Healthy Parenting Handbook with Katie Kimball

ADHD is not just an attention disorder; it's an executive functioning disorder.The myths abound!If you've always thought of kids with ADHD as those who struggle in school, think again.If you expect ADHD kids to have trouble focusing, wrong again.If you think kids with ADHD are destined to struggle more throughout life, Mike McLeod is here to tell you that ADHD is not a limitation, just a different path.The ADHD brain is truly different from neurotypical brains, although some truths apply to both groups, like:Children learn best through play and unstructured time.Outdoor play is vital for developing real-world skills.Boredom is essential for self-regulation and creativity.Cooking teaches kids self-sufficiency and life skills.Unstructured time is crucial for children's development.Parents should set high expectations for their children.Removing screens can reveal hidden talents in kids.Parents need to place more importance on chores & balancing structure and freedom.Parents of kids with or without ADHD need the information in this episode, but especially stuff like this:Screen time can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, but it does not cause ADHD.The ADHD brain struggles with self-regulation and motivation for NON-preferred tasks.Varied experiences are vital for skill development.Executive functions are crucial for success in life.I love Mike's energy and expertise, like sitting at the feet of a master. What an honor to work with him both for this podcast and as a #LifeSkillsNow Season 4 camp leader! Your whole family can learn more about the power of “varied experiences” in his #LifeSkillsNow workshop this summer. Register here!Resources We Mentioned for ADHD MythsRegister now for season 4 of #LifeSkillsNow summer camp!Interviews I've done on ADHD: Does ADHD always mean medication? and Practical Solutions for ADHDFind Mike online: GrowNOW ADHDInstagram, FacebookJoin us for free #LifeSkillsNow camp this summer! Register at https://www.kidscookrealfood.com/lifeskills4! Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Emily's stories are going to get your head nodding in empathy and connection - we've all been there with the kid who just will NOT put their shoes on, brush their teeth, or do as we ask!If you've ever felt the guilt after exploding all over your kids, those little beings you LOVE so much, you need this interview.We talk all about emotional regulation, how moms need to work on their own big emotions so that they can better help their kids, and how to raise emotionally healthy families. Today, we touch on:Motherhood is no joke! It's way harder than it looks from the outside, especially when your own emotions get involved.In the heat of a meltdown, kids aren't being “bad,” they're stuck in their emotional brain, not their thinking brain.There's no perfect time to work on emotional growth. Start where you are.Getting support isn't weakness, it's wisdom.Kids learn emotional regulation by watching us. Imperfect parenting still teaches powerful lessons when we're honest and intentional.Raising critical thinkers and independent problem-solvers starts with slowing down, naming emotions, and solving problems with our kids.Before you hit play on this interview, sign up for our free #LifeSkillsNow virtual summer camp to see more of Emily!Resources We Mention for Emotional Regulationsign up for our free #LifeSkillsNow virtual summer camp to see more of Emily!The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne BrysonThe kitchen is a good place to build social emotional skillsThe Explosive Child by Ross GreenFind Emily onlineFollow her on social media: Instagram, FacebookListen to her podcastEmily's free masterclass on Emotional Regulation for Neurodivergent KidsJoin us for free #LifeSkillsNow camp this summer! Register at https://www.kidscookrealfood.com/lifeskills4! Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

If you've ever passed kefir in the grocery store and wondered, “Is that stuff actually good for you?”—you're not alone. In this episode, I talk with Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Kefir, who shares how this tangy, probiotic-rich drink became a lifeline for her immigrant family—and a powerful tool for mental and physical wellness.Julie dives into the science behind fermented foods, the gut-brain connection, and why kefir might be one of the most underrated health foods on your shelf. We also talk mom-to-mom about raising adventurous eaters, the role of dairy in women's health, and the importance of modeling self-care for our kids.In this episode, you'll learn:Why kefir supports gut health, immunity, and even mental healthHow fermented dairy reduces inflammation, and why that mattersWhat women should know before cutting dairy from their dietHow to introduce kids to kefir and other healthy foodsWhy kefir is 99% lactose-free (yes, even for sensitive stomachs)How food, family, and culture shape our health journeysPractical self-care tips for busy parentsWhether you're curious about the benefits of kefir or looking for real-life tips on raising healthy kids, this conversation will leave you inspired.Resources We Mention for a Healthy LifestyleSign up for #LifeSkillsNow Season 4Information on Dr. Elie Metchnikoff's studies on fermented milk and kefir from 1904Read more about the effects of antibacterial everythingHere's a study on fermented milk and colon cancerA kid's perspective on going dairy-freeFind Lifeway onlineFollow Julie on social media: Instagram, LinkedInCheck out Julie's cookbook: The Kefir Cookbook: Amazon, Bookshop, eBookJoin us for free #LifeSkillsNow camp this summer! Register at https://www.kidscookrealfood.com/lifeskills4! Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

We may all think and process information differently, but it's true that some diagnoses make parenting feel a lot more difficult on a day-to-day basis.You'll receive a heavy dose of empathy and understanding from this interview, along with some very practical strategies to create an environment in which your children can thrive.Ginny and I talked about:How ND kids struggle with executive function, big emotions, and emotional regulation, but can often be gifted with exceptional creativity, intellect, and problem-solving abilities.Why “routines” include both structure and flexibilitySilver linings and signs you need to get kids to clean the bathroomWhy a growth mindset must be in your toolboxThe beauty of suffering, how to infuse challenges with meaningWhere to find role models with differently wired brains for your kids!Resources We Mention for Neurodivergent ParentingRegister for #LifeSkillsNowGinny uses Ellyn Satter's division of responsibilityGet my best tips for picky eaters hereGinny has a list of saints who had some type of neurodivergenceGet Ginny's booksBlink and We'll Miss It: Amazon, BookshopGod's Kintsugi: Amazon, BookshopFind Ginny online: Quirky Catholic Kids, GinnyKochis.comFollow her on Join us for free #LifeSkillsNow camp this summer! Register at https://www.kidscookrealfood.com/lifeskills4! Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

We tend to think of "eyesight" as just needing glasses or not. But what if I told you that vision is actually a brain function, and if our kids are struggling visually, it could be impacting their learning, attention, and even behavior?In our chat, Dr. B doesn't just talk science — he gives us practical tips that any parent can use to support healthy vision for kids, especially in our screen-soaked world. He unpacks the sneaky signs of vision issues, why screen time isn't just an eye problem, and what we can actually do about it.But here's what might surprise you…Many children are misdiagnosed with attention issues when the root problem is vision-related.Eyesight and vision aren't the same thing (and that distinction is life-changing).The rise in screen time is truly affecting how our kids' eyes — and brains — develop.There's a simple at-home test you can do to check for red flags in your child's vision.Vision therapy is not just for kids with glasses — it's for brains that need support.Outdoor time isn't just "nice" — it's necessary for strong visual development.Functional eye doctors approach vision differently, and it's exactly what so many kids need.And yes, the 20-20-20 rule? It's real, simple, and super helpful!We also talk blue light, digital performance glasses, and how to balance a tech-filled life without turning into a screen-time tyrant.

