Out of the Mouth of babes

This is my youngest, my sweet baby who is 3. She says what is on her mind, no matter who is around.
This can become quite embarrassing.
When I tell my husband this he laughs and thinks it's hilarious. I almost named this post revenge on daddy....
My husband went to the grocery store with us the other day, which he NEVER does so that in it's self was an experience. When we were leaving we saw a lady (I use this term loosely), let's called her Granny Hooters.
Granny Hooters was possibly a Hooters girl 20 yrs ago and comfortably fit into her outfit maybe 12yrs ago. She was decked out in her Hooster's attire.My husband said to me 'Do you see her butt hanging out of her shorts?'
Well my little one, sweet baby said 'Wow, her butt is sticking out. Mom, do you see her butt?'
I ignore her because we are quickly approaching 'Daddy, her butt is hanging out, do you see that?'
Daddy ignores her. Granny Hooters is leaning into her trunk, whole butt almost out now and where is she parked? You guessed it RIGHT next to our truck!
Sweet baby 'Dad, didn't you say her butt was hanging out, Dad. Hey dad...' over and over again. I am dying laughing, I run behind my other daughter who is lost to the conversation and I grab her running to our side of the truck. I peek out and Granny Hooters is making eyes and smiling at my husband as sweet baby is telling her that her butt's hanging out.
Lesson's learned on this shopping trip - Daddy needs to whisper or keep his comments to himself.Granny needs to dress appropriately although I'm sure cougar wanted the attention.Shoving a lolly pop in your 3yr olds mouth is okay for situations like this! (she doesn't eat candy hardly ever so she would relish it and keep her mouth shut..... or it would provoke her to say more outrageous things to get candy - she couldn't be that smart could she?)


Mandie Stevens is owner of Taking Time for Mommy & Mommy Reads too Much. She's a homeschooling mom of 2 girls and believes every mom should take a little time for herself.

Recipes That Make You Feel Better

By Judith J. Wurtman, PhD and Nina T. Frusztajer, MD,
Authors of The Serotonin Power Diet: Eat Carbs -- Nature's Own Appetite Suppressant -- to Stop Emotional Overeating and Halt Antidepressant-Associated Weight Gain

There are some evenings when we all wish our Moms were in the kitchen cooking a meal that would make us feel better. We are too old to be fretting over a bad test grade or nasty remark from someone on the playground but being grown up doesn't mean we don't need comfort when we return home.

Fortunately, it is really easy to prepare a dinner yourself that will calm you down, soothe away your stress and turn down that chatter in your brain about what went wrong with your day.

Comfort dinners work because if they have the right components, your brain will make the calming , feel-good chemical, serotonin as soon as the food is digested. And that means that by the time you put the dishes in the dishwasher, the troubles of the day will be forgotten.

Serotonin is made when you eat any sweet or starchy carbohydrate (except the carbs in fruit). Carbohydrates set in motion a process that brings an amino acid called tryptophan into the brain. When tryptophan arrives, it is immediately converted to serotonin. And serotonin immediately makes you feel better.

Only two rules must be followed if your comfort dinner is really going to comfort:

* Keep the protein portion of the dinner to a minimum. No more than 1-2 ounces. This is because protein interferes with tryptophan getting into the brain.
* Keep the fat portion of the dinner to a minimum. No more than two tablespoons of olive oil, butter, high fat cheese or cream. This is because fat slows down digestion and will make you wait too long to feel comforted.

Here are some easy to prepare, tasty and comforting dinner recipes. Enjoy!

Pasta with Meat and Mushroom-Tomato Ragu
This is a simple and delicious dish made with a mushroom sauté. The pasta and mushrooms take about the same time to cook, so the dish should be ready 12 minutes after the water boils for the pasta.

Rigatoni or any short pasta, cooked according to package directions
Women: 1 cup/Men: 1½cups
Olive oil cooking spray
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ pound mushrooms
Lean ground beef or turkey
Women: 2 ounces/Men: 4 ounces
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or several fresh basil leaves
1 cup low-sodium reduced-fat or fat-free jarred tomato sauce
1 tablespoon low-fat shredded mozzarella cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese with sun-dried tomatoes

Place drained pasta back into the pot. Set aside. Coat a large skillet with cooking spray, add the oil, and warm over medium-high heat. Sauté the garlic, mushrooms, and ground beef or turkey for 5 minutes or until the mushrooms are soft. Add the pepper, sugar, and Italian seasoning or basil and continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring several times. Add the mushroom mixture and tomato sauce to the pasta and heat until warm. Put in a large bowl and sprinkle with the cheese. Serve with Lemon Garlic Spinach.

