The Cold Coffee Club

Houston Moms

Hello, and welcome to The Cold Coffee Club, a podcast brought to you by Houston Moms! Join us, your hosts, Ashley & Jenny, as we give you a little bit of that mom-to-mom connection, fun, and conversation amidst all the chaos! Each week, we will take a break from doing all the things and explore the wide spectrum of this crazy motherhood role! We’ll interview fun guests, talk about cool grown-up topics, laugh, share and grow together! So go ahead, reheat that coffee and put your feet up! Here we go! read less

Encouraging the Quiet
1w ago
Encouraging the Quiet
This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠Houston Angels, supporting the over 2000 children and youth in foster care in the Houston area! We can all do a little something to help the lives of kids and families around us during National Foster Care Month! Learn more about how you can support their incredible mission. Jenny & Ashley are chatting about their favorite thing… QUIET TIME! As summer rapidly approaches, we think it’s important to incorporate a little quiet time into our busy schedules, to give us time to relax, regroup and tap into our thoughts and creativity.  It’s not a punishment, it’s actually a bit of a reward! To be alone, with a little peace and quiet, without anyone pestering you, should be a welcomed experience, but we totally understand why it might not be for little ones. If your kiddos have a hard time relaxing alone, a cube timer might help them count down the time with ease.  Magnatiles are a great activity for busy minds as they enjoy some time alone. They can explore their imaginations and create all kinds of incredible structures and shapes! We hope our tips help you schedule some quiet time within your summer fun! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Bravery Chef Hall is the mall food court we loved as kids but has the grown up tastes we love now! Go enjoy incredible eats by incredibly creative Houston chefs! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: You Don't Have to Be Perfect to be a Supermom (momcollective.com) by Monica Bell I'm Not Crying, You're Crying: Facing the End of the Preschool Era (momcollective.com) by Cindy Vattathil See Ya Later, Caffinator: Here are some resources for mapping out your summer and embracing the quiet! Quiet Time Chart Kids Daily Schedule Idea Printable PDF - Etsy Brain Breaks Printable Cards Teaching Resources | TPT (teacherspayteachers.com) Summer Schedule for Kids (Free Printables) - The Printables Fairy 20+ Quiet Time Activities and Supplies - Busy Toddler
Mother's Day!!!
May 9 2023
Mother's Day!!!
This episode is brought to you by ⁠Alodia Basketball Camps⁠, the perfect way to perfect Basketball skills this summer! Two locations and 11 weeks to choose from, your kids, from Kinder to 8th grade can practice fundamentals and learn new techniques all summer long! What do moms truly want for Mother’s Day? Gifts, food, sleep? As moms, we are always doing for our families, and they want to show their love and appreciation in ways we will actually receive it as such! Ashley and Jenny chat about the things (or gestures) that would make their Mother’s Day one to remember. It’s not all about the things our families can do… sometimes it’s about what they DON’T do! (Like, ask us for ANYTHING on our day!) Learn some ways to set yourself up for a great Mother’s Day with tips from ⁠Erin Moon⁠, maybe look into the ⁠Balance app⁠ for meditation or hint to your family that you want a massage like Jenny! “Spill the Tea”: If you’re all caught up on ⁠Love is Blind⁠ or ⁠Beef⁠, both on Netflix, or the smash-hit show ⁠Jury Duty⁠ on Freevee, shift to the newest and final season of ⁠Workin’ Moms⁠ to celebrate Mother’s Day!  “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Field trips at ⁠Dewberry Farm⁠ are the best! This is a mainstay in Brookshire that is perfect for outdoor fun! ⁠Chat GPT⁠ is sweeping the world by storm as this innovative way to create content intrigues us all! But the possibilities are truly endless! Use this AI program to create meal plans, cleaning schedules, dinner recommendations, all kinds of things! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Appreciation Gifts Sure to Delight Your Child’s Teachers ⁠5 Local Coffee Shops to Try in Spring and the Woodlands⁠
Anxious Mamas
May 2 2023
Anxious Mamas
