Mommy Meltdowns - Aren't we entitled?

As a mother,are we entitled to have meltdowns? Aren't we the ones who are suppose to keep it together as our 3yr old is screaming No she doesn't want to do this or that, and when our 5yr old is having one of those days where EVERYTHING is making her cry?  When the laundry is a never ending pile and darn it, you just mopped the floor they spilled grape juice on and tracked all over!! Yes, I think we are entitled, at least within reason. My first meltdown happened when my now 5yr old was 6 months old. While she was down for a nap she took her pants off along with her diaper. Did I mention she had pooh poohed?  Her being the true artist she is, used it as her paint and the wall, crib, and herself were the canvas. Now let's not forget her nose, ears, and hair. Yep, I lost it. I cried and cried and cried some more when I finally got every nook and cranny clean. Oh my gosh, it was horrid! My 2nd daughter also did it when she was the same age but hers was worse. We started duck taping the diapers when she napped so she couldn't pull them off.
Now that they are older, when I feel a melt down coming on I make them go outside to play.I also make sure I have plenty of time to myself. I have them 24/7 - ALL OF THE TIME! While I love them it's really good for my sanity to keep them busy. I don't let them get bored and I let myself escape with reading. I also make sure I'm connected to other adults. I'm in a local play group and it's just as much for the moms as it is for the kids.
How do you handle your meltdowns?


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

**FREEBIE ALERT** Free Potty Training Charts

I found these adorable potty training charts for you to print. There are a lot of choose from.
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.

** Freebie Alert** Free 18 Kids Song Downloads - Baby Genius

Free 18 Kids Song Downloads From Baby Genius
Enjoy these songs from Baby Genius, you can participate in their study but you don't have to. Check out the rest of the site too for coloring sheets,mazes, and a whole section for parents!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.

I FINALLY saw Eclipse!

A few years a go my BFF, who is a high school teacher, told me about the Twilight Saga. Why in the world would I want to read a teenage book about vampires? She insisted I had to read it. If you have not read it yet, I am insisting. I have converted many moms into Twilight lovers.

I would have loved to go see Eclipse (the 3rd movie/ book in the series) on opening night but with my mommy responsibilities, it just was not going to happen. Did I mention Eclipse was my favorite book? I love Jacob, he's so funny. I always root for the underdog, I just can't help it. I do believe Edward and Bella are great together but I just felt so bad for Jacob. Anyway, my husband took me to see it Saturday at the IMAX theater. IT WAS SOOOOO good. My husband even like it a lot. He can't wait to see the next one either.

We were laughing so hard and the fight scenes rocked. LOVE Billy, Bella's dad. He's such a scene stealer. Kristen Stewart looked so beautiful as Bella and Edward and Jacob looked pretty good too. The wolves were amazing and I was even okay with the new Victoria. A couple of little things bothered me.... I really wanted to shave Jacob's mustache stubble, maybe it was just the Imax but it really distracted me. Also, whoever did Jane's (Dakota Fanning) makeup should have been fired. I understand she was to look creepy but it just looked horrible. Other than that, I LOVED it!! I wish Twilight would have had this kind of budget, this was by far my favorite Twilight Saga movie! On another note, my husband asked my 5 yr old if she was Team Edward or Team Jacob and she's like 'huh?' She told him she was Team Daddy. Made him so happy.



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.

**Freebie Alert** Free Redbox Rental

I LOVE LOVE red box, I mean movies for a $1 and red boxes on every corner! If you 'Like' them on Facebook, they'll give you a free code for a Movie!
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.

Happy Independence Day!

Sorry I've been MIA. I have a lot to post but I've been slacking and enjoying the sunshine. We're going to the beach a lot and getting ready for the Independence Day.
I just wanted to take the time to wish everyone a Happy 4th!



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.

"High Drama 2" is an original web series, view it now on TheWB.com.

Remember when I told you about the new web show High Drama Season 2? Well episodes 6-10 are up including opening night!
I still can't believe this show isn't on t.v.. Watching these highschool kids takes me back. My mom was very practical and wanted me to take practical classes and be involved in practical activities. I was in ROTC and Debate club - oh joy. It wasn't until I was a senior that I took drama and it was so much fun. Thinking back, I should have had more fun in highschool. I never went into the military and while I'm sure my debate skills work great on my 3 yr old, I never became a lawyer. Watching these kids have so much fun makes me smile.

