Ready for the greatest smoothie/smoothie bowl I've ever sipped and some solid heart to heart TIDBITS Talk? Go whip up this Crio Bru Smoothie and have a seat, lots of good stuff to talk about today!
It's been a long time my friends! Not only did I take a lot of time off over the summer to get my new side business, InstaFreeze Meals, rolling (super exciting!), but it's been months since our last TIDBITS Talk over a cup of Crio Bru.
If you're new to Crio Bru (AKA roasted cacao beans), read more about it here and see their new limited time flavors! Use the code MARCITIDBITS10 for 10% off your order.
In case you're new around here, these “TIDBITS Talk” posts are all about answering questions I get from my readers, asking you questions, telling you things I've learned, and sharing new products I've found and love.
It's basically the conversations I would have with you all in person if we could all live next door to each other.
Instead of our usual hot cup of Crio, I've giving you my recipe for a chocolate-y, cauliflower-y (be open!), absolutely delicious Crio Bru Smoothie/Smoothie Bowl. We'll talk more on that down below.
IMPORTANT ITEM OF BUSINESS FOR TODAY
- I'll be answering a question I get A LOT! “You wake up at what time?!”
- Anxiety: the suffocating, challenging side of motherhood
- Do you force your kids to take piano lessons?
- Best song to put you in a good mood – what's yours?
- All things hair: the hair you want and the hair you don't
- Things I'm lovin' lately – comfy shoes, an outdoor exercise that doesn't hurt my knees, and recipe apps
Let's do this!
YOU WAKE UP AT WHAT TIME?!
The funny thing about this question is that people aren't often asking it in awe of my discipline and dedication.
They're asking it a tone that says, “You are crazy, seriously crazy, and I'm gonna go talk to all my friends about how crazy you are.”
So have at it, I'm used to people thinking I'm a little extreme, and yes, I wake up at 3 a.m. every. single. day. And LOVE it more than chocolate.
The next questions are always, “WHY?!” “What are you doing at that hour?” and “What time do you go to bed?”
The answer to the Why is, because it's the most peaceful, calm, distraction-free time of day. My brain is alive and open to new ideas and inspiration and I can create things I never would even think of during the craziness of the day.
What am I doing? I run, read scriptures, meditate, eat my breakfast (and actually enjoy it), sip my Crio Bru, check emails, make my list of things I want to get done for the day, then get to work on all things TIDBITS and InstaFreeze Meals.
What do I refuse to do? Catch up on laundry, clean, prep meals . . . no chores shall ever taint my morning bliss.
Finally, what time do I go to bed? About 8:30-9 and I take a nap every day like my very existence depends on it.
So there you go! Care to try out my routine? Dare to take on the challenge of testing it out for a week? You might just find magic, just sayin'.
ANXIETY AND BREATH
It's possible you've noticed I love to talk about my family and food 24/7.
You know what I don't like to talk about? Weakness.
My work as a Family Nurse Practitioner made it very apparent to me however that motherhood and anxiety go hand in hand.
In the office, I typically saw these patients for medication support, but I longed so deeply to help them in other ways.
I believe that part of my life's purpose is to learn to overcome my anxiety so that I might help others.
This past month has been particularly hard in that department and as I sat down to dive into this TIDBITS Talk post, I felt so strongly that this was a topic I was meant to discuss because, amidst this suffocating, anxiety-ridden month, I've learned a few things about anxiety that I need to share.
My mentor, Brooke Snow, speaks often of the power of the breath. “Breath is an instant road to being calm and lack of breath is an instant road to anxiety.”
More often than I like I find myself in a situation where I feel like my lungs simply cannot get enough air. Deep breaths do little to diminish this sensation and it quickly snowballs into a panicked feeling that gets my mind spinning out of control with thoughts such as, “I can't breathe,” “I can't handle this,” “I'm going to suffer from this forever,” and on and on.
It was during a lesson by Brooke where she talked about the healing effects of the breath that I realized, I was holding my breath. “How strange“, I thought.
Then again, while texting my sister, I was holding my breath.
Making breakfast for my kids – holding my breath, putting on makeup – holding my breath, driving – holding my breath . . .
Suddenly the greatest light bulb of all time went off that said, “Well no wonder you feel panicked and out of breath! It's because you've literally been depleting your body of nourishing oxygen over and over again. Of course your body is throwing a signal of – I can't get enough air!”
For the next 3 days, I paid particular attention to my breath. It was obnoxious at first, always reminding myself to breathe. How ridiculous it seemed. My medical education specifically taught that breathing is involuntary, the body will breathe without you forcefully doing so. Which, yes, my lungs were breathing enough to keep me from passing out, but not enough to create calm and security in my body.
I got in the habit of recognizing and reminding myself to breathe and was shocked how much my perceived anxiety went down in a matter of days. I've dealt with this sensation for 13 years, and in 3 days I had significant improvement.
I took it one step further and purchased this Fitbit Alta and set it to buzz at me throughout the day as a little reminder to keep breathing. It worked! Annoying that little buzz, but it worked!
I don't have all the answers yet, how I wish I did. I long for the day when I don't feel this anymore. But in the meantime, I'm trying to view it as a blessing and as a way that I might help others in my life.
So whether you're a mama, a grandma, a daughter, etc and suffer from moments of anxiety, chest tightness, and panic, take a moment to consider, “Am I breathing?”
“Breath is an instant road to being calm and lack of breath is an instant road to anxiety.”
PIANO LESSONS AND FORCING KIDS TO PRACTICE
Alright, I've talked enough, now it's your turn!
My daughter is in her second year of piano lessons. She didn't love it the first year, but tolerated it. This second year there is zero passion in it anymore. She loves using my iPad to do Simply Piano (an incredible app that sparked her interest in piano), but otherwise, she is over piano lessons.
Her Valentines Box, haha!
What's a mama to do?! Forcing, charts, threatening . . . that all makes her more resistant.
I'm inclined to feel that if a kid doesn't have a love for something, you should let them search for something else. My other thought is that doing things you don't like to do grows character. Thoughts? Please!!!
SONGS TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD
To be honest, I cherish silence and rarely have music on. I love music, don't get me wrong, but only when I'm riding our street bike or when I need a boost of energy.
My go-to song is Rise by Walk off the Earth. Need a boost in your mood or confidence? Crank this song and just watch what happens! Also works on fighting children, BTW.
What's your “good feels” song?
ALL THINGS HAIR
For whatever reason, this past summer my interest peaked regarding hair products. Maybe it had something to do with razor burn and swimsuit season?
Well here are a few products I've tried and either love, hate, or I'm still on the fence about:
Braun Epilator: Did you know about this? I had never heard of epilation until I complained to my doctor about how irritated my skin gets when I shave and even worse 3 days later when it's growing back.
Epilation is actually pulling your hairs out (like plucking your eyebrows) vs just shaving off the top.
First impression: I think I actually screamed. Oh my goodness, pain-ful!
After a couple of weeks: It doesn't hurt nearly as much anymore and I actually get excited when it does sting a bit more because that means it's confirmation that it's getting rid of the unwanted hairs.
I will never go back to a razor and in fact I only have to epilate once every 7 – 10 days. The best part is my skin is so less irritated and itchy and it's been the greatest blessing to discover this product.
I've used it on my legs, bikini area, and underarm and it is truly amazing . . . and painful, but you'll get over that. Hit me with questions below if you want to know more about it before tossing your razors forever.
DERMAFLASH: I saw this infomercial at a hotel this past summer and by the end of it was completely convinced that, yep, I needed to shave my face, get rid of any and all peach fuzz, and then it would be so soft and healthy and my makeup would go on like silk.
Reality? When you DermaFlash your face, it's actually not making your face soft, it's making it feel a bit like my son's hair after he gets it buzzed short. I mean, I like the LOOK of it, and my makeup does glide on like silk, but heaven forbid anyone touch my face and ask, “Did you shave your face?”
