Week 3 of my One of One by Tony Horton Review & Giveaway

Week three of my review of the One on One by Tony Horton work out series.

Bikini season is around the corner and the people from Beach Body gave me the opportunity to review Tony Horton's newest DVD set. He's the guy behind Power 90, P90X, and 10 minute trainer.
Anyway, they are also allowing me to give away a complete 13 disc set to a Taking Time for Mommy reader, a value of $239.40!!

Week 3's review is of the disc Killer Abs -
This is 30 minutes of straight Ab work. If you don't get killer abs from this there is no hope for you. Yes it hurt, yes it burned but since 2 people have recently asked me if I were pregnant (which I AM NOT!!) I had the motivation to finish. I will keep doing this & I will be back to my hot beach body soon and so can you.

Buy One on One HERE

This is closed to comments. To Enter, Head over HERE

Giveaways Galore April 2 - 9th

Here is our Weekly Linky. I won 2 contests last week, how about you? I'm asking other Bloggers to put there Giveaways here for my readers. They will go in Monday's newsletter!

Aging Gracefully

They say with age comes wisdom… and wrinkles. I'll take the wisdom but whoever "they" are can have the wrinkles.

I believe that beauty evolves as we age. I’ve faced the fact that as a 33 yr old woman who has had 2 children, I will never look 20 again. Nor should I want to. That being said, we should still take care of ourselves and age as well as we can. I'm trying.

A few things we can do that will help - Taking in the proper nutrition, getting exercise, and hydrating yourself can erase years off of your body. Not partaking in damaging habits such as smoking or heavily drinking also help. Staying out of the sun or tanning beds and constantly using SPF foundations or lotions will help slow the inevitable facial lines we all get.

Unfortunately these lines are inevitable, they will come. I’m not vain but I do care how I look. I have no problem with plastic surgery as long as you don’t go overboard but that really isn’t the route I want to go, at least now yet, give me another 20 yrs. I want something a little more subtle.

I did find a procedure from a Dermatologist in Los Angeles called Restylane injections. I looked it on WebMD to see what they said. “Restylane is a dermal filler designed to smooth away wrinkles and folds”. It doesn’t paralyze, I mean relax your face like Botox.

Sounds right up my ally! I found more information on Restylane Injections in Los Angeles; they have a lot of articles explaining everything. I’ve definitely added this as an option!

Now if only I can talk hubby into a LA vay-cay.....

Quick, Healthy, Springtime Dishes -- Featuring Herbs!

By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich,
Author of Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy: A Feast of 175 Regional Recipes

The use of fresh herbs has exploded in the American kitchen today. I recall that as a young apprentice in Italy -- at my great-aunt's apron strings -- for every herb we had in the garden, there seemed to be a pot on the stove to match.

Some herbs were better to cook with while others were better added at the end to a finished dish. For example, rosemary, bay leaves and thyme are mostly used for long cooking where their oils are extracted slowly out of their leaves. Sage, oregano and marjoram need very little cooking time, and herbs such as basil, parsley and mint are great to toss in raw at the end -- just enough to release their refreshing aromas.

If you have small children a wonderful way to introduce them to the enticing aromas of herbs is to gently crush the herbs in your hands and let them smell. I did this with my grandchildren when they were very small and it's a great way to get them excited about the world of herbs and food at an early age.

In fact, once you get your small children excited about herbs, introduce them to your own dishes. Here I'm sharing some of the quickest, and most child-friendly. Enjoy!

HERB PESTO
Makes 1 ½ cups

* 1 cup packed fresh Italian parsley leaves
* ½ cup packed fresh basil leaves
* ½ cup packed mixed fresh sage, thyme, and marjoram leaves
* 4 garlic cloves, peeled
* 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
* Salt

Wash the herb leaves in cool water and dry them thoroughly, preferably in a salad spinner. Combine the herbs and garlic in a blender and blend on low speed, slowly adding the oil while the machine is running, until the pesto is smooth and all the oil is incorporated. Add salt to taste.

Keep in a sealed jar in the refrigerator and use as needed. Pesto will keep refrigerated for up to 4 weeks or it may be frozen for up to 3 months. Make sure there is a thin film of oil over the pesto to keep its flavor and color bright.

HERB FRITTATA
Serves 2 as an appetizer, 1 as a lunch dish
From "Lidia's Family Table" (Alfred A. Knopf, 2004)

* 2 large eggs
* 2 tablespoons milk
* ¼ teaspoon salt
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
* 1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
* 1 teaspoon butter
* 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

Whisk the eggs, milk, salt, and fresh herbs until just blended together.

Heat the butter and oil in the small frying pan until it just starts to sizzle, then pour in the eggs and turn the heat down very low. Cook gently for 3 to 4 minutes. The eggs will start to puff up and sizzle at the edges. Lift a corner of the frittata with a spatula, and check to see if the bottom has browned in splotches. When it has, flip the frittata over by giving the pan a firm, quick shake up and over toward you so that the egg mass dislodges and flips over in one piece. Or, if that unnerves you, turn the frittata over with a spatula. Cook the second side for 1 ½ to 2 minutes, again checking to see if the bottom has browned to your liking. Serve right away, or let cool to room temperature and cut the frittata in wedges.

BAKED FISH WITH SAVORY BREAD CRUMBS
Serves 6

Landlocked Umbria does not have a seafood cuisine. But its mountain lakes, rivers, and streams abound in freshwater fish, like the tasty tench. This simple preparation is one I found in Umbria, and it is excellent for fillets of our sweet-water varieties, such as carp or whitefish, or even light ocean-fish fillets like sole.

