It’s Time for a Tulsa Driller’s Baseball Game

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Tanna Strom

It is baseball season and the Tulsa Drillers play at the state of the art ONEOK Field which is located in the historic Greenwood District in downtown Tulsa. The ball park is an art deco architecture style to blend with down town Tulsa’s art deco. The season runs from April – September.

This is a perfect family activity (though I would not recommend this for preschoolers due to the length of the games). You could take the whole family or have a special parent / child time. You will have to decide if your child is ready for a two to three hour event. And of course if your child has an interest in baseball this will of course make this a more enjoyable activity. You could also consider just going to part of a game as an introduction to baseball to keep it a positive experience if things begin to fall apart. You want this to be fun memory.

Or this would also be a fun couple activity. This is a fun, open air activity and only available to us certain times of the year. Lots of time to chat and hold hands and just be together.

If you would like to look at the Tulsa Drillers’ schedule or find out more about them or the games you can check out their website www.tulsadrillers.com

“Couples Who Play Together, Stay Together” . . . Creating New Ways to Connect

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Tanna Strom

As we are in the heart of the growing season, I cannot help but think about our own growth as a couple. Sometimes I have couples in my office who feel they have no common interests or that they do not do anything together. There are lots of reasons for this of course. If a couple has children they may feel they do not have time to do things as a couple or for that matter, as an individual. Or it may be that a couple has drifted away from doing things together as they did when they were dating or before they got married.

Regardless of the reasons, my feeling is that “Couples who Play Together, Stay Together.” So lets look at some WAYS TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT CAN CREATE SOME NEW GROWTH & CONNECTION.

Really being together is more that about being in the same place. It is about REALLY BEING THERE emotionally and connecting.
If you are a parent, take time as a couple to be together by your selves. It is important. You can remember you are being a good model for your children in showing them how to keep a relationship strong.
Put the PLAY back in your relationship. Think back to when you were dating. My guess is you were more light-hearted and playful. I do know that our adult lives can be challenging and are full of responsibilities, but taking time to play and be with the one we love will keep us strong and healthy to be the responsible adults we need to be and fulfill our life purpose.
Create a new hobby or interest you both can pursue. It may be dancing, biking, taking cooking classes together, etc.
Revive an old passion you both had in the past. It could be bowling or antiquing together. Whatever you both enjoyed in the past and has gotten buried a bit.
Remember too there is more than one way to play together. It may be an activity or a hobby. But it may also be relaxing and bantering back and forth. It may be sexual intimacy. Or it may be “playful” dialogue with each other.

So much of this is about making the time for each other. And then committing to having some fun together. So go play and have a good time. And remember, “Couples Who Play Together, Stay Together.” ♥♥

Couple Time or Family Time at the Farmer’s Market

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Tanna Strom

Want to connect as you do something good for the environment and healthy for your body. Doing something that is simple, easy and meaningful. GO LOCAL with your marketing.

It is that time of year when the FARMERS MARKETS are in full swing. If this is an activity you have not participated in before, you may want to consider giving it a try. The Tulsa area has several farmer’s markets that sell fresh produce from local farms. Some of these farms grow organic foods. Knowing where your food comes from and building a relationship with some of these farmers is pretty cool. In addition most of them have local art and handmade products. It is a fun community event where people are there to promote local and to choose products that are good for our environment and more healthy for our bodies. And you will save money!

NOTE: If you take CHILDREN to the market, consider their age and how much walking they can do. For little ones a stroller or wagon can be very helpful. Of course, as with any marketing it is best to go when you are not tired. This especially applies for children. Consider limiting your time to what your child or children can comfortable manage to keep it a positive experience. Letting your children help pick out your veggies can be fun and educational and allow them to be part of the process. You might expand this activity to a family or parent / child cooking time, using your fresh veggies you purchased at the farmers market.

There are a variety of times these markets are open. I have listed the main markets in the Tulsa area below. The OK Food and Farm Alliance also has a listing of all of OK Farmer’s Markets. So if you are not in one of the Tulsa area towns listed, check out the OK Food and Farm Alliance website okfarmand food.org

TULSA – TUESDAY

DOWNTOWN TULSA FARMERS MARKET

10:30 am – 2:00 pm, year-round 3rd and Boston

TULSA- WEDNESDAY

BROOKSIDE FARMERS MARKET

8:00 am – 12:00 pm. May thru October

Food Pyramid parking lot, 39th and Peoria

WINTER MARKET (see details for details)

www.cherrystreetfarmersmarket.com

OWASSO – WEDNESDAY

OWASSO FARMERS MARKET

8:00 am – 12:00 pm, April 29 thru October

TULSA – THURSDAY

PEARL FARMERS MARKET

4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, April 18 thru September 26

