5 Super Cold Busters For The Entire Family!

Jan
26
2012

When one of my kids seems like they have a cold coming on I try to pump up their diet with some super cold busters!   It’s that time of year where when one person gets “it” whatever “it” is, then it’s only a matter of time before it spreads through the house.  And sick mommy is not so zen, so I like to pull out some of my cold busting tips and recipes to stop the cycle!

1. Ginger Lemon Honey Tea

Who needs to buy a tea bag, when you can make this at home in minutes. Basic and simple, but has some great cold busting properties (Ginger-anti-inflammatory, Lemon-Vitamin C,  Honey-soothes sore throats) and makes you feel warm inside. My kids love it too, but make sure you cool it down for them.

(serves 2) Just boil a a few cups of water with a few slices of ginger for 5-10 minutes, then squeeze in juice from 1/2 a lemon and few teaspoons of honey to taste.(The kids may want more sweetness-when they are sick I don’t mind adding in more if it’s good for their throats).

*If you really want to boost it up- you can add in some minced garlic and dash of cayenne!

2. Pumpkin Pancakes

Pumpkin is full of Vitamin A which helps keep the respiratory system healthy and it’s easy to add to foods for some cold busting power.   I like to add canned organic pumpkin to my recipes.    You can add it to your pasta sauce, muffin recipe, but I like to add it to my pancake batter with some cinnamon.  Kids don’t love to eat vegetables, especially when they are sick so this gives them some good vitamins in the morning without a fight!

3.  Spinach Blueberry Smoothie

  I usually don’t like my kids to have icy drinks when they are sick, but if you are already making fruit smoothies a good way to add some cold busting power is to add spinach.  Blueberry smoothies hide the green color, if your kids don’t mind the green you can use mangos for the vitamin C.

4. Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

Its much better than from the carton, especially if you want the Vitamin C boost.  You can also add a squeeze of lemon or ginger for an extra boost.

5. Chicken Soup

 This is a classic remedy, but it’s great.  If you don’t have time to make your own.  Just buy a carton of organic chicken broth, add a few pieces of ginger and garlic and boil.  Then just drink it warm for a soothing savory treat!

Here’s to staying healthy!

 

Happy Chinese New Year 2012-Tradition, Food and Family

Jan
23
2012

It isn’t necessary that you dress your kids like this for Chinese New Year, but I thought it looked cute, so if not now then when, right?

I just finished a big Chinese dinner with my family (my parents came to visit) in celebration of Chinese New Year.  While preparations traditionally start early with the cleaning of the house and a big feast,  the start of the Chinese (Lunar) New Year for 2012 is actually Monday January 23.

The  ”Year Of The Dragon”

The Dragon is the most powerful of the 12 zodiac signs. It symbolizes power and change.  Many are optimistic that it means better times ahead for 2012.

I’ve been celebrating and honoring Chinese New Year traditions since I was a child, but I didn’t always know the significance and what things meant.  Now as a mom I think it’s important to share these traditions with my children.   While it is a celebration, it’s more about unity, being with family and food of course, you can’t forget the food!  Here are a few traditions and their meanings.

Greeting

“Gong Xi Fa Tsai” (Mandarin) or “Gong Hay Fat Chow”(Cantonese) is how people greet others for Chinese New Year, but the translation is not just Happy New Year it meants “Congratulations and Be Prosperous”!

Food Traditions

Fish-symbolizes Abundance because the word fish also sounds like “extra” or “yu”.

Noodles-symbolizes Longevity because they are long.

Dumplings-symbolizes Prosperity-the half moon shape resembles traditional Chinese gold ingots.

Red Envelopes-”Hong Bao”

The custom of giving red envelopes filled with money to the young as a symbol of prosperity and good wishes and blessings for the new year.  If you sleep on them overnight it brings even more luck.

And if your interested in learning about more ways on How You Can Celebrate Chinese New Year With Your Family check out my latest post on Lifetime Moms.

Wishing you a year of good health, happiness and continued success!

 

 

Project Zen: Finding Stillness

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“Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths — Etty Hillesum  I know my blog is The Zen Mom, but being zen doesn’t come naturally for me. I’d like to … Continue reading

Giveaway: E-Mealz-Making Mealtime More Zen!

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    I’m a total list maker.  I make a list for everything, except when it comes to grocery shopping. I do jot down some items, especially when I’m out of them, but for the most part I like go … Continue reading

Project Zen: Tips To Keep Your Digital Photos Organized

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  I have been taking tons of photos since the holidays and this weekend as I was downloading photos from my daughter’s 2nd birthday (I made Yo Gabba Gabba cupcakes) I realized I have way too many photos on my … Continue reading

Lifetime Moms-”Do You Feel Guilty Making Yourself A Priority?”

Jan
06
2012

   So how has the first week of 2012 been?  Was it special or just like any other week?  Did you work on any resolutions or decide just not to have any?

One of my resolutions is to make myself more of a priority.  Hmm, just saying it makes me feel a little guilty!  But it shouldn’t. As Michelle Obama said in a recent interview with Barbara Walters, “Putting yourself high on the priority list is not selfish, its practical.”

I explore this topic in my latest post,  Do You Feel Guilty Making Yourself A Priority? for Lifetime Moms.  I’m excited to join Lifetime Moms as new Contributor joining a powerful group of engaging women sharing their real stories that celebrate, entertain and inspire. Throughout the year we’ll be generating some lively conversations! Check them out on Facebook and Twitter. 

 

 

 

Project Zen: Tips For A Cleaner Diet!

Jan
02
2012

Happy New Year!  I know the 1st was actually yesterday, but there’s something about Mondays.  I feel like today’s the actual day to start fresh.  While I don’t like to call them new year’s resolutions I know we all have them.  It’s the time to have a clean slate and set goals or what I like to call the vision for the year!  What do you envision for yourself?

I said a few days ago my vision for the year was to feel more vibrant (mentally and physically), appreciative and peaceful.  I hope you will join me on my journey.

Over the next few weeks, The Zen Mom will be featuring Project Zen! Tips to Live A More Vibrant, Appreciative, and Peaceful LIfe.

In a few hours I will be doing a 3 day Ritual juice cleanse!  While not everyone is into juicing I think we are into eating a cleaner diet.    I will give you a wrap up of the Cleanse later, but for today I wanted to share a few tips sent by Ritual Cleanse to get me ready, but I think these are helpful for anyone looking be healthier.

  1. Start eating real food and only real food right now. If you cannot pronounce it or if it has an infinite shelf life DO NOT eat it!
  2. Cut back on your alcohol consumption.
  3. Start drinking more water, the more the better.
  4. Begin each day with a cup of hot water with lemon.
  5. Cut back on caffeine. If eliminating caffeine completely is not an option, switch from coffee to green tea.
  6. Eliminate added sugars, especially artificial ones (aka: chemicals) like corn syrup, saccharin, aspartame and all the rest. You get the point, right?
  7. Add in more fruits and vegetables. Organic and raw are best.
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