* 2 pounds whitefish fillets
* ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
* 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
* Juice of a large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
* ½ cup white wine
* 6 plump garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
* ½ cup fine dry bread crumbs
* Zest of a large lemon (about 2 teaspoons)
* 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
* ½ teaspoon dried oregano
* ¼ teaspoon peperoncino flakes, or to taste, chopped fine
* Fresh lemon slices, for serving

Recommended equipment: A 4-quart shallow rectangular baking dish; a heavy-bottomed skillet or saute pan, 12-inch diameter or larger, with a cover.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Lightly salt the fish on both sides, using about ¼ teaspoon salt in all. Pour 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, the lemon juice, white wine, and another ¼ teaspoon salt into the baking dish, and whisk together well. Drop in the garlic cloves, and stir with the dressing. Lay the fillets in the dish, turn and swish them in the dressing so both sides are thoroughly moistened, and arrange them, skin side down, in one layer.

Toss the bread crumbs in a bowl with the lemon zest, parsley, oregano, chopped peperoncino, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. Drizzle with the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, and toss the crumbs well until evenly moistened with oil.

Spoon the seasoned bread crumbs on top of the fillets in a light, even layer. Bake, uncovered, until the crumbs are crisp and golden and the fish is cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Lift the fish out with a spatula, and set on a warm platter to serve family-style, or on individual plates. Spoon over it the juices left in the baking dish, and serve right away, with lemon slices on the side.

© 2010 Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, authors of Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy: A Feast of 175 Regional Recipes
Author Bio
Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, coauthor of Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy: A Feast of 175 Regional Recipe, is the author of five previous books, four of them accompanied by nationally syndicated public television series. She is the owner of the New York City restaurant Felidia (among others), and she lectures on and demonstrates Italian cooking throughout the country. She lives on Long Island, and can be reached at her Web site, www.LidiasItaly.com.

ABC Ties Review & Giveaway

Closed #10 tracyo congrats!
My husband is very hard to please when it comes to fashion so I took my time browsing through the ties ABC ties and they have a lot of ties to choose from!
I found him the perfect tie that he loved. It got me thinking about gifts for my Father in law, Dad, brothers, Uncles, you see where I going with this...
Father's Day isn't that far away, especially when I can get a great deal now!




This is the tie that my hubby got, the Alexander Fashion Silk Tie and we love it.
They also have some awesome novelty ties!

Buy it!
ABC Ties
They are having a 15% off sale right now
& Free Shipping on all orders!

Win It
ABC Ties is offering a reader of
Taking Time for Mommy a tie of their choice!

Main Entry - Go to ABC ties and pick out which tie you'd like to win.

Entra Entry - Follow ABC Ties on Twitter @ABCNeckties
Extra Entry - Follow ABC Neckties on Facebook
Extra Entry - Follow Taking Time for Mommy on Twitter HERE
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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

Giveaway will end on April 11th at 11:59pm. The winners 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. & Canadian residents 18+ only.

Disclosure - A product was given for my honest opinion, no other compensation was given.I learned about this opportunity from The Product Review Place.

Top 10 List for Hiring a Babysitter & Giveaway!

Hiring a babysitter can be a confusing task. There are so many things to consider as you face the task of selecting someone to care for your children in your absence, and you want to find the perfect fit between the babysitter and your family. Here are some of the most important things for you to consider when selecting a new babysitter for your children.

1. The babysitter should be able to relate easily and bond well with your children while maintaining a clear distinction from them. Babysitters must be able to play with and enjoy your children (which can often be construed by the child as peer-level interaction) while also maintaining discipline. It is easy for a babysitter (and a parent) to feel more comfortable in one role or the other: to be most comfortable being friends with the children, or to be most comfortable supervising the children and redirecting their errant behaviors.

2. The babysitter must be able to relate with your family and administer discipline to your children in a manner that is appropriate and consistent with your family’s boundaries. If you have a prospective babysitter that uses social isolation (sending a child to his/her room, for example) as a method of behavior modification, and you are not comfortable with that method of behavior modification, then the prospective babysitter may not be a good fit for your family.

3. The babysitter should ideally have years of experience, solid references from prior employer-families, a clean background (pursuant to background checks), and completed training on babysitter basics (CPR, first aid, the Heimlich maneuver, basic nutrition and food preparation, and general personal and home hygiene). You can obtain background checks through Care4hire.com. The babysitter should not represent a risk to your children in any way; thus, in addition to the foregoing, the babysitter should be current on his/her vaccinations.

4. If you need your babysitter to drive, then your babysitter should have a valid driver’s license, a clean (or as close to clean as possible) driving record and a reliable car.

5. The babysitter should be able to develop and carry out fun, creative, and educational experiences for your child.

6. The babysitter should be willing and able to comply with your rules about what constitutes appropriate television viewing, when s/he may use his/her cellular telephone while babysitting, when s/he may use your telephone for his/her own purposes while babysitting, when s/he may have friends over while babysitting, etc.

7. The babysitter should be capable of handling small “crises” on his/her own. You and your babysitter should come to an agreement about what issues may warrant a call to you and what issues the babysitter is authorized to handle on his/her own. Your babysitter should be able to act comfortably within the boundaries you have provided.

8. The babysitter’s expectations regarding terms and conditions of employment should be close to the terms and conditions of employment that you are offering. If you wish to hire a babysitter in a smoking home, a non-smoking prospective babysitter may not be a good fit for your family. Pay rates for babysitters should be discussed up front to ensure that the prospective babysitters are willing to work for the income you offer.

9. The babysitter should not have fears or concerns about the non-negotiable aspects of the job with your family. If you have a cat, and your prospective babysitter is severely allergic to cats, the prospective babysitter may not be a good fit for your family. (Side note: some allergic reactions can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications or other accommodations that may be used by the allergic babysitter.) If the prospective babysitter is unable to work specific hours or days and you need your babysitter to attend to your children on those days or in those hours, then the prospective babysitter may not be a good fit for your family.

