The ABC's of Everything Blog

We are often told that self-love is the foundation for our ability to extend love to others but sometimes that can be a challenge. Instead of seeing the best of who we are, we tend to focus on what we are lacking or our imperfections. I am never going to be good at math or figuring out social media (still don't know how I share ...

The holidays are traditionally the time of year when we seem to put more attention on others and look for opportunities to be more giving and kind to each other. Of course this is a state of being that we really want to practice every day. A lot of research has been done around why we feel good when we are kind or giving to others. Researchers call...

These apple rings make a great after school snack and don't contain any added sugars! Ingredients: ​1 medium Gala apple3 tbsp almond butter3-4 tsp shredded unsweetened coconut Directions: Remove apple core with an apple coring tool. Slice the apple crosswise into 8 thin rings, about ¼ inch thick. Spread each apple ring with almond butter. ...

Ingredients:​1/2 cup safflower oil​1 pound rolled oats​1 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut​1/2 cup sliced toasted almonds​2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds​1/2 teaspoon coarse salt​1/2 cup golden raisins​1/2 cup safflower oil, plus more for baking dish​2/3 cup honey​1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract​5 egg whites Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 de...

I recently attended an event, which was giving out little gift items to the participants. One of the items looked like a cute little doll action figure. I thought – great I'll give this to my granddaughter. When I opened the packaging and looked closer at the doll (this time with my glasses on) I was unpleasantly surprised. It was a little girl dol...

As parents, more than anything else, we want our kids to be happy. When something happens that causes them to be sad or disappointed, I think we suffer even more than they do. Our first impulse is to try to find a way to fix the situation and make them feel better. This is not always the best response. Disappointment is a part of life that we ...

​As children growing up we were always being told to "go outside and play" especially on weekends. This was also the standard response when we voiced our frustration about "having nothing to do". Of course times have changed.  Now kids have access to so many different types of electronic entertainment that they never need to be bored. This is ...

I remember starting to panic about a month before summer vacation every year. How to fill all that leisure time my son would have day after day, week after week, which seemed like eternity. I would start by looking into some kind of camp (which only covered a small amount of the days I needed to fill) then moving on to some sort of sporting involve...

I would describe mindfulness as "being in the present moment" the practice of focusing on what is happening right now and nothing more. It's a timeout from being in the past or future and an opportunity to take a break from over thinking, a time to quiet your mind and body. So how is this helpful for children? Practicing mindfulness throughout the ...

The first thing to happen would be that most of my favorite foods like vegetables, fruits and nuts would go with them.No more salads, stir fry's or delicious smoothies, and what kind of summer would it be without watermelon, wine and cheese parties. Yes – no more cheese, food sources for our animals would also be diminished. This is not the world I...

​This is Webster's definition of a mother and I can tell you as a mother and a grandmother that this makes me feel pretty special. Well, Webster was a man and therefore not a "female parent" so maybe this is the best he could come up with. You can't really know the hugeness of motherhood until you have a child. (Although, many people feel...

This asparagus recipe is bursting with Asian flavor and it is so easy to make! The whole family is sure to love it. Roasted Asparagus with Ginger Sesame Dressing  Ingredients: ​1 bunch asparagus ends trimmed​2 TBS olive oil​¼ tsp salt​1 pinch pepper Dressing: ​1 whole green onion, chopped​1 clove garlic, minced​1 piece fresh ginger thumb size,...

This is a refreshing spring salad with matchstick pears and tons of fresh herbs! Let us know what you think in the comments below. French Green Bean Salad With Pears Ingredients: ​3lbs Haricot Verts green beans​1/2 cup of olive oil​3 TBS of Sherry wine vinegar​6 TBS chopped fresh chives​6 TBS chopped fresh parsley​6 TBS minced fresh shallots​1...

​Part 2 of our adventure into the world of food labels should provide you with the remainder of information you need to go down the aisles of any grocery store and feel confident that you really know what you're buying and more importantly what you're eating. All-Natural / Natural / 100% Natural In regards to beef and poultry, "Natural" means a pro...

Bell peppers make the perfect "shell" for this fajita chicken! They are a lower carbohydrate, gluten-free alternative when you are craving Mexican food but don't want the heavy, greasy stuff. We hope you all enjoy! Fajita Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers Ingredients: ​1 lb diced skinless boneless chicken (thighs or breast)​2 TBS olive oil​1 c...

The other day I bought a bag of potato chips. I know, not the best snack choice but the bag had multiple labels on the front indicating that they were probably a healthy choice. The label included, made with olive oil, vegan, non-GMO, gluten free, only 140 calories per serving. Wow – with those kinds of credentials they must be good for you – ...

​These Crispy Roasted Mushrooms are so much better than the soggy sauteed ones! Try these out as a side dish alone or add to another salad for a crispy crunch and earthy taste. Let us know what you think in the comments section below! ​Crispy Roasted Mushrooms Ingredients: ​1 LB of assorted mushrooms (such as Oyster, Shiitake, Cremini)​1 ...

Roasted, Minted Beets are a delicious way to enjoy the lovely root vegetable that is beets! This simple recipe is super easy to throw together and is sure to impress the entire table. Let us know what you think in the comments section below! Minted Beets Ingredients: ​2 LBS of beets trimmed​1 head of red leaf lettuce for lining platter​1 TBS of ric...

Green Bean Almondine is such a simple yet elegant dish. Impress your guests with this side dish filled with fresh green beans and nutrient dense almonds. This recipe is spiced up with the addition of sliced red pepper! Adults and kids alike are sure to enjoy. Green Bean Almondine Ingredients: ​1 LB of fresh green beans (I prefer Haricots they are m...

These Roasted Winter Vegetables are a great way to enjoy all of the wonderful vegetables that are in season. We love hearing from you so let us know what you think in the comments section below. ​Roasted Winter Vegetables Ingredients: ​4 large beets, peeled and cut into ½ inch wedges​1 pound of turnips, peeled and cut in ½ inch wedges​2 pounds of r...