I still haven't told my husband about this (so humiliating) and am just thankful that his hands are calloused and his face prickly so he wouldn't feel mine.
“Sexy” is totally not how Dermaflashing my face felt.
And want to know the craziest part? I have 10 edges left in my kit and 30 days left of my trial and for whatever reason, I'm still testing it out. Like I'm hoping for things to change? Or my face is impossibly itchy by day 7? I don't know!
I'm not even sure what my recommendation is here. I guess mostly I want to know, have you tried this? And what is your experience?
TYME Iron Hair Curler and Straightener: The most incredible iron for making curls that even I can do.
I have 4 irons for curling my hair. Each one I gave up on and threw in a box. Somehow I got sucked into an Instagram ad for this iron and within minutes of watching it, I had ordered it. Impulsive buyer much?
My first 3 tries were total fails. I boxed it up to send it back. Then Lindsay of Pinch of Yum posted about it one day saying how it's the only thing that ever worked for her, so I found this video and watched it with complete intrigue.
I followed the instructions to a T and guess what, it worked! It wasn't perfect, I still don't know much about curling my hair, but I feel like I finally have the perfect iron for me.
Here is what my hair looked like after about 5 minutes. I get it, it's not perfect, but for me, that is like, WHOA!
Bonus, the curls indeed stayed in all day and were still there when I woke up. I feel like I've discovered gold!
THINGS I'M LOVING LATELY
Paprika App for storing all the recipes I want to try from the internet. I also love that when I print them from the app, all the recipes have a similar look. I really have a thing for neatness.
Hoka One One running shoes: The best running shoes I have ever owned. Full cushion, great support, and makes me feel like a gazelle scampering across the field with ease.
Elliptigo: This is a pricey one, but I'm in love with it enough I have to share. I've had it for 4 years. It's like an elliptical but you can use it outside and it's an AMAZING workout without being hard on the knees. I have the Eliptigo 8C (pictured here) that I got for a great price because it was refurbished and haven't had a single problem with it. I tried the ARC 8 but hated the short stride of it.
Seriously, if you have bad knees, hips, or just want a crazy fun workout, you should think about trying this one out! Click on “Take a Test Ride” from their website to see if there is a dealer near you and you can go try it for free.
CRIO BRU RECIPE OF THE MONTH AND A GIVEAWAY
This Crio Bru Smoothie has been on repeat for weeks. My kids love it and I love that they're exclaiming, “I love cauliflower!”
HOW TO MAKE A CRIO BRU SMOOTHIE
- Add brewed and already chilled Crio Bru to the blender and add the other ingredients
- Note: the Collagen Powder is optional, but I've been using the Body Kitchen brand for 3 months now after seeing it on Rachael Ray, and I'm 85% sure it has helped my skin and hair, and 100% positive that it has helped my achy joints. It also creates a very creamy smoothie. Kind of reminds me of what malt powder does for a milkshake, YUM!
- Blend it up until it's perfectly smooth and there is no sign of cauliflower
- Serve!
SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR DETAILED COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
VEGETABLES IN A SMOOTHIE
I know you've all tried spinach in a smoothie. Maybe you've even tried kale (gag).
If you're willing to turn your smoothie a muddy color of green, then just trust me on this one and throw some cauliflower into your next smoothie. It makes it so creamy without watering it down like ice does.
In fact, I recently convinced my sister Cami of this hack and she first shared it here with this super yummy Pumpkin Smoothie Bowl. As further proof, no one in her family noticed anything tasting off either. Try it!
For the record, chopped up, frozen zucchini is also the bomb.
CRIO BRU GIVEAWAY!
Giveaway is now over, Congratulations Pam!
As per tradition, Crio Bru is giving away some of their amazing products to one of you!
So basically I'm bribing you for your thoughts? Why yes, yes I am. And I'm going to give you chocolate for it.
I'll announce the winner next Monday, October 21st. Up for grabs is a couple of BRAND NEW PRODUCTS.
I get giddy beyond belief when they launch new things, and this one is a goody!
Mocha flavor (with no actual coffee) and a MilkBoss Electric Milk Frother for that yummy little extra foam on top of your cup of Crio. PLUS the most amazing Chocolate Covered Cacao Beans. These are the kind of treats you hide and never let anyone in your household know they even exist!
Thanks for being here! I value your opinions and thoughts more than you know and I love that it becomes a resource for so many others too.
Crio Bru Smoothie
Healthy, creamy chocolate Crio Bru Smoothie Bowl to keep you energized and happy!
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Smoothie
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup brewed and chilled Crio Bru (can be sweetened or unsweetened)
- 1 heaping cup of sliced, frozen bananas
- ¼ cup raw cashews or 1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter
- ¾ cup frozen cauliflower (or ice)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cocoa powder (optional for deeper cocoa flavor)
- 1 serving of collagen powder (I like the Body Kitchen brand), optional
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup, optional for sweeter smoothie
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a high powered blender and blend on high for 1 ½ – 2 minutes, until very smooth. Add more Crio Bru or milk if needed to help it blend. It will be thick.
- Serve in a cup with a big straw or in a bowl and top with cacao nibs, coconut flakes, granola, and/or banana slices.
Notes
- This is amazing with any flavor of brewed Crio Bru: Sweetened or Unsweetened, Orange, Golden, or Strawberry.
Keywords: Crio Bru, chocolate smoothie, healthy smoothie
I can’t eat bananas. Do you know what I could sub for them? Thank you. I really like your recipes. <3
Cathleen, hmm…I use cauliflower to make smoothies thick but then you’re missing the sweetness of the bananas. You could try this but add extra syrup. Ice would help too!
Can’t wait to try the Tyme Iron and ideas for hair curling!! I am so awkward in this “art”…I always end up asking my daughter to help, especially in the back. Hopefully this will work for me! AND I love that you said it lasted til the next day!!
★★★★★
I am definitely looking into the ElliptiGO! I’ve had 11 surgeries on my right knee and have such trouble finding exercises that strengthen it without causing me pain for days afterward. The elliptical is great, but I hate being indoors all day (I work in healthcare, so rarely see the outside during work hours). This seems like the perfect machine to get exercise, be outside and not be in pain!
Kelly, Oh wow, that’s a lot of surgery! You’ll love it. I also love the workout of an elliptical, and having the option to do it outside is so so fun. I love it! You’ll have to let me know if you try it out.
I used the epilator thingy years back. I had a hard time keeping my leg still, kept wanting to jerk away from the darn thing. Ouch!
Michelle, haha! I know, it’s pretty bad at first. I’m used to it now and I absolutely love it.
I think it was called Epilady back when I used it…I was just a wimp! Ha!
Michelle, oh no, it can be quite painful that first few times 🙂
I just made this smoothie & it is really good. It was so easily to prepare & very filling. I have been intending to make it since I first saw the posting. I am so glad that I finally did it. Crio Bru is really a good drink, whatever way it is prepared. Thanks so much for another great recipe.
★★★★★
I have heard of the Epilator before but have never tried it. I too get a itchy rash from shaving so definitely will be trying this. Thanks 🙂
Leah, it’s saved me. It’s so great.
It seems that I am very late to the Crio Bru party!! I can’t wait to go shopping for all of the ingredients for this amazing looking treat! Hopefully I will find everything (except for the InstantPot, which I already own!). Let the games begin! ✌🏻
I attended a demonstration you and your sister gave at a training retreat a few years ago. Up to that time, I was one of the holdouts for the stove top pressure cooker, but was so intrigued by your class that I asked for an instant pot for Christmas that year, and love it! I have made many of your recipes since, and they are always wonderful.
I was very interested in your breathing helping to reduce anxiety. Several members of my family have anxiety attacks, I’m going to ask them to monitor their breathing. Thank you for the suggestion. Brooke Snow’s, “Breath is an instant road to being calm and lack of breath is an instant road to anxiety,” is another thing I’ll pass on to them.
