Bestselling author and psychologist Dr. Kevin Leman’s newest book, Have a New Kid by Friday,  shows parents how to reverse negative behavior in their children–fast! With his signature wit and encouragement, Dr. Leman offers hope and real, practical, doable strategies for regaining control and becoming the parents you always wanted to be. Focusing on changing a child’s attitude, behavior, and character, it contains chapters for each day of the week and a special section with advice on everything from rolling eyes to sibling rivalry to talking back to punching walls- plus strategies that any parent can carry out. Your relationship with your child can change in just one week!

Dr Dotty Shaffer offered up some practical advice: give up fast food and sodas (even diet!), get up to date on all your adult immunizations, take multivitamins, find time to relax and make sure to laugh every day.  I like her no-nonsense approach but also that she takes time to know the whole patient. I’m intrigued by some of the other tools she uses for good health: acupuncture, acupressure, meditation and more. Visit her on the web  or at her beautiful office.

Full Spectrum Health Center LLC
3836 Reading Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45229
(513) 221-2111‎

Here’s an interesting idea from Polly Campbell at the Cincinnati Enquirer: Add a bit of vodka to your pie dough to make an easy-to-handle dough that stays tender. Have you tried it? Let me know!

Perfect crust’s easy as adding a bit of vodka

With ripe peaches in full supply and local apples about ready, it is pie time. [Read more →]

As a kid, when my Mom made ratatouille I’d suffer through it the first night, but I genuinely looked forward to when she served it, leftover, as an open-faced sandwich topped with melted cheese. It makes a great lunch or light dinner. ( I love today’s guest, Cathy Thomas, suggestion to sneak in a little spicy Italian sausage to make this a heartier meal!) Enjoy this recipe from Amy’s Table: Food for Family and Friends.

Serves 4 as a lunch or light entrée

Baguettes, split
Ratatouille, recipe follows
Thinly sliced Gruyere cheese to taste

Preheat broiler. Mound the ratatouille on each half of the split baguettes. Top with thinly sliced Gruyere. Broil until bubbly and brown. Serve.

Ratatouille
Serves 6-8 as a side dish

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Make ahead: Can be made several days ahead; refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tip: Try leftover Ratatouille in an omelet, sprinkled with Feta cheese.

Up to ½ cup olive oil, as needed
1 eggplant, peeled if desired, diced [Read more →]

Allison Thorpe from Functional Fitness joined us this morning with some encouragement to “get moving”. Allison explained how functional fitness trains our bodies to handle real-life situations. Check out their website for more information on this hot new fitness trend.

Dr. John La Puma, author of Chef MD, shared some great tips for healthy eating. Check out his website for more tips to eat better, healthier and smarter.

I love great theater and I love a great deal. I found both this week at Playhouse in The Park. Until August 18th you can purchase most opening night performances at 50% off. There are some fabulous shows on the schedule and the half price offering makes a night at the theater affordable fun. Check out their website for more information.

Where did summer go? As the kids gear up for back to school it’s nearly time to hit the books. Before they get bogged down with school work, why not create a book that’s just for fun? Use blurb.com to create your own personalized book. Consider starting now to gather photos to create books for everyone on your holiday gift list, too!

Contain yourself! Grouped, standing alone or hanging, planted containers do a lot to add impact to your entry. Try a pair of urns flanking your doorway or ivy-climbable trellises on either side of the garage door.

Start getting fan mail! Plant ornamental grasses for an easy, low maintenance backdrop to your mail box. Or tuck in small shrubs and evergreens to add year round architecture long after summer blooms have faded. Top the post with a cooper cap or uplight with a solar lamp.

Welcome home! Make your front door matter. A door painted a bright, rich color can change the appearance of your house before it’s even dry. Want to go further? Add new hardware, light fixtures or a spectacular wreath. Looking good! 

Ellen Whitehurst shared ideas on prosperity and good fortune with us this morning. Visit her website for more ideas to live an “empowered life”