Bored? Look at These Hobby Ideas!

Have you ever played one too many computer games or watched one too many old reruns?  You just can't get into another mystery and you just feel flat?  Maybe you are suffering from boredom, that familiar accompaniment to our automated, precooked lifestyles.  If so, you need to check out these hobby ideas.  Hobbies have been found to be therapeutic as they relieve stress and get the mind active.  In this article, you'll find hobby ideas for every sort of person, from the intellectual to the athlete, from the homemaker to the attorney.

Many times we are bored because we have become too inactive.  If this is your problem, you might like a sports hobby.  Have you ever tried tennis?  How about golf?  Many people simply love bowling until it becomes an important part of their lives.  Sports hobbies get you out of the house and often are a way to make friends with others.  Then again, some active hobbies can be enjoyed in our own homes, such as weight lifting and doing aerobic dance to a video.

Speaking of aerobic dance, dancing is another great pastime.  When you think of hobby ideas, don't forget the many forms of dance.  Square dancing is fun for people who like getting together with groups, while ballet and modern dance appeal to the more contemplative souls.  And while we're on contemplation, you might enjoy doing yoga stretches as a hobby.

Maybe we're feeling bored and listless because we've been cooped up in the house too long.  If that's the problem, here are a few hobby ideas to get you out in the fresh air.  Have you ever thought of taking up canoeing, hiking, or trapping?  How about getting involved with an environmental group?  In many states, you can form groups to clean riverbanks and monitor water quality, and the state will provide perks such as t-shirts, work gloves, and first-aid kits.  Or maybe you'd like studying the flora and fauna of your region.  It can be great fun to stroll through the woods and fields with a field guide, learning to identify each wildflower, insect, tree, and bird.

There are almost as many hobby ideas as there are bored people in the world, because everyone puts their own spin on their favorite hobbies.  Maybe you'd enjoy decorating your house with antiques, or learning to bake specialty breads from around the World.  Maybe you'd like to take part in a little theatre production, or learn to play guitar.  What about the fine arts of weaving tapestries or painting with oils?  Candle making, soap making, and many other old-time crafts are being enjoyed again.  Truly, with all these hobby ideas, there is no reason to stay bored for long!

Healthy Heart Kids – Chicken Recipes

By Kiera S. Campbell

In recent times, a revolution has been happening in kitchens in households everywhere - and that is a revolution towards raising healthy heart kids. It is alarming to note how people who are afflicted with heart disease and diabetes are becoming younger and younger. And what’s sad about it is that these diseases are easily preventable with the right diet and an active and healthy lifestyle.

We all know that the earlier we can teach our kids to enjoy healthy food, the greater our chances of lowering their risk for these deadly diseases. According to “Yummy Healthy Tummy: The Secrets of Raising Healthy Kids Every Parent Needs to Know”, with the right mindset and tools, parents can teach children to make healthy food choices and to actually love and enjoy healthy food. It all starts in the home, though, in our kitchens and on our dining tables.

One popular food item that can be our ally in the goal of raising healthy heart kids is skinless chicken breast. Chicken breast is known as the leanest part of the chicken. Using this portion in your chicken based dishes can help keep cholesterol levels in check.

Here are a couple of chicken based recipes you can try today:

Cheesy Chicken Pasta.

Ingredients:

8 oz whole wheat penne
2 cups cauliflower florets (1/2 inch)
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup finely chopped onion
3 cups milk
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
¾ teaspoons of salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
3 cups shredded cooked (or poached) chicken breast (turkey can also be a substitute)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or scallion greens.

Procedure:

1.Cook penne, and cauliflower until pasta and florets are tender – a good 9 minutes. Drain, rinse, and et aside.

2.In a large saucepan, heat oil and sauté onion. Add just a little water (about 1/8 cup will do).

3.In a bowl, whisk milk, flour, salt and pepper; add this to the onion.

4.Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook until thickened for about a minute.

5.Stir in cheese until smooth.

6.Put in chicken and mustard into sauce and cook for not more than 5 minutes. Stir sauce into pasta and cauliflower. Sprinkle chives on top.

Chicken Meatballs in Tomato Sauce.

Ingredients:

1 pound chicken breast - cut into chunks
1 cup white bread crumbs
¼ cup of milk
1 large egg white
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
¾ teaspoon dried oregano
salt and ground pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 can whole tomatoes.

Procedure:

1.For the meatballs, ground chicken in food processor. (Note: You can buy ground chicken, but sometimes they include chicken skin. So to make sure that its fat-less, it would be best to do it yourself.)

2.Put in bread crumbs, milk, egg white, cheese, oregano, salt and pepper. Shape into 12 meatballs.

3.Cook in skillet and olive oil until golden brown.

4.Puree tomatoes, add to meatballs and bring to a boil. Simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes.

5.Remove cover and cook for 15 minutes more while still simmering.

Delicious and healthy chicken recipes need not have extravagant ingredients. Your child will now realize that eating healthy also doesn’t mean having meals that taste bad. And these simple dishes are evidence of that.

Looking for more tips like these on cooking healthy for kids? Head on over to http://bit.ly/f9Fdg5 to get more tips and information not only on how you can serve healthy food to your kids, but more importantly, on how you can get your kids to LOVE eating healthy.

Remember, healthy eating is the best weapon we can leave our children with that will help them live longer and healthier lives free from diseases like obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart attacks. Start now while your kids are still young!

A Wealth of Kid Hobby Ideas

Every young person needs a hobby.  An interesting kid hobby will help children learn as well as keep them entertained for hours.  It might even help them stay away from a bad peer group and stay out of trouble.  Some kids might think of video games or TV as an appropriate kid hobby, but most parents would like to see their kids doing something more challenging or educational. 

A good kid hobby is playing a musical instrument.  The guitar can often be self-taught from a book if a child has the interest, but for piano playing or other instruments, you will probably have to invest in lessons.  Practice is, of course, an essential part of mastering any musical instrument.

Another type of kid hobby is pursuing an art or a craft.  Kids can learn to draw, paint, or make scrapbook pages.  They can learn needle arts, such as embroidery, sewing, knitting or crocheting.  Beginning carpentry is a very useful kid hobby that may turn into a career, or at least skills that will be used for a lifetime.  Tinkering around on gas engines or electronics is another kid hobby that can lead to useful skills.

There are all sorts of things that kids might like to collect for a hobby.  Some of the more common collections are of stamps, coins, and rocks.  Stamps are interesting because they can be from many different countries, becoming a geography lesson.  Coins and stamps both are of historical significance, and encourage reading to learn more about different eras in history.  Rock collecting as a kid hobby requires looking into science books.

Other collectibles include bean bag toys or figurines of a certain thing, such as owls, frogs, or unicorns.  Anything a child has an interest in can be collected.  If a kid is interested in dolphins, for instance, she may not only collect dolphin figurines and posters, but also be motivated to read books about dolphins.

Construction sets also make a good pastime for kids.  Many people may think of these only as toys, but children who have grown up with these sets and added components to them down through the years can create some pretty impressive models.  They are also gaining skills in reasoning and perception as they build.

Making model, such as cars, boats, and airplanes, has always been a popular kid hobby.  If your child is interested in making models, be very encouraging in the beginning.  Model car kits can be very complicated and require a great deal of precision.  If your child's first few creations leave a little bit to be desired, don't laugh or scold, or he is likely to never want to try to make anything again!  Get the easiest kit he is willing to make and then patiently help him as much as needed.

Many kids enjoy sports, making any athletic activity a great kid hobby.  Soccer, basketball, and little league baseball all come to mind, but don't forget about track and field events.  Maybe your child would enjoy distance running or gymnastics.  An active kid hobby will help your child stay in shape as well as make an interesting pastime.

Healthy Kids Meals – Breakfast

By Kiera S. Campbell

Making a healthy kids breakfast can sometimes be a daunting task, especially when you’re barely awake yourself. Plus hearing your kids bickering over who gets the bath first and anything to that effect can put a damper on your nerves. It’s sometimes nerve-wracking that you sometimes resort to just letting the kids have some cereal, milk and they’re on their way to school. Then you berate yourself afterwards because you let the “routine” happen again.

The secret to changing this scenario? According to “Yummy Healthy Tummy: The Secrets of Raising Healthy Kids Every Parent Needs to Know”, plan your morning meals in advance! For example, my kids and I (yep, I include them in the “planning” sessions) have a weekly planner for whatever breakfast we should have for that week. In this way, they always have something to look forward to – even during breakfast.