I was also very interested that you are a nurse practitioner. I’m a retired ER nurse. Are you still practicing? I can’t imagine how you could have time. 🙂
Piano lessons. It is hard to predict which will be best for your daughter. My mother let me quit after 2 years, and as an adult, I have been sorry that I didn’t stick with it so that I could play hymns, at least. Some of them are really difficult, but I can’t even play the easiest of them. My husband’s parents forced him to take piano lessons through high school, and he wouldn’t let me make any of our children take them. The older two took them through junior high, then quit in high school when they felt they didn’t have time to practice. One of them doesn’t play at all now, the other does, and says his piano helped him learn several other instruments as well. My third child took lessons for 2 years and quit, and he now plays by ear, and composes piano songs. My 4th didn’t take at all, but still learned to play the trumpet well. I’m sure you’ll do the best thing for your daughter. I liked the prize idea someone suggested. Kids are always motivated by prizes.
I’m going to have to get some Crio Bru. I tried it at your demonstration, and remember liking it, but was discouraged by the price. You all make it sound heavenly, so I’ll have to bite the bullet, or the coin, and get some. 😛
Pam, that’s so great to hear, I’m glad we could inspire you! It’s such a great appliance.
Have your family members check out Brooke Snow’s meditation course. It’s life changing!
I haven’t practiced for a couple of years now, what a crazy turn of events that was!
I started piano lessons when I was 19 and in nursing school. I learned a lot, then had to quit when work/school got more intense, now sadly I remember none of it.
Crio can be pricey, but it goes a lot further if you use the IP to cook it! I hope you get to try it soon!
Thank you so much! I’m looking forward to Crio! Thanks also for the heads up on Brooke Snow’s meditation course.
Pam, enjoy it all!
I’m interested in the elliptigo! Looks like a fun way to exercise.
Interesting way to mix in some veggies in a smoothie. Chocolate smoothie? Even better. Can’t wait to try it!
Oh my goodness I am OBSESSED with crio. I drink it hot every morning with collagen because I too have horrible knees and I swear it’s almost completely healed them! I drink it hot even in the summer and I like a huge serving in my Hydroflask so it keeps it hot. I love to add a little natural bliss creamer and nunaturals chocolate syrup. I’m obsessed! I love that you get up so early and I agree… my mind is alert and not distracted in the early mornings. I get up at 5:30 and work out but if I could get to bed earlier I’d love to wake up at 4:30 for an extra hour to read scriptures and meditate and stretch. You inspired me!
★★★★★
Ashlee, I’ve never tried it with Collagen, I always put that in my smoothies. What powder do you use? I’d be interested to try some other brands, the one I use is so pricey! I’m glad I could inspire you to wake up earlier, I really really love my mornings 🙂
I can never seem to make curls with a flat iron! My hairdresser can do it beautifully but I don’t get it! Maybe it’s because I am doing it in the mirror?
My son didn’t like piano for the first two years. Once he started playing more complicated songs he began to enjoy it. He won’t be a professional musician, but I think it is a gift to learn how to read music and there are many brain development studies supporting music as a tool for education (as he got better at piano, math started to click for him). I also think sometimes kids are too young to know what they really do like! Exposure is good.
I love reading your blogs and oh, that smoothie sounds absolutely wonderful. Definitely going to try it! Anxiety has been a part of my life since I was a teen. My biggest help — my dogs.
Diane, I Love that you could find dogs as a way to help you! I’m afraid they might make mine worse 😉
I’m lucky to be retired and just sleep until I awaken in the morning. If I woke up at 3:30 am I’m pretty sure I would roll over and go back to sleep–lol!
I have never tried Crio Bru but have heard you rave about it and it definitely sounds very tempting. Of course you make most things sound delicious! I had mashed cauliflower instead of mashed potatoes for the first time at my granddaughter’s. I loved it as did everyone else. I sure cauliflower would be fabulous in a smoothie. I’m sorry you have been having anxiety! It happens to all of us sometime. I do think having children makes it worse even though you love them very much.
I enjoy your blog and your sister’s. Both very enjoyable! ❤️
Warm regards, Shari
Shari, yum, I love mashed cauliflower. I oftentimes mix it with potatoes so the kids will like it too. I love having you here Shari!
I CAN’T BELIEVE ALL THE THINGS YOU CAN PUT IN A SMOOTHIE. I STILL WONDER HOW THE CHOCOLATE TASTES WITH ALL THE OTHER THINGS. I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO TRY IT.
Hey there, as someone who suffers from anxiety I am so impressed with your openness and honesty about it. It’s definitely difficult to deal with but breathing well can certainly help. What a smart idea to use your Fitbit! I may “steal” your idea!
As for crio, I never heard of it until you. And now you’re talking about two of my favorite things…. chocolate and mocha. Oh. My. Goodness.
Thanks for all the things you introduce us to AND the clever way in which you do it.
Nancy
Nancy, thank you, I was so hesitant to even bring it up, but felt like I should, as awkward as it felt. The Fitbit is the best $100 I’ve ever spent. Such a simple thing, and it has made such an immediate difference.
The mocha, wow, so so good! That helps with anxiety as well 😉
My go to ‘feel better’ songs are anything by Jethro Tull. Love the flute.
Aloha!!!
So, I’m one of the strange people (as my children tell me) that does not like the taste or smell of coffee. But always jealous of the coffee snobs in my kitchen every morning trying to decide who can make the best French press cup of coffee. Because I’m not included ……..my sister in law told me about crio bru……..she is Martha Stewarts incarnate…………I loved it absolutely and then I stumbled across Miss Marci and her tidbit recipe. So guess who gave Martha some advice?? Ya Baby, I knew about something she didn’t for once!!!!! Anyway, I love my instant pot ( my daughters call it the ‘space station’ …… it is the only appliance allowed its place on my counters) and use it as much as possible. It was so liberating to get rid of my crock pot and roaster!!! So, just some FYI that the coffee snobs promoted me into doing…….I make my own crio bro version of a ‘bullet’!!! I add my coconut oil that is always liquid, and I go a step further and have discovered ‘Dandy Blend’ and add it also along with heavy whipping cream and honey(from my bees). Dandy Blend is an instant coffee-like beverage(powder) that contains roasted dandelion, chicory and some other healthy herbs that does taste like coffee if prepared as a hot beverage. I drank dandelion tea because of the health benefits (and because I had to pretend to drink something with my family!) but I add this to taste into my crio bro drink with all the other goodies and it is my heaven!!
Thanks for all the great ideas!!! So glad I stumbled upon your website!!
A few comments about the piano lessons………I wish I would have appreciated the fact that my grandmother gave me a piano and paid for my lessons for two years when I was 13. I did it out of obligation and now wish so badly I would have continued. I didn’t hate it, but you know, I wanted to do other things besides practice piano (dumb, dumb, dumb). Anyway , I wouldn’t force your daughter. I have home schooled my six children (I see the light at the end of the tunnel finally, my youngest being 16!!!!!) And my most difficult child (daughter number 3) hated school because she’d rather be outside working with her father or at the horse farm down the road cleaning out poopy horse stalls!!!! Even in the dead of winter in Wyoming!!! Unfortunately, I pushed on and we struggled. A few years later I learned of the ‘unschooling’ train of thought for home schooling. Take what your children’s strong points are and let them have more freedom with them, and the subjects that aren’t strong for them let them lighten. Anyway, long story short, she ended up graduating a year early because she wanted to be done with school and did her junior and senior year in one year!!! She even turned out to enjoy math!!! The seed has been planted with your daughter. Talk about it with her occasionally by pointing out how beautiful piano is if it is something you think she should do and maybe in some time she will want to do it.
