Lauren Kent

How to Raise a Successful Adult

Hello, my sweet friends! Summer is here. Thursday, was the first full day that the kids were out of school. I love the feeling of the sun on my face, hanging out at the pool, and bike rides around our neighborhood. Ready to relish every bit of summer.

I watched a great Ted Talk a few weeks ago and it left a lasting impression on me. Actually, it blew my mind. Lol! So, as usual, I thought that I would share.

A check listed childhood and the consequences of over-protective parenting….

The speaker, a former head at Stanford, talked about the standard at which we hold our kids, a standard that we were never held to. She said that we encourage our offspring to be in every after school program, to strive for the highest grades and test scores possible, to aim for the most accolades and awards attainable. Noting that their activities and hectic schedules are FAR more important than their happiness, home responsibilities, and/or sleep.

In the race to push our kids to SOAR, to reach a little higher, these same kids are wilting as adults. Stressed from a childhood that was anything, but simple. The interesting point is that in our drive to have them be the BEST that they can be, we place less importance on simple activities like free play and chores.

Harvard’s Grant Study

During the Ted Talk, Mrs. Lythcott-Haims referenced the longest longitudinal human study in existence. Harvard’s Grant Study, which started in 1938, found that the best predictor of success in latter life was CHORES in childhood. Yes, chores! The research concluded that the willingness to perform household tasks as a kid translated to a “can do” attitude in adulthood.

Something as simple as taking out the trash and cleaning dishes correlated to the MOST SUCCESSFUL people in the study.

So, now what?

I had a hard time finding the perfect chore chart and I didn’t want to spend a lot on it. Instead, I found a free printable and then took it to the UPS store to be laminated.

Parker and John Barton each have their own chart. I plan on rotating their chores weekly, so that they have a variety of job duties. Hopefully, having it on our refrigerator will be a good reminder for them to complete their daily tasks.

For Parker’s chore chart, go here. For John Barton’s chore chart, go here.

An age appropriate chore list that I used.

Here’s to raising SUCCESSFUL adults! 😉

References

Lythcott-Haims, Julie. “How to raise successful kids – without over-parenting.” Ted Talks, November 2015, www.ted.com/talks/julie_lythcott_haims_how_to_raise_successful_kids_without_over_parenting

Vaillant, George E., The Study of Adult Development, http://www.hms.harvard.edu/psych/redbook/redbook-family-adult-01.htm

{New video} Kick Arthritis to the Curb

Kick Arthritis to the Curb

Good morning, socials! I have a new Friday Favorites. Let’s talk about turmeric (tur- mer-ic) and how it can help reduce inflammation linked to arthritis.

I totally butchered the pronunciation in the video. I thought that I was saying it correctly. Umm.. no! Well, I learn something new everyday. ☺

For more holistic arthritis treatment ideas, check out this article by Dr. Axe.

What are a few things that you are loving this week?

Do you already use turmeric?

Finding Balance with Alkalinity

Healthy Green Juice and Finding Balance with Alkalinity

The weather in Tennessee is absolutely beautiful right now. We’ve been soaking up the sun. Everyday after school, the kids have been running through the sprinklers, playing baseball in our backyard, and searching for frogs. It doesn’t get much better than that. ☺

Last week, I talked about my love of green juice and the benefits of drinking it. Writing that post, sparked an idea to create a 30 day juice challenge. Check out and join our Facebook Get Your Glow On group page. We just started, so it’s not too late to get out your Ninja and smash some greens!

When my mom was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, she did a lot of nutritional research and dove into the connection between cancer and alkalinity.

In general, the pH scale measures how acidic or alkaline a subject is ranging from 0 (acidic) to 14 (alkaline). A pH balance of 7 is NEUTRAL. Our body’s healthy pH level for blood and saliva is around 7.4 and urine at 6.

Cancer cells thrive in acidity. So, in theory, we want to keep our body in an alkaline state. I found this food chart from AlkaMind.

