Anatomy for Kids: Teaching Our Children About Their Bodies

This post is sponsored by Anatomy for Kids.

Anatomy For Kids Teaching Our Children About Their Bodies

From when my children were a very young age I decided that we’d try and be as open and honest about our bodies as we could. So when I started to think about the words we would use to describe our bodies and body parts, as well as what we would share with our children when they asked, we decided to stick with the anatomically correct terminology.

As the kids are getting older it isn’t all about penises and vaginas anymore. These little inquisitive minds are coming up with some more difficult questions. And yes, they’ve already asked extensively where babies come from. My mother-in-law was always one to make sure the kids knew that a baby grew in a mom’s uterus and not in her belly.

But because they don’t always take what we say as the absolute truth, I’m glad I now have a new series of books to share with them. Anatomy for Kids, written by Dr. Shelley Metten (or Dr. M for short), is a book that focuses on what kids want to know in an age-appropriate language. [Read more…]

How to Grow Carrots with Kids {From Garden to Table}

Learn how to grow carrots with kids and see how easy gardening with kids is! All it takes is some patience, sun, water, and love. 

How to Grow Carrots with Kids

One of my kids favorite veggies is carrots. So figuring out how to grow carrots with kids was one of my top priorities when we started gardening.

Lucky for me, growing carrots is one of the easiest things to do. Not too many pests to worry about – unless you have four-legged critters like bunnies, squirrels, and deer – and take anywhere from 60-75 days to grow.

Plus, the kids LOVE watching the tops grow taller and I like how green and pretty it makes the garden bed look. [Read more…]

5 Ways to Make Your Morning Routine Easier

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Waterpik.

5 Ways to Make Your Morning Routine Easier

I’ve never been one for morning routines. Having children has changed things and everything I do in the morning as part of my routine just seemed like it was taking a lot of time. So I looked into how to make your morning routine easier and tried to implement it into my own morning routine.

The first thing I needed to do was consolidate whatever I could from my routine. Now normally I brush my teeth in the shower thinking that saves time… totally doesn’t save time. I also floss as I’m trying to dry off and using mouthwash as I’m brushing my hair. All this gets me is tangled up on the days I actually do shower, and with crazy hair on the days I don’t (I’m a mom. I work from home. Sometimes days go by…).

But I’ve finally done it. I’ve created an efficient morning routine that I can stick with. Even when I don’t shower. And I feel better about my ability to get things done before we head out the door. [Read more…]

Dark Chocolate Pistachio Granola Bar Recipe

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Pistachio Health Institute. pistachio granola bar recipe

I absolutely love finding great, healthy snacks that both of the kids and I love. Over the past few months, the kids have expressed an interest in pistachios. Mainly because they see their grandpa eat them but also because they love how fun they are to eat!

Since I’m always up for a challenge when it comes to food, I love that it takes SO long to enjoy an entire serving of pistachios. That means that I get to slowly enjoy my snack instead of rushing through eating it. And the kids love trying to open each one themselves making it a game to them.

When I choose snacks I try to choose ones that’ll keep me feeling full and satisfied. Pistachios are a good source of fiber, providing 12 percent of the daily value per 30-gram serving. And besides the health benefits, eating fiber may help you feel full longer and makes it easier to follow a healthy eating plan. Go pistachios!

pistachio granola bar recipe pistachios

Healthy snacks are great for a healthy lifestyle. They can help make us feel good and taste great as well. And? You get more nuts per serving with pistachios than any other nut out there. If you reduce your serving to 30 pistachios, you have a great 100 calorie snack ready for you to enjoy.

Below are a few great tips from Celebrity Trainer Valerie Waters as she helps us focus on smart snacking:

pistachios shine like the stars large

Since my kids already love pistachios I thought I’d take their love one step further and make some delicious dark chocolate pistachio granola bars for them as an after school treat. Something they could make with me after they got home and enjoy after naptime (because you better believe I still enforce naptime here!).

I took a few ingredients we had in the cupboard, chopped up a handful of pistachios, and made some delicious granola bars that are sure to be a hit when they wake up!

pistachio granola bar recipe ingredients

Dark Chocolate Pistachio Granola Bar Recipe

  • 1 cup Chex rice cereal
  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 1/2 cup sweetened granola
  • 1/4 cup pistachios (shelled and chopped)
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries (unsweetened)
  • 1/8 cup coconut (unsweetened)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 1/3 cup almond butter (unsalted)
  • 1 tablespoon honey or raw agave (more or less to taste)
  1. In a large bowl, mix together the rice cereal, oats, granola, pistachios, chocolate, dried cranberries, coconut, and salt.
  2. In a small bowl mix together almond milk, chia seeds and almond butter. Stir until almond butter is dissolved into almond milk.
  3. Add almond mixture to dry ingredients and mix everything together until a dough forms.
  4. Press the dough into a wax paper lined 8 x 8 inch dish or a bar pan. Place the dish into the freezer and let set for about 20 minutes, or until hardened. Cut dough into bars. Wrap the bars individually and store in the freezer or fridge.

 

pistachio granola bar recipe bar pan

pistachio granola bar recipe cut out

What are your go-to healthy habits for 2014?