Sometimes, we make it so that they know what recipes would “come out” within the week, but I have control as to when to serve them. In this way, it keeps some element of surprise and excitement during meal times.

Also, here are some recipes that are sure to perk up any young one’s heart:

Sausage muffin.

1. Heat the skillet.

2. Form some ground sausage into a patty. Put into skillet and cook until deep brown and has a crispy crust.

3. In a bowl, beat 1 egg, a pinch of pepper and a dash of hot sauce until blended.

4. Take out of skillet and drain sausage patty between layers of paper towels. (Get almost all of the grease out if possible.)

5. Pour egg into skillet and cook until set.

6. Put a slice of Cheddar cheese on the top half of the English muffin. Put both halves in oven and heat until cheese melts and the bottom halves are toasted.

7. Put the sausage patty on 1 half, egg, a thick slice of tomato and the cheesy muffin. Good for 1 serving.

Mini Frittatas.

1. Preheat oven to  350 degrees.

2. Grease a muffin tin with oil or cooking spray.

3. In a bowl, whisk 6 large eggs, 1/3 cup of milk, ½ teaspoon of salt, ¼ teaspoon of ground pepper, and 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley. Stir in ¼ cup chopped turkey pepperoni.

4. Divide ¾ cup of cheddar cheese among 24 muffin cups.

5. Pour egg mixture over cheese; fill cups to the top.

6. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes until frittatas are puffed and golden brown on top. Cool for about 5 minutes before serving. Makes 24 frittatas.

An adage says that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. You can actually apply that to your kid. Pretty soon, he’ll be in tip-top shape because of the healthy dishes you’ll be serving him – and he wouldn’t even notice unless he gives it some thought.

Looking for more tips like these on cooking healthy for kids? Head on over to YummyHealthyYummy.com to get more tips and information not only on how you can serve healthy food to your kids, but more importantly, on how you can get your kids to LOVE eating healthy.

Remember, healthy eating is the best weapon we can leave our children with that will help them live longer and healthier lives free from diseases like obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart attacks. Start now while your kids are still young!

Start an Art Collectible Hobby and Beautify Your Home

Collecting is a fun hobby, and one of the most interesting things to collect is art collectibles.  Many different items can be painted with artwork and become an art collectible.  Hobby enthusiasts collect such things as saw blades, and wooden eggs which have had artwork painted on.  People even collect designer rugs as art.  Another art collectible hobby is collecting limited edition plates, thimbles, Christmas ornaments, and figurines produced by such companies as Bradford Exchange.  And of course, many people collect fine art paintings.

The person with an art collectible hobby will probably find his or her own favorite artists whose works they appreciate.  They can choose to focus on one particular artist, either past or present, or they can choose from the works of many artists.  On the other hand, they may collect art and art objects around a theme they enjoy, such as cigars, wild animals, or piano music. 

You may think of an art collector as a rich person who has the money to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on an original Van Gogh.  A person of more modest means can collect art too, however.  Post cards are a good place to start.  Most art museum gift shops offer high quality, glossy postcards printed with some of their more notable acquisitions.  By buying those cards that they really appreciate, anyone can have an art collection.

Ebay is a good source of art collectibles whatever type of art or collectible you fancy.  In fact, if you are just starting out, the choices and options can be overwhelming!  Just remember that you can sell your own belongings as well as buying those of others.  This should make the impact on the budget a little less powerful.  Other ideas for inexpensively collecting art collectibles are scouring flea markets, thrift shops, and garage sales.  You never know what treasure someone else may be getting rid of.

One nice thing about art collectibles is that artists can be found in every part of the world.  The art collector should scout the local art shows, museums, and artist's hangouts to find out just what sort of talent can be had less expensively and close to home.  Because of the local flavor of some artwork, art collectibles make good travel souvenirs.  For instance, the artist Linda Barnicott specializes in paintings of scenes, buildings, and landmarks found around  Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.  Similarly, collectors can find local artists almost everywhere.

An art collectible hobby will keep you interested in life and give you a home filled with art masterpieces as well.  If you enjoy pretty and interesting things around you, consider starting an art collectible hobby today.

Working Parents’ Breakfast

If you are a working parent, you know how busy the mornings can get. Trying to get everyone dressed, book bags packed, lunches packed, sanity packed and get out of the door before the bulk of rush hour can lead to the no-breakfast conundrum. As studies have shown, breakfast is probably the most important part of the day because it has the only chance to wake you up and get your body’s metabolism working in a positive direction right from the start. Let’s take a look at a few ideas for some quick and easy breakfast ideas for working parents.

One-handed Wonder

If you are the type of person who gets kids dressed with one hand while trying to pack lunches with the other, then you know how important a free hand can be. There are plethoras of breakfast options that only take up one hand and are pretty mobile when it comes to multitasking. For the simple breakfast ideas, you can always go with the staple foods, like bagels and toast, but if you want something with a little more pizzazz, try a breakfast wrap or perhaps even make your own French toast sticks.

Another idea would be to make pancake tacos. By taking a pancake that is not all the way cool, spread some peanut butter across it, lay down a little honey, fold it in half like a taco and ad some diced bananas. The breakfast is not only one handed, but it is simple, delicious and well-rounded way to start your day.

Easy Clean Up

Another big vice of working parents is a big breakfast that leaves a big mess. It is not fun to come home at the end of the day to a kitchen that looks like a tornado came through. No-mess breakfasts are great go-to ideas for working parents who are in a rush to get out the door.

These types of breakfasts can include frozen biscuits, some fruit and a cereal bar and even a breakfast burrito, if done correctly. Sure, you might have to wash a pan or two, but the trick for all of these breakfast ideas is to make something that can be transported in a paper towel or in a Ziploc baggie.

Break. Fast.

If you were to ask any working parent what the absolute must-have trait of a great breakfast is, you would probably get one word; fast. If breakfast wasn’t designed for those people on the go, then it would have been called breakslow or take-a-snooze-meal. Ok, you get the point. Breakfast is meant to be a quick meal that is ready to go for those people who are constantly on the go.

Great ideas for quick meals include popping a couple frozen pancakes or waffles in the toaster while you do your hair or tie your shoes. Another great idea is making a fruit medley with some apples, grapes and bananas. In the section above, we mentioned breakfast burritos; prepare the ingredients the night before and all you have to do is combine and heat. Try and think of a couple things that you can prepare the night before so that all you have to do is warm them up and enjoy.

No matter where you have to be, however quickly you have to be there, breakfast is always do-able. All it takes is a little prior planning and some down-home creativity and you can serve your speedy family a great breakfast on the go.

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Click here for Easy Breakfast Idea Recipes and other outstandingly delicious recipes.

Need a Little More Balance & A Whole Lot More Contentment?

I don’t have to tell you that today’s woman is BUSY. She has so many roles in life from career woman to mother to wife and more. And often times, as women, we end up working so hard caring for everyone else’s needs that we sometimes forget about our own.

If you need a little more balance in your life, time to care for yourself (without ANY guilt) and a little confidence boost, I recommend picking up the “Journey to Joy” toolkit by Aurelia Williams.

Aurelia is a Certified Life Coach and has put together some practical resources to help you find that joy in your life. There’s no need to spend your days pretending to smile on the outside and being a stressed out wreck on the inside. It is possible to have it all…on your own terms.

The toolkit includes:

- Journey to Joy guide that will help you
- Get rid of negative thoughts and “Mommy Guilt”
- Breaking bad habits and choose healthier ones for a happier and healthier you
- Easy-to-use to tips to boost your self-confidence
- Techniques to reduce your stress levels
- Finding more positive time for yourself

Plus you can download extra audio recordings, guides and worksheets to help you with everything from balancing your life, reducing stress and taking action on what you’ve learned in the Journey to Joy guide.

Get all the details and grab yours at: http://bit.ly/2oRvsD

Tips to Become Happier & More Empowered

By Aurelia Williams, author of Journey to Joy

In a search for happiness, many people look for it in other people and not within ourselves. Many people feel that things like money, a better job, better relationships..etc will make them happy. In reality, to find true contentment you must look inside yourself and learn to be your own best friend. That means you have to trust, love, and care for yourself just as you do the people you consider to be close to you.

Following are steps that you can incorporate into your life that will help you to feel more empowered and happy about yourself! These are just some of the many practical strategies I provide to my Journey to Joy students:

Begin to lift yourself up, not put yourself down. If you don't like something about yourself, work to change it. If you can't change it, simply accept it. Don't beat up on yourself with negative self-talk. You're not likely to change for the better when you fill yourself with negative thoughts.

