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7/28/03 POWER STRUGGLES, KIDS IN THE KITCHEN, SKILLS

#1 · July 28, 2003, 5:46 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on July 28, 2003, 5:46 pm
Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>

HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for YOU with LOVE by Lois Breneman

7/28/03 POWER STRUGGLES, KIDS IN THE KITCHEN, SKILLS

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

CONTENTS:

LOOK FOR THE HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER ON TUESDAYS - AFTER TODAY

SCARS - A TOUCHING STORY

SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS TO GET YOUR KIDS TO EAT HEALTHIER

HOW TO SMOOTH OUT OF THOSE MEALTIME POWER STRUGGLES

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

YEAST MONSTERS

HOME DECORATING, AFFORDABLE ART & GIFT IDEAS A LITTLE PAPER

LEARN HOW TO SCRAPBOOK, PAINT, SEW, QUILT, CRAFT, DECORATE, ETC.

TALK ABOUT YOUR PARENTING OBLIGATIONS THE TEN MINUTE MARRIAGE CHECKUP

WALKING WITH JESUS AT MIDNIGHT

NOTE FROM LOIS

LOOK FOR THE HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER ON TUESDAYS AFTER TODAY.

SCARS

A touching story of a mother's enduring love and of Gods never-ending love for us!

Author unknown - contributed by Sarah McKinney of Virginia

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His mother, in the house and looking out the window, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past! Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way.

But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril -- and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins -- and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful. He did not, and will not, ever let you go.

God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through. Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them. Right now maybe someone needs to know that God loves them, and that you love them too, enough to not let them go.

SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS TO GET YOUR KIDS TO EAT HEALTHIER

© 2002 by Moss Greene

1. Learn to enjoy eating healthy yourself.

Example is, hands down, the best teacher. Training yourself to like eating healthy will also give you the confidence to guide your children on the same path.

2. Curb their taste for processed sugars.

Sugar keeps your kids on an emotional roller coaster, causes disagreeable behavior and continually sets off cravings for more and more sugar. Never offer sweets as a reward or bribe.

3. Teach them to like pure water.

Children need liquids, but they don't need calorie laden, high sugar colas and juices. Clear water leaves room for good food.

4. Substitute whole grains for the processed ones.

Whole grain breads (especially sprouted ones), brown rice and whole wheat pastas should be your grains of choice. You may have to start with half and half and keep adding more of the good stuff until you eventually reach 100% whole grains.

5. Eliminate random snacking.

If your kids are full when they get to the table, they won't want the good foods you fix. Make sure they're hungry enough to eat what's put in front of them.

6. Help them learn to like nutritious fruits and vegetables.

Carrots and apples only taste sweet to children who don't eat a lot of sugar. Serve vegetables when children are hungry and fresh fruit for dessert.

7. Offer only good healthy choices.

Don't give them anything but nutritious foods. If their only choice is a tuna sandwich or natural peanut butter and unsweetened apple butter on whole grain bread, they'll

eventually choose one of your healthy offerings.

----------------------------------------------------------

Moss Greene is the Nutrition Host at Bellaonline.com. Visit her web site at www.bellaonline.com/site/nutrition to find out how to look better, feel your best and have more energy - naturally. Subscribe to the News You Can Use Newsletter

by going to http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art3859.asp

Note from Lois: Concerning #4 on whole grains, using a food mill to grind whole grains into flour, is the best way to make bread, because you retain so many more nutrients by using freshly milled flour. If you live in the USA I can tell you how to get one sent to your home. (jhbreneman@juno.com)

HOW TO SMOOTH OUT OF THOSE MEALTIME POWER STRUGGLES

By Lois Breneman

Mealtimes can be a power struggle for parents and children. The other power struggles that young children often choose are naps/bedtimes, potty training and clothing. But lets go back to the mealtime power struggle. Try giving your child a very small helping of each food at mealtime with the option to have more if he is still hungry. For example, if you are serving peas, give your child only three peas at first. This may cause him to want more.

