Yanni Touch of Truth Review

    I was soooo excited when I got my mail today and found Yanni's newest CD in there. I've been a fan since I discovered him about 8 yrs ago when he last released an album. I was a super cool twenty-something back then and was extremely surprised by his music.

     His last album Yanni Voices had an exotic sound to it. His new album, Touch of Truth was much more relaxing.  It was amazing when I put it in the c.d. player... my house of chaos instantly calmed down. Instead of running around screaming, my girls were 'ballet' dancing to it.

     If it hadn't been the middle of the day, I might have grabbed a glass of wine and gone out on the patio to listen to it. It was G-O-O-D! There were even a few songs that made me wish my hubby was close to cuddle with him. Very sensuous.

     

     Whether you need to calm down the chaos, for a dinner party, or just to relax yourself. I say Taking a little time for mommy and get this C.D.

Yanni launched a 40-date tour of the US. The tour will take him through theaters in major cities across the US including Radio City Music Hall in NYC and the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.

                                             We're giving away the CD HERE


           One2One Network was wonderful to send me this C.D. for my honest opinion.

                                                                               

Win $100 Visa Gift Card

Our Time 4 Mommy Community is now Open!! We are offering  a $100 Visa Gift Card & Premium Advertising for your blog or business (if applies) for 6 months to the member that refers the most new members to our site. 
All you have to do is tell all of your friends what a wonderful site this is, have them join, and make sure they put your name down as a referral. Easy huh?
We will be keeping count!
We'll announce the winner July 1st!
Get Listed! We value our members and as a thank you for joining, we'd like to offer free advertising for your

Mom Owned Business
Mom Blog Be sure to stop by for our Daily Blog hops and Memes! We already have our questions up for Mondays Meme if you want to stop byand see. Don't forget to link up Monday!

Parents Magazine 33 cents an issue

Parents Magazine (3-year)

Subscription for only $12! That's 33 cents an issue!

Freebie Alert - Free Baby Food Starter Kit

Sign up for their newsletter and get your Beechnut starter kit for free. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery
Here

Looking for Product testers

Check out this new site that is seeking moms and bloggers to test out  products for thier clients. QuestionMoms encourages open, honest feedback while maintaining the highest levels of privacy and security.Click on button to join :)

Yummy Yoplait Yogurt

Here are five great ways to ‘get your snack on’ with Yoplait this Spring!

Start spring off right with Yoplait Light’s Two Week Tune Up Plan – Replace breakfast and lunch with a cup of your favorite flavor of Yoplait Light, a whole grain and a piece of fruit and you could lose 5 pounds in two weeks. Go to Yoplait.com for full diet details.

Get more calcium with Yoplait Original style yogurt - Now with two times the calcium of the leading yogurt (50 percent of the Recommended Daily Value) in one convenient 6-ounce cup*, Yoplait Original style yogurt is committed to women’s health, offering a product that has even more of the calcium women need for strong, healthy bodies. Grab a free cup while supplies last during the Million Cup Giveaway on Yoplait on Facebook!

Try the newest flavor from Yoplait Fiber One – Yoplait Fiber One’s new Blueberry flavor yogurt is packed with filling fiber, calcium, vitamins A and D, real fruit and the great taste of blueberries. With only 50 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 0 grams of fat, this deliciously creamy yogurt won’t break your calorie bank.

Stress less over snack time with Yoplait Kids yogurt – With a wholesome and fun snack like Yoplait Kids yogurt in the fridge, you can feel good about what your children are eating at snack time. Yoplait Kids provides an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D, and has 25% less sugar than the leading kids’ yogurt**. With yummy flavors, and favorite friends like Dora and Lightning McQueen on the packages, Yoplait Kids is a hit with moms and children alike.

End the day with a Delight Parfait from Yoplait – Even with two luscious layers providing a double shot of rich and creamy yogurt, these 100 calorie indulgences from Yoplait contain only 1.5 grams of fat per serving. Now available in two new flavors, Chocolate Éclair and Cherry Cheesecake, you can enjoy a dessert that’s 100 percent guilt-free.
'Like' Yoplait on Facebook
I was provided with product information and the opportunity to win a Yoplait prize pack, courtesy of Yoplait through MyBlogSpark

$0.35/1 Goldfish Printable Coupon To Use With Publix 10/$10 Sale!

My kids go through these crackers like crazy, So happy to see this coupon! There is a $0.35/1 Goldfish printable coupon available right now. Goldfish are currently on sale for $1 per bag at Publix so you will be able to get a big bag of Goldfish for only $0.30 after coupon! Print it before it reaches the print limit!
Make sure to hit back to print it twice.