Give yourself positive rewards. When you do something that you are proud of give yourself a small reward. Try not to wait for others to praise you because you may grow resentful if the praise doesn't come. Pat your own back, it is a great feeling that can stay with you for a long time.

Forgive yourself. I doubt that you would keep scolding a child over and over for making a mistake so don't do that to yourself. Give yourself the gift of forgiveness when you make a mistake. After that, work to figure out what lesson you can learn, and use it to make better choices the next time around.

Enjoy your successes. Most people can remember all of the details of depressing, painful or even embarrassing events that happened many years ago. What if you did the same thing with all of your wins? Try to remember all of the triumphs and accomplishments that you've made and keep that memory with you and think about it at least once a week.

Always remember to celebrate your wonderful qualities! You will soon discover that the more you love yourself, the more you will be able to give love to others - and the more others will be able to love you!

Next Steps:

For more help, instantly access your Journey To Joy tools for a happier and more fulfilled you. This inspiring eBook with accompanying audio recordings, worksheets and easy-to-apply action steps shows you how to take back the joy in your life.

Cooking Healthy for Kids – Tips to Get Them to Eat Well

By Kiera S. Campbell

We as parents would always want to prepare delicious and healthy meals for kids. Unfortunately, some kids turn out to be very picky eaters, and having them eat something good for them can be a challenging, if not a thought-provoking task. Cooking the food and eating them should be always be an enjoyable activity for the one making the food and the one eating them.

To make sure that your kids stay in tip-top shape, here are some pointers to remember. Some of these are taken from “Yummy Healthy Tummy: The Secrets of Raising Healthy Kids Every Parent Needs to Know”:

Eat what you want your kids to eat.

You are what you eat. And your kids see that. As parents, we should become models for our children. If we don’t want them to eat junk food, then they shouldn’t see us gobbling up portions of that. Eating your own cooking will encourage them to eat it too – they won’t feel like you’re overfeeding them with veggies (which they probably see as a poison anyway).

Have regular family meals.

It is said that children who participate in family meals are more likely to eat their fruits and vegetables, less likely to smoke, use marijuana or drink alcohol, and eat unhealthy, too-salty snacks. It’s also the time when the parents catch up on their kids’ lives and reconnect with each other. Bonding and closeness – now what parent wouldn’t want that?

Serve a variety of foods and healthy snacks.

Your children may love pasta, but if you feed them that everyday, then they would eventually get bored and disinterested, even if it is a variety of pasta. Try to make something new everyday, or make a menu. Say like, have some soup today, make some pie tomorrow, or a casserole the next day. Kids get tired of what they see easily. Let your creativity run wild.

Allow kids to help you in your mealtime preparations.

Kids can actually learn to like healthy food if they learn to cook or at least help prepare healthy food. I let my eldest daughter help out in the kitchen from time to time – you know, tearing off the salad greens, or washing carrots or cucumbers. Then when her daddy comes home, she’ll beam proudly and say, “I helped make that.” And then she’ll eat everything on her plate – vegetables, yes, broccoli included.

Remember that healthy cooking isn’t just for kids but for the whole family as well. Invest a little time in preparing your family’s food, and I’m sure, you will be richly rewarded via the smiles, the conversation, the banter and the laughter that you will forever keep as part of a very good memory.

Looking for more tips like these on cooking healthy for kids? Head on over to YummyHealthyTummy.com to get more tips and information not only on how you can serve healthy food to your kids, but more importantly, on how you can get your kids to LOVE eating healthy.

Remember, healthy eating is the best weapon we can leave our children with that will help them live longer and healthier lives free from diseases like obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart attacks. Start now while your kids are still young!

The Family That Eats Together Stays Healthy Together

Recent studies have shown that not only do children like to sit down at the dinner table and eat a meal with their parents, but they are more likely to eat a well-balanced, nutritious meal when they do.  But with the hectic lives we seem to lead these days, getting the family all together in the same place at the same time can be a difficult chore.

Between work schedules, after-school activities, errands, and the like, it seems we have less and less time.  But with a few simple ideas and some planning, meal time can be an enjoyable and treasured family time.

Designate no less than one night per week to have a sit-down meal with your family.  Sunday nights are usually a good choice for this because you have more time to relax and the weekend chores have been completed. 

Involve your children in the meal planning and preparation.  This gives them a strong sense of self and the foundation for a lifetime of healthy meal planning and preparation. 

Make sure the television is off, and make it a rule that all phone calls go to voice mail or the answering machine during the meal.  Take this time to visit with one another and enjoy one another's company.  This is a great time to reconnect and find out what events happened this week.  Take your time eating, and teach your children how to do the same in the process. 

Eating slowly is a healthy habit.  Don't jump up and start clearing dishes and putting things away until everyone is done eating and talking. 

On those days that you can't sit down as a family, try to make a habit of sitting down and chatting with them while they are eating, instead of rushing around catching up on the chores. 

This shows them you're interested and that you care and want to be and involved and important part of their every day life. 

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Top 10 Ways to Reconnect with Your Family (Free Report)
http://www.hb2k.com/reconnect.pdf

Should You Hire a Professional Organizer or Do It Yourself?

A lot of people ask me if it's really worth hiring a professional organizer or if you're better off doing it yourself.

Both are valuable options, but either way you should understand the specific steps and strategies to having a more organized home, making little changes gradually to simplify life at home.

Well at first glance having someone do things for you can certainly seem better than doing it yourself. But there are some big IF's that need to be considered.

Remember, you are typically going to pay by the hour (the going rate for a professional organizer can range anywhere from $35 to $250 an hour. So you have to be selective in which small part of the process they'll help you with.

Just a few weeks ago I got an email from a customer of mine who recently hired a professional organizer and paid her for a full day.

And all she did was hang pictures for 8 hours!

Which brings me to another point ... how do you know, once the service is complete, you are going to be satisfied or if you are even going to be able to maintain organization beyond a week, a month or a year from now?

Now here's the thing.

If you really, really want to make changes to the way you live in your home, you need to start living your life a little differently.

You should be able to manage your "stuff" and understand what it really takes to start enjoying the benefits of home organization.

Learn what it takes to get organized from the inside-out and discover the basic and simple rules of home organization so you can enjoy more time, more space and a better, happier life at home.

Then, even if later down the road you decide to hire someone to help you, you will be more knowledgeable, you will understand the process more and -- combined with a few changes -- you will be living in an organized home before you know it.

10 Ways To Improve Your Communication

Anybody can improve their communication skills. There is far more to learn about conversation and relationships than any of us could realize. You can find talk shows; radio programs; clubs dedicated to public speaking; ordinary conversations; whatever type of interaction you choose. Certain rules always apply when it comes to interaction through words, and it's all in the attitude.

1. What you know.

It's important to be clear about what you know and what you don't. Talking at length about a subject you know very little about can become embarrassing. In the same way, it pays to take a good honest look at yourself and be aware of your own strengths and weaknesses. Playing on your strengths is important in all kinds of relationships.

2. Listening.

Asking questions is a great way to start a conversation, provided they are not too intrusive. But don't forget to listen to the answers! Some people simply pass from one question to the next like an interviewer. Remember, conversation is a two way process. Your next remark should arise from what the other person has said in response to your original question.

3. Humility

We all make mistakes, and sometimes it is important to acknowledge them. Of course, you should not always be putting yourself down, and there is no need to draw attention to your bad points. If you have said something out of line or out of place, simply apologize and move on.

4. Eye Contact

When talking with one person, make eye contact - but don't stare. Staring will be experienced by aggression by the other person. If you are talking to a group of people in a meeting or a gathering, remember to move your gaze around the group to include everybody.

5. Kidding around

A little bit of humor can do wonders to lift the tension, or worse, boredom while you are speaking. It wakes people up, and laughing will make them feel happier. However, there is nothing worse than a joke that falls flat. Practice your jokes on a safe audience such as your family before adding them to a prepared speech.

6. Be interested in others

When it comes down to it, the first priority for most of us is our own selves, followed by the people that we feel belong to us. It can take some wisdom to be truly interested in a person who is very different without trying to put them down or prove that our own way is better. How do you relate to people of a different race, nationality or sexual orientation? Can you be interested without being intrusive or critical?

7. Me, myself and I

Some people like the sound of their own voices and talk about themselves until others fall asleep or run screaming from the room. You're not one of those people ... right?

8. With a smile

A smile, like eye contact, can make an instant connection with another person. It makes them feel good and establishes friendly relations. Don't hold back on smiling - you have nothing to lose.

