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

With Starbucks VIA® Ready Brew, you can have a premium cup of instant coffee that’s rich and full-bodied - like our fresh-brewed Starbucks® coffee. Starbucks VIA® is a blend of instant and microground coffee using 100% natural roasted arabica beans.



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.

10 Day Sample of Bare Escentuals' matte foundation PLUS a baby buki brush!

It looks like this deal is down for now, I'll post it back up as soon as I see it's up again :(

Free Make up!!  10 Day Sample of Bare Escentuals' matte foundation PLUS a baby buki brush!

This is a PDF coupon! 
You take this coupon into the Sephora, inside a J.C. Penny's. I think most have a Sephora in them now.
HERE
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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 Country Music Downloads

Free MP3 Download – New Country Playlist ITunes - People Magazine

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Merle Haggard – How Did You Find Me Here
• Jaron and The Long Road to Love – Pray for You
• Court Yard Hounds – The Coast
• Trailer Choir – Rollin’ Through the Sunshine
• The Band Perry – If I Die Young
• Thompson Square – Let’s Fight
• Chely Wright – Snow Globe
• Point of Grace – Come to Jesus
• Rockie Lynne – Heroes Come From Small Towns
• 4Troops – Angel
• Jamie Tate – I’ll Give My All

Here

Enjoy!
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.

What we're doing this Summer....

My children aren't just getting out of school like most. They're home all of the time and since I consider life in general school, they're always "in school" and we are always doing fun things.
We make every where we go an adventure and learning experience.
Here's what we have been and will be doing this summer.
Living in Florida and 5 mins from the beach is wonderful. We went to the beach the other day and saw a school of around 30 Porpoise. It was beautiful and so relaxing. We also have several friends with pools and will be visiting some Springs around Florida this summer too.

We enjoy local museums and historical areas. 30 mins North of us is S. Augustine, Fl the nation's oldest City. There are also wonderful museums in Jacksonville, Daytona, and Orlando. We visit Zoos too.  We have play dates where we visit splash parks, enjoy the air conditioning at our friends' homes, and visit the library quite often. Go to book stores and have picnics at parks.
We also have year round passes to Sea World and will be going camping at Disney's Camp Wilderness. It will be a Fun Summer! Not really any "vaacations" for us since we can't go any where until Winter because of our schedules. 
Where are you going on vacation or doing?

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.
  

Mommy in Me Time

We live in a world where we are some bombarded with chaos, busyness and information, that we literally have news on top of news! Look at the twenty four hour news channels we have on TV now. They were quite the buzz when they first came out. Then, there were the tickers. No, some of them have tickers on top of tickers on top of whatever show they happen to have on! Noise, noise, noise.

Our modern world has taken us away from personal interactions with people, and rarely do we hear the crickets chirping at night any more. So, what are we to do when all we want to do is relax with a good book, and simply enjoy the sounds around us?

Do just that. It’s a simple answer. We have to chase the kids around the house all day. Some of us, myself included, also have to chase furry kids around the house all day! LOL. In all actuality, we do need to somehow find time for ourselves. If we don’t take breaks, we will lose our ability to really focus on the needs of our families. It is so easy to get swept up in the chaos and noise of our daily lives. I know that I have found that if I don’t take some “me” time, I am not the woman I want to be.

The great thing about modern life is convenience. We have such conveniences, that it doesn’t require much for us to be able to get that “me” time. If it’s a beautiful day out, let the kids play in the yard and read an e-book on your laptop while you’re out there with them. If you want to curl up with a good book instead, take a few minutes, and have some night time tea and read before bed. If it’s easier, you can listen to a book on CD while you exercise. There are plenty of options for us book lovers to still enjoy a good book while living in such a hectic world.

No one ever said motherhood was easy. Motherhood and writer-hood aren’t easy, either. But, we have ways of making our passions, careers and hobbies work for us so that we can still stay focused on our families without losing ourselves. We all know how easy it is to forget about ourselves in the needs of our families. But sometimes, our families need us to take care of ourselves. So take those few extra minutes to read whenever you get the chance. It’s relaxing and enjoyable for you, and it will help make your family that much better! Happy reading!

L. E. Harvey is an author from Philadelphia, PA. She also works as an alternative and pinup model; but her main work is with her family of her partner, 4 cats, a dog, and her 4 year old step-daughter. L. E. Harvey’s fictional work includes books Loving Her; Unbreakable Hostage; Imperfect (due for release in July); Impeccable (the sequel to Imperfect. A current work-in-progress) and Frozen Solid (another work-in-progress novel).

