Peggy Porter Can Change Your Life with Mompreneur Coaching

Peggy Porter is an entrepreneur coach whom I truly respect, read on and see if you are motivated for your better life - today. Best, Dr. K

The month of January is coming to a close and so I encourage you to ask yourself these questions:

Am I TRULY living the life that I want to live, the life I dream off?

Am I creating the business that offers financial prosperity as well as lots of time to spend with family?

Am I taking care of ME? Do I experience joy, vitality and happiness on a daily basis?

Do I love the life I am living while creating the life I want?

Do I want to be entering 2010 in the same place I am today?

If you answered NO to any of these questions, you are not alone. Many Mom Entrepreneurs struggle with bringing their vision for their family and business into reality.

The thing is, IT IS ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE!

Then WHY do many mom entrepreneurs still struggle from year to year to make the changes they know and want to make?

Because we lose focus and motivation and life gets in the way. Overwhelm sets in as well as fear and self doubt and before we know it, another year rolls by and we are in the same place as we were last year.

How do I know this? Because it all happened to me on more than one occasion.
So are you tired of living this struggle? Are you REALLY READY to make some changes and DO things differently this year? Are you ready to think bigger about what your life can truly be?

I want to help you reach all your goals in 2009. How do I know I can do this? Because I know how effective having a coach can be. All the times I have been involved with a coach or a coaching program has been the time when I have experienced the most personal and professional growth AND I know the results clients have gotten from working with me. Coaching gives you the accountability, focus and structure that is needed to reach goals.

Presently, I have two openings for private platinum clients. This is a very structured, focused year long one on one coaching program. It will get you results if you are ready to make the commitments and step into the possibilities for your life and business.

This is what you will get as a platinum client...

Mom Entrepreneur Platinum Program

This is a 12 month program for the motivated Mom Entrepreneur who is ready to make the commitment to turn her life and business around!

Year long programs are not for everyone but they are for the client who wants to create a compelling vision for their life and business, break through barriers, set big, bold goals, and create clear action steps with weekly accountability.

The Platinum program consists of:

* 90 minute life assessment and goal setting call at the beginning of the program
* 3-1 hour sessions each and every month
* Monthly checklists to keep focused and on track
* Monthly goal setting on eliminating clutter, energy drains and tolerations
* Creating and committing to regular routines of self care
* 90 minute assessment at the 6 month mark
* Mp3 downloadable recording of each call
* Unlimited email coaching for the entire year

Sound like something you are be interested in? Email me or call 506-651-4550 before Feb 1, 2009 and we will set up an appointment to discuss the program and its suitability for you.

There is a quote that always comes to mind when I am feeling stuck...

"If you always do what you always did,
you will always get what you always got."

Are you ready to do things different? Email me at peggy@seekingbalance.ca

To Your Mom Entrepreneur Success,

Peggy Porter

Self-Monitoring Behavior

Self-Monitoring Behavior

You may know children who hit or call names, only to blame the other children for their behavioral choices. Sometimes these children blame others in order to justify their own behavior. More often, however, they have not developed the self-awareness, planning, and impulse control to manage their behaviors effectively. This occurs particularly when they are ages four to nine. One step toward helping your children follow the rules is improving their ability to observe their own behaviors and the impact of their behaviors on others.

Research shows that children behave better when their view of their behavior coincides with the view others have of their behavior. As an example, seven-year-old Juliette is more likely to hold the door open for her peers at school when her peers view that behavior as one Juliette is anticipated to exhibit. If asked to rate her "door holding" behavior on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being poor and 5 being excellent) she is also more likely to rate herself as her peers would see her behavior if she knows they are also evaluating her.

You can use self and sibling ratings as a tool to help your children observe and manage their behaviors better at home. The Family Coach, My Daily Points tool can help your children consciously monitor their behavior.

THE FAMILY COACH POINTS TOOL

Name __________________________________________________________________

Time:______Points:_____
Time:______Points:_____
Time:______Points:_____
Time:______Points:_____
Time:______Points:_____

Name __________________________________________________________________

Time: ______Points:_____
Time: ______Points:_____
Time: ______Points:_____
Time: ______Points:_____
Time: ______Points:_____

Begin with three rules for your family to follow for one week. Each day, focus on one of the rules. Make a sheet of paper with each person's name across the top. On the left hand side write down five times such as 7 am, 8 am, noon, 3 pm, and 5 pm depending on what time your children go to school, camp, soccer, etc. Try to choose five specific times when you are with your children so that the rating period is based on times when you are present to observe behaviors. Help your children monitor their adherence to one family rule each day by taking a moment and asking your children, "On a scale from 1 to 5, how well did you follow the family rule today?" On the scale, 1 is poorly, 2 is partially, 3 is okay, 4 is good, and 5 is great.

Let's put this tool into practice:

"This week, we will be focusing on three family rules: (1) Being an active listener, (2) complimenting one another, and (3) putting our belongings back in their homes (where they belong). Today is Monday, so we are working on 'Being an active listener'." Take the time to help your children see where they are earning points with an eye toward what behaviors they wish to improve.

Light a SPARK FREE Webinar

SPARK presents:

"Simple ways to increase MVPA"

This webinar is the first in a series of free monthly "Wednesday Webinars" hosted by SPARK. The purpose is to provide educators and administrators with resources to implement and/or sustain SPARK programs in their schools. Whether you are a seasoned SPARK Star or just want to learn more about SPARK, this webinar series is for you!
There will be a new topic each month as well as time for Q&A on anything you'd like to discuss.

SPARK's February Webinar-

"Simple Ways to increase MVPA"

Description: A major objective of SPARK PE is to increase the amount of time students spend engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). This webinar will present proven ways to increase MVPA through discussion of the following topics:

*Why students need more MVPA
*Modifying lessons to increase MVPA
*Decreasing transition time between activities
*Identifying inclusionary strategies

When: Wednesday, Feb 4th at 3:00 pm PST

Who: K-12 teachers and administrators, PE specialists, after school coordinators, early childhood educators, and coordinated school health staff.

Duration: 30 minutes

Cost: Free!

Registration: To register for this webinar, click on the following link: SPARK Webinar- Feb 4th. Then
click on the "REGISTER" button to sign up.

Thank you from the SPARK team!

Conscious Movement

Introducing Conscious Movement classes for adults.

Conscious Movement gets you moving. You learn to let go of the constant gripping of your muscles, that creates tension in your body and mind. You will become aware of where you get "stuck" in your body and in your thought patterns. Through movement, you can trust in your body and mind, becoming more present and focused in your life.

Besides learning about yourself, through movement, you also get a workout. As you integrate movement in your muscles, bones and joints, you learn to create more relaxation and ease by moving through your whole body. In practicing deep internal stretches in your body, you can unwind your challenge areas. You will build strength, stamina & endurance as you work your muscles through "whole body" movements. You will learn to let go of the physical and mental "stuff" that holds you back from really making things work in your life.

www.consciousworkouts.com
Contact Michell at:
info@consciousworkouts.com or 602-617-3141 to register

Twitter Moms Blog

It's official, TwitterMoms now has featured contributors! Look for fun, thought-provoking posts everyday. Read the latest in parenting, home & food, style, health & fitness, travel, money & business and a completely upgraded TwitterMom of the Week (could it be you?).

Announcing the TwitterMoms Featured Contributors

We reviewed hundreds of applications for featured contributors, and may I just say, you ladies are all very impressive! But I did have to select a limited number -- this go around! Our featured contributors are volunteers, and as we get further along we will add more featured contributors from our membership. Stay tuned! But, without further adieu, it is with great pleasure to introduce you to our new featured contributors:

* For all you moms out there, Molly Balient, Terreece Clarke and Lynne Kenney will be posting stories and advice on parenting.
* Laura Zavelson, Mary and Beth Ann Bentley will be covering crafting, decorating and all things home & food.
* To keep up on the latest fashion and beauty trends, check out Kristen Andrews style blog - she's got all the inside scoop.
* Holly Rigsby and Lisa Druxman will be sharing their expertise for losing weight and keeping fit in 2009 in the health & fitness section.
* And, if you are taking a vacation this year or just want to live vicariously through a mom traveling Europe with her husband, child and dog, be sure to read the latest from Alice Griffin and Jamie Pearson.
* Beth Feldman, Lyn Mettler and Lauren Barack will be helping us keep our businesses and finances in order with their advice and expertise in money & business.
* Finally, Lea Curtes Swenson will be introducing us to the TwitterMom of the Week every Monday!