East end of Centennial Park, 6th and Peoria

www.PearlFarmersMarket.org

TULSA – THURSDAY

WESTSIDE FARMERS MARKET

7:00 am – 11:00 am , April 6 thru October

On 15th Street, just east of Peoria

www.redforkmainstreet.org

TULSA – SATURDAY

CHERRY ST. FARMERS MARKET

7:00 am – 11:00 am, April 6 thru October

On 11th Street just each of Peoria

www.cherrrystreetfarmersmarket.com

BROKEN ARROW – SATURDAY

BROKEN ARROW FARMERS MARKET

8:00 am – 12:00 pm , April 20 thro September 7

418 Main St.

JENKS – SATURDAY

JENKS FARMERS MARKET

9:00 am – 1:00 pm, April 27 thru October 5

Green Acres Market, 117 S. 7th St.

angier@greenacres.com

OWASSO – SUNDAY

OWASSO FARMERS MARKET

8:99 am-12:00 pm , April 29 – October

YMCA Parking Lot, 8300 N. Owasso Expressway

WINTER MARKET

9:00 am – 11:00 am, every other Saturday all winter

TULSA – SUNDAY

Guthrie Green Sunday Market

10:00 am – 4:00 pm, April 7 thru October 27

North Boston and 111 E. Brady St. in The Brady Arts District

www.guthriegreen.com

Hope you enjoy your time “going local” and becoming a bit of a foodie. Your partner or family will enjoy this fresh open air environment and the healthy connection of good food and good times.

That was not in the plan . . . how to roll with the flow!

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Tanna Strom

Taking a recent vacation made me think about how our plans many times do not go the way we think they will. You are correct that my vacation did not go exactly as planned or envisioned in my head. But I adapted, shifted and had a great time.

Yes things do not always go as we expect. This can be with a vacation or a family outing or a date night or really any kind of activity that we have planned to do together as a couple or as a family. I am a big planner and I believe in thoughtfully preparing for outings with our loved ones. On the other hand somethings spontaneous, let’s go . . . can be very romantic or real fun for a family. So I guess a balance is nice. We each will have our own style.

Regardless if you have a PLAN or you are doing a spontaneous outing, being able to roll with the flow is important. Our lives are so busy and complex and things shift quickly. Plus, the biggie here is that we can not control everything around us. We can not control that the restaurant is out of our favorite dish or that the air conditioner breaks on our fun day trip or that a thunderstorm appears out of no where and you have to cancel or shift your outdoor outing.

So how can we better ROLL with the FLOW?

First of all accept that our planned or spontaneous event may not or probably will not go exactly as we had hoped for in our head.
Acknowledge your upset feelings or those of your loved ones. It is ok to be upset or disappointed. The key is WHAT WE DO WITH OUR UPSET OR DISAPPOINTMENT.
Accept and then say it is OK that it did not go exactly as we wished. We can still have fun and enjoy regardless of the hiccups or bumps in the road.
Remember we are capable of adapting and shifting. We are amazing human being with the ability to make the best of whatever the situation.
Shift to what you can do at that point. And know you can be ok with it.
Use your positive mindset to create a place of acceptance and regrouping.
Sometimes if we look we can find these unexpected needed shifts can open up opportunities that were not there before. Some folks would say there are no accidents!

GO ROLL WITH THE FLOW AND ENJOY!!!

Guthrie Green – Arts and Entertainment Park; plus FREE fitness programs and Local Sunday Market

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Tanna Strom

I discovered Guthrie Green this spring. Guthrie Green is in downtown Tulsa, located in the Brady Arts District. It is a full square block between Brady and Cameron Streets and Boston and Cincinnati Ave. This is a real Tulsa treasure choked full of wonderful events every day of the week. It opened in the fall of 2012. So still a fairly new Tulsa park. I would suggest you check this out as a couple or as a family.

I am listing some of the wide variety of activities that Guthrie Green offers to give you a general idea of the treats that are there.

Sunday Market (locally grown produce, gourmet food trucks, homemade soaps, hand crafted jewelry, etc.) 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, April to October
Fitness on the Green (FREE)

Mondays – Tai Chi 5:30 pm

Tuesdays – Boot Camp 5:30 pm

Wednesdays – Family Yoga 10:30 am and Lululeman’s Community Yoga 6:00 pm

Thursdays Boot camp 5:30 pm

Fridays – Walking 4:00 pm

Saturday – Mommy & Me Yoga Class 10:00 am

Special Community Fitness Events (FREE)
Concerts, Films and Plays (FREE)
Lucky’s on the Green (serving lunch and dinner during park hours)
Woody Guthrie Center (across the street from Guthrie Green)
Food Truck Wednesdays (live music, amazing food trucks and fresh air picnic, every Wednesdays from 11:30 – 1:30)
Water Fountain Feature for Children’s Play

For more detailed information and their calendar of events go to www.guthriegreen.com .