This episode is brought to you by Houston Moms! Not only are we the perfect resource for all moms in Houston, but we also know exactly what you’re looking for! Check out ⁠The Ultimate Guide to Summer Camp for Houston Kids & Teens⁠, broken down into ⁠Day ⁠and ⁠Overnight⁠ Camps, perfect for mapping out an eventful summer for your kiddos! Being an anxious mama in this day and age can be absolutely exhausting… and relatable! Moms have seen so much over the past few years, and it’s hard to imagine NOT being anxious. But anxiety doesn’t have to be our identity. There are ways to manage the fear, uncertainty and stressful stuff moms have been bombarded with.  Jenny & Ashley are sharing how anxiety manifests itself as moms and how they’re managing to cope! Journaling (check out ⁠Penzu⁠ if you want to type out your thoughts), therapy, headphones to combat loud noises, preparing and focusing on what you can control are all very helpful!  Here are a few resources for managing your anxiety: ⁠The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine N. Aron, Ph. D⁠ ⁠The Cost of Control by Sharon Hodde Miller⁠ ⁠Podcast: Momwell with Erica Djossa ⁠ And make sure you follow Houston Moms Contributor, ⁠Becca⁠, on ⁠Instagram⁠, as she is brilliant at sharing ways to prepare your children instead of scaring them, making fears and anxieties less overwhelming! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: The ⁠Art Car Parade ⁠is a Houston tradition that combines creativity and vehicles of all kinds! Loads of incredible art displays with unique themes that blew our minds! Make sure you’re there next year!  Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: ⁠Diagnosing ADHD in Girls: The Clues I Almost Missed
Potty Training "Pros"
Apr 25 2023
Potty Training "Pros"
This episode is brought to you by Vivaldi Music Academy! If you have a child who is interested in exceptional musical learning, Vivaldi can bring them the joy of music at several incredible locations!  Ok. Ashley and Jenny are, by no means, “pros” at potty training. But they’ve both been through it a couple times each. This episode is all about the ways they managed and failed at getting their kiddos to “pee-pee in the potty!”  One IG profile to know and love during the fun potty training times is @pottytrainingconsultant! Such a great resource! Allison Jandu has you covered… You need this info in your back pocket! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Is love really blind? Jenny was so pumped to watch the ‘live” reunion of Love is Blind’s season 4. While viewing did not go as planned, Jenny found a way to watch it… shoutout to the amazing woman on TikTok who shot a live video of the reunion for those who could not watch it on Netflix! You're a gem! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Thinking about having your kids join the swim team this summer? You NEED to see the post, Everything You Need to Know About Summer Swim Teams, to get the whole 411 about swim teams! A Houston Moms tradition… our annual VBS Guide is up!! If you’re looking for more ways to keep your kids busy this summer, VBS is an inexpensive (often, FREE) way for the kids to burn off some energy, play with friends and give you a moment to breathe! Check out this comprehensive list of VBS options all over Houston!
Balanced Nutrition
Apr 18 2023
Balanced Nutrition
This episode is brought to you by Members Choice Credit Union. April is National Financial Literacy Month! Help set your children on the path of financial success with Members Choice. Join for better rates, lower rates and other benefits! Motherhood shouldn’t mean we survive on the crumbs and leftovers of our kids… We need to remember that, while we focus so much of our energy on feeding our children nutritious meals to help them grow, we need the same focus on ourselves.  Join Ashley and Jenny as they discuss how they make sure they are nourishing themselves with great food to sustain themselves as well! No more half-eaten chicken nuggets, mamas… Take care to feed your bodies well! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Need a way to always be up to date about what’s going on with our incredible Astros team? Become an Astros Insider! Find out about any events and deals that will have you root, root rooting for the home team! The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Air are two big hits to check out on the big screen. Enjoy a movie night, or two, with these incredible flicks! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: When you or your children are sensitive to noises, overwhelming lights and colors or any other sensory sensitivities, it can be tough to find places to go and things to see in Houston. This post, Sensory Friendly Events and Play Places in Houston, lists some great ways to venture out with your sensory needs in mind! STAAR Testing doesn’t have to be an overwhelming drag!  Check out the post, 4 Tips To Prepare Your Kids for STAAR Testing, to help your kiddos work through any test anxiety and do their very best! The Cold Coffee Club wants to hear from you! If you’re a local business owner, media personality, author, influencer, or someone who just has some great insights into Houston, let’s have a chat! Email us at admin@houstonmom.com and tell us about yourself and join us on an episode!