9. A role model

There must be at least one or two people in your life who really impress you with the way that they make a speech or relate to other people. Instead of sitting there wondering why you can't be the same way, watch how they actually do it. Act like them and pretty soon, you could have the same success.

10. Preparation

Whether you are making a speech or going to a party, some preparation is always worthwhile. For public speaking, make notes and practice your speech. If it's a party, ask the host a few questions about the other people who will be there.  Remember, preparation makes for effortless communication.

Sit Back, Relax... Call of Duty: Black Ops Strategy Guide Will Let You Win!

Since the date that Treyarch released the latest major installment from the Call of Duty series, millions of fans and video game enthusiasts purchased their copies of the game. Within a month, Black Ops has become the most sought-after video game across the universe! In Japan alone, it already reached the number one spot among video games, according to the most reliable weekly sales chart. In fact, it already reached a whopping figure at 128,922 units for PS3! That is three times the figure of its closest rival - the Super Fossil Fighters, only at 42,829 units.

    The seventh edition provides many features that are not available in the previous installments. And since more and more people are rewiring their thinking into trying out their call of duty in this game, it is highly recommended to learn from a Call of Duty: Black Ops Strategy Guide to better understand how to play the game.

    While carrying all the missions, it is best to have a general idea about the weapons available to use. Your perfect guide will give you complete information about the submachine guns, assault rifles, shotguns, light machine guns, sniper rifles, pistols, launchers, special weapons, and even some known facts about weapon camouflages and attachments.

    An ultimate guide should provide the players a complete rundown of all the achievements and trophies one can obtain. Suggestions on the proper tactics and techniques should be elaborated to help the players unlock them. For example, in the Sacrifice achievement, all you need to do is to ensure that your team successfully escapes from Cuba. If you successfully do this, an award often achievement points (for Xbox 360) will be awarded. 

    Rewards and perks of the game should also be appropriately explained. Players should have a basic kill streak tactics to use effectively.  Their corresponding points should also be mentioned.

    Black Ops also have different Campaigns. A complete Call of Duty: Black Ops Strategy Guide should provide you with tips for survival especially for Veteran Campaign, since it is the hardest part in gaming. In fact, it is that challenging that only hard core players can pass through it successfully. Rule of thumb while playing this campaign is to be patient and move slowly. Let them lead the way so you would know where the enemies are positioning. Always duck for cover. Weapons should always aimed down; always be ready to take a shot at every corner. Be prepared to die. And lastly, to get past dangerous areas, always be ready with your smoke grenades and secondary concussions.

    With a comprehensive Call of Duty: Black Ops Strategy Guide, rest assured that you are just one step closer to successfully completing the missions.

Breakfast for Lazy Weekenders

Have you ever had one of those weekends, where you want something good for breakfast, but don’t feel like dirtying a bunch of dishes and taking a lot of time to fix something yummy? Let’s take a look at some great breakfast ideas for those who want to enjoy their weekend rather than slave over a hot stove.

Un-Cook

If you have ever had the opportunity to travel overseas, you know exactly what I am talking about. The breakfast spreads throughout Europe are incredible; and they don’t take a lot of time to prepare. In Germany, especially, the breakfast hours are mainly there to get you through to lunch. They focus more on spending time with the people they are surrounded with, rather than trying to stuff food into their face and get out of the door – the perfect lazy morning start.

The next time you head to the store, pick up a few croissants, maybe a little honey, some sliced meat – any of the hard meats will do, as well as turkey and ham – a little bit of cheese and top it all off with some grapes and a pint of yogurt. This breakfast has all of the substance that you will need and it is perfect finger food to sit and chat while munching.

Unconventional

While a simple, un-cooked spread will peak the interest of some people, a few adrenaline junkies out there like to try new things; even when they are being lazy. If you are feeling adventurous and are up for a morning out of the house, don’t choose the typical breakfast hangout; go for something new and exciting. See if there are any restaurants in your area that specialize in foreign cuisine and check if they serve breakfast. Go to the local Greek deli and pick up some of their pastries and some hummus, or perhaps stop by the French bakery and see what kind of new creations they are coming up with.

If you just want to lounge around in your pajamas all morning, not all is lost. The next time you are at the store, pick up some caviar or some pâté and have it with some crackers and tea. Simple, yet probably something you don’t have every morning. Add a little melon and some kefir to the mix and you have a pretty exciting, yet lazy, breakfast.

Uncomplicated

Sometimes the best lazy breakfasts come from what you already have on hand. While the well-standing favorite of college students is cold pizza, perhaps you have some rice and corn left over from dinner the night before. Mix those together in equal portions with a couple eggs and fry them up in a skillet (much like pancakes) to make an amazing fritter.

You can also do the same thing with mashed potatoes, stuffing and ham, making a bit of a nest for an egg to perch on top. Cook it on the stove and then pop it into the oven for about 10 minutes to end up with a breakfast any lazy weekender would be proud of. Take a look at what you have on hand and try out a few combinations. You will have fun and may even come up with a new favorite recipe for those lazy weekends.

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Click here for Easy Breakfast Idea Recipes and other outstandingly delicious recipes.

How to Come up With a Craft Idea for Kid Programs

Are you a camp director or Sunday School teacher looking for a craft idea for kid enrichment?  Maybe you feel like you are just not the creative type, and you struggle with coming up with craft projects.  It is true that some people just have a knack for finding or even inventing craft ideas, but your creativity can be improved.  There are ways to make it easier to find a craft idea for kid needs.

First, lay aside any perfectionism.  Locking yourself into thinking there is only one right way to do something makes every decision harder.  Regardless of the kid program you are helping with, there are always many suitable craft ideas out there.  Don't worry about picking the wrong one!  If you've taken into consideration the age and skill levels of the kids involved, your choice will be adequate.

Next, consider your budget.  When choosing a craft idea for kid programs, you need to be aware that some of them are expensive.  Prepackaged kits to make a fun foam picture frame or a craft stick cross are affordable for a few kids, but if you are needing to do a craft with a lot of kids, these kits might cost too much.  It's often easy to do almost exactly the same project by just looking at the craft kit components and buying the same materials in bulk at the discount store.  You may have to do some preparation, like cutting out shapes ahead of time, or at least making cardboard patterns for the kids to use in cutting out their own.  The savings will be worth it, however.

Another consideration is this:  in spite of years of indoctrination from women's libbers, the fact remains that boys and girls like different sorts of crafts!  If the craft seems a little girly, don't use it at boys' camp.  Stick with lace-up leather billfolds, Indian artifacts, dinosaur art, and similar projects.  Girls will like beads and anything that's pink or purple.  For a craft idea for kid camp where there are kids of both sexes, keep it on the boyish side and provide some pink materials to keep the girls happy.

An aspect of creativity that the non-creative types don't realize is that ideas spring from other ideas.  That is, if you look over a book or website of craft ideas, maybe none of them will appeal to you, but if you let them, they will spark an idea for a similar project.  Use what you can and change what you must in the craft directions.  For instance, the craft may have a slogan to be written across the front.  If you need to change the slogan to fit your own needs, it's perfectly OK.  For instance, the pictured project might say "Girls rock!"  You can change that to "He is the Rock!" if that meets your VBS needs better.

A final suggestion is to realize that you don't have to change the instructions or create something new to have a good craft idea for kid use.  Feel free to follow the instructions to the letter if that works better for you.  The kids will have a great time either way.  Just pick a craft idea, for kid creativity beats adult creativity every time!  The kids will make it creative, even if you have doubts about your own ability in this area.

Cooking Healthy For Kids – 4 Tips for Healthier Meals You Can Serve Today

By Kiera S. Campbell

In this day and age when childhood obesity is becoming more and more common and diabetes patients are becoming  younger and younger, creating a healthier diet for our children is becoming even more important. It is perhaps the best weapon we have against these diseases that are caused by our lifestyle and rich diet.

When cooking meals for our kids, there are techniques and considerations that can help make the meals you prepare even healthier. Cooking healthy for kids can actually be easy and convenient if you plan out your activities well.

Not sure where to start? Here are 5 things you can start doing today:

Steam. When cooking, it is best to limit the amount of oil that you use. If you look at the kids food pyramid, you’ll see that oils are at the tip of the pyramid, which means we should consume very little of it. Whenever you have the option of using different cooking methods, choose to steam or boil, rather than to fry or deep-fry your food.

1. Use natural spices. Creating sauces, dips and dressings using natural spices is a great way to enhance the flavor of healthy food (steamed food included).

