of protein (especially chicken or fish) is ideal for each meal.
   
   
7. Count calories: ...and carbs, proteins, dietary fibers....Visit the USDA website for more on counting for a healthy diet.
   
   
8. One is the lonliest number: Don't go it alone. Find a friend to join in your new health regime, and hold each other accountable. When you buddy-up chances are much less that you'll give up.
   
   
9. Set Goals: Upcoming class reunion? Vacation? Set a date that you'd like to reach your goal and work toward it. Wii Fit offers a goal setting and tracking that I use - and love. Working toward a goal by a certain date increases your chances of success.
   
   
10. Reward yourself: Determine milestones along your goal path. For example, you want to lose 30 pounds; for every ten pounds lost, reward yourself with a treat (new clothes, a triple chocolate brownie, etc.). Rewards are encouragement - and sometimes we need all we can get!

What do you do to get fit after the holidays? Share your ideas atTwitterMoms and you could win a EA SPORTS Active™ Personal Trainer – the highest rated Wii™ fitness product to date for use on the Nintendo Wii system!

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Join Robeez and Twitter Moms in Giving Back This Holiday Season!

Christmas is the most wonderful season of the year!

It is a time that everyone opens their hearts and gives back for all of the wonderful blessings in their lives.

And this especially so in 2009, I have seen the kindness of people everywhere!

My own family has joined in this year with donations to food banks and toy drives, along with donating to programs for phone cards for soldiers.

Giving feels so good!

If you and your family have been one of the many blessed throughout this year, I hope you will find it in your heart to give back to those who have not.

Share how you are giving back by participating in the Twittermoms campaign called K.I.D.S. (Kids in Distressed Situations).

K.I.D.S give to children in need by providing new clothes, shoes, etc. donated by leading manufacturers and retailers.

Now would be a great time to help a child by buying a pair of shoes from Robeez. For every pair of Robeez Soft Sole purchases, Stride Rite will donate that pair to K.I.D.S (Kids In Distressed Situations) through December 23rd.

Please check out Robeez Season of Giving for more information.

Robeez is the only shoes my 11 month old daughter wears. Pediatrician approved, these soft soled shoes are easy to put on, require only very simple maintenance, and come a HUGE assortment of colors and patterns.

(Psst! That's my favorite pair you see there to the right! Aren't they just too adorable?!)

Here's to wish you all a VERY Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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I Am Scented

Downy and TwitterMoms want to know, "If you could define yourself with a scent, what scent would represent you and why?"

I would have to define my scent as Sansnilla (and yes, I made that up!).

The "nilla" is for vanilla, a common, everyday fragrance; but liked my most. And the "sans" of my scent represents Sandalwood; a somewhat masculine scent that is strong and leaves a hint of its presence even after it's gone.

You too can win play along and enter for your chance to win one of 50 Downey prizes. Here's how:

1. Post your answer to the question on your blog
   


2. Include at least one link back to this page in your post, so your readers can learn more about what promoted your post
   


3. Login in to Twitter and Tweet about your posting using the hashtag #downy
   


4. Return to the Twitter Moms discussion page, post a comment referencing your blog post, including both an active link to your qualifying blog entry and a link to your tweet about the Sweepstakes.

It’s that easy!

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