Source: AlkaMind

If you are curious to know your pH, I found these cool pH Test Strips online. Dr. Daryl Gioffre with AlkaMind recommends that 80% of our diet consist of alkaline foods and 20% of acidic foods. Sending you light and love, and LOTS OF GREEN JUICE!! ☺

What are your favorite outdoor summertime activities?

If you want to kick acidity to the curb, head over to our 30 Day Juice Challenge!

Update: I forgot to note that my mom has been cancer free for 6 years.

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Get Your Glow On

Dewey Skin and Added Fiber

Growing up, my mom had a giant, heavy juicer. It was old school. My aunts juiced. Trendy, and then not trendy. I think it’s on the outs right now. Can you say, KETO?? Lol!

Fast forward to now, JB and I have been through a few juicers and one Vitamix. With our old juicers, we would use the leftover pulp to make muffins, nothing to waste. So, we juiced until one of our friends told us about Vitamix.

The Vitamix blends fruits and veggies, while keeping the fiber. Whereas, with juicing, the fiber is separated and discarded. Fiber = weight loss. Score!

My Go to Recipe

My current favorite recipe is simply two handfuls of spinach, two cups of water, half of a cucumber, and the juice of a lemon. It doesn’t seem like much, but I instantly feel better.

Benefits of Green Juice

Antioxidants = GLOWING SKIN
Chlorophyll = detox and alkalinity
Fiber = weight loss
Reduced inflammation = pain relief

If you don’t want to commit fully to a Vitamix and it’s price tag, check out the Nutri Ninja Pro. It has 4.5 stars on Amazon, so it must be doing something right.

I’m thinking of doing a 30 day juice challenge. Who is with me?? If you are interested, like this article and I’ll create a plan for us.

What is your favorite juice recipe?

Do you cleanse when the season changes?

Rumi and His Wisdom

Day 3 of the Quote Challenge

Good morning, my sweet friends!! I’m off to yoga class and then to Louisville. Parker has a dance competition. She’s really enjoyed competing and hanging out with her friends this year.

It’s day 3 of the 3 Days Quote Challenge. Thank you, Oshmita with Get Styled, for nominating me! Let’s end the challenge with a bang. If you missed days 1 and 2, here they are.

Rumi and His Wisdom

Today’s quote is:

The Wound is the Place Where the Light Enters You

I’ve read this quote several times over the past few years. It makes me smile every time I see it. I’m intrigued by how people react to the same situation. When we are hurt (which we all are, have been and will be), do we get over it or do we go through it? I love to think of our wounds as the starting place for healing.

You Have a Choice

Wayne Dyer said, “With everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.”

For the 3 Days Quote Challenge | Day 3, I would like to nominate:

💜Rebecca with Joy Unspeakable

✨Connie Rosser Riddle

☺Dolly with Kool Kosher Kitchen

Tony Robbins and Inspired Goals

Tony Robbins Quote

Hello, my sweet friends. It’s day 2 of the 3 Days Quote Challenge. Thank you, Oshmita with Get Styled, for nominating me! I love being a part of a challenge. If you missed day 1, here it is.

Today’s quote is:

Inspired Goals

Do you dream? Do you imagine what your life looks like in 5 years, 10 years, 30 years? I don’t mean in a vague sense, but in a literal way. Every few months, I pray and ask God for guidance with my future. In the silence and stillness, I listen.

Fun and creative things to do, places to go, people to meet all pop into my mind. Write a book for young adults, create a project for widows and orphans, eat pizza in Rome.

It’s all random. Or, is it?

Be Open to New Possibilities

I write it down. Journal my thoughts. My thoughts become dreams. My dreams become goals. At some point in my life, I had quit dreaming. Maybe squashed hope and defeat had crept in and took it away.

If you are in that same stale place, you can pray for God to open your eyes, ears, heart and mind to new possibilities. I hope that you have an awesome weekend and that you envision inspired goals for 2018!