Keep up your good work……..I have been cooking for our family of 8 (now dwindled to 4) forever it seems so it’s a good thing I enjoy it and always love new tips and ideas!!!
Mahalo!!!
Deanne
★★★★★
I can’t wait to try Crio Bru. I have bought all
the ingredients I need!
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I have been drinking crio bru for about 6 it 7 years. I found it on a Macy’s grocery store shelf while looking for a low cal hot chocolate. My husband thinks I’m nuts I even bought a travel French press thermos. When I first started using crio bru I didn’t know what a French press was so I boiled it in a large measuring cup in the micro wave and strained through a small strainer into a cup. My knowledge about it has grown and I put a few drops of essential oils such as cinnamon, wild orange, peppermint, tangerine or a combination. Heat a couple of tablespoons of flavored cream such as vanilla use the frother pure hot crio bru in it, delicious 😋. Sit back and read a good book. I also put essential oils into the grounds freeze it ice cube trays. I use the frozen grounds in smoothies using chocolate protein powder, coconut milk. Depending on what essential oil I use I put bananas, peaches, berries etc. I use my imagination. LUV Crio Bru and all the health benefits.
★★★★★
Arlene, Wow, so you whip the cream, then pour the crio over it? Am I understanding that right? And that ice cube idea is genius! I have never ever thought of that. Do the grounds have much flavor when you blend them like that or are you using them mostly for the health benefits?
This smoothie sounds beyond delicious. I am going to try out Crio for sure! As for curling my hair, um, I get all those things tangled in my hair so that they hang vertically. I leave all that to my lady in the barber shop. She is the bomb.
Clarissa, what I’d give to have someone fix my hair every morning. That would be heavenly.
I was “required” to take piano lessons for 12 years. My instructor finally gave up teaching me when I wouldn’t cut my nails!
I use the app Anylist for recipes, food menus, and shopping lists. The bonus is I can share lists with my husband and when he goes the the store (he goes almost daily as it’s his “happy place”), I can just tell him “it’s on the list”! All of the recipes can be printed so it’s uniform plus I can email them too.
★★★★★
Nicole, haha, you showed her!
And I’m definitely checking that app out, that sound amazing!
I love a good chocolate drink!!
Yes keep your daughter in piano lessons. She’ll thank you later!
I never knew what anxiety was until I had kids. Boy I’ve grown more in the past 5 years mentally and emotionally than in my whole life.
Kelly, ditto. If I survive motherhood, I think I’ll be invincible one day.
I am so happy to read your blog about anxiety and breathing. I have the same problem. Yesterday, my Fitbit told me to breathe and I didn’t even know that I wasn’t breathing! I hold my breath as well. I had a shoulder replacement in August 2019 and I was given strong, addictive pain killers. I had no idea they required detoxing as one would do from heroin or I never would have taken them. I was not able to get a good breath through the whole detox process because I felt so awful and did not know what was happening to my body and mind. I detoxed myself without the help of a professional. I just didn’t know who to ask to help me. I asked the doctor that performed my surgery and he said that it wasn’t his department! Anyway, I am completely off of the drug and STILL having a problem with anxiety and breathing. I’m working on it though. I hope that I can overcome this as well. The Fitbit really helps! Thank you for your blog on this. I’m going to keep it in mind and follow your lead. Oh! And I would dearly LOVE to win your Cri Bru giveaway. Crio Bru looks so scrumptious although it looks pretty expensive to buy online. Can I find it less expensive in a grocery store?
Karla, One of my biggest pet peeves in the medical world, lack of follow through, grr. Bless you for working hard to overcome such a difficult thing! I’m loving the Fitbit prompts. It’s helped me so much, more than I really thought it would, I’m thrilled to hear that it’s helping you as well. I’d say the cheapest way to buy Crio Bru is to subscribe to the newsletter from their website. They have really good sales (watch for Black Friday!)
I have never heard of Crio Bru. Sounds yummy. Also the paprika app sounds interesting.
We have never forced our children into extracurricular activities, but always told them, once you start you must finish. (We’ve never done lessons of sorts, ours have always been sports) And then if you don’t want to play that sport again you don’t have to.
I want that curling iron!! I love the look of beautiful curls but CAN NOT get my hair to do it! Ugh, so frustrating!
I’d love to try the Crio Bru as I’ve seen all your posts about it, just haven’t taken the leap yet!
Thanks for the chance and all of your great content!
Gina, I love the thought of not forcing them to start but making them commit. That’s a fabulous idea.
It is literally the only iron that I’ve ever achieved any kind of curl, I just keep getting better at it too. Try the Crio! It really is as fabulous as I gush about.
I would love to try the criobru smoothie! I love the deep breathing, it truly helps. As a fan do you have any tips on losing weight?
Cheryl, I don’t know that my tips for losing weight are exactly what you’re looking for, but I believe in loving your body every step of the way, meditation, eating real food, lots of fruit and veggies, and finding a form of exercise that makes you feel good and doing it every day. I discourage any and all mean comments to yourself, counting calories, and prepackaged food (as much as possible). I hope that gives you some guidance!
I’m the biggest chocoholic there is. I eat it every day. All kinds. Milk, dark, 70%, with fruits and nuts. With spices. It’s all the best food on the planet. It should be it’s own food group.
As soon as I saw Crio Bru, I ordered 2 kinds and a press. I also ordered the chocolate chips gor extra flavor. It’s so amazingly wonderful. The taste can be light or stronger as you want.
I don’t drink coffee, so this is the BEST product ever… 😉😉🍫☕🍫☕🍫☕🍫☕🍫☕😍😍
Alisa, I was always jealous of the coffee drinkers because I wanted something warm, healthy, and comforting. Now I have Crio Bru! I also eat chocolate every day, actually probably 3 times between Crio, a chocolate cherry smoothie, and my homemade dark chocolates. I’m basically a walking antioxidant at this point 🙂
Love your blog! And love me some chocolate!
I found your comments on anxiety and Paprika App very interesting and I’m anxious to try them, plus the recipe! Thanks for what you do!
I have purchased, cut and frozen cauliflower – I’m all set to start adding some to our family’s smoothies! I started adding zucchini to smoothies about a year ago and now it’s my favorite tip to share with people.
Just pulled my Crio out to brew for my first cup in awhile. now that it’s getting colder, I like to make a cup of Crio when I get home from work! Yum!
While I never took piano, I played clarinet for 4 years! I wanted to quit after a year but my parents pushed me to stay till it was time for High School. I quit before marching band and sometime regret it.
My stomach won’t let me drink coffee anymore and Crio Bru has been my hot drink of choice in the morning ever since I first saw it on your site a couple of years back. But now Mocha flavour? Oh my goodness, I can’t wait to try that! The idea of cauliflower in a smoothie is also very intriguing…I’ll have to give that a try!
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Nice to see you back with Tidbits talk–I could wax poetic about a number of topics on your blog today, suffice to say, I love Crio Bru and plan to make that smoothie this weekend as it looks absolutely divine.
Secondly, and more seriously–I homeschooled my kids for ten years and I have taught piano many more than that. There is a fine line between a kid just being lazy and not wanting to practice and losing the passion for something they thought they might love. I am a firm believer in letting a child investigate a number of things to see where their passion lies. If you have given the piano lessons two years and it still isn’t exciting her and making her want to practice and get better, I would suggest letting it go. There may be a time later that she might want to resume, but all forcing her to continue will accomplish is making her loathe piano and perhaps all music.
Maybe let her investigate other options–other music, art, dance, gymnastics, or maybe she wants to get involved in sports. While everything requires practice and dedication, some things are not worth continuing…..just food for thought.
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I would love to try Chu Bru. I also use curling irons and flat irons. Make sure you use a heat protectant spray. Congratulations to you on getting up at 3 AM!
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Judy, Do you have a favorite protectant spray? One that might help the hair to curl even better?