If your child refuses to finish his meal, before he is excused from the table, be sure to calmly tell him that he wont be allowed any snacks before the next meal. The next time he eats will be at the next mealtime (tell him either "breakfast, lunch or dinner"). Then follow through with your promise. He will survive, though he may do all he can to make you think that he will starve to death. Be assured that he will not die if he misses a meal. Calmly remind him that you just gave him a good meal and he refused to eat it, but that he will be able to eat at the next meal.   When the next mealtime comes, remind him of the consequences if he chooses not to eat the good food provided.

At the table Yuk or Yucky are not words that your children should be allowed to describe the food served. This is very disrespectful of the one who prepared the meal! Both parents need to be in agreement on how they will handle mealtime struggles, so this is something to discuss before children (BC). If you already have children, it is never too late to start to do what is right. There is always hope!

If good nutritious food is served at mealtimes, and nutritious snacks are minimal (only when the previous meals are eaten), your childs eating habits will most likely improve. The article above offers excellent guidelines to follow. When our children were growing up, we tried to follow most of them, though we could have done much better. I believe they call that hind sight!

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

By Lois Breneman

By allowing your children to join in the fun and adventure of helping to prepare healthy foods, you will interest them in eating foods that will promote good health.

Teach your toddlers to spread peanut butter on a stalk of celery, and stick raisins or dried cranberries on the peanut butter. Call it Ants on a Log. Red ants and black ants!

Even toddlers can place fresh fruit or vegetables on a plate to serve or put crackers in a serving dish and cheese on a plate. It doesnt have to be fancy and it wont be, if done by a toddler! These simple acts will make your little one feel like he is a part of preparing lunch or dinner. And he is! Remember to praise him for a good job!

Toddlers love to stir! When our youngest son was just a toddler he enjoyed mixing up our frozen orange juice in a pitcher on the floor. I gave him the pitcher with the frozen orange juice and only one can of water inside, so he wouldnt be inclined to make a mess. He had fun mixing it up with a potato masher! After he had it mashed and mixed well, Id give him more water to stir in and it was ready to drink! He loved doing that job and it saved me time. Young children love to help, so make use of their ernest desire as they also learn a new skill, as well as develop their muscles and motor skills.

Young children can help by adding the ingredients for casseroles, quick bread, and many other parts of the meal. Older children who can read can also learn how to follow instructions and use their math skills as they learn to cook and bake.

Look through your cookbooks and choose simple recipes they can make with you. Then since too many kids in the kitchen make cooking rather hectic, plan a Me and Mom Time as you spend time cooking with each child. They love it! Yet they will also be learning a new skill and investing their time in the meal, which will most likely cause them to want to eat it.

Teach your children to clean up their messes and wash the dishes as soon as they are capable. Of course, safety is a must to teach, especially when it involves sharp knives and the hot stove or oven. A childs cookbook will have all the safety guidelines listed and what a great gift idea for your children or grandchildren!

As your children learn to help in the kitchen, guide them in planning an entire meal to prepare for the family as soon as they can handle it, with some help from you. Our daughter prepared her first simple meal at age seven, and later cooked dinner each Monday dinner.   Sons need to learn how to cook as well, so dont short-change them by leaving them out of the cooking. Both of our sons are using that skill today as single young men, and every wife I know that has a husband who can cook is very grateful to his mother for teaching him.

So I believe that involving your children in many wholesome new experiences and teaching them various skills, including cooking and baking, will build your childrens self confidence and help them to know where their greatest interests lie.

YEAST MONSTERS (Project by Catie Gosselin at http://womanlinks.com)

This is a fun activity to combine with baking quick (any bread product that has no yeast) and yeast breads. Take a slice of both types of bread and ask your child, after looking at it, where all the bumps and crannies come from since the bread dough is smooth. Let them open the jar of yeast to look at, smell, or drop some in their hands.

Materials : 1 tsp. yeast, 1 tsp. sugar, warm water, a drinking glass

Mix all ingredients, stirring once gently, and observe over time what happens (maybe 1/2 to 1 hour). The yeast mixture will bubble and grow, and then fall.