Makes 1 serving
Per serving (women): 473 calories, 30 g protein, 65 g carbohydrates, 13 g total fat, 8 g dietary fiber, 772 mg sodium

Per serving (men): 649 calories, 44 g protein, 81 g carbohydrates, 19 g total fat, 9 g dietary fiber, 814 mg sodium

Nam Chinese Noodles with Tofu or Chicken

You can make this recipe with Italian pasta, or use fresh noodles from a Chinese grocery store.

Chinese noodles or spaghetti, cooked according to package directions
Women: 1 cup/Men: 1½ cups
Canola oil cooking spray
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 1" piece fresh ginger, peeled and chopped, or 1 teaspoon ground dried ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons low-sodium teriyaki sauce
½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
½ tablespoon cornstarch
½ cup canned straw mushrooms, drained
¼ cup canned water chestnuts, drained and chopped
½ cup frozen snow peas or asparagus
Finely chopped firm tofu or cooked chicken breast
Women: 2 ounces/Men: 4 ounces

Put the cooked noodles in a large bowl and set aside.

In a large saucepan coated with cooking spray, heat the sesame oil over low heat. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 3 minutes.

Add the teriyaki sauce and ¼ cup of the chicken broth and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. In a small bowl, mix the remaining ¼ cup of the chicken broth with the cornstarch until the cornstarch dissolves.

Add the cornstarch mixture to the teriyaki mixture and simmer for 3 minutes, until the sauce thickens. Add the mushrooms, water chestnuts, snow peas or asparagus, and tofu or chicken to the sauce and cook until heated, about 3 minutes.

Toss the cooked, drained noodles with the sauce.

Serve with chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce topped with the dressing of your choice.

Makes 1 serving

With tofu

Per serving (women): 466 calories, 24 g protein, 68 g carbohydrates, 12 g total fat, 9 g dietary fiber, 923 mg sodium

Per serving (men): 647 calories, 37 g protein, 90 g carbohydrates, 18 g total fat, 12 g dietary fiber, 931 mg sodium

With chicken

Per serving (women): 477 calories, 33 g protein, 64 g carbohydrates, 9 g total fat, 8 g dietary fiber, 957 mg sodium

Per serving (men): 669 calories, 54 g protein, 85 g carbohydrates, 12 g total fat, 9 g dietary fiber, 1,000 mg sodium

Couscous with Zucchini and Chicken

If you make this dish ahead of time, microwave it to heat it through before serving.

½ tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon curry powder
2 small zucchinis, cut crosswise into ¼" rounds
Cooked chicken breast, cut into ½" pieces
Women: 2 ounces/Men: 4 ounces
Couscous, cooked according to package directions
Women: ¾ cup/Men: 1¼ cups
¼ cup canned chickpeas, drained
1 tablespoon golden raisins
Ground black pepper

In a large skillet, heat the oil over low-medium heat. Add the onion, cumin, cinnamon, and curry powder and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the onion is soft. Add the zucchini and cook until tender, about 4 minutes. Add the chicken, couscous, and chickpeas and heat through. Toss the raisins into the mixture just before serving. Season with pepper to taste. Serve with a mixed green salad topped with Spanish Dressing.

Makes 1 serving

Per serving (women): 499 calories, 31 g protein, 73 g carbohydrates, 11 g total fat, 12 g dietary fiber, 243 mg sodium

Per serving (men): 680 calories, 51 g protein, 91 g carbohydrates, 13 g total fat, 13 g dietary fiber, 289 mg sodium

The above is an adapted excerpt from the book The Serotonin Power Diet: Eat Carbs -- Nature's Own Appetite Suppressant -- to Stop Emotional Overeating and Halt Antidepressant-Associated Weight Gain by Judith J. Wurtman, PhD and Nina T. Frusztajer, MD. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.

