Thigh Exercises For Women

For women, shaping the muscles of the thighs is an important fitness goal. A shapely lower body is considered very feminine, and the right proportion of the waist to the hips is part of the equation. It's surprising, but true, thigh toning exercises can be done at home, without equipment and results can be seen in 4-6 weeks. Also, did you know that thigh and hip toning gadgets are not required if you know which exercises work, and how to do them. Most importantly, thigh exercises are most effective when combined with aerobic exercise and a healthy diet.

This means that women must not only do the right thigh exercises, but also include aerobic exercise and sound nutrition
to get best results. The following exercises are the most effective front thigh exercises for women. The routine also includes inner thigh and rear thigh exercises.

For best results, start with 15-20 repetitions and one set. Increase gradually to 2 sets. Complete the routine at least 2 times a week for best results. This is an effective beginner to intermediate toning program. Please remember that these numbers are general guidelines only. For an optimum program tailored to your needs, please consult a certified personal trainer. If you have any injuries or medical ailments, please obtain a physicians clearance before starting any exercise program.

Wall Squat: Front Thigh Exercise.
Starting Position: – Place your upper back against a smooth wall. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, toes pointed slightly outward. Distribute your body weight equally between both feet and lean back against the wall. Movement: – Inhale, keeping your heels in contact with the floor at all times, slowly lower into a squat position while sliding down the wall. Exhale as you slowly straighten your legs, keeping your head and chest up, returning to the starting position. Repeat as required.

Standing Dumbbell Squats: Front Thigh Exercise.
Starting Position:- Hold a dumbbell in each hand and allow them to hang down at your sides. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, toes pointed slightly outward. Distribute your body weight equally between both feet. Movement:- Inhale, keeping your heels in contact with the floor at all times, slowly lower into a squat position. Exhale as you slowly straighten your legs, keeping your head and chest up, returning to the starting position. Repeat as required. 5 lb dumbbells work well, but you can start with 2 lbs and then work your way up to 5 lbs within 3-5 weeks.

Lunges: Front Thigh Exercise.
Starting Position: – Assume a standing position with your feet slightly less than shoulder width apart. Grasp a barbell with a wider than shoulder width grip and place it across your shoulders. Movement: – Inhale, keeping your back vertical and slightly arched, slowly step forward with one leg making a long stride, lowering your body down slowly until your rear knee lightly touches the floor (if you cannot go as low as this, then work your way up to it over 2-3 weeks). Exhale and shift your weight backwards, taking one step (or 2-3 small steps if that sounds difficult) to return to the starting position. Repeat on the other side. Remember to consult your doctor before this or any other knee exercises if you have had any knee trouble!

Lying Face Down: Front Thigh Stretch.
Starting Position: Lie on your stomach on a matt with your legs together. Movement: Reach behind you and grasp your right ankle with your left hand. Pull your right heel up as far as you can. Hold this position for thirty seconds. Repeat as required on other side. Please remember to hold for 10 seconds for this stretch.

Seated Split Stretch: Inner Thigh Stretch.
Starting Position: Sit on an exercise matt and spread your legs as far as you can. Movement: Lean to your right side and reach for your toes. Rest your hands on your toes or at your ankle. Hold this position for thirty seconds. Repeat as required on other side.

Seated Butterfly: Inner Thigh Exercise.
Starting Position: Sit on an exercise matt with your back straight. Movement: Bring the soles of your feet together and pull them in as close to your body as you can. Allow your hands to rest on your feet or to apply light pressure to your thighs. Hold this position for thirty seconds. Hold this position for 10 seconds. You will find this most effective if you gently push your knees down using your hands, be careful not to push too much.

Seated Hip Twist: Outer Thigh And Rear Thigh Exercise.
Starting Position: Sit on an exercise matt with your legs straight out in front of you. Movement: Bend your right knee and place your right foot over your left leg. Wrap your arms around your right knee and gently pull it in towards your left shoulder. Hold this position for thirty seconds. Repeat as required on other side. Remember to hold for 10 seconds.

Lying Leg Pull: Total Thigh Exercise.
Starting Position: Lie on your back on an exercise matt with your knees in the air and feet flat on the floor. Movement: Bring your right heel to rest on your left thigh. Loop your hands around your left thigh and pull it towards your chest. Hold this position for thirty seconds. Repeat as required on other side. Remember to hold for 10 seconds in each set.



