‘Tis the season for giving thanks and practicing gratitude. The word gratitude can be such a big concept for children, so I’m here to simplify it for you to make it fun and kid-friendly. Here are four simple activities to practice gratitude with your little ones this holiday season (or any time of year)!
4 Ways to Teach Gratitude to Children
5 Finger Maple Breathing
Grateful Maple Exercise
Gratitude Bell Pass
Gratitude Jar
5 Finger Maple Breathing:
Hold up your hands like two maple leaves! Using your opposite pointer finger, trace up each finger as you breathe in, and breathe out as your trace down. Think about what you’re grateful for/what makes you happy as you breathe together.
Grateful MapleExercise:
This one comes straight from my “Mindful & Magical Me” Kids Inspiration Deck. Trace your hand on a piece of paper to create your own maple leaf! On each of the five lobes (your fingers), write down something or someone you’re grateful for. You can write for them if need be, or even have them draw pictures instead!
Gratitude Bell Pass:
This one is great for a group of kids such as in school … Read More!
Between busy back-to-school schedules and everyday life chaos, you may be craving a sense of calm in your life now more than ever. And even amidst the chaos (think: toddler tantrums and endless piles of laundry), it’s still possible to enjoy a moment of peace and quiet — seriously, I mean it.
Sound too good to be true? Here are four simple ways to slow down and embrace the moment this fall (with your kiddos).
1. Practice Positive Affirmations
Affirmations are a wonderful tool to instill self-love and confidence, and it’s never too early to start practicing with your littles. You can start by reciting simple “I Am” affirmations like “I am brave.” Grab the “Mindful & Magical Me” Kids Inspiration Deck for more kid-friendly prompts.
2. Start a Family Gratitude Jar
There’s no better way to appreciate the now than by practicing gratitude. Get the whole family involved by keeping a gratitude jar — where each family member writes down one thing they’re grateful for at the end of the day and pops it into the jar. This is such a wonderful way to honor all the blessings in your life while making room for more … Read More!
Last Monday was a dream for me. ICYMI, I was on the news! I was featured on WFSB Great Day at 9A for their “Mommy Monday” segment, talking about my new “Mindful & Magical Me” deck and mindfulness for kids.
It’s my vision to spread mindful, magical moments to kiddos (and their grownups) all over!
Fun Fact: I took a tip from one of my cards and shook my sillies out in the waiting room so I could let go of the nerves and ground my energy. And it worked!
I’ve been brewing up something special the past 9 months and it’s finally here…
I’m over-the-moon excited to introduce you to my newest creation, the “Mindful & Magical Me” Deck. This Inspiration Deck for Kids is packed with 35 colorful cards filled with mindful activities for little ones.
I had the idea to create this deck in the fall, and then got right to work in collaboration with my amazing “Aunti Di” who made the cards come to life with her watercolor “magic.”
You can grab your deck on Amazon here. Happy news: $1 from every purchase in June goes to Everyone Outside, a CT based nonprofit encouraging connecting people with nature.
It would mean the world to me & my small business for you to buy/share/gift to a friend or even just send some good vibes my way! Hint: they’d make great end of year teacher gifts.
P.S. I’m running an epic “Mama & Me” giveaway this month packed with $100 in goodies (think: affirmation cards, journal, children’s book & more!) Here’s how it works…
1.) Mention the deck and tag me on social media @healthychicks = 1 point 2.) Leave a review on Amazon = 2 … Read More!
The weather is warming up, which means grilling season is back baby! And I’ve got the perfect half salad half grain bowl combo you’re sure to love.
Back when I was on the sweetgreen marketing team, one of my favorite OG meals was the Earth Bowl. (Sorry folks, it’s no longer on the menu but I’ve re-created my Healthy Chicks version and it’s pretty damn good). It’s healthy, hearty and full of vibrant flavors. What’s not to love?
This colorful Earth Bowl replication combines all your spring and summer favorites: arugula, crunchy veggies, grilled chicken, a little cheddar and an incredible herby green goddess dressing. Delish!
Healthy Chicks Warm Grains, Greens & Chicken Bowl
*makes about 4 servings
Ingredients:
1 lb. chicken breasts, roasted or grilled
2 cups cooked quinoa (2/3 c. uncooked) or grain of choice
1-2 heads broccoli, chopped (~10 oz or bag pre-cut equivalent)
Olive oil, for roasting broccoli
2 cups corn, cooked (you can grill or steam from frozen)
1 bag arugula
1 pint grape tomatoes, sliced in half
~1 c. sharp cheddar, cubed
Herby dressing of choice (we use Gotham Greens Vegan Goddess)
Prepare the chicken however you prefer — we love grilling
We take turns putting the kids to bed, and even on the nights my husband puts our daughter to bed she 99% of the time calls me back up for one more snuggle.
I cuddle up with her, and we usually do some simple repeat-after-me bedtime affirmations to help calm her body and busy mind. After we finished them last night, my little one told me she came up with some of her own.
“Do you want to hear?” she enthusiastically asked. And then she proudly exclaimed:
“I am love-full.”
“I am sweet”
“I am beautiful.”
“I am Isabella.”
“Were those good affirmations, mommy?” she asked. Yes, yes they were sweetie.
Hearing this made my mama heart so full. And if you have little ones, you can practice simple bedtime affirmations too!
In fact, my new Mindfulness Deck for Kids, coming out this spring, includes several affirmation exercises I use with my own kiddos and in my kids yoga classes — including a go-to bedtime affirmation.
Get on the wait list for my Kids Mindfulness Deck here!
Whether you love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day comes once a year.
In all honesty, this holiday used to kind of annoy me. All the posts, all the pressure, all the “stuff.” Often I’d end up frustrated at my husband for not doing anything “special.”
At the end of the day, what I really wanted — what I needed — was the same thing I want on any other day — time together.
That’s why last year I decided to create our own Valentine’s Day tradition. Seeing as though my love language is quality time (and words of affirmation), I took matters into my own hands by creating a new tradition we can do together as a family: heart-shaped pizza.
This year, we poured red wine and listened to classic oldies love songs while making homemade heart-shaped pizza.
The kids tried to help but mostly ended up just eating all the cheese and bickering with each other. It was perfectly imperfect. It was us.
Here’s your reminder to take the pressure off this holiday (and any holiday for that matter) and do what feels good to you whether that’s doing nothing, making heart-shaped pizza or going all out … Read More!
I haven’t been as active on social media lately, as I’ve been doing a lot of reflection, planning and living. I even took over a month off Instagram to unplug, which felt good — exactly what my soul needed to recharge.
It’s also given me some time to reflect on what I want to call in for 2023. At the beginning of each year, I always choose three words I want to embody. This year I landed on: play, presence and purpose.
PLAY: Playing more with my kids, getting messy, having FUN and building my kids yoga business (which the very core is about mindfulness, movement and yes, play)
PRESENCE: Being more present with my family, focusing on one thing at a time, unplugging more often to be in the here & now
PURPOSE: Making a difference, living & working with purpose and also being purposeful with how I spend my time.
Do you choose a word(s)? I’d love to hear yours below! … Read More!
