Are you working on a novel, like I am, and need to edit your writing? It’s not easy but there are a few tricks that writers use, like starting at the back and reading forward, setting the writing aside for a few days and coming back to it, and reading it aloud. Each of those… Read more »
Big Ideas
How Can We Raise Healthy Kids if Parents are the Problem?
I attended a fantastic meeting yesterday discussing ways to support healthy kids hosted by Let’s Move Pittsburgh. Any event at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens puts me in a good mood, but this topic is dear to my heart. I not a perfect parent but I do value resources that help me and my community… Read more »
Three ways to thank teachers (or anyone) on National Teacher Day
Tomorrow is National Teacher Day – time to thank teachers! My oldest is in second grade and he wanted to write a real thank you note. “But what should I say? I can’t just write thanks,” he panicked. So I told him a thank you note is easy to write if you keep three things… Read more »
Will Wine Help? For Writers, Cooks and Moms
A toast to Moms (and dads)! Something funny today! I offer this light-hearted look at some of the tasks that require both creativity and inspiration – and are made easier by an excellent glass of wine! I’m not talking about drinking to get drunk here. I’m talking about stimulating the parts of our brain… Read more »
Piano Practice
One of my children loves piano practice. My middle child often whines when I mention it. But when my middle child has played a particular song very well, he relishes the feeling of success. To help my children practice piano more, and get that great feeling, I often use behavior charts to encourage them to… Read more »
Choosing the Right Format (For Picky Eaters!)
There are lots of ways to help picky eaters try new foods. One trick is to introduce food in a different format. My youngest thinks he likes yogurt but he never eats it out of the container. He insists I buy it, but when I serve it in the yogurt cup he takes one bite… Read more »
Homework for Writers
There are many excellent books, blogs and conferences available to writers. One resource I find particularly helpful, especially in my fiction writing, is Writer’s Digest magazine. My writing partner recently gave me a hefty stack of back issues bulging with funny articles, useful tips and excellent revision guidance, not to mention the lists of agents… Read more »
Gardens: Great Idea for Picky Eaters
Even if you live in an apartment with no yard at all, you can grow food in containers and help your picky eater learn to try new foods. I loved reading about a study from Australia that showed school children who participated in gardening and… Read more »
Stick it to Picky Eaters
At the Farm to Table Conference in Pittsburgh last month, I spoke with many parents looking for ways to encourage their children to try new foods. So at my workshop, “Kids’ Tasting Party” I introduced a concept that works wonders for us: serve food on a stick. I taught kids and parents how to make… Read more »
Farm to Table Pittsburgh 2013
I’ll be at the Farm to Table Conference this weekend, hosting a table and a workshop on Saturday called “Kid’s Tasting Party.” Our family really enjoyed Farm to Table last year and we love supporting our local farms. If you’re in Pittsburgh, join us!