Copyright © 2010 Judith J. Wurtman, PhD and Nina T. Frusztajer, MD, authors of The Serotonin Power Diet: Eat Carbs -- Nature's Own Appetite Suppressant -- to Stop Emotional Overeating and Halt Antidepressant-Associated Weight Gain
Author Bios
Judith J. Wurtman, PhD, co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet: Eat Carbs -- Nature's Own Appetite Suppressant -- to Stop Emotional Overeating and Halt Antidepressant-Associated Weight Gain, has discovered the connection between carbohydrate craving, serotonin, and emotional well-being in her MIT clinical studies. She received her PhD from George Washington University, is the founder of a Harvard University hospital weight-loss facility and counsels private weight management clients. She has written five books, including The Serotonin Solution, and more than 40 peer-reviewed articles for professional publications. She lives in Miami Beach, Florida.

Nina T. Frusztajer, MD, co-author of The Serotonin Power Diet: Eat Carbs -- Nature's Own Appetite Suppressant -- to Stop Emotional Overeating and Halt Antidepressant-Associated Weight Gain, counsels private weight management clients and is a practicing physician and certified professional life coach. She received her master's degree in Nutrition from Columbia University and her medical degree from George Washington University. She lives in Boston, MA.

For more information, please visit www.SerotoninPowerDiet.com.

Paul is Undead Blog Tour

The review for this is on my book blog. This blog was accidentally listed as the host To read the Review Visit HERE

Here are 11 ideas parents can use to keep young minds active during the summer months:

1. Boredom Buster Jar: At the beginning of the summer, sit down with your family and brainstorm a list of activities that can be done alone or that you can enjoy doing together. Encourage your children to share their own ideas and help you decorate and label a simple jar as the family "Boredom Buster Jar." They'll feel more involved in the project and more likely to think this is a "neat" idea, if they participate in the creation and idea generation. Next, write everyone's ideas down on slips of paper and as a group decide which ones should go in the jar. Anyone in the family can pull any idea out of the jar to fight the summertime boredom blues.

2. Stories Alive: It sounds too simple, but reading is one of the most important waysto keep young minds engaged during the summer.Make reading even more fun by finding ways to bring the stories to life. For example, in the book Roxaboxen by Alice McLerran, children create a make-believe town in the desert out of rocks, boxes, and their imaginations. Read the book with your children and then challenge them to create their own town with materials they find in the backyard.

3. Art Start Box: You'll need to gather basic art supplies-child safe scissors, glue, markers, tape and construction paper. Put them in a special box along with empty oatmeal boxes and paper towel rolls, colorful magazines and bits of aluminum foil. Occasionally add a special surprise like chalk, stickers, or stamp pads so there's always something new for the children to find. Even if you normally have these supplies around the house, it's fun for children to know that the Art Start Box is just for them. They'll probably have some good ideas of other household items that can be recycled to fuel their creative energies.

4. Family Performances: Break out old clothes or costumes and encourage children to make up characters and create a play to act out. They are the directors, actors, and producers. They can also make musical instruments out of pots/pans, wooden spoons, empty canisters and have a parade; or everyone can play along to your family's favorite songs. Record or video the performances, and enjoy the replay. You'll also be capturing a bit of family history everyone will enjoy for years to come.

5. Family Dance Party: Crank up the music and encourage your entire family to boogie down. Dancing gives children a great outlet for self-expression through their own motion and helps build self-esteem. It also enhances motor and coordination development by incorporating skills like jumping, landing and leaping. Dancing is a great activity that can involve the whole family and doesn't take very much preparation.

6. Fort Building: Children love to build all kinds of structures--from small towns to large towers. Constructing forts or tents is an activity that can keep children focused and problem solving for hours. All the items you need can be found around the house- some chairs, cushions, blankets, and of course adult supervision.

7. Cookbook Fun: Have you ever shared your favorite cookbook with your children? Take it out and ask your children to choose a recipe to try. Measuring can be a fun and easy way to keep math skills fresh.

8. Summer Scrapbook: All you need for this project is a spiral notebook. Encourage everyone in the family to draw pictures of favorite activities and collect mementos from special events throughout the summer. Children love to go back through scrapbooks and albums and tell about what happened at each occasion. They will also be building their storytelling skills at the same time.

9. Listening Game: Lie down in the backyard, in the den or at the park and listen. What do you hear? Do you hear what I hear? Can you imitate the sound? This is similar to watching the clouds and naming the shapes, and it encourages everyone to slow down and focus on listening.

10. Camping Out: Pretend to campout in the backyard. Plan a meal, pack a backpack and set up a campsite. You might even decide to spend the night!