Cold Coffee Club Favorites
Mar 28 2023
Cold Coffee Club Favorites
This episode is brought to you by RSM, the Russian School of Mathematics. This summer, your children can join this award-winning math enrichment program that helps challenge and engage students in incredible math lessons! What are Jenny and Ashley’s favorite things? What products do they love, devices they swear by and shows they think are the best? Let’s talk about some Cold Coffee Club Favorites! Ashley:  The Last of Us on HBO The MTV Challenges on Paramount+ Face Steamer “Face Sucker” aka Pore Cleaner/ Blackhead Remover DJI OM Phone Stabilizer Libby Untappd The Strays on Netflix Lemon, Ginger & Clove Tea Neurohealth Supplement Zingo! Magic Spoon Cereal Dawn Dish Soap and water for killing wasps Jenny: The Amazing Race on Paramount+ Tula Skin Care Brightening Treatment Drops BOSE QC 45 Noise Canceling Headphones CapCut InShot CamScanner Owala Free Sip Water Bottle Celcius Mix Packets Guess in 10 Target’s All in Motion Clothing Lumify Eyedrops  Many of our Houston Moms contributors have been known to share some of their favorite things, so there are loads of other “favorites” for you to enjoy! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: When a beach day in Galveston sounds like entirely too much work, you can make a mini trip to Spring Creek, just behind Pundt Park. Sand, water and lots of sun make for the perfect “close to home” beach experience! Cru Food and Wine Bar is the perfect spot to snag a wine flight to sample different kinds of wine and delicious short ribs! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Our Camp Guide is waiting for you! Plan an incredible summer for your kiddos! Houston Moms has shared a ton of book recommendations of the years! No matter what kind of reading you or your kids are into, we’ve had you covered, and we’ve neatly sorted all of our recommendations into one go-to post! Check it out! The Cold Coffee Club wants to hear from you! If you’re a local business owner, media personality, author, influencer, or someone who just has some great insights into Houston, let’s have a chat! Email us at admin@houstonmom.com and tell us about yourself! Maybe we can get you on an episode!
Exploring Enneagrams
Mar 21 2023
Exploring Enneagrams
This episode is brought to you by West Pelvic Wellness, serving Houston women with pelvic floor issues. You certainly don’t have to suffer with discomfort and pain, so Dr. Alyssa Easley’s holistic approach can help! Jenny & Ashley are here to help you answer the question, “What type are you?” Enneagrams are such a useful way to learn more about who you and the people around you are! Let’s dig into the nine types, what their personalities are and how they connect to others. You can check out The Enneagram Institute to learn the ins and outs about the types, and here are a few sites to take the test: Truity Your Enneagram Coach Crystal Some incredible Instagram profiles that will help you connect with the different enneagram types: @ennegramashton @the.enneagram.mom @theblackenneagram @enneagramexplained @yourenneagramcoach And here are a few other resources that could be very useful on your enneagram journey: The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron & Suzanne Stabile The Enneagram Journey Podcast with Suzanne Stabile “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Ashley has gotten her skin care routine locked in (FINALLY) with the help of NuRX. She has gotten her hormonal acne cleared up at an affordable price, thanks to online medical care! Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina is a great place to connect with good company… See what we did there?! Jenny got to enjoy time with friends, delicious margaritas and tasty queso with some of her childhood friends, and she highly recommends!  Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: 7 Unique Houston Date Night Destinations by Andrea Portillo is a useful resource to change up your run of the mill date night and enjoy time with your significant other! The Cold Coffee Club wants to hear from you! If you’re a local business owner, media personality, author, influencer, or someone who just has some great insights into Houston, let’s have a chat! Email us at admin@houstonmom.com and tell us about yourself! Maybe we can get you on an episode!
