Here are some of the superfoods that build health and happiness:

■ Avocados: Avocados contain wonderful amounts of potassium, magnesium, folate, protein, and vitamins B6, E, and K, as well as fiber. Additionally, heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in avocados can actually help you lose belly fat.

■ Greek Yogurt: One serving supplies nearly one-fourth of a woman's daily calcium needs, and the fat-free variety is packed with twice as much protein as regular yogurt. As an added bonus, Greek yogurt is loaded with probiotics.

■ Wild Alaskan Salmon: With two kinds of healthy omega-3 oils in this delicious fish (which I order from Vital Choice), women should eat several servings each week to see benefits in mood boosts.

■ Wild Blueberries: They're absolutely packed with antioxidants and what tastes better than a bowl of them with cream? Nothing I can think of!

■ Broccoli: Delivering vitamin C and a good source of vitamin A as well as fiber, folic acid, calcium, iron, and potassium, broccoli helps you feel full on less than 30 calories per serving. If you don't care for broccoli, try stir frying florets in a high quality olive oil. I could never enjoy broccoli (or cauliflower) until I started eating both this way.

■ Walnuts: Practically the King of Nuts, walnuts are full of healthy oil. They're an excellent remedy for insomnia, too.

■ Dark Chocolate: I saved the best for last. You see, dark chocolate is loaded with magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, and phosphorus, all of which are critical for strong bones. Let Sally Fields pitch that nasty Boniva with its multitude of terrible side effects… you enjoy some dark chocolate instead.

Directions:

1 Prepare the linguine according to the package directions in a 3-quart saucepan. Add the broccoli during the last 4 minutes of the cooking time. Drain the linguine mixture well in a colander.

2 Heat the butter in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until well browned and cooked through, stirring often.

3 Stir the soup, milk, cheese, black pepper and linguine mixture in the skillet and cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring occasionally. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese.

Servings: about 1 3/4 cups each

By Laura Callisen FamilyShare

If you know a child who has low self-esteem, you may have assumed that the damage to their confidence was inflicted maliciously. As parents, we cannot imagine ever doing things to cause such hurt and damage to our children.

But here is the unfortunate truth: without realizing it, sometimes we are those parents.

Children can grow up in homes free from any physical or emotional abuse but still reach adulthood greatly damaged. These children may doubt their own worth, feel unable to stand up for themselves, mistrust their own judgment and believe they deserve to be mistreated in relationships.

Of course, no parent wants this for their children. However, small frustrations, societal pressures, stress, and repeating the mistakes of our own parents can cause us to do things that harm our children's souls. We don't cause damage through one large act. We cause it by many small acts. To avoid this, we can make sure that we don't commit the following 6 parenting sins:

1. Constantly Targeting Them with Small Criticisms

It is impossible to raise children without ever correcting or criticizing them. Unfortunately, many parents constantly criticize their children from the time they wake up in the morning, to the time they go to bed. In many cases, the parents don't even realize they are doing this.

They may feel as if they are giving constructive suggestions, or that their remarks simply are not that big of an issue. The fact is: when parents criticize it stings, even when the criticism is delivered as gently as possible. It hurts even when the parent has no intention of making it hurt. It is worse for the child when there isn't nearly as much praise and acceptance being expressed compared to the criticisms.

2. Mocking or Belittling their Interests

Every generation of children has hobbies, interests, and ways of passing their time that their parents may not understand. It would be wonderful if these parents would simply accept that kids have new ways of enjoying themselves and even new ways of communicating with one another.

Unfortunately many parents mock or demean their children either as individuals or as members of a generation. They post and share memes ridiculing kids as slackers who do nothing but text each other, play online video games, and watch Netflix. Parents even loudly make snide comments to their friends communicating the same sentiments. Of course, all of this is done under the guise of being funny.

Unfortunately, things can be even worse for the self-esteem of children who actually do have interests that are unusual. Not only are these kids given a hard time by their peers, in many cases, they also receive self-esteem damaging flak from their parents. Again, this hurtful feedback is often couched in humor, or are compliments that are dripping in snarky patronizing.

Who hasn't witnessed a pre-teen or teenager turn three shades of red as one of their parents describes their interests in mocking or patronizing terms? Instead, we should always be positive and encouraging when it comes to our children's hobbies.