11. Scavenger Hunt: Make a list or picture cards of common household items and have your children find the items on the list. Invite friends or neighbors to join in the fun to make it a competition.

To find these and other great tips for parents, check out Dr. Zurn's blog at DrZandme.com. And don't forget to grab Dr. Z's Widget while you're there!

For more information on Primrose Schools, visit www.primroseschools.comYou can also check them out on Facebook and Twitter!
Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place

Who needs a Vacay?

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Kissimmee Tourism. All opinions are 100% mine.

I've grown up in Florida my entire life and I've traveled all over this beautiful state and I know the best places to stay. Many times when we go to visit the mouse or the whales in Orlando we stay in Kissimmee.  It isn't far from Orlando at all and the hotels are A LOT cheaper and they  have shuttles to and from the attractions so you are saving on gas too.
There are also a lot of things to do in Kissimmee, Family attractions like Gator Land, Shopping for momma at the Old Town Shopping, Dining, and Entertainment Complex, and Golf for dad at several championship golf courses.
Kissimmee isn't far from me at all and I like to head down and enjoy some 'real' Florida. In the mist of all of the commercialized attractions it's a breath of fresh air to know there is this beauty so close.There are air boat rides and cracker coach swamp tour at Forever Florida. Really so much to see and so much to do.
I found this video to show you some of the 'real' Florida in Kissimmee

Take Control of your Clutter Review & Ebook Giveaway!

If you could ask a professional organizer one question about a organization challenge that you have at home, or a personal time management issue, what would it be?
I myself am a recovering messy. I'm not nearly as chaotic and messy as it's in my nature to be but it's a constant challenge to be organized. Did I mention I'm married to a clean freak? That is a match made in, well you can imagine. I've come a LONG way but I am always looking for ways to be more organized.

Jacquie, who is a reader of Taking Time for Mommy, approached me about a giveaway for her ebook, I begged her for one to review! I knew this would be something I needed and something that you all would love.
Castaway the Clutter - Take Control of your Clutter before it Takes Control of You - 101 steps to success is just what I needed to motivate me. It was packed full of EASY tips to help me get more organized. The suggestions to control the clutter in my home office have helped a lot. I was like 'duh, what didn't I think of that' These are tips anyone can implement. The cost is very nice too! 
You can download an ebook version for only $7.95 or buy a spiral bound version for $9.95 + $3.00 S&H
Jacquie is giving away an ebook copy of Take Control of Your Clutter Before it Takes Control of You! 101 Tips to Success to one lucky Taking Time for Mommy Reader
Mandatory Entry *** This MUST be done or else all other entries are VOID!
Sign up for the newsletter There is also a free download for all new subscribers. OR 'LIKE' Cast AWAY the Clutter on Face book - Let me know which you did. If you sign up for the newsletter & like on FB it's 3 Entries (put +3 in your comment) 
+1 Extra Entry - Follow Taking Time for Mommy on Twitter
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+1Extra Entry - Follow my other blog Mommy Reads too Much on Google Friend Connect
+5 Extra Entries - Signing up for our weekly Newsletter (form to the right)+5 Extra Entries - Sign up for RSS feed in email (form to right)
+3 Extra Entries -Fan our writer Tawdra Kandle on Associated Content and comment on one of her articles
+2 Extra Entries - Comment on any non-giveaway post on either Taking time for Mommy or Mommy Reads Too Much - You can do this as much as you want :)
+1 Follow Tawdra on Twitter  +3 Follow Tawdra's Blog Publishing Quest

Giveaway will end on July 7th at 11:59pm. The winners will be chosen by random.org and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway U.S., Canada &  Internationally.

Disclosure - Disclaimer - I received this book for my honest opinion, no other compensation was received.

Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives Book Tour

I accidentally signed up for this tour under Taking Time for Mommy but the review is at my other blog Mommy Reads too Much

**FREEBIE ALERT** Free can of Libby's Veggies

Get a FREE can of Libby's Veggies From RED PLUM HERE



Mandie Stevens is owner of Taking Time for Mommy & Mommy Reads too Much. She's a homeschooling mom of 2 girls and believes every mom should take a little time for herself.

*Save $$ ALERT* $1.00/1 Tropicana Trop50

Click HERE to print this coupon just released for $1.00/1 Carton Tropicana Trop50 Product (59 oz). This goes on sale for $2.00 or less regularly which is a GREAT deal for Orange Juice. Hurry and print it (you can print it twice). Printable coupons all have a print limit and can go very quickly!