Join us! www.twittermoms.com/profile/LynneKenney

Money Management For Moms

Think Thin with Dr. Fred From MotherHoodLater.com

I think we can all remember back when it was "so easy" to lose weight - if not so easy then at least easier than it is now. Time is definitely not our friend when it comes to weight loss, especially for women. The reason for this is mainly the hormonal changes that start to occur at this stage of life. That's right, peri-menopausal changes. These changes start anywhere from 35 to 40 and will last until you start to experience the more common menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, memory loss, and vaginal dryness - to name a few.

I have designed a program with stubborn weight loss issues in mind. These issues are interesting because many women complain of the inability to lose weight after having children (but that has never stopped Angelina Jolie) or some women find that for the first time in their lives, without changing the way they eat, they are finding that the pounds just keep piling on. It's all about hormones! The diet program I recommend is geared toward regulating those hormones and allowing you to lose weight and, most importantly, to stay healthy while setting a good example for your children.

In my first diet book for adults, Thin For Good, there are specific chapters designed for both men and women at different times in their lives. My more recent book, The Hamptons Diet, applies more to everyone and includes all of the insight I've gained since the first book was written. Each book has over 200 recipes. The Hamptons Diet Cookbook is also available if you truly get hooked on this way of eating.

In case you don't want to buy the books, allow me to share the top ten tips for losing weight (at any age!)

Cut out Sugar!
Seems simple enough, right? Yet sugar can be found in most foods. In fact, there are 300 foods that the government says do not have to include the sugar content in the ingredients label although the food does contain sugar (such as iodized salt - most iodized salts add sugar to keep the grains from sticking together). Did you know that ketchup contains more sugar than ice cream? How can you find the hidden sugars? Look at the ingredients list for words that end in "-ose" or "-ol" - these are sugars. Fruit juice should be avoided - studies show that those who consume more fruit juice are more prone to obesity and diabetes. Soda is also loaded with sugar. You may be hearing a lot about high fructose corn syrup these day too - what you may not know is that this product is even more deadly than regular sugar. Be wary of labels that say "no sugar added" - check the ingredients list. You will be surprised at what you find!
Note: Stevia (a non-caloric herb) is a good and healthy sugar substitute that can easily be found in a health food store.

Eradicate Simple Carbohydrates from your Diet:
That means bye-bye to all the "white" foods such as bread, pasta, pretzels, etc. They are metabolized in the body just like sugar. I should also mention that honey, succanat, and agave are still just sugars albeit in a "healthier" form; yet for the purposes of losing weight, they are metabolized in the body identically to sugar so get rid of them.

Cut out "Diet" Products:
Most of these will contain an artificial sweetener of some kind. Not only are these toxic chemicals which will kill you at some point, but they set up blood sugar reactions in the body and will have you craving sweets just as if you were eating sugar.

Choose Lean Proteins:
Don't be afraid of meat or eggs. They fire up the metabolism and it is okay to eat eggs every morning. 80% of the cholesterol in your blood stream is produced by the liver and not by what you eat - a very common medical myth. I would advise eating organic animal products whenever possible.

Choose Healthier Snacks:
Cheese, nuts, nut butters, seeds are all significantly heart healthy snacks. The fatty acids found in these products not only satisfy hunger, and boost your metabolism but will also aid in decreasing cholesterol and raising the healthy HDL cholesterol.

Vegetables are you Friends:
So many of us forget that vegetables are a wonderful source of carbohydrates and fiber. They are filling and most of them are filled with lots of water hence giving them the ability to satiate you.

Drink Plenty of Water:
You should be drinking about ½ your body weight in ounces of water each day. I know that sounds like a lot, but once you start doing it you will start to feel the thirst. This helps to flush out toxins and keep your bowels moving regularly.

Eat at Home More Often:
Not only will this save you money but you will know exactly what is in your food; no guess work and no added growth hormones or antibiotic residue from non-organic or non-natural food.

Exercise:
This not only decreases stress levels which decrease cortisol levels (the hormone that increases fatty deposition around the mid section) but also helps in the weight loss process. Even if you only exercise for a few minutes a day - it's better than nothing.

Get a Buddy:
If all else fails, get support from those around you. Encourage your husband, a girlfriend or anyone to join in with you. It is easier as a team. And if your family doesn't go along willingly, if you do the shopping and the cooking, then they will be forced to eat what you are eating - don't buy foods just for them. If they want something different, they can go to the store themselves.

Good Luck and Happy New Year!

Think Thin in 2009
Tips for Healthy Weight Loss
Dr. Fred Pescatore, MD, MPH, CCN
from www.motherhoodlater.com

Dr. Fred Pescatore, MD, MPH, CCN is a regular contributor to the MLTS Newsletter. He is the author of The New York Times best-selling book, The Hampton's Diet, and The Hampton's Diet Cookbook, which combine the Mediterranean lifestyle with the palates of Americans emphasizing a whole foods approach to health and weight management. He lectures around the world and has been seen on such televisions shows as, NBC's Today Show and ABC's The View. He is a correspondent for Women's World, First for Women, In Touch, US Weekly and Life & Style magazines.

Successful Parents

SUCCESS MAGAZINE is featuring an amazing DVD series for parents this month. It's on sale NOW! Visit http://www.successmagazine.com/Family-Relationships-DVD-Collection-/PARAMS/product/251

Financial Tips with Michelle Evard

Listen in to Michelle Evard http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-Family-Coach Thursday January 8, 2009 1pm ET as we discuss money saving tips for 2009.

1. If you are trying stay on a budget, use cash instead of credit cards. When you do this, go to the ATM on a certain day and take out a certain amt. For example, I take out $200/wk and once that is gone, I know I cannot go out to dinner or pick up the dry cleaning.

2. If trying to save on food, read the flyers and buy more of the big items when they are on sale. Big items include meat, milk, bread – things you use all the time. Utilize coupons and buy produce that is in season.

3. If your child does activities and they would like to join all of them, give them a choice of 2 or 3 they can join and see if the local community center, YMCA or school already has a program. That way you do not have to pay full price for them. Stay away from traveling teams until your child narrows down what they like – so you aren’t spending needless amounts of money on gas and travel.

4. When you child is old enough to understand – usually around 7 or 8 – put them on a budget. For example, they are allowed $50 a month, if they ruin the carpet or you have to fix the neighbors house because they were careless, that $50 go towards their mistakes. You aren’t punishing them with money, you are showing them that those things cost money and that it doesn’t grow on trees.

5. For older children in high school, give them monetary rewards for finishing school, getting good grades, etc. It will have limits though, they have to use the money to invest and to grow, they can’t just spend it. This way they understand using their money to grow their net worth instead of buying material items.

Queen of Fats Susan Allport

What exactly are omega-3s?

Omega-3s are one of two families of essential fats, which are fats we cannot make ourselves and must consume in our diets. The omega-3s originate in green leaves (of all places), and they compete with a second family of essential fats, omega-6s, fats that are much more prevalent in the seeds of plants, for positions in every cell in our body.

We’ve been taught to think of all these fats, the polyunsaturates, as one big happy family. But in fact they are two competing families with very different effects on our bodies. Omega-3s speed up the activity of cells; omega-6s slow it down. Omega-3s create little to no inflammation; omega-6s create a lot of inflammation. A balance of these two families, in our diets and our tissues, produces just the right amount of activity and inflammation and leads to optimal health.
How have omega-3s been removed from the Western Diet

Let me back up a moment and talk about where omega-3s are found and then it will be easy to see how they’ve been removed. Omega-3s originate in the green leaves of plants, not fish, as most people think. They accumulate in the tissues of animals that eat green leaves, including fish, but they originate in the chlorplasts of green leaves. A second family fats, omega-6s, are much more prevalent in the seeds of plants. Omega-6s are also essential for health but they compete with omega-3s for positions in our cell membranes so that anyone who is consuming lots of vegetable or seed oils, as most Americans are, is not going to have a lot of omega-3s in their tissues.

