TipsyTuesday~7 Ways to Teach your Children Gratitude

7 Ways to Teach your Children Gratitude

1. Remember that children learn by example: So remember to always show appreciation for the things you have, try to focus your energy on the things that are good in your life, acknowledge that things are not always perfect or just, but that you have the power to bring happiness into your life, by focusing your energy in all that is good in it. 

2. Teach them the value of things: Make it a point to emphasize the importance of even the smallest of  things. From the air we breath, to the coat or shoes they wear. Teach them the value not only of things, but also of people no matter, how old or young they might be or even how different they might be from us. 

3. Provide Service to Others: Remember that you not have to be overseas in a third world country to make a difference when teaching your kids the value of service. I remember as a little girl walking down the street with my mother to provide a meal for a lady in our neighborhood that just had a baby, the feeling that came over me right after was by far greater then any memory worth keeping in my heart. Sometimes Serving others can happen within the walls of our own homes. 

4. Highs and Lows: Make it a goal to talk every night as a family, provide an opportunity for each member of your family to share a positive experience in their day and also a low moment in their day. This activity will teach your children acknowledgement of things that might not be so great, but also about appreciating the  things that brought them happiness.

5. Go Without: About a year ago our family found ourselves in a very hard financial situation, we were not able to pay for electricity. For a period of 24 hours my kids learned for the first time in their life, what it felt like to be without electricity, how many things we depended on, were dependent on electricity. When our power was finally turned on, my children understood how blessed they were to have a light bulb over our heads, sometimes in life like the saying says "You take things for granted till you no longer have them. Teach your children by going without, try taking all the electronics away for a weekend. Leaving them with 1 pair of shoes for a week, when they have over 10 pairs in their closet and they complain they have no shoes to wear. or making them wash their shirts by hand to learn to appreciate clean clothing. When they don't appreciate something they have its not a bad idea to go without, till they understand how blessed they truly are and most importantly understand to appreciate the thing they were taking for granted. 

6. Teach them by acting out the roles: I know of no better way to teach kids gratitude for the things they have, then to have them understand how things got where they got. For example going to the grocery store is simple enough, but what if you actually took your children to a farm for a family activity and actually had them work on the farm for a couple of hours, I can guarantee you that they would not look at that lettuce or apple the same way again. Back in the days families had chores that included baking bread for the family, milking the cow, feeding the chickens, sometimes even butchering and plucking the chickens, planting, sewing, bringing water in from the well and having to go potty in the outhouse. 

7. Put a Gratitude Tree Together: Here is a really fun activity that started a couple of years back in our home. Every year we go looking for the perfect branch, which we bring into the house and put in a vase filled with rocks. We cut out leaf shape figures out of colorful construction paper and set it in the middle of the table. By the time we have our Thanksgiving Dinner, the tree is pretty filled up with all the things we are grateful for. This is a really fun hands on activity, that the whole family can be part of. 

by: Dennissa Ramirez SuperMom of 5

TipsyTuesdays~Top 10 uses for Coconut Oil

When my friend first introduced me to Coconut Oil, I was a bit hesitant to even try it let alone go and buy it. She told me how good it was for your health and its benefits which includes a high amount of rich vitamins and minerals. She went on to tell me how she used it for beauty purposes and also a healing ointment for her baby's bottom and her dry lips. She went on to tell me how great it was for cooking and even as a substitute for a butter spread. By now she pretty much had convince me, and went on to doing a little research of my own. I found out the Coconut Oil was nicknamed "The Healthiest oil on Earth", I also found out the when you cook with coconut oil all the nutrients stay in the food, which is totally not the case with all the other oils. I started baking with this oils substituting all other oils, including olive oil which i usually used and my food tasted good Like real real good! My brownies were moist and tasted divine, with a slight kick of coconut flavor, but oh so Good! So I figure I share with you all the uses I have found for using coconut Oil!

1. Lip Balm, when my lips feel dry like extra dry, I will apply coconut oil to them and within a few applications not only do they feel moist, but I know the nutrients being absorbed by my lips are not hazardous but actually good for me.

