​Part of my morning routine is taking my dog for a morning walk. It is the one time in my day that I am outside of my house, getting fresh air and hopefully some sunlight. Last week, my neighbors and their kids created a wall of hearts, it was impossible not to smile. As we walked by each day, I was reminded of how something so small can impact someone’s day. The next day, I noticed that my neighbor also had hearts on their front window and then on their back gate. Their artwork, literally had me placing a hand on my heart. In these hearts, they were thanking the essential workers (nurse, doctors, mail carriers, waste management, grocery store staff, firemen, etc). As the week went on, I saw how their beautiful act of kindness caught on in our neighborhood. Other families had their kids decorate hearts, thank essential workers and create art pieces for the neighborhood to enjoy. I have never been prouder to live in this community!
 
If you are looking to turn this stressful time into a time of hope, look up #aworldofhearts. This movement started in British Columbia and has become a trend in a short amount of time. I, for one, cried; a good cry, one of positivity and hope. Families all around the world were using their time at home with their kids to bring awareness, continue this movement and thank essential workers. We jumped on the band wagon and created signs for our front door, garage and made cards to send out to other family members. Each card consisted of a message about how thankful we are to have them in our life and some colorful hearts for them to put up in their windows.
 
Love, hope and positivity are contagious. Keep passing it on! 

Watching Sunday's iHeart Radio live concert, not only filled my heart with joy, but it gave me a great idea! If these celebrities can use social distancing and make an at home concert, why can't we? Having technology at our fingertips is definitely a blessing during this quarantine. Why not use the technology we have to educate others and/or put a smile on their face.
To be completely transparent, I have never been a backstreet boys fan, I was definitely a NSYNCer growing up, but boy did these guys put a smile on my face with their at home music video. I would be lying if I said I wasn't singing and dancing the entire time. I loved that they showed a little more of who they are, filming from their homes, even including their kids. We may not all be famous and have voices or dance moves, but there are other ways we can educate and make a difference. The second video is of a youtuber that changed the lyrics to educate others and put a smile on someone's face. Sound of Music was one of my mom's favorite movies, so growing up I watched it alot and knew all the words to the songs. Seeing this music video this morning made me smile. How great is it to wake up to something that puts a smile on your face during this trying time. Creating these videos not only keep you and your family busy, but it helps us to take a break from this pandemic and focus on something we can control. Take for example, creating and remaking another classic. My close friend and her kids made their own home video, recreating one of their favorite Disney stories. What a great time to practice your producing, editing and acting skills! Create your own props, update the lyrics, think outside of the box and most importantly have fun! 
Yes, now this is what I am talking about!! Let's continue to focus on things we have control over. Use the time at home with your kids to make new memories and videos. I can't wait to see what you come up with! Break a leg!

HAPPY MONDAY y'all!! How is everyone doing working and schooling from home? Are you having trouble figuring out how to move your whole world into your house? Don't worry, you can do it! It helps to move around throughout the day. Don't do everything in the same room. Switch it up and be creative.
Figure out what works best for your family. My home office doubles as my gym. And the bedrooms each have turned into a classroom. The kitchen island is the most used, it turns into home economics class, board game table and arts and crafts center. We find that it is easier to clean each area and put it back to normal when we are done using it. It feels good to have a neat and tidy area to get work done and be productive. 

Remember that saying from the hunnah baddah days, "go home and cook rice." Let's take that saying and update it..."stay home and cook rice." I am being serious folks. I get it, it is difficult to stay home and it feels like our freedom is being striped from us, but the faster we can contain this pandemic, the quicker we can heal and regroup. 

I encourage you to be a positive part of the change. Even if you are considered an "essential worker" please stay home if at all possible. Even with restaurants being open for take out, make the conscious choice to stay home. If you want to help small/local business, purchase gift cards or save money now and spend it when everything reopens. Restaurants don't need to be open for take out when we have grocery stores that provide us with groceries. Be the change, stop the spread. Come on Hawai'i, we got this!

 Watch this news clip from Hawaii News Now on the importance of staying home. 

And for some comic relief, watch Jelayne Shelton's newest music video! 
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B-LDvRYpWWU/?igshid=hnoxea2777y9

It's official, you are officially your child's parent, teacher, and personal cafeteria for the next 6 weeks! It's not easy adding more to your already overflowing plate, so let me help you make it easier. Now, that you all have created your daily schedule with your kids, don't forget to add in a  "home economic class" (a.k.a food prep time) a few times a week. 

MEAL PREP! I know it sounds simple and it really can be! The key to meal and snack prep for your kids is getting them involved. Imagine, not having to make each member's lunch everyday and an added bonus, stop the blame game. If your child picks and packs their lunch, they can't blame you when they made it and picked it for themselves!

What are kid's favorite lunches? LUNCHABLES, of course. No problem, don't spend money on the prepackaged stuff, you and your family can make it yourselves in 3 easy steps. 

