You Look Soft....
I remember my first Christmas home after I went to college. I walked through the door and my mother literally said, “You are HOME!!!!……” Silence…….then quietly and gently she said, “You look soft!” I remember thinking, “Nice Mom….Nice.” But, the sad fact is that it was true. I had not only put on the freshman 15 I put on an extra 10! No lie! I lived in the football dorm at The University of North Texas and they had yeast rolls that would knock your socks off! EVERYDAY!!!!! And yep I ate them EVERYDAY! And I may or may not have discovered beer. Happens and it is a right of passage a lot of us go through. I like to think it made me who I am today! “Silver Lining”!
Now you all know I have naturally curly hair, my hair is not naturally blonde, and I have some amazing KKG sisters!!!!!! And there is the beautiful freshman 25 I found!!!!!
However, this time of year I still tend to get “soft” as my mother so eloquently put it all those years ago. When I look at why, I see where it is very easy to do.
Did you know the average american puts on an estimated 5-15 pounds from Thanksgiving to New Year’s!
That is a lot of weight especially if you are over the age of 35 and your metabolism has decided to slow its roll! (There is that delicious word again! lol!) It is so easy to do! Why?
Well, let’s look at it:
It is colder out so we make warm and cozy meals.
We induce undue stress because of having to have the house perfect, the perfect gift, the perfect place settings, and just showing off for family to make your life look perfect. Truth is we should just enjoy each other and be grateful we have another year together, but nope something about family raises that cortisol level and boom that raises that poundage level on the scales!
We wear bigger, bulkier, softies as I like to put it….aka sweats and sweaters! I love my softies anyone will tell you!!!!
There is traditionally a lot more alcohol due to many parties and “reasons to celebrate”!
Gingerbread homes, sugar cookies, pumpkin pie, candy canes, hot chocolate, whipped cream, gum drops galore, and so much more goodness….did I mention yeast rolls? Or my mom’s homemade monkey bread!? YUM!
Exhaustion due to all the celebrations sometimes lowers our immune systems and makes us lethargic which in turn slows down our workouts. Literally happening to me now as I right this I am on the couch sick as a dog with an upper respiratory infection/sinus infection.
Over scheduling slows down our workouts because we are so frazzled and make up every excuse as to why it is ok if we miss, “JUST THIS ONCE!”
Being cold outside and bad weather slows down our workouts, especially if you are a runner, unless of course you are a total you know what! Bad Arse!
You see the theme….”slows down our workouts” eventually turns into I will start New Year’s day and then New Year’s day comes and you go to the gym and there is no parking or if you are lucky enough to get parking you can’t get on your equipment or find a space in your class because the entire city is at that gym. Murphy’s law!
And last but not least if you are like me you are a Hallmark movie Junkie and you cry your eyes out to the point of looking like a swollen fish so you hide under the covers and say, “Just one more!” Those darn movies are so addicting!!!!!! Maybe more so than social media! True story for this girl! I have watched two today! But, hey I am sick! Throw the girl a bone!
Now that is just 10 reasons that I could come up with, but I am sure there are plenty more! Point is we get “soft!” So what will you do to combat it? I am a big fan of making a plan now and getting in the habit of it! I will share with you my plan and maybe you can tweak it to serve you.
The most important thing for me to stay on track is to stay consistent with my early morning ritual! Don’t know what that is, click here to get a sneak peak. When I do this, I tend to stay on track with everything. Today, even while I was sick, I did get up and do my morning ritual and look at me now…..I am writing…..Yes I feel like dog doo doo, but I am in it to win it!!!!!
Next I take my Revitalu everyday! What is that you ask? Well it is a health product that I sell and I 100 percent believe in! It has done so much for me since I started taking it in April. It gives me energy, improves my mental focus, suppresses my appetite, and elevates my mood. I am telling you it is magical! Want to know more about it shoot me a message on insta, facebook, or email me at amy@worthyheart.com and I have samples I can send you to try before you buy! Which I love that entire concept! I hate it when amazing healthcare products that you can only get through influencers require you to buy before you try and I really hate when they make you have a monthly contract! Guess what! With me you do not! So WINNING!!!!! I will tell you though, part of the reason I am able to function to write is because of my product! I promise you that!
And last but not least I write my schedule out each week of when I will work out and where. Now full disclosure. I do get paid to workout as I teach dance fitness, but on days I am not teaching I do have my workout on the schedule! It is the only way it will happen. I normally only work out 4-5 days a week, but with the holiday stress and poundage factor I up it to 5-6 days a week. And the one or two days I do not workout I make sure to take a leisurely stroll and stretch. I swear by stretching! If you want to know more about my dance classes or where I go to stretch, same thing as above….send me a message, give me an email, or an SOS will work too! I promise to get back to you and answer any questions!
Come dance with me! I promise you will burn a min. of 300 calories! Min! I usually burn 500-680! No lie!!!!!!
So that in a nutshell is how Amy Berry will tackle the challenge of not being a statistic! Do you want to take up the challenge with me? If so let’s hold each other accountable! Again, give me a shout out and we can do this!!!! After all when you do something together it is more fun and a lot easier to accomplish the challenge! So who’s in?
Until Next Time,
XO,
Amy
Why Veterans Day is Hard for Me as a Veterans Wife
Today brings a lot of mixed emotions for me. It is Veterans day. A day that we as Americans honor and thank all military personnel who served our wonderful country. The key word is served. Why does this bring me mixed emotions? Well, my husband served 20 years in the Navy and up until this year he struggled with it. Why? I am not sure because I am not him, but I will tell you what I think.
He was in a plane crash in May of 2000 while practicing night time carrier landings. There was a bird strike, long story short, and he and two of his buddies went down in the middle of the night in a pitch black sky. They all three survived, but the ramifications from the crash were pretty huge starting with a broken back. Would you believe that he and his friends were back in the cockpit doing REAL night time landings on the ship by October. True story! Talk about brave and they were overseas in less than a year fighting for our freedom. Again very courageous and brave.
This picture does it no justice
What was I doing? Well, I beat myself up daily now because I was Suzy happy homemaker making a home and in such bliss of being engaged and newly married that I never even stopped to think of the mental ramifications this might have caused. I mean when you get a call in the middle of the night that there has been an incident but your fiance is alive, well, you are just relieved and when they discharge him from the hospital hours after the crash, well, one tends to think no big deal right? Wrong! It was a freaking plane crash! It was a hunk of metal that dropped from the sky, split in half, and caught fire! VERY TRAUMATIC, but you would never have known with how I was responding or how Trey was responding. Never! Because we kept on keeping on.
The investigation begins…..18 months later Trey and his co pilot were cleared. That was a long 18 months……and they flew in a war while waiting to know…..for our freedom…….away from their families….