After performing the experiment, ask the kids what they think caused the reaction. Why did it grow and then fall? The yeast is a single-celled fungi that consumed the sugar and gave off a gas in return. The generation of gas caused the growth. Once all the sugar was consumed, gas production stopped and the mixture shrunk.

HOME DECORATING, AFFORDABLE ART AND GIFT IDEAS

A LITTLE PAPER

By Rebecca Underwood

Creating affordable art

During the last few years, scrapbooking has become an expensive hobby for many. But for the thrifty, frequent sales mean a vast array of beautiful paper can now be had for just a few cents per sheet. With a little creativity and a few dollar store or flea market frames, these papers can be turned into beautiful and unique home decor. Use papers to create the work of art; an exacto knife and a ruler will also turn them into cheap mats. Either way, you'll be proud of how beautifully and inexpensively you've decorated your home. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

* Wording ~ Poems and quotes have been used as artwork for a long time. Type on a computer in a pretty font and size to fit the frame. Print on the best quality printer that you can find or borrow. Test on scrap white paper, then use the good stuff. Don't be afraid to print on a faintly patterned background; the results will look rich.

You don't have to be limited to poems and quotes. When I was stumped for artwork to match the Italian floral linens in our bedroom, I finally printed the Italian words for "love," "hope," "joy," "passion," "laughter," and "faith" in a beautiful script on a Venetian leaf-patterned paper. The results looked professional and cost just pennies. Other options might be a family tree for the living room, an heirloom recipe for the kitchen, or song lyrics for a child's bedroom.

* Paper Collage ~ Pick a few sheets of paper with rich colors and a variety of patterns. Cut or tear and assemble to form collages. If you lack artistic talent as I do, go abstract. If you prefer, pull together a landscape or other scene. You can easily make your collages 3-dimensional by gluing hidden bits of foam sheet between paper and background. If you don't trust yourself to cut or tear, check with your local school or regional education center. You can often get permission to use their letter/shape presses if you let them know you'll be bringing your own paper. These "Ellison" presses stamp out die-cut shapes for you. There are tons of shapes available, many of which will form the basis of beautiful collages.

* Found Objects ~ Scrapbook papers make wonderful backgrounds for all sorts of objects. Dried flowers/leaves can be mounted quickly and easily on paper, matted, and then framed. An antique doily or handkerchief can be displayed just as well.

Even a collection of small items can be mounted on patterned cardstock and displayed in a shadowbox frame. Fishing lures are fun in an outdoorsy room. Old-fashioned sewing items, unique buttons, and tiny Christmas ornaments are just a few more options. To make the collection look truly professional, type labels for each item and print on a contrasting paper. Cut out carefully and mount.   The possibilities are truly endless. Just use your imagination...and a little bit of paper!

LEARN HOW TO SCRAPBOOK, PAINT, SEW, QUILT, CRAFT, DECORATE, ETC.

Take a course on any of these skills and others by watching and even taping specific television programs on many how to skills. This is a great opportunity for your older children and teens as well as for yourself. HGTV (the Home and Garden Channel) has more programs throughout the day than you can or should watch, so choose one or two that interest you and your children and learn a new skill. On Saturday afternoons PBS offers One Stroke Painting, a great Scrapbooking program and various sewing and quilting programs. If that is a busy time at your house or you are not home, set the VCR and watch and learn later. Setting the VCR is a skill in itself, but not too difficult once you learn.

TALK ABOUT YOUR PARENTING OBLIGATIONS

THE TEN MINUTE MARRIAGE CHECKUP

By Chuck and Eileen Rife - www.iwanttomakemymarriagework.com

Okay couples, man your stations. Got a plan for that weekly date? Some romantic interlude over a steaming cup of mocha latte? Maybe a picnic by the duck pond? Hey, the sky's the limit. Let your imagination go wild and surprise your spouse with a special moment!