Raise your hand if you love money!But…raise your hand if you DON'T love figuring out what to DO with your money, spending too much money, or not having enough money?That's Brad Nelson's mission as Debt Free Dad - to help normal everyday people take control of their finances so they can live a happier less stressful life.We dig into a lot of practical and philosophical tips, including:First steps to get out of debtHow to STAY out of debt in the first placeLetting go of limiting beliefsCreating a “debt is bad” mindset - for the wrong kind of debtGetting more time freedom in your life – because time is the one thing we never get back!We dig into how to teach kids and teens about finances too: “We have to teach our kids what debt is and the risk it can have on your life and the choices you make…”Why financial health is a daily commitmentBrad is one of our valued #LifeSkillsNow Season 4 camp leaders, teaching teens and tweens about the real cost of “convenience” and what compound interest can do for our high school kids. It's phenomenal! My own kids and other teen testers were blown away.Check out #LifeSkillsNow totally free right here.Resources We Mention for Teaching Kids About DebtCheck out #LifeSkillsNow totally free right here!The book Brad mentioned: Top Five Regrets of the DyingRocket Money can help you get rid of subscriptionsCheck out Brad's free video to help you reduce financial stressFind Brad onlineFollow him on social media: Facebook, TikTok, InstagramJoin us for free #LifeSkillsNow camp this summer! Register at https://www.kidscookrealfood.com/lifeskills4! Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Today I'm doing something completely new! It's a podcast swap! Here is an episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast with Hunter Clarke-Fields.It's the third of a three-part series so definitely go check that out when you're done with this one!Find Hunter OnlineFollow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube  Join us for free #LifeSkillsNow camp this summer! Register at https://www.kidscookrealfood.com/lifeskills4! Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Raise your hand if you've ever yelled or lost your cool as a parent.Keep that hand up if you thought you would never yell as a parent.I know, right?It's the story of many who go on to be mindful or positive or grounded parenting experts. “I never thought I would…”Me neither!That means we need tools, and today's guest will give you some powerful ones in the form of mindfulness for parents.Resources We Mention for Parenting Without YellingGet Hunter's books:Raising Good Humans: Amazon, BookshopRaising Good Humans Every Day: Amazon, BookshopRaising Good Humans Guided Journal: Amazon, BookshopMindful Mama MentorFacebook, Instagram, YouTubeHunter's free guide to repair the relationship after yellingHunter's "Stop Yelling Formula"Learn more about the lizard and monkey brain statesJoin us for free #LifeSkillsNow camp this summer! Register at https://www.kidscookrealfood.com/lifeskills4! Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

In today's Healthy Parenting Handbook episode, I'm going to take 5 different arguments against kids doing chores and learning life skills and counter them with facts, stories, research, and a big ol' dose of common sense.These are real arguments I hear from both well-meaning parents AND keyboard warriors on social media, plus one from a well-established expert I heard on a podcast that I simply do not agree with!If you've ever had to listen to someone say it's cruelty to make your kids clean a bathroom or have felt yourself that maybe kids are busy enough - maybe life skills aren't important to learn now - this one's for you.Resources I Mention for Chores and Life SkillsReserve your spot in our 2025 Life Skills Now Summer CampPurchase access to Life Skills Now Season One from 2022, Season Two from 2023, or Season 3 from 20243 Reasons Giving Kids Responsibility is a GiftJoin us for free #LifeSkillsNow camp this summer! Register at https://www.kidscookrealfood.com/lifeskills4! Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Moms take care of everyone…but sometimes we forget ourselves.If you've had those moments when you blow up at a kid or spouse and then realize, “Oh, I haven't eaten in 4 hours,” you know what it's like to feel ‘hangry.'My guest today draws upon personal and professional experience with nutrition and blood sugar to give us a masterclass on how to think about the contents of our food and fueling ourselves (and our families) for the day.You'll learn:2 goals for daily eatinghow to anchor your food to feel better all-daythe real cause of mood swings, anxiety, and tirednesswhy grocery shopping and trying new recipes may sometimes seem like a fun challenge and other times be a draghow to teach our kids about healthy fuel and choosing balanced mealswhether calorie counting makes sense for moms in the thick of ithow to stay motivated to feed our families when it starts to get us downsome excellent grocery shopping tips to keep you on a budgetChandis created a Christian-based series of nutrition and food classes for the whole family to watch, and you'll get a taste of how important they are in this interview.Resources We Mention for Balancing Blood SugarRead more about "hangry" symptomsIf food is causing burnout, it's probably time to pass some cooking skills on to the kidsI now have 3 kids who make dinner one night a week!Listeners can use the coupon code “handbook” for 20% off the “Eating Close to Nature” seriesThank you to today's sponsor, Happsy! Shop at kidscookrealfood.com/Happsy for an earth-friendly, affordable mattress today. Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

When you yell at your kids, it always works to improve their behavior and your relationship, right?Ha.But what's a parent at the end of their rope to do?My guest today, Jennifer Kolari, has worked with some of the toughest, most challenging kids out there, and she has the answer: love them. Connect with them. Use the CALM technique so that your kids can truly learn better behavior in a safe environment.Resources We Mention for CALM ParentingFind Jennifer online at Connected ParentingHere's a protein-rich small snack that's easy to make with your kids.Here are tips to get your kid sleeping enoughFollow Jennifer on social media: Facebook, InstagramJennifer's free webinarGet your free knife skills class at https://kidscookrealfood.com/HPHknife right now! Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

I love hearing about homeschoolers who have the space, time, and freedom to really find their passions, and that's far from the only benefit of homeschooling. My guest today would have told you homeschooling was a crazy option when she first got married, and now she's a passionate proponent.What changed?You'll find out in the interview, and I have to say that the Swanson family genesis of homeschooling was a big surprise for me!Resources We MentionHelping teens pursue their passionsMonica's books:Becoming Homeschoolers: Amazon, BookshopRaising Amazing: Amazon, BookshopBoy Mom: Amazon, BookshopFollow Monica onlineListen to her podcastInstagram, FacebookWhat to expect in every stage of parenting freebie Get your free knife skills class at https://kidscookrealfood.com/HPHknife right now! Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

My guest today, Dr Morgan Cutlip, is a sought-after relationship expert, but she doesn't talk down to moms - she's right in it with us.If you've ever had a disagreement with your spouse about who's doing more than the other in the home, how full your brain is, or whether one of you is angry or just using your “go time” or “business” voice – you need this info.We'll dig deep into mental load with topics such as:what the mental load IS and why it really really impacts our relationships…possible gender roles when it comes to mental load and how that impacts our marriagesthe conversations we need to have with spouses how to model good relationship building as a life skill for our kidsthe difference between discernment and judgement and how to teach that to our kidsone super practical tip to raise kids who take initiative as adultsResources We Mention for Balancing the Mental LoadCheck out Dr. Morgan's booksLove Your Kids Without Losing Yourself: Amazon, BookshopA Better Share: Amazon, BookshopFair Play by Eve RodskyMy interview with Tidy Dad Dr. Morgan's audio course for couplesFind Dr. Morgan onlineFollow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram, PinterestGet Dr. Morgan's free guide to talking to your partner about mental loadThanks to today's sponsor, Paleovalley. Shop here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/meatsticks Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