As our reliance on seed oils has increased since the early 1900s so has our incidence of heart disease and other ailments

Omega-3s originate in the green leaves of plants, as I said, and because green leaves are the most abundant thing on the planet, omega-3s are, in fact the most abundant fat on the planet. The only place they’re not abundant is in the tissues of Americans and other Westerners because we’re eating so many of the competing omega-6 fats.

http://www.susanallport.com/

Save Your Brain

The three-pound organ in your head is very special. So if you want to feel happy, alert and focused, start being sensitive to its needs.

1. Ditch the high fructose corn syrup and sugars, transfats, processed and packaged foods (which contain up to 3,500 food additives and chemicals).
2.Choose organic foods and grass-fed animal products to avoid hormones, antibiotics and the gallon of neurotoxic pesticides each of us consume every year.
3. Filter your water.
4. Wear a helmet when doing sports that put your head at risk.
5. Eat foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids.
6. Stop eating food out of boxes and cans.
7. Eat fresh food for each meal.

Read: Mark Hyman, M.D., author of "The Ultramind Solution."

Seven Goal Setting Steps

Step #1: Consider all that you have accomplished since in 2008. Write down what has worked for you. What you wish to continue to achieve as a family and what goals you’d like to set for the next quarter.

Step #2: Write down 1-3 goals per domain in any of the domains that you value. Make your goals SMART - Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely. Consider goals for health, family time, behavior, school, friends, spirituality, sports, nutrition, hobbies, sports and personal time.

Step #3: Choose one goal at a time to work toward. Establish short-time frames to maximize success. If you are setting a health or exercise goal begin with small steps. As an example, “I will walk Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7am-7:30 for two weeks.”

Step #4: Keep track of your daily progress toward goals by writing in a journal, jotting a note on your calendar or keeping track online.

Step #5: Reward yourself for small successes. Take yourself out to a movie, have tea with a friend or set aside an hour on a Sunday to read a book as a reward for your progress.

Step #6: Revise your goal if it was not attainable.

Step #7: Choose a new domain or goal within the domain you are currently working on. By taking small steps, monitoring your progress and rewarding yourself, you will remain mindful of your goal and move in the direction of success!

Parenting Essentials: 10 Steps to More Confident Parenting

Start 2009 off by Creating Your Extraordinary Family at home with the DVD - Parenting Essentials: 10 Steps to More Confident Parenting by Dr. Lynne Kenney

Dr. Lynne Kenney, a self-professed "nine year-old at heart," recognizes that we live in a stressful world. She also believes that kids are resilient and forgiving, and that in the face of challenges, we can raise strong, independent children while living passionately and helping our children do the same.

Simply copy the link into your browser.
http://www.yoursuccessstore.com/shopping/shopexd.asp?id=2303

Listen to Dr. K Live on TV and Radio in January

New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Did your New Year resolutions make our top ten list?

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
2. Fit in Fitness
3. Tame the Bulge
4. Quit Smoking
5. Enjoy Life More
6. Quit Drinking
7. Get Out of Debt
8. Learn Something New
9. Help Others
10. Get Organized

Listen to Dr. K live Friday on Channel 12 and Saturday Live on the Jan D'Atri show NEWSTALK 550 KFYI on Clear Channel, Phoenix Arizona
www.KFYI.com

Motherhood is an Emotional Rollercoaster Ride

Motherhood is an emotional rollercoaster ride with all the highs and lows, twists and turns, and nauseating moments you get from the one at your local amusement park. However, unlike your typical two-minute ride, this one lasts a lifetime and begins moments after you pee on a stick.

Hop in and I’ll share a seat with you on my rollercoaster ride so far!

* When I found out I was pregnant, I was elated. I couldn’t wait to be a mommy, again and again.

* During the first trimester, I panicked. What came in the easy way, had to come out the hard way.

* During the second trimester, I was calm. I knew if millions of women could deliver babies, so could I.

* During the third trimester, I was desperate. I felt like I couldn’t wait another minute to get my body back again.

* The moment my children were born, I felt relief. They were healthy.

* Three days post-partum, I was depressed. I couldn’t bear the fact that one day my babies would leave home. Yes, only three days later. While that thought still brings tears to my eyes, the baby blues made me sob at the unbearable notion.

* Three weeks post-partum, I was overwhelmed. How could I possibly take care of a baby, then a toddler and baby, then two kids and a baby all by myself during the day?

* Three months post-partum I felt capable. I had mastered breastfeeding, the car seat and how to get a shower in during the day.

It’s been over ten years since I started this rollercoaster ride and during that time I’ve also felt:

* Immense pride for all that my children are . . . smart, beautiful, thoughtful, fun, generous, polite, creative . . .

* Guilty for raising my voice, being impatient and taking my stress out on them.

* Crippling worry about their emotional and physical well-being.

* Grateful to be blessed with three incredible daughters.

* Stressed at the amount of tasks I have to do while being the primary caregiver.

* Lucky to be their mommy.

* Angry when they are disrespectful to me.

* Content knowing that my decision to not work outside the home was the right one for me.

* Regret on days I’ve spent more time nagging than playing.

* Happy just being with my daughters.

I know there will be more highs and lows on this emotional rollercoaster, but there’s no better ride than motherhood!

Written by: Shannon Hutton http://www.sparkplugging.com/believer-in-balance/

Twitter Moms: The Influential Moms Network

Breakfast on the go...Recipe

Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Cups

It's often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. That's because skipping your morning meal can lead to a dip in blood sugar that may cause cravings for unhealthy, refined foods. This cycle can lead to overeating and, thus, may impede your weight-loss efforts. Instead, start your day with this nutritious, mouthwatering meal. Not only will it keep you satisfied and stabilize your blood sugar, research shows that a morning meal can improve energy as well as work and school performance. This tasty recipe will be sure to get you going in the morning.

Sausage and Cheese Breakfast Cups

Description

These egg "muffins" make a hearty breakfast that can be eaten on the run. Make them ahead and warm them for a fast breakfast treat.

Makes 6 cups

Ingredients
4 ounces turkey sausage or crumbled turkey bacon
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/4 onion, chopped
5 large eggs
1 can (12 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded, reduced-fat cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Coat a 6-cup nonstick muffin pan with cooking spray, or line with paper baking cups.

In a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage, pepper, and onion for 5 minutes or until the sausage is no longer pink. Spoon the mixture into a bowl and cool slightly. Stir in the eggs and mushrooms. Evenly divide the mixture among the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle with the cheese.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the egg is set.

Recipe reprinted with permission from The South Beach Diet Cookbook.
Source: www.southbeachdiet.com

2009 Teleconference Schedule

You asked... Now They're Here!

Teleconferences 2009
With Dr. Lynne Kenney

Tuesdays at 11 am we're the Lunch Bunch

Learning What it Takes To Create Your Extraordinary Family

Join in, Chime in, Offer Ideas - "Cause Mom Knows Best"

January 2009 11 am-12 pm MT

6th Lead your life don’t be led by it
13th Building health and reducing stress with routines
20th Asserting your family values leads to effective discipline
27th Getting your children to do as expected

February 2009 11 am-12 pm MT

3rd Thriving with ADHD
10th Seek to understand before you intervene
17th The Thinker and The Caveman
24th School strategies for success

March 2009 11 am-12 pm MT

3rd Sensory interventions for today’s children
10th Parental Teamwork – RESPECT RULES
17th Collaborating with oppositional children
24th Managing anger and anxiety in children

Sign-up for Dr. Kenney’s Teleconferences at www.lynnekenney.com
$59.00 Per Month
Call-in Information will be sent via email upon registration

Ideas for Good Health in the New Year with Carol Kenney

Ideas for Good Health in the New Year….See which might resonate with you…by Carol Kenney, respected nutritional coach, www.pathways4health.com.

Strategies to Work With the Natural Energy Rhythms of the Body.

Make time to eat a good breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day. A hearty breakfast following the 40/30/30 concept of 40% complex carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 30% fat can help to boost metabolism, stabilize blood sugar, and provide sustained energy for the brain. Studies confirm that people who eat breakfast have the least problem keeping a healthy weight.

Try to eat your main protein-based meal at noon, when digestive fire is at its peak. Avoid eating three hours before you retire at night. Digestive fire dwindles in the evening as the body naturally cools down to welcome sleep.