10. The babysitter should be a positive, loving influence in your household.

Care4Hire is offering 1 lucky Taking Time for Mommy Reader a Gift Certificate for a free membership ($34.99 retail value) to Care4hire.com; gives you 1 month to login and contact caregivers.

Care4hire.com is an online database for families and caregivers to search babysitters, housekeepers, tutors, elder/companion care, pet sitters and other miscellaneous service. A free preview of available caregivers is available to families. Whether you need a caregiver for a few hours to a few days, you will find it at Care4hire.com. Once you are a registered member, you will be given immediate access to caregiver through email and phone.

Giveaway will end on April 25th at 11:59pm. The winners 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 18+ only.

Disclosure - No other compensation was given.

Main Entry - Tell me how much you'd love this service!

Extra Entry - Follow Taking Time for Mommy on Twitter HERE
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

Priorities, Priorities!

True story time: last week, I was sitting at the kitchen table working with my son on his math lesson. One of my daughters called urgently; she was in the powder room, and someone had not replaced the last roll of tissue! I hurried off toward my own bathroom where we store the extras. On my way there, I passed through my bedroom, saw my computer sitting on my desk and was reminded of an email that I needed to send. And just like that, I very nearly veered off to do that, momentarily forgetting both my current mission and my son’s math lesson!

I know I’m not alone. Other women have shared with me their stories. I know I’m not the only one who begins one task and is distracted by another, and then another. . .who among us has not left one room with an arm full of items to return to their rightful places and then finds something else that needs doing in the destination room?

It’s all a mater of priorities, isn’t it? This has been on my mind a great deal lately. Like most women, I juggle many roles in life. I’m a wife and a mommy. I handle our household finances. I do the grocery shopping and the meal planning. I’m in charge of homeschooling, planning and implementing lessons. I handle some of the housework, although I’m blessed to have children who give more than their fair share in that category. I’m also a writer, and the need to get words onto paper can sometimes be overwhelming—not even mentioning my writing commitments. In some seasons of life, I am involved in ministry, although right now is not one of those seasons. Do you also wear so many hats that you sometimes forget which one is on your head at any given time?

How do we choose what is best? That’s a hard question because the answer can shift from moment to moment. On Monday mornings, for example, my top priority usually needs to be school lessons, since that is our most intense day. It’s hard to walk past baskets of clothes that have to be folded and carpets that should be vacuumed on the way to the schoolroom, but I know it must be done. Those things are still important, but they don’t have top billing on Mondays.

I’m working right now on remembering that sometimes play takes priority. Not when all the work is done; if I waited for that, I’d never do it. No, sometimes the most important thing in the world is playing cards with my son, or swimming with the girls, or just hanging out watching a movie with the whole family.

I once had a small calendar that asked a question next to each to-do item: “Is this moving me closer to my goals?” There are plenty of people who would look at some of my choices and shake their collective heads. Homeschooling my kids doesn’t get me farther ahead on the career track. Playing doesn’t make my house sparkle. Writing columns doesn’t (always) pay the bills. But the truth is that each of these things are important—and yes, they are moving me close to my goal of raising happy, healthy, well-adjusted children and getting through it with my sanity intact.

So yes, prioritize your life—make sure you get the important stuff done. Just don’t forget to ask yourself what that important stuff really is.



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. She is also a staff writer here at Taking Time for Mommy

Unique Ways to Decorate Your Easter Eggs

No matter how you choose to decorate your Easter eggs it is always a fun experience. However if you are looking to change up your eggs from basic dyed eggs to something really different we have some tips for you. Dyeing Easter eggs does not mean that you are stuck simply dropping your hard-boiled eggs into dye. You can take any number of methods and use them to make your eggs really special. Best of all this can be a great project with your kids or you can invite family and friends over to turn your Easter egg decorating into a party. So if you are getting ready for Easter here are some unique ways to decorate your Easter eggs-

* Layer it on-You can put several rubber bands or stickers on your uncolored egg and then begin dyeing it. After a few dips into color remove some of the rubber bands or stickers and then dye again. The result is a multi-tonal and layered effect with the colored dye.

* Rubber cement your eggs-This technique is similar to using wax or crayons on your hard boiled eggs but is much more simple to do. Just layer on some rubber cement in areas of the egg that you want to not be dyed. When the egg is colored the way you want it to simply peel off the rubber cement for a unique effect.

* Birthday candles and Easter eggs really do mix-You can use the small birthday candles to decorate your eggs. For a fun polka dot effect simply light some multi-colored birthday candles. Once the candles are dripping wax you can use them to make polka dots all over your eggs for a fresh springtime look.

* Marbling your eggs-This is another easy technique that can have your eggs looking spectacular! After mixing your egg dyes simply spray in a generous amount of cooking spray on top of the dye. When you are dying your eggs they will emerge from the color with a beautiful marbled effect.

* Glitter and sprinkle your eggs-This is a no dye method that leaves you with unique Easter eggs. Spray your eggs with adhesive and roll them carefully through the glitter. You can also use cake decorating sprinkles to make your eggs look extra delicious however it is recommended that you use this method for blown out eggs since spray glue is not considered edible.

* Stencil it on-There are also many stencils that can be used to decorate your eggs. Basically the stencil must be small enough to fit up against the egg. You can then use a sponge, small paint brush or marker to decorate your Easter eggs. When you are finished carefully pull away the stencil to reveal your masterpiece.

* Dress your eggs in style-There is no reason to stop with the everyday when it comes to decorating these Easter ovids. You can add feathers, fur and pieces from a boa to dress up your eggs. Simply cut some small pieces that will fit onto the egg. You will need some patience though since gluing on feather and boa pieces can be time-consuming. The result is well worth it however with one of a kind Easter eggs.

