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Let’s Thank The Man Who Invented Smoothies

“Mom? Who invented smoothies? I need to write the man a letter and thank him.”

From all accounts I’ve seen, it was Steven Kuhnau who branded the “smoothie” — in the late 1960’s. As a lactose intolerant teenager, Mr. “Smoothie King” Steven wanted something to enjoy that was similar to the milkshakes his peers loved. So, he created frozen blends of fresh fruit, ice and fruit juice. Not only did they taste great, but those new concoctions helped him manage his allergies and regulate his blood sugar levels as well.

Cool.

Never underestimate the power of a smoothie. Breakfast, lunch, snack, dessert. Sneak in some veggies (kale goes entirely unnoticed), maybe a little protein powder . . . and . . . boom . . . you’ve got a balanced treat with lots of the food groups. Check out some of these favorites.

This stuff . . . nutrition . . . food . . . breakfast . . . snacks . . . It’s important. So important, I included it (just a little “taste”) in my upcoming book, Corky Gives the Whole Scoop on the Facts of Life, written for girls, ages 9-13.

Here’s a taste . . . (at least of the food part) from my upcoming book:

That day, I made a brilliant conclusion:

Too Much Junk Food = Epic Fail.

Yep. That’s pretty much it.

I learned that a little bit of junk is fine for me, but a lot is an epic fail. Mostly, junk food doesn’t work too well for anybody, really. And some people are more bothered by it than others. Pay attention to what you eat. And how you feel. Right after you eat . . . and a little bit after that . . . and then pay attention to how you feel later in the day too. Food matters. And it makes a big difference in how you feel . . . during PMS days . . . and all the other days.

Stay tuned . . . there’s more good stuff from Corky to come. The book will be released soon. In the meantime, chillax. Make a smoothie with your kids. Oh, and by the way, that teenager — the one who invented the smoothies — he grew up to open “The Smoothie King.” Yep. Next time you’re there, thank him. For us.

A Date With My Son

Published by Terri Shearer Trenchard

1:1 time with each kid. New Year’s resolution. Somehow it happens more naturally with my daughter, 10. We just find ourselves together. My son and I used to find ourselves together. Building Lego houses. Making caterpillar homes. Shooting hoops. Now at 4 inches shorter than he, I’m barely lucky to block his shot, with no hope ever to scoot past him with a soccer or football. My only hope is to win the tiebreaker in ping-pong.

He’s 13, and 1:1 time is just different now.

How about breakfast out? A date with my son. He just adores a good plate of Belgian waffles and bacon. That’s it. Our first official New Year’s Resolution Date.

Uh-oh. What do we talk about? I mean, we spend time doing things together. We’re together as a family. But this new 1:1 time . . . with my teenage son . . . at breakfast . . . is a little new.

With my quiet and independent guy (“thanks, Mom, but I’ve really got it all covered,”), most questions about school, friends, his sports just seem to be probing and get interpreted as me taking the parent role. Ok. We won’t go there. This has to be fun in order to work, doesn’t it?

So . . . conversation starters . . . but beyond the typical “5 Questions to Ask to Get Your Teenager to Talk” and the beloved family table topic cards.

I paused for a minute and pulled out of my brain that good ‘ole cocktail party tip – ask them questions about what they’re interested in.

For my son, that would be sports. But not his sports. That would be professional sports. Scores. Standings. College too. All of it. Any of it.

But I don’t really keep up. (I mean, I try to be interested . . . but it just doesn’t last . . . ). Now I know why my mother-in-law and paternal grandmother seemed like such sports buffs. They each had 2 boys.

Ok, then. Take charge. And prep for breakfast. I’ll know about the NFL standings, who’s on probation in the MLB (what is it with those guys?), and I’ll ask him about his picks . . . and why. That’s not too intrusive, is it?

So, if you’re looking for a way to connect . . . and get the conversation started with your kids . . . try moving beyond those typical (but loved) “family conversation starters” and do it the ‘ole fashioned cocktail party way. And, if you do a little research ahead, you just might keep the party goin’.

Forced Family Fun Time, 2014

Published by Terri Shearer Trenchard

So about 8% of people hold to their New Year’s resolutions. Whether you do or don’t, it’s an enjoyable New Year’s ritual.

* Call Grandma more.

* Spend more one-on-one time with each kid.

AND THE GRAND DADDY OF THE NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS,

* Forced Family Fun Time. Once a week.

I loved and borrowed the concept of Forced Family Fun Time from an educator at one of my favorite organizations, Parent Education Program.

