How To Keep You & Your Family Healthy & Happy

One of your major concerns as a mother is how to keep everyone healthy and happy. It’s not an easy task when life gets busy, and everyone’s going their separate ways. That’s why it’s a good idea to have practices in place that help you achieve your family wellness goals.

Create a household that’s focused on the well-being of each family member and get everyone committed to living a healthy lifestyle. Talk about it and explain why this is a priority for you. As the parent, it’s your job to help educate your kids and get them to understand why it matters that they care about their health.

Take the Initiative to Research Health Topics

One place to start is to learn about different health ailments and proactive solutions for improving your wellness like taking vitamins. Use a site such as echiropractor.org to understand better what actions you can take today for a better tomorrow. Study and absorb this important information, so you know what to do in various situations and what’s going to allow you and your kids to feel better fast.

Embrace Physical Activity

Be that family who loves to exercise and move. Limit the kid’s video game playing and television watching time, so they’re not always sitting in front of a screen. Go for walks as a group and get the children involved in physical activities and sports teams. Set a good example by working out daily and showing your passion for staying fit. Exercise has many benefits, and your family will be that much healthier and in a better mood when working out is a priority.

Cook at Home & Eat as A Family

Get in the habit of cooking meals at home instead of eating out. While restaurant food is convenient, it’s typically distributed in larger portions than you need and is packed full of fats and unwanted calories. See if your kids want to learn how to cook and have them help you in the kitchen. Then when it’s all done, eat dinner as a family and talk about your days. This is the precious time that you won’t get back with your loved ones, so make the most of it and ask everyone to be at dinner each night.

Practice Open Communication

Being closed off and secretive will cause conflict in your home. Encourage open communication and let your kids know they can come to you with anything that’s on their minds. Everyone will be happier when there isn’t information to hide or talking behind backs. Bottling up emotions will set the stage for a big blowout later on. Avoid this scene by encouraging everyone to speak what’s on their minds and share their feelings.

Conclusion

Guide and teach your family how they can improve their wellbeing, and you’ll have a much happier home life. Set the tone by taking action and educating your family members on what healthy behaviors look like. You’ll thank yourself down the road when they grow up to be stand up adults.

Discloser: This is a guest post.

Sharkleap 5-piece Stainless Steel Utensil Set Review

A few things that we really enjoy doing during the summer is camping, and going on picnics at parks. I happened to get Sharkleap 5-piece Stainless Steel Utensil Set to review.

What does it include?

• A handy case that keeps everything together
• A knife
• A fork
• 2 spoons
• A reusable straw

Cost:

$19.99, and on sale for $8.95.

What to use it for:

• Picnics
• Camping
• Fishing
• Work
• College Life
• Field Trips (if you don't need disposable things)
• Road Trips
• Off Location Adventures

I think I want to turn around and get 7 more of these for birthdays in our family. My sister's kids love to camp to. It would be great if everyone of us could have a set! 

The case is wonderful! The material is stretchy to ensure everything fits! I love the design that's on the outside of it.

Each Item is stainless steel. It's meant to last. 

*The knife is sharp! When we go camping we often fire up a grill or fire pit, and have steak. This knife is perfect for that! It's better to get this set for ages 10 and up just because the knife is so sharp. The utensils are best to put in where the handles are by the zipper. Then you don't cut yourself.

I'm not sure if it needs two spoons, but it has them. I get why they have 2 spoons, or forks at fancy restaurants, but when you're roughing it you don't really need 2 spoons. It's good to have one for dinner, and one for dessert.

A stainless straw. This would be something not everyone would use. Travis hates straws, but the rest of us in our family like them. It has a wide opening, to make it easy to clean.

If I had to add something to this set I'd add a little scrub brush to clean everything. 

I'd subtract one of the spoons. 

What would you add, or subtract from this set? 

Disclaimer: I received the product mentioned for a discount in exchange for an honest review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Beef Stronganoff

I try to make recipes better for us to eat. 

I had most of the stuff to make Beef Stronganoff. I replaced the sour cream with plain Greek Yogurt, and instead of topping it on noodles I topped it on a grain I've never tried called Freekeh. Freekeh is supposed to be better for you then rice.

Source

I have to say that Freekeh wasn't too bad. It's a grain that has protein in it.

Beef Stroganoff

It turned out to be really good! The boys liked it.

Pork and Apples Oh My!

So I thought it would be fun to try slicing up apples, slitting pork tenderloin and putting the apples slices right in it to bake.