* Make your eggs the centerpiece-You can really dress up your eggs with edible paste. Simply combine 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar with 1 cup of water to. You can use the paste as an adhesive to attach edible sugar flowers to your Easter eggs and display them on a dessert buffet. Edible sugar flowers can be purchased from a local bakery or are carried at some craft stores.

Looking for more Easter activities? visit http://www.easterbunnyfun.net/ for crafts, coloring pages, recipes, poems, and the opportunity to share your best Easter memories.

Source

Are Growing Pains Real?

Do you have a child that wakes up screaming in the middle of the night? Children under the age of ten often experience a condition know as 'growing pains'. Many people do not believe in this mysterious pain, but many others do believe in it. Growing pains are not a disease and right now there is no evidence to support the fact that some people say their children are experiencing these pains. Do not just brush your child off when they are complaining about them, however. Simply comforting them and doing little things like massaging their legs or putting heat packs on their legs may be all they need to soothe the pain.

By the time children reach their teenage years, the growing pains typically stop. It is important to recognize that not every child will experience this phenomenon. However, sometimes growing pains are evidence of another underlying condition that is quite serious.

What are growing pains?

Growing pains normally reside in the legs and they cause the legs to throb and ache. Some children describe them as cramping in the legs similar to the pain you experience from tight muscles or a 'Charlie horse.' The pain typically happens in both legs and it can be intense, causing the child to wake up crying in the middle of the night. Headaches and abdominal cramping often are part of the pain they experience with the leg pains. The pain occurs in the middle of the night or in the early evening.

How to treat growing pains

Although many people do not believe that growing pains exist, they are very real to children that have a mysterious pain in their legs. Parents can treat this condition by doing the following:

* Exercise. One of the best ways to help relieve the pain in the legs is to encourage exercise. Make sure your children are getting plenty of exercise each day in order to keep the body growing properly. Exercise also helps to get the mind off the pain they may be feeling and the soreness they will experience will come from exercise.

* Massage their legs. Another thing you can do to help relieve the pain in their legs is to start massaging their legs each day before they go to bed. A gentle massage is a great way to reassure them that you are always going to be there for them and you will try to take away their pain.
* Hold them. Sometimes children just need to be held. While they aren't babies anymore, having a little time to cuddle up in your arms is a reassuring way to show them you care.

* Stretching. Another great way to relieve the pain in the legs is to teach your children how to stretch their legs. Stretching helps to keep the muscles limber and loose, allowing them to experience less pain when they are exercising. Make stretching part of your daily routine and encourage your children to stretch with you each morning and each evening before bedtime.

* Warm bath. Laying in a warm bath can relieve muscle pain. Heat is a great way to soothe sore muscles. Use a heating pad if they wake up in the middle of the night with growing pains. Just make sure you turn it off once your child falls asleep.

* Pain relievers. If nothing else seems to work, try using a mild pain reliever. Tylenol is a great pain reliever for muscle pain.


Should you consult a doctor?

If your child has persistent pain and it lasts longer than 24 hours, see a doctor. There may be a serious problem. Always see a doctor if the pain is caused from an injury like a fall on the playground. Swelling, redness, tenderness, limping, and other signs are symptoms of a serious condition and you should seek medical attention.

This article is not meant to replace the advice of a medical professional

Visit http://www.surfnetparents.com for more For more parenting advice and ideas

Source

Six Secrets of Organized Moms

A mom often wears many hats, taxi driver, cook, housekeeper, bread-winner, shoulder to cry on, and more. So, how does mom juggle it all? The following are six secrets of organized moms to help make things easier:

1. Routines. Organized moms serve dinner at the same time each night, have strict bed times, have after school routines with homework and socializing. If you want to be an organized mom, you have to have a routine you stick to. This might mean that you get your child up at the same time each day, and expect them to get dressed and make their bed before they come in to breakfast. You may have a few different routines, such as your morning routine, your after school and evening routine, and your weekend routine. A routine helps you, the mom, keep things on track, and helps your children to know what to expect, and what is expected of them.

2. Meal plans. Organized moms do not spend extra time in the grocery store, or standing in front of the refrigerator trying to determine what to prepare that night. Organized moms take a few minutes once a week to create a meal plan for the week. Monday: Soup, Tuesday: Chicken, Wednesday: Pizza, Thursday: Hamburgers, and the list goes on. The idea is that if you know what you are going to make you can be prepared throughout the day. For example, if you are going to roast a chicken for dinner, you will need to get it out of the freezer in the morning in order for it to be defrosted by dinner time.

3. Rules. Organized moms have rules or guidelines for their families. They may be simple like dinner is at 5:30. Or they may be more complex like, no friends, television, or snacking until your homework is completed. A mom can't keep the whole family organized without some participation, so rules, and guidelines are helpful. Make them clear, and enforce them.

4. Time off. An organized mom does not let herself get overly stressed, or overwhelmed because she knows when to say no, when to de-stress, and when to take a break. She knows that when she is starting to lose her cool, that letting dad take the kids to McDonald's rather than fixing a nice meal, is sometimes better, even if it is not the healthiest option. The organized mom knows when she needs a break, and figures out how to take one.

5. Organized home. The organized mom has an organized home. She creates a place for everything so that school mornings are not spent hastily trying to find shoes, backpacks, pens that work, etc. Instead, everything has a place, and the kids know where things go, and contribute by being sure to put their backpack on the hook, in the cubby, or whatever the case may be, the night before.

6. Back-up plans. Organized moms always plan ahead, and prepare for the worst. They carry a spare outfit, some cash, and phone numbers of friends and family, just in case. They take things in stride. So, for example, if your tire goes flat while driving, and it is your day to do carpool, the organized mom has the numbers of the other carpool moms on hand, and knows which ones can typically swap days. So, have a back up plan.

Beverly Frank is a stay-at-home mom and writer. For more parenting tips, visit http://www.surfnetparents.com.