            While you're thinking about that special date, pull out your MARRIAGE WITH AN ATTITUDE book and turn to pg.115 of the marriage expectation inventory. Okay, I know there are a lot of newly weds out there in subscriber land, so get your pens and start writing. That doesn't let you oldie weds off the hook, though. Sit down at the kitchen table with your mate for a few minutes of soul searching on this week's topic:

             CHILDREN - Ah, yes, those precious cherubs. You had almost forgotten about them with all this talk of romance and twosome adventure.

            What comes to your mind (besides mass hysteria) when you think of this area of your marriage? Write down and then later talk about your thoughts concerning the following:

1) Amount of kids we want to have.

2) If we can't have kids, do we want to adopt or invest our lives in other people's children?

3) Do we want to have natural childbirth when we do decide on kids?

4) What are our shared responsibilities in childcare?

5) Will we breastfeed or use the bottle? (Sorry, dads, you're a little limited in this area, so honor your wife's desires.)

6) How much time will we spend with each child?

7) How will we share discipline responsibilities?

8) Will we spank?

9) Who will address the child's questions about sex, relationships, and life in general? (Wow, that one will probably last you about 18-20 years, so you have plenty of time to talk that through).

            Now that you've settled all that, take a romantic drive in the moonlight. Park in a secluded area and cuddle. But watch out, you may end up with baby number one (or two, or three or four .....). Now aren't you relieved you have all your parenting obligations talked through!

            For a copy of MARRIAGE WITH AN ATTITUDE, send your order with check for $13.00 to: Chuck Rife, c/o Total Life Counseling, Inc., 5401 Fallowater Lane, Suite C, Roanoke, VA 24014 (Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery).

WALKING WITH JESUS AT MIDNIGHT

By Marge DeMonbrun, Director of Womens Enrichment Ministries ~ in Missouri

*Quotes taken from Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot

Recently I read a quote by Amy Carmichael:   * And only Heaven is better than to walk with Christ at midnight, over moonless seas.

            Ill have to admit, I read and re-read that statement and still questioned what the author really meant.

            Then came this explanation from Elisabeth Elliot: * He is indeed Enough. He is not all we would ask for, if we were honest, but it is precisely when we do not have what we would ask for, and only then, that we can clearly perceive His all-sufficiency. It is when the sea is moonless that the Lord has become my Light.

            Again I read and re-read Mrs. Elliots quote. And slowly the lightbulb turned on. Of course, we ask God for so many things. Our list goes on and on. But He is Enough and all that we need. And it is only during times when the moon does not shine for us; when we are in darkness; when our heart hurts beyond words; when there are no answers for our questions; it is then that we realize.indeed.He is Enough.and He is all-sufficient to walk us through those moonless nights because He has then become our Light.

            And what do we find after our moon-less night? What is there when morning comes? We find that He was there with us and has been faithful to not only see us through that moonless night but to bring us out into the light of day fully aware that once again He was faithful to meet our every need. And we bow before Him and say, Thank you, Lord, for your constant care of me as Your child and for being everything that I needed during my moonless night.

NOTE FROM LOIS:

        Last week our three children, son-in-law and precious four month old grandson enjoyed a week on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We all sailed in the Atlantic Ocean this year (except the baby, of course), rather than in the Roanoke Sound, Chesapeake Bay or nearby lake as in the past five years. With our son, Jeff's catamaran joining ours, our vacations have had some extra excitement. We found both catamarans used for very little, and no fuel is needed to make them run, so they have been lots of fun for very little money (a money-saving tip here!).

        Some of us saw a huge 4-5 foot sea turtle and dolphins during two different trips out into the ocean - thankfully none of us saw any sharks!   I enjoyed spending a lot of time with little Justin Daniel this year, allowing our daughter some free time.  I was glad to do it! 🙂

        After reading several books recently on babies, I tried something new with Justin at the beach which helped him to entertain himself for a long time and he was so much fun to watch. I wish I had known about this idea when my three children were babies! I'll tell you about that next week!

Your Heart to Heart friend,

Lois

Friends may subscribe to "Heart to Heart" by e-mailing jhbreneman@juno.com and sending their first and last name, city, state and name of the person who referred them to this newsletter. If at any time you stop receiving this newsletter, please let me know, so I can correct it. To unsubscribe, please reply with a brief message. Thank you!