Thanks Iheartpublix

Freebie Alert - Free kindle version of Shatter

Growing up during the chaos of the Nabosian War, Faela Durante and her entire generation never knew what it meant to live in a time of peace. Though the war ended years ago, the devastation has not. Every decision, no matter how seemingly insignificant, has a consequence and some consequences can never be predicted. But some are foretold.

Less than a year ago, Faela, the first Tereskan mind healer in generations, disappeared from her family home in Finalaran scared and pregnant. Hunted and living as an outcast, Faela searches for a legend that might be her only hope of gaining atonement and returning to her son. When her journey collides with two strangers and a prophecy, she must choose between trusting those around her or accomplishing her mission. Haunted by her past, the consequences of Faela's choices will endanger more than her own fate.

Amazon has the Kindle version of Shatter (The Children of Man) for free
Don't have an e-reader? No problem - You can download their phone apps or download it to your computer.

My Tangled Review - DVD for Free! + FREE TANGLED BRACELET!!

Synopsis -

When the kingdom's most wanted-and most charming-bandit Flynn Rider (voice of Zachary Levi) hides out in a mysterious tower, he's taken hostage by Rapunzel (voice of Mandy Moore), a beautiful and feisty tower-bound teen with 70 feet of magical, golden hair. Flynn's curious captor, who's looking for her ticket out of the tower where she's been locked away for years, strikes a deal with the handsome thief and the unlikely duo sets off on an action-packed escapade, complete with a super-cop horse, an over-protective chameleon and a gruff gang of pub thugs. 

Thoughts - I didn't think this movie really broke any new ground but it was hilarious and for my princess obsessed daughters it's one we will be adding to our collection. I could have done with less singing but the girls loved it. I felt like Maximus the horse was a scene stealer. He was too funny and Rupunzel's guilt at disobeying her mother was refreshing. My six year old did point out that Rupunzel shouldn't be hanging out with a thief because he's a bad person but she was happy at the end. All in all, this was a great story of redemption and self sacrifice.


Get it for Free
Tangled DVD- $19.99 on Sale (this week)
$4 off a $20 purchase from Kiosks (Yes, it takes it even with it being $19.99)
$5/1 Disney’s Tangled on 4-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Packx4/3 (Yes, it works for the DVD purchase)
-$5 MIR wyb Disney’s Tangled on Blu-ray or DVD and (2) Packages of Success Rice
-$5 MIR wyb Tangled Blu-ray Combo Pack or DVD AND get a haircut at Cost Cutters Here
After Coupons & Rebates you can get the DVD for Free! 
You get back $3 ECB’s for your DVD Purchase! plus don’t forget the Free Tangled Bracelet as well.



Thank you Budget Savy Diva

 

$10 off $50 Lowe's Coupon

My hubby will be sooo happy to see this! Lowe's is his 2nd home but who am I to complain? The honey-dos are getting done. Print it up HERE

Homeschooling & Socialization

Benefits of Public School Social Interaction [Hard to read? Click Image to View Larger Cartoon]

Homeschooling parents constantly are asked the question, "what about socialization?" So, what does "socialization" look like for homeschoolers? Well, here's what our kids are doing this week...

Monday - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class 

Tuesday - 2 hour "Discover a Bug" program at the library followed by 1 hour group guitar lesson

Wednesday - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class

Thursday - Friends are coming over to play

Friday - Park day with other homeschoolers, followed by Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class

Saturday - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class

... those are just the times we have scheduled this week that involve other people. Other activities we have scheduled over the next month are Science Club, Writing Club, dentist appointments (they'll have to talk to the dentist, right?), Book Club, more park days, Photography Club, and Social Studies Club.

Throughout the week they'll talk to their friends on the phone, through email and Facebook. They'll interact with people of all ages while we're out at the store. They might even be invited or invite their friends out to the movies.

Life involves other people. Homeschooling doesn't prevent socialization. Public school and homeschooling are educational options. Neither one guarantees your children will learn social skills or have positive social experiences.

I don't believe homeschooling is for everyone, but "socialization" should definitely not be a reason to choose to put your children in public school. 

What's your opinion on Homeschooling & Socialization?

Weekend Movie Coupons

Boy I should have waited to go to the movies until this weekend! I searched every where for coupons. Well here is one for this weekend (4/1-4/3)
  $1 Popcorn and/or $1 Drink at Regal Cinemas.
Thank you Five dollar shake! 

