We had the good fortune of connecting with Hillary Hess and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hillary, what principle do you value most?
Connections with my family mean everything to me. My family is my greatest joy. This is why I started Helping of Happiness. I wanted other families to be able to see and find different ways their families could grow stronger. Happiness in our family life has been enhanced by cooking and eating delicious food together, going on memorable family vacations, and finding ways to make our household run smoother.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I started Helping of Happiness, I had all 7 of my kids. They were ages 16 down to 1 year old. It was really hard finding time to work when there were so many children with so many needs.

I set up work hours for myself during naptime, when they were in bed, and even early in the morning if I had to. I would do babysitting swaps with other moms when I needed to do big things, like work on building my website.

There were times when I thought I might burn out, but I didn’t!! Helping of Happiness has been going for over 5 years now. It has grown to include not only a podcast and a blog, but a YouTube and other social channels, in person and virtual cooking classes, and I even put out my first cookbook this year.

All of the recipes, travel tips, and home hacks that I write about on our blog are real foods I make, real places we have been and real activities and systems we use in our home. Having 7 kids in this day and age is a huge struggle, but it is also joyful and fun!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many fun places I would love to take them in DFW!! I actually have a blog post about 25 fun things to do in Dallas that I share with any friends and family that are coming to the area.

If I was planning out an itinerary for a week long trip for a family, this is how it would look:

Monday: Go to Fairview Farmers in Allen for breakfast. They have the most delicious and beautiful food. Then grab a soda at Swig and head over to the Heard Museum in McKinney. We especially love it when the outdoor dinosaur exhibit is in town. McKinney Square is a great place to grab lunch or dinner. Some of our favorite restaurants to eat at are Patina Green Home & Market (love their sandwiches!) and Harvest.

Tuesday: Spend your day exploring Dallas. Take the M-Line Trolley to the Dallas Museum of Art. Grab some lunch at a food truck across the street at Klyde Warren Park and play at their new playground. Grab dinner at Velvet Taco.

Wednesday: Check out the Dallas Zoo! We love feeding the giraffes and seeing the elephants. In the late afternoon, you can go to the Grassy Knoll where JFK was shot and learn all about the history and conspiracy theories surrounding that event. Finish off your day with dinner at The Cheesecake Factory.

Thursday: Visit the beautiful Dallas Arboretum. We spend hours there, especially in the kids area. Halloween and Christmas are our favorite times to visit. You can eat inside the Arboretum, or grab a quick sandwich at Jimmy Johns or Chick Fil A which are just a block away. We also love a quick trip to Braums for some ice cream to finish off the fun.

Friday: Take a stroll around the grounds at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sit on the benches by the fountains and have a few quiet moments to enjoy the sound of the water and the beautiful flowers. Grab some food at restaurants nearby. Our favorites over there are Asian Mint and Mattito’s.

Saturday: Head over to Frisco to take a tour of The Star – the Cowboys Practice Facility. They have lots of shopping and tasty restaurants to pick from. You can also visit the Stonebriar Center. We love eating at Perry’s just behind the mall.

Sunday: Pick a church to go to. Religions of many varieties abound in the DFW area. If you need a suggestion, come worship with us at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Lunch or dinner at Legacy Hall is always fun with a wide variety of restaurants to choose from.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, Warren, and my 7 kids. Without them, there would be no Helping of Happiness. They inspire the different content ideas that come to me as well as support me in my creative endeavors.

Website: www.helpingofhappiness.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helping_of_happiness/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/helpingofhappy

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelpingofHappiness/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMp_EuMZvWn5wLucDOZ4t0w?view_as=subscriber

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/helpingofhappiness/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@helpingofhappiness

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