Posted by: jhbreneman <jhbreneman@...>

HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER
ENCOURAGEMENT TO WOMEN
Compiled especially for YOU with LOVE by Lois Breneman

7/28/03 POWER STRUGGLES, KIDS IN THE KITCHEN, SKILLS

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

CONTENTS:

LOOK FOR THE HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER ON TUESDAYS - AFTER TODAY

SCARS - A TOUCHING STORY

SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS TO GET YOUR KIDS TO EAT HEALTHIER

HOW TO SMOOTH OUT OF THOSE MEALTIME POWER STRUGGLES

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

YEAST MONSTERS

HOME DECORATING, AFFORDABLE ART & GIFT IDEAS A LITTLE PAPER

LEARN HOW TO SCRAPBOOK, PAINT, SEW, QUILT, CRAFT, DECORATE, ETC.

TALK ABOUT YOUR PARENTING OBLIGATIONS THE TEN MINUTE MARRIAGE CHECKUP

WALKING WITH JESUS AT MIDNIGHT

NOTE FROM LOIS

LOOK FOR THE HEART TO HEART NEWSLETTER ON TUESDAYS AFTER TODAY.

SCARS

A touching story of a mother's enduring love and of Gods never-ending love for us!

Author unknown - contributed by Sarah McKinney of Virginia

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His mother, in the house and looking out the window, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past! Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way.

But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril -- and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins -- and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful. He did not, and will not, ever let you go.

God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through. Never judge another person's scars, because you don't know how they got them. Right now maybe someone needs to know that God loves them, and that you love them too, enough to not let them go.

SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS TO GET YOUR KIDS TO EAT HEALTHIER

1. Learn to enjoy eating healthy yourself.

Example is, hands down, the best teacher. Training yourself to like eating healthy will also give you the confidence to guide your children on the same path.

2. Curb their taste for processed sugars.

Sugar keeps your kids on an emotional roller coaster, causes disagreeable behavior and continually sets off cravings for more and more sugar. Never offer sweets as a reward or bribe.

3. Teach them to like pure water.

Children need liquids, but they don't need calorie laden, high sugar colas and juices. Clear water leaves room for good food.

4. Substitute whole grains for the processed ones.

Whole grain breads (especially sprouted ones), brown rice and whole wheat pastas should be your grains of choice. You may have to start with half and half and keep adding more of the good stuff until you eventually reach 100% whole grains.

5. Eliminate random snacking.

If your kids are full when they get to the table, they won't want the good foods you fix. Make sure they're hungry enough to eat what's put in front of them.

6. Help them learn to like nutritious fruits and vegetables.

Carrots and apples only taste sweet to children who don't eat a lot of sugar. Serve vegetables when children are hungry and fresh fruit for dessert.

7. Offer only good healthy choices.

Don't give them anything but nutritious foods. If their only choice is a tuna sandwich or natural peanut butter and unsweetened apple butter on whole grain bread, they'll

eventually choose one of your healthy offerings.

----------------------------------------------------------

Moss Greene is the Nutrition Host at Bellaonline.com. Visit her web site at http://www.bellaonline.com/site/nutrition to find out how to look better, feel your best and have more energy - naturally. Subscribe to the News You Can Use Newsletter

by going to http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art3859.asp

Note from Lois: Concerning #4 on whole grains, using a food mill to grind whole grains into flour, is the best way to make bread, because you retain so many more nutrients by using freshly milled flour. If you live in the USA I can tell you how to get one sent to your home. (jhbreneman@juno.com)

HOW TO SMOOTH OUT OF THOSE MEALTIME POWER STRUGGLES

By Lois Breneman

Mealtimes can be a power struggle for parents and children. The other power struggles that young children often choose are naps/bedtimes, potty training and clothing. But lets go back to the mealtime power struggle. Try giving your child a very small helping of each food at mealtime with the option to have more if he is still hungry. For example, if you are serving peas, give your child only three peas at first. This may cause him to want more.

