Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders

Looking back over my summer, I thought about what stood out. What memories came to mind. One thing that stayed with me was an afternoon my twin teenage daughters and I spent at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Austin, Texas.

What I remember most about this day is the feeling we had when we left. The kind of feeling you have when you know you did the right thing. My daughter Allie, said it best on the drive back home to Houston, “Mom, I honestly wasn’t looking forward to coming with you today. But now I understand that it really was a great way to spend my time.”

Marnie and I joined together

Along with a very cool talented jewelry designer friend of mine, Marnie, of Marnie Rocks (who invited me to join her at the Ann Richards School for Girls) where we spent a lunchtime talking to parents and girls at this unique school. Marnie handed out her annual supply of PE uniforms to the girls and I gave a copy of my book Healthy Mother Healthy Child to each of the families. Marnie and I each talked to these young girls and their parents about how to use their gifts, how to look at their obstacles as opportunities, and maybe most importantly to believe and reach for their dreams by believing in them self. The Ann Richards School is a unique all-girls public school founded to educate young women and give them confidence and skills necessary to succeed in college, in their careers and in their communities. One thing I found uniquely empowering about this school was a pivotal factor in receiving a place at this school wasn’t from a students previous academic achievement-but based on her desire to go to college.

Win-win situation for us all

My hand cramping from signing some 150 books and my mouth dry from speaking to so many individual moms, we all left that day empowered by the gratitude and ambition of these girls and their families. I received numerous thank you emails and phone calls afterwards. My daughter Sarah, had this to say, “My experience at the Ann Richards School was something I will never forget. When I agreed to go, I thought to myself, this will be a good way to get some service hours. However, I ended up getting so much more from this day. The faces of the mothers and daughters will forever be an image in my mind. They all had such an eagerness and willingness in their eyes. You could tell these mothers were going to do whatever it took to give their daughters a better life. It made me stop and think-most people don’t have the strength to face challenges and hard work -when they don’t have things so easy. But the mothers and daughters at this school are living proof that these people do exist.”

One final thought after reflecting back on this summer day, which I feel is something that speaks to all of us -when we help others, we truly help our self.

20 Minutes- It’s Your Choice

Think about how you can spend twenty minutes? Sitting in traffic. Waiting for your dinner to cook. Listening to a co-worker expand on an idea. Reading a bedtime story to your child. Attending a meeting. Folding laundry. Meditating.

Everyday opportunities

All of these situations can appear as a good way to splurge on 20 minutes or they can fall into the category of “have to”  time wasters. Why not take a moment and make a choice. You are in charge. You can turn every circumstance during your day into an “opportunity” to indulge in the moment.

Stay present

Stay present with your task at hand. Listen. Keep your attention focused on what you are doing. If your mind wanders off. Bring it back to what you are doing. Don’t think about anything before or after, only what you are doing right in this moment. In this way, every situation can be done with a calm, focused, clear way of being.

Relax into your free time

When we choose to spend our time in the present moment life doesn’t change. We do. Life becomes easier, happier and healthier.

Why not take twenty minutes to relax with my free weekly guided audio relaxation

This blog was previously posted on healthcentral.com

If You Eat Healthy Your Kids Will Follow

Today I got the opportunity to chat on the radio with my friend and celebrity chef, Domenica Catelli. We talked about ideas to create healthy eating into our lifestyle. One of the main messages I took away from today’s show-If we as mothers can eat more healthy, we can teach our kids in the process.

Domenica’s top three tips for creating healthy eating habits:

1. Start with yourself. Model the behavior. Leave that diet soda or bag of chips at the store. Replace these things with healthy alternatives.
2. Don’t Ask. Many times we ask if our kids would like something healthy. We always get the answer no thanks! Try just setting the healthy food in front of your kids. Make it available.
3. Know what’s in the food you are eating. Avoid foods with corn syrup, hydrogenated fats or anything you need a PHd to understand.

Domenica and I went on to discuss some easy and fun recipes from her inspiring book Mom-a-licious. Listen in to the August 19th show, Creating Healthy Balance Everyday which includes Domenica’s tips and my weekly guided relaxation. You can tune into the show through your computer’s speakers or download it to your mp3 or ipod to listen in later. After listening to Domenica, I am inspired to get in my kitchen and make some healthy snacks for my kids after school!

Disney Records

 

 

 

 

When Mom Central invited me to blog for Disney Records Music Block Party, I couldn’t resist. New music from Disney-spells out moving and grooving summertime fun. Even though my teenage children are past this generation of music – for me, Disney music will always be a classic. These CD’s brought back lots of fun memories as we listened one evening while cleaning up kitchen. Disney get’s it right with this NEW compilation of old classics performed by hip preschool artists. Check it out-Walt Disney Records: Ralph’s World, Imagination Movers, Choo Choo Soul and They Might Be Giants

Leave it to Disney to figure out a way to enjoy your old favorites in a new way. No matter what your age- put on some tunes and get grooving.