How many people will survive a plane crash in their life? A very small percentage and very few that can say they were at the controls when it happened and everyone survived because of his and their co pilots ability to compartmentalize and work together to save themselves and all the civilians below them.
It has been over 19 years since that fateful night. 19 years of much joy, but there has been a lot of pain. Physical and mental. And I can honestly say this year is my first year to admit I am angry. Angry with how the military was not their for my husband and his friends during that time. Now, I need to clarify. Trey’s squadron was AMAZING. His CO and XO were outstanding! But the Navy overall during that time, not so much. Sure they crossed their i’s and dotted their t’s, but I blame them for so much pain my husband has endured over these past 19 years which in turn my family has also endured. We are strong and lucky for my husband I am not a quitter, but I know there are plenty of other military families that have split due to the trauma of something they experienced while fighting for this country. And all they get is a parade on November 11 or a celebration. I am really not sure what I expect either, but I do know our military needs to do better when it comes to trauma. They need to do better when it comes to Vets and I feel like I can say this because I witness it under my own roof. Am I asking for a handout? No. Hell, I am not even sure what this is about other than it is one step in the right direction of healing for me, for Trey, and for our beautiful family.
Our family is strong and our family fights for each other. Could not be more proud of us!
Point is, when you have suffered from something so traumatic and you don’t get the help you need, mentally the mind will remember. The body will remember. And those around you can and will suffer. And all for what? For your freedom and for my freedom. I should be thankful, but this year I am struggling. Why? Well, that I know but not ready to go there….So instead I want to tell you why I think Trey has struggled up until now with Veterans day and why I am sad and angry and for no reason other than I need to get it off my chest. So here it goes:
The civilian world is not anything like the military. We do not have the motto “No man left behind.” We have the motto, get dirt on him, stomp on her, do whatever it takes to get to the top. That is the real world. That is not how it works in the military. So when you come from a band of brothers and you are thrown into a den of lions, well, it is hard. It is hard on the veteran and it is hard on their families. REAL HARD! And throw trauma of any sort on it…..well…..that can get real messy. What do we do about it? That I am not sure of, but if you know me, you know that me just writing about it means I am thinking about it. I am thinking about it so much that I am writing about it and maybe someday I can help do something about it. That is all.
So for now I have a favor. Today, when you see a veteran, sincerely thank them. Thank their family too…. because a lot of them have had some kind of trauma they endured for your freedom and they and their family have sacrificed. Whether it was time with their family, not seeing their child be born, not seeing their child take their first steps, not being there when their family member was dying, not being there when their parent died, going into a war, surviving a plane crash, being shot, seeing their best friend shot down in the plane next to them, and the list goes on not to mention all they have endured mentally just getting out of the military….I assure you they have sacrificed. More than we will ever know. Trust me I know, because I live with a vet and cannot fathom it…..So if you could take a moment today and say a prayer for all our vets and current military and their family’s that would mean the world to me and my family. Maybe it will start my healing process too……
Until Next Time.
XO,
Amy
Simple Supper Suggestions #16
Sunday’s are usually a time for meal planning for me, but I have to be honest, as of late my life has seemed a little chaotic. Peacefully chaotic if that is even a thing, but I can assure you my meal plans are hit and miss. I am happy to say I finally did get some meals on the table for the family last week, which means this week should be better!!!!! One can hope! Ha!
So what will you be eating this week? Might I help you out a little? I assure you my plan will be super easy as it is yet another busy week for the Berry Clan! Surprise! Surprise!
Sunday is normally Spaghetti Sunday, but this Sunday we will be eating out with our family from Oregon and Ft Worth to celebrate our amazing JP!
Monday I am finally going to make Soup!!!! YEAH! It is a bonus because my dad is still having problems swallowing so I can make extra and take it to my sisters! This soup is so good it is ridiculous and whatever is leftover you can nibble on all week at lunch! Homemade Cream of Chicken and Mushroom Soup. This soup is super Keto Friendly too for all my Keto friends out there!
Tuesday will be Taco Tuesday and this Tuesday we will have to do the crock pot tacos again as we have a baseball game.
Wednesday the boys have been requesting their Chicken Feta. You guys this recipe is so easy and everyone loves it! My kids ask for it all the time!
Thursday I will be going to JP’s fourth performance of Chorus Line so I am going to have to keep it real simple for Trey and the boys so I will have Gramzee’s pizza bread all prepared and all Trey has to do is pop it in the oven! This is a HUGE hit with everyone! Pro Tip….make sure to have a lot of Ranch on hand!
So there is the Berry Plan for the week! What is your plan?
Bon Appetit!
Amy
Let's Get Physical
A while back I asked a couple of questions about working out. Simple ones like: Do you workout? 25% of my readers do not. What workout do you prefer? I seriously got answers from intercourse! NO LIE! To pilates, to running, and lastly I asked what workout do you wish you could do? I got the answer I was looking for! DANCE! Really any of them with the exception of intercourse because that came from a single gal who I am proud of for abstaining until she meets her prince! But that is beside the point!
What is the point? The point is it does not matter how old you are, what kind of shape you are in, or what you look like doing something, just do something. Even if that something is a walk down the street and back. Movement is the key and the real key is to find the movement that fits your heart, your body, and your desire.
Why do I say this? Well, for starters is because before I found my dance classes at age 44, I was doing everything and anything I could to lose weight. I was trying every workout. Yoga, pilates, pole walking, (yes that is a thing), tennis, triathlon, (yes I did that and I am proud to say I was 9 weeks preggers with Graeme when I completed my second olympic triathlon), and plain old walking. The only thing that brought some results was the triathlon, but I ate like a horse to keep up with the workouts so the results were not what one would think.
I unfortunately or fortunately got seriously injured playing tennis. Why do I say it like that? Well, my girlfriends who I use to play with LOVE the sport and I LOVE them, but I got hurt pretty bad and was down for a long time and I don’t ever want to twist my ankle and break my foot like that again. Unfortunate because I miss seeing my friends so often, but fortunate because I found dance! And when I found dance my world changed! My heart changed! My mind changed! My weight changed! My life changed! Hell! I became a dance teacher at 45 years of age! Who does that? Amy Foley Berry! That is who! And I am not looking back!
Who dances with a broken foot? Amy Berry that is who!!!!!
This could not have happened at a better time in my life either! In 2016 my mom got very ill. We had my Dad at our house and my mom in a facility, my youngest son was still having major ear, nose, and throat issues and I got shingles! Life was really out of control. BUT, I kept going to dance because I loved it and it was my one hour every day that I could check out and not think about what my life was. Yall, my left arm was paralyzed, NO LIE, from the shingles, but I kept dancing. My arm did not move and it was really weird, but the rest of me did. My dance family embraced me and loved me through it even when life got really icky.