Nitin Chhoda
For more information and to register for free diet plans and grocery lists, visit http://www.best-weight-loss-programs.net/ , for exercises for women, visit http://www.toningforwomen.com and to train with Nitin, visit http://www.phonefitnesstrainer.com

Becoming A Writer Book Giveaway!! Now Closed!

I'm excited to announce that Theodora Anidu Escential Consultant from Scentsy is offering up a copy of Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande. It's a writing classic!

All you have to do is hop on over to her Scentsy site, take a look around, then come back here and tell me your favorite product. Believe me, choosing a favorite is going to be hard! That's it! Just remember to leave me your email address so I can let you know if you won!Visit her site https://bewickless.scentsy.ca/HomeExtra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; leave a separate comment for each entry) Extra Entry - Follow Taking Time for Mommy on Twitter HEREExtra Entry - Follow Taking Time for Mommy on FaceBook HERE5 Extra Entries - Signing up for our weekly Newsletter (form to the right)
10 Extra Entries - If you buy something off Theo's Scentsy Site on or before February 26th


Giveaway will end on February 26th at midnight. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as 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 only and Canadian Residents only.

Watkins - WAH Opportunity

Watkins was established in 1868 and still practices the same customer service and attention to quality that J.R. Watkins valued. We offer a diverse offering of organic herbs and spices, natural personal care and natural home care products.

When you decide to build a home business with Watkins, you are never alone. As a member of The Summit Group and Watkins, you will receive free training , a free business website, the opportunity to earn bonuses, trips, merchandise, fantastic compensation and commission, a minimum of 25% off purchases and more. Watkins does not have monthly minimums, send products you don't want, spam, force you to make purchases or push your friends and loved ones to join or buy.

What do you do to make money? Well, that is up to you. Depending on what type of business you want to own determines how you will make an income. If you want to sell, great! If not that is fine as well. Online, offline, parties, no parties, markets, fairs, or maybe you just want that 25% discount... the sky is the limit. You are your own boss!
　
We have a HUGE shortage of Watkins associates in every part of the U.S. and Canada. . The most-recent statistics indicate we’re only reaching one family out of every 250. Vast numbers of people remember the quality of Watkins from years ago, but don’t know how to get the products today. Many people don’t know the company is still in business. And, there are entire generations who we’ve yet to introduce to the wonders of Watkins. So, I need your help in finding new associates. If this might be the right fit for you or someone else you know please email me at katbush@hotmail.com or visit my site at http://www.tsginfo.com/index.php?rc=KB4926

I look forward to working with you! Kat

You can visit Kat's blog @http://kats-confessions.blogspot.com/

Dear John - Book Review w/ Movie Preview

I started and finished "Dear John" by Nicolas Sparks last night, yes it was that good! I thought it started off a little strange but it sucks you in none the less, you have to know why. This is a beautiful love story of selflessness. It had me thinking if I were in the same situation, what would I do?

An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life--until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. That changes everything and so the story unfolds. (I don't want to give away any spoilers).I admit this in no "Notebook" but it was good and I recommend it.

Free 11 Song Country Music Sampler

People Magazine is offering a free 11 song Country Music Sampler (an $11.19 value) with the code found here (it's posted right on their website, expires 4/9/10).
LaQuita Bergeron is a mother of two beautiful spoiled children. She is a stay at home mom that works from home as a transcriber. She is also the owner of EveryDayMoms Social Network.

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Homeschooling. .Part2

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Homeschooling. . .
. . .But Were Afraid to Ask

Part 2: How?

In Part One of this series, I discussed my own reasons for homeschooling—the Why? If you’re considering this lifestyle—and it truly is a lifestyle!—you may be wondering how to make it happen.

Each state has laws governing how parents go about this process. When I lived in New Jersey, we were only responsible for informing our local school district that we intended to educate our kids at home. Other states have far more involved procedures, and it’s always a good idea to be familiar with the laws in your own state and community. A local homeschool support group would have those requirements posted.