I took piano lessons when I was young and was completely bored with the learning process. Now, I wish I’d stuck with it or joined band in middle school so that I could read music. Instead, I joined colorguard so I could still be around music. There are a lot of great comments already regarding rewards and trying out other instruments so that she’s still practicing the principthay she’s learned. I’d recommend a heart to heart with her. Find out why she hates it so much and then decide your next step. But make the decision based on what’s best for her and to support her interests.
I have difficulty remembering to breathe sometimes too and I had the same reaction, my body is supposed to do this automatically! I try to breathe consciously when I find myself holding my breath and so far it’s helped. It’s crazy how something as simple as a phone call or getting out of bed to go to work can cause anxiety. But I find that I overthink things so if I just breathe and then jump right into what needs to be done, it’s not as bad as what I had it built up to in my head.
I love the concept of cauliflower in smoothies!! I’m definitely trying this!
Becky, I love your suggestions. I think boredom is the problem here. I’ll see what I can do to shake things up! And yes, exactly, here I thought I could let my body take care of the breathing, haha! The Fitbit has helped a lot. It’s been a quiet reminder without me having to feel like it’s another thing I need to remember.
Your piano story brought back memories. My son was a wizard at the keys, and an ambitious teacher pushed him into competitions, which he won, but we soon discovered he hated doing them. The teacher pulled us aside and tried to convince us that we needed to force the issue when he wanted to quit. We quickly said “no thank you” and stopped his lessons. I then went on a quest for a teacher that would help him to love it again. Fortunately, I did find someone and he continued for a total of 7 years. In the meantime, he taught himself to play guitar, bass and most stringed instruments and also began to develop his voice. He is an accomplished musician, and actually put food on the table for several years while seeking his calling in the employment world. He has a gift that no one can take away, although that first teacher unknowingly tried. I am grateful we were able to rekindle his love for music. I am never so happy as when I can hear him play and sing.
Jan, What an inspiring story, thank you so much for that! It’s given me some great ideas.
I totally understand your getting up early. I am now retired, but when I was working full time I’d get up at 4:30 to work out, and always felt so accomplished for the day!
Linda, I’ll probably be 85 and still waking up early 😉
I rely on you for all things instapot!
As for breathing, that’s the key I’m convinced I do yoga and my teacher says that breathe is more important than any pose you can strike! Keep up the good work. Would love this!!
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Joyce, I’ve felt for a long time that yoga would be huge for me. I just never know where to start so I don’t!
I like many had never heard of Crio Bru but oh it does sound heavenly. I’m new to your site and I have been really enjoying your posts. Best tip I have for great hair? Buy the salon quality hair care products, the difference is huge.
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Liz, You’ll love Crio Bru. It’s such a comfort to me. And I agree 100%, I have witnessed time and again the negative impact the cheap stuff has on my hair!
Two things go together for me. Piano (forced extra-curricular) and anxiety. Where to begin!! Parenting is hard. Guidance is hard and every kid is different. For me it is like which came first? the chicken or the egg? Do we let the kids choose what activities they want to do? Or do we expose them to different things as to “help” them see all the options out there? I try to find the balance between the two with the understanding of 2 things #1 – I will never make you do anything you don’t want to do and #2 – we always finish what we start (whether the activity/class lasts a month, 6 weeks or a whole year.) These 2 things go together. It is important to get all the facts and know what you are signing up for. Once you make the commitment you must honor it and follow through. We don’t quit on ourselves or others who are counting on us. Teaching commitment and follow through are important and are good life lessons. At times I feel guilty/anxiety because I did not require my children to take music/instrument lessons and a sport (apparently that is a thing, many friends partake in this). I see that it was not required in my childhood and now as an adult having no musical talent what so ever, I wonder -what if I was exposed to an instrument? Would I have liked it? I will never know the answer, just like I will never know if each decision I make for my kids is the “right one”. I just need to do the best I can, be consistent, listen to my kids, and learn from my mistakes AND those of others.
Doreen, your #1 and #2 rules have inspired me so much. That is so simple and so genius, and so clear to a child. I love it!!! And yes, we do our best and let go of the guilt. It’s been my mantra of the year! One day I hope to fully believe it 😉
I am super excited to use the cauliflower in my smoothies! I am on a plant based diet because of a heart condition, so this is a Godsend!! I have trouble eating enough veggies, as they get pretty boring! Thank you so much.
As for the anxiety, I eventually had to start taking a prescription for mine. It has made all the difference for me.
Have a blessed weekend!
Brenda, zucchini, cauliflower, and spinach are my go tos! Kale was the nastiest thing I’ve ever tried to sneak into a smoothie, haha!
I’ve worked with such medications in my medical profession for many years and they are indeed a great blessing for many!
I have never had cohocolate covered caacao beans – yummy!
June, They are incredible! My package arrived yesterday!
I am wondering about the Dermaflash, is it actual shaving? And if it is what about when you stop using it? It would be disastrous I would think!
Patuzi, well they swear up and down that it will not lead to increased hair, but man does it feel weird when even light colored soft hairs start growing back. They say it’s “flashing” not “shaving” which I’m not sure what that means exactly, but it is cutting the hairs down. I don’t know, I don’t think I would recommend it. I’m almost wishing I’d never known what a hairless face looked like because now any and all peach fuzz drives me crazy!
I’ve found the power of breathing at night when I have a million thoughts rolling in my head and sleep alluding me. Breathing deeply in and out, while counting slowly to 4 (or higher) calms and allows your brain to begin to rest. Works wonders!
Debbie, Luckily my brain turns off the second I hit the pillow which I’m intensely grateful for. My challenge is breathing through the events of the day which I’m working on and getting better at. By small and simple things, right!
Up at 4, but just got to this at after 5… Is Crio Bro sold in stores? I will try it if it is,, sounds interesting and I like your mixture… I cant identify with curls, I love straight hair and have it. I do help it along when necessary with a flat iron and have used Brazilian and Keratin straightening. Piano lessons???. I wished I had stayed with mine… My parents started me too early with music lessons and really stressed it. And then finally when I was a teen they “allowed ” me to stop after I rebelled. of course they had to, but I wish now I had worked thru it. But you can’t force! I guess take another cup of that Crio Bru and chill out…!!!!!!!
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Ellyn, Yes, some stores carry Crio Bru, especially Whole Food type stores. Haha, “Take another cup of Crio Bru and Chill Out!” is my new motto 🙂
I drink Crio Bru almost every day and love it! You are the one who introduced it to me. I was just on Crio Bru’s website today and was looking at the new cocoa beans and milk frother! Thanks for the chance to try these for free!
Jenny, YAY!! I’m glad you love it too! Those cocoa beans are somethin’ else, amazing!
I just (tonight!) found out about Crio Bru. (Where have I been?) I can’t wait to make my own AMD try this as a smoothie.
Also, for the piano lessons, my theory is that is that every kid needs something they enjoy and can be passionate about. It sounds like this isn’t her thing BUT I also see a huge value in music education. Maybe give her a few months off and let her play with the app, and then look for a teacher that works with her style. Some are fun, some are all about theory, some are young and energetic….
Good luck!
Andria, curious, what does AMD stand for? That’s great piano advice. Her excitement diminished when it felt like a chore so I guess that’s the key!
Crio Bru…I have not heard of this product. I am very interested…does it give you any kind of energy, or just taste good?
Marysue, Crio Bru states that it’s good for energy, but I personally don’t feel like I get an energy boost from it. It’s just delicious and comforting. My sister says she gets a burst of energy from it though.
I just bought some Crio Bru off Amazon and got it today! Excited to try it in my instant pot!
Kelly, I’m so excited for you! Let me know what you think!
I’ve never really heard of Crio Bru before!