Source

2nd Disk Review & Giveaway!

Week two of my review of the One on One by Tony Horton work out series.

Bikini season is around the corner and the people from Beach Body gave me the opportunity to review Tony Horton's newest DVD set. He's the guy behind Power 90, P90X, and 10 minute trainer.
Anyway, they are also allowing me to give away a complete 13 disc set to a Taking Time for Mommy reader, a value of $239.40!!

The 2nd disc is Power 90 Road warrior.
Once again Tony is a great motivator and not annoying like so many t.v. trainers.It's just you, a power band and the floor. This is done in a Power 90 circuit format and is a handy one if you’re on the road. You’re also going for max reps, not the typical 8-12 rule. Like Tony says, change is good! I'm sore but I have better flexibility than I've had in awhile!

Buy It - Can't wait until April 11 and need to buy it now? Head on over to Beachbody.com

Win It - One lucky reader of TTFM will win the complete 13 disc set! Mandatory entry!!Just head over to Beadybody.com and check out the site and their great products. Head back over here and tell me a success story, a product, or a service they offer. Good Luck!

This is closed to comments. To Enter, Head over HERE
I've added more ways for you to win!!

Longer Thicker Lashes Naturally

Women want sexy lashes, they are a symbol of femininity. I know I do. We even go as far as buying fake lashes or using special mascaras to make them thicker and longer looking. There are a few different products to assist in helping grow your eyelashes like Latisse and Rapidlash, they can get a bit pricey, especially when you can do it naturally and quite inexpensively.

1. Improve your diet – With proper nutrition your nails, hair, and eyelashes grow faster. Also make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Hydrating your body is great for you, all the way to your eyelashes. If they aren’t hydrated properly they break and fall out.

2. Keep them lubricated. The regular application of Vaseline has been known to make them grow. Use a small makeup brush to apply. You can also use Vitamin E oil, it has been known to stimulate growth and sooth irritation.

3. Remove your eye makeup at night, especially mascara. It can make your lashes brittle and break. Eye shadows can clog the pores your eyelashes grow from. By removing the makeup and giving your pours time to breath, it accelerates the growth of your eyelashes.

4. Trim your eyelashes. Yes I know this sounds crazy and you’d think it would be counterproductive but just like trimming your hair, it stimulates growth. Just remember to only trim the tips.

Remember to use caution when applying products or doing things around the delicate eye area to avoid possible injury.

Edit -It was brought to my attention that Vaseline can clog the pours - I've never had a problem but I think it's important you know.

Spring Plantings (with coupons)

We've been working hard in our yard. Freshening up our landscaping, planting fruit trees, and getting our veggies in the ground and in our veggie bins. We have several peppers, carrots, radishes, beans, several different types of lettuces and herbs. Fruits such as strawberries, thornless blackberry, a couple of different varies of grapes, papaya, figs, keylimes, limes, loquat, and many many blueberry plants!

I'm extremely excited! We haven't even gotten to the okra and corn, that should be this weekend. Yes, we've been very busy! We intend on planting a lot more! We have a large urban garden every season.


We use these totes for things like carrots, tomatoes, radishes, and lettuces.
You actually mix mud or concrete in these but we use them in our garden. Easy to move in and out of the shade. I guess these would also be good if you rented too.

We usually buy all of our pretty flowers and veggies seeds from Homedepot.
I found some Home Depot Promotional Codes for you! I'm hoping to talk my hubby
into some new patio furniture! They had free shipping on it.

Here are some more promotional codes for all types of great products!

The Ten Commandments Of Parenting Teenagers

By Joanne Kimes and R.J. Colleary with Rebecca Rutledge, PhD,

Authors of Teenagers Suck: What to do when missed curfews, texting, and "Mom can I have the keys?" make you miserable

As we all know and regret deeply, kids aren't born with instruction manuals informing us of the intricacies of how they work. As parents, our only option is to learn as we go. When our kids were babies, we learned to nap when they napped, to put valuables up on the high shelves, and that m&ms make excellent bribing tools when potty training. But now that your baby is no longer a baby (although he still may act that way from time to time), there is a whole new set of instructions to learn.

Parenting a teenager is a fulltime job, because being a teenager is also a fulltime job. Sure, they may busy themselves with school, sports, and text-messaging, but their true raison-d'etre is to perpetuate their teenager-ness 24/7. Which means while you are slacking off doing things like breathing and living, your teenagers are doing things like plotting and scheming. (They will throw in some sleeping as well, what with being teenagers and all.) Because their lives are all about them, and yours is all about working, cooking, cleaning, paying the taxes, and still finding time for Dancing With The Stars, they have the upper hand.

Were you ever a lifeguard? Me neither. As Woody Allen once said, I don't tan; I stroke. But as any lifeguard will tell you, the biggest threat to their personal safety is not a riptide or a shark. It's a swimmer in trouble. Yes, the very person they are dedicated to help will, in their own panic and hysteria, threaten to destroy them both. Sound familiar? That's because you're the parent of a teenager.

When babies, your children caused you to become sleep deprived, overwhelmed, and drink excessively. Now that they're older, they still cause you to become sleep deprived, overwhelmed, and drink excessively. As you've heard, the more things change, the more they stay the same, and that holds true for parenting as well. So how do you survive? How do you get through each day with the constant screaming, crying and demands (I'm talking about from your teens, not your babies). You follow the rules of course. For as lost as you may feel parenting your teens, there are some guidelines to follow to help you keep your sanity. Or, what's left of your sanity after parenting for so many years.