Allow for enough sleep. We all vary both in how much and when we sleep best around the 24-hour cycle of a day. Some people are Owls and love working into the late-night hours, while others are Larks and thrive on waking up early and retiring early. Whatever your pleasure, recall that a lack of sleep can throw off body chemistry, foster inflammation, and contribute to weight gain. Adequate sleep restores the immune system and is one of the best ways to ward off illness. Check in with yourself. “Enough” sleep varies with the individual, one’s type of work, and level of stress. One useful gauge: If you are craving caffeine and sweets to keep going throughout the day and often come down with colds, you are probably not getting enough sleep.

Try some regular aerobic exercise in the fresh air and sunshine (Yes, sunshine is good for your health!). Among its many benefits, aerobic exercise helps prevent inflammation. A 30-minute walk three times a week may be sufficient. If possible, try to exercise early in the day when the lungs are at their peak energy. If you exercise to lose or maintain weight, choose something you like since studies show that exercise that is not enjoyed creates stress and can be counterproductive, even exacerbating weight gain.

Strategies When Choosing Foods.

Try to buy local, fresh, whole foods…organic when possible. Think variety…rainbow colors, some raw and some cooked, some fermented. Foods are a system, uniquely balanced with nutrients and fiber for assimilation and nourishment. Our body converts foods into energy in a way that defies the explanations of science and the microscope.

Read food labels. Read for trans fats, for genetically modified (GMO) foods, and for the pseudonyms for sugar and artificial additives such as “evaporated cane juice” and MSG. Recent scientific studies suggest ties between GMOs and allergies, immune problems, and infertility; and between MSG (prevalent in processed, packaged, and fast foods) depression and childhood obesity.

Consume healthy fats and oils. Saturated fats such as organic butter from grass-fed animals and organic unrefined coconut oil are top choices for cooking, and quality cod liver oil4 and fish oil are good sources of omega-3 fats. Saturated fats are necessary for cell membranes, which are 50% saturated fat. Omega-3s are important for neurological function. Avoid trans fats, which are found in many processed and fast foods; they confuse the body and can foster chronic disease.

Let the way Nature packages food be a guide. Sugar is a classic example. To make one cup of refined white sugar requires 17 feet of sugar cane!!! In refining, we miss the cane’s natural fiber and micronutrients. How much sugar would we eat if we had to ingest it in this form? Or, how many walnuts might we consume if, instead of pouring from a package, we had to take the time to crack each one?

Think prevention of disease, not suppression of symptoms. Develop strategies to curb inflammation, the root of all chronic disease. From evolution and genetic selection, we as a people are prone to inflammation. The inflammatory response supported our survival before the discovery of modern antibiotics. While good strategies to try to curb our inflammatory nature are tied to lifestyle (getting enough sleep, moderate exercise, laughter, fresh air, sunshine and connection with others), they are also tied to diet. This means limiting sugar, refined flour, clear denatured vegetable oils, and meats from grain-fed animals. It also means bringing into good balance the consumption of omega-6 and omega-3 fats...

Try to limit processed and fast foods, and avoid cooking with clear vegetable oils. This can be a huge step toward creating in your diet a healthy 2:1 balance of omega-6:-3 oils. Omega-6 oils are inflammatory. They are hidden in processed, packaged, and fast foods, which is a major reason the typical American ratio is 20:1, rather than 2:1. The sensible way to bring the “-6:-3 ratio” into better balance and benefit from the omega-3s that you do consume is to limit your intake of omega-6 fats. Since omega-3s and -6s compete for the same digestive enzymes, consuming large amounts of omega-6s through processed and fast foods can negate the potential anti-inflammatory benefits of omega-3 oils, because omega-6s “crowd out” omega-3s.

To preserve the delicate brain, consume good fats and oils while you also try to avoid excitotoxins in foods and the excessive use of mobile phones. The protective lymph system does not extend its strong protective web to the head. Nature in Her design anticipated neither our modern technology nor additives in processed foods.

Eat foods attuned to the season and the season of your life. Tropical fruits, and summer foods like tomatoes, cucumbers, and salad greens are cooling and well-suited to warm climates. But in winter, hearty soups and meals built around warming chicken, turkey, and lamb, leeks, onions, parsnips, and winter squashes can preserve internal heat and support the body’s natural energy without undue strain and overwork. Rotating foods with the seasons supports this energy and can also help prevent allergies. In the later decades of life, foods and quantities that worked in earlier years may no longer. Our body gives such wonderful feedback. We need only to pay attention…

Be “bad” sometimes. It reminds us why it is generally best to be “good.” An 80/20 or 90/10 goal is good enough: if we aim for 80%-90% of our choices in the “healthy” zone (food, sleep, or whatever) we enjoy some “wiggle room.” Then, we just pay attention to how we feel. In all realms, our body will give us feedback. And, as Annemarie Colbin taught me, there is no need to feel guilty when we make a “bad” choice. After all, we have already paid the price by how we feel. In the meantime, what we have gained is valuable information. Happy eating and good health to you in 2009.

Kids health habits lead to obesity and diabetes

Kids' Worst Health Habits

The health of today's children is in jeopardy. "In the last 10 years, diabetes in children has doubled; there's a growing obesity epidemic among children, and we're seeing heart disease start in children," says Joel Fuhrman, M.D., family physician in Flemington, N.J., and author "Eat for Health and "Disease-Proof Your Child."

The consequences are so dire, in fact, that health authorities are now predicting that this generation of children will be the first to have a shorter life span than their parents. So what habits are putting kids in jeopardy?

Fuhrman pulled together the 10 worst offenders but issues this warning: "Parents can't force children to do anything they aren't doing themselves, which is why parents also need to change their habits to become better role models."

1. Drinking soda

Soda is loaded with sugar (about 13 teaspoons per can) artificial sweeteners, caffeine and empty calories (about 150 in a regular soda). Plus, soda might displace healthy beverages like milk or water and cause tooth decay. Bottom line: Nix soda from your child's diet and replace it with water, milk and other healthy beverages.

2. Not exercising

Today's kids are leading inactive lifestyles, putting them at risk for cancer, diabetes, heart disease and osteoporosis.

Bottom line: Make physical activity as important for your kids as brushing their teeth. By instilling the exercise habit in them when they're young, they'll be more likely to stick with it as adults. Just remember that kids learn by example, so get active with them.

3. Eating processed and barbecued meats

Your kids might love baloney sandwiches and hamburgers, but processed and barbecued meats have been linked to cancer, especially colon cancer.

Bottom line: Steer your kids clear of this kind of meat, and instead, turn them on to more healthy, wholesome foods like fruits, veggies, beans, nuts and seeds.

4. Being overweight

While it might be vogue to be heavy -- roughly 16 percent of kids aged two to 19 are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- that extra weight could cause your child serious health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Bottom line: Clean up your diet, and your family will follow. Likewise, become a regular exerciser, and encourage your children to get more active.

5. Not eating enough fruits and veggies

Fruits and veggies are loaded with disease-fighting nutrients, which is why kids who don't eat enough are at greater risk for developing cancer and other chronic health conditions.

Bottom line: Make fruits and veggies the mainstay of meals, and your kids will easily get the servings they need. Check MyPyramid.gov to view fruit and veggie requirements for kids or try AOL Health's handy Veggie and Fruit Tracker to calculate daily requirements.

6. Too many hours in front of the TV

Watching TV and playing video games are sedentary activities that encourage snacking and often replace physical activity. TV viewing also exposes your kids to risky behaviors like smoking and drinking, which could influence them.

Bottom line: Limit your kids' use of the TV and computer. Children under two years old should not watch any TV, while kids over two should be limited to no more than two hours of media time a day, per the American Academy of Pediatrics.

7. Noshing sugary treats and foods

Your kids might go gaga over treats, but they're nutrient-poor, calorie-laden foods. Most are also made with refined grains, which have been linked to cancer. Plus, the more your kids eat these, the more they could begin craving them, which could eventually boost their weight.

Bottom line: Limit sugar in your children's diet as much as possible. Ban sugary cereals, cookies and candy from your pantry. Then become a savvy label reader, looking for hidden sugars in everything from granola bars toketchup and even pasta sauces. To satisfy a sweet tooth, serve fruit as a dessert or a snack.

8. Eating fast food

"Fast food is for parents who don't care about their kids," Fuhrman says. By buying them fast food, you're giving them the lowest quality food, which adds calories, fat and little nutrition to their diets. The end result? You could wind up with an overweight, unhealthy child. Plus, if they're eating fried foods or food cooked at high temperatures, they're noshing cancer-causing compounds.