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Pistachio Health Institute.

Simple Success with the Weight Watchers Simple Start App

I was given a free one month subscription to Weight Watchers to try their new Simple Start plan and write about my experience.Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are my own.

Weight Watchers Simple Start App success  #SimpleStart

Over the past two weeks I’ve jumped back in to the Weight Watchers lifestyle with the help of the Weight Watchers Simple Start app. And during these two weeks I’ve learned a lot about myself and what I’m capable of.

Now I’ve never had problems losing weight. it’s sticking with a weight loss plan/healthy lifestyle that I have trouble with. But luckily I’ve found over these two weeks that Simple Start is my answer to this problem.

Whenever I get tired of counting points I can simply switch to Simple Start for two weeks to reset myself and focus on eating until I am comfortably full and satisfied while still trying to get the good health guidelines in. [Read more…]

Finding a New Way to Stay Active and Enjoy Life + a recipe for Salmon Burgers

I was given a free one month subscription to Weight Watchers to try their new Simple Start plan and write about my experience.Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are my own

Finding A New Way To Stay Active and a recipe for Salmon Burgers #SimpleStart

Every other time I start a weight loss journey I jump right in feet first. I start running again, go to lots of classes at the gym (more than my normal 2 or 3), and eat by the book. But this first week on Simple Start I’ve tried something a bit different.

Instead I’ve taken it a bit slower. I’ve decided that I’m not quite the runner I wanted to be. Walking seems to be easier on my joints and I’m getting more miles in by switching up the pace. And… I’ve found my motivation!

I’m also having some fun in the kitchen as well. Not necessarily trying outlandish and adventurous things, but going back to the recipes I love. Including this amazingly delicious salmon burger that’s perfect for any time of the year. [Read more…]

Green Monster Protein Smoothie {6 WW+}

Green Monster Protein SmoothieThere’s one thing I’ve been obsessed about for months. Something that’s healthy for me that I actually crave at times. And you’ll think I’m crazy, but they really are good. What am I talking about? This green monster protein smoothie.

No, seriously… this protein-packed green machine is something I blend up in the morning and enjoy sipping until the very end. I have to thank the frozen banana and teaspoon of PB2 for that.

Haven’t heard of PB2? Well it’s basically powdered peanut butter and is much more calorie friendly than your typical jar of Skippy or Jif. You can find it on Amazon or on select store shelves. You can also find another version from Just Great Stuff that tastes very similar. And? It also comes in chocolate peanut butter form too!

I’ve spotted the Just Great Stuff brand at Target and Whole Foods but there are specialty stores around town that carry PB2 as well. And the protein powder? I pick up the Whole Foods generic brand, 365. It was recommended by a few people and I enjoy the taste.

Oh, and this whole huge 24oz cup? 6 WW+ points! How awesome is that? Definitely a breakfast I can dig before a workout. Then, when I have more time at lunch, I enjoy some scrambled eggs after my workouts. [Read more…]

Creating a Healthy Lifestyle with Weight Watchers Simple Start

I was given a free one month subscription to Weight Watchers to try their new Simple Start plan and write about my experience.Though I was compensated for my time and commitment, all views, positive and negative, are my own.

Creating a Healthy Lifestyle with Weight Watchers Simple Start #SimpleStart

It all starts with a plan. And attainable goals. What might seem like small little changes will eventually start to turn into a large lifestyle change. That’s what Weight Watchers Simple Start has provided for me.

Now I’ve been on Weight Watchers before. Before having my son, and then again after the birth of my son and my daughter. However keeping track of points, logging in, and staying on track proved to get away from me when I started showing signs of success, usually around the 25 pound loss mark.

So with a new year comes a new goal… to not hop off the wagon! To stay OP (on plan) and to try new things. That’s why I love that Weight Watchers has this new Simple Start app that can help me follow the simply filling plan easier for two weeks to reset my eating habits and get me on the right track. Without counting points. [Read more…]

January Fitness Photo a Day Challenge

I’m starting this New Year off with a bang with this January Fitness Photo a Day Challenge. Finding the motivation to keep going and the accountability of sharing my journey this next year as I get closer to my goal is my biggest inspiration right now! 

Plus, being able to discover new Instagram users to follow and see so many creative pictures out there is so helpful and lets me get to know my Instagram friends a bit more.

january-photo-a-day-fitness-challenge

This is all you have to do:

Find me on Instagram at @simmworksfamily to easily follow along. Use the hashtag #lowcarbsandiego to make sure we can all see your pictures. Leave your Instagram handle in the comments so I can make sure to follow you back! Start taking pictures and join along now. No need to wait until the beginning of each month. Jump in whenever and post when you can. Have fun with it!

How do you challenge yourself?

5 Ways to Comfort a Sick Child

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5 ways to comfort a sick child

One of the worst things to deal with as a parent is seeing your child sick. The only thing you can think about are ways to make them feel better. And having ways to comfort a sick child can be quite helpful in these situations.

There’s a routine I go about when trying to comfort my kids when they are sick. Doing things that are familiar to them seems to make them the most comfortable.

That’s all I want for my sickies, for them to feel comfortable and secure knowing that mama’s going to take care of them. So here’s how I do it… [Read more…]



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