Mommy Has to Work

Healthy Eating – It Needn’t Cause Stress

May 3, 2022 By Anne

Let’s face it; we could all benefit from adopting healthier eating habits. Unfortunately, it’s not always as easy as finding the motivation. For most people, making a conscious effort to improve their approach to nutrition will be a very stressful situation.

However, with the right strategies in place, it is possible to remove those sources of stress. Here’s what you can do to make healthy eating far easier on all the family.

Master healthy drinks

Before implementing new foods into your diet, it is possible to see big changes through your drinks choices. Simple steps like not having sugar in your coffee or trading soda for water can make a big impact.

If you are struggling to get enough fruit and veg in your diet, smoothies are ideal. It does mean that you’ll need to take the natural sugars and calories into account. Still, it is a great way to fuel your body with the right vitamins and nutrients.

Besides, it’s likely that those beverages will help you feel fuller for longer. As such, they are the perfect starting point for a new approach to eating.

Look for quick healthy foods

When looking to adopt a healthier approach to eating, cooking from scratch is an ideal solution. It encourages you to track what you’re eating and make smarter food choices. Sadly, it does also require more time.

In today’s fast-paced society, this can cause issues. Thankfully, focusing on ideas like this simple chicken paillard recipe allows you to create healthy meals in next to no time. Meanwhile, batch cooking sauces can be another wise move.

You might spend a few hours making the sauces today, but they can last for weeks. Better still, you will avoid the preservatives of store-bought items.

Don’t sacrifice taste

Staying motivated during the first few weeks of a diet is easy. If you don’t enjoy the foods, though, you will struggle to maintain that motivation. If you have spent a lifetime bouncing between diets, this is probably why.

While the chicken paillard, for example, is a great choice, you must also consider treats. Low sugar desserts and snacks can become a central ingredient in the recipe for success. Alternatively, you can simply learn to focus on portion control.

One way or another, you should be able to enjoy food. When you do, your hopes of sustaining your success are greatly improved.

Make healthy eating cheaper

Finally, there is no question that perceived costs are a major stumbling block for many families. It will be an even bigger issue now that living costs are noticeably higher. But healthy eating can be affordable.

There are many ways to reduce your costs. Bulk buying dry ingredients, managing your food waste, or growing fruit and veg will work wonders. As well as reducing your food bill, it can add to the direct enjoyment of healthy eating.

Above all else, you must stay consistent. Otherwise, doing great things during the weekdays could be undone by poor decisions at the weekend.

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

5 Tips for Planning a Successful Moms Get-Together

May 3, 2022 By Anne

Moms love getting together! Whether it’s for a playdate, a birthday party, or just to catch up on each other’s lives, we enjoy spending time with our friends. Planning a successful mom’s get-together can be tricky, but don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! Here are five tips to help make your next event a hit.

mily

Via Pexels

1) Choose a date and time that works for everyone:

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s essential to pick a date and time that works for all of the moms you’re inviting. Keep in mind different schedules, nap times, and bedtimes. Try to pick a time when most kids are awake and happy. Late morning or early afternoon usually works best. If you have friends with young babies, be mindful of their feeding and napping schedules as well. It might be easier to host at your house so they can leave if their baby gets fussy.

2) Keep the guest list small:

It’s tempting to invite every mom you know, but sometimes it’s better to keep the guest list small. If you have a lot of friends, try planning regular get-togethers, so everyone has a chance to participate. Smaller groups are usually more relaxed and intimate, which can make for a better conversation.

Plus, it’s one less thing to worry about – fewer people means less food, less mess, and less stress for you!

3) Make it potluck style:

One of the best things about a potluck is that everyone can contribute, and no one has to do all the work. Ask each mom to bring her favorite dish, dessert, or drinks. When deciding about drinks, follow this tequila mule recipe to a T, and you’ll have everyone hooked! This way, everyone feels like they’re part of the event, and you get to If you’re feeling extra organized, you can assign specific items, so there’s less duplication. Just be sure to take into account any dietary restrictions or food allergies.

4) Set the tone with your invitations:

Your invitations are the first impression guests will have of your event, so make sure they’re on point! Whether you send out paper invitations or use an online service like Evite, be clear about the purpose of your gathering. Moms’ night out? The more specific you are, the better. You can also get creative with your invitations by adding personal touches like photos or fun designs. Whatever route you choose, just be sure to include all the essential details like date, time, and location.

5) Relax and have fun!:

The most important thing to remember is to relax and have fun! These get-togethers are meant to be a time for you to unwind, catch up with friends, and enjoy some delicious food. If something goes wrong, don’t sweat it – just roll with the punches and know that everyone is there to have a good time.

In conclusion, following these tips will help ensure that your next mom’s get-together is a success! Just remember to relax, be yourself, and have fun. After all, that’s what these events are all about.

Anne

11 Ways To Promote Healthy Living In Your Home

April 21, 2022 By Anne

Your home should be a place where you can relax and feel comfortable. But it’s also important to make sure that your home is promoting healthy living. There are countless ways to promote healthy living in your home. However, some simple changes can make a big impact on your family’s overall health and well-being.

Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash

Here Are Just A Few Ideas To Get You Started:

First, encourage everyone to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Make sure there is always a variety of fresh produce available, and try to make meals that feature them prominently, such as trying this traditional colcannon recipe here. You can also get the kids involved in planning and preparing meals, so they’re more likely to eat what they help make.

Keep things clean and organized.

A cluttered and dirty home can be a breeding ground for bacteria and illness. So make sure to regularly clean surfaces, vacuum carpets, and dust off the furniture.

Let in some fresh air.

Open the windows frequently to let in some fresh air and circulate the indoor air. This will help to remove any harmful airborne contaminants.