But beyond that, what’s the best way to ease your child out of public school and into the homeschooing routine? That all depends on your family. We’ve tried it a number of ways; with two daughters, we simply did not send them to school at the end of the summer. With another, we pulled her out shortly before Christmas break. Your situation will dictate how you handle it. If there is something urgent that is causing you to consider homeschooling—such as an unsafe environment or mid-year relocation—you may have to do it in the middle of school term. If this is the case, it’s important to reassure the child that she hasn’t done anything wrong to precipitate this change. Inasmuch as you can, share with her why you’ve made this decision, and be positive. Kids pick up and reflect their parents’ emotion and moods, and your feeling that you’ve made a good decision will go a long way to helping your child happily anticipate this new lifestyle.

Many parents recommend making the break over the summer, and I agree that it’s wonderful if you can do this. It gives you entire summer to work on planning your homeschooling schedule, choosing curriculum and building up positive expectations within your family.

Research is so important! Spend as much time as you can reading about homeschooling styles, and think about which one might best match your own family. Investigate curriculum: will you go with a complete package that covers all the topics, will you pick and choose among the hundreds of options, or will you do your own thing, supplementing with the library? All are valid choices! And take it from me: no matter what you decide on, you’ll change your mind on something at some point over your homeschooling journey.

You won’t really know what works with your own child until you put it into practice, so try not to invest too much money into any program until you’ve tried it for a while.

My own first year began with one school-aged child at home and ended with two. I was a genuine rookie, and the Internet was really in its infancy, too! I did my research at the library—God bless our wonderful librarians. I didn’t know anything about support groups, and I think I knew one other family who was homeschooling, too. I chose some topics and some workbooks and off we went. When my oldest daughter joined us at mid-year, my husband found a college-level textbook for her to use for math. It wasn’t until that summer that I began investigating “real” curriculum.

I attended our state’s annual homeschool convention, and believe me, my eyes were opened! I didn’t know how much was out there, and I was a little bit like a kid in a candy shop. I poured over all the catalogs that summer and agonized over which choice was best for the three girls I would be educating at home come September. Part of the issue was the age range: I would have an 8th grader, a 5th grader and 1st grader.

We finally decided on a fairly comprehensive program that would include language arts, reading, history, geography, science and math. We were all thrilled when boxes of books arrived, and we couldn’t wait to get started.

It was an excellent program. . .but not for us. The first problem was time. Because of the age groups of my children, I had to purchase three separate grade levels (frequently, children who are closer in age can use the same level). This meant I was teaching three complete packages, beginning at 8 AM and not ending until 5 PM, with a short lunch break. This curriculum was heavy into read-alouds, and I was frequently without a voice by the end of the day. I also had two babies at home and often was juggling feedings with reading.

It was a lesson learned. I realized that the most important first rule of homeschooing is Know Thy Own Child. Why was I homeschooling? Because I know my children better than anyone else could. So why didn’t I remember that when choosing a plan? When we implemented our own way of doing things, everyone relaxed and suddenly, it was fun again. My children were coming to me, eager to share what they were learning on their own. Together we marveled over what we discovered together. We found the joy again.

So the lesson here? Take it slow. Borrow what you can from friends before you invest time and money. Ask questions from other homeschoolers who have been at it longer than you, and take into account those families’ similarities and differences to your own.

But above all, trust yourself. Remember that this is a process, and you’re learning as much as your kids are! Relax, smile and find the joy!
Tawdra Kandle is stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of four children who range in age from 9 years to almost 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.

A Home Herb Garden For Cooking And Medicine **Video**

Once you have put together your home herb garden, whether it is in your backyard or in pots, you need to figure out what to do with your herbs. Making use of herbs from the garden is lots of fun and here we are going to focus on two essential ways: cooking and medicine. Some plants that are primarily used in cooking can also have healthy side effects, while conversely some plants that you thought were just for home remedies can also taste great.

The first step in using the herbs from your home herb garden is to know the best way to remove the part of the plants that you need out of the entire plant. Many herbs, including the common varieties like basil and dill only yield edible leaves or shoots. Therefore just pinch off the amount of leaves you need with your fingers or, if you prefer use a pair of scissors - that way you will not crush the remaining part of the plant. Other plants from the home herb garden like horseradish, ginger or turmeric have edible roots which you need to dig up and wash, then simply slice or grate them.