We will ALL encounter tough situations and hard times in our lives. We will ALL cope with them in some way. But sometimes coping looks like throwing a chair or eat a whole box of cookies.Licensed Mental Health Counselor Janine Halloran joins us today to talk about the kind of coping that is safe and healthy and HOW we can teach those skills to our kids (while also modeling them ourselves).In this super practical conversation, you'll learn:What kinds of coping skills most kids preferHow and when to intentionally introduce coping skills to kids (and why our gut reaction is usually wrong)Kid-friendly deep breathing techniques that don't come off as cornyHow we can help our kids (and, ahem, ourselves) USE the safe and healthy coping skills in the heated moments instead of the tantrumsWhat it means to be the thermostat, not the thermometer…How food can help kids build mindfulness, yay!The FIRST, easiest, most practical step you can take TODAY to build these skills in your familyTruly, parents, this interview is full of golden moments. Take time to listen to it all, and some parts twice!!!Resources We Mention for Big EmotionsMy interview with Suzanne Tucker about emotional healthJanine's free coping skills for kids checklistJanine's workbooks: Coping Skills for Kids and Coping Skills for TeensCoping Skills for Kids HubIf you need help managing your own stress check out my Stress Mastery courseMy top stress relief strategy and  how to be BFFs with your stressFind Janine online hereFollow her on social media: Instagram, Facebook Thanks to today's sponsor, Paleovalley. Shop here: https://kidscookrealfood.com/meatsticks Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

I call myself a science geek, but my reading and research don't hold a candle to Pearl and Serene of Trim Healthy Mama, authors of the new book Trim Healthy Wisdom.What I love most about them is that they KEEP learning and aren't afraid to add to and update their life's work. When peri-menopause hit and their bodies asked for something different, they did in-depth research and figured it out - for themselves and everyone else!You will learn SO much!Y'all. These women are BRILLIANT and also tender, encouraging, and funny. I could hang out with them forever and soak up their wisdom. Get the book Trim Healthy Wisdom, start by reading the bullet summaries, and then dig into the parts you need the most.Resources We Mention for Women's MetabolismGet Pearl and Serene's new book:Trim Healthy Wisdom: Book, eBook & Audio bundle, Audio book (Use code katie4THW for $5 off!)One Hundred Days of Inspiration: Devotional for Women of All Ages & Stages: Bookshop, AmazonFollow them on social media: Facebook, Instagram, YoutubeWhat's the cleanest protein powder?These meat sticks are a great on-the-go protein optionThere's a THM "Workin" series you can purchase, or you can become a member of their YouTube channel to access some videosThank you to today's sponsor, Happsy! Shop at kidscookrealfood.com/Happsy for an earth-friendly, affordable mattress today. Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

When Dr. Michael Goran started researching children's nutrition almost 40 years ago, he wasn't looking at obesity, type 2 diabetes, or fatty liver disease. That wasn't because his head was in the sand - those things didn't exist in kids but now all 3 are becoming prevalent.What is going on???Time and time again, the research pointed to a surprising cause - excess sugar.In this professorial interview, you'll learn:what excess sugar does in the body, including before someone is even bornwhy “excess sugar” is a tricky term to usethe changes in how we consume sugar since the 80s (it might not be what you think)the dangers of liquid sugar and the massive red flags with the current alternative option!very practical ideas to take control of the situation in the only place you canencouragement that you can take small steps to make a big difference!how to empower kids to make their own good choicesDoes Sugarproofing your kids mean withholding all sugar? Find out in this interview!Resources We Mention About Sugar and KidsGet Dr. Goran's book: Sugarproof: Protect Your Family From the Hidden Dangers of Excess Sugar with Simple Everyday Fixes (Amazon, Bookshop)There are some benefits to using honey or maple syrupMore about how we deal with desserts and sweets in our family cultureReduce sugar intake with these muffins sweetened with bananas and applesauce and this date-sweetened frostingSugar and inflammation Find Dr. Goran online: Dr. Michael Goran, Sugarproof KidsFollow him on InstagramGet a free chapter and sugarproof breakfast guide here Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Imagine with me…your kids can take over a whole dinner meal and cook it themselves while you get something else done!It's a dream that has become reality times three for me here at the Kids Cook Real Food™ household.I realized I've shared the process we used to gradually release cooking responsibility and teach our kids to cook a whole dinner by themselves many times on other podcasts when I'm the guest. It's about time I share it with you as well!It's a multi-step process:Let the kids watch you make a recipe.Watch them make the recipe while you're there with reminders.Let them make the same recipe while you're available in the house for questions.Then they can make that recipe with zero help from you.For 3-9 months, the kids should make the same recipe weekly to learn it to a mastery level.Then in the second year of kid's cooking night (or second phase), you can let them make their old favorite every other week. In the interim weeks, they need to try other recipes.This allows them to take on the physical labor of cooking first, then gradually ease into the mental load portion as you help them meal plan side-by-side.We've used this process with three kids so far, and the fourth won't be far behind!You can watch Paul and Leah's “old favorite recipe” for pizza right here. This is a great one to watch with your kids as it has Paul's early teenage creativity stamped all over it.Resources We Mention for Kids Cooking DinnerGet started teaching your kids to cookSome of Paul's favorite recipes to make: cheeseburger soup or pinto galloYou can see Paul and Leah's pizza recipe here along with their entire process. (They filmed and edited the entire video themselves!)Teach kids skills in the kitchen instead of just teaching recipes Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Did you know the pre-frontal cortex where executive functioning lives doesn't fully develop until our early 30s???I still struggle with some executive functioning skills like time management and following a plan, but if I learned anything from this interview, it's that we ALL can continue to grow, change, and improve. You are not married to your weaknesses!If we can help our kids BEST develop their executive function, they will be more independent, better at their jobs, find deeper relationships, and be better parents themselves. It's THAT important!My guest today, Noel Foy, helps us understand what executive functioning is, how it develops over time, and some really practical ways to build it best in our kids.Her question, “What is your plan for that?” is pure gold, and I know you'll love all the little strategies she shares to reduce anxiety in our kids while improving their executive function. As we teach life skills and independence, we are also teaching executive functioning skills! Score!

I've always said that parenting is “an 18-year-long game,” fully expecting that parenting would markedly diminish after my kids turned 18. Now that I'm parenting a 19-year-old…it turns out parenting DOES change and it ought to diminish, but it's still a thing!Kim Muench coaches parents of “emerging adults,” a new term needed to describe 18-30-year-olds who aren't quite ready to be real adults, apparently.In this interview, we talk about WHY we need both this term and parenting strategies to continue our conscious, intentional parenting beyond age 18.But this podcast isn't just for parents of emerging adults!If you want to set your teens up for adulthood – and since you're here, I'm assuming you do – it starts at least in high school and most likely long before that.Kim and I dig into the pitfalls of becoming your child or teen's friend, screen use at various ages, life skills, problem-solving, and soooo much more. Believe me, you'll need all of it well before your kiddo hits 18.If you want to prepare yourself for the next phase of parenting, and more importantly, prepare your kids to enter adulthood more smoothly, this interview is for you!Thank you to our sponsor Paleovalley! Check them out at kidscookrealfood.com/meatsticks. Resources We Mention for Parenting Adult ChildrenKim's book: Becoming Me While Raising You: A Mother's Journey to Her Self (Amazon, Bookshop)Find Kim online hereFollow her on social media: TikTok, InstagramWe teach life skills to kids, teens, and even adults! Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

I've known about proper breathing technique and oral posture for over five years now and I'm STILL doing it wrong if I don't focus on it!Seriously. Breathing.If you've ever thought about your breathing - and most of us don't because it's so automatic - you might notice that you feel differently when you breathe differently. Breath drives a LOT of functions, from our mental health (think fast breathing when you're anxious) to our behavior, sleep, cardiovascular and digestive health, and more.Shirley Gutkowski thought she wanted to be an orthodontist, but a few careers in oral health later, she's found something she's really passionate about.She says people simply don't talk about breathing enough, and she's on a mission to change that through education.I'm so grateful for the time she spent with me on this interview, and my brain is bursting with ramifications in my own family after what I learned!If you're breathing…and you have children who breathe…this podcast is for you.Get the free knife skills class at kidscookrealfood.com/HPHknife!Resources We Mention for Proper Breathing TechniqueMore than a Kissing Spot: Your New Baby's FaceThe Purple Guide: Developing Your Clinical Dental Hygiene CareerFind Shirley onlineFollow her on social media: Facebook, X, YouTube, InstagramMore about mouthtaping here. Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