I will never forget the first phone call I got in the middle of a dance class. It was Trey saying he was with my mom and he thought she was having a stroke! I remember darting out of there and getting to the hospital. Sure enough she did and things started getting worse. That was on December 8, 2016. That was a scary time for me. But, I swear I got through it because of the dance, the movement, the sweating, the heart pumping, and literally the mind shutting off for one hour every time I went. One hour! And only three days a week back then and those three days and three hours saved my life. I am telling you I was super depressed, super scared, super angry, super exhausted, and super grateful for dance.
Why am I saying all this? Because I have a few friends going through some tough times right now or have just come out of a tough time. They all say the same thing. Whatever it is they are going through they feel the need to be there for their family and have zero time for themselves. I promise you and please hear me if you too are going through something. EVEN 30 MINUTES CAN MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE. Movement! There is magic in movement. Movement is medicine! It is the medicine that creates change in our physical, emotional, and mental states! I promise you this: If you will move a little more today than you did yesterday and a little more tomorrow than you will today….and keep that pace going….you will start to feel something different. Something big. And when life knocks you down like it did me, if you have something, whether that something is dance, tennis, running, yoga, pilates, pole walking, soccer, body pump, weight lifting, swimming, basketball, ping pong….whatever it is, it will save your life! Trust me I know. Dance has saved my life about 5 times now in three short years! So find your thing and let’s get physical!
Until Next Time,
XO,
Amy
Simple Supper Suggestions #15
I am literally sitting in my Dad’s hospital bed right now typing this and the funniest thing just happened….I was singing the Texas A & M fight song, because it is College Football Saturday, and my pops looked annoyed….So I said, “You wish Robin was here right about now, don’t ya?” Robin is my sister for those of you who do not know, and he LITERALLY said, “No. Not necessarily, I just wish you would shut up!?” I about fell out of the bed! But hey! That is a great sign that he is still witty!
So truth be known I have not cooked in about 2 weeks since my father’s fall. Thank God for friends bringing meals and Trey’s ability to cook! They have all saved me and fed my kids which has been glorious and a major weight off my shoulders!!!! But, if this is what life is going to throw at me it is time I adjust so I am going to do a meal plan this week of super easy meals that can be thrown in a crockpot or whipped up super duper fast!
Sunday will still be Spaghetti Sunday as just last night I was at my friend Amy’s house and her sweet daughter Caroline literally said, “I want to come to Spaghetti Sunday!” Yall! Do you know what that did for my ego! First off the fact that a high school girl is reading my blog!!!! Well, that touched me to the core! And second the fact that any high school kid might think my house if fun!!!!! Dude that is huge! So you better believe I will not let that tradition go!
Monday-Blueberry Salmon This meal is so good and perfect for this time in my life because Trey is in charge of the grill! Ha! All I have to do is make sure to make the rice!!! Easy Peasy!
Tuesday-Crockpot Tacos!!!! You know us! We gotta have tacos on Tuesday and thank God for the crock pot! These tacos are so versatile and everyone loves them!
Wednesday- Red Beans and Rice Again I need the crock pot with life right now. This recipe is super easy and everyone loves it and it makes for nice left overs!!!!
Thursday-Halloween! Our street always gets together and this year we are doing a tex mex theme so I will be making my neighbor Amy’s Tortilla Soup! It is so good and so easy and every crowd loves it!
Friday and Saturday! I am off….Course I feel really guilty because I have pretty much been off since my Dad’s fall on October 11, but I know not to beat myself up too much as this is just a season and one that God is growing me in gracefully!
What will you be cooking this week? And if you have any crock pot meals could you help a sister out and send them my way?
Until next time,
Bon Appetit!
Amy
2 Years And Still In Love
I love that title! You know why? Because so many people thought this was a “phase” and I just wanted to get rich, or try to. Well, I am here to tell you and them, “NO I HAVE NOT GOTTEN RICH AND NO IT IS NOT A PHASE!” This is a love affair! A love affair with me and learning all about myself.
Definition of a love affair: An intense enthusiasm or liking for something.
You guys! I can tell you I am not only liking this blog, I am loving this blog!!!!!! And I am loving myself more and more! I have grown so much in so many ways……These past two years have been quite the journey. I lost my mom in December of 2016 and honestly the blog came about because of that. Many people would question me, while I was taking care of my mom, asking if I had considered blogging about the “Sandwich Generation”. I had not, but that is where the seed was planted and I actually started out writing about grief and it has evolved into life in general and truth be known, I am still trying to figure out what direction I want to go.There is so much to LIFE!!!! Life is so hard at times, other times it is so good, and still other times it is just tooling along with no bumps or highs. There are soooooo many things I could write about!!!!!
However, I realize now through the loss of my mom, that I needed this blog and it honestly might have saved my sanity. My mom was my biggest cheerleader. I called her daily at 3:00 and sometimes 3 or 4 times a day. She was who I told EVERYTHING too! The good, the bad, and the downright ugly! Things you should never tell your mom, especially about your spouse, but I did! Why? Because my mom was the coolest, kindest, most forgiving, most loving, most prayerful human being on the face of this earth, or at least that I knew of. I always knew I could tell her anything and she would listen, not judge, not offer advice, unless I asked for it, and always pray for whatever it was. I miss her so much.
Funny thing is, I am sitting here in my father’s hospital room writing this and I feel like I am reliving that journey all over. However, things are a lot different this go around. Some of it is more obvious….it is my dad, not my mom. Some of it is more similar, we are here as a result of a fall and complications from the fall. But something very important is different. ME! I am different. My mindset, my faith, my attitude, and my priorities…..all different.
I have come to the realization that God is in control. Funny thing to say I know, but it is true. I have learned so much about myself through my writing and if I am being honest, tons of therapy, these past two years. One of the things I learned about myself was that I truly did not trust God. That was a hard realization. I truly thought I knew what was best. Still do at times. I thought I knew how things should go. Still do at times. My prayers were more negotiations then gratitude. Still are at times. It is hard not to slip back into 46 years of that thought training. But I wake up every day and I hit my knees and I pray:
God, Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. The courage to change the things I can. And the wisdom to know the difference. Your Will God…Not mine……Let Your Will Be Done Today…Amen.
That prayer right there my friend makes all the difference. Is it like lighting striking and I know I am healed everyday, and I go on with my day in peace? Heck no! Not even close. Some days, actually a lot of days lately, I find myself repeating that prayer over and over. Why? Because I am scared… and when I am scared I try to control things.
What drives this need for control? Fear! And fear is the devil’s friend and my worst enemy. Fear whispers in my ear and says, “You can control this. Just do this or say this.” Fear has me believe if I kick and scream or better yet cry, beg, and plea, things will go my way….they will do what I want. Fear has me looking at others lives and saying, “You will never be that, they are so happy, so strong, so pretty, so talented, so whatever…” Fear has me curl up in a ball on the couch, binge watch some show, and try to forget what is happening. Fear takes away precious moments and makes the devil do a dance. Fear is a nasty thing. When I feel it creeping in, which I do daily, I have to dig in deep, I pray, and I release it to God. I look at what it is that is driving the fear and 99.9999999 percent of the time it is something or someone that I have ZERO control over. True Story!