Therefore, to help you deal with your troublesome teen, keep the following rules in mind:

The Ten Commandments Of Parenting Teenagers

1. You are always right. And if you're not always right, it's because your parents messed you up when you were a kid
2. Praise in public, criticize in private. Most people do the opposite. Don't be like most people.
3. Yes, you do have to tell them a thousand times. Stop counting and get over it. Now tell them again.
4. Your teens are smarter than you think, and stronger than you realize. So don't go acting all superior just because you have wrinkles and credit cards.
5. Remember they are growing up a lot faster than you did. Advantage, you. Growing up fast is way overrated.
6. When they really screw up is when they need you most. If your parents comforted you in those situations, remember how good it felt? And if they didn't, remember how much worse it made you feel?
7. Their defeats are 50% yours, but their victories are 100% theirs. Not exactly sure what that means, it showed up in a fortune cookie. But it feels true.
8. Remind yourself, they won't be teenagers forever. Someday you will look back on these years and laugh. Definitely. Probably. Maybe.
9. Love them enough to let them hate you. Don't be their friend. Be their parent. Friends come and go. You're all-in.
10. Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you bleed internally.
11. (Bonus Commandment) You can do this.

If you keep these commandments in mind, you'll be much better equipped to tread through the dangerous road of teenhood. These rules will enable you to survive the tough times filled with defiance, rebellion, and constant eye-rolling. Like anything else from working a remote control to getting through airport security, familiarizing yourself with the rules will makes things run much smoother (although I still manage to carry-on some forbidden article like one too many ounces of liquid, that sends me straight to the frisking area). Print out this list of commandments and keep it close. Stick it on the fridge for battles at home. Keep it in your wallet to for troubles on-the-go. And remember, if you can manage to get through this difficult stage of raising teenagers, in a few years when they move out, you'll be rewarded with a lovely spare bedroom to convert into your dream room!

Copyright © 2009 Joanne Kimes and R.J. Colleary with Rebecca Rutledge, PhD, authors of Teenagers Suck: What to do when missed curfews, texting, and "Mom can I have the keys?" make you miserable

Author Bios for Teenagers Suck: What to do when missed curfews, texting, and "Mom can I have the keys?" make you miserable
Joanne Kimes has written for a number of children's and comedy television shows. This is her eleventh Sucks book. She lives in Studio City, CA.

For more information please visit http://sucksandthecity.com/

R.J. Colleary attended Emerson College and moved to L.A. to become a writer for shows such as Saved by the Bell, The Golden Girls, and Benson. He teaches writing to graduate students at Chapman University and works steadily as a playwright. He has survived two teenagers and is currently surviving one more at home in Sherman Oaks, CA.

Rebecca Rutledge, PhD is a clinical psychologist who specializes in family therapy and individual therapy for children and adolescents. She writes columns for Your Health, Memphis Women's Journal, and the Shelby Sun Times, and lives in Memphis, TN.

Learn the Right Way to Wear Your Bra

By Carole Sowe
There are issues such as health, comfort and appearance concern when selecting a bra. It is important to get the right bra as they are part of an important body appearance of a woman which boosts her confidence, beauty and sex appeal. However, women often choose the wrong bra or often wear old bras that do not fit well anymore. It is good to invest in expensive good quality bras that will last longer and keep your breast in good shape as they have better support. It will prevent your breast from sagging or dropping in future, it will also tend to make your look slimmer and having the right posture.

When you first buy a new bra make sure you adjust the straps to the maximum length and lean forward into the cups and rest your breasts into the supports. Then, hook the bra on the middle hook and put the straps on. Position it by slipping a hand into the cup and lifting the breast to avoid pinching of the breast tissue. Lastly, tighten the straps lightly without cutting the skin.

There are several signs that you need to be aware of which shows that your bra is not right for you. There could be red marks on your shoulders or your bra cup might be little too small for your breast which cause your breasts to forced over the top of the cup. If your bras front band is falling down, this may be due to the wrong bra size. Get the right cup size and style which could cover more than half of your breasts. Make sure the center of your bra touch the breastbone. The band provides almost 80% of the bras support so make sure it sit firmly against your body so that it does not ride up or move around too much. If your straps keep sliding or slipping out make sure you tighten your straps or choose racer-back or other styles to make things easier.

If you have small bust, try a balcony style bra which could enhanced neckline and show off lovely curly shape. You will also be surprised that half-cup bras also flatter a smaller bust. You could also add padding at the sides and under the bust to give maximum lift.

Large bust women need wider shoulder and back straps to give better support. Full-cups also give better appearance as well as under wire bras which give good support under the bust.

You could actually destroy your bra if you were it for too many days without washing it. Never wash your bra with hot water. Try to separate bras and other clothes as they can be tangled up easily. Never try to dry bras in heat dryers.

Never buy a bra without trying them on as they might not be suitable or fit your well. Get a lingerie lady consultation as they are well-experienced in the field and could help you pick the right bra according to your busts size and what you want.

Good Luck!

I find body shape analysis is interesting because I am able to see the ladies transformation almost immediately. Click to read more about beauty tips

Source

Waste Not, Want Not" and Make it Delicious!

Waste Not, Want Not" and Make it Delicious!
By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali,
Author of Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy: A Feast of 175 Regional Recipes


There is no more appropriate time than now to think about how and why we cook. Food is a way of connecting with the people who surround us. Through it, we communicate emotions like love, compassion and understanding, and there is no better opportunity to communicate with our children than at the table. It's where we can discuss our values of life that are important to us as individuals, as a family and as a part of the world we live in.

As overconsumption and greed have come to haunt us, now is a time for reflection. We should be looking back at the generations before us to understand their approach to the table. Growing food, shepherding animals, foraging for the gifts of nature is all part of respecting food. Nothing needs to be wasted. Bread can be recycled and used in soups, casseroles, lasagnas and desserts. Water is carefully conserved as in the pasta recipe I share below where the same water in which vegetables are cooked is used to cook the pasta that follows, and then that is saved for soups or for making risotto.

When one respects the food we prepare, it also leads to a more sensible and balanced intake of proteins, legumes and vegetables.

