All of The Healthy Hen's Posts
The Healthy Hen gravitates towards moderation in life. When she is not running in circles she sometimes runs in a straight line for 26.2 miles, and somewhere in between is where she finds herself now. Sometimes she pushes two chicks in a double jogger in the hills among foxes and rattlesnakes, sometimes the Healthy Hen spins on an elliptical machine while playing episodes of Sesame Street from 1972 and her chicks giggle beside her. She doesn’t really start stirring until she sips her morning brew- a healthy half-caf cup of coffee, or three. The amount depends on how long she gabs with the Rooster before the chicks start peeping – and the running in circles resumes…Get the RSS feed for all of the Healthy Hen's posts here.
Stick(er) it to ‘em – in a GOOD way!
March 8, 2010 Posted by The Healthy Hen
In the parenting tool box, no tool stands out like the infamous Sticker Chart. Seriously, is anything else more instrumental in convincing children across the nation to go potty, pick up their toys, clear their dishes or make their beds? If only they fill up that sheet with stickers, each representing a chore completed, a good deed done, they can get that toy they always dreamed of, that trip to the amusement park, the big cake with fancy decorations. And what do parent’s get out of it? Kids who start to understand concepts of responsibility, of working towards a goal, of rewards that flow from hard work and patience. But not all sticker chart programs are alike. We have tried different variations, different rewards, and only recently feel like we found the right mix for us. So, here it is:
Say Cheese (Soup)!
March 2, 2010 Posted by The Healthy Hen
I don’t know why this recipe is in my recipe box or where exactly it came from, but we are glad we have it. We make this a couple of times a year, usually in the heart of winter, and it is so good even the kids go for it. Now, I know Velveeta creates different emotions for different people, and we NEVER use it except in this soup, but if you try it you won’t deny it! Here it is:
6 Large carrots, sliced
4 Stalks of celery, chopped
5 Large potatoes, cubed
The (not so) Healthy Highlight: Blood and Tears
February 25, 2010 Posted by The Healthy Hen
Not long ago, on a gray and cold day ,I decided that we needed to walk the toy poodle. It had been a “”hair-pulling” day, and rather then head to the kitchen to start the mystery meal of the evening I thought we’d (okay mostly me) all benefit from a little neighborhood trek.
Approximately 200 yards from the house, the two chicks started slipping and sliding on the ice. For a moment, I hesitated, but ultimately decided not to tell them no. My internal conversation went something like this: “Playing on the ice could be dangerous, one of them could fall,” and “Let them go, try not to over-manage a little outdoor fun.” So, with a turn of my back, I silently continued on my way.
The Vancouver Olympics: Opportunities for Fun and Education
February 23, 2010 Posted by The Healthy Hen
Our family is really enjoying the Vancouver Olympics this year. One thing that stands out is the chicks’ enthusiasm about a broad range of events, individual stories of the athletes and the national pride exhibited by fans of all countries. As a result, we end up answering a lot of questions, many of which we have to research on the computer and find answers to. It all ends up being a lot of fun and very educational. And others in our little part of the world are really getting into the spirit too. There are two Olympic themed ideas that really impressed us this past week, so I thought I’d share them in case you want to do them at home with your kids.