Get everyone moving more.

Find fun activities that the whole family can enjoy together. Take walks or bike rides around the neighborhood, play tag in the backyard, or dance around the living room to some upbeat music.

Limit screen time.

Too much time spent in front of screens can lead to unhealthy behaviors like poor sleep habits and sedentary lifestyles. Set limits on screen time and make sure everyone takes breaks to move around and get some fresh air.

Promote good sleep habits.

Make sure everyone in the family is getting enough rest by establishing a regular bedtime routine. This should include turning off all screens at least an hour before bed and avoiding caffeine in the evening.

Teach healthy hygiene habits.

Good hygiene habits are essential for preventing the spread of illness. Make sure everyone in the family knows how to wash their hands and clean up after themselves properly.

Manage stress levels.

Stress can take a toll on your health, so it’s important to find ways to manage it effectively. Family yoga or meditation, deep breathing exercises, and regular vacations can all help reduce stress levels.

Be a role model.

The best way to promote healthy living in your home is to lead by example. If you make an effort to live a healthy lifestyle, your family will be more likely to follow suit.

Make healthy living a priority.

Promoting healthy living in your home takes effort and commitment, but it’s worth it. By making small changes and teaching your family about the importance of good health, you can set them up for a lifetime of wellness.

Have fun!

Remember, the best way to get your family to buy into healthy living is to make it enjoyable. So find activities that everyone enjoys and make sure there’s plenty of laughter and good memories along the way.

Conclusion

By making small changes in your daily routine, you can create a healthy environment for your family to thrive in. By working together, you can all enjoy the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.

Anne

Taking the Stress Out of Moving House

April 19, 2022 By Anne

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Moving house is often given as one of the most stressful life events whenever a poll on such matters is taken. This is hardly surprising because the whole process of moving from packing up your home to loading it into the moving van to unpacking it again on the other side can be a logistical nightmare with so many things that can go wrong.

The good news is, that if you are moving in the near future, I have put together some top tips to take the stress out of the whole process. Let’s take a look at them now…

Declutter first

If you want to spend less time packing and lugging boxes across the state, then the best thing you can do is declutter before you move. Pick out anything that you no longer want or need, and either throw it in the trash, donate it or sell it on so that your load is lighter when the time does come to move.

Hire accompany that simplifies the process

One of the biggest stresses of moving house is often ensuring that you have a truck that is big enough to take all of your possessions to the new house. Companies like SMARTBOX Solutions, Inc. remove that problem by providing you with as many smart storage boxes as you need to get the job done. This simplifies the whole process and ensures one less problem is likely to crop up.

Book well in advance

So many people leave the process of booking a removal company until the last minute. This is a really bad idea, not only because you might not be able to find anyone on the day you need them, but also because it does not give you enough time to ask questions and iron out any wrinkles before the big day. Booking well in advance may also enable you to save money.

Take it one room at a time

When it comes to packing up your home, it is a really good idea to focus on one room at a time. This prevents the whole house from being turned into chaos and makes it easy for you to label each box by room so that when you come to unpack things again, it will be a lot simpler for you to do so.

Invest in a box file

When you’re moving house, a simple box file can be your best friend. You can use it to store all of your passports, birth certificates, and other important documents in one place so they do not get misplaced. If you can, scanning and making digital copies of your important documents is also a good idea just in case the worst does happen and you do somehow manage to lose them.

Moving is never the most fun experience, but if you employ these tips in your next move, at least it won’t be nearly as stressful as it once was. Good luck!

Anne

4 Ways to Work Positively With Stubborn Parents

April 19, 2022 By Anne

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There may come a time when your parents or parents need to change their current situation to make it easier for you and other family members to get to them in an emergency. This could come after the passing of an elderly relative or an injury. It could also be due to having a new child or recent retirement. Whatever the reason, it can sometimes be challenging to convince your parents that the change is necessary, especially if they have a reputation for stubbornness. A stubborn parent can make things more challenging than they need to be, which is why it’s so important to work positively with them.

Know When to Pick Your Battles

Picking your battles is important in any scenario. You don’t want to spend the mental energy arguing over something that, in the long run, won’t make a difference at all. Instead, you are better off considering which battles are more likely to push them towards the solution that’s best for them. If you know what arguments you can afford to lose, your stubborn parents may be more likely to accommodate other requests. When it comes to making significant changes, this could be a useful trump card to have in your pocket.

Remain Calm

More than anyone else, some parents just know how to push your buttons. They have seen what aggravates you for years, giving them the ammo they need to get under your skin and frustrate you to the point that you give up entirely. You mustn’t allow this to happen, and controlling your frustration (or at least not showing your frustration) can help you maintain a positive relationship with your elderly parents. If you stay calm during discussions, you can make your points more clearly, which can help you show parents what you mean.

Ask for Their Opinion

It’s always useful to ask your parents’ opinions on important issues, especially when it surrounds their health. Too many adult children will think they know what’s best, which can conjure the stubbornness that is so frustrating. If you can get your parents’ opinion on what they want to do or how they feel, it will be easier to find a conclusion that suits both of you.

Get Backup

However, even getting their opinion doesn’t always work. If you feel like you can’t handle the discussion yourself, backup is essential. This could be from a sibling, child, or other relatives, especially if your parents are more likely to listen to them. But, this may not be enough, either. In this case, professionals, such as doctors and nurses or an assisted living consultant, could be the solution as they bring a level of authority and respect that your parents may respond to when compared to you trying to make them change their lifestyle.

Stubborn

Even though your parents are stubborn, they may still understand where you are coming from as long as you take the right approach. They do not want you to force them to do anything, and it is better to make them feel they made this decision all by themselves.