For the 3 Days Quote Challenge | Day 2, I would like to nominate:

🤩 Beauty Lies Within Yourself

☺ Trying to Be Lauren

💜 Adventures Abroad

Eckhart Tolle and Living in the Now

Blogging and Making Friends

Good morning, socials! Life is much better. Thank you to everyone who reached out to me. I am blessed beyond measure. What would life be without friends??

One of the unexpected surprises to writing and creating online are the connections that I have made blogging. It’s cool to meet like minded people, who are working toward a similar goal.

I use to feel alone about certain theories and ideas. Now I realize there is an entire planet full of people who think the same way. I’ve connected with people in Australia, Sweden, and England. Surreal.

3 Day Quote Challenge

I was recently nominated by a blogger friend, Get Styled, for the 3 Day Quote Challenge. Thank you SO much, Oshmita, for nominating me!! You have a great sense of style. And, I love your beauty hacks.

Rules

Thank the person who nominated you.
Write one quote each day for three consecutive days (3 quotes total).
Explain why the quote is meaningful for you.
Nominate three bloggers each day to participate in the challenge.

So, drumroll, please…. My quote is:

Mindfulness and Living in the Now

Wherever you are, be there totally. When you are aware of the here and now, your mind becomes clearly in tune with what is.

You may not like your present state. The cool thing about freewill is that you have a CHOICE—leave the situation, make changes, or be completely content in what is.

So, today, let’s choose to WAKE UP and live. Sending you lots of love and positive vibes. 😘✨💞

I would like to nominate:

Anna with The Positive Banana

Hannah with Hannahbrencher.com

Anoek with The Golden Dreamcatcher

Out of Control

Out of Control

This week has sucked, like really sucked. Turbulent to say the least. I felt so out of control that I slept, ate and drank more. Let’s say I have not lived an idyllic lifestyle. Definitely not becoming of a health and wellness blogger. But, as I sit on my deck and write this, I can feel His calm. The peace that comes from knowing God. A Father, who comforts, when the world around us is swirling. When I start to feel out of control (which still happens more than I would like), I can rest in His goodness.

No matter how things change, people let us down or sadness creeps in, He is there. Quietly waiting for me to run to Him. And, I do. I run with all I have, because there is no joy, comfort or thing that can compare to His LOVE.

The Peace that Comes from Him

The sun is shining on my face and the birds are singing. The sound of wind chimes are music to my soul. And, I know, everything is going to work out. Praying that if you feel out of control today that you turn to Him also. He doesn’t disappoint.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. -Psalm 46

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What are some ways that you find calm when life feels out of control?

Favorite Bible verse or quote?

Yoga Teacher Training

Yoga Teacher Training

“The Journey of a thousand steps begins with one step,” wrote Lao Tzu, and, so it begins. A new path that I never thought that I would embark on has appeared in my life. I began yoga teacher training yesterday!!

Normally, I would start to overthink my choice. Analyzing the process and my commitment. How can I find the time with all of my other obligations? What would other people think?

Working myself into a stress filled, emotional state of paralyzation. Basically, giving up before I even got going. But, this is the year of YES. And, I believe that God has opened a door and I am choosing to walk through it.

Family and Gratitude

When I got home from the yoga studio, JB, the kids and I had family night. We watched The Spy Next Door with Jackie Chan. Movie night is one of John Barton’s favorite things, so I am happy to oblige. lol!

I am thankful for you. Grateful that I have this outlet to speak. It feels good to put my words and thoughts out to the universe. May your weekend be filled with laughter and big smiles with family and friends.

Mindfulness: A Guide to Finding Peace

Spring is Here

What up, socials! Happy Friday. I hope you’ve had a great week.

We have a fun weekend ahead of us. I start yoga teacher training tonight, John Barton has baseball and Parker has a dance competition in Nashville. Hoping to spend time with JB, the kids, and my dad. Maybe do some spring cleaning and go to church. It will be a good one! 🙂

How I Created My Mindfulness Practice

The video is about my mindfulness practice. I talk about creating a morning routine, meditating on God, and how to use the stop light and body scan meditation techniques.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Are you excited about spring?