Most times we think of using plants from the home herb garden for our cooking since they add many levels of flavor to the dishes and you will be able to reduce the amount of salt because most herbs make the food more savory and you get a delicious taste. Sage is a favorite of any home herb garden and it is a great rub for red meats like pot roast and mutton, while oregano is the quintessential ingredient in Italian cooking, giving it a slightly pungent and fragrant taste.

Herbs have also been used throughout the ages for their medicinal properties, but with the dawn of modern medicine, herbal remedies have taken a backseat to conventional medicine, although they are still a great option for maintaining your health. Many herbs from the home herb garden can be brewed in boiling water to create soothing and healthy teas, two of the most popular being mint and chamomile. While chamomile is great to seep in the evening as a relaxant, mint is more stimulant and is an excellent tea to have in the morning.

The home herb garden can be a wonderful source of medicinal herbs: St. John’s Wort is recognized to help relieve tension, both mental and physical, while wormwood has long been known to aid many digestive ailments. Woad was primarily used for its indigo-colored dye in the West, but has long been known to Chinese physicians as an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral treatment and it is said that taken orally it can help prevent the flu. I grow several plants of anise in my home herb garden and I love drinking the aromatic tea obtained from the seeds. Anise syrup is well known for relieving coughs.

In addition to the common culinary and medicinal uses, some herbs can also protect your home herb garden and your house from unwanted pests. Dill is known to keep the white butterfly from laying eggs on cabbages, while fennel is a fantastic deterrent for fleas and that is why it is best grown just outside the dog kennel. Bay leaves keep weevils away; just put a leaf or two in the rice container or spread a few leaves on the pantry shelves where you store your grains and flour.

Because herbs come in a wide array of sizes and textures, they can create visual interest in the home herb garden while still being useful in several ways for cooking, in medicine and as pest deterrent, therefore using herbs from a home herb garden is a wonderful hobby that also offers practical advantages.



Lisa Summerfield is an herb garden lover and author of "Secrets To A Successful Home Herb Garden" - compulsory reading for anyone considering to grow a thriving home herb garden. Her website contains valuable information on using and growing herbs... Even if you have never grown a garden before! For a FREE 10 part mini-course on "The Secrets To Growing Delicious Herbs at Home!" go to http://herbgardensolutions.com

Black Forest Coffee Recipe

Black Forest Coffee Make your own Gourmet Coffee
6 oz Fresh brewed coffee
2 tb Chocolate syrup
1 tb Maraschino cherry juice
Whipped cream
Shaved chocolate/chips
Maraschino cherries
Combine coffee, chocolate syrup, and cherry juice in a cup; mix well. Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and a cherry.
Delish!

Curried Banana Sauce

Curried Banana Sauce By: trixie
Goes well with fish or chicken, or even over rice as a side dish.
This recipe is so delicious and I always have bananas around here! ~Mandie Prep Time:
15 MinCook Time:
15 MinReady In:
30 Min


Original Recipe Yield 4 servings
Ingredients
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
2 small ripe bananas, quartered
1 shallot, quartered
1 clove garlic, halved
1/4 cup chopped sweet onion (such as Vidalia®)
1 3/4 teaspoons curry powder, or to taste
3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
1 pinch salt
Directions
1.Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the bananas, shallot, garlic, and onion. Cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in curry powder and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the chicken chicken broth and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2.Pour the curry mixture, rice vinegar, honey, and salt into a blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway full. Hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender, using a few quick pulses to get the curry moving before leaving it on to puree. Puree in batches until smooth and pour into a clean pot. Alternately, you can use a stick blender and puree the curry right in the cooking pot.

Source -Allrecipes.com

Easing Breastfeeding Pain Naturally

Easing Breastfeeding Pain Naturally

By Carrie Lauth

Along with the benefits of breastfeeding such as exceptional nutrition for your baby and a close knit bond between mother and child, the mothers can often experience some sort of breast pain. It’s important to know what methods are a combination of effective, natural, and won’t harm baby or mom.

Cracked or Dry Nipples and/or Areola:

Cracked nipples can occur a number of ways. The most common is if the baby is not latched on correctly. Make sure your baby’s mouth is taking in the entire areola. If not, you will soon experience cracking of your nipples. Another way cracked or dry nipples can occur is by naturally just being used more than normal. Your body is still getting used to breastfeeding several times a day and the result can dry out the skin.