Mandie Stevens is owner of Taking Time for Mommy & Mommy Reads too Much. She's a homeschooling mom of 2 girls and believes every mom should take a little time for herself.

Free Sample of Sore No More

Try a Free Sample of Sore No More HERE
Get Free shipping when you sign up as a Sore No More Fan on Facebook


Mandie Stevens is owner of Taking Time for Mommy & Mommy Reads too Much. She's a homeschooling mom of 2 girls and believes every mom should take a little time for herself.

Love this Series!! High Drama 2

I recently came across this show online."High Drama 2" is an original web series only available on TheWB.com. I didn't even know there were show exclusive to the web. This show is called High Drama and I honestly can't believe this isn't on t.v.! This is the 2nd season. "High Drama 2" follows the theater company of Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, as they put on their best show yet: The Wizard of Oz.
I was so hooked by the end of the 1st episode. I had already decided who I wanted for which parts. I took Drama my Senior year of high school which was ions ago, and this show brought back so many fun memories. I was rooting for certain kids. My favorites are best friends Leanna and Jackie. The director had such a hard time picking a scarecrow too so it came down to two. Dave is definitely my favorite.


You can watch the first 5 episodes of High Drama Season 2 HERE Come back here and tell me who are you favorites


This is a sponsored post by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for 'High Drama 2. All opinions are my own.

Estee Lauder: Free Advanced Night Repair Cream

I love Freebies! Mark your Calendars!This one is good on Thursday July 22nd 5pm - 9pm
Visit any participating Estee Lauder counter and get a FREE 10-day supply of Advanced Night Repair Cream or Face Serum. No purchase necessary!  Go HERE to find a store near you!


Mandie Stevens is owner of Taking Time for Mommy & Mommy Reads too Much. She's a homeschooling mom of 2 girls and believes every mom should take a little time for herself.

Summer Hair Care Tips

Growing up in Florida, I've spent a lot of time at the beach and swimming in pools. It will reek havoc on your hair leaving it brittle and breaking.
Here are a few tips to make sure this doesn't happen to you.
Make sure you are using a layer of protection for your hair like a leave in conditioner. They even have products now that have a SPF and are specifically made forprotecting your hair from the sun.
Wash your hair less often. Sure rinse the pool chemicals and sea water out of your hair but skip the shampoo.Shampooing less allows your hair to soak up some of its natural oils and your hair is less prone to getting dried out. When showering, I'd still use conditioner.
I know this may be a hard one for some but try to go with out getting your hair done. The chemicals strip your hair. Also avoid products with any alcohol in them. It's always nice to give your hair a beak for awhile.
If you MUST use your straightener and hair dryer, be sure to use a leave in conditioner designed for the heat of the dryer.
Remember to hydrate - From the inside - out! Drink plenty of water and be sure to moisturize your hair. Use hot oil treatments and contain frizz by wearing your hair in braids or buns.
Remember to get your hair trimmed every 4-6 weeks to get the frizzy and split ends away.


Mandie Stevens is owner of Taking Time for Mommy & Mommy Reads too Much. She's a homeschooling mom of 2 girls and believes every mom should take a little time for herself.

Avoiding Refined Sugar Helps Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence

By Keith I. Block, M.D.,
Author of Life Over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment
Several years ago, we saw tremendous growth in the consumption of fat-free and low-fat products. Believing we now had "healthier" versions of everything from salad dressings to our favorite desserts, these products began flying off the shelves, and formerly "forbidden" foods for those watching their diets became acceptable in their reduced fat versions. While perhaps reducing their fat intake, most consumers were unknowingly increasing their sugar intake, as refined sugar was the ingredient most often used in place of fat. The increased consumption of refined sugar can have serious health consequences, including a greater vulnerability to cancer, and possibly, even a worse outcome. Let me explain what happens when too much refined sugar and other food products are consumed.

If you ingest whole foods, insulin will be secreted slowly and the body will manage this well. Insulin is needed to carry glucose into your tissues and is essential for providing much needed fuel. However, ingest a candy bar, your favorite brand of cookies, or 12 ounces of soda pop -- what I like to refer to as carbonated belly wash -- and the cells in your pancreas will respond with a surge of insulin.