2. Smoothies – Raw Veggies and Fruits. The less processing that food gets, the more nutritious it is because there are some nutrients that are lost whenever food is cooked. Of course, unless your family is used to a raw foodism, this may be a bit of a stretch to expect your kids to immediately take to it. If you are determined to introduce raw veggies into your kids’ diet, one good way to do this is by making smoothies that uses a combination of raw vegetables, fruits and yogurt. It’s tasty, healthy and refreshing – your kids might just love it.

3. Buy fresh and organic. Organic means the food did not undergo any artificial enhancement while it was being grown. In plants, it means that no artificial fertilizers or pesticides were used in the farm where it was planted. In animal food products, it means that no artificial growth enhances were fed to the animals when they were being raised. Organic foods are healthier and safer because there is no chemical residue left on the food which can be ingested by your kids.

4. Whole foods over processed foods. In the same manner that cooking diminishes the nutritional value of food, processing food also has the same detrimental effect. Whenever possible, it is best to choose whole foods over food that has been refined and has undergone a lot of artificial processes. Aside from losing some of their nutritional value, the process of refining food may also make use of ingredients and additives that are not healthy.

Looking for more tips like these on cooking healthy for kids? Head on over to http://bit.ly/f9Fdg5 to get more tips and information not only on how you can serve healthy food to your kids, but more importantly, on how you can get your kids to LOVE eating healthy.

Remember, healthy eating is the best weapon we can leave our children with that will help them live longer and healthier lives free from diseases like obesity, diabetes, cancer and heart attacks. Start now while your kids are still young!

The Organized Tool Box

Are you always digging around for the right tool?  Hammers abound, but why are the flat-edge screwdrivers always missing?  Wouldn't it be great to have everything in an easy-to-find space?  Here are some steps and tips to get you on your way. 

Step 1:  Inventory. 

First, start by gathering all your tools.  Make a list of the locations where you found your tools.  Garage, kitchen, basement, car, truck?  Lay them all out on a bedsheet or blanket.  Sort them by type to get an idea of how many different kinds of tools you have. 

Next, examine each tool and decide what to keep. 

* Is it a duplicate?  If so, how many of this tool do I need?
* Have I ever used it?  Some tools passed down thru the family should be kept for sentimental reasons, but others that you've never used can surely go.
* Is it broken?  If it isn't usable and can't be repaired then discard it.
* Have I replaced it with a multi-purpose tool that does the job more efficiently?
* Does a neighbor have a better version that I usually borrow?

Toss out the broken tools, sell the good ones on eBay, get a tax break by donating to a local charitable organization, have a "yard sale for men" or help a favorite college grad begin their first tool box.  Only keep the tools you are sure to use in the future.

Step 2:  Make a Plan. 

Using your list of locations from step 1, think about how and where you use your tools.  You may decide to centralize your tools in the garage or basement.   Begin sorting your tool collection into groups according to their desired location.  This will help you to determine the storage space requirements for each area.

Step 3:  Choose your Tool Storage System. 

The internet is a great tool for finding the latest tool storage solutions.  Portable tool boxes are great for on-the-go types to keep in their car or truck.  Behind-the-wheel tool boxes for pickup trucks are a great way to take advantage of unused truck bed space.  If you have a ton of small parts, you may consider some plastic storage cabinets with sliding drawers.  Pegboards work nicely in the garage or basement workspace to keep tools handy and off the countertops.  Maybe you need some new shelving to store larger-sized tools.

Step 4:  Implement your new Tool Storage System.

If you've ordered a new tool box or some other item, then when it arrives begin to place your tools in order.  Once you've got everything in its place, remember to always take the extra time to put items away when they are done being used.  If you've added a pegboard, consider drawing an outline around each tool as it hangs on the pegboard to make it easier to know where to return the tool. 

Get motivated--you'll be glad you did.  Once you're organized, maybe you'll even have space to buy some new tools!

Raising Healthy Eating Kids

Raising Healthy Eating Kids: 9 Ways How You Can Encourage the Healthy Eating Habit In Your Children

By Kiera S. Campbell

For a lot of parents, raising kids who are conscious of choosing healthy food is a lifelong mission. Given the massive health advantages attributed to healthy eating, kids who are trained towards it stand to gain a lot. As parents, it is probably one of the best gifts we can give to our children.

So how exactly do we go about building healthy eating habits in our kids? First thing we need to recognize is that habits are built with positive reinforcement. This means that the more positive and happy things our kids can associate with a certain behavior, the more likely they are to repeat it.

Making healthy food choices is a behavior that is directly influenced by our attitudes and reactions towards it. This is a very important principle to keep in mind if we want to encourage certain behaviors in our children. This principle applies not only to eating habits and food choices, but to other behaviors as well.

Keeping this principle in mind, these are just some of the ways you can help encourage healthy eating in your kids:

1. Make meal times pleasant. Avoid fighting over food or having negative discussions when eating.  Especially avoid fighting over fruits and vegetables.

2. Model the behavior you want your kids to follow. This simply means that if you want your kids to eat healthy, then you yourself have to eat healthy. Children naturally follow what their parents do. If they see you enjoying fruits and vegetables, they are more likely to try it and are more likely to enjoy it.

3. Praise them whenever they choose healthy food. Let them see how happy and how proud it makes you that your kids choose to eat the healthy food that you put on their plate.

4. Praise them whenever they TRY new food. Even if they don’t like it the first time they try it, some kids just need to see it served often before they acquire the taste for it. Praising them for trying will leave them open to try the new and healthy dishes that you serve them.

5. Prepare healthy snacks that they can munch on while engaging in recreational activities. In line with creating a lot of positive associations with healthy food, it may be worth your while to prepare healthy food that they can eat when watching TV or movies, reading books, after sports activities and so on.

6. Let your children know what they are eating. We’re all guilty of hiding vegetables in our kids’ food, but sometimes it’s actually better to let them know what goes into their food. Teaching them which foods are healthy will allow them to recognize healthy food when they see it.

7. Involve your children in the preparation. From meal planning to grocery shopping to cooking the food, getting your kids involved, assigning them tasks that they can do will make healthy eating much more fun for them.  You can be certain that they’ll be more open to trying food that they helped prepare in some way.

8. Introduce something new once in a while. If you can do this weekly, even better.

9. Eat healthy when eating out. This is a great way to show your kids how you can consistently choose healthy food even when you’re in a different environment.  This will definitely reinforce the importance of healthy eating and they’ll also realize how easy and accessible healthy food actually is.

Did you know that healthy eating can cut our kids’ risks for diseases like obesity, cancer, diabetes and heart attack by up to 40%? That’s why it’s absolutely crucial that you instill the habit of eating healthy in your children. Learn the secrets and the principles to raising healthy eating kids.

Breakfast Ideas for Busy Moms

Either you are one, or you have one. Moms are amazing; they never seem to slow down, let up or stop. Breakfast should not only give moms the energy they need to keep up with everyone, but shouldn’t slow them down either. Let’s take a look at a few different ideas that can keep mom on her toes while keeping up with her pace.

Smoothies

Smoothies are a great way to start your day. They are fairly simple to make and even better to enjoy. All it takes is some high quality fresh fruit, possibly a little yogurt or milk and, well, just about anything else you want to throw in there. Many people blend in some protein powder, phytonutrients and even some vitamins.

The great thing about smoothies is that with a quick blend, you have a healthy, tasty beverage that doubles as a meal. The portability aspect of this breakfast idea is also a winner because it take a lot to spill a smoothie on your shirt; unlike coffee.

Frozen Ideas

Another great idea for the mom on the go is to make something in advance and freeze it. Homemade pancakes and waffles are great for this. The next time you cook breakfast, make a few extra and throw them in the freezer for safekeeping. When you realize that you are thirty minutes behind schedule getting out of the house, just pop a couple in the toaster while you put your shoes on. Voila, instant hot breakfast. Just spread with a little peanut butter and perhaps a banana and you are all set for a power-packed day.

A few other frozen ideas are biscuits and breakfast sandwiches. Many people pay lots of money for frozen biscuits, but you can freeze your own and pull them out for a quick thaw in a pinch. Those same biscuits can also be used to pre-make fantastic breakfast sandwiches, complete with sausage patties or even bacon. The meats used in the sandwich freeze pretty well stay moist during the gentle warming.

Keep It Simple

The best breakfast idea for busy moms is to keep it simple. While it may not be a fancy crepe or over-stuffed omelet, a simple breakfast of peanut butter, banana and a glass of milk will go a long way. It is important to keep your breakfast well rounded, but in all honesty, sometimes the simpler the better.