Screentime Woes
Mar 14 2023
Screentime Woes
This episode is brought to you by T Bar M Summer Camps!  Kids, teens and families of all ages can enjoy a summer of fun! Their Christian-based program encourages a better relationship with God while making fun memories! Whew… finding the right balance for screentime for your kids is tough. How much time is best? Do you use it as a reward system? Is it a free for all? We all do it a little differently, but we can all agree… screens are everywhere, and our best bet is to find the balance that fits our households!  Mom tip: GoNoodle videos, Cosmic Kids Yoga and Number Blocks are great uses of screentime to help your kids move, have fun and learn! “Spill the Tea”: Ashley went to see Anthony Jeselnik at Bricktown Comedy Club in Oklahoma City, and it is an awesome spot for some good laughs if you’re ever there for a visit! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: The show “Shrinking” on Apple+ is one of Jenny’s faves! It follows a psychiatrist who is recently widowed and is going through a really tough time while he tries to help others. Ashley is loving GrowWithJo on YouTube, a channel that provides some amazing workouts and fun ways to get your body moving! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: The Truth About Eating Disorders by Cindy E The Ultimate Guide to Summer Camp for Houston Kids & Teens by Ashley Black The Cold Coffee Club wants to hear from you! If you’re a local business owner, media personality, author, influencer, or someone who just has some great insights into Houston, let’s have a chat! Email us at admin@houstonmom.com and tell us about yourself! Maybe we can get you on an episode!
Ew, Gross: Motherhood is MESSY!
Mar 7 2023
Ew, Gross: Motherhood is MESSY!
This episode is brought to you by The Conative Group! Dr. Kimberly Harrison knows parenting is tough, but she has created some of the best strategies to help families handle the overwhelming parenting moments. Kids are gross, germs are everywhere, and motherhood is messy! Jenny & Ashley are chatting about all the nastiness that comes with raising kids. “Spill the Tea”: A fun night at Top Golf is always a great idea, but Jenny made it even more fun for her kids by inviting a playmate for each kid! It’s so funny watching your kids enjoying time with their friends while also spending time together as a family! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: American Girl dolls were staples for young girls back in the day. They are historical. HISTORICAL, y’all! Why is there now an American Girl doll from 1999?! Who knew 1999 was historical! Ashley is super excited to do a boudoir photo shoot with Shannon LaRouge Photography! If you need an experience that is out of your comfort zone and will make you feel great about yourself, you should give it a shot! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Let’s Go, Rodeo: A Houston Moms Guide to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo by Ashley Black The Ultimate Guide to Summer Camp for Houston Kids & Teens by Ashley Black The Cold Coffee Club wants to hear from you! If you’re a local business owner, media personality, author, influencer, or someone who just has some great insights into Houston, let’s have a chat! Email us at admin@houstonmom.com and tell us about yourself! Maybe we can get you on an episode!