I'm hooked on this show. Ali had to deal with laryngitis, Jackie,and Leanna lost their car in the mall parking lot while Jackie was trying to learn how to pick up boys, they got their college admission letters - well some of them, and of course opening night. My heart was really touched when the director had a talk with Tony.

I wonder what they are all going to do now. Being so young they have the whole world in front of them and even though Cameron is lost, I have a lot of hope for him.

If you haven't watched this show, I highly suggest it. My 5 yr old watched it and told me, 'wow, not all teenagers are brats' lol.


Watch all of the episodes HERE

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

Taking Our Bodies Back: How to Break Free from the Comparison Trap

Author of Waiting for Jack: Confessions of a Self-Help Junkie: How to Stop Waiting and Start Living Your Life

Summer is officially here. For many women, that means bathing suit anxiety. That means more focus on those "troubling" body parts. That means a last minute purchase of a gym membership that you won't use.

This summer, disrupt the ordinary, draw a line in the sand and set your own standards for body image and perfection. What if you looked back on this summer as the year you accepted yourself and your body the way it is right now?

Practice these 6 Principles this summer and take the pledge to free yourself once and for all from the Comparison Trap.

1. Be nice to you. You have heard it before and I am going to say it again now -- be nice to you! If you talked to your friends in the negative way you talk to yourself, you wouldn't have any friends! Many of us begin the day by looking in the mirror and noting what is "wrong" with us -- we think, "I look tired", "my hair needs to be cut", "I look bloated, I shouldn't have eaten that last night…" Most of the time, we are not celebrating our beauty and wonder. We could all learn something from the video of a little girl named Jessica who stands on her bathroom counter and loudly and proudly proclaims what she likes into the mirror. For almost a minute, she enthusiastically lists the things she likes: "I like my hair! I like my pajamas! I like my house!" And she ends with "I can do anything good, yeah, yeah!" If you haven't seen it, it is well worth the watch:www.youtube.com
 2.Comparison is more dangerous than a dead end street in a bad neighborhood. Anything you don't like about yourself is, by definition, in comparison to something else. We only "know" what the perfect lips, breasts, nose or thighs are because we have a false standard to compare to. According to the National Eating Disorder Association, 80% of American women are dissatisfied with their appearance yet most fashion models are thinner than those women (meaning us). We may never stop comparing, but we can practice awareness of it. Keep track of all the ways, times and places you compare yourself and come up short. The more you bring it to the surface, the less power it has over you.
 3.Don't wait: Now is the time to make peace with that troubling body part (or parts). As we age, gravity will affect us -- all of us that is. Skin will sag and wrinkle and if we are blessed to live a long life, it will continue to do so. Five or ten years from now, you will look back on pictures of yourself and wonder what you complained about. Why not accept yourself right now? And yes, this takes practice. Be willing to do whatever it takes -- whether it is simply observing your thoughts; actively changing the negative thought to a positive one; or practicing affirmations. Take it up a notch and pick a body part that you can accept and sing your praises to it. Like the arch of your foot? Write an ode to it. How about appreciating the strength of your legs? Compose a poem. Be silly, have fun, play. Just do what it takes to shift your focus to appreciation. Even the most hyper-critical of us can find something to be proud of.
 4.Remember -- diet is still "die" with a "t". Instead of going on yet another diet, take the time to educate yourself about healthy eating. Invest in a good nutritionist -- do a thorough inventory of your eating and exercise habits. If you find you need professional intervention, take action now! Don't wait! Help is out there. Visit the National Eating Disorder Association's website: www.nationaleatingdisorders.org for more information.
 5.Practice conscious consumption. Want to know why these unrealistic standards of perfection continue? The answer lies with us. Societal pressures do exist, but who makes up the society? We do. Who keeps buying the fashion magazines, watching the TV shows? We do. Who keeps falling for the myth that there is something wrong with us? We do. Peer pressure and negative influences exist, but who needs to be responsible for this? We do. If we still choose to view, buy or read the media yet continually feel less than, we need to be responsible for that. We are the ones who keep comparing ourselves. The media can only impact us if we let it. We need to develop a critical eye and practice conscious consumption. Then one day, if we all truly love and accept ourselves the way we are, the media will change too.
 6.Take a stand! Get involved, start a movement, make a difference! Don't tolerate criticism in yourself or others. Say something about it when your friends complain about their bodies. Definitely say something when you hear others make derogatory comments about others' bodies! We dislike the standards that exist, yet we fall into another trap of keeping those standards in place when we negatively remark on a Hollywood star having (gasp!) cellulite. The next time you see cellulite on a star, celebrate! Write a powerful letter to the media outlet that criticized them. Be an advocate for change.