The most common way to help correct this is after each feeding, squeezing a small amount of milk onto your areolas and nipples. Allow to dry naturally, soaking in the breastmilk. If you continue to have cry and cracked nipples, especially ones that really hurt, proceed to using lanolin.

If you are vegan, lanolin is not the product for you since it is extracted from wool. However, it is an all natural product. If you purchase the Lansinoh brand of lanolin, you’ll find it is the purest form out there, without any additives. Take the lanolin and generously apply to your nipples and areola. You might want to cover your breasts with a light breast pad to keep your clothing from getting sticky. The good part is that lanolin is safe for baby (and for you), just be sure you’re not super gooey before feedings. But a thin layer is appropriate to remain on.

Your body will soak in the lanolin and within a day’s time you should start to see a major difference.

Hard or Tender Breasts:

If you go too long without feeding, your breasts can become very hard. They are filled with milk and can feel like rocks living inside. It can be quite painful to some, especially to the touch. What you’ll want to do is carve out a little “me” time to take care of the soreness. If you have warm heating pads, such as a dyi rice sock or gel pack, warm up and then place on each breast, paying special attention to the sorest parts of your breasts. You can even use a warm compress such as a washcloth soaked in warm water. Other ways are to take a warm bath or lightly massage the hard areas with olive oil. Depending on the severity of the problem, the above method can start to take effect within hours or even days.

Itchiness:

If you sense this is normal itchiness due to irritation, there are some natural steps you can take on your own. If you’re worried it could be thrust or a bacterial infection, you should talk with your doctor on what she or he believes you should do to help cure it.

However, many moms often experience itchiness of the nipples early on. The skin can become irritated from constant use or from exposure to certain fabrics. First of all, you’ll want to start using a bra that is made from organic cotton. You can even look for a specially-made nursing bra that removes the cups for easy feedings. This should make a major impact on the itchiness.

During shower time you’ll want to avoid using any sort of soap on the breasts. Just use warm water and be careful to be tender when washing. This will help remove any bacteria and cleanse the area naturally, without irritants.

For more advice and tips from moms who have been there, visit Nursing Bras [1]- because motherhood is too short to wear an ugly nursing bra!

Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston

Kelley Winslow is living her dream. Seventeen years old, she has moved to New York City and started work with a theatre company. Sure, she's an understudy for the Avalon Players, a third-tier repertory company so far off-Broadway it might as well be in Hoboken, but things are looking up—the lead has broken her ankle and Kelley's about to step into the role of Titania the Fairy Queen in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Faeries are far more real than Kelley thinks, though, and a chance encounter in Central Park with a handsome young man will plunge her into an adventure she could never have imagined.

For Sonny Flannery, one of the Janus Guards charged by Auberon, the King of Winter, with watching over the gate into the lands of Faerie that lies within Central Park, the pretty young actress presents an enigma. Strong and willful, she sparks against his senses like a firecracker and he can't get her out of his mind. As Hallowe'en approaches and the Samhain Gate opens, Sonny and Kelley find themselves drawn to each other—and into a terrible plot that could spell disaster for both New York and Faerie alike.

This debut novel that puts a fresh new spin on classic fairy lore. Wondrous Strange blends a gripping plot with fully-believable characters, fascinating ideas and just the right amount of romance to create a story that is vivid, thrilling and engaging. Readers of Herbie Brennan, Holly Black and Melissa Marr will find a new favorite in Lesley Livingston.

Buy the Book

Monday Meal Planning - What are you having?

I run my home like a business. Efficiently. I cut back where ever I can and keep the budget as tight at I can. That's why I plan a menu. Usually a week at a time but sometimes even up to a month depending on the season and how much I have bought it bulk.

Here's what we are having this week... Monday
Fried Fish, Cheesy Grits, Mango and Spinach Salad with Keylime Honey Mustard DressingTuesdayBeef Barley and Vegetable SoupWednesday Bacon, Mushroom, Swiss Burgers, Spinach Salad, Rosemary & Olive Oil Roasted PotatoesThursdayGrilled Chicken, Basmati Rice, & AsparagusFridayArtichoke, Mushroom, & Spinach Pizza with Beef Barley SoupSaturday & SundayLeft Overs or play it by ear :)What are you having?