Overcoming Generational Traumas and Toxic Patterns
Feb 28 2023
Overcoming Generational Traumas and Toxic Patterns
This episode is brought to you by HOUSTON MOMS! We are holding an open call for new contributors to join our incredible team! If you’re interested in sharing your voice, please head to our site to send your submission! Every family has its stuff that it has to sort through or overcome. Our parents and grandparents did their best with what they knew, but when we get down to it, some of their parenting caused generational traumas and toxic patterns that are tough to break. Many of us are realizing that some of our experiences growing up do not match how we want to raise our children now. The journey starts here! Ashley and Jenny share some tips to handling generational traumas and patterns: Acknowledge some things weren't rightGet some helpIntrospection (how do you feel, how do you relate. talk to yourself)Work on changing the habitsLet go and rewrite the story And don’t be afraid to get help. That’s important. Get the help you need to move forward in your life, move past the hurts and move into the direction you hope for as a mother. Here’s a great post to help you get some mental health care. Bonus recommendation: I’m Glad my Mom Died by Jeannette McCurdy “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Ashley read the book, “The Mamas: What I Learned About Kids, Class and Race from Moms Not Like Me,” by Helena Andrews-Dyer, and this book is a must-read for mothers who are open and willing to explore building relationships with all kinds of moms, taking in their perspectives and insights! In a pinch for dinner? Jenny loves the Birds Eye Sheet Pan Meals for nights where time got away from her and she has nothing planned! These are clutch!!! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: A Houston Moms Guide to Crawfish Season by Kim Reed Where to Get The Best Margaritas in Houston by Rebecca R  The Cold Coffee Club wants to hear from you! If you’re a local business owner, media personality, author, influencer, or someone who just has some great insights into Houston, let’s have a chat! Email us at admin@houstonmom.com and tell us about yourself! Maybe we can get you on an episode!
House Rules: Managing the Chaos
Feb 7 2023
House Rules: Managing the Chaos
This episode is brought to you by… you? Reach out to us at admin@houstonmom.com if you or your business would like to sponsor an episode of The Cold Coffee Club, so we can give you partnership options! Managing our households, with all the things that are involved in it, can be so stressful. Why is there so much to do?!?! Ashley & Jenny and sharing how they manage the chaos… from handling scheduling to meal planning, all of it! “Spill the Tea”: Ashley follows @targetwhileblack on Instagram and loves that it showcases incredible products for Black History Month and Black-owned business products. “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Jenny’s family LOVES the show, American Ninja Warrior, and she takes her family to Sam Sann Warriors-All Star Ninjas gym off the beltway, but she found one even closer to her in Katy! She also goes to USA Ninja Challenge! Perfect places for those little wall-scaling climbers and daredevils! Trebly Park just opened between Fannin and San Jacinto, with an on site cafe, green space, tons of seating, dog park, playscape and YES! BATHROOMS!! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: 8 Mom Hacks for a Tidy Home Lunch for Grownups: Inspiration and Prep Just for You The Cold Coffee Club wants to hear from you! If you’re a local business owner, media personality, author, influencer, or someone who just has some great insights into Houston, let’s have a chat! Email us at admin@houstonmom.com and tell us about yourself! Maybe we can get you on an episode!
Blast from the Past: Reliving Our Younger Years with Kayla Olson, Author of The Reunion
Jan 17 2023
Blast from the Past: Reliving Our Younger Years with Kayla Olson, Author of The Reunion
This episode is brought to you by… you? Reach out to us at admin@houstonmom.com if you or your business would like to sponsor an episode of The Cold Coffee Club, so we can give you partnership options! Jenny and Ashley are reminiscing about the past… favorite shows, biggest teen heartthrobs, all the things from the good ole days! But what will truly take you back is our incredible guest, Kayla Olson, who shares details about her highly anticipated, new book, The Reunion. This romantic gem is a must-read! “When two former teen stars reconnect at the reunion for their hit TV show, they discover their feelings for one another were not merely scripted in this charming and heartwarming novel perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Sally Thorne.” Must-read, right?!? Get your copy now! And don’t miss seeing Kayla Olson at her book signing event at Brazos Bookstore on January 19th at 7pm with fellow awesome author, Katharine McGee! “Cream & Sugar” Recommendations: Regal Cinemas have awesome deals on Tuesdays that are perfect for day dates or fun with the kids during breaks from school! Houston Moms “House Blend” Posts: Becca Vidrine wrote “Safety with Kids: A Practical Approach” which is all about teaching kiddos to be prepared for anything and aware of everything! The Cold Coffee Club wants to hear from you! If you’re a local business owner, media personality, author, influencer, or someone who just has some great insights into Houston, let’s have a chat! Email us at admin@houstonmom.com and tell us about yourself! Maybe we can get you on an episode!