I thought it was really pretty good. It did take longer to bake; than what the directions said.

Once it came out of the oven Isaak said, "Awww...I don't want my apples like that!" Mica said, "I don't like cooked apples!"

Here I was excited about this meal. Everyone else was down in the dumps about it. Have you ever had that happen to you?

I made a big pan of veggies to. The veggies were: Zucchini, Tomatoes (out of our garden), an onion, a red bell pepper and a cove are garlic.

Out to Dinner With the Apels

On Fathers Day we went out to dinner to The Olive Garden.

Isaak usually sits with me; Mica usually sits with Daddy. I think it's because I can put up with more of the kid wiggles than Daddy can.

Isaak wanted to play Tick Tack Toe with me. I refused after I blocked him, and he marked over my block, and said, "I won."

The boys ate a bread stick and salad well.

When Isaak's meal came, he poked his finger in a grape. I said, "Isaak you are going to give your grape some bad cells!" He had a worried look on his face and said, "Will I get sick?" I said, "It could turn into a serious infection." He looked more worried. Mica was over on the other side of the table giggling.

When Isaak didn't finish his meal I said, "Oh no! The reason you are full is because you ate a bread stick. You are pregnant with a bread stick!" Daddy said, "He has a yeast infection." - Daddy can be funny sometimes. ;)

When the waiter stopped by Daddy said all serious, "Sir there is a mysterious noodle in my dish." Sure enough there was a flat noodle with his round spaghetti type noodles. The waiter went from looking like he had a problem to solve, into laughter.

As we left I told Isaak, "Watch out for that lion on the wall! He looks like he wants to eat you!" The receptionist giggled.

In the car I told the boys that next time we go there, they should ask the waiter where their Olive Garden is at. Mica thinks the staff should dress up like olives. I thought that might be over kill. People would think they would look like grapes on a Fruit of the Loom packaging. Mica said, "What is Fruit of the Loom?" I never did answer that one.

Today I Ran in Circles

This morning was nuts. Mica wouldn't listen and follow much of what we asked. He was excited to go back to school; after having Monday and Tuesday off.  He also couldn't wait to give his teacher copies of his president drawings.

I took the day off. I had to have Daddy write down the times of all the dropping off and picking up each kid. I'm horrible with remembering things like that! Daddy's better than I with time, dates and directions. Daddy usually drops and picks up Mica, while I drop and pick up Isaak at Grandma and Grandpa Spiehs' house. I hardly deal with dropping and picking the kids up from school.

When I took Mica to school I said, "Remember to give your president drawings to your teacher!" He said, "I know Mom." Well he got out of the car, grabbed his lunch box and forgot his backpack. His backpack is blue, our car is blue. Later Daddy said to me, "You didn't check? You didn't get out of the car to give him a hug?" I gave him a hug before he got in the car to begin with. I felt horrible. I felt even worse when I went back to give it to him and he told me he cried about forgetting his backpack!

I dropped Isaak off at preschool and left my purse there. His teachers called me on my cell phone while I was driving back to Mica's school to give him his backpack. Then I felt like crap because I was driving without a license. The crazy thing is, is that I hardly forget things. I'm one of those moms that for a long time had to remember a breast pump, a diaper bag, fresh milk, my laptop, my lunch, Mica's sippy cup and a change of clothes for both boys. Those were the days. It looked like we were packed up to go out of town every morning for many mornings. 

I went back to the preschool to pick up my purse and decided to go shopping by myself. That was so nice! This time of year I shop for next years fall/winter things. I had coupons for Crazy Eight and Kohls. I got Mica many shirts all on the clearance rack; plus the coupon.

Then all afternoon I had Isaak. He's so different by himself. He's really helpful and there is no arguing between two boys. Isaak helped me make banana bread and granola bars.

It was so nice outside that we were able to walk to get Mica from school.

The boys had our homemade granola bars for a snack, while I made dinner. We had Beef Stroganoff. I use plain yogurt and lemon juice in replace of the sour cream Daddy thinks it's different. I don't think so at all! I've been trying to make two veggies for dinner time.

We ended the night with swimming.

Today Was a Busy Day

I started the day off with a big breakfast. I washed 3 or 4 loads of laundry between things. I wanted to get Isaak and Mica's bedding washed.

Between Isaak's accidents and sickness, I feel like I'm washing clothes all the time. I try and layer pee pads on Isaak's bed. Then I don't have to wash it all. I just strip layers. This time I did want to wash it all.