Home made Donuts - My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

I absolutely LOVE donuts (or doughnuts as my wonderful husband points out.)
I can polish off a dozen by myself so I don't make them or buy them very often. But when I do I gorge on them. In my sugar coma, I feel like I'm have my own little slice of Heaven.
Here is a Recipe I use from Cooks.com1 c. milk, scalded
2 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. brown sugar
1 pkg. yeast
3 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 egg
Confectioners' sugar

Pour milk over butter and sugars; stir until melted and cool to lukewarm. Add yeast, stirring until dissolved. Sift flour, salt and nutmeg. Gradually add half the dry mixture to milk; add egg and beat well. Add remaining flour and leave dough in warm place for 1 hour. Knead gently, roll to quarter inch thickness and cut into diamonds. Allow to rise 30 minutes to 1 hour. Fry in deep fat, 375 degrees and dust with confectioners' sugar or use confectioners' sugar glaze if desired. Make sure you don't put too many into the fry. Here is a video to help you along :)

The Language of Love & Respect - My Review

I received a complimentary copy ofThe Language of Love and Respect from Thomas Nelson for review. Maybe it was the crazy holiday season at my house but it took me FOREVER to get through this book and I can usually read a book this size in a day or two. It just couldn't hold my attention and at times I thought it was repeating itself. Over all I give this book a "B+" because it really does offer a lot of great advice!

I thought that I wouldn't get anything out of this book because I do have a good marriage, but we all know marriage in general isn't always bliss. For me it helped explain communication which at times is a hindrance in my marriage - believe it or not, it's on my side not his! Proper communication is key. No matter how great your marriage is I feel you will get something out of this book (just skim through the parts that repeat itself).

I wish someone would have given it to me as a newly wed. It would have saved me a lot of trial and error, especially early in my marriage. The book states men need respect and women need love. How very very true!

Decopauge - How To Make A Valentine's Day Flower Vase

I just love crafting up new items for Valentine's Day and a few days ago I decided to decorate a new vase for myself...after all, hubby will be getting me some Valentine's Day flowers to put inside it (usually white roses).

This is a very easy project that you and your children can make together...kids just love to rip up things, so hand them the tissue paper and let them do it!

Here are the supplies that you will need:

Tissue Paper- Dark Pink, Light Pink, White and Red
Decoupage Medium - Glossy Finish
Clear Mica Glitter
Foam Brush
Newspaper (cover your work surface)
Glass Vase

Here is how I made it:

I first started by washing and drying my vase. I then took some rubbing alcohol over it and left it air dry for several minutes. While it was drying, I ripped up my tissue paper into a variety of shapes and sizes. You will want to lay down several sheets of newspaper onto your work surface to catch the drips.

In a small glass bowl, I added 4 tablespoons of Decoupage and 1/2 teaspoon of water. I like to add just a tad of water so its not as thick. Using my foam brush, I layered on a thin coat of decoupage medium onto one side of my vase. I then used my ripped up tissue paper and just layered it on in a pattern that I liked. You will repeat this process for all sides and the bottom of your vase. You will want to let it dry for 1-2 hours. Once dry, use your foam brush to layer a top coat of the medium onto the tissue paper and let it dry for an additional 1-2 hours.

Optional: After I coated my vase with the top coat layer, I chose to sprinkle on some mica glitter. If you want to add the glitter, make sure you sprinkle it on while the decoupage medium is still wet.

You can now enjoy your new flower vase!


Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Shelly Hill is a mother and grandmother living in Pennsylvania who enjoys quick and easy holiday crafts. You can visit Shelly's online craft site at passionateaboutcrafting.blogspot.com for free project ideas.

Ingredient Substitutions

Ingredient Substitutions
By: Julie DeHart

Inevitably, we find ourselves without an ingredient called for in a recipe. What to do?! Look no further. These useful ingredient substitutions should meet your need & keep you cooking & baking for a long time.