Potential Fun Couple’s Date Night: Performance of Shakespeare Play “Much Ado About Nothing”

There are too many events to list, but I wanted to note for a fun couple’s night out you might want to consider a Shakespeare in the Park event that is occurring June 11-June 16 from 8:30 – 10:30 pm with a 7:30 pre show. Much Ado About Nothing is being preformed. This is a fun romantic comedy. The pre-show will be 40’s music and swing dance.

I hope you will be able to take advantage of this wonderful new Tulsa arts and entertainment park. It has much to offer. Have fun!

Linnaeus Garden Celebration, June 15 – Free Butterfly Bushes and Gardening Lecture and Advice

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Tanna Strom

Do you and your loved one enjoy or have a strong interest in gardening. It can be a rewarding COUPLE hobby to develop and the fruits (or vegetables or flowers) of your labor can be great. The time spent together collaborating and creating something of beauty or meaning can be well worth the effort.

Tulsa Garden Center’s Linnaeus Teaching Garden 7th Anniversary Celebration is this Saturday, June 1st from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. The Linnaeus Garden is at 2435 S. Peoria Ave in Tulsa, OK. This is a lovely place to visit without any celebration going on. But the extra benefits this weekend are as follows:

FREE one gallon, white “Profusion” Butterfly Bushes to the first 400 visitors.

FREE Seminar – GREAT GARDENING PRACTICES” presented by Dr. Carl Whitcomb, Horticulturist and Plant Breeder from 10:30 am – 11:30 am at the Tulsa Garden Center Auditorium

FREE Gardening Advice and Literature will be available from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Come enjoy this time as a couple enjoying the gardens and the special celebration. And if you cannot come this weekend go and enjoy it in the summer, fall or spring!

“Couple Time”? Our children are young and need us!

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Tanna Strom

Yes, young children do need us not only emotionally, but physically. And when they are so young, they are vulnerable and have special needs. So it is very tempting not to arrange for “Couple Time” when our children are very young. Many couples with young children feel overwhelmed with work (in and outside of the home), general parenting responsibilities and all of the very special needs of little ones. So WHY should “Couple Time” even be considered?

” It takes a strong, healthy couple to raise a child. Taking time to be connected and alive as a couple benefits your child as well as you.”

That said, it does not mean we have to take long vacations away from young children. Here are some things to consider when arranging for “Couple Time” when your children are young.

Consider the age of your child and how long they can comfortably be away from you. For example: If you have a nursing baby, it may be 2 or 3 hours tops. So you plan for a dinner out or an activity that will fit this specific time frame. If your young children are ok with a sitter in the early evening, but have difficulty with others putting them to bed, you can go out for a morning / afternoon / early evening time frame. Matching up and flexing with these kinds of needs can take the stress and worry out of your time away.
Find a friend, relative or sitter that you trust and feel very good about. This will allow you to relax and have a good time.
Call if you need to, but try not to obsess.
Use this special time to connect and “be with” your spouse or partner. As much as you can try to talk and interact about things other than your young children.
Dress up and consider this a “DATE’. Keeping the romance alive is important, so make it a date.
If you cannot go out, consider an “IN THE HOUSE DATE”. The baby is napping or children have gone to bed mid evening. Go for it! Create your own special time in your house.

Enjoy this special time. Your couple interactions and special times together keep you connected and up for the challenge of raising healthy, happy children!

Story Time in the Garden and Little Green Thumbs – Tulsa Garden Center, Summer 2013

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Tanna Strom

Looking for a fun summer parent / child activities that involve nature themes. Check out the Tulsa Garden Center’s summer programs for children 2013. Story Time in the Garden and Little Green Thumbs and the Kid’s Corner in the Linnaaeus Visitor’s Barn are three specific summer programs that are designed for children and their parents. Here are some of the particulars of these activities.

Story Time in the Garden, Summer 2013

Tulsa Garden Center, Linnaeus Teaching Garden – Outdoor Classroom (just behind the statue of Carl Linnaeus)

2435 S. Peoria, Tulsa, OK

10:00 am, Thursdays

June, July and August

Preschool – Second Grade

Picture Books, plus an Activity in the Linnaeus Garden (check website for specific dates and topics)

FREE Admission

Little Green Thumbs, Summer 2013

Tulsa Garden Center, Linnaeus Garden Center

2435 S. Peoria, Tulsa, OK

Every Third Saturday, 9:30 – 11:30 am, April – September

__________________________________________________

June 8th – Wiggly Worms and Compost

July 13th – Incredible Edibles – Veggies / Herbs

August 10th – Birds in the Garden

__________________________________________________

Ages 4-11 years (children 4-7 must be accompanied by an adult)

Pre-registration is required. Contact: 918-748-5125

$10. per class for TGC members and $15. per class for non members.

