Effective Communication Techniques to Reconnect with Family

We are living in a fast paced world which makes it difficult at times to really take the time to connect with your loved ones. That is why today, we want to focus on a few different techniques that will assist you in reconnecting with both your immediate and extended family during Thanksgiving!

To begin, lets begin with the "why" behind the importance of connecting with our family:

• Overall, by effectively communicating with our family ultimately connects us better. Overall this provides us with establish emotional support resources which is key for any individual but especially for those going through a difficult time.
• By integrating ourselves within each others emotional lives provides us with a sense of control over our emotional health.
• Connecting with family enhances our social and emotional skills.
• Provides the opportunity to clear out our emotional stress that we may have been harboring.

Techniques to ensure highly effective communication within your family this Thanksgiving:

1. Put away your electronics! Nothing takes away from a conversation like the constant interruption of a phone or tablet.
2. Maintain engaging eye contact and body language. Make sure you are facing towards the family member as you have a conversation with them so it can show to them that you are interactively paying attention to what they are saying.
3. Listen, listen, listen! By showing the other person you are listening bridges a connection between the both of you because they are aware that you are engaged and care about what they have to say.
4. Finally, establish your communication boundaries or willingness to discuss your treatment as it will be likely that someone will ask. This is okay! It is also okay if you are not up for talking about it as well--just make sure you know what your plan is ahead of time so you do not have to deal with any unnecessary stress!

5 Tips to Make this Thanksgiving Stress-Free

As we are approaching Thanksgiving this week, it can begin to feel overwhelming. From accomplishing "to-do's" on your holiday list to ensuring our normal daily routines are in order, the wonderful [but sometimes stressful] chaos has begun! Add on the stress of being a pediatric cancer patient, and stress levels can really begin to sky rocket.

That is why today we would like to share 5 simple tips to get through this holiday week without letting cancer get in your way!

1. If you know the typical Thanksgiving menu will not do, prepare a meal that will be perfect for you. It is no secret that chemotherapy or other treatment regimens can take a toll not only on your ability to comfortably eat but also can effect your tastebuds. If you know that the foods that your family typically prepares is not for you this year, make sure to pack your very own meal that will provide you with nothing but comfort!
2. Make sure to have some anti-nausea techniques ready to go! Whether you have been prescribed anti-nausea medications or prefer natural remedies make sure you have these available! Nothing will ruin a good time like overwhelming nausea--so be prepared! Check out our various anti-nausea remedies.
3. Dress comfy, comfy, comfy! Typically family functions on this holiday last for more than a few hours, therefore it is important to make sure to dress in whatever is comfiest to you.
4. Get a good night's rest before AND after the big day. Rest is an extremely important part of going through treatment. It is important to rest up before the big day so you are able to get the most out of this wonderful holiday. Additionally, long hours out can be hard on your body if you are a pediatric cancer patient so make sure you also rest well the night after.
5. Finally, and most importantly, just relax and enjoy your day! This by far is one of the most important tips that we would like to share. Being a pediatric cancer patient does not define who you are and it is important to shut that part of your life out, even for a couple hours and simply enjoy your time with your loved ones!

3 D.I.Y. Wonderful Alternative Uses for Pumpkin!

Pumpkins are a classic symbol of fall, but did you know that there are many more uses for this vitamin rich fruit [yes it is technically a fruit!]? Well let us share with you our top three favorite alternative uses for pumpkin for this Tips and Tricks Monday!

Number One- D.I.Y. Pumpkin Face Mask

How does this mask benefit my skin?

Pumpkins are packed with antioxidants, zinc and many other enriching vitamins helping provide anti-aging effects and wrinkles all while gently exfoliating to give your skin a glowing radiance. Additionally the recipe below also includes honey, which is the perfect natural remedy for dry skin-which we all know can a very real side effect of chemotherapy.

Ingredients

• 1/4 Cup of Pumpkin
• One whole egg
• A few teaspoons of honey

Directions

1. Whisk together ingredients
2. Lather on face
3. Relax with Pumpkin mask on skin for 15-20 min

           Number Two- Combat Tummy Issues

How can pumpkin help with tummy issues?

Pumpkins are extremely high in fiber and can help remedy more urgent issues all while getting your system back on track. There are a multitude of ways to whip up this natural remedy, so find one that is right for you!

              Number Three- Pumpkin Butter

Butter is a household staple for almost every home--use this to your advantage to make your own butter by using the vitamin rich fruit! Check out this recipe we found from All Recipes website.

Ingredients

• 1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup apple juice
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

1. Combine pumpkin, apple juice, spices, and sugar in a large saucepan; stir well.
2. Bring mixture to a boil. 
3. Reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes or until thickened. Stir frequently.
4. Transfer to sterile containers and chill in the refrigerator until serving.

Keep yourself full with this biscuits and gravy for thanksgiving!

Biscuits are a great thing to eat while undergoing treatment because they are filling and flavorful but not to overpowering for the senses. Here is a great recipe from Carla Hall and The Chew on ABC that I recommend. If you are up to it, you can try this recipe with the Turkey Gravy wth your Thanksgiving leftovers I'm just a biscuit fan myself.

Happy Cooking, and don't forget that cooking and baking can be therapeutic, try helping your parents cook these biscuits and see.

The Chew Recipe here

Pre Thanksgiving Craft!

Crafting is a form of Art Therapy allowing you to take your mind off whatever you are going through that day. It also happens to be fun! Here is a pre thanksgiving craft you can use to get in the mood for the kick off of the Holiday Season.

Make this paper plate Turkey Craft, and I love how the use fall leaves to make feathers!

For the steps go to http://www.easypeasyandfun.com/paper-plate-turkey-craft/

A great thanksgiving program!

Giving back is a big part of Thanksgiving month. It also can be helpful in when dealing with your illness. This is a great program that you should look into. It has the theme of giving back this holiday season and really help pay it forward.

Food and Healthy eating, we address theses topics all the time on this blog. Here is an organization that helps supply healthy food to those in need, its called Katie's Krops, and they give grants to kids who want to build a garden to donate the crops to food banks. She even started it when she was a kid herself very similar to the founding of Teen with a Dream. Kids are the future, and we truly can do so much good all we have to do is start!

http://www.katieskrops.com

And don't forget to write us at Teenwithadream.org if you would like to pay it forward with us. You can volunteer for a program and pay it forward to others with cancer.