StoryTeller Media & Communications
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CobornsDelivers
Tips for Keeping Holiday Stress at Bay
Wherever I am these days, I hear fellow moms complain about the lack of available time to prepare for the upcoming holidays. “I haven’t even had a chance to get to the first item on my to-do list yet,” one mom recently said at a luncheon while another chimed in with “I haven’t even had time to write my list yet.”
Well, I’m bound and determined to not join in the race for busiest mom. From internet shopping (for both groceries and gifts) to teenage manpower, I’m taking advantage of all the help I can get!
I have slowly reached this level of zen as I’m fully realizing that my kids are growing up fast (too fast) and that I don’t want to wish away these awesome and precious family moments. Here’s how I’ve learned to keep holiday stress to a minimum:
- Delegate Chores:
- All holiday decorating is done together as a family or it won’t be done at all. From the outside hanging of lights to the inside primping and grooming, everyone is responsible for their share. If we lived in a perfect world, we’d accomplish assigned tasks together while humming Christmas songs. In my imperfect world, we decorated the tree to the roar of the Vikings game, but nevertheless, the tree is done and it looks as serene as I feel on the inside.
Always Impressed With the Latest and Greatest Video Technology
I recently had to edit a video for CobornsDelivers that focused on tips for using their website. But instead of pointing a camera at the computer and shooting the screen to capture the images, I used a new software application, called Camtasia, to capture the images directly into the computer.
It’s very cool how you can capture moving images from the web, including your mouse moving around and clicking on different links. In the past, editors had to settle for still images of websites. Now, with programs such as Camtasia, and the high quality images it can capture, I was able to zoom in on different portions of the web page with no visible quality loss or the dreaded pixilated look.
The editing portion took some getting used to, but the learning curve wasn’t too steep. It will prove to be a very valuable tool for client videos that involve images and video from the web.
Avoiding Holiday Weight Gain
I had not one but two delicious, fabulous, mouth-watering Thanksgiving Day feasts. Turkey, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, oh my! And this is just the beginning. As I look at the calendar, the next four weeks are full of holiday parties, dinners out, family gatherings, and other events that will be teeming with scrumptious spreads. It’s no wonder that so many Americans struggle with weight gain over the holidays.
Despite the temptations that surround us, there are strategies we can implement to prevent weight gain while enjoying the festivities:
- Eat a healthy breakfast. Be sure to start your day off with a nutritious breakfast—preferably one that includes protein and whole grains (such as peanut butter on whole wheat toast) as well as some fruit and dairy. Be sure to eat healthy snacks throughout the day. The last thing you want to do is arrive at a party feeling famished and then eat everything in sight.
- Carefully select food choices. Think about what you want to “spend” your calories on. Skip the “ho-hum” dishes and enjoy your favorites, considering which ones are healthier and keeping portion sizes in mind. You may opt to skip gravy and other high-calorie condiments. Remember that old habits die hard. Are you truly hungry enough for seconds, or are you heading back for more just because that’s what you usually do?
CobornsDelivers Serves Northstar Commuter Train Travelers
It’s official! Starting tomorrow, Dec. 1, we’ll be delivering groceries directly to Northstar Commuter Rail travelers at the Coon Rapids-Riverdale station.
We’ll deliver between 4 - 7 p.m. on weekdays, so you can pick up your groceries on the way home from work. Orders placed by 10 a.m. can be picked up the same day - which means that you can order the ingredients you forgot for dinner and pick them up on your way home without having to run to the store! Delivery will be free on any order of $25 or more.
For more information, click here.
Advice for Dealing With Your Picky Eater
My two-year-old did not eat dinner last night. She wouldn’t try the chicken. She refused to taste the carrots. For some reason she kept demanding rice, but my in-laws were serving mashed potatoes and she would not allow those spuds to even touch her little plate. Of course she wanted the key lime pie for dessert—but, cruel mother that she has, she was denied the pleasure. (She was re-offered chicken, carrots and potatoes, but didn’t take the bait.)
The “picky eater” stage has apparently settled in at our house. Where do I go from here?
Whether your picky eater is 2 or 12, there are fun, creative ways to get your kiddos to try new foods and broaden their view of what’s allowed on their plates:
- Preparation is Key: Try preparing foods in different ways. Apparently my little one won’t eat cooked carrots, but she might be willing to try thinly sliced raw carrots if I offer them with one of her favorite dips, roasted red pepper hummus. You can try veggies steamed, raw, cooked, topped with cheese sauce, or alongside a dip – one of these just might appeal to your child and get him or her to try a new food.
- Be a Good Example: Kids are more likely to eat something that you eat as well. One day I was enjoying a salad when my picky eater wanted to try a slice of red bell pepper. To my surprise, she loved it. I spent the rest of my meal picking out peppers and happily handing them over.