How about some stats to make you sad? Kids are on screens an average of 7 hours a day…and we spend 85% of our parenting energy on what our kids are doing wrong.Aw, man!It stinks to start with the negative.In fact, that will train our brains to see more negative things, which is why I did it.Do you feel more down after reading that? More worried? More hopeless about our kids' generation?The GOOD news is that there's another way.I'm beyond honored to host Ralphie Jacobs of Simply on Purpose today to remind us that not only CAN we look for the positive, but we must - because it works, and it's actually easier than yelling angrily at our kids!You'll come away from this interview feeling so encouraged and ready to parent differently, with 85% of your energy (or more!) focused on the positive!Get ready to learn:how to create positive momentum in your child's daywhy asking a kid or teen, “Why did you do that?” becomes a parenting trap (that you DON'T want to fall into!)what comes first in parenting - the words or the feelingsa much better way to say, “If you don't clean your room, you don't get to come to the movie,” that's actually EASIER to enforce!why fear-based behavior is bad for everyone in the long runan incredibly powerful way to guard your connection with your child - and raise kids who, like Ralphie's, want to call home and come home to be with parents

Depression and anxiety are plaguing our children, and stress is often a root cause...what can we do about it?Whether we actually live stressful lives or simply stress ourselves out (or social media plays a role in over-stimulating our amygdala and fight or flight response), there's no doubt in my mind that Americans are experiencing stress, and are not all that great at dealing with it.And it's showing in our children!Past guest, Dr. Kelly Brogan, said, "Children are our sentinels," when something is wrong. With 1/3 of teens reporting anxiety and 9-13% clinically depressed, it's time to listen up. But what can we do to help our kids be more resistant to depression and anxiety?This week's guest, nutritionist Jess Sherman, has a great answer, and it's all about increasing their RESILIENCY.In this interview, we'll talk about:Why even great schools aren't able to fully tap into kids' brilliance and potentialRemoving roadblocks to resilience (including food!)Why self-regulation is critical to resilience, and some factors that interfere with kids being able to self-regulateFoods that parents need to be aware of for best school performanceHow to get kids on board with healthy foodIf you love what Jess has to say join the workshop we're doing together about picky eating and stress!Thanks to today's sponsor, Chef Junior, the only real food cookbook written by kids, for kids! Find it at kidscookrealfood.com/chefjr.Resources for Reducing Stress in KidsJoin our workshop on picky eating and stressJess's book: Raising ResilienceCheck out all of Jess's courses hereFind Jess onlineFollow her on Facebook or Instagram @askjesssherman Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Imagine if your child was kicked out of daycare for behavior issues, in spite of the fact that you're making intentional choices as parents.Devastating!But what if the problem wasn't caused by your child OR your parenting choices?Brandon and Whitney Cawood's story will break your heart and then give you hope because they found what was hurting their son and were able to remove it from his life - and he's a different kid now.They wanted to share what they learned with the world and poured their talents into a 2.5-year project going live on January 14, 2025.Look up their film To Dye For: The Documentary immediately on Amazon or Apple TV (and other streaming service, we hope)!You'll love this interview with such humble, curious parents, and I can't wait to watch the documentary. They share some juicy behind-the-scenes stories and a lot of information about synthetic food dyes, the central focus of their family's story and their film.What started as a tiny ray of hope in the Cawood's lives has become a beacon for hundreds of thousands of families, and their impact is soon to get even bigger!If you've ever wondered if you should pay attention to ingredients like Red 40 and Blue 1, this is the interview for you!Resources We Mention for Avoiding Food DyesFind To Dye For: The DocumentaryFollow them on InstagramThe ToDye For resource pageThe OEHHA report mentionedSign up for the Cawood's email list to get the list of food dyes to look out forHere's an older post I wrote about avoiding artificial food dyesDr. Elisa Song and I also talked about artificial colors and flavors Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Want to hear from a naturopath from down under?Jess Donovan, with her lovely Aussie accent, shares all sorts of goodness with us today on the Healthy Parenting Handbook, like:favorite immunity-boosting foods to recommend to busy familiesthe best way to get probiotics integrated into your familycommon nutrient deficiencies in kids (and what you can do to seek the best balance)food allergy management, whether the allergy is IN your family or just around youhow mom's health may be related to her kids'And so much more!Jess hosts an online masterclass where you'll discover 3 PROVEN ways to TRANSFORM your Kids GUT HEALTH to improve their behavior, fussy eating, immunity, and allergies. Grab your FREE spot here!Thanks to today's sponsor, Chef Junior, the only real food cookbook written by kids, for kids! Find it at kidscookrealfood.com/chefjr.Resources We Mention for Balancing NutritionFind Jess Donovan online hereJess's free book on gut healthSauerkraut recipeFermentation ebookKimchi recipeWater Kefir recipeProbiotics for kids: MaryRuth's liquid probiotic, JustThriveGuide to finding a fish oil supplementEinkorn pastaUS Wellness MeatsChia pudding for omega 3sGluten and Dairy-Free Guide for RookiesMy interview about epigenetics The Jamie Oliver video we talked about Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Have you seen the dad who cleans on Instagram?I don't know if Tyler Moore, aka Tidy Dad, enjoys that people probably know him that way, but I think it's accurate!I've followed Tyler since the summer of 2022 - but who in the world remembers WHEN they started following someone on Instagram? You'll hear why that summer was important in Tyler's career during the interview, and also some little-known tales of how and why he got started online. (I was surprised!)In this joyful and open conversation, you'll hear:why Tyler “declutters” differently than the guru bookshow the Moore family pushes against “the norm” with how and where they choose to livehow Tyler's own parents helped lay some foundations for tidy-ness (but also ultimately caused his life to feel very UN-tidy)some of the practical cleaning advice that Insta-followers go gaga forwhat the philosophy of “just enough” really means and how it looks in real lifepeeks and glimpses into Tidy Dad's new book, Tidy Up Your Life - super fun!what Tyler says to his girls when they don't really feel like helping with choresI really do love watching Tidy Dad clean; it's kind of ridiculous. You'll love listening to him and feeling his optimism even more!Be sure to pre-order the book ASAP to help him hit the bestseller lists in January!!Don't forget to sign up for the free knife skills class at kidscookrealfood.com/HPHknife! Resources We Mention for Organizing Your LifePre-order Tyler's book: Tidy Up Your Life on Amazon and on BookshopHere are my top reasons why kids should do choresMore on kitchen zonesWays to organize a kid-friendly kitchenOrganization for families with ClutterbugFind Tyler on his websiteFollow him on social media: Facebook, Instagram, PinterestThe "notice and do" technique is from Sam Kelly Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Ever been asked a question in person, and you replay the conversation over and over, a dozen times, rephrasing your answer?I did that recently, not just rephrasing but adding and rethinking and adding some more.The question was, “How do you raise such nice boys??”I decided it would make a pretty decent podcast episode, exploring my meanderings through intentional parenting and how we've built a family culture.Does this advice (If you can call it that) apply to girls too? You betcha. In fact, it's pretty universal.I look forward to hearing what you think about:the way we chose to parent our newborns and toddlerswhat I think about my husbandwhether boys can be gentlethe impact of mirror neurons on our kids' brainsthe effect healthy food may or may not have on “nice boys”our “people over screens” rules and how we've pulled back and released technology over the yearschoice within boundaries, and agency while working as a team on high expectationsand maybe most importantly - is it ever too late?This episode is sponsored by Chef Junior, the cookbook for kids by kids - including my oldest son! Find out more at kidscookrealfood.com/chefjr.Resources We Mention for Raising Nice BoysAvoiding "hangry" meltdownsHow we are managing our screensSome benefits of family dinnersThe book I mentioned: Hold On to Your Kids Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