We all know that the same breakfast can get old fast, so having a selection of simple, yet healthy meals is important. While a quick microwavable pouch of instant oatmeal may not be the best breakfast, by adding some fruit and a little brown sugar, you can spice that boring bowl right up. Another quick and simple morning breakfast idea is a bagel done right; with cream cheese and a bit of fruit or honey to top it off.

No matter what you decided to do, whether it is making a smoothie, grabbing something pre-frozen or spicing up a daily staple, breakfast for busy moms should be exactly that. Break. Fast.

2 Years to an Associates Degree

The two types of associate degrees offered are the A.A. or associate of arts degree, and the A.A.S., which is the associate of applied science degree. You can earn and A.A. degree at a community or junior college, at a technical school, or even online. This degree designation indicates that you have completed a course of study with an extensive foundation in general education, as well as concentration in a particular area. Your degree is often in an occupational area, or in liberal arts. This degree is designed to transfer to a four-year college or university.

Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.) is intended for graduates that seek career entry or job advancement after 2 years of college study. AAS degrees will possibly transfer some or all credits to a four-year college. Associate of Applied Science degrees are the preference of employers seeking people to fill various middle level technology positions.

Once you get an associate degree, you typically need another 2 years or 60 credit hours to earn a bachelor degree. Earning an associates degree is a great away for a student to see what direction they want to take in their education. Either degree is a great option for those seeking to earn an associate degree.

Bust Boredom with Kid Crafts

Have you ever heard those familiar words, "I'm bored," coming from the mouth of your child?  If so, then kid crafts are the answer.  Provide the kids with craft materials and boredom will be a thing of the past.  Read on for ideas about kid crafts.

Kid crafts essential materials include paper, crayons, safe scissors, and glue.  Paper for kid crafts can include construction paper, plain typing paper, cardstock of various colors, and many other options.  Even junk mail and old magazines can make interesting art projects.  Crayons are nice for younger children, but the stores are now filled with other options, such as washable dry-erase markers, watercolor pencils, and gel pens.  Kid crafts supplies can run into money, but even on a budget there are many possibilities.

Other materials kids can craft with include recycled junk and found objects.  By recycled junk, I'm referring to empty cereal boxes, toothpaste boxes, cardboard from packaging, plastic containers, and even tin cans.  If you let kids craft with tin cans, however, you need to make sure the open edge of the can doesn't have any sharp edges.  Simply file these off or squeeze them flat with a pair of pliers.

Found objects include leaves, twigs, rocks, snakeskins, and other natural item a child might find.  Perhaps there is a sheep farm nearby.  If so, wool scraps can often be found stuck to the barbed wire fences.  Any or all of these items can be used in kid crafts.

One of the most fun and popular kid crafts is making a collage.  Kids can glue anything down when making a collage.  Use heavy paper for the background, and then let the creativity begin!  For an extra challenge, a collage can be built around a theme, like food, animals, or babies.  Old magazines can be searched for just the right pictures, which can be cut out and glued to the background.  The older child might wish to cut out details from magazine pictures and reassemble them in new and interesting ways.  They might cut out interesting words and headlines and add them as well.

Younger kid crafts can include collages made of glued down pasta, beans, popsicle sticks, leaves, and many other materials.  Don't forget about glitter, too.  If the budget allows only a few kid crafts splurges, remember that kids of all ages, particularly girls, really enjoy crafting artwork that includes glitter.  But whether your kids are boys or girls, young or older, suggest some kid crafts the next time your kids are bored!

How To Choose An Ergonomic Office Chair

The average office worker will spend 7 hours a day at their desk. The wrong sitting position will put stresses on the spine that could lead to long term health problems. In addition to the health issues, your productivity will also be reduced if you are uncomfortable at your desk. Employees now recognize this problem and are now prepared to spend serious money on getting quality ergonomic seating and chairs for their people. However, if you select the wrong chair it will not help no matter how much you have spent.

What to look for in an ergonomic chair

·    Adjustable seat height

·    A good size seat

·    A backrest

·    Good padding on seat

·    Arm rests

·    Lumbar support

·    Easy to rotate

Desks and people come in many different sizes so ergonomic seating and chairs have to cater for the majority of variations. The height should be easy to adjust and have a good range of at least 40 - 53 centimeters from the floor to seat height. The depth and width of the seat should be sufficient to allow you to sit with your back in contact with the back support whilst leaving a space of approximately 8 centimeters between the back of your knees and the seat. If this distance is greater you could cause the muscles at the back of your leg to tighten. If the back of your knees are making contact with the seat you may impede your circulation.

It is essential to have good padding on the seat because you will be spending long hours on it! Arm and backrests allow for support which can prevent you from holding tension on your neck, shoulders and back - both rests should be adjustable.

Lumbar support is not as important as it was once considered. A good seat that supports your pelvis in conjunction with a good sitting posture virtually negates the need for lumber support. Having said this, it still can be a useful feature in ergonomic seating and chairs for when you are tired or under stress.

A rotating chair is definitely a must as most office workers will need to turn to get things from desk drawers of use PC and office equipment. This will help reduce stress on the lower back.

Get relief from back, neck & shoulder pain in just 7 seconds at . . . http://bit.ly/dqMp6V

Roy Palmer is a teacher of movement re-education and author of 7 Seconds to Pain Relief, secrets of lasting relief from back, neck & shoulder pain. He has helped back pain
sufferers, sports people and performing artists over the last 12 years. He is also the author of three books on the subject of performance enhancement, injury prevention and rehabilitation for athletes.

Easy Kids Recipes #1: Frozen Chocolate Yogurt Mud Pie

By Kiera S. Campbell

Are you looking for easy kids recipes to keep your children busy? Kids just love to help out in the kitchen and cooking is a great and fun way to teach your children the importance of eating healthy. This is one delicious and nutritious dessert recipe that your kids will surely love to make and to eat.  And did I mention that it’s healthy, too?

This easy recipe for a dessert requires no cooking and is ideal even for your little preschooler. Once you’re comfortable making this recipe, feel free to experiment with various containers to create your own mud pie shapes. 

This recipe makes 1 Frozen Chocolate Yogurt Mud Pie that serves two.

What you’ll need:

5 cups plain yogurt
250g Chocolate cookie crumbs
4 tbsps Melted margarine
Soft, sweet fruits chopped in small pieces (mango, banana, etc.)

What you need to do:

1. In a large bowl, mix together your margarine and your cookie crumbs. We’re looking for a sticky moist consistency.

2. Next, line your container with this cookie crumb mixture. The bottom and the sides of your container should be covered with it (pretend you’re making a cup made of cookie crumbs).

3. Make sure you pack them in tightly and that it is around ¼” thick. A round container that is 4” in diameter and 3” in height is a good size, although you’re free to experiment with the shape and size of your mud pie.

4. Next, in another bowl, mix the plain yogurt and your fruit pieces together. The fruit pieces should be completely hidden inside the yogurt mixture.

5. Put the yogurt mixture into the cookie crumb mixture (like you’re filling the cup you made with yogurt).

6. Leave in the freezer to harden and freeze.

7. Once it’s frozen, it’s ready to serve. You may lift it out of your container or you may serve it in the container – your choice. If you want, you may also put fruit slices or sprinkle chocolate chips on top.

Healthy and easy kids recipes like this are fun to make. But are you able to teach your kids the importance of choosing healthy food all the time?

Kiera S. Campbell is the author of “Yummy Healthy Tummy: The Secrets of Raising Healthy Kids Every Parent Needs to Know!” She can teach you how you can help your children grow up to love and choose healthy eating for life. Visit yummyhealthytummy.com to learn more.

Christmas Craft: Bead and Pipe Cleaner Ornaments

Christmas ornaments made from ordinary pipe cleaners and inexpensive acrylic beads are very pretty and easy to make.  They look quite impressive yet are easy enough for small children to make.  This is one Christmas craft idea to use again and again.  Older people will enjoy making this Christmas craft, too, which can be varied to make a number of different sparkling ornaments for your Christmas tree.

To make the bead and pipe cleaner ornaments, you need common pipe cleaners in desired colors and acrylic beads.  Two types of beads are particularly effective when strung on pipe cleaners.  One type are called sunburst beads, but are also known as paddlewheel beads, snowflake beads, or starburst beads.  These beads have six faceted paddles spaced equally around a center that contains the hole for stringing.  When several of these sunburst beads are strung consecutively, they fit against each other in an interlocking pattern.