If your child refuses to finish his meal, before he is excused from the table, be sure to calmly tell him that he wont be allowed any snacks before the next meal. The next time he eats will be at the next mealtime (tell him either "breakfast, lunch or dinner"). Then follow through with your promise. He will survive, though he may do all he can to make you think that he will starve to death. Be assured that he will not die if he misses a meal. Calmly remind him that you just gave him a good meal and he refused to eat it, but that he will be able to eat at the next meal. When the next mealtime comes, remind him of the consequences if he chooses not to eat the good food provided.

At the table Yuk or Yucky are not words that your children should be allowed to describe the food served. This is very disrespectful of the one who prepared the meal! Both parents need to be in agreement on how they will handle mealtime struggles, so this is something to discuss before children (BC). If you already have children, it is never too late to start to do what is right. There is always hope!

If good nutritious food is served at mealtimes, and nutritious snacks are minimal (only when the previous meals are eaten), your childs eating habits will most likely improve. The article above offers excellent guidelines to follow. When our children were growing up, we tried to follow most of them, though we could have done much better. I believe they call that hind sight!

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

By Lois Breneman

By allowing your children to join in the fun and adventure of helping to prepare healthy foods, you will interest them in eating foods that will promote good health.

Teach your toddlers to spread peanut butter on a stalk of celery, and stick raisins or dried cranberries on the peanut butter. Call it Ants on a Log. Red ants and black ants!

Even toddlers can place fresh fruit or vegetables on a plate to serve or put crackers in a serving dish and cheese on a plate. It doesnt have to be fancy and it wont be, if done by a toddler! These simple acts will make your little one feel like he is a part of preparing lunch or dinner. And he is! Remember to praise him for a good job!

Toddlers love to stir! When our youngest son was just a toddler he enjoyed mixing up our frozen orange juice in a pitcher on the floor. I gave him the pitcher with the frozen orange juice and only one can of water inside, so he wouldnt be inclined to make a mess. He had fun mixing it up with a potato masher! After he had it mashed and mixed well, Id give him more water to stir in and it was ready to drink! He loved doing that job and it saved me time. Young children love to help, so make use of their ernest desire as they also learn a new skill, as well as develop their muscles and motor skills.

Young children can help by adding the ingredients for casseroles, quick bread, and many other parts of the meal. Older children who can read can also learn how to follow instructions and use their math skills as they learn to cook and bake.

Look through your cookbooks and choose simple recipes they can make with you. Then since too many kids in the kitchen make cooking rather hectic, plan a Me and Mom Time as you spend time cooking with each child. They love it! Yet they will also be learning a new skill and investing their time in the meal, which will most likely cause them to want to eat it.

Teach your children to clean up their messes and wash the dishes as soon as they are capable. Of course, safety is a must to teach, especially when it involves sharp knives and the hot stove or oven. A childs cookbook will have all the safety guidelines listed and what a great gift idea for your children or grandchildren!

As your children learn to help in the kitchen, guide them in planning an entire meal to prepare for the family as soon as they can handle it, with some help from you. Our daughter prepared her first simple meal at age seven, and later cooked dinner each Monday dinner. Sons need to learn how to cook as well, so dont short-change them by leaving them out of the cooking. Both of our sons are using that skill today as single young men, and every wife I know that has a husband who can cook is very grateful to his mother for teaching him.

So I believe that involving your children in many wholesome new experiences and teaching them various skills, including cooking and baking, will build your childrens self confidence and help them to know where their greatest interests lie.

YEAST MONSTERS (Project by Catie Gosselin at http://womanlinks.com)

This is a fun activity to combine with baking quick (any bread product that has no yeast) and yeast breads. Take a slice of both types of bread and ask your child, after looking at it, where all the bumps and crannies come from since the bread dough is smooth. Let them open the jar of yeast to look at, smell, or drop some in their hands.