For more on L. E. Harvey and her books, check out her website at www.leharvey.com

Coupon Match-ups for the Week

CVS Preview and Matchup for upcoming Week

Walgreen's Wags Preview and Matchup for upcoming Week

RiteAid Preview and Matchup for upcoming Week

Food Lion Ad for Upcoming Week Best Deals

Harris Teeter Triples CONFIRMED!!!

Target Preview Ad for Upcoming Week

Finding Inspiration for Invention in Life's Major Annoyances

By Renee Martin,
Co-Author of The Risk Takers: 16 Women and Men Who Built Great Businesses Share Their Entrepreneurial Strategies For Success

To paraphrase a well-worn idiom, annoyance is the mother of invention.

So, mompreneurs, if your revenues are dwindling and you need to develop new products or services, you might follow the example recently set by a group of "kidpreneurs" in Southern California. Jot down a list of everyday pet peeves and ask yourself: Is this an entrepreneurial opportunity?

That approach helped launch Sanitation's Solutions Inc., which pitched its I-Flush product proposal to a panel of venture capitalists on May 21. What does the I-Flush do? It provides a solution for one of the longest-standing annoyances perpetrated by mankind: the habit of leaving the toilet seat up. The I-Flush's pulley-based system prevents toilet users from flushing unless the toilet seat and lid are down. Sanitation's Solutions is made up of senior high school students at the California Academy of Math and Science in Carson, Calif.

As part of a class project, seniors at the school worked in teams of nine to design products, write business plans and develop marketing campaigns. The project culminated in a presentation to a panel of venture capitalists -- a group of local business people and investors who served as judges. This competition, developed by high school teacher Greg Fisher, was recently featured in the Daily Breeze newspaper.

This school exercise drives home a concept that every mompreneur needs to integrate into her everyday life: Pet peeves, whether they are yours or a prospective client's, can translate into entrepreneurial opportunity. You just have to train yourself to think that way, and to have the commitment and patience to take full advantage whenever it's feasible.

Consider the example that Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx, set. The idea for Spanx first came to Blakely in 1998, while she was preparing for an open-mic appearance at a comedy club. At the time she was a 27-year-old office-supply sales manager who moonlighted as an amateur comic. Blakely was planning to wear a pair of white slacks and sexy sandals on stage. The annoyance she encountered while getting dressed: visible panty lines and the less-than-perfect contour of her backside. So she opted for a do-it-yourself solution. She grabbed some scissors, cut the feet out of a pair of control-top pantyhose and slipped them on. "That's when I had my epiphany," she says.

Blakely later researched and wrote a patent for footless pantyhose. That led to Spanx, a one-time home-based business that eventually outgrew the confines of her apartment and made her a multimillionaire. Blakely's story is featured in a new book, The Risk Takers: 16 Women and Men Share Their Entrepreneurial Strategies for Success.

As a mompreneur, you can also use your "annoyance radar" to develop ways to improve your existing product offerings. During sales calls, really listen to prospective clients. Pose questions that will draw out what irks them about the product or services they're already using. Use that information to exploit your competitor's weakness and make it your strength.

This approach can also help you tap an underserved niche. You can develop products and services that are much more tailored to meeting the needs of a specific group of clients. With some savvy marketing, you can ensure that customers in a particular field come to view you as a specialist. For example, if you're a graphic artist, you may discover a need for a bundle of products tailor-made for local architects, or restaurant owners, or ski resort operators.

Keep in mind that some market niches are just too specialized for large corporations to consider. But you as a small business owner can exploit that fact by identifying the needs and the pet peeves of people in that niche. Your business is nimble enough to quickly adapt to their specialized needs.

Remember this during your next sales call. If a prospective client starts whining, don't tune out. Tune in and use your creativity to develop a solution that gives you an edge over your competitors.

© 2010 Renee Martin, co-author of The Risk Takers: 16 Women and Men Who Built Great Businesses Share Their Entrepreneurial Strategies For Success
Author Bio
Renee Martin was a dynamic real estate broker when she switched careers entirely, to work in community service. She became a rape counselor, a court-appointed special advocate for The Children's Court (CASA), a director of community relations of a child abuse crisis center, and a public relations spokesperson for many community organizations. After publication of the book, she and Don coauthored, The Survival Guide for Women, she became a frequent and popular speaker at women's seminars across the country.

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

Homeschool Convention 2010!