In recent years, researchers found that women with early stage breast cancer who had the highest insulin levels were twice as likely to have their tumor metastasize, and three times as likely to die of breast cancer, as women with the lowest insulin levels. For this reason, I believe any patient combating breast cancer or trying to avoid a recurrence would be wise to have their doctor routinely monitor their insulin and blood sugar levels, as well as their insulin growth factor (IGF-1). Choosing a whole foods diet and staying fit can reduce the deleterious effect that elevated sugar and insulin levels can have on both the risk of recurrence and risk of death. In addition, following a nutritional, fitness and therapeutic supplement program can help achieve or maintain improved levels.

Even though all therapeutic interventions should be individualized to match the needs of each patient, I'm convinced that certain dietary recommendations are fundamental to achieving improved health.

These include:

* Eat a diet lower in fat, and make it a better quality fat. Ideally, fat should represent no more than 18% of your daily caloric intake. "Good" fats include monounsaturated and Omega 3 fats. 
* Examples of monounsaturated fats include olive oil, almond oil and walnut oil. Omega 3 fats include flax seed, canola, and, of course fats contained in cold water fish. 
* Eat abundant cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, bok choy, kale and brussel sprouts -- which contain plant phytochemicals that result in lower blood levels of estrogen by increasing the estrogen detoxification and dumping capacity of the liver. 
* Eat a diet high in fiber, with plant-based sources of protein. Consuming more fiber in the form of whole grains, vegetables, fruit, legumes, and beans can reduce harmful circulating estrogen levels.

In addition, while research has shown that mind-spirit interventions improve quality of life for cancer survivors, there is also data that suggests they boost immune function, increase cancer-fighting melatonin levels, and can play a role in helping prevent recurrence.

© 2010 Keith I. Block, M.D., author of Life Over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment
Author Bio
Keith I. Block, M.D. is Director of Integrative Medical Education at the University of Illinois College of Medicine; Medical Director of the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment in Evanston, Illinois; and founder and Scientific Director of the nonprofit Institute for Integrative Cancer Research and Education. He is also editor in chief of the peer-reviewed professional journal Integrative Cancer Therapies and a member of the National Cancer Institute's Physician Data Query Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Editorial Board.

For more information, please visit www.lifeovercancer.com and www.blockmd.com. Become a fan of Life Over Cancer and the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment on Facebook.

Review & Interview: Well Fed Family: Breads

If you’ve been following my healthy eating articles, you’ll be familiar with my whole foods guru, Lee. Lee and her sister, Amy, have produced the first in a series of DVDs that explore the fundamentals of whole foods cooking and eating.

This DVD, subtitled Breads, covers the essentials of baking fresh breads for your family—everything from sandwich breads to tortillas—using soaked grains and entirely natural ingredients.

It’s a very user-friendly format: after an introduction explaining why it’s important to understand the concept of soaked grains, there’s a menu that allows the viewer to choose any variety of bread. The opening screen of each segment presents the recipe for whatever is being demonstrated in that portion, so that it’s an easy task to have ingredients and tools ready ahead of time.

Lee and Amy do an excellent job of carefully and thoroughly explaining each step of the recipe and why it’s important. They introduce ingredients and demonstrate machines and tools, sharing the benefits of each particular one. Together they present a compelling case for meal planning and the use of only fresh, natural food products.

This style makes it easy to cook along with Lee and Amy, in effect presenting a living cookbook.

If you’re not craving fresh bread right out of the oven. . .or cinnamon rolls. . or pancakes after you finish watching this DVD, you must not have been paying attention!

An Interview with Lee Burdett

Lee Burdett, along with her sister, Amy Knowles, is the co-founder of the Well Fed Family website (www.WellFedFamily.net). The two also produced and starred in a recently released DVD that details the overall goodness of making your own bread at home, from fresh and natural ingredients.

Lee presents Healthy Eating classes to small groups, wherein she shares her journey to whole foods and demonstrates tips and recipes. She graciously agreed to answer some questions about that journey.

TTFM: What launched you into the practice of cooking and eating whole foods--how did you get started?