The other type of bead that is also effective for this Christmas craft is called the tri bead or propeller bead.  It has three rounded bumps arranged around the stringing hole.  Like the sunburst beads, the tri beads interlock when strung consecutively.  For the most sparkly and attractive Christmas ornaments, get tri beads and/or sunburst beads in translucent colors of red, green, and clear.  The tri beads can also be found in metallic gold and silver which can be used in this Christmas craft as well.

Pipe cleaners can be found in silver and gold tinsel as well as chenille of all colors.  For the Christmas craft, the best colors to use are the metallic and Christmas colors.  The beads cover the pipe cleaners, but the ends will need to be twisted together and made into hangers, so they show.

Anyone, even small children, can string these beads on pipe cleaners.  Bend up the end of the pipe cleaner so the beads don't fall off.  The pipe cleaner works like a needle, making a needle unnecessary.  For best results, show the children how to alternate colors when stringing, or start a pattern of three colors.  When the beads are strung on the pipe cleaners, they can be bent into different Christmas shapes.  For instance, string red and clear beads alternately, then bend down one end of the pipe cleaner for a candy cane shape.  Or alternate red and green beads and form a circle for a wreath.  Use red pipe cleaner to form a small bow to decorate the wreath.  Form a hanger for the Christmas craft or simply slip the circle over a branch of the tree.

If you experiment with clear beads and silver pipe cleaners, you can make some beautiful snowflake or star ornaments.  Snowflake designs can be twisted of silver pipe cleaner only, without the beads for a simple but pretty decoration.

Bead and pipe cleaner ornaments are a Christmas craft you will find yourself using every year.  Children and their parents will both appreciate this simple yet pretty Christmas craft.

Collect and Play: Have Fun With a Toy Hobby

Some adults never seem to grow up.  They seem to retain their childlike wonder at the world around them.  These are the adults who have started a toy hobby. Kids like to hang around with these adults because they seem more like kids.  Sometimes having a child or a grandchild can spark an interest in toys.  Be that as it may, a toy hobby will keep a person young at heart.

Many women love dolls and never outgrow them.  Some prefer baby dolls, some fashion dolls, and still others go for antique or decorative dolls.  Often an interest in dolls will spill over into a craft interest, as the doll lover begins to craft clothing and accessories for favorite dolls.  Sometimes the hobbyist becomes skilled at crafting the dolls themselves.  Some types of dolls that are often hand-crafted are rag dolls and cloth bodied dolls with ceramic heads.  It is not uncommon to find older women who have an entire room of their homes filled with special dolls on display.

Older men, on the other hand, (and sometimes women, too) often like cars and trucks.  Antique metal cars are hot collectibles, with some older ones being quite valuable.  Matchbox cars have always been loved, but so have the large Tonka dump truck, road grader, and bulldozer.  You can bet the grandkids will want to play with your trucks and cars.

A toy hobby that is extremely popular is collecting Beanie Babies.  These small velour animals, made by the Ty company, each have a personality all its own.  You can find Beanie Babies in every type of animal you can think of.  A similar hobby is collecting teddy bears.  There are many Beanie Baby teddy bears, but a teddy bear collector will probably want to branch out to collect other types of bears.  In fact, many bear collectors have figurines and other items collected in addition to their teddy bears.

Wooden toys are popular among adults, both to craft and to collect.  There is something quaint and pleasant about a child playing with a handcrafted wooden toy.  Wooden toys make attractive home accents wherever they get dropped, which is not something you can say about the latest plastic gizmo.  People who like country decorating often prefer wooden toys for their kids.

You don't have to outgrow toys!  A toy hobby will keep you young at heart and make you a favorite among the kids in your neighborhood.  Whether you collect toys or craft them, a toy hobby is something you can play around with!

50 Development Activities for Kids

If you're looking for fun and stimulating activities to keep your toddler busy on rainy weekends or during school holidays, then look no further!

50 Development Activities for Kids ebook contains 50 different activities, ranging from crafts and creative projects, to cooking and physical activities. These ideas will keep you and your toddler busy, no matter what the weather!

What You Will Find In This Ebook:

Homemade Obstacle Course Using Household Items
Ball, Hoop and Co-ordination Activities
Non-toxic Play Dough, Whole-wheat Pizza Recipes, Healthy Toppings
Potato Stamp Designs and Instructions
Homemade Musical Instruments
How To Design and Pull Off A Successful Treasure Hunt with Authentic Treasure Map Designs
Activities with Balloons, Bean Bags and Soft Toys
Design Your Own Memory Cards, Animal Cards, Seasonal Cards
Finger and Hand Painting, Placemats, Plus Other Creative Ideas
Magnetic Fishing, Build Your Own Aquarium, Bath-time Science
Beading, Theme Activities and Dress Up Games
The Best Tried-and-tested Activities for Children's Development that you will find anywhere!

50 Development Activities for Kids ebook tells you everything you need to know about how to occupy your toddler at home, while stimulating their growth and development.

To help them reach those developmental milestones!

Every one of the 50 activities supports ONE or MORE of the following development principles:

Gross Motor Skills
Fine Motor Skills
Muscle development
Balance
Co-ordination
Spatial awareness
Tactile development
Sensory processing
Analytical and strategic thinking
General fitness and well-being

At the end of each activity is a summary of benefits outlining which major milestones your child will have met by completing that activity.

No Need To Rush Out And Buy Anything

There's no need for expensive equipment!

All of the activities in this book can be performed at home using items that you will already have, so there's no need to rush out and buy anything. Using home-based equipment means you save on costs and recycle unused items such as cool drink cans, plastic bottles, old wrapping paper, dried beans and baking materials, odd bits of material and cardboard.

So if you want to keep your kids active and occupied on weekends and during school holidays, simply grab this useful and instantly downloadable ebook from 50 Fun-filled Activities For Kids

Also keep this in mind…

* 50 Development Activities for Kids offers meticulously researched, yet easy to follow information.
* In 50 Development Activities for Kids the activities are presented in a clear, easy to understand manner that makes doing them fun and exciting.
* You don't have to spend a lot of money to do these activities. Most children's development books cost a fortune and then you have to buy the special equipment too! In

50 Development Activities for Kids ebook, all the activities can all be done at home, with items you already have.

You can't beat that!

Back to School Breakfast

School is back in full swing, and boy, those mornings sure do go fast. It is important to have a good breakfast before the start of the morning rush, but sometimes it feels like you will never be able to fit it all in. Let’s take a look at some ideas to help you find time for the healthy way to start your back-to-school day.

Choose Your Breakfast

Don’t let your breakfast choose you. Just because you are in a rush, you should still have the option to choose what you want to eat. Many people hit up the vending machine or stop for the loaded box of doughnut holes on their way out the door and off to school. Basically, your circumstances should not determine what you are putting into your body and just because you are in a rush out the door, doesn’t mean you can’t have something better suited for your hunger.

One of the big on-the-go hits are pancakes. Of course, the time to mix and cook, as well as the sticky mess that comes with the delightful taste are often a deterrent from quick morning breakfast ideas. This should not be the case, if you would have taken a few minutes to stop and plan, pancakes would have been an easy breakfast idea on the go.

Plan

It takes a little thinking ahead, but if you can come up with a good plan, there is absolutely no reason you should ever have to surrender your breakfast desires for time constraints. Your breakfast can be exactly what you want, without all the fuss. Let’s take the pancake example above – if you would have mixed twice the batter and made twice the number of pancakes last time you fired up your griddle, you would have been able to store the extra pancakes in your freezer for just such a moment.

After you pancakes have cooled, you can layer them on a cookie sheet and stick them in the freezer to get an initial chill. After about two hours, they should be somewhat firm and ready to bag together for the busy morning. This helps keep the pancakes from sticking together once they are frozen solid.

Execute

Let’s follow up on that busy morning and the desire for pancakes, shall we? So you are in a rush and need to grab something quick; you want pancakes, but don’t have the time to make them. Then you remember that you have a bunch of frozen pancakes for this very situation. Pop a couple in the microwave or toaster for a few seconds and mix together a little peanut butter and some syrup.

Now, you have the great protein from the peanuts, as well as the great holding power so the syrup doesn’t go running down your arm when you take a bite. You have a perfect breakfast combination for that busy morning rush.

See, it doesn’t take much to have what you really want for breakfast, just a simple choice, a bit of a plan and some execution to make it all come together and you are all set. Now, grab your breakfast and get going. You have to get the kids to school in less than 30 minutes.