 1. Purchase some sectioned off containers and have your kids pack it themselves. Don't forget to have them write their names on the container, so they don't fight over who's is who's (because we all know they will). 
2. Lay out a spread of healthy goodies - crackers, nuts, cheese slices, cut up fruits and veggies.  Have each kid pack their own containers. And Waa-laa!
3. Storage. Make sure it is in an area that is easy for them to reach and grab them. If possible, maybe clear out one of your veggie drawer or make room on your lowest shelf in the fridge. Designated their food zone for their premade meals or other healthy snacks (cuties, yogurt, string cheese). You can also have a basket or bin on a counter or in your pantry for nonperishable approved snacks (popcorn, granola bars, trail mix, goldfish). 

Other meal prep ideas - premade sandwiches, wraps, bento with leftovers from the night before. (Hint - keep it to things that don't need to be warmed up to ensure they can completely be in charge of their lunch on their own). 
Fun in the kitchen - as another activity, you can also bake with your kids, have them decorate a plain apron and while their sweet treat for their meal is baking, they can pack up their meals. 

**If you want to be extra and extend the home economic class, have cookie cutters ready and have your kids cut out their food (sandwiches, cheese slices, quesadilla) in their favorite shapes. 

Let me know how your home economic class goes! I am sure other parents would love some of the great ideas and meals you and your family have made together. 

One of the most difficult aspects of working from home and/or surviving this 'stay at home' order is having your kids home with you all day long. Don't worry I got your back! I promise that if we put a little work into planning a daily routine, your day, week and life will run smoother. 

Before we get to scheduling your chaos, let's keep in mind some things that may change from family to family. 
1. Develop your schedule according to your child. Set the time frame according to your child's age. How long can your child focus? Younger children have shorter attention spans, keep their activities short 20 minutes max and switch it up. Older children are able to focus on one subject for a longer period of time. At either age, switch things up go from an academic task (reading) to creative (music, art or physical activity). 
2. Time management - use times when your kids are independent and occupied to be the most productive. Backyard recess while you are in a meeting or online learning (educational youtube videos) when you are on a phone conference. 
3. Be flexible - let's not sharpie things in just yet, create a daily time line and use post its or velcro labels to be able to move things around to fit your daily needs, if needed. 
4. Ideas to fill your schedule - meals, snack time, reading, writing, journaling, book reports, arts and crafts, math skills, outdoor/indoor, recess, PE class, science projects, free time vs. screen time, and chore hour
 
Khan academy has an awesome resource of sample schedules according to your child’s age and grade level.
 
Look out for tomorrow’s blog with additional resources virtual and online educational resources for you and your family. 

Anxiety is a normal emotion that we all feel. Anxiety happens in two places - our body and our mind. When we are anxious our body reacts; we may have temperature changes (sweat or chills). Our heart rate increases and it becomes harder to breath. We may feel like we are on edge and start fidgeting, biting our nails, playing with our hair or shaking our legs. Along with the physiological changes, our thought processes change. We may have catastrophic thoughts, negative thinking, and stuck thinking. We may find it hard to focus or concentrate on anything. Both symptoms in our mind and body impact our sleep, appetite and our reactions to others. 

We can feel particularly anxious when we feel like we have no control in the situation. Perfect example, COVID 19. We as Americans are used to having unlimited freedom. We get to stay out as late as we want, travel to any country, eat out, and enjoy parks/museums/theaters. We get to do as we please! And, now all of a sudden, it feels like our freedom has been taken away and some people are panicking. Panic can look different for each of us. While some are hoarding cases of toilet paper and water, others are constantly googling answers to their questions. 

I get it, this is a scary time. But trust me when I say, DON'T PANIC. We actually have more control and freedom in this pandemic than you think! If you make the conscious choice to social distance, wash your hands (for at least 20 seconds) and stay healthy (mind and body), things will be okay. 

To reduce your anxiety regarding COVID 19, follow these 4 easy steps. 

It is so important for us to engage in self care daily. It is our way of charging our batteries and replenishing our souls. It is especially important that we engage in self care when life becomes more stressful. And I think we can all agree that over the last week, our stress levels have sky rocketed. 

Don't you fear, the solution is near! Staying home is the only way we can keep each other safe and healthy while flattening the curve. 

Here are 19 ways you can engage in self care in the comfort of your own home!

1. Meditate
2. Indoor spa day (Face mask, hair treatment, paint your nails)
3. Aromatherapy it up - candle, plug in, diffuser
4. Paint or sketch
5. Read book(s)
6. Get a tan (from your yard or lanai). Even better combine 5 & 6
7. Color a mandala
8. Clean your closet
9. Do at home work out (Yoga, Zumba, HIIT)
10. Play chef - get creative and whip up a new recipe from what you have at home
11. Sleep in or take a nap
12. Make homemade cards and mail them out OR send your loved ones e-cards
13. Play your favorite board or card games
14. Go on a virtual tours of museums (smithsonians, Vatican’s, Louever, British museum)
15. Learn a new language
16. Soak in a tub or bubble bath
17. Binge watch a series
18. Listen to a new podcast
19. Create a vision board