Lee: The journey has two main starting points – while I was growing up my mother taught both of her girls how to cook. We both enjoyed the satisfaction and tastier results of cooking from scratch but would occasionally use convenience products as well. I was always an adventurous eater and cook; whenever I would discover a new food I would try to learn how to make it myself. Getting married and working full time changed the way I cooked due to demands on my time. I began running when I was 15 and after I got married I also began running in various races. This sparked my interest in eating for performance and health, which combined well with my earlier culinary experiences.
When our children began arriving, it caused my sister and me to re-evaluate a lot of what we were doing. My sister began earnestly searching for non-medical solutions to some health issues they were facing, and she discovered we could be doing so much more for our health than we were currently doing. She was the first to purchase a grain mill and commit to making her family’s bread rather than buying it. It seems one commitment led to another, and after reading Ruth Yaron’s Super Baby Food I was inspired to really take control over my own family’s food. Making baby food was easy and much cheaper than buying those little jars. From those first “baby steps,” it became a constant learning process that continues to this day. The goal is to take back control of our health and well being through taking control away from commercial industrial “food”. My sister and I are always learning new ways to do things, healthier ways to cook and sharing them with each other and anyone else who will listen.


TTFM: Can you give us a definition of whole foods, from your perspective--in other words, how do whole foods and healthy eating translate into your family's life?

Lee: Whole foods are foods that are as close to the way God made them as possible. In our day-to-day life, we strive to eat foods that have been processed very little if at all. Ideally we ourselves are the ones who do the processing – when you cut an apple you have processed it in a very simple way – not relying on a company to process things for us. We seek out sources for our food that come from people we know we can trust, who have integrity and who do things the way we would do it if we could do it ourselves. I teach my children how to cook; I want them to be able to feed themselves wisely and well when they grow up. They are already avid label readers and can spot artificial ingredients and additives with skill and accuracy!

TTFM: How did changing how you cook and eat change your life and your family's life?


Lee: For one thing it has helped me to be able to stay at home with my children. I don’t think people realize how much money is spent NOT cooking for yourself. Restaurants, fast food, convenience foods from the grocery store – they are all very expensive and usually not very healthy. We save money up front by planning meals and cooking at home, and we save money in the long run by not having constant medical bills piling up. I look back at the records from “before” and see month after month of antibiotics, ear infections, allergies, flu, etc. and realize just how sick a “normal, healthy family” can be. Now I can honestly say I cannot remember the last time either child or adult in our family had to take an anti-biotic or any other prescription medication for typical illnesses. The same transformation has happened with my sister’s family. When we do catch something we are able to bounce back and recover quickly. We haven’t had over-the-counter cold medications in our house for years now.

TTFM: For a family just starting the journey of healthy eating, what would you suggest as the most important first steps?

Lee: First steps would be to get rid of all the dangerous stuff lurking in your cupboards and refrigerator. Be an avid label reader, tossing out anything with artificial colors, artificial flavors, chemical preservatives or artificial sweeteners. It was reading the labels on store-bought bread that caused me to make the initial commitment to learning how to make my own bread. It is so easy and much less expensive to make your own with almost any kind of bread product from sandwich to muffins to tortillas. I even do crackers now. The DVD is a great first start tool for families who want to take control of their health.
Toss out the rancid, refined liquid vegetable oils and replace them with unrefined nutritious oils like extra virgin olive oil and extra virgin coconut oil. Use organic butter in place of the margarines and “healthy spreads” whose ingredient lists read like a chemistry textbook.
Once you’ve gotten rid of the junk bring in only real food. Plan your menu each week, make a shopping list and prepare yourself so you can eat well and healthfully without getting caught at the last minute without a plan for dinner.


TTFM: Your first DVD is all about breads and baking. What comes next?

Lee: I have been teaching the “Healthy Eating 101” class for almost a year now. We are looking into a way to put the class onto a DVD to make it accessible for those who don’t live in Central Florida and can’t come to a class. We’ve also had requests for a DVD about fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, lacto-fermented vegetables and sourdough. A cookbook is in the works too. I will be speaking at the LIFE fest Homeschool convention in September here in Orlando. You can check out more information on that at www.learningis4everyone.org


The Well Fed Family website http://www.wellfedfamily.net has a lot of information for people who are starting out on the healthy eating journey.
The Well Fed Family: Breads DVD is available for purchase on the website under the “education” tab. Website content is updated once a month. The Well Fed Family is also on Facebook where you can find resource listings for local farmers markets, farms, stores and co-ops. There are also recipes and tips on the FB page. It’s a great place to ask questions as there are quite a few knowledgeable people available there to answer quickly.


