With having a teenage ballerina in the family, we’re regularly looking for high protein, whole food, tasty options for her to pack up and take with her to dance. One of our favorite staples is quinoa (made more affordable by purchasing in bulk at a discount grocer) often turned into a salad chuck full of…
Ophélia’s South of the Boarder Quinoa Salad
This is a post about food, you have been warned. We have a teenage ballerina. Our 15 year old, Ophélia, spends most of her time dancing and squeezes in time to eat, sleep, do school, and see her family when she can. Feeding a ballerina is more challenging than you may think. It turns out,…
Beyond Relationship Advice
Did you know that every 5 minutes an article is published on the topic of romantic relationships? Actually, I just made that up. But it sure feels that way. From blogs to articles featured on trusted online news sources, newspapers, magazines, self-help books, talk shows, virtual discussion forums, to local discussion groups for men, women,…
Our Struggle with No Funds = No Fun
One of the most destructive forces to our productivity that we know is an empty bank account. I’m theoretically opposed to the idea that No Funds = No Fun, but a lack of cash is really difficult for us to look past. It robs us of focus, creativity, motivation, and hope, even when we believe…
Why We Stopped Spanking our Children
“This hurts me more than it hurts you.” I never once believed this to be true when I would use a spanking or a hand slap to discipline my young children. I believe that dealing with the reality and implications of being hit is way more difficult and painful than the feelings associated with hitting…
Why We Should Model Respect for our Children
A few nights ago I dreamt that I was back in High School, which really isn’t correct, because I grew up in France and this was clearly an American high school. So I was “back” in high school in the athletics department with a bunch of really ripped and intimidating guys. And they were bullying…
Mommy, what’s a dildo?
Yesterday one of our children walked into the kitchen and casually asked “mommy, what’s a dildo?” I paused in what I was doing and looked at her, my eye brows raised. This was unexpected just a few minutes before company was expected. She hastened to add “is it bad? You don’t have to tell me…
I Am Man
I am man. So hide your goods or I may decide that they are mine. That’s right, I mean your breasts. Hide them. Because if I catch a glimpse of them, who knows what I will do? I am a sexual Hulk, the monster lurks inside me, and once aroused who knows what devastation it…
9 Selfish Reasons I Love it When My Kids Are Sick
Some things in life are bad They can really make you sad Other things just make you swear and curse When you’re chewing on life’s gristle Don’t grumble, give a whistle And this’ll help things turn out for the best… And… …always look on the bright side of life… (Whistle) ~The Life of Brian, Monty…
11 year old Challenges our Cultural Standards of Nudity
“Why can’t girls walk around without their shirts on?” asks my indignant 11 yr old (Lolie) today on our way back from school. I get it: the culture I was brought up in – one of shame in regards to nakedness – taught me that it’s normal for boys to go shirtless, and wrong for…