So…. I ask for the courage to show me what I can change. Do you know what happens when I do this? Slowly but surely I realize I am the only thing that can change! Sometimes it is my attitude that needs an adjustment. Sometimes it is a boundary I need to put up and stick to. Sometimes it is perspective and just looking at whatever it is in a different lens. Sometimes it is that I need to just slow down and relax. Sometimes it is my priorities. Almost always though, the only thing I can change is something about me!!!!! Truly. My reactions, my emotions, my thoughts, what I will or will not do, what I say or don’t say, point is….. it almost always comes back to me.
Do you know how freeing and how much growth I have had with this realization and this prayer? So much! So if you are needing to be released from fear, from a life that is pure chaos and not serene, my wish for you is that you give that prayer 30 days and see what happens. Will it be a miracle? Maybe it will be….why don’t you hit your knees and try it……
Until next time,
XO,
Amy
It's Here! September Book Review!
Never fear! It is here! My September book review! I actually had a few of you message me and ask me if I did not read in September! The truth is I did, but there was a book I wanted to finish before I wrote this and I did!!!! So here we go!
The first book I read was The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy. I got the idea to order this book from a gal I respect and follow on Instagram. I am not going to lie….For me personally I got bored after a while with it and it took me FOREVER to finish, hence the late review. Why? Well, I felt like it was kind of long for the message. The message is simple. Do a little bit everyday whether it is in business, exercise, eating right, cleaning out, or just making a plan on improving yourself, and watch the compound effect happen. But, don’t let this review stop you from getting the book. This might be just the book you need to get started and grasp the concept of a little bit of positive everyday for whatever it is will eventually compound into a huge bit of positive. Think of it like a snowball at the top of a mountain. Push that ball down the hill and slowly but surely it builds in size and momentum…..so technically you could apply this positively or negatively! I see a blog post in the making right there people! But back to the book….If you are someone who is interested in personal development and improvement you cannot go wrong with this book and I am happy to have it on my bookshelf to reference when needed.
Next up I chose a little chic lit. I chose Nancy Thayer’s Island Girls. This book honestly is not what I expected but it was great for chic lit. I was expecting a juicy summer love story and this story is not that at all! This story is about three sisters on the island of Nantucket being forced to confront their past! Not what I was thinking and full disclosure I did not read the back of the book, I simply saw the title and thought, “chicks on a beach this should be good!” Well, it was good, but not how I thought! Their father passed away and the twist….they all have a different mom! Ya it was good and juicy, but not with a love story, but with family drama! It was so fun learning each gal’s personality and what made them tick and knowing they had the same dad but different moms….well…one is not biological, but you will just have to read the book to figure that out! It was a great read. Easy to read. Fun to read and if you are like me and love to escape into a good book this is it! The setting is beautiful, the story is fun and exciting with a bit of drama, which makes it so easy to be caught up in the lives of the sisters that Nancy Thayer writes about. Great book! Especially if you are on vacation or have a weekend on the couch to curl up and get lost in it!
This next book will not be for all, but I have to say it was HILARIOUS and insightful if you can get past the crewdness. I would also suggest you get it on Audible as the author is who reads it. You will understand why when I tell you what and who it is, but full disclosure: THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR JUST ANYONE! What is it? It is….I Can’t Make This Up by Kevin Hart. This book was OVER THE TOP in so many ways and sometimes I found myself questioning if I should even admit to my followers I subjected myself to it. But I have always vowed to be honest with you and YES! I subjected myself to it. Bob Foley would be appalled, but I figure what he does not know will not hurt him! Because the truth is I learned a lot from this book. Would I recommend this to anyone and everyone? Um not just no, but HELL NO! I knew this book would be funny because of who wrote it, but I had ZERO clue how profound this book would be. This crass book actually inspired me! If you can get passed the crewd language and imagery this book has tons of life lessons on hard work, persistence, not being a victim, forgiveness, and how no matter what your beginning was or where you are now, your journey, and your story can be great! If YOU want it to be and if YOU believe in YOU! Do I recommend it…..yes, but know it is crass and vulgar but full of inspiration….I swear it is! So you decide for you, but don’t get mad at me if you get it and can’t handle it! Just sayin……
And last up for September was The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni. This book is for sure in my top three books of 2019! This book was AMAZING!!!!! I was laughing, crying, angry, and rejoicing every time I picked it up! So many emotions! I highly recommend this book!!!!! To EVERYONE! I fell in love with sweet Sam with the red. He resonated with me maybe because he was teased so much as a child and my sweet Graeme has been going through this since last year with his weight and build. It hurts as a mama to know your child is being teased when they are away from you and it hurts even more when you find out they are holding it in and not telling you to protect you. Sam and my Graeme both do this. Why? Because they are extraordinary! That is why! This book touched me on so many levels, but it also provided me with so much hope. Hope for Graeme’s future and for any child being teased. This book is extraordinary like Sam and like Graeme and I highly recommend it for everyone and anyone!
So that wraps up my September reads! What have you been reading? I would love to know!
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
Simple Supper Suggestions #14
I give up on fall yall! Is anyone else feeling this way? And is this the hottest fall on record? Lord help us! I love fall and I think we may get one week of it! Ah well….such is life and I need to quit complaining and just be happy to be alive!!!!! So with that let’s talk about what’s for dinner this week!
Sunday we will have spaghetti Sunday like every other Sunday. If you are new here you will see that the Berry family likes routine. This starts our week of sweet with all kinds of love!
Monday we will be having Cashew Chicken and this dish is so easy and it is one pan if you don’t want rice with it! So that makes clean up even easier!
Literally all on one pan unless your family wants rice with it like mine!
Tuesday is always Tacos of some sort! This week they will be baked!
Wednesday we will have turkey bolognese and I give you ideas on how to make this uber healthy and then not so healthy with regular noodles. This dish is always a crowd pleaser.
So you can make this dish uber healthy or with regular noodles like I did above….click the link to see both ways.
Thursdays have become our B for D night as we are now helping a friend out with his little girl and I am still learning what she likes. I have officially learned she does not like noodles so lasagna is out, spaghetti is out, anything with a noodle is out and last week when I had no options for her but breakfast food she got super excited so this week we will have French Toast, whip cream, and berries with some bacon on the side. For my French Toast all I do is get eggs, a little vanilla extract, some cinnamon, sugar, and heavy whipping cream. Whisk all that together and add simple white or wheat bread and cook on the frying pan with butter in the pan. So good!!!!! And everyone is happy!!!!
Friday and Saturday I am off the clock!
Sorry friends….my kitchen is closed for biz!!!!