Tawdra Kandle is stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of four children who range in age from 9 years to 21 years. She and her husband of over 22 years live in central Florida, where he is in seminary. Tawdra spends most of her precious free time writing and reading, and she loves to travel. She is also a resident writer for Taking Time for Mommy. View more of her Articles HERE. You can also follow Tawdra on twitter and her blog, Publishing Quest

Free T-shirt (Summer Reading Program for the kids)

Great way to keep the kids busy and earn themselves a colorful He Buddy t-shirt. Really cute site too! Here





Mandie Stevens is owner of Taking Time for Mommy & Mommy Reads too Much. She's a homeschooling mom of 2 girls and believes every mom should take a little time for herself.

$25 Sam’s Club Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies Review and Giveaway

RUsing Random.org - Winner is #3 Mami2jcn Congrats!!It’s 7 p.m. when your child informs you that they need baked goods to share with the whole class tomorrow. Sound familiar? How often have you been hit with the need for last-minute baking when there simply isn’t enough time? Pillsbury comes to the rescue with Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies, available exclusively at Sam’s Club.

With a taste as delicious and authentic as if you baked them at home, Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies are a blend of 3 types of cocoas with real chocolate syrup and milk chocolate chunks to make a delicious fudgy brownie—they’re the perfect solution when you’re pressed for time. Add personal flair to these already-baked brownies with your own decorations, frosting, caramel or powdered sugar! With a straight-out-of-the-oven flavor without the time or clean-up, Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies are a great treat for any occasion!

In addition, when purchasing Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies at Sam’s Club, you have the chance to support your local school with Box Tops for Education. Each package of Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies has 6 Bonus Box Tops that can be redeemed to earn cash for the K-8 school of your choice.



Win this delicious Pillsbury Chocolate Chunk Fudge Brownies gift pack that includes $25 Sam’s Club gift card to use to purchase the brownies, frosting, and a large container for transporting the brownies
My thoughts - We used our brownies for a Father's Day treat. We go to Sam's all of the time but hadn't tried these brownies yet. I love the big chunks of chocolate - DELICIOUS!!
Gift pack that includes $25 Sam´s Club gift card to use to purchase the brownies, Icing kit, and a large container for transporting the brownies.
Mandatory Entry - Tell me in the comments what you'd use the brownies for ex. play date, birthday, sleep over, whole pan for yourself because we moms deserve it ;) etc.
Extra Entry - Follow Taking Time for Mommy on Twitter HERE & tweet about it (can tweet once a day)
Extra Entry - Follow Taking Time for Mommy on FaceBook HERE
Extra Entry - Follow Taking Time for Mommy on Google Friend Connect
Extra Entry - Follow my other blog Mommy Reads too Much on Google Friend Connect
+5 Extra Entries - Signing up for our weekly Newsletter (form to the right)
+3 Extra Entries -Fan our writer Tawdra Kandle on Associated Content and comment on one of her articles Here
+2 Extra Entries - Comment on any non-giveaway post on either Taking time for Mommy or Mommy Reads Too Much - You can do this as much as you want :)
+1 Follow Tawdra on Twitter HERE
+3 Follow Tawdra's Blog Publishing Quest

Giveaway will end on July 4th at 11:59pm. The winners will be chosen by random.org and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to U.S. residents 18+ only.

Disclosure - The products awarded are courtesy of Myblogspark and Pillsbury, no other compensation has been given  

Mandie Stevens is owner of Taking Time for Mommy & Mommy Reads too Much. She's a homeschooling mom of 2 girls and believes every mom should take a little time for herself.

Get a Full Year of BHG & a free gift for $5.99

This is an awesome DEAL!!Get a full year (12 issues) for just $5.99! Plus you get our new Better Homes and Gardens® All-Time Favorites Cookbook absolutely FREE!
HERE







Mandie Stevens is owner of Taking Time for Mommy & Mommy Reads too Much. She's a homeschooling mom of 2 girls and believes every mom should take a little time for herself.

FREE SAMPLE Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew

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You can enjoy Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew any time you want, and anywhere you want. Just pour a convenient single-serve packet into your favorite cup, add hot water, stir and enjoy. It’s perfect for a quick cup at home, at a soccer game, or in a meeting

Free From Costco No membership required


Mandie Stevens is owner of Taking Time for Mommy & Mommy Reads too Much. She's a homeschooling mom of 2 girls and believes every mom should take a little time for herself.