The world keeps getting more and more fast-paced, and our brains and bodies aren't really keeping up.As moms, can we possibly create a home that is a peaceful space, a safe place from which our kids can explore?My guest today is Jennifer Pepito, author of Habits for a Sacred Home, and we talk about just that, including:Why moms are naturally fearful (and what we can do about it)What exactly IS a “sacred home” and how do we begin creating oneCreating order in chaotic times through basic rules of lifeThe joy and benefit of passing on life skills to our kids (and some practical tips to make it happen)The role of cooking in developing a community of shared values within (and without) the homeThe key to better outcomes and more responsible childrenWhy rules don't work when done incorrectlyThe first step to creating a sacred home is so simple, it takes only about 10 seconds per day, per childJennifer is so grounded and yet practical, balanced in her approach and yet challenging.Resources We Mention for Creating a Peaceful HomeJennifer's books: Habits for a Sacred Home (Amazon, Bookshop), Mothering by the Book (Amazon, Bookshop)There are many benefits to gathering together around the dinner tableRestoration at Home CommunityFind Jennifer onlineFollow her on social media: Instagram, FacebookJennifer's podcast: Restoration Home Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Ever felt like your kids or teens want to do the opposite of what you recommend?Dr. Mandy Patterson and I are both moms of teens, and we talk today about the perils of parenting and how we work around the resistance. She has some great tips for finding a way “in” to what your kids care about when it comes to health and behavior.Since this is a parenting podcast, I'm guessing most of you have at least somewhat figured out “fertility” as it pertains to having babies - but that's not all it's about! Your fertility health really is a marker of your overall health and wellness, and if you can keep your hormones balanced, you'll feel much better overall.We get dirty on my late-night eating habit (sigh) and some best practices for women, especially in the morning.Then we dive into how and WHY to help our tween and teen girls care for their own fertility right from the start, and the epidemic of PCOS.Resources We Mention for Hormone Health for TeensHere are the lists of the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15.Find the best forms of magnesium for kids hereHelping teens thrive in spite of screensWhy you might not want to put your teens on hormonal birth controlLARQ water bottle filterMy review of Berkey filtersGRAYL water bottle filterFind Dr. Mandy onlineFollow her on social media: Instagram, FacebookGutsy Fertility Podcast Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