3. Discounting Their Emotions

"You're only 16; you don't even know what falling in love means." "It's just a little toy; let your little brother have it." "You're too old to be scared to go down to the basement by yourself?!" "You can just sign up for cheerleading again next year, stop crying." "You have nothing to be anxious about; you're only 12 years old."

How many times have we as parents said similar words or heard those words spoken by other parents?

Why do we assume that just because children have different experiences and expectations as they age that the emotions they feel right now, are not genuine or worthy of respect? They may view their situation differently when they get older, but it doesn't mean the emotions they are currently feeling are not 100 percent real. Instead, focus on teaching our children how to express and regulate their emotions.

4. Publicly Shaming Them as Punishment

We've all seen this: the viral videos posted on Facebook of parents screaming at and berating their children for the world to see. We've seen children tearfully answering embarrassing and pointed questions or holding signs announcing their misdeeds. We've even seen kids given humiliating haircuts on these videos! Parents have even had their children stand on street corners holding signs that labeled them as liars or thieves.

These things may seem horrific and humiliating to us. We may even openly criticize the parents who do these things, but before we pass judgment, many of us should examine our own interactions with our children. How many times have we expressed exasperation and displeasure with them in front of their friends? How many times have we loudly scolded them in earshot of other adults, not for their benefit, but to ensure that other parents knew that we were handling the situation?

5. Not Letting Them Do Things for Themselves

People reading this may be thinking that this is about helicopter parenting. They are right to an extent. Micromanaging children can damage their self-esteem by making them feel incapable and helpless, but helicopter parents aren't the only parents who are guilty of hurting their children in this way.

Some parents do this by focusing only on the mistakes the child is making while learning to do something new. Other parents spend their time fixing their child's minor errors rather than focusing on the child's efforts. When we keep our mouths shut, our exasperated sighs often convey our disapproval and sting just as badly, or worse, as our words.

6. Not Having Conversations with Them

Many parents spend lots of time talking to their children. They deliver instructions and orders. They issue corrections, and they levy criticisms. They also lecture and explain. What they do not spend enough time doing is simply communicating with and interacting with their children by having conversations with them.

Worse, many parents will take what could be a conversation and turn it into a lecture simply because a child handled a situation differently than they would have. The children in these situations are left feeling dejected and discouraged. Not only have they been the target of harsh criticism, they have been shown that their parents are not interested in interacting with them.

When we speak with our children, help them learn, accept, and value their emotions. We will not only help them feel more confident and secure, but we will help them do better, in all aspects of their lives.

by Ron Edmondson

Leadership these days is tougher than ever it seems. Times are hard and organizations are stressed. Employees are stretched and budgets are tight. Loyalty is rare and everything is changing a rocket pace.

One job of a successful leader is to encourage those who look to him or her for leadership. Leaders are to "rally the troops," so to speak, and keep people moving forward. This becomes especially more difficult during stressful times in an organization, but even more important.

I've studied and written a great deal about King David - before and after he was appointed king - because he appears to have been a great leader in his time. Perfect? Well, of course not, but he was a "man after God's own heart." God used him to lead His people during some difficult times.

One great example of motivating a team during crisis comes from the writings of David in Psalm 3. At the time of this writing, it is believed that David was hiding out from his own son Absalom. His encouragement kept his troops focused and gave them strength they needed in desperate times.

If you don't know the story, you can read the full context in 2 Samuel Chapters 11–19. In short, David's sin (I told you he wasn't perfect) led to a family turmoil, which led to David's son attempting to take over the kingdom. David fled for his safety, but an army went with him. In spite of being outnumbered, David kept his troops encouraged and they eventually returned to power.

If you are a leader struggling to gain victory or you feel overwhelmed in your current situation, this story may motivate you. (It does me.)

Let's walk through Psalm 3 in The Message Version:

Verse 1-2 God! Look! Enemies past counting! Enemies sprouting like mushrooms, Mobs of them all around me, roaring their mockery: "Hah! No help for him from God!"

There will be times in any leadership position where the odds seem to be against you. In those times a leader may feel there are more negative voices than positive voices - both outside and even inside the organization. (Remember, what you feel is not always reality, but it's you're perceived reality at the time.)

Verse 3-4 But you, God, shield me on all sides; You ground my feet, you lift my head high; With all my might I shout up to God, His answers thunder from the holy mountain.

The leader, regardless of the naysayers, must remember the vision and the resolve of his role within the organization. In this case, of course, David wasn't unrealistic. He knew the situation was gruesome, but he also knew he had a testimony with God and that God had placed a special calling on his life. Great leaders know their calling.