2. As a lotion, I know you are probably thinking, Why in the world would I apply oil to my hands? Let me tell you that this oil is not only instantly absorb by my hands but there is no oil residue feel left behind. 

3. Make up remover, You are not only avoiding putting harsh chemicals on your face, but it will get the job done and you will also have the great feeling of knowing that minerals that our faces need were actually left behind once the make up was removed.

4. Body Scrub, I don't know about you, but I love a good Body Scrub, and nothing better then if its something I can put together in my own house. I will usually put together equal amounts of coconut oil and sugar, mixed them together and I have a scrub full of nutrients and minerals that are being absorbed by my body while exfoliating my skin. 

5. Smoothies, add a spoon of coconut oil to any smoothie to add a nutritional boost

6. Ear Infections, I have used it in my children's ears to help speed the ear infection healing process

7. Acne, oil helping fight acne? those two don't seem to add up, but give it a try and it might just work for you. My skin is very acne prone and it has help keep it a bit under control I still brake out now and then, but not like I used to before applying coconut oil on a daily basis.

8. As a substitute for any oil when cooking, as I had mention before Coconut oil is known as the "Healthiest Oil on Earth", Not only is it packed with nutrients and minerals that stay in our food when cooking, even after high levels of heat. It also contains Lauric Acid which is proven to be anti-fungul, anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent.

9. As a shaving Cream, OK so I had read about this and since I had already being doing a scrub, I figured why not! So yes it totally works and it leaves your legs moisturize.

10. For Baking, I dare you to try it! Substitute any call for oil on any recipe and tell me if whatever you bake, does not taste oh so Good! You will also be able to tell that your cookies, brownies, bread will be so moist and to top it off a ton healthier!

Shrimp Tostadas

Time is something I rarely have with 5 kids, so when it comes to cooking I always try to come up with recipes that are easy to make and don't consume all of my time, but at the same time i want them to be flavorful and nutritious. This is by far one of my favorite recipes, its so easy to make that even my two oldest girls enjoy helping me, i hope you enjoy this refreshing Easy recipe as much as we do.

Ingredients

2  1 lb bags of cooked Shrimp medium size

1 lb bag of imitation Crab

half of a Medium white onion chopped into small squares

2 Roma tomatoes cut into squares

2 cucumbers cut into squares

5 juicy limes

a handful of finely chopped cilantro

1 Bag of Tostadas

Avocados

Preparation

In a large bowl place the chopped onions and squeeze all the lime juice  over the onion, let the lime juice set aside to marinate the onion for about 10 minutes. Next you are going to take the tail off the shrimp and cut the shrimps in half, then proceed to cutting the imitation crab into small and medium size squares.  

By now the 10 minutes probably have gone on by, you are going to add the shrimp and the crab to the lime and onion mixture, follow by the chopped cucumbers and tomatoes. Add salt to taste and sprinkle the finely chopped cilantro.

Put a generous amount of this on a tostada, and garnish to taste with avocado, chili or even ketchup.

Serves about 25 tostadas

by: Dennissa Ramirez 

To get more recipes like this one you can also visit Cookingonabudgetlatina.blogspot.com

MotivationalMondays~Confessions of a SuperMom

As the new year rolls in, I am taking the moment to reflect on all that happen in 2013, within the walls of my own home, my surroundings, friendships, opportunities for growth and professional advancements. I am so thankful for all that 2013 brought.

But as you know, being a SuperMom does not make you perfect, in fact being a SuperMom requires a lot of personal motivation and most importantly understanding that a SuperMom is not equivalent to being a perfect human being, and thank goodness for that!

You see, most times I will find my house upside down after just cleaning it!
Dishes pile up way too soon.  Laundry times 7 keeps the washer and dryer running constantly everyday.
I find myself screaming a little more then what I would like.  I try to be aware of what I feed my children, but sometimes am I missing things from their nutrition chart.
And let's face it, sometimes the day has been so busy between after school activities and personal agendas, then dinner time rolls around and you find yourself not knowing what's on the menu.