Bottom line: Boycott all fast food.

9. Not getting enough vitamin D

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to dozens of health conditions, including rickets, osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Sunshine is the best source of vitamin D, but most kids don't spend enough hours outside to get all they need. Plus, if you live in a northern climate, getting enough vitamin D in the winter can be impossible.

Bottom line: Make sure your child is getting 400 IU of vitamin D daily through a multivitamin and/or vitamin D supplement.

10. Filling up on food made with white flour

White flour has zero nutritional value, which is why Fuhrman believes it should be banned from foods. "White flour's been linked to obesity and cancer-causing cell development," he says.

Bottom line: Don't buy food made with white flour. Instead, choose 100 percent whole-grain products. SOURCE: Written By KAREN ASP from AOL

The Family Coach as a lot planned for 2009!

The Family Coach is an educational service provided by North Scottsdale Pediatrics. Family Coaching regards you, the parent, as the expert. Through coaching we identify your goals for Better Family Living and we implement strategies for success.

Families improve skills in the following areas:

• Family behavior and discipline
• Family health and wellness
• Family schedules & routines
• Improving attention and focus
• Improving friendship skills
• Improving school success
• Parenting with confidence
• Parenting with consistency
• Working together with the other parent

We will be doing a teleconference series for families who wish to enhance their family lives.

We are also teaming with Pediatric Speech-Language Specialists (Anita Werner) and On Track Tutoring (Dana Herzberg) for a free in-school educational lecture series for teachers and parents.

We have classes planned for 2009 as well.

Family coaching in home or at school is also on the menu.

Visit www.lynnekenney.com for more information.

What your kids need most this holiday season

While we are busy shopping and wrapping presents I was reminded what our children need most this holiday season.

Alone time with mom or dad.
A date with their favorite family member.
To give time at a local charity.
Presents that keep them active not just sitting around.
Music lessons.
Time playing sports with mom or dad.
A good bedtime story.
Their manners, don't forget yours either.

Remember, your child's favorite toy is you.

Happy Holidays! Dr. K.

Helping Children Communicate Their Feelings

One of my students recently called me to relate an affirming story about expressing feelings. “I got upset because he wouldn’t help me put his toys away, he said, ‘When you look at me like that you hurt my feelings.’” While a mother’s pride is sometimes overstated, this time it was not.

I knew exactly why my student was so pleased. She, like myself, had once taught preschool and was intent on helping children communicate their feelings. That’s not easy for young children: language is still rudimentary in the early years, plus many children hide their feelings to secure adult approval. Unhappy feelings do not just disappear though—they go underground, often to reemerge years later.

I never told my parents that they were hurting my feelings when they showed disapproval. Such an idea never entered my head and could have been dangerous if it had! Surely, my parents could not have understood, much less expressed, such feelings when they were young. Now, we realize that when children let us know how they feel, we can help them understand themselves and also help them to cope with unhappy feelings, which is much more useful than repressing them.

How Times Have Changed

My student was not only amused and proud; she was also honest. She told her son that she was sorry to have hurt his feelings, and that she had been upset because she was tired and bending over to put the blocks away was hurting her back. He replied, “That’s because you’re old!” My student kept her cool and said, “I guess you must feel angry at me. You know it hurts my feelings to call me old.”

Within minutes, my student and her son went swimming. By then, the slate was clean. They could be friends again because there was no hidden backlog of unhappy feelings.

Encouraging the Expression of Real Feelings

After a lifetime of working with children and recalling my own feelings as a child, I am convinced that nothing, aside from loving and protecting children, is as important as helping them communicate their real feelings. Grappling directly with perceptions and sensations leads to solving problems in the here and now, rather than leaving them to fester into a source of discomfort one is never able to figure out. It can also save on many counseling sessions in the future.

How can we help children tell us how they feel? By reading them stories and following up with conversation. By listening to accounts of their dreams, and asking what they think the dreams are saying about deep-down feelings. By paying attention when children want to tell us something rather than saying, “I’m busy now. Tell me later.”

We are most apt to cut off the expression of real feelings when children tell us things we do not want to hear. If a child says, “You’re fat!” and you roar, “You can’t talk to me that way,” the child may very well decide not to talk to you in any real way.

Less intimidating responses to offending comments do exist. My friend looked as if she was going to faint when her two-year-old daughter, disobeying an instruction to get her pajamas, yelled, “I will not, you mean lady.” My friend turned red, and said in a shaky voice, “If I ever talked to my mother that way I would have been struck dead by lightening.” My friend did not go on to tell her daughter that she was a bad girl and should never say such a thing; instead she did some deep breathing to gain control of her emotions and said, “I know you’re angry and want to play, but now it’s bedtime.” My friend’s courage and fortitude have been well repaid by a teenage daughter who over the years has managed to tell her most of the issues that have upset her.

In our worthy attempts to help our children communicate their feelings, we must be careful not to extract an apology for “unacceptable behaviors.” Forcing children to say they are sorry, when they are not, is forcing them to lie. Nor should we belabor communicating to the point of boredom. Short answers are far better than long ones. At times we will be tired, frustrated, or annoyed; at times we will lose patience because we are human and do not have complete emotional regulation. Children learn to tolerate our imperfections, our fallibility. And if we happen to leave an important problem unresolved, we can always return to it later. We can always say: “I’m sorry I shouted at you, instead of telling you my feelings. I guess grown-ups sometimes lose control too.”

Children need parents, not saints—a truth I have learned while raising my daughters. The true teachers are those who encourage children to accept human frailty, to acknowledge both love and anger, and to muster the freedom and courage to become their fullest selves. By Barb Grady www.parenting-plus.com

How Moms Shop Online

Study: Mothers Know Best for Online Shopping
Moms were also more likely than non-moms to single out customer product reviews or ratings as the most influential source for obtaining holiday gift information
Dec 17, 2008
By Katy Bachman

Mom knows best when it comes to shopping, and there's a good reason for it: She's big on conducting research before plunking down the dollars. That's according to results from a new Mindshare Online Research study released Tuesday (Dec. 16) that found that 61 percent of moms research holiday gifts compared to only 48 percent of non-moms.

Moms were also more likely than non-moms to single out customer product reviews or ratings as the most influential source for obtaining holiday gift information, 23 percent versus 12 percent.

Another valuable tool is the Internet with 54 percent of all shoppers surveyed doing the bulk of holiday shopping online.

Overall, women are the family members most likely to handle the holiday shopping--77 percent of women compared to 36 percent for men.

As expected, 64 percent of all shoppers said they expect to spend less on gifts this year than previous year and more than three-fourths said they will shop around to find the best prices.

Conducted in December by BuzzBack Market Research, Mindshare's online study was based on a survey of 350 adults.

Give yourself the gift of planning

Today, there are 10 days until Christmas. Presents are wrapped and hidden, the holiday meal has been planned, invitations to holiday parties and get-togethers have been accepted, and batches of holiday cookies have been baked.

If you have guests arriving before or on Christmas day, however, then you still have plenty to do in order to prepare your home for the Christmas festivities. Begin each day with a plan of attack. Move your least pleasant tasks to the top of the list and plan to do them first thing in the morning.

Give yourself the gift of early preparation & confidence! www.listplanit.com

How to Create your Most Peaceful Holiday Season Ever!

How to Create your Most Peaceful Holiday Season Ever!

Are you overwhelmed just thinking of your holiday to- do list?
Has holiday stress already started to take its’ toll on you?
Are you wondering how you will ever get everything done?

Do you dream of a peaceful, joyful holiday season?

Join me on Tuesday Dec 9, 2008 at 1200 noon EST and I guarantee that you will be able to create the best most peaceful holiday season ever.

During this teleclass you will learn:

* the ONE thing you need to do that can dramatically increase your enjoyment of the holidays
* ways to create priceless memories that can be carried on for generations
* how to bring the spirit of the holidays into your household and your heart
* steps you can take to reduce your stress and keep your sanity intact this year
* how you can bring in the NEW YEAR with grace, enthusiasm and peace instead of overwhelm, regret or anxiety
* the ONE thing you must avoid in order to REDUCE STRESS this season

AND the 2 Strategies I have been using that is helping to create my Most Peaceful Holiday Season yet!