Verse 5-6 I stretch myself out. I sleep. Then I'm up again - rested, tall and steady, Fearless before the enemy mobs Coming at me from all sides.

David took action. An important action under the circumstance. He went to sleep, placing everything in God's hands. It was as if he said, "God, when I get up - it's all you again!" Leaders must know their limits, their strengths, and be willing to rely on help from others. Christian leaders ultimately rely on the power of God.

Verse 7 Up, God! My God, help me! Slap their faces, First this cheek, then the other, Your fist hard in their teeth!

David woke up with a passion that exploded inside of him. He had a new resolve. He had experienced a revival in his heart. He was ready to move forward with God's plan. I can almost imagine those around David thinking, "What got into him last night?" Great leaders, in spite of their challenges, have a contagious enthusiasm about moving the vision of the organization forward. A team will rally around a leader with conviction. You may need to take a break, get re-energized, and come at the plan again with renewed fervor. That's what good leaders do.

Verse 8 Real help comes from God. Your blessing clothes your people!

David assumed his rightful place as a leader and began to invest in others. As David looked to God for his strength, his people could look to him to lead them. Now, ultimately, in the days of grace, each of us respond and are accountable to God directly, but God uses leaders to instill vision and values, and encourage others to move forward, even during dark days.

Fellow leader, are you in a tough situation right now?

Maybe you lead a church, a business, a non-profit, or even a family, but if what or who you lead has fallen on hard times, follow the example of David.

Lead your team to victory!

How to Slow Down Your Life and Enjoy the Ride – Right Now

4 Considerations To Help You Embrace The Moment, From Speaker Hall Of Fame Member

It's finally Friday night, the beginning of a weekend of freedom, which also happens to include your birthday. Your family, friends and spouse all have celebratory plans for you.

You have a rewarding career and a network of beautiful people who want to rejoice in your life. As you walk out to your car to officially kickoff the fun, a giddy thrill washes over you.

But as you click the seatbelt into place, rather than sitting in awe of how lucky you are, a list of concerns begin worming their way into your consciousness: "I need gas, but the conveniently located gas station charges more than others … I hope it's not a surprise party … Maybe I should get the beverages I like before going home … I haven't been to the gym all week … Did I pay the electric bill?"

And so it goes.

"I think we've all had this experience, which often has us psychically living 30 minutes into the future – no matter how great the present circumstances might be," says Steve Gilliland, a member of the Speaker Hall of Fame and author of the widely acclaimed "Enjoy The Ride," for which he published a follow-up that was released in May 2015.

"Are we doomed to this torrent of noise which distracts us from enjoying our life? We don't have to be."

• Don't live your life 30 minutes ahead of the present. If you won't live your life now, in the present, then who will?

"An older man came up to me, grabbed my hand, and said he wished he'd heard me speak decades ago," Gilliland says. "After I asked why, he said that when he was eating lunch on break or dinner with his family, he was always thinking about what he had to do after the meal, which represented his daily life. ‘At the age of 97,' he said, ‘I've officially lived my life 30 minutes ahead' – 30 minutes ahead of whatever he was doing at the moment."

• Laugh more! It's better than crying before you're hurt. Don't put your umbrella up until it rains. Worry restricts your ability to think and act effectively, and it forces you to mortgage fear and anxiety about something that may never occur. Laughter is the opposite. When you laugh, you're living almost completely in the moment, and it's one of the best feelings you can have.

• No one can ruin your day without your permission. As much as we cannot control in life – our genes, our past and what has led up to today – there is much control we may take upon ourselves. Today, for example, we can understand that life picks on everyone, so when the going gets tough, we don't have to take it personally. When we do take misfortune personally, we tend to obsess, giving a legacy to something that may make you a day poorer in life.

• Cure your destination disease. Live more for today, less for tomorrow, and never about yesterday. How? You might have to repeatedly remind yourself that yesterday is gone forever, yet we perpetually have to deal with now, so why not live it? And what if tomorrow never occurs? There is a difference between working toward the future, which is inherently enjoyable in light of hope, and living in an unrealistic future that remains perpetually elusive. If tomorrow never comes, would you be satisfied with the way today ended?

"It is not how you start in life and it is not how you finish," Gilliland says. "The true joy of life is in the trip, so enjoy the ride!"

About Steve Gilliland