Materials : 1 tsp. yeast, 1 tsp. sugar, warm water, a drinking glass

Mix all ingredients, stirring once gently, and observe over time what happens (maybe 1/2 to 1 hour). The yeast mixture will bubble and grow, and then fall.

After performing the experiment, ask the kids what they think caused the reaction. Why did it grow and then fall? The yeast is a single-celled fungi that consumed the sugar and gave off a gas in return. The generation of gas caused the growth. Once all the sugar was consumed, gas production stopped and the mixture shrunk.

HOME DECORATING, AFFORDABLE ART AND GIFT IDEAS

A LITTLE PAPER

By Rebecca Underwood

Creating affordable art

During the last few years, scrapbooking has become an expensive hobby for many. But for the thrifty, frequent sales mean a vast array of beautiful paper can now be had for just a few cents per sheet. With a little creativity and a few dollar store or flea market frames, these papers can be turned into beautiful and unique home decor. Use papers to create the work of art; an exacto knife and a ruler will also turn them into cheap mats. Either way, you'll be proud of how beautifully and inexpensively you've decorated your home. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

* Wording ~ Poems and quotes have been used as artwork for a long time. Type on a computer in a pretty font and size to fit the frame. Print on the best quality printer that you can find or borrow. Test on scrap white paper, then use the good stuff. Don't be afraid to print on a faintly patterned background; the results will look rich.

You don't have to be limited to poems and quotes. When I was stumped for artwork to match the Italian floral linens in our bedroom, I finally printed the Italian words for "love," "hope," "joy," "passion," "laughter," and "faith" in a beautiful script on a Venetian leaf-patterned paper. The results looked professional and cost just pennies. Other options might be a family tree for the living room, an heirloom recipe for the kitchen, or song lyrics for a child's bedroom.

* Paper Collage ~ Pick a few sheets of paper with rich colors and a variety of patterns. Cut or tear and assemble to form collages. If you lack artistic talent as I do, go abstract. If you prefer, pull together a landscape or other scene. You can easily make your collages 3-dimensional by gluing hidden bits of foam sheet between paper and background. If you don't trust yourself to cut or tear, check with your local school or regional education center. You can often get permission to use their letter/shape presses if you let them know you'll be bringing your own paper. These "Ellison" presses stamp out die-cut shapes for you. There are tons of shapes available, many of which will form the basis of beautiful collages.

* Found Objects ~ Scrapbook papers make wonderful backgrounds for all sorts of objects. Dried flowers/leaves can be mounted quickly and easily on paper, matted, and then framed. An antique doily or handkerchief can be displayed just as well.

Even a collection of small items can be mounted on patterned cardstock and displayed in a shadowbox frame. Fishing lures are fun in an outdoorsy room. Old-fashioned sewing items, unique buttons, and tiny Christmas ornaments are just a few more options. To make the collection look truly professional, type labels for each item and print on a contrasting paper. Cut out carefully and mount. The possibilities are truly endless. Just use your imagination...and a little bit of paper!

LEARN HOW TO SCRAPBOOK, PAINT, SEW, QUILT, CRAFT, DECORATE, ETC.

Take a course on any of these skills and others by watching and even taping specific television programs on many how to skills. This is a great opportunity for your older children and teens as well as for yourself. HGTV (the Home and Garden Channel) has more programs throughout the day than you can or should watch, so choose one or two that interest you and your children and learn a new skill. On Saturday afternoons PBS offers One Stroke Painting, a great Scrapbooking program and various sewing and quilting programs. If that is a busy time at your house or you are not home, set the VCR and watch and learn later. Setting the VCR is a skill in itself, but not too difficult once you learn.

TALK ABOUT YOUR PARENTING OBLIGATIONS

THE TEN MINUTE MARRIAGE CHECKUP

By Chuck and Eileen Rife - http://www.iwanttomakemymarriagework.com

Okay couples, man your stations. Got a plan for that weekly date? Some romantic interlude over a steaming cup of mocha latte? Maybe a picnic by the duck pond? Hey, the sky's the limit. Let your imagination go wild and surprise your spouse with a special moment!