We were blessed to have my brother and sister start our kids piano lessons. My brother is a phenomenal teacher (at university level) but my sister was the one who turned each one of her early level students into piano fans. I really wish I knew what she did! A lot of it is her personality. She also ALWAYS used a prize basket. She collected little bottles of nail polish, cute erasers, stickers, window clings, candy, pencils, jewelry, small games, etc, and anyone who practiced the set number of hours/minutes got a prize. My niece teaches 3 of my kids now, and she carries on Aunt Rachel’s tradition. 😊 They get prizes for reaching their minutes goals, and extras for things like number of measures played goals. Maybe find an achievable goal for your daughter, not too far out there, and reward well for getting there! Maybe you also need to request that she get assigned “quick rewards” music – something that sounds good with little effort?
Becky, Sounds like your sister has an incredible gift! I like your suggestions, thank you!
My mom forced piano on me for 8 years. It was the most damaging experience for myself personally and for my relationship with my mom. My favorite hymn says “know this that every soul is free, to choose his life and what he’ll be.” What if my mom had allowed me to use that time to pursue something meaningful to me? What if I’d been encouraged to choose what talent to develop? I now can’t even put my hands correctly on the keys of a piano, so she didn’t do anything lastingly beneficial for me by demanding I pursue piano. Forcing any extracurricular lessons will destroy a child’s character and self esteem, not build those things. Let her find her own joy! And maybe, if you give her a break from piano she will willingly choose to return to it!! But that’s just my opinion based on my childhood. You’ll have to figure out what is best for your family!
Kersten, that was very insightful. I truly appreciate that insight. It’s definitely going to change how I approach a few things!
Me and my husband love crio and has become part of our morning routine, he will be so excited to try this recipe!!!
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Monica, It took my husband nearly 10 years to decide he liked it, unsweetened even! Bummer now that I have to make it more often though 😉
I never knew anxiety until I had kids! So many different things cause me to panic from safety to sensory processing disorder meltdowns.
Also this recipe looks delicious!
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Cammy, Right?! Being a mom has forced me to grow and stretch in ways I never even wanted to. And I guess that’s the point, right?!
I absolutely LOVE Crio Bru! I definitely want to try the smoothie recipe.
Kudos for finding a curling “solution “. There is nothing more I hate than curling my hair—it takes forever and NEVER stays.
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Wendi, I’m still learning, but it’s so gratifying to go through the work and have it last!
I am totally trying cauliflower in my smoothies!! What a great idea! I also would be so excited to try Crio! That sounds really good!
I have never had Crio Bru but am very interested in trying now that I have read Tidbits. I am always looking for healthy alternatives. I am trying to be the healthiest I have ever been by 50. I have lost 30 pounds this year and have another 10 to go before October 2020 to be fine, flirty, fabulous, fit 50! This recipe seems to be right up my alley.
I love how you wake at 3. I have been waking at 4:30 and just love the quiet time. It fills my soul, giving me time to reflect, be grateful for what I have and plan my events of the day to lessen the stress of a busy single mommy working a full time and part time jobs. Wouldn’t trade it for the world so kudos to you for being who you are and wearing that proudly. People gonna judge so best thing to do is just be you!
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Vickie, Fine, Flirty, Fabulous, Fit 50, YES!!! I’m cheering you on, I’m here for you, and Crio Bru will get you even closer to your goal.
The quiet also fills my soul. I would not even remember who I truly am if I didn’t have those hours to myself. I’m happy to hear of someone else so passionately agreeing!
Marci, your talk about anxiety sparked something in me for my granddaughter. She’s married with 2 small boys, 1 & 3 years old. She is the breadwinner, cook, housekeeper and bill payer (get the picture?) and is overwhelmed most of the time. They also live in Alaska… 6 months of semi-twilight does not help! I’m wondering if she is subconsciously holding her breath and will pass on your blog to her. Just maybe it might help her.
I missed your blog over the summer…thanks for returning 🙂
Your friendly grandmother
Anita, Oh wow, prayers going her way! I do believe woman are capable of amazing things, but it took me til 37 years old to realize the things I needed to be doing for myself to be able to keep up that pace. Meditation, nourishing food, daily exercise, and lots of prayers to keep on going. I hope she finds her “thing”. Thank you for sharing it with her!
I love crio bru! Thank you for being creative and coming up with some great recipes. I have looked for healthy strawberry milk, I have only found ones with a lot of sugar in them.
Keep the recipes coming.
Wow, frozen cauliflower to make a smoothie cold AND creamy?? Sounds like my idea of heaven, I’m seriously addicted to creamy. Gotta try it, thanks! It’s nice to know it doesn’t really matter what kind of smoothie it works for. I usually just rely on banana for that texture, this sounds like such a good idea.
Piano. Well, I’ve heard differing opinions, but one that sounds right to me is to insist the child who wanted the music lessons (or team sport or club or whatever) finish a reasonable amount of the activity. Maybe with team things it needs to be a full school year so as to learn about fulfilling a commitment to the other members. But the music, well that seems hard to me. As someone here suggested, maybe once she is able to play “real” music she’d enjoy it more? But I think if you and she agree on a deadline and insist she do her best until that time, if she still doesn’t want to continue afterwards she can stop. It’s really hard to know whether to fight with kids over something like this because you think the activity is “good for them” and when to start letting them have some autonomy over what they want to try (and quit.)
And talk about procrastination, I keep saying I’m going to try Crio Bru and not doing it.
I’ve been so lucky to only have had a few anxiety attacks. Enough so I completely empathize with people afflicted with them (and empathy is never a bad thing) and not so many that I feel they really impact my life. Saying they’re no fun is a complete understatement, and I so hope and pray that your new technique continues to bring you relief. When I was having some over a cancer diagnosis, a friend told me to try taking a deep breath and then letting it out through my mouth in four short exhales until the breath was gone. Trying that several times in a row really helped me cope with the anxiety. There’s a name for the technique which I don’t remember. Have you tried any of those sort of “special” breathing exercises as well as monitoring your regular breathing, which is a great idea?
Wyn, Cauliflower does wonders for smoothies! I’m excited for you to try it! I still use bananas, but cauliflower adds more body without sugar.
With piano, it’s funny, every time I give her the option of quitting, she’s the one to say she’d like to keep going for awhile. So I guess she’s got more intuition on the subject than I’m giving her credit for.
TRY THE CRIO BRU!
I love your breathing suggestion and I’m going to research that today! Thank you!
I would not push the piano lessons. Perhaps see if she is interested in any other instruments,
or learning another instrument in group lessons which are much more fun. e.g. Ukulele , guitar etc.
She will only do well if she enjoys it. Thanks for all the great recipes.💕
Barbara, thank you Barbara! I do think we need to bring more joy into it, maybe some more trendy songs or something?
I think you should keep your daughter in piano. Commit to two more years because once she can actually play real music . She ( and you) will love it!
I promise!
I already weighed in last week in a really much too long comment, but I disagree with this opinion. First, give a child the right book (I always started students with Jibbidy F and ACE, which you can unfortunately only get (through Amazon) from the UK now), the right practice habits and a good teacher, and they will be playing “real music” in two or three months, admittedly in simplified form. Even a 9 year old can enjoy playing “I’ve got Sixpence,” “Twinkle Twinkle,” “Hot Cross Buns” and “Jolly Old St Nicholas!” (Your daughter is probably way beyond that level by now). If after two years, they have to be coerced to play, that’s long enough. Two more years, unless you find a miracle teacher who does something completely different and intriguing, will just solidify anything from disinterest to outright hatred.
