PFO Newsletter- 04.17.25

Wanna be the kids HANGOUT HOUSE? Plus... something I've NEVER seen before!

April 17, 2025

Not sure about you, but I want to be the house where all the kids hangout. I love when my kiddos and their friends are over. It’s a great way to get to know the friends in my children’s lives, plus I know they’re in a safe environment. 

Do you know what the secret to having them over is? FEED THEM. 

My friend Logan is on the podcast this week to talk all about it–she’s also sharing her fave recipes with us! (keep reading for those)

I do want to clarify: this isn’t about being the “cool” parent who turns a blind eye to bad choices (hard no). It is about creating a space that’s safe, full of laughter and stocked with snacks. 

It’s prom season, so this topic is especially timely. I see a lot of parents who offer their kids (and their kids’ friends) “safe” spaces to drink. While I understand the thought process behind it all, the science says this actually backfires. Most kids don’t want to drink, but they don’t feel there’s any other choice..

Do you want to be your kids "hangout house"?

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In other news, I’m working on an upcoming podcast series on friendship and I’m learning that one of the most important aspects of true friendships is AVAILABILITY. 

Show up for your people. Don’t wait for them to tell you what they need. Logan (who was on the podcast this week) showed up for me and my family after my mom’s passing in a lot of different ways–bringing a meal and offering up her mountain cabin for a quick family getaway. 

This is me saying: put yourself out there this week. Take someone a meal, offer to babysit their kid, or do a random act of kindness. As someone who’s been on the receiving end of it, you’ll never know how much it means. And showing up for people is one of the best mood boosters around. 

Cheers to food and friends, 

Paula

FARIS FAVORITES 🤎

1. Logan’s BEST Recipes! 🌮 

Check out Logan’s tried and true recipes that will go over big with your kids and their friends ! I especially love the pork that you can turn into tacos, sliders or nachos. Download her DPF, made just for us, below.

LOGAN'S RECIPES.pdf3.00 MB • PDF File

2. A Show Like NONE You’ve Seen Before - ADOLESCENCE

I am SHOOK. Never have I seen a show like “Adolescence” on Netflix. It’s a British psychological crime drama but what makes it unlike anything you’ll ever watch is this: each episode is ONE TAKE, NO CUTS. It’s mind-blowing that they’re able to pull it off. My teens, hubby and I just finished watching–it was an intense series, but highly recommended for older audiences.

3. Keeping Your Food CLEAN 🍎

Want to get pesticides off your produce? Do this one easy (and cheap!) thing. I learned from Dr Josh Axe on my podcast that soaking your produce in baking soda and water for 2 minutes will remove almost 99% of the pesticides. So you can reach for your pricey veggie wash, or you can try the inexpensive baking soda method. I’m a fan!

POLL RESULTS:

In our last poll, over 96% of you said you’re concerned about what’s in our food!! Here are some of your comments.

➡️ “I have been concerned after living in Norway for 12 years. My children became sick upon our return from so many additives in foods in the US.”

➡️ “Our family has been on a health journey for over a year now and swapping out the “bad” ingredients for the “good” ingredients. We eat clean and no processed food at all.”

➡️ “It is so difficult to know who to trust on what is in our food.”

➡️ “I have autoimmune issues, and I know that they have been caused—or at least exacerbated—by our food.”

➡️ “As I get older I realize more than ever the health effects of inflammation in my body. So what I eat matters and that means what's in our food matters. Also, as a retired teacher, I have seen the deterioration of children's general health due to dietary choices (processed foods, excess fat, and added sugar) and how that affects learning. Childhood obesity statistics are a huge red flag that something needs to be done to protect our children.”

➡️ “I need raw data to do the talking and not be swayed by political biases.”

➡️ “I too believe food has a lot to do with all the disease and ill health we are all suffering with. Chemicals in the food is a big problem!”

➡️ “Too many diseases are striking younger and younger people. Something is wrong and a common denominator is food.”

THE PAULA FARIS SHOW 🎙️

What American Food Is Doing To Us And Our Kids, Plus Easy Swaps With Dr. Josh Axe

When it comes to what’s in our American food system, it can be difficult to know WHO to believe and WHERE to start. Honestly, the process is incredibly overwhelming and can be pricey. But here’s the reality: 60-90% of our foods are ultra-processsed, our pre-teens are seeing dramatic increases in pre-diabetes and this young generation is the first generation that isn’t expected to outlive the previous generation. Many of the food dyes in our food are banned in almost every other country. While food is just ONE component of what’s happening in this conversation, I wanted to dive deeper into the subject of what’s truly in the American food system-from food dyes, to pesticides, and a ton of different additives. Dr. Josh Axe tells us what American food is doing to us and our kids, plus some easy steps we can take in our journey towards awareness and eating better. 

Want All The Kids To Hang Out At Your House? Here’s How!

If you want to be the house where all the kids hang out, it’s pretty simple: FEED THEM. I’ve invited my good friend, Logan Wolfram, to the conversation because as a mom of teen boys, she is living proof that this is the case. Feed them. They will hang out. Logan and I talk about what this is and what this isn’t. It’s NOT trying to be the “cool parent” and providing drugs and alcohol to underage kids. It IS providing a safe space, full of love and laughter. We discuss the easy steps in becoming the home all the kids want to hang out at, plus some hilarity that involves a bat (the nocturnal kind), a mountain cabin, and a tree swing attempt gone bad.

Join the Conversation!

If you’ve made it this far, I invite you to join (or start) the conversation in our comments section. What would you like to share? -Paula

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