What will you be making this week? Share a recipe and I will post!
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
Simple Supper Suggestions #13
So we are darn near to October as I write this and it is still blazing hot! The forecast for Dallas all week is 90’s! I am starting to believe my eight year old that the earth is heating up!!!!! When it is this hot I just cannot bring myself to make soup! Partly because it has been hot for months now and partly because I am seriously perimenopausal! TMI! But truth! What can I say! So this week the Berry’s will not be having soup AGAIN and yes I am bitter about it! But, like I said….”Mama just can’t handle it right now!” So to keep me happy, after all it is all about me in this house of men, we will refrain from soup yet again! What will be eating? Well, take a looksy!
Sunday…..Spaghetti Sunday for the masses!
You never know who will come or what they will talk about it….but one thing is for sure…..there is always a lot of love!
Monday…..Monday night will be the night we grill chicken. AND TONS OF IT! All I do is buy a ton of thighs and throw them in a gallon zip lock bags and marinate them in this Italian dressing! That is literally it! When you are ready throw them on the grill and cook to the right temperature. I will serve it with rice and that delicious Salad my neighbor Laura turned me on to! Try it! It is so good!
Tuesday….Taco Tuesday of course!!!!!! This week we will put a little twist on it with Mangos! So good!!!!!
Mango’s give this dish a refreshing twist!
Wednesday….B for D! My family loves when I do this and this week we will have a Poblano Casserole my friend Paige turned me on to. If your family likes breakfast for dinner give this a try and save it for the times you need a delicious brunch!
Meet Paige! She is a doll!
Thursday…..Enchiladas to take us into the weekend! This recipe is so good and so easy too!!!!!
Friday and Saturday….this cook is OFF!
Time out!
What will you be serving this week? I would love to know!
Until Next Time!
Bon Appetit!
Amy
Enchiladas! That Is What Is For Dinner!
“Mom! What’s for dinner?” I get this question all the time and some days I just do not have it in me! Seriously! Today was one of those days. So what do I do? I invent and try to snap out of it! And I have to say I nailed it today! Like I am stupid proud of myself! Today I made enchiladas and they were so easy and so good and EVERYBODY loved them! So if you are having one of those days, try this recipe out. It is a little odd as I was working with what we had in our house, but it turned out delicious!
Enchiladas!
1 lb ground beef
Olive oil
1 small chopped onion
3 tablespoons chopped garlic from the jar
1 can of tomato soup
1 can of enchilada sauce
Corn tortillas
Cheddar Cheese Shredded
Prep:
In a large pan saute your onions and garlic in a tablespoon or two of olive oil. When the onions are translucent add your ground beef and brown. Once your beef is browned add your tomato soup and enchilada sauce.
Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.
Take your corn tortillas and spoon some of your meat sauce and cheese in each one. Roll up and place in your pan. Once your pan is full, any sauce leftover, spread across the top of your tortillas and sprinkle with as much cheese as your family’s heart desires! Cover with foil.
Preheat oven to 350.
Place in oven for 15 minutes. Then cook another 15 minutes uncovered.
Top with sour cream, chopped jalapenos, and cilantro
Serve with rice and black beans.
This dish was so good and everyone truly loved it!!!!
Bon Appetit!
Amy
Simple Supper Suggestions #12
This week is nuts! Nuts in a good way! JP is in Phantom of the Opera and while most of JP’s stuff comes in spurts, when it comes, well it is all consuming in a very amazing way!!!!! With that being said we will not be having our usual Spaghetti Sunday, but I will still link it here for those of you who need a meal tonight!
Since it is JP’s big week I will be making most of his favorite meals in the hopes of when he comes home, he takes a moment and eats something nutritious. One can hope!
Monday night we will be having my Chicken Feta that all the boys love! This recipe is so easy and it is such a crowd pleaser in my home!
Tuesday’s in our house is always Taco Tuesday of some sort! This Tuesday will be doing my twist on Taco Tuesday!
Wednesday we will have one of JP’s all time favorites Turkey Hash This recipe is so easy, so weird, yet so good!!!!!!
True story….I don’t have a pretty picture of this dish so I decided to post a pretty picture of the man of the hour!!!!!
Thursday we will finish the week out with one recipe that is silly easy and one that he loves and EVERYBODY loves!!!!! It is so great to use at tailgates like my friend Lyndsy does or brunches or anywhere you have a crowd! And it is B for D! Hawaiian Rolls with Ham and Cheese!!!!!!
Friday and Saturday this mama closes the kitchen!
Sorry! Closed for Business! Help yourself to some cereal or leftovers!
What are you guys eating this week?
Until Next Time!
Bon Appetit!
Amy
Iced Coffee That Will Knock Your Socks Off
It is mid September and it was literally 102 degrees today! Ok that is nuts in and of itself, but so is this recipe I am about to share with you! If you like iced coffee you gotta try this! I mean to tell you this is AMAZING and I do not like iced coffee. Swear to God! But when I had this at one of my events, it was like Jessie with IV Nutrition described. It was like drinking melting chocolate ice cream. Can you say, “Get into my belly!”
It is super easy to make and when you add my secret ingredient you will not only have the benefit of a delicious iced coffee, but you will gain energy, mental focus, and it has a huge appetite suppressant in it! So if this sounds good to you or if you love iced coffee you should give this a try!
Ann’s Iced Coffee
1/2 cup almond milk
1/2 cup Stok Almond milk Cold Brew Mocha Coffee
(If you cannot find that you can use mocha international delight)
1/2 scoop my revitalu coffee
1/2 scoop my revitalu cocoa
Blend with ice and top with whip cream and if you are really fancy drizzle chocolate or chocolate sprinkles! So good you will want it every morning!!!!!
Try it!
And if you are not a customer of mine with my products, GOOD NEWS! You can sample them first and see if you like it!
All you have to do is text 1-515-500-5586 and type in Sample. My assistant bot Lou will get you all set up! It is that easy. Or if you would like to try my product for 30 days with a 30 day money back guarantee, email me at amy@worthyheart.com and we can get you all set up. Our company has changed the blend and it is all natural, plant based, no preservatives or colors, non gmo, gluten free, soy free, dairy free and vegan! So all natural and good for you! What does all this mean? It means my product can literally increase your energy, elevate your mood, help with your mental focus, and guess what! Curb your appetite!!!!! Whoo Hoo!!!!! And it is NATURAL AND PLANT BASED! So get yourself a sample or try it for a month! I promise you will love it!
Bon Appetit!
Amy
Stop Vaping is What the CDC says....but it is simply not that easy!
I keep seeing reports from the CDC and the news saying “CDC says to stop vaping.” While that is GREAT and I am so glad they are starting the conversation of, “This stuff is killing people.” Just telling people to stop vaping will not be enough.
Anyone who has been vaping for a while will tell you it is VERY easy to get addicted to and VERY hard to break the habit. Breaking the habit comes with some real withdrawal, withdrawal that can last 7-10 days.