Yes, it’s true that piano is the best foundation for almost every instrument, and helps most with academics as well as other skills, because both hands must work independently and yet together, you learn to read music in a fairly complex format, and of course eye-hand coordination gets a good workout as you look at the music and your fingers find the keys without looking at them. Singers almost always learn enough piano to accompany themselves, or pick out the tune before they try to sing it. But still, it could be time to try a new instrument or to move on to something else — children’s musical theater, dance or movement, or even something that would seem unrelated, like gymnastics. Then there are the visual arts. One of my daughters, at age 9, discovered ceramics and became a professional ceramicist. Believe me, throwing a pot on a wheel is also a great eye-hand coordination workout! Or how about woodworking? Or learning how to sew? So many great ways to express and celebrate creativity, (I know she already participates in cooking with you). Surely there is something she would both enjoy and be willing to work at to gain real skill and enjoyment.
Sharon, She adores gymnastics with her whole heart and the longer she does it the more she loves it. Perhaps that is my answer right there 🙂
Rockelle, that’s always my fear is that she might be giving up too early. Every time I give her the option to quit, she changes her mind and keeps playing. I guess I’ll let her have the power!
I love the information you share! I love crio bru!! Really ❤️ It’s my comfort beverage. I especially love it in the cold months. And my favorite happy song? Weeellll. I’ve got a lot. Any of the fast dance tempo ABBA songs and the fast BeeGees songs can certainly lift my spirit and they get me moving even if I’m driving! Ha. Thanks again for all the info you share!
Connie, Yep, it’s my comfort beverage. As a teen, we would make videos to ABBA songs, those are such great memories! And thank you for your support here, it means the world 🙂
I am obsessed with Crio!! I found your page through their Instagram and had to check out this recipe! I will go buy some cauliflower and try this asap!! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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I knew about using frozen bananas, but not cauliflower! Thank you for your great tips and creative, delicious recipes!
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Marilyn, I like that it adds body and creaminess without added sugar, it’s fantastic!
Madeline, Check out the Golden Crio and Coconut Orange Crio Bru recipes on my blog, you’ll die!
I have never tried Crio Bru but I love a rich chocolate flavor so I’m excited to try it – even with cauliflower! And thanks for all your other shared info!
I 💗 Crio Bru and cannot wait to try this smoothie recipe. I also struggle with curling my own hair and have a drawer full of curling wands etc. lol. May have to give that one a try! Went to my first instafreeze meals class this month and can’t wait to try all my meals out!!! The class was so fun and easy just wish I didn’t have to drive so far. Thanks for all you shared!!
Tawney, my daughter always asks me why I have so many, haha! I DON’T KNOW! I didn’t realize you had to travel for the class, Thanks for coming!
Never EVER thought to add cauliflower to a smoothie! What a great idea! And 3am?! I cannot imagine!
Linda, Heaven is alive and pouring down at 3a.m., try it 😉
I love Crio! It’s my favorite pick me up. About the piano lessons – my kids just barely started lessons a month ago, so they are still in the love it phase. However, from my personal experience as a child who tried many things and quit, I kinda wish my parents wouldn’t have let me quit things so easily now that I look back on it. Piano lessons was the one thing they made me stick to (RIP violin, tennis, softball, etc etc) and as an adult I am so grateful they forced me to develop a talent. Oh, I hated it at the time, but 25 years later and I’m grateful.
Melissa, Yay for Crio! That’s always my fear, is that she might have regret one day. It always keeps me on the fence about the matter.
I love Crio Bru. Never thought to make a smoothie with it.
I just downloaded the Paprika app. Can’t wait to try it.
Jennifer, you’ll love paprika, I love that it’s simple, I don’t need all the bells of other ones, I just want somewhere to put recipes that I want to try out!
I have never heard of Crio Bru but it sounds amazing! Is it available at any shops? I have not heard of your hair removal thing either but I would be too scared to try. I tried waxing myself and I’ll just say there was blood and I was traumatized so never again ha ha. I would love to wake up early but I am a night person. Maybe I should try switching it up. I would love some peace and quiet every once in a while. I just found your website and I am excite to look through all your recipes!
If you live by a Harman’s grocery store, they usually carry crio bru.
Brittany, I see it a lot in whole food type markets. The epilator is sooooo much better than waxing. I will never try waxing again! Eventually, even my kids will probably be going to bed after me, haha!
I mean not a morning person like that st all! 6a is a good time to get up. I am much more of a night person. I have nevertheless heard of DermaFLAsh but will be looking more into it for sure!! I use a tinkle…which makes my kids giggle every time I tell them mom is going to tinkle😂
Crio Bru is my love language!! Any product that brews into a warm delicious drink, and then allows me to make no bake cookies out of the leftover grinds is a no brained for me!
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Kristin, I’ll admit I giggled at “Tinkle” as well and am now doing a google search on it 🙂
No bake Crio cookies! Do tell!
I need to try Crio Bru…sounds so good! Does it have caffeine in it?
Interesting information on the breathing, I think it is something we need to be more mindful of and can benefit from practicing as strange as that might sound. Thanks for sharing.
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Vic, Crio Bru stats that it is 99.9% caffeine free. With the breathing, I’ve been teaching my kids a few things in this practice, they love it!
I love Brooke Snow and Crio Bru! I’ve been curious to try epilating in the past, so maybe I’ll do it. I’ve never heard of DermaFlash, but I do love shaving my face every couple of weeks – it doesn’t make my face feel prickly though…
Claire, I often drink Crio Bru while I listen to Brooke in fact, haha! I love epilating and can’t believe I never knew of it til now. Do you use just a regular razor?
I have long been interested in trying the Crio Bru!! It sounds so delightfully yummy…😋 Unfortunately,my husband thinks I’m kinda whaky..and he’s probably right..🥴 But,I would still love to try it !! I will take a cup of scrumptiousness any time!!💚👌🎈
Rosanna, oh just you wait, he’ll be trying to sip yours!
Love the ideas. Breathing check-ins. I actually find myself holding my breathe too. I’m going to check on that.
Have you ever used the crio grounds in smoothies after brewing? I have and love it. 😉
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Monica, I haven’t tried the grounds in a smoothie! Is there any hint of grit?
I love hearing about your family. Its kind of like a letter from home. I checked out the Fit Bit on Amazon and it is on my wish list and I definitely want to try Crio Bru. You had me at mocha and chocolate!
Beth, “a letter from home” :). I’ve loved the Fitbit, I had full intentions of returning it, but it has done so much for me, it’s gonna stay! Mocha + Crio Bru was the best idea ever!
My husband and I have gotten up at 4:30 for about 35 years and love it. With a large number of kids it was the only time carved for just my husband and I and we’ve loved it. Reading, talking, devotions–any and everything. It actually gave me more time and energy for the kids knowing I hadn’t been neglected myself.
Regarding epilating I’ve heard it works only on dark hair so gray or blond hair doesn’t respond. Is that correct?
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Jackie, I love that you get up together! My husband will probably never get up as early as I do:). Epilation actually works on blond hairs too. It works great on my legs!
Hm, I could get up that early but I’d want to go back to bed by 10:00 lol. I think I’ll stick to 6:00 AM. But that’s impressive!
Hm, piano lessons…my daughter did the same thing. I let her switch to something else, then again. After all, isn’t childhood about exploring different things? Trumpet and band stuck in middle school. She loved it – still had to “encourage” practice at times but since it was part of her grade, it made it a little easier.
I wonder how often I hold my breath?!? Interesting…
My complaint about my hair is getting a consistent haircut! I get one that’s awesome and then it never seems to get cut that way again. What gives? I have thick hair so it needs help!
Maybe someday I’ll get brave enough to try this recipe. It looks good!
Have a great day!
Cecilia
Cecilia, yep, I can’t make it through the day without a nap! She loves to try everything, which seems like an amazing gift on one hand!
Haha, I feel you with the haircut problem. It’s a lot of why I keep my hair long now is because my short haircuts were never the same.
Been following you for a while but never heard of them Crio Bui. Love anything Mocha tho lol. Thank you for all the great recipes and other information.
Ann, Crio Bru + Mocha was a very good decision on their part!