I see a lot on social media about the “mental load” that women especially carry.Meal planning, grocery shopping, cleaning the house, getting kids where they belong on time, making sure they have proper snacks and meals if they won't be home for dinner, homework, emails from everywhere…It's a LOT.And a lot of the mental load we home managers carry has to do with FOOD.We gotta keep that family nourished!I'm pleased to share a bit of advice on one time-tested way to reduce your own mental load – by sharing it.In my own home, I admit that the mental load still falls mainly on me, but since I'm doing less of the physical work, it all feels lighter. Eventually, I think others in the family will think, “What IS for dinner tomorrow? Did someone plan dinner?” but I'm still working on that part.The secret to sharing it is good training, and in this episode, I'll teach you how to pass on some cooking skills to the young people in your household so that your load is lighter – and honestly, their load over the long run of life is lighter too, because they won't have to “figure it out” through trial and error once they're mired in adulthood.Prepping for the holidays? Get our special BOGO deal on the Holiday Baking Challenge here!Resources We Mention for Mental LoadCheck out Kids Cook Real Food™ today!You can watch our free knife skills class hereBonding through creating can help heal traumaHere are some tips for helping a child heal from a concussion Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Way back when my husband and I were new-ish parents, he read a headline that talked about parents being “bone tired” at the end of the day.For years, we referred to that phrase: “We're BONE TIRED. Parents are all BONE TIRED.” (Put a little lilt and emphasis on “bone” and you can hear us in your head now.)As it turns out, Dr. Evan Hirsch would recommend that we stop with those negative thoughts, because they're not going to take us anywhere good. He's an international expert on chronic fatigue (and now long haulers), and this was an interview I was HIGHLY looking forward to. I was right!Prepare to be fascinated by Dr. Hirsch's wisdom on:The 33 causes of fatigueHow you KNOW you have chronic fatigue (and aren't just bone tired like every other parent out there – and it's way easier than I expected to figure it out!)Why solving your chronic fatigue may also make you live longerWhy some people become long haulers and others don't (this has fascinated me for a while and I couldn't wait to discuss it!)Dr. Hirsch's process for helping people reverse chronic fatigue (that more or less translates to long haul)How you know if 5 jumping jacks is pushing your body too muchA simple “recipe” to raise healthy kids (i.e. what an integrative MD would tell you to do to prevent your kids from getting chronic illnesses and BOOST their real energy — not the sugar-laden kind — to help them live happier lives now)THE most important technique he recommends to everyone, preventative and restorative (and there are only 4 steps to it and zero cost!!!)I'm going to be thinking about this interview for a long time … can't wait to hear what you think about it.This episode is sponsored by Chef Junior, the cookbook BY kids FOR kids! Check it out here: kidscookrealfood.com/chefjrResources We Mention for Chronic FatigueDr. Hirsch would like to give you a FREE PDF download of his book Tired of Being Tired that has helped thousands of exhausted humans resolve their fatigue and achieve more in their livesHere is Dr. Hirsch's book Fight the FatigueHere's an interview about one of those infections, Lyme diseaseHere's the Jack Canfield book The Success Principles we talked aboutFollow Dr. Hirsch on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Youtube Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Let's talk money!If you're feeling stuck living paycheck to paycheck, you're in the majority here in America - but it doesn't have to be that way!Brie Sodano is a nationally recognized Personal Finance Expert, and she does things differently – today we flip some paradigms on their heads and get a peek into Brie's wisdom and systems for money, including:The ineffectiveness of budgets and the importance of mindset in managing moneyThe worst financial advice Brie has ever heard (I bet you've heard it too!!)The interconnectedness of time, money, and energy in financial managementThe impact of college education and student loan debt on financial well-being – and how to evaluate college as an investmentThe best way for parents to build a healthy money mindset for their young childrenWhy systems work better than plans (and a few system recommendations that will make a massive difference)How to look at grocery spending, and why you might not need to cut back there!One step to take to spend less (and it's not giving up yoga class or even that Starbucks latte!)A simple habit to add to your family's life that will help you feel better about money - and it's not a financial habit!Brie is a mom just like us, with all the surprises that come with parenting - like apparently having kids makes all your forks disappear. :) She's funny and wise and a perfect person to have in your ear when it comes to thinking about money.Be sure to check out her Find Your Bleed course for more!Thank you to today's sponsor, Happsy! Check out their organic cotton mattresses at kidscookrealfood.com/Happsy. Resources We Mention for Money MindsetBrie's free Find Your Bleed seriesAll the books Brie mentioned: Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Think and Get Rich, The Science of Getting RichHere are a couple of previous interviews specifically about grocery budgets: developing a flexible grocery budget, feeding your family without going broke, and teaching kids about grocery budgetingFind Brie onlineFollow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram, YoutubeListen to her podcast: Cash Confident Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Will sleep become the new kale? Or the new cancer?Adults are shorting themselves on sleep in droves in our "always-on" culture, and I'm unfortunately leading the pack. That's why I begged sleep science coach Christine Hansen to join me for a half hour to get some important tips!!I started implementing a new way to wake up my kids immediately, and I know being a better parent means being well-rested (i.e. not angry mommy).If you feel like you're not getting a tight 8 in bed OR your sleep quality doesn't feel optimal, this is a must listen. We talk about:How adult sleep is so much more complicated than infant sleep.Our brain's many jobs during sleep - and why we can't catch up! :(Why caffeine and morning sleepiness are signs of sleep deprivation (ahem, anyone out there feel this??)The anatomy of sleep and how to wake up at the perfect timeProblems for "night owls"The BEST way to wake up your child (hint: it's not an alarm clock)As a nutritional therapist, Christine has unique and powerful insights into how our food affects our sleep!We dig into kids: bedtimes, sleepy at school, and even how dessert affects their sleep!How many hours DO you need? How about teenagers?This episode is sponsored by Just Thrive Probiotics. Check out their great, shelf-stable probiotics at kidscookrealfood.com/JustThive, and use coupon code Katie15 for 15% off! Resources We Mentioned on Sleep QualityChristine has moved on from sleep coaching, but you can now find her at Christine Means Business. Her sleep coaching site was passed on to another coach, if you still need help!Her book is on AmazonSunlight alarm clockBlue blocker glassesSleep is the new kale: 8 ways to improve sleep qualityCan sleep affect picky eating? Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Warning - sad statistic. :( The 2nd leading cause of death for kids ages 10-24 in America is...suicide.I'm not okay with this!Let's talk this Depression Awareness Month about prevention - there are research-based strategies that parents can use to reduce their kids' chances of being depressed. While depression isn't the only risk factor for suicide, it is certainly correlated.If we can make these practices a part of American culture, we can save American kids!!Today I'm expanding on these 3 things parents can do to raise depression-proof kids:Control stress - in yourself and then model and teach your kids to do it for themselvesBoost self-esteem - through genuine purpose-driven work, not empty complimentsIncrease resilience - by letting kids learn to cope with failure and difficultiesThis episode is sponsored by Just Thrive Probiotics! Check them out at kidscookrealfood.com/JustThrive. Use code Katie15 for 15% off!Resources We Mention About Depression PreventionMayo Clinic article on teen suicideMayo Clinic article on teen depression causes and preventionMy interview with Jessica Lahey on the gift of failureMy interview with Jess Sherman on raising resilienceMy Healthy Parenting Handbook episodes on Stress Mastery: part 1 and part 2My interview with Lisa Dorval on meditation for kids (includes 2 guided meditations)The Wellness Mama podcast episode with Margot BisnowRaising kids to follow their passions with Jonathan and Renee HarrisLife skills to teach your kids before they turn 18 Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Cas of Clutterbug describes her “young mom” self as a hot mess – house a disaster and feeling horrible that she couldn't get organized.She finally realized a few important pieces of her own personality and is now a Recovering Super Slob turned Organizing Expert who teaches others how to tap into their own unique organizing styles, which she says are part of a person from birth.Cas is a wizard at explaining how people work and how we can both get our homes in order AND pass on effective decluttering and organizing skills to our kids!Check out today's sponsor, Perfect Supplements!Resources We Mention for Organization StylesCas's books: The Clutter Connection (Amazon, Bookshop), Real Life Organizing (Amazon, Bookshop), Cluttered Mess to Organized Success Workbook (Amazon, Bookshop), The Declutter Challenge (Amazon, Bookshop)The Kitchen Stewardship post on macro organizingHere's Cas's free macro organizing guideSome of my tips for Register now for the No More Picky Eating Challenge, happening October 2-8 Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram or Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Did you know that the way your child eats can affect their speech and vice versa?Melanie Potock is a Speech-Language Pathologist who became a pediatric feeding expert through her experience as a mom of a former picky eater. She uses her SLP expertise to help parents introduce new foods to kids, form healthy eating habits, and really lay the foundation for a lifetime of good nutrition.I'm honored to host her here today on the Healthy Parenting Handbook! I know you'll love Melanie and these tips will really make a difference in your household immediately!Resources We Mention to Raise Adventurous EatersSign up for the No More Picky Eating ChallengeFind Melanie Potock MA, CCC-SLP online and take 10% off any of her amazing video courses using code MYMUNCHBUG10Melanie's books: Raising a Healthy, Happy Eater, Adventures in Veggieland, Baby Self-Feeding, Happy Mealtimes with Happy KidsMy interview with Dina RoseMelanie's New York Times article about pouchesSquooshi pouches and carrot baby food recipe on KSSippy cup info on Melanie's siteOur knife safety classFeeding toddlers and more about snacks from Edwena Kennedy“The cooking connection” from Melanie's siteMelanie's articles on picky eating connected with autismMelanie's interview on the 8 sensesPicky Eating vs. Sensory Processing Disorder Register now for the No More Picky Eating Challenge, happening October 2-8 Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Note: I mention in this interview to go to episode 38, but things got switched around and it's actually 39. Sorry! No one has to say school lunches are good or bad, healthy or unhealthy.That's not my point today - although I think school lunches could use some improvement. :)Today let's talk about picky eating specifically - could school lunches potentially contribute to or exacerbate picky tendencies for certain kids?I think so.Today I'll explore 10 reasons why school lunch might not be friendly to your picky eater. Some might apply to your family, others might not. Let me know what you think!If you're struggling with a child who isn't a very adventurous eater, I've got just the invitation for you - please join me in the No More Picky Eating Challenge kicking off October 1st and 2nd, 2024! It's a totally free, 5-day challenge with quick video lessons and action steps each day.Over half of the kids in the challenge try new foods in just 5 days, but that's not even the point. The point is to create a less stressful environment at the dinner table, and that happens for 85+% of participants!!Join here!Resources We Mention for Picky EatingMy picky eater TEDx talkNo More Picky Eating challenge10 ways to serve vegetables to encourage kids to try themWhen a child eats less than 20 foods, it's considered problem feeding rather than picky eating and this is a serious problemHow we make homemade yogurtLearn more about the benefits of family dinners hereHere is the Instagram account I mentioned, kids.eat.in.colorHere are some of my resources on packing school lunches. I have a book, videos, and blog posts Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

If your child has ever thrown a tantrum…If you've ever reacted, let's say, “imperfectly” to that tantrum…If you've ever wondered why your toddler or teen is having a meltdown over something seemingly inconsequential…My friends, then this interview is a MUST LISTEN.Ann is an incredible teacher - let's learn about:The impact of childhood experiences on adult relationships and parentingHow to protect our kids from being “wounded” in childhood and acting that out as adults!Why empathizing with a child's big emotions is NOT the same thing as letting them get their way (with some super fun examples)How to play detective when your child has a meltdown (and how to soothe them faster than usual!)Why “mental health” probably isn't even an accurate term to useHow going outside to throw a ball against the wall might make you a better parentWhat to say to boys who still cry about frustrating events when you feel like they're “too old” for thatHow eating plays into nervous system regulation - and believe me, this one is NOT what I expected but rather almost the opposite!I couldn't stop asking Ann questions, so this episode is a little longer than usual but SO worth it.Resources We Mention for Nervous System RegulationHere are the two books Ann mentioned: The Body Keeps the Score, Adult Children of Emotionally Immature ParentsHere's the Brene Brown video Ann mentionedHere is another interview on how trauma is stored in the bodyFind Ann onlineFollow her on InstagramGet 15% off at Pact with code KITCHENSTEWARDSHIP15 Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