The person coming off of the substance will be easily irritated and agitated. The littlest thing can set a person off and more than likely the reason they kept vaping in the first place was because it helped them to temporarily feel better. What do you think they want to do now more than ever…..Get the damn Juul. It is real and it is not their fault. Their poor brain is just sick and is sending every message of, “Get me my fix!”
The introduction of any substance in a child’s brain literally injures it. A little bit at a time. When they use it daily a switch flips in their brain and they are hooked! The good news is that even though the brain has been “hurt” by the toxins, it can go back to “normal” in about 18 months IF the individual discontinues the use of the toxin all together.
While the brain heals, the individual will more than likely experience depression, anxiety, and feelings of intense jitters or unsettledness. Compound that by being a teenager and it can be real messy. They can experience panic attacks, anger outburst, weight gain, and many other side effects of coming off the substance.
What do you do about that especially when you are a parent and your teen pretty much does not care for you 78% percent of the time? Good news. There are things you can do:
There are 12 week treatment programs for this! I was shocked because it is nicotine, but there are programs.
Getting a therapist your child likes and trusts is a huge benefit.
There are actually medications they can prescribe to help with the withdrawal and to help the individual not to have the cravings if you will.
Exercise, yoga, mediation and eating right.
Getting your child a journal to write. Writing is so healing it is ridiculous.
BUT most importantly keeping the lines of communication open and LISTENING to them.
Addiction is real and it is hard to kick this stuff.
Addiction is not poor behavior. Addiction is not a moral weakness, it is simply an injured brain. With the right treatment there is hope. There is hope for you as a parent and there is hope for your teen or loved one. But, it all starts with admitting there is a problem and getting the right help in place and making sure your teen knows you love them regardless. Kids will mess up and it is going to be ok ESPECIALLY if your kid knows you love them regardless. That is what our kids need to know so they can believe it in their hearts and begin to seek help. But you can’t help someone who you have no clue if they are doing it or not. So I will stand by my advice of you need to be testing. Without testing your child, they slowly could be getting addicted and then you have a bigger problem on your hands. If they test negative…..it is ok. At least you can start a conversation and trust me…..they will know and see you care. If they test positive….there is help and there is hope!
Until next time,
XO,
Amy
Simple Supper Suggestions #11
Ok it is September 15th and it is still hotter than you know what and I am dying to have soup, but I just can’t bring myself to make soup in this heat! Man how I miss it!!!! Not only is it easy to make and serve, but it is easy to double and have all week for lunch. That is just not going to happen yet! Ahhhh well…..such is life in Texas!
So what is for dinner at our house this week? Well for starters Spaghetti Sunday! You know the drill if you have been around for a while and if not, and if you stick around, you will find the Berry’s have a ritual every Sunday. Maybe you and your family will enjoy it too!
I never know who or how many will show, but everytime my heart is filled with love.
Monday we will be having JP’s favorite meal Turkey Squash. This dish is super unique and super easy and as odd as it sounds EVERYONE loves it.
Tuesday will be Crock Pot Taco Tuesday of course! The Berry’s love their tacos and this recipe is super simple on nights that we have activities like Tuesday night.
Wednesday I will be tied up at the school so I will make Mrs. Andrea’s Kings Ranch Chicken and everyone will get fed and everyone will be happy! I can make this before I leave to teach dance, refrigerate it until I am ready to cook it, then throw it in the oven and everyone is happy!
Thursday will be Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken. This recipe is simple, quick, easy to clean up, and oh so good!!!! Try it!
What will your family be eating this week? I would love to know!
Until Next Week!
Bon Appetit!
Amy
Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken
I don’t know about you, but when a recipe calls for one pan and it’s a sheet I get a little excited. BUT, this recipe is not just one pan, however, I promise it is super easy and it so good!
Last spring I was complaining about how I needed something easy for our busy schedule and my dear friend Lyndsy, aka Blizzard, sent me a recipe for Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken. In true Amy fashion I took it and added and subtracted what I like and I have to say I am very happy with the outcome as is the rest of my family. And the most amazing thing is how easy it is to make and to clean up. So give this delicious recipe a whirl and let me know what you think.
SHEET PAN CASHEW CHICKEN
Ingredients:
Boneless skinless Chicken Breast cut into Cubes. For my family I use 4 breast.
Everything but the Bagel Seasoning from Trader Joes
1 ½ cups broccoli florets about 1 head
1/2 red bell pepper chopped
½ green bell pepper chopped
1/2 orange bell pepper chopped
Or you can cheat like I do and go to the produce section of your store where they have containers of bell peppers all chopped up for you! Hint! Hint!
1 Cup sliced mushrooms
2/3 cup roasted unsalted cashews
8 Tablespoons coconut aminos or Soy Sauce.
1 Tablespoon hoisin sauce
1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar
3 Tablespoons honey
1-2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
½ teaspoon fresh minced ginger
3 Tablespoons jarred crushed garlic
Garlic Salt and Pepper for taste
Prep:
Cut and cube the chicken and sprinkle really well with the Everything but the Bagel seasoning.
Line a baking sheet with foil and spray it well and spread your chicken on the pan and sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper for taste.
Set aside and preheat your oven to 400
In a saucepan mix your: coconut aminos, hoisin sauce, apple cider vinegar, honey, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic over medium heat until bubbly. Spoon over your chicken really nice trying to coat as much as you can, but leave some for reserve because you will need more in a minute.
Cook in preheated oven for 8 minutes then remove the pan.
Arrange the broccoli florets, bell peppers, mushrooms, and cashews in a single layer around the chicken. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper and drizzle the sauce and toss everything to coat. Return to the oven and cook for another 8-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
Remove from the oven and serve over rice.
RICE
This rice is so easy to make. All it requires is 2 cups of white rice. Put that in a medium saucepan. Add 4 cups of chicken broth. Bring that to a boil. Once it is boiling turn it to simmer and sprinkle with Lawrys Season Salt. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes. DO NOT STIR! Just let it fluff!
So good!!!!!!
Until Next Time!
Bon Appetit!
Amy
Test is ??????.....Now what?
If you have been following along you know I am a mom on a mission. A mom to get the word out about the evils of vaping and Juuling. Two weeks ago I introduced the subject matter and the response was overwhelming. Everything from, “Thank you! I had no idea what that was!” to a mom in tears because her child is addicted and she is at a loss. So what did I decide to do? I decided I can’t just leave it there and I decided to dig in deeper. Why? Because the subject matter needs momentum and I am firm believer if a bunch of crazy mom’s band together people will listen! Especially if we get loud enough! And I can tell you first hand this evil can make a mom crazy! Crazy with fear, crazy with obsessive thoughts, crazy with trying to control outcomes, crazy with anger, crazy with tears, crazy with behavior, crazy with worry, and the list goes on of just plain crae crae! Which all that crazy does is put a wedge in between you and your child. Again, I am speaking from experience so I hope you will listen.