Then there are those times were I wish you had reacted better to unforeseen situations
in efforts to make a better example to my precious children. Such as using lady like words.
Or those times where you have guest show up at your home and you are still in your PJ's.
Their are times where you find yourself helping your child till 1 in the morning finish their state report.

We are not perfect, there is no one walking on this earth that is. With this said, remember that being a SuperMom is much more then having the perfect most cleanest house or the cutest looking blog or even the Pinterest inspired birthday parties. Even then there is a story behind it all, maybe all we see is  a glamorous life we wish we had or the perfect home or the cutest blog. But we need to remember that we are all MOM's at the end of the day.

We are all in the same boat we get stress and frustrated sometimes even at ourselves. We need to remember to lift each other up and to keep going even when our days don't feel so Super, even when we don't feel like the SuperMom we are meant to be.  Which is the one that lifts her children up and is trying to better herself day after day and understands her potential as a mother and the biggest influencer in her children's life.

So you see even with my Insecurities and Imperfections, I am still proud to say I am a SuperMom!!












by: Denny Ramirez

SuperMomSpotlight~ Kate Dunn Pease

We are so excited to introduce you to Kate Dunn Pease, She is an Amazing Mother of 2, 

and a very Talented Photographer over at Kate Pease Photography.  

We Love Kate's Passion for life and her joy and honesty when it comes to Motherhood. 

SMT:  Who was your biggest role model growing up?

KP: Although I didn’t know it at the time, or I was too stubborn to admit, I’d have to say my Mom! She is a superb example. I feel like everything good that I am, she taught me, or she planted the seed. She is such a source of wisdom, I don’t know what I would do without her!

SMT:  What are some traits that would describe you?

KP: I have a zest for life. I want to experience life to the absolute fullest, even if that means putting myself through something potentially scary or painful (like drug-free childbirth!). I love traveling and would much rather have life experiences than things.

SMT:  You have a special Love and Talent for Photography, Where did it all start?

KP: Thank you! You know that feeling where your heart just swells, but you don’t really have the words to put the sentences together to describe it? That’s how I feel about photography. It’s that swelling feeling when you hear a piece of music that just touches you, or brings you back to a moment in your life. For me, it’s not about the shutters, lenses, and megapixels. It’s about people, their stories, and their relationships. Photography is emotional. Think about how important photos are! After tragedy like 9/11 and Sandy Hook, we were inundated with the last known photos of victims and their families. Photos are just priceless. They freeze in time an important moment to be relived, and remembered through the photo. Viewing photos brings back the flood of love and memories of that time a photo was taken. Nothing else can provide that! EVERYONE has a story worth telling, and deserves to be photographed with those who they love the most.  This is why I say “please, please don’t wait until you’ve lost those 5-10lbs before you have your photo taken!” Your family loves you just the way you are now! I got started in photography because I love love, and I wanted to provide something meaningful for people to be enjoyed in the years and decades to come as they remember their lives, legacies, and stories.

SMT:  If you had any one piece of advice for someone looking to go into the Photography field what would you tell them?

KP: Your camera and your lenses are important, but what’s more important is the three inches behind the camera (aka your brain!).  Don’t rush out and buy all this gear you think you need, because you don’t. Once you’ve honed on your vision, and what you like to shoot, and learned like crazy, then start thinking about buying an expensive piece of gear. Because if you buy it in the beginning before you’ve done those things, you will most likely regret buying it because it wasn’t really what you needed/doesn’t suit your vision. Invest your time and your money learning, learning, and learning. There are so many wonderful (and free) online sources for learning about photography. Learn from the Masters, or those who’s work you look up to. Hone your vision; find out what you like to shoot (architectural, commercial, product, wedding, portrait, babies, nature, birth, etc). Everyone can own the same camera as you, but they’ll never have the knowledge, style, personality or vision that you have.

SMT: Describe a typical day in the life of Kate?