While you're thinking about that special date, pull out your MARRIAGE WITH AN ATTITUDE book and turn to pg.115 of the marriage expectation inventory. Okay, I know there are a lot of newly weds out there in subscriber land, so get your pens and start writing. That doesn't let you oldie weds off the hook, though. Sit down at the kitchen table with your mate for a few minutes of soul searching on this week's topic:

CHILDREN - Ah, yes, those precious cherubs. You had almost forgotten about them with all this talk of romance and twosome adventure.

What comes to your mind (besides mass hysteria) when you think of this area of your marriage? Write down and then later talk about your thoughts concerning the following:

1) Amount of kids we want to have.

2) If we can't have kids, do we want to adopt or invest our lives in other people's children?

3) Do we want to have natural childbirth when we do decide on kids?

4) What are our shared responsibilities in childcare?

5) Will we breastfeed or use the bottle? (Sorry, dads, you're a little limited in this area, so honor your wife's desires.)

6) How much time will we spend with each child?

7) How will we share discipline responsibilities?

8) Will we spank?

9) Who will address the child's questions about sex, relationships, and life in general? (Wow, that one will probably last you about 18-20 years, so you have plenty of time to talk that through).

Now that you've settled all that, take a romantic drive in the moonlight. Park in a secluded area and cuddle. But watch out, you may end up with baby number one (or two, or three or four .....). Now aren't you relieved you have all your parenting obligations talked through!

For a copy of MARRIAGE WITH AN ATTITUDE, send your order with check for $13.00 to: Chuck Rife, c/o Total Life Counseling, Inc., 5401 Fallowater Lane, Suite C, Roanoke, VA 24014 (Allow 2-4 weeks for delivery).

WALKING WITH JESUS AT MIDNIGHT

By Marge DeMonbrun, Director of Womens Enrichment Ministries ~ in Missouri

*Quotes taken from Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot

Recently I read a quote by Amy Carmichael: * And only Heaven is better than to walk with Christ at midnight, over moonless seas.

Ill have to admit, I read and re-read that statement and still questioned what the author really meant.

Then came this explanation from Elisabeth Elliot: * He is indeed Enough. He is not all we would ask for, if we were honest, but it is precisely when we do not have what we would ask for, and only then, that we can clearly perceive His all-sufficiency. It is when the sea is moonless that the Lord has become my Light.

Again I read and re-read Mrs. Elliots quote. And slowly the lightbulb turned on. Of course, we ask God for so many things. Our list goes on and on. But He is Enough and all that we need. And it is only during times when the moon does not shine for us; when we are in darkness; when our heart hurts beyond words; when there are no answers for our questions; it is then that we realize.indeed.He is Enough.and He is all-sufficient to walk us through those moonless nights because He has then become our Light.

And what do we find after our moon-less night? What is there when morning comes? We find that He was there with us and has been faithful to not only see us through that moonless night but to bring us out into the light of day fully aware that once again He was faithful to meet our every need. And we bow before Him and say, Thank you, Lord, for your constant care of me as Your child and for being everything that I needed during my moonless night.

NOTE FROM LOIS:

Last week our three children, son-in-law and precious four month old grandson enjoyed a week on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We all sailed in the Atlantic Ocean this year (except the baby, of course), rather than in the Roanoke Sound, Chesapeake Bay or nearby lake as in the past five years. With our son, Jeff's catamaran joining ours, our vacations have had some extra excitement. We found both catamarans used for very little, and no fuel is needed to make them run, so they have been lots of fun for very little money (a money-saving tip here!).

Some of us saw a huge 4-5 foot sea turtle and dolphins during two different trips out into the ocean - thankfully none of us saw any sharks! I enjoyed spending a lot of time with little Justin Daniel this year, allowing our daughter some free time. I was glad to do it! 🙂

After reading several books recently on babies, I tried something new with Justin at the beach which helped him to entertain himself for a long time and he was so much fun to watch. I wish I had known about this idea when my three children were babies! I'll tell you about that next week!

Your Heart to Heart friend,

Lois

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