 

$3.00 off Claritin D

Allergy Season is Here!Save $3.00
Claritin-D® on any Non-Drowsy Claritin-D® Allergy Product (15 count or larger)

Degree Giveaway

"Like" Degree and enter to receive a free sample then, take a survey for a chance to win a $1,000 Zappos gift card.

Ending Temper Tantrums

Boy am I glad these days are over, and yes they will end. Here are a few tips to help that along.

Remember that toddlers are a bundle of emotion and any little thing can set them off, sometimes they don't know how to communicate any other way.

Stay calm. Just like Caesar Milan says with a dog... your child feeds off of your energy.By you staying calm you aren't feeding into the chaotic energies your child is expending.
Try to divert their attention. Your little ones have a very short attention span and it's easy to divert it. Make them laugh, tickle them, or offer a hug.
I think I was so embarrassed when my girls would scream and cry but I had to realize all kids do it. Once I relaxed it was MUCH easier to deal with them.

Freebie Alert - Full size John Frieda Hair Color

FREE Full size John Frieda Hair Color!!!!! Hurry It won't last long!
Go to their Facebook page John Frieda US | Facebook
"Like" them.
then go to the bottom and do the survey.

Say you use their products and you color at home.
Get a FREE FULL SIZE BOX!

Naruto Frog Coin Purse

This coin purse is so adorable I had to share! I think I'm going to get a couple of these to put in Easter baskets for my girls.  It's only $4.83  They have frog purses too!
Naruto Frog Coin Purse

The Millenium Diet

I recently had the opportunity to review The Millenium Diet: The Practical Guide for Rapid Weight Loss by Mark Davis, M.D.


I was eager to read this book, as it's written by someone whose medical practice has been devoted entirely to weight reduction and nutrition for over a decade. This guy is in the trenches and knows what works.


The Millenium Diet is an easy to read book that discusses not only nutrition, but also the mental and emotional aspects of obesity, including the 12 types of emotional hunger dieters need to overcome. As someone who has been obese for most of her adult life, I definitely found the chapter on the psychology of obesity to be quite eye opening.


The diet menu itself definitely looks doable, but here is the only problem I have with the book... no vegetarian options! :-(


Being a vegetarian, I won't be able try the diet exactly as it is laid out in the book, however I found The Millenium Diet to be quite informative in many other ways and helpful in my current weight loss journey. 

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

STUYVESANT CORN AND POTATO CHOWDER Recipe

Guest Post By Matthew Locricchio,
Author of Teen Cuisine

Fresh picked corn cut off the cob gets royal treatment in this classic chowder. The sweet corn that grows in and around Stuyvesant, a small agricultural community nestled along the Hudson River in upstate New York, is some of the best on the planet. A good friend who worked at one of the local farm markets asked me to come up with a recipe for chowder using local corn and potatoes. Just in case you can’t get fresh picked corn, this recipe works perfectly with frozen.

SERVES 6 TO 8
8 ears fresh corn, or 4 cups frozen kernels
1 small yellow onion
5 small Yukon gold potatoes
4 slices thick-cut bacon, or 2 tablespoons
salted butter
5 cups whole milk
4 tablespoons salted butter
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper,
plus more if needed
1 to 2 jalapeño peppers
3 to 4 sprigs flat-leaf parsley, to garnish

On your mark . . .

Husk the corn and remove the silk strands.
Slice the kernels off the cob, reserving as much of the corn liquid as possible. To do this, stand the ear of corn on the stem end in a wide flat bowl or pan. Using a sharp knife, slice down in even rows to remove the kernels. Set the corn aside.
Peel and chop the onion into small chunks, and set aside.
Wash and peel the potatoes, chop into small chunks, and place in a medium-sized bowl. Cover with cold water and set aside.

Get set . . .

If you are using the bacon, place the strips in a frying pan over medium-high heat and fry for about 3 minutes on each side or until just crispy.
Remove the bacon from the pan, lay on paper towels to drain, and let cool.
Cut the strips into small pieces and set aside.
If you are not using the bacon, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the onions to the bacon fat or melted butter and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes over medium heat until soft and translucent. Using a metal slotted spoon, transfer the onions to a heatproof bowl and set aside.
Drain the potatoes in a colander.
Combine the onions and the potatoes in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan. Add enough cold water to just cover the potatoes.
Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat; do not cover the pan.
Reduce to low and simmer the potatoes and onions for 15 minutes or until just tender, but not falling apart, when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife.
Drain the potato and onion mixture and set aside.