Isaak will go through periods of being dry all night and being wet consistently. We notice he wets more when he's growing and drinking more. I wish it would end though. Lately Isaak's wet, wet, wet. We don't use diaper. Just cloth training pants. I want him to feel when he's wet, but he sleeps right through it.

I went to the grocery store and to Costco. There are just some things I like to get at Costco: Cottage Cheese, Fage Yogurt, crackers, dried berries and cereal. Those things are our regulars.

I have to say that the boys were good. I have a plan to make shopping better. The boys do well when they have something to look for. Coupons work great for them! Grandpa Spiehs thought of making my own FAKE coupons. I'm going to try this. I'll cut out packaging on things we get normally and these will serve as the boy's coupons. They then will have something to look for. I might need to find some pictures online to print out for fruit and veggie coupons. It should help.

Then we came home for a quick lunch and I marinaded some meat and veggies. We're having fajita's tonight.

After that we went to see Aunt Terra's family. We haven't seen baby Emerson since his surgery. Not my choice. It's just that right after he had surgery Daddy, Isaak and I got a head cold. That took about a week to get over. Then Mica got it. I didn't want to take our crappy cold and give it to him! Even if his brothers had a cold to. It was nice seeing him without tubes all over! He's only having issues with spitting up. I guess a lot of babies that get G tubes spit up a lot. Little Emerson has two teeth now.

Then we came home and I made two beds. Isaak was grumpy by that time. He gets to be a little punk when he's in need of sleep. I wanted both boys to lay down and rest. Mica slept all afternoon yesterday with his ear infection issue. We then stayed up late to watch a rent movie called Dolphin Tale. It was a great family movie!!! Mica's been acting healthy as a tack today, but a nap after a busy morning and sickness should do him some good.



 

Now I need to start dinner and unload the dishwasher. There's always something to do. I'm just enjoying 10 minutes of sitting. Maybe that's the reason I started blogging. Not to record, but to rest. Not really; I guess it's true sometimes.   

Life is so Emotional Baby!

Tonight had it's highs and lows. Mica got invited to a friends house after school. Humm...it was to a girl's house, the one he has a crush on. They enjoy playing together. Daddy went along because they invited him to. They had fun.

What that meant for me? Well I had trouble in traffic. Then I got home after getting Isaak and had to make dinner ASAP. All while Isaak was yelling out, "Mommy help me!" I kept saying back, "Isaak if you want to go to the Y tonight, you have to let Mommy make dinner! Find something to do that doesn't require my help." So what does Isaak do? He brings his Thomas trains in the kitchen to play under my feet. :) Kids!

Daddy and Mica got home, we ate and got ready to go the the Y. Mica cried because he couldn't get his shoes tied.

We had fun at the Y. We played a racing game and then scooter soccer. Daddy left early to go figure drawing downtown. When it was time to leave I called both boys over to get a drink of water. Isaak ran over and Mica next. Mica went to grab the water bottle out of Isaak's hands because I called his name first. I snapped at Mica and Mica started crying for the second time tonight. Then we talked.

We came home and I told Isaak to go potty. Isaak was refusing and Mica started being bossy with Isaak. I told Mica that he is not Isaak's parent. Mica said, "I'm practicing to be a parent Mommy! I have to! I am getting adult teeth and need to practice being an adult!" It was kind of funny, but not. I'm saving that conversation for tomorrow.

Dinner

We went out to Dixie Quicks for dinner. We love going out with Grandma and Grandpa Spiehs. They help watch Isaak a lot and it's a nice break from a busy week. Grandma and Grandpa enjoy going to gallery openings like we do. Dixie Quicks is right next to an art gallery. This time around I didn't really care about the modern showing. It was just colored tiles on the walls. Just not my thing. Dinner was good. We had to wait a bit because it was the weekend before Valentines Day, but it still was good.

I like this shot of Isaak. He looks so handsome and grown up in his grey button down shirt. If only he wouldn't of cut the front of his hair. His bangs look a little funny.

Grandpa and Grandma Spiehs-

Mica posing per usual-

Big Turkey Dinner

On Sunday we had a big turkey dinner for Grandma and Grandpa Spiehs.