Thank you for the recipes you post–I have purchased Crio Bru at your suggestion and have enjoyed it, also, I have your cookbooks and use them often–thank you. With the thought of piano lessons for children, my children did not enjoy them either, but did take them and practice for a few years. In high school they both were in band (son played drums, daughter bells) making friends and gaining experience they would not have had if not for the few years in 4th and 5th grade.
Elizabeth, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the Crio and the cookbooks, that’s the best thing to hear! I like to contribute to more delicious lifestyles.
I’m always intrigued when you talk about Crio Bru. I never even heard of it before finding your website!
So my daughter took piano lessons for awhile and then it became such a source of fighting. We wended up making her finish out the fall semester a few years ago and then let her stop. From time to time she would sit down at the piano and play a song. Now two years later she has started taking lessons again and loves it. I think if we would have continue to fight her on it, she would have grown to hate it.
Nicole, TRY IT! That’s a great story to keep in the back of my mind. My daughter started playing all by herself because she loved it. She probably doesn’t need my pressure.
I get up a bit later at 5am and go to bed at 10pm. That’s the sleep,I need to function optimally. Hubby on the other hand only needs 6 hours. It is my quiet time to connect with the divine, read something spiritual or uplifting to set my focus for the day. But now I’m going to make the Crio bru smoothie after my morning herbal tea! I’ve made Crio bru but can’t wait to experiment with smoothies! Thanks you for all you do! Enjoy the day!
Darci, The quiet is indeed divine in the morning!
Thanks for your honest posts! My kids are too young for piano lessons, but I do have a little personal experience. When my brother was about your daughter’s age, he was interested in piano. Lessons followed, and he hated them. It became a constant struggle, and finally my mom gave up and let him quit. He would still “tickle the ivories” every now and then growing up, but it was mostly just play. Then the teenage years hit, and suddenly he was very interested in piano playing again. He took lessons and learned with a passion, and eventually went on to minor in piano in college. So I guess the point of my story is: I wouldn’t push your daughter! She’s young and still has plenty of time to master the piano if that is her passion later. I would let her play and enjoy the app, and maybe a few years down the road she’ll decide she adores the piano enough to take lessons again!
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By the way, I searched all over for a comment section below each topic, so hope this is acceptable because I do like the Crio Bru I bought and would love to be entered in the giveaway lottery! I am already a subscriber and very much rely on your Instant Pot recipes.
I studied piano (and other instruments plus voice and theory, but mainly piano for about 12 years, and started giving lessons when I was just 12 years old. I have taught many young children. My most successful pupil was my son Stan, whom I switched over to a more accomplished pianist when he was in Junior H.S. He is to this day, age 64, an accomplished pianist who gives some lessons himself to children he knows. Of my seven children who lived to be old enough to study anything, six became, at one time or another, professional artists: three dancers, two visual artists, plus Stan on the piano. One dancer is also a visual artist and he also acted and sang in musicals, and four of them also seriously studied an instrument with two of them showing enough talent so they could have gone on as musicians. People always asked me how it could be that so many talented children existed in one family (it is actually genetically two families, four adopted, three biological.)
Anyway, with that very long prologue, here is my opinion. When my children wanted to try anything, whether it was ballet, ceramics or the cello, piano, violin or guitar, even if they were only five, we made a bargain. We talked about how Mom and Dad would have to pay to rent an instrument and buy a music book, or buy ballet shoes, tights and a leotard, and sign up for lessons which sometimes required a registration fee or a couple of months in advance. Therefore, although we understood that they would always want to play with their friends if invited at the same time as their lesson, they agreed to go to the lesson. And for music, they would be willing to practice at least 15 minutes to a half hour, five times a week. (No practice for ballet!) As my parents did with my sister and me, we got in that practice time in the morning, BEFORE SCHOOL! That meant playtime outside when they got home.
Every time we heard whining about wanting to play instead of going to their lesson, we reminded them of their bargain and PROMISED that when the agreed upon anniversary came (whether it was a six month rental for the instrument, getting a new music book, or outgrowing the ballet shoes), they would be allowed to decide: Continue on or stop and be able to try something new. And believe it or not, especially when it came to ballet, they wanted to continue. Maybe it was the new shoes and leotard, but it worked!
The last thing you want to raise is children who hate something, whether it is the piano or ballet, because it was forced on them. But the other last thing you want to raise is children who are dilettantes, who move from enthusiasm to enthusiasm based on whims and never stick with anything long enough to acquire some skill. When you do something well, even if it is a simple piece from your primary piano book, it becomes much more fun, and it often makes you want to do more of it, especially if you get praise for it. If it doesn’t have that effect, even though you have diligently worked and gained a skill, then it’s maybe time to try something else.
When we were little, our radio broke. My father could fix anything, so my sister and I wondered why he didn’t fix it, but he said it couldn’t be fixed. Then, after about six months, miraculously, new tubes appeared and we could listen to Henry Aldrich, the Shadow Knows, and Fibber McGee and Molly again! We asked him why he didn’t do it earlier and he asked, “When you grow up do you want to listen to the radio or be ON the radio?” I immediately answered, “Be on the radio!” He said “that’s why the radio was broken until you and Jennifer knew how to practice and play your violin and piano.” And lo and behold, we have both been “on the radio!” You, Marci, are ON the radio! You are a good role model. Your daughter has given the piano a good try, we presume. Maybe time to move on to something else, but with a firm commitment from her to choose it carefully and give it her best shot and an agreed upon period of time before talking about quitting.
Sharon, yep, you commented in the right place!
I love your story of music! What a blessing it has probably been to so many of their lives!
Your advice went straight to my heart. Your story about your father struck a cord too. We never had a TV growing up and now I see that as such a blessing because it allowed more time for my own brain to create and discover who I am. That way, when you are finally “on the radio” you’re there because you are you, not a copy of someone else. I’m going to have my daughter start practicing in the morning which I believe will cut down on a lot of the resistance. Thank you again!
Vicky, That’s so true! I think of all I’ve learned even as an adult, things will all work out 🙂
I learn so much from you. I got some Crio Bru at your suggestion and will try the smoothie with cauliflower. I no longer drink coffee. Now I see how you come up with such good ideas by having your peaceful time in the wee hours of the morning.
Thanks for always inspiring me to try new things!
Marcia, indeed, my ideas all come in the morning. The day is too hectic to focus! I’m glad you can learn a little something around here 🙂
ha! I usually get up from 3-4 am also. it is my time, and I get to be alone and do what I want… Usually I answer emails, write emails and letters and take care of me. Nice,,, I can relate to that. This is the first time I am hearing of Crio Bru. I would like to try it, thanks.
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I can agree with the getting up early. I am up between 4 and 5 am. I work from home teaching children in China, and I love how quiet and calm the house is. I have found I actually miss that on the days I don’t work and try to sleep in. Having that extra quiet time in the morning really sets up the rest of your day.
When I was younger and took paino lessons there were definitely times when I didn’t want to. My mom always told me “finish out the ….(month, year, semester) and see how you feel.” This worked all the way through school for any activities I was involved with. I still follow that mindset today and it helps put things into perspective. If at the end of the time, there is still resistance, then it is ok to not continue. It teaches us to follow through, and also helps us learn about our likes and dislikes. Best of luck and keep doing what you do!
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Alexis, yep, I find I’m better off waking early, even if it means I could have used a little extra sleep. I think that’s great to give a long term endpoint to shoot for. I’m going to try that with her.
Ellyn, Yay! I can tell people I at least know one other person that gets up as early as I do!
The soup and smoothies look 👍. I have a book on my phone right now about breathing!
The Crio Bru sounds so good! Never tried it. My daughter took piano lessons for a few years and then lost interest in it too. I didn’t force her to continue, but wish she’d have stayed with it longer. We aren’t musically talented, so I’d loved for her to be!
Laura, do tell, what’s the book!?