Date: Dec 9th 2008 at 1200 noon Eastern Standard Time, 1:00 pm Atlantic Standard Time and 9:00am Pacific Time. $17.00

http://www.peggyporter.com/dec08-teleclass.php

Defining Yourself as an Entrepreneur

Yvette Craddock decided her entrepreneurial fate at six years of age. In 2002, she began her journey by establishing Click Marketing Solutions, a full-service marketing firm, which received immediate industry recognition and has garnered over a dozen awards, including international recognition. In 2008, Yvette launched another business that derives from her personal passion for fashion. ShopStyleFolio.com is devoted to bold, modern and luxurious women’s jewelry and offers only one of each item. Through her entrepreneurial outlets, she continues to design her life and inspire others. www.click-marketing.net

4 P’s

Path - What activities/interests are you attracted to; people or causes.

Passion – What are your strengths; things that you do effortlessly for free if you had to.

Purpose – Combine path and passion to define opportunities for change in your area of expertise/interest.

Plan - What is your realistic, comprehensive business plan? How does that factor into your life plan.

Visit Yvette Craddock at
www.click-marketing.net

www.twittermoms.com/profile/LynneKenney

GRANDMA'S CEREAL COOKIES

What child doesn't like cookies? If you're having trouble your children to eat their cereal in the morning, here's the recipe for delicious, nutritious cookies, from my grandma.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup shortening or organic butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla
1 cup sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
¼ cup milk
2 cups of your favorite nutritious cereal (We use Wheaties)
1 cup chocolate chips

Three steps that make you a cook:

1) Cream the shortening or butter, sugar, brown sugar, milk, egg and vanilla. 2) In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, the baking soda, the powder and the salt. 3) Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. When they're mixed fold in 1 cup chocolate chips and 2 cups of your favorite cereal.

Cook at 350 degrees on a buttered cookie sheet for 10-12 minutes.

Roadblocks to Entrepreneurial Success

You may be holiday shopping or cooking today. Perhaps you are already thinking about how to make 2009 a more productive year than 2008. If so, listen to these hard earned words of John Bishop. Plan for your entrepreneurial success...

There will be challenges along the way to your success. Here are ten potential roadblocks to look out for:

1. No clear vision - The clearer your vision is of your definition for success, the faster you will achieve it.

2. Fear of failure - Eliminate the Bummer Words - no, never, can’t, won’t, maybe and if.

3. Lack of determination - Turn challenges into a problems that need to be overcome.

4. No action plan - Write a detailed, step-by-step plan of how you will achieve your success. Include a timetable for completion, and place the written strategy where you can read it, every day.

5. Inflexibility - You will have to make adjustments in your life to focus on reaching the success you want.

6. Negative thinking - Everyone has some self-doubt. Ask yourself everyday: a). Did I give my best effort to today’s activities? b) Did I move closer to reaching my goals?

7. Lack of enthusiasm - All days are good; some are better than others. You will find enthusiasm is contagious; give some to others.

8. Procrastination - You can have the best plan in the world, but if you don’t take action on it you simply have a dream.

9. Making excuses - Take personal responsibility for your success by eliminating excuses. Avoid blaming others for your lack of effort.

10. Refusal to learn from your mistakes - Successful people learn valuable life lessons from their mistakes.

These roadblocks can actually become stepping stones to your success. How? By identifying which ones are holding you back from reaching your goals and diligently working to eliminate them. Set monthly and quarterly goals. Post affirmations around your home. Seek relationships with positive thinkers. Plan for Success in 2009!

AND BABY MAKES TWO- - Things that make you say eeeew and smile

First time parents are in for their share of terrible sights and smells! Some of us are better at it than others; but it’s safe to say that we all have some issues dealing with those baby bodily functions. Here are some tips for dealing with the grossest of the gross.

Spitting up
Moms of young babies often feel that they spend their entire lives wearing a dirty shirt. Not only is it difficult to keep your clothing clean, but it’s difficult to keep yourself (and baby) smelling fresh. First, keep some sort of cloth around for your shoulder and lap whenever you’re burping baby. They make specific burp rags, but when my babies were young, I found that these cloths were not wide enough to cover my whole shoulder. Cloth diapers worked much better. I pretty much walked around the house with a cloth diaper on my shoulder at all times when I had a small infant.

Washing those clothes that have been regurgitated upon takes some special care. The smell (especially if you’re using formula) can be hard to remove. Try putting a splash of color safe bleach in the wash to completely remove the smell.

Moms who work have a special challenge – getting to work in the morning without having to change your shirt before you drop off baby. Here was my solution for this dilemma. After I got dressed in the morning, I would put one of my husband’s old dress shirts on over my clothes. I wore it until after I had dropped the baby off at the sitter. It covered nearly my entire outfit.

Poopy Diapers
Get a surgical mask if you need it, you’re going to be changing these for a while. However, once your baby gets a little older, there will be fewer each day. You just have to toughen up about changing them. The best solution for controlling the smell is just to get them out of the house quickly. No, really just bag em and toss em. Luckily, a newborn’s diet prevents the smell from being too offensive; just wait until they start eating solids or better yet, til they are teens...

Little Boy Accidents During Diaper Change
Has it happened to you yet? If you’re the parent of a newborn boy, it’s only a matter of time until your little darling sprays you in the face with a stream of urine during the diaper change. My advice is to keep your son’s penis covered as much as possible during the diaper change. An extra cloth close by can be a lifesaver!

Honestly, babies smell great no matter what the secretions. A bit of humor goes a long way. Here is a great link for large swaddling blankets that are super helpful. I use the aden + anais large swaddling blankets for everything. www.clevermom.me

Kids Health and Activity Camp

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Location Village Health Club and Spa at DC Ranch
Open to ages 6-15 5-6:15pm

December 15th, 2008 thru January 9th, 2009
Excluding December 24th, 25, 31st and Jan 1st, 2009

$15 per single class/ $100 for 10 classes/ $120 for 15 classes
(no make-ups and classes must be used in the scheduled time)
Kids do not need to be members to attend these classes

Contact Cindy Feltman Angulo CPT (602) 451-3672

Check out Dr. Kenney 1 pm Today Channel 12 LIVE

Get Real—Set Reasonable Expectations

The holiday season may be portrayed as trouble free and festive. But family problems may escalate when the season arrives. The reality of the holidays, much like life, is that real people and families are not perfect. If you can change your expectations—don't expect holidays to be like the movies!—you may have a more enjoyable experience.

Tips for setting reasonable expectations:

* Do your best to stick to your regular family routine. Changing your schedule to fit in holiday activities and traveling can be tough on you and your kids, so try to keep things as normal as possible. Try to keep bedtimes and mealtimes the same even when you're away from home.
* Talk with your family about schedules. Take time to explain each day's activities to your children and let them know what you expect from them. Together, choose activities that you really want to do. You can't do everything, so you might let your children pick their favorite things for your family to do. Do the things that you all will enjoy the most, and then say "no" to extra activities.
* Talk with family members about your expectations for their behavior at the holidays. We can't tell our children to behave if a family member models drinking too much, swearing and bringing their old baggage to the table.
* Talk with your family about finances. Even young children can learn how to budget for gifts. Urge them to get creative and make presents for family members instead of buying them. Receiving a thoughtful gift from a child can be a memorable holiday moment. Many families concentrate on special things they can make or do for each other.

Maintain Your Health:

* Eat in moderation - Eat small meals several times throughout the day.
* If a meal is particularly delicious - take half of it off your plate and save it for later.
* Drink water - stay hydrated.
* Drink in moderation or replace alcohol with lemon water, fresh tea or sparkling organic lemonade.
* Get your sleep. Sleep deprivation leads to stress.
* Exercise - Use 10 minute movement morsels if you cannot get outside to ride your bike or go for a walk.

Take Time To Relax and Play with Your Family:

Plan quiet time or at least downtime from activities. Take a few moments to read a book, take a bubble bath, or sit down and listen to your favorite songs. You also may want to:

* Play a board game with your family.
* Go for a walk with your family to see holiday displays in your neighborhood.
* Join your kids for fun family exercise. If you choose something outdoors, the fresh air and exercise can lift your spirits.
* Settle down for storytime with your family. Pull out holiday stories that you loved as a child and read them aloud together.