What are your feet doing RIGHT NOW? Are you standing on them?If not...stand up and listen to this!I learned so much from Juliet Starrett, founder of one of first 50 CrossFit gyms in America who got passionate about kids' mobility when she saw a HUGE problem at her daughter's field day. She launched StandUpKids.org, a nonprofit dedicated to funding standing desks for schoolchildren, and she's nearing 100,000 kids standing up all day!Think that sounds crazy? Some parents in those schools do too, but you gotta hear why teachers

Bet you a million bucks you've heard people say (or said yourself):It's too complicated to get healthy - everyone says something different!Such and such diet/strategy/exercise worked for so-and-so, why isn't it working for me?I feel like I've tried everything and it's so hard to figure out what works!Maybe, just maybe… everyone is different?Years ago the term “bio-individuality” began to be a buzzword, and I thought it would be the “next big thing.” It is, sort of.It might not be big enough.But it still should be!What if your genes could give you a pathway to your OWN optimal health? Not your friend's success, not the next influencer's advice, and not even current research?Using genetics to make a personalized health plan sounds cutting edge, and it is - but it's also reality.My guest Brenda Wollenberg and I talk about gene-based holistic wellness programs today, and even more exciting, the promise and hope of epigenetics.Epigenetics is the theory that through what we do and what happens to us - our environment - we can change our genes, basically toggle certain ones on or off. Your genes are not your destiny!Listen in to find out how this works and even how you can apply epigenetics and gene personalization to your parenting and keeping kids healthy, even if you never get your kids' genes tested.Resources We MentionReduce toxic exposures in your homeWhat kids should eat, according to a pediatricianFinding nutrient balance for busy familiesFind Brenda online hereFollow her on social media: Facebook, InstagramBrenda's new book Metabolic Health RoadmapChef Junior cookbook Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

We know that anxiety is affecting both kids and adults at alarming rates.We've discussed anxiety busters before on The Healthy Parenting Handbook, and today we're completing the trifecta of experts with an MD who practices integrative medicine.Dr. Wiggy Saunders joins me to dive into anxiety once again because we can't give parents enough strategies to help their kids (and themselves) dig out of their anxious lives. We're focusing specifically on how anxiety is affecting kids' school performance.Your mind will be blown with how closely anxiety and focus/attention are connected, and how certain strategies may help reduce your kids' struggles in both areas!We'll talk about:Dr. Wiggy's favorite Bible verseHow different types of anxiety can escalate one to the otherThe impact of parental anxiety on our kidsThe role of adrenals in stress and how to support them with the nutrients they're consuming like a ravenous teenagerWhat magnesium in particular “says” to the adrenals to calm them down, and how that may impact kids' school performanceThe 4 vitamins and minerals most important to boost your immune systemResources We Mentioned for Anxiety in KidsRaise Them WellFind Raise Them Well on social media: Facebook, InstagramDr. Wiggy's supplement line, Health As It Ought To BeHealth As It Ought To Be on FacebookDr. Wiggy on FacebookRaise Them Well supplements: Magnesium roll-on, magnesium balm, Mag-Focus, immune boosterAnxiety in teensTips for managing your child's anxietyWhat is the best form of magnesiumMore on kids and magnesiumMore immune-boosting tips Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

I learned today that I still have a lot of internal tendencies from middle school.

Not kidding, I referenced this interview FOUR times the same week we recorded — it's THAT pertinent to our jobs as parents!Today we're focusing on the MOST important quality our kids need today – resilience. Michele Borba's book THRIVERS is about 7 teachable skills that set happy, healthy, and high-performing kids apart — and I believe those are listed in an intentional order.If you find yourself wondering why some kids struggle and others shine, spoiler alert: It's not about GPA.This is a must-listen! Find out:Why Michele has never been more worried about this current generation – even before the pandemic (and it's worse now)A toxic recipe for resilience that too many of us are using to raise kidsWhat makes a child a “THRIVER” – having the skills and abilities to do well in the real worldThe power of observing your kids to focus on their current strengthsHow the 7 traits show up in kids (and how many your kids need to thrive)The 2 things all kids need to thrive and whether all kids are capable of becoming a thriverOne question to ask yourself that will ensure you raise confident kids (this is powerful!!)We both talk fast, folks, so buckle up for a WEALTH of valuable information that will change the way you think about your kids and the choices you make as a parent!!! The world needs this!Resources We Mention for Raising Resilient KidsMichele's book, Thrivers Michele's survey to figure out your kids' strengthsThis PDF has 10 super practical ways to start raising resilient kids who are thrivers!The benefits of family dinnerJeannine Jannot on disintegrating students Raising successful adultsLetting kids fail to build resilienceReducing stress in kidsConnect with Michele onlineFollow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram, X Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food Register now for #LifeSkillsNow Season 3 mini-camp, Aug 4-6 follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Shannon Miller is a 7-time Olympic medalist and has over 100 national competition medals in gymnastics as well, more than half the gold kind. People in our generation certainly remember her name from the “Magnificent Seven” team gold winners in the 1996 Olympic games, where she captured the first balance beam gold an American had ever achieved.She's no stranger to hard work and success, obviously, and she went on after gymnastics to study marketing and entrepreneurship and even earned her law degree from Boston College.Then life got a little crazier – she had her first baby in 2009, launched her company “The Shannon Miller Lifestyle: Health and Fitness for Women” in 2010, and in 2011 was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Now that's a full plate and plenty of challenges, but Shannon used her Olympic grit to triumph in all areas, had another child in 2013, and wrote a book to inspire others to overcome their own personal challenges.Today we get to talk about healthy mindset and goal setting and how parents can encourage a gold medal mindset in their children, even if they're not into athletics.Healthy Mindset Resources We MentionedYou can find out more about Shannon on her website.Buy her book, It's Not About Perfect, here on Amazon or here on Bookshop.org.Shannon's 10 min fitness videos Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food Register now for #LifeSkillsNow Season 3 mini-camp, Aug 4-6 follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Did you start to question the products you put on your kids' skin once you were a mom? Meet Tatyana Cerullo, attorney, and formulator of Kōkua Suncare, who came to that realization as she saw the legal system behind the marketing.We get so much conflicting information these days about whether the sun is something to hide from or embrace, what's safe to apply on our skin, and how to manage it all. Now as a mom of 2, Tatyana brings a nice balance to the conversation.Sunscreen is easy to buy, excruciatingly simple to spray on, but deadly hard to understand. Our family has personally tested over 120 kinds of mineral sunscreen, and Kōkua is far and away one of the best! We'll share our quick 2-minute “what to remember” for parents who want the best, healthy experience of life for their kids AND be able to run to the beach!Resources We Mention About Natural SunscreenFind all the Kitchen Stewardship sunscreen reviews.Get some Kōkua suncare to try for yourself!Also read our sun-protective clothing reviews.I talked to Tatyana about recent sunscreen legislation in this video. Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Grabbing a piece of whole fruit or a popsicle are both fast, easy, and refreshing in the summer.But will they give your kids fuel for summer play?We know we'll be asked about snacks approximately 5,287 times … in June.