Let's draw the line in the sand this summer and make the pledge to break free from the Comparison Trap. We can set our own standards for body image and perfection. We can embrace all of us -- our scars, wrinkles, droops, muscle, beauty and wonder.

Now, I ask you, what are you waiting for?
© 2010 Kristen Moeller, author of Waiting for Jack: Confessions of a Self-Help Junkie: How to Stop Waiting and Start Living Your Life

Author Bio
Kristen Moeller, MS, is the bestselling author of Waiting for Jack: Confessions of a Self-Help Junkie: How to Stop Waiting and Start Living Your Life. As a coach, speaker, and radio show host, Kristen delights in "disrupting the ordinary" and inspiring others to do the same. She first discovered her passion for personal development in 1989 after recovering from an eating disorder and addiction

Kristen is also the founder of the Chick-a-go Foundation -- a not-for-profit that provides "pay it forward" scholarships for life altering training programs reaching people who otherwise cannot afford such opportunities.

When she is not actively making a difference in the world, she thrives in the beauty of Colorado and enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, riding her horse or just spending time reading or relaxing in her magical, solar-powered house on the side of a mountain with two large dogs, an ornery cat and her best friend and husband of 15 years.

For more information please visit www.waitingforjack.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Overages & Money Makers

Part of the WUC Virtual Class System
Have you ever been paid to shop? I know you’re probably rolling your eyes right now, thinking another one of those ‘too good to be true’ kind of deals. Well, I was honestly right there with you years ago. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that some deals can be so good that literally you will come out ahead!! The very idea of walking into a store, paying nothing AND then earning a little bit for next time is so foreign most people don’t even believe it’s possible. I’m here to tell you it happens, although not all that often!

An overage is the difference between an item's actual value and the coupon's face value. For example, let’s say you have a packet of tuna that’s on sale for $.50, and you have a coupon for $1. That’s a strange thing, right? What do you do? Well many stores will honor the $1 coupon even though the item only costs $.50!!! That means by simply using that coupon, you will earn $.50. Now when I say ‘earn’ the stores generally never give you money back, but what they do allow, is for you to get something additional that is $.50 and pay nothing!!

So, imagine a scenario where you have twenty $.50 coupons for tuna. You are earning a $.50 credit for each one off your bill simply by redeeming the coupon. After using twenty coupons, you have a $10 credit towards anything in the store! I go buy meat, chicken and other essentials that never have coupons and pay nothing! This is an important concept with overages. You must find things to ‘eat up’ the credit you have built up. The last thing you want is to get to the register and have a negative total. They zero it out and you lose the overage! Overages are rare, but they do happen. Another important thing to remember is that an overage is a privilege not a right. Stores can adjust down the coupon which results in a free item READ MORE HERE

Free Biggest Loser Workout Mix Download Volume 2 From Subway

Subway is offering a free Biggest Loser Workout Mix Volume 2 music download. Included are Need You Now by Lady Antebellum, What Do You Want From Me by Adam Lambert, Telephone by Lady Gaga, and more. This offer is available for a limited time while supplies last
Down Load 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.

The Demise of the Dinner Party?

I have been accused more than once of being a regressive throwback. (In fact, I’m thinking that would be a great title for a new book: “Confessions of a Regressive Throwback”. Hmmmm. . .) This is mostly because I’ve been a stay at home wife and mom my entire married life, and I have a pretty old-fashioned point of view about home and family. But recently I became aware of another way in which I’m apparently outdated.