Volunteer at a Local Charity:

Carving out a few hours to volunteer at a charity might seem impossible but giving your time and energy may help you find the spirit of the season. Stuck for ideas? You and your family might help wrap gifts for needy children, deliver meals to families in need, or visit residents in a local nursing home.

Just Do Your Best:

As you enjoy the holiday season, do your best to limit stress. Don't expect everything to go as planned. Your child may get sick on the holiday, the oven might break as you are cooking a special dinner, or a storm may prevent relatives from visiting. When these things happen, let the family help decide on a new plan. For example, if the electricity goes out, grab your flashlights and make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Use cookie cutters to cut them into fun shapes!

Don't let unexpected events ruin the holidays for you. Be adaptable and flexible. You can help yourself and your children relax and enjoy the holidays for what they truly are: a time of joy, celebration, and peace with friends and family.

Get organized on www.listplanit.com
Ready Meryl Starr's Personal Organization

Three Components of Successful School Programs for Children with ADHD

The ADHD child’s school success is often dependent on his or her ability to attend to tasks and teacher and classroom expectations with minimal distraction. When a child exhibits behaviors associated with ADHD, consequences may include difficulties with school and with forming relationships with his or her peers if appropriate instructional methodologies and interventions are not implemented.

There are an estimated 1.46 to 2.46 million children with ADHD in the United States, constituting 3 to 5 percent of the school student population. It has been documented that approximately 25 to 30 percent of all children with ADHD also have learning disabilities. Likewise, children with ADHD have coexisting psychiatric disorders at a much higher rate.

When selecting and implementing successful school strategies and practices for the ADHD student, it is imperative to understand the characteristics of the child, including those pertaining to disabilities. This knowledge will be useful in the evaluation and implementation of successful practices, which are often the same practices that benefit students without ADHD.

Three Components of Successful Programs for Children with ADHD: The three main components of a successful ADHD school strategy are academic instruction, behavioral interventions, and classroom accommodations. This guide outlines a series of strategies proven successful in not only educating children with ADHD but all children. By incorporating techniques from these three areas into their everyday instructional and classroom management practices, teachers will improve the academic performance and the behavior of their students with ADHD.

Academic Instruction: The first major component of the most effective instruction for children with ADHD is effective school instruction. Teachers can help prepare their students with ADHD to achieve by applying the principles of effective teaching when they introduce, conduct, and conclude each lesson during the school day. The discussion and techniques that follow pertain to the instructional process in general (across subject areas); strategies for specific subject areas appear in the subsequent subsection “Individualizing Instructional Practices.”

Behavioral Interventions: The second major component of effective school instruction for children with ADHD involves the use of behavioral interventions. The purpose of behavioral interventions in the school setting is to assist ADHD students in displaying the behaviors that are most conducive to their own learning and that of classmates. Well-managed classrooms prevent many disciplinary problems and provide an environment that is most favorable for learning. When a teacher’s time must be spent interacting with students whose behaviors are not focused on the lesson being presented, less time is available for assisting other students. Behavioral interventions should be viewed as an opportunity for teaching in the most effective and efficient manner, rather than as an opportunity for punishment.

Classroom Accommodations: The third component of a strategy for effectively educating children with ADHD involves physical school classroom accommodations. Children with ADHD often have difficulty adjusting to the structured environment of a classroom, determining what is important, and focusing on their assigned work. They are easily distracted by other children or by nearby activities in the school classroom. As a result, many children with ADHD benefit from accommodations that reduce distractions in the classroom environment and help them to stay on task and learn. Certain accommodations within the physical and learning environments of the classroom can benefit children with ADHD. Source: U.S. Department of Education. To order a hard copy of this ADD teaching report, e-mail edpubs@inet.ed.gov or call (877) 433-7827.

Montel Says Make Exercise a Habit

You are an active person, whether you realize it or not! You may not run five miles a day or hike a mountain every weekend, but chances are you spend at least some time walking, running after your kids, and lifting things (whether they're weights or laundry detergent doesn't matter!).

To truly live well physically, it's important for you to energize your body most days of the week, with at least 30 minutes — heading toward a goal of 60 minutes — of physical activity.

People can always make excuses as to why they don't have time to exercise. But when it comes down to it, if it's important to you, you can fit it in. If you have time to watch TV or go to dinner with friends, you can certainly find time to enjoy some physical activity!

Here are a few ways for you to discover the joy of regular exercise:

* Start slowly and gradually. Over the next few weeks and months, work your way up to 30 minutes (with the goal of reaching 60 minutes) on most days of the week. Remember: Slow and steady wins the race!
* Stay hydrated: Drink fluids, especially water, before, during, and after your activity.
* Before you exercise, warm up with about five minutes of walking, marching in place, or a less strenuous version of the activity you're about to do.
* At the end of the exercise, slow down gradually with five minutes of a cool down similar to your warm-up. For example, if you're finishing a run, slow to a jog, then a walk.
* If you feel pain during exercise, stop and be sure to consult your doctor. Uncomfortable stiffness, dizziness, or severe breathlessness are also signs that you should stop and get medical attention.

Over the next few days, we'll explore the three major types of structured physical activity: aerobic/cardiovascular, resistance/strength, and flexibility. They are all important parts of your fitness program, and they will work together to reinforce one another.

Here's to living well!

What Is Phonological/Phoneme Awareness?

Sometimes teachers tell parents, "Your child does not have phonemic awareness." What does that mean and what can we do to improve phonemic awareness?

Stanovich (1993) defines "phonological awareness" as the ability to deal explicitly and segmentally with sound units smaller than the syllable. He also notes that researchers "argue intensely" about the meaning of the term and about the nature of the tasks used to measure it.

Phonological awareness sometimes refers to an awareness that words consist of syllables and phonemes (segments of words or groupings of sound).

A phoneme is the smallest contrastive unit in the sound system of a language. Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and move individual sounds (manipulate) - phonemes - in spoken words.

Adams (1990) describes 5 levels of phonemic awareness in terms of abilities:

* to hear rhymes and alliteration as measured by knowledge of nursery rhymes

* to do oddity tasks (comparing and contrasting the sounds of words for rhyme and alliteration)

* to blend and split syllables

* to perform phonemic segmentation (such as counting out the number of phonemes in a word)

* to perform phoneme manipulation tasks (such as adding, deleting a particular phoneme and regenerating a word from the remainder).

What can you do to enhance phonemic awareness and consequently reading skills?

Phonemic awareness can be developed through a number of activities, including asking children beginning in preschool (age 3) to:

1. Have fun with your child teaching him rhymes.
2. Clap the rhythm of syllables.
3. Identify and categorize sounds.
4. Blend sounds to form words.
5. Delete or add sounds to form new words.
6. Substitute sounds to make new words.

Read with your child. Practice phonics with your child. Enjoy playing with sounds through music, clapping and movement.

Visit www.hookedonphonics.com to learn more.

Michelle LaRowe on the 6 C's of discipline

Listen in to Michelle LaRowe on discipline www.blogtalkradio.com/The-Family-Coach.

Michelle's 6 C's of Effective Discipline.

Comprehension: Understand what true discipline is

Clarity: Be clear with your expectations

Communication: Get everyone on the same page

Consistency: Be regular and predictable

Consideration: Protect little hearts

Centering your faith: Put Jesus first!

www.michellelarowe.com

Parenting expert MARY MURRAY on teaching friendship skills

Listen in to Educational Psychologist Mary Murray, Director of Murray Camp on Nantucket, as we talk about what schools and parents can do to help teach friendship skills.