Unfortunately this epidemic is insidious and it is lurking around everywhere so the first thing to do is get the word out which I believe is starting to happen. Next parents need to be talking to their kids about it. Regardless if you think, “Not my child.” I can sit here and tell you I was one of those mamas and that is why I can say that. True story folks. Matter of fact let me give you a little background about our family.
Not my kid! We eat dinner together, pray together, do mission trips together!…..
We are and were the family that attends church most Sundays. We eat around the dinner table and pray around the dinner table with our kids. We pray with them before school and before bed. We take them on mission trips. We do family trips. We talk. We have Spaghetti Sunday, Taco Tuesday, Pizza Friday! You get the picture! It appears that we do everything right. WRONG! We make mistakes as parents. A lot of mistakes! And guess what, the kids make mistakes. Mistakes do not define who we are. A mistake does not say, “OH BAD PARENTS….BAD KIDS!” The devil does, but not the mistakes. Point is: I was the mom that thought, “Not my kid.” RUDE AWAKENING folks. One that I learned from and I hope you will learn from my personal experience.
I went to a “symposium” about vaping back in April at my church that was actually put on by the Parent Education Committee of our school district. It was eye opening to say the least. The panel consisted of a neurologist who shared the medical facts of vaping, a licensed clinical psychologist who explained how to work together as a family to treat vaping addictions, and a number of people from our school district from Vice Principals, Chief of Police, to Counselors. I remember walking out of there thinking, “Thank God I am not dealing with this.” Truth be known there was a little whisper in my head saying, “Don’t fool yourself Amy.” I remember running into a friend who had been dealing with it. Her child is the same age of my older kids and something about knowing someone in real life made me want to do what they suggested on the panel.
What was that? Test my kids! Yep…..knowing someone personally dealing with this evil and I mean really dealing with it made it more real if you will. I knew her kid in elementary and I see her kid around town and her kid is a good kid! Always polite, always looks put together, always smiling, good looking kid! But the evil had made its way into her child’s life!
Yall, this mess does not discriminate. It does not say, “Oh… bad kid, not so smart kid…..artist….introvert….quiet……different…non athletic kid.” NO! This stuff says: “YOUNG BRAIN LET ME AT IT!” If you don’t know what I am talking about click here because I took a tiny dive into the brain last week and explained why I think our kids are the makers of this evil stuff, target market, and why I think they were strategic in making that happen. This is my opinion as a mom too by the way. I am not an expert.
Point here is it got real for me when I knew someone dealing with it personally and with all the education we received that night. Trey and I talked and we agreed we needed to test. If nothing else to open up the conversation about the true dangers of vaping.
What that did for our family: Well now….that is loaded!!!!! First it opened up conversation. Conversation when the test was negative, and yes it was with one kid and has remained so, and conversation when the test was positive…. and yes it has been and still is at times. Yep you read that right! Two kids two different results BOTH raised by us!
The conversations were the same yet very different. We talked about the dangers and how autopsy reports (don’t know what I am talking about click here) are showing how this stuff is causing sores that our immune systems cannot fight all the way down into the lungs. We talked about how they don’t really know what the long term effects of this stuff will do. We talked about addiction in our family (and let’s be REAL HONEST here folks, most families have addiction SOMEWHERE in the lineage) and how nicotine is highly addictive. I even showed them what vaping does to your vocal cords (one of mine is a singer) and the irreversible damage. I will do a video on that because I have to say I got the idea from my brother Chuck and it was very empowering, especially for my singer. Point is we talked! WE TESTED AND WE TALKED!
Negative test-we had conversation-Positive test- we had conversation.
The positive conversation was the same BUT with the addition of, “Why?” And then we SHUT UP AND LISTENED! That is key! Listening to your kid. Did I every time? No! And if he is reading this he is laughing hysterically because I went downright crazy one time! Ok….maybe a few times! He also understands why….because I love him, desperately love him. But I also understand his why now too. Especially because I am getting educated and learning to listen to him and ask these questions:
“Why?”
“What do you think that is all about for you?”
“What does it really do for you?”
“Why do you think you like it?”
And then with all my might after each question I have to sit and be still and LISTEN! If you listen, and I mean really listen, you might get the answers which all go back to my article last week on the brain. You also might really start seeing the pressures they are under whether they put themselves there, you put them there, a teacher or coach put them there, the point is they are there. These kids are overwhelmed with stress and no I am not making any excuses, but if you start to ask the right questions and they start to open up, well, that alone will relieve soooooooooooooooo much pressure!
They want to talk and get it out, BUT they don’t feel safe! Why? Because we go crazy and don’t listen! Case in point: ME! We just start throwing hard facts at them and we really need to get down to the crux of why they felt the need to try it in the first place! You might be surprised! I was! I thought my kid wanted to fit in so that is why he did it but that is just not the case……his was an escape and a creative outlet….YEP an escape and a creative outlet! That was a scary thing to hear and one that I as an adult know is a lie, but his brain does not have the ability to tell him he IS creative and he IS amazing! Again that goes back to my article last week. Point here is: as a mama when you realize it was an escape and or a creative outlet, well let’s just say that is scary, it hurts your heart, and you feel like a failure….which is exactly where the devil wants you. Because when you feel like a failure you are no good to anyone…..LIES! Lies that are so easy to believe as an adult trying their best and as a kid wanting to fit in. Lies that can make you crazy and bring you to say and do things you never would do; as an adult and as a kid.
It is a vicious circle. One the devil is so proud of. One the devil relishes in. One that the only way to shut down is to stay calm. Ask questions. Open the conversation and listen to understand and then be understood. Then and only then can you take the next steps. What are the next steps? I firmly believe keeping the conversation going and getting help from outside resources which I will have below. Getting educated and getting your child educated is key.
I do believe something has to change at the state and federal levels and honestly that is way over this mama’s head, trust me if I get an in I will take it, but until then I think it has to start at home. Education and showing the risks that come with the choices. Communication and above all LOVE! Love your child and love their mistakes. Love them no matter what. I know it can be hard. Trust me I know. But they need to know we love them no matter what they say or do. We love them and they are safe. Because bottom line, we are all worthy of love!
Until next time,
XO,
Amy
Simple Supper Suggestions #10
This week we are pretty busy, honestly typing that cracks me up, because truth is we are ALWAYS busy so scratch that! Point is I am going to have Trey grill a TON of chicken to make my life easier throughout the week. Our weekend has been chalk full of sports, college visits, and conventions that the last thing I want to think about is a creative dinner schedule so when times like this happen I just buy a ton of chicken thighs, marinade them, Trey grills them, and that is my back up plan when things get overwhelming. They are quite delicious too and silly easy. I think you might really appreciate this recipe!