What was on the menu:

• Garlic-Herb Butter Turkey.
• Homemade Stuffing.
• Green Beans.
• Sweet Potatoes - I'm jotting this down because I know I'll forget how I made them. My boys loved them this way! I drizzled olive oil in a pan. Added the peeled and sliced the potatoes - 5 of them. Sprinkled salt and pepper. Bake 350 degrees for 50 min. It took mine 40 min. 
• Cranapple Juice - 4 apples and 1 cup cranberries is a good amount for our family of 4. Then I add 2 more cups of water. No sugar added.
• Pumpkin Pie.

It was yummy!

Mica and Isaak were fighting for Grandma's attention. I was a little worried that they wouldn't want to go to bed, but did. It was a school night.

Ever since Thanksgiving break Mica's been really blinky at night. His sign of being tired. Isaak's been using excuses while in bed.

Breakfast Dinner and an Oatmeal Bath

Tonight both boys were excited because I made a breakfast meal for supper. We had pancakes with June Berries that I froze from our June Berry tree and organic raspberry syrup. Then we had potatoes from our garden with ham and carrots. I gave them each a slice of pear as well. They asked for juice, but I said "No because they had a juice box at Grandma and Grandpa Spiehs' house." They seemed to be ok with that answer.

After dinner I used the mini food processor to grind up 2 cups of oatmeal. My boy's had an oatmeal bath tonight. I read that it's supposed to help with itching (Isaak has a baby eczema outbreak on his head right now). It also is supposed to be calming. The boy's seemed excited that I was filling the tub up with water more then normal. I usually am pretty skimpy with water. Then Isaak was giddy about me sprinkling the oatmeal in. He was trying to eat it as it fell into the tub. He's so funny sometimes!

Isaak and One of His Bestfriend's, Emerson

One thing about Isaak, he LOVES babies! I've said before, I had my kids in reverse order. I LOVE both of them! Mica doesn't get into babies as much as Isaak does. Isaak wants to hold a baby whenever he sees one. Isaak would have been a wonderful big brother helper! We're done having kiddo's, so sorry Isaak.

When I had Isaak a little more then 3 years ago, Mica wanted little to do with him and his cousin Elijah. I think this is pretty normal for a lot of 2 1/2 year olds boys to be this way. Mica is very all boy! He plays with lots of sound effects and likes to impress the lady's with his choice of clothing, charm and looks.

Isaak is a little of both. He has both a sensitive and has a rough side. Isaak's much more protective of small things like puppies and babies. I think he'd be even more sweet and sensitive if he wasn't always struggling with having 3 older boy's around him. My co-worker that has 7 kids told me that the youngest one in the bunch has a mean side to them because they feel like they have to. They have to stand up for themselves. I'm beginning to think he's right.

Last night Isaak held what he calls one of his "Best Friend's Ermasen." His other best friend is baby Alex. My cousin's baby. He sat there all nice for a good long while.

We took my sister's family dinner last night. They looked like the could use it {they all looked tired}. I made stroganoff, corn on the cob, green beans, blueberry muffins and brought over lemonade I bought from Whole Foods. I now make stroganoff with plain yogurt instead of sour cream. Daddy says he can tell a difference. I can't. Maybe it just needs a squirt more of lemon juice?

My Boy Loves Rocks

Isaak was flirting with the waitress last night at dinner. He said, "I like you!" in a uber-nice voice. Then he said, "I have something to show you." I was thinking, "Oh no! What is my son going to show her!" As a parent, sometimes I find myself scared when my kid is going to show someone something. Isaak reached into his pocket and pulled out 3 rocks to show the waitress. She acted amazed. He thought he was cool for having rocks in his pockets.

Dinner for Grandma and Grandpa Spiehs

• Last week we had Grandma and Grandpa Spiehs over for dinner. Daddy made a wonderful turkey that had a garlic butter flavor on it. YUMMY! 
• The sides were fresh green beans, clementines {which I like better then oranges, less pulp!} and mash potatoes.

 

• The boy's were so excited to have their own little table to sit at. Before dinner they were sitting at it and fighting over their place mats. I got out Elmo domino's to keep them occupied; before they drove us nuts with fighting.
• When Grandma and Grandpa got to our house the boy's were jumping up and down with excitement. Gee whiz can you tell that we don't have visitors often? They do love their grandparents, all 6 of them. The boy's have one set of great grandparents.
• We're so lucky my parents help with watching our son's, their grand kids! 
• Mica asked if they could spend the night? They live in town, and Grandma gets a restless leg from the surgery she had over a year ago. Of course the answer to Mica's question was, "No."