So "waste not, want not" and make it delicious!

Excerpt from Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy (Alfred A. Knopf, 2009)

FRESH CAVATELLI WITH CAULIFLOWER
Maccarun ch'I Hiucc

Serves 6

Cauliflower is one of my favorite vegetables, and I regret that many people don't sufficiently appreciate its unique flavor and nutritional value. This is not the case in Molise, where it is cooked often and creatively, as exemplified by the following two simple vegetarian pasta dishes. The first recipe, maccarun ch'i hiucc, is zesty with garlic and peperoncino.

½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for the pasta pot

½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

7 plump garlic cloves, peeled and sliced

½ teaspoon peperoncino flakes, or to taste

2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley

1 large head cauliflower, cut in small florets

1 batch (1½ pounds) Fresh Cavatelli (preceding recipe), or 1 pound dried pasta

1 cup freshly grated pecorino (or half pecorino and half Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano, for a milder flavor)

Recommended equipment: A large pasta pot; a heavy-bottomed skillet or sauté pan, 12 inch diameter or larger


Fill the large pot with salted water (at least 6 quarts water with 1 tablespoon salt), and heat to a boil.

Pour the olive oil into the skillet, set over medium-high heat, and scatter in the sliced garlic. Let the garlic start to sizzle, then toss in the peperoncino and parsley; stir and cook for a minute. Ladle in a cup of the pasta cooking water, stir well, and adjust the heat to keep the liquid in the skillet simmering and reducing gradually while you cook the cauliflower and pasta.

With the pasta water at a rolling boil, drop in the cauliflower florets, and cook them for about 3 minutes, until barely tender. Drop in the cavatelli, stir, and return the water quickly to a boil. Cook another 4 to 5 minutes, until the cauliflower is fully tender and the pasta is al dente (if you are using dried pasta, it will, of course, take longer).

Lift out the florets and cavatelli with a spider or strainer, drain briefly, and spill them into the skillet. Toss well, to coat all the pasta and vegetable pieces with the garlicky dressing, then turn off the heat, sprinkle over the skillet the grated cheese, and toss again. Heap the cauliflower and cavatelli in warm bowls, and serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE BREAD PARFAIT
Pane di Cioccolato al Cucchiaio

Serves 6

This recalls for me the chocolate-and-bread sandwiches that sometimes were my lunch, and always a special treat. And it is another inventive way surplus is used in Umbrian cuisine, with leftover country bread serving as the foundation of an elegant layered dessert. Though it is soaked with chocolate and espresso sauce and buried in whipped cream, the bread doesn't disintegrate, and provides a pleasing textural contrast in every heavenly spoonful.

8 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

8 ounces country-style white bread, crusts removed

½ cup freshly brewed espresso

2 tablespoons dark rum

2 tablespoons sugar

1 ½ cups chilled heavy cream

1 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Recommended equipment: A large rimmed tray or baking sheet, such as a half-sheet pan (12 by 18 inches); a spouted measuring cup, 1 pint or larger; 6 parfait glasses or wineglasses, preferably balloon-shaped

Put the chopped chocolate in a bowl set in a pan of hot (not boiling) water. When the chocolate begins to melt, stir until completely smooth. Keep it warm, over the water, off the heat.

Slice the bread into ½-inch-thick slices, and lay them flat in one layer, close together, on the tray or baking sheet.

Pour the warm espresso into a spouted measuring cup, stir in the rum and sugar until sugar dissolves, then stir in half the melted chocolate. Pour the sauce all over the bread slices, then flip them over and turn them on the tray, to make sure all the surfaces are coated. Let the bread absorb the sauce for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, whip the cream until soft peaks form, by hand or with an electric mixer.

To assemble the parfaits: Break the bread into 1-inch pieces. Use half the pieces to make the bottom parfait layer in the six serving glasses, dropping an equal amount of chocolatey bread into each. Scrape up some of the unabsorbed chocolate sauce that remains on the baking sheet, and drizzle a bit over the bread layers. Next, drop a layer of whipped cream in the glasses, using up half the cream. Top the cream layer with toasted almonds, using half the nuts.

Repeat the layering sequence: drop more soaked bread into each glass, drizzle over it the chocolate sauce from the tray and the remaining melted chocolate. Dollop another layer of whipped cream in the glasses, using it all up, and sprinkle the remaining almonds on top of each parfait. This dessert is best when served immediately while the melted chocolate is still warm and runny.

©2010 Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali, authors of Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy: A Feast of 175 Regional Recipes

Author Bio
Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, coauthor of Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy: A Feast of 175 Regional Recipe, is the author of five previous books, four of them accompanied by nationally syndicated public television series. She is the owner of the New York City restaurant Felidia (among others), and she lectures on and demonstrates Italian cooking throughout the country. She lives on Long Island, and can be reached at her Web site, www.LidiasItaly.com


Tanya Bastianich Manuali, Lidia's daughter and coauthor of Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy: A Feast of 175 Regional Recipe, received her Ph.D. in Italian Renaissance art history from Oxford University. Since 1996 she has led food/wine/art tours of Italy. She lives with her husband and children on Long Island.

Five Tips to Help Your Child Develop Their Natural Gifts

Five Tips to Help Your Child Develop Their Natural Gifts
By Rafe Esquith,
Author of Lighting Their Fires: Raising Extraordinary Children in a Mixed-up, Muddled-up, Shook-up World

It'd be nice if there was a secret I could tell you about how to instantly make your kids more successful in school and life. But there is no magic pill, only that old stand-by, hard work. And the funny thing about that is, you can't force kids to work hard. I suppose you could try, but I've rarely seen anything useful come from kids whose parents had to hold their noses to the grindstone. If there's something close to a secret, perhaps it's this: Kids work hard when they want to work hard, and this happens only when are motivated to do so by some positive internal goal, and not by fear or because they are worried about disappointing others. They work hard because they value hard work. Instilling kids with values like this is the first step the long road to real success.