But! First things first!
Spaghetti Sunday! You know the drill if you have been around here long and if not, I think you might like the idea so check it out!
Love when our table is full of chaos and love!
Monday night will be the night we grill the chicken. All I do is buy a ton of thighs and throw them in a gallon zip lock bags and marinade them in this Italian dressing! That is literally it! When you are ready throw them on the grill and cook to the right temperature. On this particular night I will serve the thighs with the amazing salad I blogged about last week and my rice. So easy and everyone is happy.
Rice:
This rice is so easy to make. All it requires is 2 cups of white rice. Put that in a medium sauce pan. Add 4 cups of chicken broth. Bring that to a boil. Once it is boiling turn it to simmer and place a few lemon slices on top and sprinkle with Lawrys Season Salt. Cover and let simmer for 15 minutes. DO NOT STIR! Just let it fluff! Remove the lemons before plating.
Tuesday will be Taco Tuesday and this taco tuesday will be bowls or tortillas and we will keep it very simple for all! I will make rice using the recipe above minus the lemon. I will heat up a can of black beans and reheat some of the leftover chicken from Monday. I then will have each boy in my world build their bowl or tortilla like so: evenly distribute the chicken, rice, romaine lettuce, pico, black beans, guacamole, shredded cheese, and top with Cilantro, lime juice, and chopped jalapenos. So good and so easy!
Wednesday the Berry’s are going to have B for D! And I don’t know about your house, but my family digs this! This Wednesday we are going to have our Christmas morning casserole which everyone loves!
Thursday is a bit calmer so I think I will treat them to a meal Trey literally begs for all the time, especially the wasabi potatoes!!!!! Flank steak and wasabi mashed potatoes! So good and fairly easy!!!!
Friday and Saturday this kitchen is closed!!!!!
So that wraps up what we will be eating this week! What will you be serving? I can always use new and delicious ideas!
Until next time!
XO,
Amy
Laura's Beau Monde Salad
I am not really much of a salad girl, but, I was at my girlfriend Laura’s the other night and she had this salad that was to die for! I remember asking, “What the heck is this?” There was a distinct taste in it that was so good I could not get enough of it. I asked her for the reciepe which she so graciously gave me and I played around with it until it was just right for my family and me. If you like salad you really have to give this a whirl.
LAURA’S BEAU MONDE SALAD
Ingredients:
1 bag of hearts of romain
Juice from 1 lemon
1/4 cup olive oil
8 green onions chopped
2 avacados cut up
black pepper (as much as your family likes)
1 tablespoon beau monde seasoning
Shredded parmesan cheese (again as much as your family likes)
Prep:
In the bottom of a large bowl mix your olive oil, lemon juice, beau monde seasoning, green onions, avacado, black pepper. Place your hearts of romain on top and refrigerate. When you are ready to serve toss with parmesan cheese and serve.
Oh so good especially with chicken!
Bon Appetit!
Amy
You Are A Good Parent And Your Kid Is A Good Kid
Did you read that title? Did you let it soak in? If you are a parent read it again. YOU ARE A GOOD PARENT AND YOUR KID IS A GOOD KID! YEP! That is right you are a good parent! If your kid is Juuling you are a good parent! Why do I feel the need to say this?
Because last week I wrote an article on Juuling and if you missed it you can catch that here, but I got more messages, phone calls, emails, articles, thank you’s, and questions than I ever have on any other post. I got messages from parents in Alabama, Texas, Georgia, and Colorado about their kids in the hospital with a respiratory illness that they think is because of the vape. Yall, these are people I don’t even know and my heart hurts for them and for the children. But the messages that hurt me the most were the ones of parents thinking they are bad because their child vapes and that my friend is a lie from the devil himself. You are not a bad parent if your child vapes.
Kids are kids and kids will try almost anything and do almost anything to fit in. Not all kids, but most. They are so desperate to be liked, to be included, to fit in, and to be popular (GOD I HATE THAT WORD) and it just is what it is. Why? Because their brains are literally wired that way. I personally believe it is worse now than ever due to all the pressures of social media (ironic that I am a blogger) on top of the always present peer pressure, social anxiety, expectations from peers, parents, teachers, coaches, colleges, jobs, and the list goes on and on.
Did you know that it is scientifically proven that the teenage prefrontal cortex-the area of the brain responsible for planning, decision making, personality, and social behavior-is actually pruning itself during these delicate years….that’s right! Pruning itself….killing off areas to make room for adult brainhood if you will. No wonder their personality switches on a dime and their choices seem less than reasonable…While the prefrontal cortex is pruning itself, and growing itself for adulthood, our kids are super duper vulnerable! It explains why they think the world sees them as they see themselves….which by the way, more often than not, is not a pretty sight, in their eyes. No wonder they are so self conscious and this explains why they are obsessed with how others see and like them which makes fitting in top priority and in turn makes it very easy to make poor choices.
Case in point: Juuling! And honest to God, our kids don’t have a chance if they buy into the marketing that the makers of Juul have so eloquently come up with. And they will because their poor brain is in pruning season! And the marketing is literally geared towards taking advantage of that fact! They have bright fun colors, amazing fun taste, and young beautiful models, not to mention they claim that it is better for you than traditional cigarettes! Honestly, how can than say that? Because the traditional cigarette has 8 cancer causing chemicals and the Juul only has 5! Well from where I am sitting 5 vs 8 cancer causing chemicals….cancer still wins! But I don’t really matter now do I!? I am just a mom with kids who the makers of Juul would rather make millions off of regardless of if they die or their friends do. Point being if our kids brains are already wired towards just being included regardless of the consequence, even if that is your life, if it is flashy, pretty, tasty, oh and you get a quick buzz, well their brain says, “I am in, what do I got to do!”
Here’s the deal, we can’t change their brains, but we can open up communication and shut down this epidemic.
This epidemic is real and it is scary and I think it might be scarier than the CDC, surgeon general, or whoever ever thought. Something has to happen!
What is that something? I do not know quite honestly. What I do know is alot can happen under your own roof and it starts with talking. Plain and simple. Talk to your kids. Educate yourself. Educate them. Tell them you are going to test them. YES! Test them.
Why do I say test them? Well, I am working on a post to show you how they are hiding this evil and it will blow your mind. Kids are doing it under their parents nose and parents don’t even know! Trust me! I know. And the thought of, “Not my kid.” I will still challenge you to talk to your kid, educate your kid, and yes test your kid. Help them. I explained to you above how their brains just can’t reason so why not give them an out. The worst thing that will happen is they will test positive and guess what, now you have something to talk about. Just like if they test negative…..you still have something to talk about.
So will you join me in my mission? Will you start the conversation under your roof? I promise our kids are depending on us to do this and I promise lives are depending on us to do this. Who’s with me?
Until next time,
XO,
Amy