I like dinner parties. I love to throw them, and I enjoy attending them, too. But it seems that I’m in the minority. During a discussion with girlfriends a few weeks ago, I found that they all had a terror of this kind of entertaining. And when I stopped to think about it, I realized that for years, I have been almost the only person in my circle to host dinner.

My mom used to throw wonderful dinner parties. She was a great cook, and she loved to entertain. I fondly remember her preparations, making the house spotless and bringing out her best dishes, working so that each and every other guest would feel welcome and comfortable.

I love that part of the process, too. Planning the menu, setting the table, cooking the food. . it’s all so much fun.

And of course the actual dinner is always enjoyable, too. The conversation allows everyone to get better acquainted. I always learn something new and come away with an increased respect for my guests.

Following my mother’s example, it was only natural that I wanted to host my own parties after I was married. I remember making a big spaghetti dinner for my college friends who were still living in dorms as well as for my husband’s fellow Army officers at officers’ basic training. I barely knew how to cook, and we had the tiniest of kitchens, with only two burners and an oven whose pilot light went out every time I closed the door too hard. But that didn’t matter—it was the company and the effort!

After we moved to Hawaii and were settled in the Army, I loved to entertain our friends, most of whom were young unmarried officers, homesick and tired of eating fast food or sandwiches. We couldn’t afford anything fancy, but we served dinner with love and friendship, and that’s what made it memorable.

Sharing a meal with friends old or new is a wonderful way to get to know them better or to deepen an existing relationship. The dinner table is the perfect place to share intellectual conversation or even old family stories.

So are you intrigued? Ready to try it out? May I share a few tips that I picked up over the years from my mother’s and my own experiences?

First: Plan. As my friends Lee and Amy say, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Choose a menu with dishes that are simple and familiar to you. This is not the time to try an elaborate new recipe! Anything that you can make ahead of time is a great option. Think about serving a simple appetizer for when your guests arrive. This can be as easy as fresh marinated mozzarella cheese and tomatoes or even crackers and sliced cheese. Also, plan a dessert of some sort, even if it’s just fruit or even if you must buy it at the bakery. Ending the meal right after the entrée can feel awkward. And even if all your guests don’t drink coffee, it’s a nice gesture to have some available for those who do.

Second: Make your guest list with care. Try to invite a mix of people, both those who are more outgoing and talkative as well as those who are a little quieter. You don’t have to invite too many people; more intimate parties are sometimes much nicer. Invite your guests with care and with little fanfare: simply ask them if they’d like to join your family for dinner on the chosen night. Give them the time and be sure to ask if there are any food allergies or specific preferences. Also be clear about whether or not children are included in your invitation. Kids can certainly make a dinner party fun, but if you choose to make this an adult-only affair, give parents plenty of time to find a sitter.

Third: Don’t stress over your house. Certainly you should try to make sure everything is as clean as possible; dusting and vacuuming seems like a minimum of effort to me. I like to clear all the clutter of life out of the way before my guests arrive, and I also try to light mildly scented candles. Don’t forget the restroom; make sure it’s clean and that you have a pretty hand towel near your sink.

Fourth: Pace yourself. Plan plenty of time for all your cooking. Try to set the table ahead of time if you can. Lay out serving dishes and utensils. This will all work together so that when your guests arrive, you’ll be cool and relaxed, not hot and frazzled.

Remember that the most important element of any successful social gathering is the comfort level of the host and hostess. If you are obviously comfortable and relaxed, your company will feel at home. They may not remember your fabulous frittata or your succulent squash, but they will recall a good time with friends. And that’s whole point after all.



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

Out of the Mouth of babes

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


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

Recipes That Make You Feel Better

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Nam Chinese Noodles with Tofu or Chicken

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

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

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

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

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

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

Toss the cooked, drained noodles with the sauce.

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

Makes 1 serving

With tofu

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

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

With chicken

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

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

Couscous with Zucchini and Chicken

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

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

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

Makes 1 serving

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

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

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

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

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

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

Paul is Undead Blog Tour

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Who needs a Vacay?

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

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

Take Control of your Clutter Review & Ebook Giveaway!

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

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

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

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

Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives Book Tour

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

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

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



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

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

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



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