But that doesn't mean there's nothing you can do to make this happen. Here are five ways to put your kids on the path to extraordinary:

Toot Your Own Horn. Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you I sound like a broken record when it comes to spreading the gospel of music education. Put simply, every child should play an instrument, and parents should make whatever sacrifices are necessary to put a flute, trumpet, guitar, or tuba in their kid's hands. I don't have room here to list all the valuable skills that playing music can help develop, but one of the most important is the ability to listen to others: to make great music, a child must learn to pay attention to what others are playing. Doing so improves focus and teaches a valuable lesson about collaboration.

Be the Example. We've probably all seen a parent yelling at her kids to be quiet and perhaps chuckled to ourselves about the mixed signals sent by this gesture. It seems like an easy lesson: for kids to understand why things are important, you have to be consistent. But this isn't just situational advice. Kids mirror parents and adults in far more depth than we often realize. They internalize our values by watching what we do, which is why it's essential that we live the way we want them to live. We can stress the importance of being on time until we're blue in the face, but if we're constantly late to pick them up from school, that's what they're going to remember.

Great Books are Great for a Reason. Kids have two backpacks: the physical one they carry their books in, and the mental backpack where they store all the lessons and experiences they'll use to help make decisions. A paperback copy of To Kill a Mockingbird won't take up much room in the first one, but the wisdom contained within this book can be carried in the mental backpack for a lifetime. There are lessons here about choosing generosity over selfishness, making the right choice even when it's the difficult one, and standing up for your beliefs. I also recommend Thornton Wilder's fantastic play Our Town, and anything by Shakespeare (important note: kids are never too young for Shakespeare). A kid with a library card has the world at her fingertips, and when parents read with her, they can serve as map to help make sense of that world.

Do Unto Others. Volunteering is a great way to build character and teach values while making an important contribution to the community. Working at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving, visiting an elderly person at a retirement home on a regular basis, or planting trees and helping to beautify your town are all great ways to help kids learn about the importance of selflessness and humility. I know several families who volunteer together on a holiday schedule: on each day off, they pick a different activity and spend a few hours volunteering together. This way, parents get to be the example, reinforcing the positive message.

Patience, My Dears. In today's on-demand world, kids are taught that anything worth having can be had instantly. This is an incredibly bad lesson, and parents must work to counteract this by instilling kids with patience and focus -- the skills that will let them buckle down to achieve the truly great things that invariably take much time and effort. I've found that gardening is an excellent choice when it comes to teaching patience. Kids see that reaching their goal is a slow process, one that requires dedicated care and attention at every phase. And since they get to watch their garden grow as they tend to it, they learn that the real pleasure is in the process (though ripe tomatoes are certainly also a pleasure, and tasty!).

You may have noticed that most of these "success" tips don't have anything to do with school. That's because making kids extraordinary people is the first step toward making them extraordinary students. All follows from values and character, and in working to instill these, you'll create kids that you -- and the rest of the community and country -- can be proud of.

©2009 Rafe Esquith, author of Lighting Their Fires: Raising Extraordinary Children in a Mixed-up, Muddled-up, Shook-up World

Author Bio
Rafe Esquith, author of Lighting Their Fires: Raising Extraordinary Children in a Mixed-up, Muddled-up, Shook-up World, has taught at Hobart Elementary School in Los Angeles for twenty-four years. He is the only teacher to have been awarded the president's National Medal of the Arts. His many other honors and awards include the American Teacher Award, Parents magazine's As You Grow Award, Oprah Winfrey's Use Your Life Award, and People magazine's Heroes Among Us Award. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Barbara Tong.


For more information, please visit www.hobartshakespeareans.org

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Giveaways Galore 3/15-21

Here is our Weekly Linky. I'm asking other Bloggers to put there Giveaways here for my readers. They will go in Monday's newsletter!

One on One training dvd set $240 set giveaway & review!

Closed - Winner is # 69 Rjlyons Congrats!!
I can't tell you how excited I am, there are no words! Bikini season is around the corner and the people from Beach Body gave me the opportunity to review Tony Horton's newest DVD set. He's the guy behind Power 90, P90X, and 10 minute trainer.
Anyway, they are also allowing me to give away a complete 13 disc set to a Taking Time for Mommy reader, a value of $239.40!!

There is so much to the set I'm going to review it all month and I'll pick a winner on April 11! To let you know a little bit about this DVD. It's just Tony and one camera man, not a whole crew. I thought it was a little cheesy at first but the more I got into it I felt like he was my personal trainer. Before the kiddos, I actually went to one and let me tell you, I was more like $300 for a month. Not a series you can keep and always use!

The first disc is called plyo legs and when I watched him I thought I was going to die. There was no way I could do some of the things this man was doing. I have no balance! My husband was behind me telling me that I should just do what I could and quit making excuses so that's just what I did. Every time I have done the workout since it gets easier. I still have a long way to go but I can tell it's really working! I know that I will have a Beach Body by the time summer comes. Who know, I may even show ya'll a before and after picture? Even my husband is happily using it!

Buy It - Can't wait until April 11 and need to buy it now? Head on over to Beachbody.com

Win It - One lucky reader of TTFM will win the complete 13 disc set! Mandatory entry!!Just head over to Beadybody.com and check out the site and their great products. Head back over here and tell me a success story, a product, or a service they offer. Good Luck!

Extra Entry - Follow Taking Time for Mommy on Twitter HERE
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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

Giveaway will end on April 11th at 11:59pm. The winners 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. & Canadian residents 18+ only.
Disclosure - A few product was given for review for my honest opinion, no other compensation. I learned of this review from Product Review Place..