Mary suggests we visit onetoughjob.org and www.pbs.org/parents for helpful tips and solutions.

www.blogtalkradio.com/the-family-coach

Books that might interest you include:

Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence by Rosalind Wiseman

Friends: Making Them & Keeping Them (American Girl) by Patti Kelley Criswell and Stacy Peterson

A Smart Girls Guide to Friendship Troubles by Patti Kelley Criswell and Angela Martini

Protect Your Child from Bullying: Expert Advice to Help You Recognize, Prevent, and Stop Bullying Before Your Child Gets Hurt by Allan L. Beane

Building Moral Intelligence: The Seven Essential Virtues that Teach Kids to Do the Right Thing by Michele Borba

Parents Do Make a Difference: How to Raise Kids with Solid Character, Strong Minds, and Caring Hearts (The Jossey-Bass Psychology Series) by Michele Borba

Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me: The Top 25 Friendship Problems and How to Solve Them by Michele Borba

Raising Boys: Why Boys Are Different - And How to Help Them Become Happy and Well-Balanced Men by Steve Biddulph and Paul Stanish

Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson

The holidays on a budget with Dr. Caron Goode

For families who are facing tough times, the end of the year holidays may become a source of stress, guilt and worry. But getting creative during these tough times and coming up with alternative ways to celebrate to share time and give gifts (without breaking the bank) brings the joy of the holiday season back to the forefront. To celebrate the holidays on a shoestring budget, put these top ten tips to the test:

1. Start with comfort foods created with a dose of love. I remember the smell of buttery blueberry muffins on Christmas morning that our neighbor provided. She put her heart into cooking, and you can do the same with a few shortcuts for time. Gift muffins, breads or cookies.

a. Cinnamon bread or buns: Buy frozen bread dough and follow instructions for thawing. Before letting the bread rise, use a rolling pin to flatten the dough in roughly a rectangle shape. Sprinkle generously with sugar or sugar substitute, and cinnamon. If you like slivered pecans or almonds, add them at this stage of preparation. Slowly and evenly roll the dough from longest side to the longest side and shape the edges closed. Put into a loaf pan for rising before baking. If you want cinnamon rolls, then roll the dough as suggested very long and stretch a little more. Cut two-inch slices and place on a cookie tray for rising before baking.

b. Gluten-free: For those of you on special diets, try Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix or the Gluten Free Brownie Mix by Bob’s Red Mill. I fix them in my household and find them delicious. Here is the link: http://www.bobsredmill.com/product.php?productid=3746

2. Remember the reason for the season. Take time to reflect on what the holidays mean to you and to your family. This can help to get your focus off of the commercialization and materialism of the holidays and back to the meaning behind them. Doing this can often help you to regain perspective and to approach your family holidays from a different (and more affordable) angle.

3. Use pictures to evoke memories. Dig out your older family holiday pictures. Disply them on corkboard or large poster board. Pictures can evoke emotions and a sense of belonging. Or make a scrapbook of holidays past and present. Talk about what was happening before and after each photo was taken. Write captions. Make this a fun, family event where every age has a say and smile!

4. Encourage an attitude of gratitude in your children. Foster an attitude of gratitude in your children by encouraging them to express thanks for what they do have and by giving back to others who have substantially less. Use pictures to express appreciation. Pictures often inspire people to express what they appreciate or admire about others. A picture of dad dressed as Santa Claus might make children laugh. It might also make them realize they appreciate his sense of humor. Encourage your family to share these types of feelings as you work on your scrapbook.

5. Put the focus on the family. Some of the best family memories are made during the holidays, so take advantage of the time together by doing low cost activities as a family. Playing board games, attending holiday services, going for walks, and watching a classic Christmas movie at home are all no cost ways to celebrate one of the greatest gifts of all.

6. List positive assets in the family holiday scrapbook. You can do this by asking all family members to list five positive things they feel about the family member in a photo. Have them write these attributes on the page where the picture appears or next to the displayed pihotos. Also have them include their name and the date. Small tributes such as these can go a long way towards building a positive family-image and appreciation for each other.

7. Get crafty and creative. Homemade gifts truly make wonderful gifts for family, friends and relatives. From simple ornaments made out of hardened sugar cookies, to packing the dry ingredients of your favorite cookie recipe in a glass gar, giving gifts that are expressions of yourself and your family are not only affordable but meaningful.

8. Give cost free gifts. For parents that usually purchase gifts for teachers, or adult family members and friends, giving no cost gifts can make a great (and often needed) alternative. Free nights of babysitting, a day of housework or gardening or a lesson in a hobby that you excel at can help to significantly slash your holiday budget.

9. Consider doing grabs. Consider suggesting a group grab or playing secret Santa with family to cut back on costs. Another variation of a gift sharing is that each woman contributes a gift for a woman, and the same for each man and child with a gift cap of ten or twenty dollars. The joy is to be creative, useful, indulgent and humorous. Then, each person picks a wrapped, secret gift within his or her grouping.

10. Consider adopting a charity. Some families skip gift giving all together and take on a charity each holiday season. Instead of purchasing gifts, consider donating money, gifts or time to charity in the names of friends and family.

Remember the three Hs this holiday season and give them liberally: hugs, hot chocolate and humor.

Dr. Caron B. Goode is the founder of the Academy for Coaching Parents International, a training and certification program for parent coaches. In addition to duties with the academy, Goode is the founding editor of the website InspiredParenting.net, and the author of eleven books, the most recent of which is Help Kids Cope with Stress & Trauma, which includes several chapters on he use of storytelling strategies. For more information on The Academy for Coaching Parents International or to sign up for academy announcements, visit www.acpi.biz.

Holiday Tips with Peggy Porter

Each year around this time, my girlfriends and I go on our annual shopping trip to the US. This is usually the time for me when I start my shopping and Christmas preparations.

Although for some, it may seem a bit premature, I always like to remind my readers in early November of how they can begin to implement a few tips now that can save them holiday stress later.

Being a busy, working mom is usually demanding enough, however, throw in a holiday and your stress level can go through the roof if you are not organized.

Each year some of us make the promise to ourselves that we will not be so unprepared or disorganized next Christmas. Somehow though, the year creeps up quickly and we are left with the same frantic schedule.

This year make a commitment to fully embrace and enjoy all that this wonderful time of year has to offer. Don't allow another year to go by feeling pressured, stressed and overwhelmed. You have complete control over what your holiday season will consist of.

Following are a few tips that may be helpful in getting a head start so when the season is in full swing, you can relax and enjoy all the festivities.

* Make your Christmas list now and start shopping. Write down who you have to buy for, any suggestions you have for gifts and approximate amount you want to spend on each person. Knowing how much you want to spend will eliminate a lot of needless shopping for items that are out of your price range. With the help of the computer, you can make a master list and save it so you can reuse each year, adding or changing as necessary. Use the convenience of gift certificates and online as well as catalogue shopping. It can make the whole process so much less demanding (unless you get a big rush being in the stores on the Saturday before Christmas!).

* Organize your gift wrapping essentials. Buy a container to house all your wrapping paper, scissors, ribbons and tags. Have it all ready in a convenient place such as a closet or under the bed. As you buy a gift, bring it home and wrap it. Having all the items together makes it easy to wrap as you buy. I have done this for the last few years and it makes my wrapping effortless, or almost effortless!

* Eliminate clutter now. In order to get ready for the new, get rid of the old. Go through your kids' toy boxes and throw out any broken or incomplete toys. Donate any others that your kids have outgrown and are still in good condition. If your kids are old enough, have them organize their own clothing or toys - a great way to teach them responsibility.

* Take care of your health. With the hectic schedule that many of us have during the season, it is a necessity to eat well and exercise regularly if we want to be energized and able to effectively manage holiday stress.

* Put yourself at the top of your Christmas to-do list. Remember that sacrificing your health and sanity does nothing for you or your family's Christmas spirit. Nourish and renew your own spirit this holiday season and I guarantee it will be the best gift your family will receive. Visit www.peggyporter.com for more great ideas from Canada's Finest Mom Coach!

Wurth Organizing To The Rescue

Winter is a great time to "Spring Clean." If you need an organizer, no one is nicer or more committed than Danielle Wurth, mother and organizer. Here is what Danielle has to say....

Life is busier and more hectic than ever! Our home is our one "sacred retreat" from the craziness of our day. Being organized clears the mind and cleanses the soul from items you may or may or may not need thus creating a peaceful home environment.

Wurth Organizing has a passion for helping others cleanse their home from chaos. Your Organizing Guru Danielle Wurth makes the process fun, and the rewards are wurth the time and energy that is put forth.

We will work WITH you or FOR you to create an organizational system within budget to simplify your life by:

* Maximizing the space whether it is a closet, kitchen, garage or office
* Reducing your personal clutter by removing unwanted items to be donated or sold
* If you are selling your home, we will help you make it more marketable to buyers
* If you are moving into a new home, we'll assist you with the transition process
* Create a time and project management system for a happier, more gratifying life

Danielle Wurth
dlwurth@cox.net
602.579.5274