I NEVER watch Oprah. EVER. ‘Cept the other day. Was it yesterday? I think it was yesterday. I turned on the TV, and there it was: one of my least favourite shows on TV. She had that Dr. Oz heart surgeon on, and this life coach, and, as usual, a bunch of depressing stories that turned happy because of an “aha moment.” I was, of course, blogging as the show was droning on. But, one segment made my ears perk up: How To Raise Happy Kids.

I consider my little monkey extremely happy. She’s usually smiling, laughs all the time, loves life, pretty clothes, Diego, baby dolls, her mommy, her daddy, her “gawamma,” her kitties, etc., etc.. And, she LOVES her lil’ SELF!!! She even understands the concept of self: whenever I offer her yogurt, for example, she actually says “SEWF” — meaning she wants to feed herself…. Soooo ‘dorable.

Anyway, anyway. It’s so natural for children to love themselves. And, it’s essential to their lifelong happiness and success in life for us parents to cultivate this natural self-love. I really think so. Having lived through almost every eating disorder ON EARTH growing up, I KNOW how important self-love and self-esteem are. So, cultivate cultivate cultivate your child/ren’s self-love.

So, here’s what that life-coach said on Oprah — my very own “aha moment”: in order for your children to love themselves, you need to teach them BY EXAMPLE; in other words, you have to show them you love YOURself. Most women, the life coach said, are experts at loving others and TERRIBLE at loving and caring for themselves. So, come on guys — this is your chance to start showing YOURSELF the compassion and love you show your children. Could be fun!

Exercise for loving yourself (created by life coach on Oprah):
1. Close your eyes;
2. Imagine yourself looking at your sleeping child, or your sleeping pet, older parent, or whatever pertains to you;
3. Really experience that love you feel for him/her;
4. Now transfer that love to yourself — i.e., imagine that sleeping child is YOU!

Cool, huh? Soooo important.

My exercise in loving myself today was BUYING MESELF THIS NEW LIP GLOSS!

It’s my FAVE brand: Jane Iredale Mineral Cosmetics — as natural as you can get with makeup. And, I wanted a virtually clear gloss that would add a little polish to my look, you know?


Magic wand….


Sparkle me….


MMMWAH! Glam on the phone….

I also exercised self-love by cooking (second day in a row!) delicious healthy meals for moi and the fam….


Chicken fingers and a mishmash of “tapas” for the monkey, including ketchup, wild rice mixed with (her favourite) “CRABEARS!” — aka cranberries — a multigrain roll, cooked veggies, and a taste of the turkey chili, wild rice and salad I made for Josh-O and me….


Chili chili chili!!!


Not exactly summery, but healthy, hearty and fast….

Oh yeah. I love my kitties. They had this for dinner….


Mmm…kibble.

The problem with having ginormous breasts when your preggers (i.e., not particularly used to being THIS buxom): crumbs in my cleavage. It’s nuts, and it’s inevitable. Every POSSIBLE flying object gets in there — especially when you have a food-flinging toddler. You wouldn’t believe the stuff I find in there by the end of the day….

Want gossip? CHECK IT — AT CHEATY’S CELEBRITY GOSSIP!!!!! (And, don’t forget to vote for me! The Blogger’s Choice Awards contest’s still on — check my sidebar for the voting links! Thank you!)

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