Apple pie spice, 1 teaspoon = 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice, and dash ground cloves or ginger

Baking powder, 1 teaspoon = 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Buttermilk, 1 cup = 1 Tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar plus enough milk to equal 1 cup (let stand 5 minutes before using); or 1 cup plain yogurt

Catsup, 1 cup = 1 cup tomato sauce plus 1/2 cup sugar and 2 Tablespoons vinegar (for use in cooking)

Chili sauce = 1 cup catsup plus 1 to 2 teaspoons horseradish

Flour, self-rising, 1 cup = 1 cup all-purpose flour plus 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Half and half or light cream, 1 cup = 1 Tablespoon melted butter or margarine plus enough whole milk to equal 1 cup

Herb, dried, 1 teaspoon = 1/2 teaspoon ground herb

Herb, fresh, 1 Tablespoon = 1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon dried herb, crushed

Lemon juice, 1 teaspoon = 1/2 teaspoon vinegar

Milk, whole, 1 cup = 1/2 cup evaporated milk plus 1/2 cup water; or 1 cup water plus 1/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder

Poultry seasoning, 1 teaspoon = 3/4 teaspoon dried sage, crushed, plus 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme or marjoram, crushed

Pumpkin pie spice, 1 teaspoon = 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon plus 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice, and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Sour cream, dairy, 1 cup = 1 cup plain yogurt

Tomato sauce, 2 cups = 3/4 cup tomato paste plus 1 cup water


Julie DeHart is the mother of 5 and author of www.keep-your-home-cooking.com/ Visit her site for home organization & cleaning tips, parenting tips, conversation starters, cooking techniques and delicious, easy recipes. www.keep-your-home-cooking.com/ingredient-substitutions
Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Homeschooling. . . . . .But Were Afraid to Ask. . . Part 1: Why Do You Do It?

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Homeschooling. . . . . .But Were Afraid to Ask. . .
Part 1: Why Do You Do It? I was watching television this morning, and there was a commercial where an adorable little boy made his busy mother a sandwich for lunch before he climbed onto the bus to go to school. The mom watched her little sandwich maker board the bus and ride away, but I was the one with tears in my eyes. I found myself thinking, “How can she bear to watch him ride away from her?” This is probably the most basic answer to the question I am frequently asked about homeschooling: why do you do it? There are as many answers to this question as there are homeschooling families. And honestly, my reasons are complicated. I was introduced to the concept of home education when my oldest daughter was 2. After attending a seminar on our Army post, I was excited about the idea. But life and family opposition intervened, and it would be ten years before I seriously entertained the idea again. By the time we made the bold move to pull our children from public school, our oldest was twelve years old, and the justification for homeschooling had changed slightly. Sure, the basic rationale remained: no one knows my kids the way I do, and consequently no one can teach them as well as I can. But during those years in the school system, we’d also learned enough to understand that there were more reasons to homeschool than we’d ever guessed. So while I can’t speak to why other families choose to teach their children at home, I can tell you why we do. First and foremost, I love my children. I’ll qualify that by saying that it doesn’t mean parents who don’t homeschool don’t love their children. I’m only saying that my love for them is the primary reason I do this. I never held them back from doing anything they wanted to do, but I hated each and every minute that the school system kept them away from me—hated missing all that precious time. When all the other parents were yahooing in joy at the end of summer, I was in a deep funk. I was depressed at losing the company of the people I enjoyed the most! And then some other things crept in, too. My children are all wildly independent, gifted and smart. While some teachers appreciated this, others were simply. . .putting in their time. Excellent behavior and considered school work meant nothing to them. It was discouraging. And at the same time, I began to see a disturbing trend in our schools. Where once the parents had been eagerly welcome in the schools, increasingly we were being asked not to “interfere”. I heard teachers telling students that they didn’t need to share everything that happened in the classroom with their parents. One teacher actually told me that what happened during school hours really wasn’t any of the parents’ business. I came from an extended family of teachers, and I always respected the profession. I was blessed to have some wonderful educators in my life. But this was crossing the line. There were some specific issues that caused us to make the final decision. In the long run, they don’t mean very much. What mattered was that we brought our children home, and it has been the best decision for our family. The closeness, time and irreplaceable memories make it more than worth it. So when someone asks me why we chose to homeschool, I don’t offer political, religious or social reasons. I say simply, “It’s the best choice for my family. It’s made me a better mom than I was when they were in school, and I know I’ll never regret one moment I spent with my kids.” And that’s the absolute truth.
Tawdra Kandle is stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of four children who range in age from 9 years to almost 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.