Learning Activities in the “Kid’s Corner” of the Linnaeus Visitor’s Barn (themed activities changed monthly)

East Wall – Potting Tables with Garden Activities to Share with Children
North Table – Books, Notes and Things to Do with Younger Children
South Table – Activity Basket with Laminated Sheets and Dry Erase Markers for Parents and Their Children to Take into the Garden; plus, Garden Experiment

FREE

For detailed information look at Tulsa Garden Center’s website: www.tulsagardencenter.com .

Does Food Affect Your Relationship?

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Tanna Strom

Can food affect our relationship with our spouse or partner???

I think the answer would be YES. There are many factors that come into play. A few of them might be:

How do each of us view food? Do we see it as a source of pleasure? Do we see it as needed for a healthy body, for energy and healing? Do we see it as part of our culture?
Whose job is it to prepare the food?
Do we eat out or eat in?
Where do we eat? At a dinner table or in front of a TV?
Are there certain set times we eat?
How much do we spend on food?
Do we eat conventional or organic? Does it matter to us?
How much time do we need to spend on food preparation?
Do we want boxed / canned food or fresh food? Do we care?
Do we like to try new foods? Do we like the same foods?
Do we have a right to restrict or discourage our partner or spouse from eating certain foods?
If we have children, what kind of things should they eat or not eat?

These and many more are part of a very complex relationship between food and couples. Our family of origin and our backgrounds will affect how we see food and all the many decisions we face each day about food. How we handle differences about food is affected by our parents and the culture we grew up in also.

Having a discussion can help you begin to put together a complex puzzle of how you can potentially develop a healthy approach to food as a couple. You will have some things you agree on and some you do not. How you resolve these issues will make a difference. Is there a healthy balance as to how you handle differences?

Sometimes strong differences may mean each doing what they need to do, in conjunction with balancing and compromising where possible.

Food is life and it does make a difference in our relationships. So consider taking time to really talk and find ways to work with each other’s ideas and preferences, but still be true to your own ideas.

Cooking Together as a Couple or Family – The Perfect Activity for Fun and Connection

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Tanna Strom

Cooking together can be an incredibly fun and connecting activity for couples and families. Yes at times cooking can feel like it is a chore if we are tired and overloaded; especially, if we are doing it by our lonesome with no one helping. But together it can lighten this activity, infusing energy and time to talk and interact, something we all could use a bit more of. That said, if you are in an incredibly bad mood or need to be by your self, you may want to wait as some patience and tolerance is part of cooking together.

Cooking as a couple and cooking as a family will have some different dynamics. Cooking as a family with children requires more plan ahead and time alloted. Cooking as a couple (if no children are involved) can be down right romantic and can be a bit more spontaneous. Just remember you may have different ideas on how to make something. Accepting this and avoiding being rigid as to how something should be made will help to keep it positive.

Here are some considerations in planning and cooking together as a couple or as a family.

Including a planning piece can help to alleviate frustration and disappointment. Of course, at times everyone cooking together may need to be more spontaneous. But if possible, planning what you want and having the needed ingredients can sure make it a more smooth process. Planning might include:

What is on the menu? Choosing to plan this together can gain more cooperation and encourage a more team approach. This would of course be the most helpful if this is done before you do grocery shopping. Incorporating some things that each person likes can go toward a more satisfying meal for everyone.
If this is a family activity, are the dishes planned ones that have parts that the younger children can help with? For example: tearing lettuce leaves, stirring a batter, throwing in specific ingredients, etc.

Patience, tolerance and non perfectionism are some of the main ingredients for cooking as a family. Children are children and they will need to help according to their skill level. The process here is so much more important than the product. RELAXING and EMBRACING the MESS is part of it.

Making sure there is enough time is important as children will slow the process.

Having a small healthy snack or appetizer before you start cooking may keep everyone more pleasant and patient.

If little ones are involved having a place set up that is safe for their involvement is important.

ENCOURAGING and PRAISING each other makes the process so much sweeter, whether it is as a couple or as a family.

Planning a themed meal can be fun. For example: Mexican, Italian, etc or a Tea Party or a Backyard Picnic.

Note: As this is Memorial Day Weekend, you could plan a meal that honors a family member that is no longer with you, who has passed on. For example: Grandpa John’s grilled corn or Grandma Sue’s apple pie. The idea here would be to include some dishes that the person was famous for making or a dish that they loved, etc. This would encourage conversation and a time of remembering of our loved ones and their contributions to our food traditions.

Happy Cooking!!!

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