Cook!

In a 6- to -8 quart saucepan, combine the milk, corn, butter, potatoes and onions, chopped bacon, salt, and pepper.
Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until heated through and simmering, stirring occasionally.
While the soup cooks, slip on a pair of latex kitchen gloves. Remove the stems and cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise. Rinse under cold water. Scrape out the seeds with the tip of a teaspoon and discard. Chop into small dice and place in a small serving dish.
Rinse the gloves and remove.
Wash the parsley, shake off the excess water, and dry the sprigs by rolling them in paper towels. Coarsely chop and put in a small bowl.
Serve the chowder hot, and pass the jalapeños and parsley at the table to sprinkle on top.

The above is an excerpt from the book Teen Cuisine by Matthew Locricchio. 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 © 2011 Matthew Locricchio, author of Teen Cuisine
Author Bio
Matthew Locricchio, author of Teen Cuisine, was born into a restaurant and catering family and has worked in the food industry most of his life. Included in his resume as a professional cook are stints at the well-known Gandy Dancer in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the West Coast Stock Exchange's private club in San Francisco, and the legendary Barbary Coast restaurant.

Matthew has taught culinary classes and given cooking demonstrations at culinary schools throughout the country as well as the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

James Peterson, photographer for Teen Cuisine, is a renowned cookbook author and photographer, and a James Beard and International Association of Culinary Professionals award winner.

For more information please visit http://www.cookbooksandkids.com/ and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter

Freebie Alert - Free kindle version of She walks in beauty

Mitchell (Love's Pursuit) sets her newest historical in Gilded Age New York, an opulent time and place when marrow spoons and exceedingly tight corsets were in vogue among the moneyed. The motherless Clara Carter is making her debut in society, and her aunt and her physician father expect her to win the hand of Franklin DeVries, the wealthiest catch of the season. Clara's best friend Lizzie is also aiming for DeVries, and Clara is caught between duty, friendship, and her own desires, which tend more toward Byron's poetry than bombazine hats.  Mitchell's story is well researched, with fascinating details, and Clara is a complex character. The plot machinery creaks loudly at points: three overheard conversations is at least one too many. A social consciousness plot thread dealing with New York's slums is weak. But those who love historicals can have their fill as well as any debutante supping on oysters and clutching her filled dance card; Mitchell delivers the historical goods.
Free Kindle version! (No kindle, no problem, you can download their apps for your computer or phone She Walks in Beauty 

Twilight lady bug 40% off

Cloud B's plush aroma pillow will help lull children to sleep with a soft and relaxing scent. Then it folds up to become a cute plush on your bed when not used for sleeping. Ideally sized for use in your home or on the go. Includes removable lavender scented pouch.  It's now 40% off Cloud B Plush Aroma Pillow Sleep Aid, Twilight Ladybug  

Dollar Days @ Scholastic Through 3/31

Sale ends Thursday!

Freebie Alert - Free Pouch of Uncle Ben's Rice

Receive a free Pouch of Uncle Ben's Rice Hurry this usually doesn't last long. Allow 6-8 weeks for delivery.

Three Things I’ve learned my First Year Home schooling

This is our first official year home schooling and it has certainly been a year of trials and errors. A few tears and a lot of frustration too. Here are some things we learned.

1. What works for one family may not work for us – I’ve always known we were going to home school but dredging through all of the different styles and curriculum was a daunting task. Everyone had advice, which was appreciated but at times it could be confusing. I ended up frustrated, especially when what we were doing wasn’t working out for us. I had aggravated girls and they had a stressed out mommy. It took me a while to realize that I had to do what was right for my family and there was no ‘right’ way to home school.

2. I’m home schooling two children with different needs – My
daughters are only two years apart. They are the best of friends and have so much fun together. I thought ‘Yeah, this is going to be easy!’ Well, I thought wrong. They are on completely different levels and learn completely differently. They even like to do school work at different times of the day. It has taken some flexibility on my part but now I have two very happy home schooled girls.


3. I had to remember why were home schooling to begin with – It came down to flexibility, we like to come and go as we please. Our family business’ busy season is the summer and we take our holiday in the winter. Meaning some times we can be more involved in the home schooling community than others. There are so many wonderful programs in our area for home schoolers that I started to feel guilty about what I could attend. It came down to just doing what works best for our family. I’ve let the guilt go!


I have a feeling that next year will be a lot easier on us. We found our rhythm and schooling styles. The girls are learning what they want to learn, not only what a schoolbook says they should be learning.