I’ll be the first to say that when the kids were little, it was easy to have those family movie and game nights. We all enthusiastically gathered for the G movie or a round of Catch Phrase. Now, not so much. With a 13-year old son and a 10-year old daughter, it takes forever to find an “enjoyable” and “appropriate” movie for all. Battling with the sports schedules and the electronic devices cuts into the round-the-table game time. It’s gotten harder. But now, along with 2014, comes Forced Family Fun Time. We call it FFFT.

Here was our first try at FFFT:

It worked out pretty well.

Let me set the stage. Son, 13; daughter, 10. On our way to decorate a family gingerbread house (Forced Family Fun Time, you know.) Son gets the text that the guys are going to the field to kick around the ball. “I can’t now, but maybe I’ll catch ya later. Gotta go decorate a gingerbread house with the family. Yah, I know, right? I’ll catch ya there when we’re done. How long can it take to decorate a little gingerbread house?”

And, off we headed . . . to FFFT.

And it went well. I have the photos of the smiles (from all) to prove it. Take a peek. All summed up by my son saying, “Ha, this house LOOKS like Forced Family Fun Time.” Yah, it kinda does.

And that made us laugh all holiday season long. (Oh, and BTW, he still hooked up with the dudes at the field.)

Try it. It doesn’t have to be LOOONNNNNGGGG. Schedule it on the calendar. Tell the kids you’re doing it. If they whine about the movie, the game, the activity of choice, just tell ’em it’s Forced Family Fun Time. (And chuckle when you say it.) Once a week, once a month, once a quarter. Whatever works.

The Attitude of Gratitude

Published by Terri Shearer Trenchard

We’re beyond the official season of Thanks and into the season of giving. How do we keep the Attitude of Gratitude alive?

Do you know that being grateful actually increases one’s happiness?

Where does gratitude come from? I’ve been watching and listening over the years. I share with you now my simple and easy list of reminders to keep the attitude of gratitude alive . . . in us, and hopefully our kids too.

Count Your Blessings. Big, small. Each and every day. Tell your kids to think about at least one thing for which they are thankful each day. Jotting it down has even more profound effects. This little exercise can actually re-wire our brains to be happier and ultimately more productive.

Thank someone for something each day. Model it. Lead your kids. Whether it’s thanking the clerk at the store, someone who holds the door for you, or writing a thank you note or message, thank someone each day for something. The possibilities are endless in a day if you open up your mind and heart to it.

Teach your kids some of the old adages. There’s always a bright side. (Sometimes you have to think a little hard to find it.) Every cloud has a silver lining. For every rain there’s a rainbow. There’s a blessing (albeit sometimes hidden) in everything. Teach these to your kids. Model them yourself. And keep them as close reminders when life’s disappointments (big and small) come around.

Realize that Less is Often More. I look back on my grandparents, who grew up in modest (I will even say poor) times, days, and surroundings. Specifically, two of my grandparents who had the least growing up are the most thankful people I know today. That’s one to ponder and to internalize. Giving our kids less can actually reap them more in the long run.

Let’s forward the Thanks as we move into the Giving and let the Attitude of Gratitude shine bright.

Happy Thanksgiving Eve!

Published by Terri Shearer Trenchard

Tomorrow, you’re probably planning to gather together with the people you love to celebrate Thanksgiving.

If you’re like our family, you’ll have several generations gathered under one roof. And if you’re playing host, you’ll spend the day trying to make sure that everyone has a great time.

Here are 11 Awesome Family Activities for Thanksgiving Day to incorporate into your holiday plans.

Do Your Kids Drink Enough Water?

Published by Terri Shearer Trenchard

As a young teen, I was greatly dehydrated and didn’t even know it. Had a headache every day by 3:00. Every day. Got worse as the day went on. Had medical exams, even brain scans. Vitamin deficiency, they said. Looking back, those headaches came from a simple lack of fluid. I would rush out in the morning, and go most of the school day without drinking much.

Sound familiar in your household?

How much water and other hydrating liquids do your kids drink? Probably not enough. They fly out the door in the morning, may not have much time during the school day, and before we know it, the negative effects of dehydration can set in, be it headaches, lack of energy, body cramps. Some schools, classrooms, and teachers have figured this out; and they encourage — even require — students to keep a water bottle close by. It’s something worth a moment of consideration. Think about it. And check this out: http://www.examiner.com/article/the-importance-of-drinking-water-2

For other tips for your developing teens and pre-teens, check out my book. Bork gives boys 9-13 everything they need to know, when they need to know it.