KP: Honestly, my days revolve around my 2 kids Claire (age 5) and Simon (turning 2 in January). We get up real early, go to the gym, play, go to school (Claire), take a nap (Simon), answer emails/inquiries (me), watch a movie and go to bed. They go to bed fairly early (6:30pm-7pm) so that I can have the energy and time to tackle the mountains of editing I have to do until I go to bed. I work my shoots in there and when my husband has the time off, or I get a babysitter.

SMT: What does motherhood mean to you?

KP: How do you expect me to answer this?! Haha! Motherhood means e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. Motherhood pushes you to your absolute limits that you didn’t know were possible. It opens up these chambers of your heart with each kid that you had no idea you had the capacity to fill and love that much. It also can be hands down the most frustrating, all encompassing, never ending, and exhausting thing you could ever dream of doing. Motherhood pretty much dictates everything you do/don’t do. Motherhood is the constant inside battle of loving your kids to the moon and back, and wanting to give them everything you possibly could, without spoiling them. It comes with heaps of mom guilt for reasons you’re not really sure you should feel guilty for (like “oh my gosh, I pretty much have never done any cute Pinterest craft with my kids…should I be doing that? Are they missing out on life because of it?!” or “I’m giving my kids hot dogs for dinner…again.”), and always questioning if you’re doing a good enough job. It is the hardest, most thankless, but most rewarding and joyful thing you could ever do. Whether you are pregnant with your first or have 10 kids, it is giving 100% percent of everything you could ever give mentally, emotionally, physically and financially, and then some. Once you’re a mom, you have a hard time remembering what life was like before you were a mom. I have never felt truer joy than from those blissful little moments of being a mom with my kids and family.

 

SMT: How do you keep the focus of what Christmas is really all about in your Home?

KP: You know what? We keep things really really simple. Here is the most we will do during the entire Christmas season: put up a tree, listen to Christmas music, drive around and see lights, temple square lights, visiting Santa, watch Christmas movies, make cookies, drink cocoa, read the scriptures about Jesus, give Christmas PJs, and open presents on Christmas morning. No elves, no crafts, no daily traditions or advents, no home-made gifts or knick knacks…nothing! I refuse to put un-due pressure/work on myself for creating every craft, gift, recipe and idea on Pinterst for the holidays. I am busy enough/have enough pressure on me already as a mom to two little kids, and running a business. In my mind, and in our home, simpler is happier. My kids don’t want a crazed stressed out mom trying to bake hundreds of cookies for our neighbors. They want to chill with me on the couch and watch Mickey’s Magical Christmas for the 500^th time, and I’m fine with it because that means quality snuggle time!

SMT: What are your passions in Life?

KP: Family, Travel, Learning, Culture, Experiences, Photography

SMT: If you could vacation anywhere in the world where would you go?

           KP: Tahiti,  Kho Phi Phi, Thailand, and then Angkor Wat Cambodia African Safari in Botswana then travel to the border of Zimbabwe to see Victoria Falls Zip line and see volcanoes in Costa Rica

SMT: Aside from Food and Shelter, what is the one thing you couldn’t live without?

KP: Internet and hot water!

SMT: If you had the power to change one thing in the world, what would it be and why?

KP: As you may have guessed, motherhood is so near and dear to my heart. I have had such a wonderful blessing and privilege of bringing children into the world in a warm, and safe environment with adequate prenatal care, wonderful and safe births, and adequate medical care for my children as they grow. My wish would be that every woman gets to bring children in the world of her own accord, in a safe, clean, sanitary birth environment.  That she wouldn’t have to fear for her safety, and that she and her children don’t have to starve. It just is so sickening to me that there is indeed enough food in the world to feed the world, yet so many in the world go hungry. My wish would be safety and love for every mother and child.

If you want to get to know Kate a Little better make sure to follow 

Kate Pease Photography and Facebook Fan Page!

{A very special Thank You toSarah Knight Photography For Such Beautiful Pictures.}

Savory Quinoa

This is a very easy to make recipe that is both delicious and nutritious. I mainly follow the recipe on the box but instead of water, I like to use chicken broth.

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups chicken broth

Directions:

Place quinoa and broth in a 2 quart saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook until all the broth is absorbed (about 10-15 minutes).