Uncommon Sense: And Sweet and Sour Pork Kebabs

A bi-weekly note that shares ideas and thoughts around family, finances, and food that your parents should have taught you.

Explore effective approaches to instill positive eating habits in your children…

As a parent, one of the perpetual challenges we face is ensuring our kids adopt healthy eating habits. It's a common concern, and I often find myself engrossed in discussions about this very topic. When it comes to getting kids to eat healthily, my approach, shaped by experience and a touch of trial and error, revolves around a few key principles.

First and foremost, it's crucial to understand that kids will eat when they're hungry. Forcing them to finish their plates isn't our strategy. Instead, we've adopted a more flexible approach, making it a point not to pressure them into consuming every last bite. However, we do have a rule – they must try everything. A prime example is my child, Johnna, who once despised avocados. Out of the blue, she woke up one day with a newfound love for them. Kids' taste buds and preferences evolve rapidly, unlike adults, and exposing them to a variety of foods, even those they may initially resist, can broaden their palate over time.

Moreover, we've noticed that kids often take cues from their siblings. If one is enjoying a particular dish, the chances are the others will follow suit. It's a subtle but effective way to encourage them to try different foods and, who knows, possibly discover new favorites.

Lastly, we respect our kids' autonomy when it comes to mealtime. If a child tells us they're not eating dinner, that's perfectly fine. We believe in offering structure by making it clear that their meal will be waiting when they're ready. It's a balance we maintain by not allowing them to substitute a proper meal with quick fixes like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or pizza. The goal is for the family to share meals, creating a sense of unity and reinforcing healthy eating habits together.

In the end, the journey to instill healthy eating habits in our children is an ongoing process, shaped by flexibility, patience, and a dash of creativity. It's about cultivating a positive relationship with food and fostering an environment where trying new things is an exciting adventure rather than a chore.

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Demystifying passive income..

In the quest for creating passive income, it's crucial to debunk the myths surrounding this buzzword and understand its true definition. Passive income isn't a magic formula that generates wealth effortlessly; rather, it's about making your money work for you. I'd like to share some insights on how to cultivate passive income and the financial strategies involved.

Passive income is essentially the money you already have working for you. To embark on this journey, one must first accumulate excess active income. Active income involves the traditional process of working, receiving a paycheck, managing bills, and having some surplus funds. It's this surplus that forms the foundation for generating passive income.

The misconception lies in thinking that passive income requires very little money. On the contrary, it demands a substantial amount of excess income to kickstart the process. Living paycheck to paycheck without any surplus makes it challenging to venture into the realm of passive income.

So, how does one convert excess income into a passive income stream? The key lies in strategic investments. Here are some examples:

1. Private Lending: By providing funds to house flippers, you can earn a higher return than traditional banking institutions. These individuals often prefer private loans due to their flexibility, offering an opportunity for you to earn a significant return on your investment.
2. Syndications: Participating in syndications involves pooling funds with others and relying on a larger entity to generate returns. This approach provides steady, albeit smaller, returns over a specified period.
3. Business Ownership: Acquiring or investing in a business that operates semi-autonomously can be a lucrative way to generate passive income. For instance, owning a laundromat and hiring an operator allows you to enjoy the profits while minimizing hands-on involvement.
4. Real Estate Rentals: Owning rental properties is a classic method of passive income. By purchasing properties, managing expenses, and renting them out, you create a consistent revenue stream. However, this requires a significant upfront investment.
5. Car Rental Business (Turo): For those interested in more dynamic ventures, platforms like Turo allow individuals to rent out their vehicles for a profit. While it may require some management, having someone else oversee the day-to-day operations can make it a relatively passive income stream.

It's essential to recognize that true passive income requires a substantial initial investment and, in many cases, ongoing management. While the term "passive" might suggest minimal effort, the reality is that these income streams need careful attention to ensure they continue working for you.

In conclusion, passive income is attainable, but it requires financial discipline, strategic planning, and a willingness to take calculated risks. By understanding the dynamics involved, you can make informed decisions on how to allocate your excess income to create a sustainable and growing passive income portfolio.

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What's Cookin'? Sweet and Sour Pork Kebabs

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pineapple juice?
• ? cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
• ? cup brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp ketchup
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp water

• 2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 2 bell peppers (mixed colors), cut into 1” pieces
• ? large red onion, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 can pineapple chunks?
• Pork tenderloin, cut into 1” chunks

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375o. Put the pork, veggies, and pineapple on the skewers, alternating as you go. (if you’re using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 min before using.) Set aside.
2. In a small saucepan, whisk together the pineapple juice, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, water, and cornstarch. Bring to a boil for one minute, then remove from heat.
3. Place the skewers on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush the skewers with the sauce, making sure to coat all sides. Bake for 10 min, then coat once more with sauce on all sides. Bake for another 10 min, or until pork reaches 150o.?
4. Serve with rice.

Prefer a how-to video? Catch it here!

Stuff I Bought This Week:

• Heater we got for the back porch
• Lock for the Lake House ?

Quote Of The Day: “If you always wait ‘till you “feel like it” you would not do 90% of the things in life. Sometimes you gotta “do” knowing the good will follow.” - Tony Robbins

Interested in learning more? Come hang out on our podcast Owners Table where I have conversations with successful owners from the boardroom to the dinner table. You can find it wherever you stream:

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Be blessed,

TC