Homeschooling can be a very solitary venture sometimes. Even with the explosion of homeschool groups both online and locally based, it’s easy to feel isolated sometimes as a mom or dad teaching at home. Additionally, curriculum purchasing can be frustrating when it’s done completely online; not getting your hands on the books or materials sometimes means that homeschoolers end up purchasing the wrong tools. And that is why homeschool conventions exist.  When I began my homeschooling journey back in New Jersey, I attended my first convention at the end of my first year as a homeschooling mom. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I drove a little more than an hour away from home, taking my oldest daughter with me. When we arrived, we found a small convention hall (Edison, NJ isn’t exactly the epicenter of anything!) with vendors set up in rows. Workshops (basically informational lectures) were offered in various rooms adjoining the hall. Right outside the vendor area there was a large area for the sale of used curriculum, and even a table of “Take me, I’m free!” materials. It was an eye-opening experience for me.  I hadn’t been around so many homeschoolers—ever. And the opportunity to put my hands on books I’d been examining on the internet made me giddy. I don’t think I bought too much during that first convention. I know I took away lots of information and brochures, and later in the summer, I placed an online order based on what I found there. I also attended quite a few workshops. That was nine years ago. In the interim, I’ve both attended and worked several NJ homeschool conventions, and over the past four years, I’ve become a regular attendee at the country’s largest homeschool convention offered by the Florida Parent Educators Association. Each May, FPEA takes over a resort. Homeschoolers from all over Florida and other bordering states swarm the convention floor. The first FPEA convention I attended was overwhelming. Coming from my little NJ show, I wasn’t prepared for the sheer scope of the vendors’ hall. It opened on Thursday evening, with both Friday and Saturday offering full days of shopping opportunities.  Since that first experience in Florida, I’ve gotten used to the size of the convention. I’ve learned how to navigate the floor quickly and easily. But I never fail to be impressed and amazed by the whole thing. Imagine the varied shapes of homeschooling families. Now picture a representative group of those families. That’s a good sketch of what a convention looks like. There are lots of very large families as well as the more “typical” smaller ones. It’s not unusual to see conservatively dressed children and women, as homeschooling is very popular among groups who embrace that lifestyle. There are certainly lots of children on the show floor, from tiny nursing babies to those who are about to graduate.  The vendors include what you might expect: larger homeschool companies offering a rare chance to examine all their materials and book and supply companies with every kind of paper, pencil, crayon you can imagine. There are also college tables, as well as reps from different attractions that cater to the homeschool set. I haven’t participated in workshops or lectures for several years, but they are certainly available for those who need guidance, inspiration or information. Really, all the inspiration I need comes from simply walking the convention and seeing all these families, thriving and growing together, learning in every different style under the sun. It never fails to get me excited for a new school year


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

Pet Peeves, What are yours?

I've recently realized that I have a lot of pet peeves. I wonder if it means I'm excessively cranky or if those around me are just annoying?
Okay, those I surround myself with are wonderful. If they do something annoying I nip it in the bud right away if they want to remain around me. Example, my friends can not scrap their teeth on their forks. It absolutely drives me INSANE! Same with not picking their feet up when they walk. If my husband wishes to annoy me, he pops in a piece of gum and chases me around the house smacking. Blah... That also goes for food too. I think people who eat like cows or slurp their drinks are disgusting.

Yes, I know I have issues but I know there are more like me out there. What drives you insane?

Smoothie for Mommy

Simply Smart® Groundstroke Smoothie from Tennis Pro Chrissie Evert
Makes 1 serving
1 Tbsp warm water
1 tsp decaffeinated instant coffee granules
1 cup Simply Smart® Chocolate Fat Free Milk
2 Simply Smart® Chocolate Fat Free Milk ice cubes or regular ice cubes

I was given the chance to try some Hood Simply Smart milk and this is the recipe I tried. It was delicious and far healthier than Starbucks and McDonald's coffee drinks. The Fat Free milk also doesn't taste like fat free milk. It's rich and creamy! 
You can find more Hood Simply Smart Recipes Here

Walgreen's Money Maker!

Nivea Mens Body Wash is $5.99 this week and is giving back a $6RR at Walgreens. Well we discovered this morning early that the Active3 Bottle with Light Blue lettering is also ringing up BOGO!!!

So that means if you have 2 ($3/1)coupons (and your walgreens will let you use two coupons on a BOGO deal) you can get two bottles for FREE, pay the tax and then get a $6RR, which essentially is a $6 Money Maker!!!

Walgreens Deals at WUC