Back to Blogging- Better late than never...

I took a little time off over the holidays, okay .. a lot of time off butI really needed it. I've been really stressed. My sweet husband had time off from work and we've been spending a lot of time together as a family. It has been wonderful and I feel as if my soul has been renourished.I have spent very little time online and although I'm getting back into the swing of things, I intend on continuing to limit my online time, I have also cut back on play date with our friends, and trying to take a little time for me. I've been working on my "book" that I'm positive will never be published, but I'm writing it for me. I've even been exercising and I've given up caffeine, My one true vice, and all around me are still alive. I actually feel better and I've also cut back on my dairy resulting in a 5lbs weight loss. Only 5 more lbs to go.....
So I'm back, better than ever and so is this site.

Winner is!

We have a winner to our Cup cake Giveaway! Using random.org .... the Winner is......
Luisa Patterson!
Congrats Luisa, I'll be shipping these out to you this week :)

Three Ways to Plan a Frugal Christmas Your Family Will Want to Remember

Three Ways to Plan a Frugal Christmas Your Family Will Want to Remember
By: Denise Willams

Christmas has easily become one of the most expensive and stress-filled holidays we celebrate each year.

That's a little ironic considering Christmas all began with the birth of a Baby in a lowly stable, and was celebrated only by shepherds who were out in the fields with their sheep. Two thousand years later, we still remember that day and honor the birth of a Babe who owned few material goods yet whose life changed the world.

Is this the year you want to help your family put aside all their material expectations, and create a meaningful Christmas they will want to remember?

Here are some simple things you can do to remove financial considerations from your holiday, and focus on what's truly important.

1. Begin the Christmas season by having a frank talk with your family about the meaning of Christmas and your desire to change the emphasis of your celebrations this year. Plan ahead of time how you will express your thoughts and plans to your young children, older children and teens, or even the friends and extended family members you celebrate with.

Don't start out the conversation by saying, "We don't have the money for Christmas that we usually do..." Instead focus on your changing priorities. Christmas celebrations are not about money, but about the desires of our hearts. Speak to your loved ones from your heart, not from your wallet, about the kind of Christmas you want to celebrate this year. Otherwise, you're perpetuating the myth that Christmas is all about money.

2. Add a twist to your favorite traditions by using them to serve others. Do you fill your freezer with holiday baking each year? Go crazy decorating your Christmas tree? Maybe taking to the malls is an important way for you to get into the Christmas spirit each season.

You don't need to stop doing these activities that you look forward to each year. But now that you're planning a frugal Christmas that's not money focused, you can use these activities to serve others.

Instead of baking just for your family, share your baked goodies with shut-in folks and lonely neighbors, or hold a bake sale to raise money for a children's charity. Decorate a Christmas tree for someone who can't do it on their own, or for a homeless shelter. Instead of browsing the malls for piles of Christmas gifts like you usually do, remember those in need and buy them necessities that would make their lives easier. Contact a homeless or a women's shelter to find out what items are needed. These will cost you a lot less than buying extravagant Christmas gifts, and the joy you get from giving them will last a lot longer.

3. Plan ahead so you and your family won't feel deprived during the holiday season. Don't just write up a list of things you won't be doing this year. Make a list of all the new activities you'll be replacing them with.

If you usually spend Christmas Day opening your gifts and oohing and aahing over what everyone got, you will feel disappointed when there's not as much to open and nothing left to do on that day. Plan to fill the day with other things to keep your mind on the true meaning of the season.

Some ideas might be to hold an open house and invite everyone you know to drop by. Invite a senior who is home alone this year to come for Christmas Day. Serve a meal at a shelter. Think of ways you can bless others and then get the whole family involved in doing them.


Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Would you like to enjoy a meaningful, peace-filled Christmas this year? Denise's Christmas e-book, Saving Christmas, has 30 Christmas ideas, tips and stories that will help you do exactly that, and comes with bonuses to share with family and friends all year long. Visit SavingChristmasBook.com to download your copy and start planning a Christmas you and your family will want to remember for a lifetime.