When clients are trying to lose weight one of the first exercises I have them do is clean out their closets. I ask them to get rid of anything that hasn’t been worn in 6 months. I also have them get rid of clothes that don’t look good on their bodies. Usually they’ll find the clothes they’ve been holding onto are too big, too small, or don’t look good, but are comfortable. When I ask why they hold onto clothes that are too big they say, “Just in case I get up to that size again.” When I ask why they hold onto clothes that are too small they say, “I’m hoping I’ll fit in them some day.” And when I ask them, why they hold onto clothes that don’t look good on their bodies, they say, “I don’t know, I guess I’m just comfortable in them”. Read the rest »

Recently I stumbled across a website called handmedowns.com that will change how moms buy and sell their gently used baby/kid gear.

Visualize with me. My 2.5-year old daughter’s room is full of toys she’s no longer interested in and clothes she can’t really fit into anymore. Her overflow of belongings has taken over our garage, living room, my bedroom, and even backyard (whose idea was it to buy that slide?). Read the rest »

The American Academy of Pediatrics conducted a study of toddler age children that concluded the average toddler may need to see a new food on their plate at least 10 times before they will eat it!

Here are some tips for introducing new foods: Read the rest »

Many of our thoughts about parenting are outdated. Used by our parents and others who have come before us, they have been passed on as worn out hand-me downs that no longer fit the time, the place, or us as uncommon parents.

We recently met a man on an airplane that proudly informed us, “Spanking worked for my grandparents, was used on me by my parents, and I am upholding the family tradition. What worked for them, will work for me.” Read the rest »

The temperatures are dropping, but there are lots of cool activities going on at the Knoxville Zoo.

Celebrate the cooler weather during the Zoo’s Penguin Discount Days. Penguin Discount Days include half-price admission for all zoo guests through Saturday, February 28, 2009. Make sure you visit the zoo during the winter and check out the animals who keep cool.

For more information about the Knoxville Zoo, visit knoxville-zoo.org

Last week I asked you to look at your current situation and take inventory. � � I suggested you take a camera and walk around your home and take pictures.� It is very enlightening to look at your possessions through different eyes.� In addition, I suggested you take inventory regarding other aspects of your life.� In order to start where you stand; you have to know where you are at.

I have often heard that succumbing to today’s wants may keep you from achieving tomorrow’s needs.� This is made a bit easier when tomorrow’s needs are not even known.� What are your priorities?� What do you want in life? What are your hopes and dreams? Read the rest »

Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), a peanut processing company and maker of peanut butter for bulk distribution to institutions, food service industries, and private label food companies, today announced an expanded recall of peanut butter produced in its Blakely, Georgia processing facility as well as the voluntary recall of peanut paste produced in the same plant because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The company on January 13, 2009 previously announced the recall of 21 lots of peanut butter produced on or after July 1, 2008. Read the rest »