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Click here for Easy Breakfast Idea Recipes and other outstandingly delicious recipes.

Holiday Beverages

There are many holiday songs that mention good things to drink. Holiday beverages are the perfect topper for a great dinner or the wake up for morning breakfast. Here are a few holiday drinks to include on your menu.

What is the single favorite drink at Christmas? It’s eggnog. Eggnog is made with, you guessed it, eggs. Some people may be concerned about raw eggs. If that’s the case, you can purchase chilled eggnog in the carton. There are 1,001 recipes for eggnog floating around so use the one that suits your taste buds.

Eggnog is traditionally an alcoholic drink, using whisky, rum or brandy. If you have kids you can ixnay the liquor for a tasty non-alcoholic version. Don’t forget to top your creation with nutmeg and/or cinnamon for flavor.

Another tasty drink is apple cider. This warm apple drink keeps the chill away when the weather outside is frightful. For a different taste, add slices of citrus fruits to the warm cider and cinnamon sticks. Garnish the glass with curly Qs of citrus rind.

Holiday punches are a hit with all ages. Whether it is a citrus punch or a sparkling one (champagne) you can spruce up the presentation. Add colorful ice cubes to the punch. Try red and green Kool-Aid ice cubes. For more red and green garnish, add maraschino cherries to drink and punch glasses.

A popular European holiday drink that has found a place in the U.S. is wassail. It is a spiced punch that is served hot. Many modern versions use mulled cider but traditionally they used mulled beer. All of the ingredients were heated together in a bowl and topped with toast. Soggy bread aside, this drink choice can begin a new holiday tradition in your home.

Teas are also good. If you have a diabetic person in your family, teas may be easier to handle than some of the alcoholic or sweeter flavored drinks. Try peppermint tea or sugar-free apple cider mix so that they can join in the festivities as well.

We almost forgot the hot chocolate. That’s the reason you bought the reindeer mug, right? It warms the cold places and tastes great with a Christmas cookie or a slice of cake. Instead of water, like most drink mixes call for, use milk instead. Milk makes hot chocolate taste creamier. Hot milk at bedtime will send your kids off to Sleepytown.

These are just a few of the traditional holiday beverages most people turn to when Christmas rolls around. You may have others you’ve grown to love over the years. Either way, leave room for a new beverage tradition to join the ranks.

Host a Christmas Brunch

You have spent a good portion of Christmas Eve getting food ready for Christmas dinner the next day. Treat all of the diligent cooks (and the rest of the family) to a brunch on Christmas midmorning. Everyone can get the nourishment they need to finish preparation for dinner that night.

The good thing about a brunch is that it combines the best of breakfast and lunch. If you have those who love breakfast foods anytime of the day, it works. For others who want to eat light, they have the lunch half of the fare.

If you are going to host the Christmas brunch, include the cooking items you need in your master list for Christmas dinner shopping. You don’t want to run out of eggs or milk or bread. While one half of the group is working on Christmas dinner, the other half can be preparing for brunch.

Here are some tips to get you started:

· Decide on the menu ahead of time – keep it simple but with enough variety for your family’s tastes.

· Decide how you will present the brunch. Buffet style is good for early risers and those who want to sleep for an extra 20 minutes.

· Don’t forget the drinks: plenty of fruit juices, milk and teas

· Perform the prep work the night before when the other half of the cooks are preparing for Christmas dinner – casseroles can be put together and refrigerated.

· Don’t forget the setup for a buffet style brunch. You don’t want to run out of pans for the food.

The secret to a holiday brunch is the preparation and a bit of cheating. It is okay because the food will still be good. For example, if you decide to serve blueberry muffins, buy them from the store. Take them out to come to room temperature in the morning. Use frozen, cooked sausage for the casseroles so you don’t have to perform that step on Christmas morning.

A perfect way to save cleanup is to have a buffet brunch and a buffet holiday dinner. The tables will only have to be set up once. All you will do is wipe up the table clothes and switch out the food pans when it is time for dinner. The brunch food stays warm from the first family member to the last.

Want some brunch ideas? Here they are:

· Sausage, egg and cheese breakfast casserole

· Assorted muffins

· Fruit Juices

· Fruit salad

· Ham and turkey slices with white and wheat bread

The first rule is to keep it simple. Dinner is coming in a few short hours and you want everyone to have room for all that you’ve prepared.

Christmas Dinner Appetizers

The mouth-watering smells coming from the kitchen around the holidays will make anyone’s stomach growl. If you don’t want guests sneaking in the kitchen for a nibble, offer them a few holiday dinner appetizers to keep them satisfied until the main course.

Appetizers are often seen at dinner parties. Even though it is just family and friends who are like family, it is a holiday party of sorts when you all get together. So, let loose with those appetizers. Depending on when everyone will show up and when dinner will actually be ready, will determine how heavy or light to go on the appetizers.

Some families may have breakfast and nothing else until dinner. They are not trying to starve other family members but use the time in between to finish getting things straight for dinner. So, when the masses get hungry, they are going to bug you in the kitchen. While you are baking and cooking, make time to prepare a few appetizers to keep them happy.

Here are a few examples of Christmas appetizers:

· Cheese – This can mean many things. First, you can have Cheese Whiz on crackers. Another option is a cheese tray that includes cheeses, crackers and other toppers like olive slices, bacon, and tomato chunks.

· Fruit – To keep sliced fruit from browning, use a bit of lemon juice or mix the fruit together to make a fruit salad. Include your favorite fruits in their natural juices.

· Finger sandwiches – Keep these refrigerated until the last minute. Anything with mayonnaise shouldn’t be left out more than a couple of hours. Fix a mix: chicken salad, tuna salad, ham, roast beef and/or turkey. You could probably leave off the turkey since you might be having it for dinner.

· Chicken – Chicken nuggets make great finger foods. Cut them in half and stick a toothpick in each one. Wrap chunks of cooked chicken breast with bacon and dip into honey mustard or barbecue sauce.

· Veggies and dip – This old standby works on so many fronts. While the group is watching the game or a holiday movie, give them something healthy that won’t spoil their dinner.

· Nuts – Take those ordinary nuts and roast them with brown sugar, cinnamon and other spices before setting them on the table to be gobbled.

Just because it’s family doesn’t mean you can’t offer a little snack to tide them over until the big holiday meal. Try these suggestions for Christmas dinner appetizers.

Tips for Making Christmas Food Gifts

When it comes right down to it, some of the best gifts given at Christmas are given from the heart. What says that you took time and care more than a homemade food gift?

Now, if you want to make food gifts, there are a few tips you need to remember. For safety reasons and liability issues, food gifts not accepted at schools. You can give a gift to your child’s teacher but not to the students.

Safety First

Most food gifts are either dry mixes or desserts that you’ve made. It is rare that people give things like meats but if you do, be sure that the meat was thawed or defrosted at proper temperatures. When you cook it, use a thermometer to tell if it is within temperature limits to be considered done. Let the meat cool enough before covering it so that there is no condensation on the plastic wrap, aluminum foil or container top.

With all Christmas food gifts, be sure that everything is cooled and as dry as possible before wrapping it up in decorative packaging. You want the recipient to enjoy the food and not end up in the emergency room. Now that that’s out of the way, let’s take a look at some popular Christmas food gifts.

Soups On, or is it Cookies?

Decorative mixes are still a big hit at holiday time. From soups to cookies, the gift receiver can decide when they will use their gift. Already prepared food gifts usually have a time limit.

If the person loves soup, give them a gift basket filled with delicious dry soup mixes that you prepared yourself. Since it is winter, no soup gift basket would be complete without chicken noodle. Include some of their favorites like potato soup, vegetable soup or bean soup.

Mix all of the dry ingredients together in layers in the jar. You can use freeze-dried vegetables. Remember to make a label that includes:

· Name of the soup

· Recipe ingredients in jar

· Ingredients still needing to be added

· Serving size

Cookie recipes work well in the jar too. Properly measure out all of the dry ingredients in layers. Be sure that the jar is dry before adding anything so it doesn’t spoil. Use the same guidelines as the bulleted list above for soups when creating your cookie label.

Condiments

These types of gifts can be used all year round. They include items like flavored vinegars, homemade seasoning mixes and dry rubs. If you like to grow herbs, then a holiday gift of dried herbs is perfect for the cook on your list. Also popular are canned preserves, vegetables and fruits. After the canning process they can keep for as long as you need in the vacuum-sealed jar.

What are you planning to give to others this Christmas? If it is a food gift, use the tips above for gift ideas and also ways to keep it safe to enjoy.