What life skills are kids and teens going to need in this fast-paced digital world???We can't really predict what specific skills our kids will need in 20 years, BUT we know they'll need to know how to learn and other “soft skills.”Enjoy meeting a handful of our #LifeSkillsNow summer camp leaders as we explore what our youth need most and how parents can serve. Whether it's about owning ones health, planning ahead, or responding well to others, you'll love this info as well as a 3-step process to make it happen. Mental first, then verbal, then intentional. You got this, parents! Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food Register for #LifeSkillsNow Season 3 Virtual Summer Camp! follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

I actually HUGGED my to-do lists, all of them, during this interview!My guest Megan Sumrell warned me that she was going to tell me task lists are no good. I added that to my list. ;)If you've ever felt like you have too much to do, too many demands on your time, or like you're bound to that to-do list, this episode is for you!We discuss:Why traditional time management systems often fail to address the emotional and mental loadThe difference between task lists and plansThe challenge of estimating how long something will take (spoiler: I'm terrible at this!)Why that time right after school deserves to be called “running the gauntlet” and how to reduce anxiety about that time of dayWhether tech is a help or a hindrance to productivitySome incredible tips for building routines with your little ones and teaching tweens and teens how to begin to manage their own time effectivelyThe connection between time management and a financial budgetWhy you shouldn't feel guilty for “not being on top of everything”I learned a lot about myself and why I sabotage my own to-do lists even as I cling to them, and I hope you get to introspect as well!!Resources We Mention for Time ManagementTime Management for Creatives courseMegan's websiteThe Work-Life Harmony trainingThe Pink Bee app Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food Register for #LifeSkillsNow Season 3 Virtual Summer Camp! follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

Grocery budget hurting?Erin Chase of $5 Dinners has been making inexpensive meals to save her family's grocery budget since the real estate crisis of 2008. She says the current inflation problem is similar in how it's making people feel about money and savings, and it's TIME to pay attention to your food budget, no matter who you are.In this episode, prepare to learn:How to stay ahead of the curve and adapt to the ever-changing worldWhy thinking about your dinner cost is even more important than finding a sale or thinking about what's in your cart at the momentThe most important part of the meal to focus on to cut costsHow one appliance can make a huge difference in your planningErin's awesome four-step process to gradually let go and teach kids to cookHow parents need to be intentional about teaching budgeting to kids (and it's a lot more like raising toddlers than you think!)We guarantee you'll learn at least one (hopefully many!) hack to save time, money, or stress while you nourish your family!Erin is a camp leader at #LifeSkillsNow summer camp, season 3, teaching kids how to make double the food in half the time – yum!Register for free!Resources We Mention for Cutting Your Grocery BudgetFind Erin onlineFeeding Teenage Boys on a BudgetSome of my tips for saving money on foodTeaching kids to meal plan and budget for groceriesHow to stretch your meat to maximize your grocery dollar5 steps to meal plan on a budget Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food Register for #LifeSkillsNow Season 3 Virtual Summer Camp! follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

You've heard people say it …You may have said something similar yourself …It's a negative judgment on teens, especially parenting teens.“Oh, just look out for when they're teenagers!”“Teens are just moody…just confrontational…just tough to parent.”Etc. Etc. Etc.I've said it too, and I feel regret!Turns out, most of the time, I puffy-heart-love parenting teens. They're spectacular! They're inquisitive! They're deep thinkers!And they're a joy to be around.Parenting teens is not without its challenges, but what in life is?Joey Mascio has been an actor and a middle school teacher, not much difference there. :)Today he joins us to inspire us to be our teens' mentors, not a villain, and I know your mind will be challenged (in a good way). We discuss:Why parents and teens have such trouble understanding each other (spoiler: it's not the teen's fault)Whether parenting was more difficult for our parents or now, and one (reversible) reason WHY that's soThe way you'll talk to your teen once you start thinking about your teen the right wayWhy teens have trouble starting conversationsThe 3 things teens NEED to be successful (and how parents can use those elements to do better at our job and build our teens' confidence)How teens can go from a sidekick mentality to a hero mentalityThe importance of failure and telling our own imperfect storiesI feel like that only scratches the surface - if you're a parent of a teen or will be someday, get the foundations right with the strategies in this interview!Resources We Mention for Mentoring TeensRegister for free for #LifeSkillsNow Summer Camp Season 3!Helping kids thrive in spite of screensHelping teens build a healthy relationship with screensFind Joey onlineFollow him on InstagramGet a free month of his app: Sidekick to Hero Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food Register for #LifeSkillsNow Season 3 Virtual Summer Camp! follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

I interview a LOT of different people in a myriad of professions, but I've never come close to having a woodworker on the show before!“What would we talk about - how to build things? That won't go well on a podcast in someone's ear…” I thought.Do not worry my friends, because Anika and I are both moms, so we dig into woodworking as an analogy for parenting and life skills, and I know you'll be inspired to make time for a creative pursuit after this!We talk about:How Anika went from being an engineer and scientist to breaking boundaries as a female woodworker on YouTubeWhy the best way to get started with woodworking is…just to get started :)How her engineering background helped Anika be a better woodworker and the MYTH of right-brained/left-brained workThe incredibly valuable life skills kids (and adults) learn while building projects - problem-solving and patience are biggies but wait until you hear the most important skill!The two tools you'll need to buy to get started - a very low barrier to entry!!All about confidence, failure, and great parentingWhy Anika sees failure as an opportunityThe importance of carving out time for creative hobbies as parents (and modeling all sorts of skills for our kids)Let's grab a power drill and get building!Resources We Mention for Exploring CreativityWhy we need to let our kids failFind Anika online hereWatch her on YouTubeFollow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTokFree Guide: Power Tools Simplified Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food Register for #LifeSkillsNow Season 3 Virtual Summer Camp! follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!

What happens when you're already living your dream…but it's a dream interrupted?Dr. Robin Dickinson was a family practitioner who loved her job and her patients, and she was GOOD at what she did. But when the pandemic sent her kids home from school, they needed her more.What happened next is nothing short of extraordinary.In today's interview, you'll learn:Why teaching kids in-depth medical science helps them understand and care for their bodies.Why education should focus on a balanced approach that includes hands-on skills and trades.How to tell kids that certain foods are “good” or “bad” the RIGHT way - in spite of the social media voices saying we mustn't ever never ever…One doctor's advice on managing candy consumption!!!That imperfect parents can still parent GREAT kids (good news for me, you too?)How to encourage scientific thinkingPlus a little bit about Doc Robin's TWO awesome #LifeSkillsNow summer camp workshops!I love Doc Robin's philosophy on helping kids OWN their health not through cajoling, not even by example, but by education. Can't wait to hear what you think of this one!Resources We Mention for Learning About Your BodyFostering a healthy relationship with food in your kidsIf you're struggling to know what your child needs for proper nutrition check out this interviewHere's a rundown of our dessert rule if you want to hear moreFind Dr. Robin onlineFollow her on social media: Facebook, Instagram Kitchen Stewardship Kids Cook Real Food Register for #LifeSkillsNow Season 3 Virtual Summer Camp! follow Katie on Instagram follow Kids Cook Real Food on Facebook Subscribe to the newsletter to get weekly updates YouTube shorts channel for HPH Find the Healthy Parenting Handbook at kidscookrealfood.com/podcast Affiliate links used here. Thanks for supporting the Healthy Parenting Handbook!