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

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

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

This is a PDF coupon! 
You take this coupon into the Sephora, inside a J.C. Penny's. I think most have a Sephora in them now.
HERE
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Mandie Stevens is owner of Taking Time for Mommy & Mommy Reads too Much. She's a homeschooling mom of 2 girls and believes every mom should take a little time for herself.

Free Country Music Downloads

Free MP3 Download – New Country Playlist ITunes - People Magazine

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

Here

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

What we're doing this Summer....

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

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

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

Mommy in Me Time

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Coupon Match-ups for the Week

CVS Preview and Matchup for upcoming Week

Walgreen's Wags Preview and Matchup for upcoming Week

RiteAid Preview and Matchup for upcoming Week

Food Lion Ad for Upcoming Week Best Deals

Harris Teeter Triples CONFIRMED!!!

Target Preview Ad for Upcoming Week

Finding Inspiration for Invention in Life's Major Annoyances

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Homeschool Convention 2010!

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


Tawdra Kandle is stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of four children who range in age from 9 years to 21 years. She and her husband of over 22 years live in central Florida, where he is in seminary. Tawdra spends most of her precious free time writing and reading, and she loves to travel. She is also a resident writer for Taking Time for Mommy. View more of her Articles HERE. You can also follow Tawdra on twitter and her blog, Publishing Quest

Pet Peeves, What are yours?

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

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

Smoothie for Mommy

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

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

Walgreen's Money Maker!

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

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

Walgreens Deals at WUC

Making Mom's life a little Easier

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



The other day we were leaving Sams which is in another town then where we live and we decided to go to lunch. I wanted to go down by the beach to a delicious restaurant I had been to before but I wasn't quite sure how to get there from Sams. I had to call information, call the restaurant, and speak to two different people just so I could get directions and I prayed they were right because they told me two different ways to go. After stopping by a gas station (dragging the kids in with me because I couldn't leave them in the car) I finally found my way to the beach and the restaurant. Yes, we were starving by that point.
I realized that I REALLY need to get a GPS. I run the kids all over town, to the beach, to play with their friends etc. I currently have to look up directions on the computer before I even leave my house and yep, you guessed it, some times they aren't right - Like our Fire Station play date today, I 'm assuming the computer didn't have the correct directions because this is a NEW fire station.
So yes, I need GPS. One with the most CURRENT and BEST alternate routes. One where I'll be able to find a route around traffic so I can get to my destination on time!

I found NAVTEQ, a company whose technology and maps drive most of the in-car navigation systems and the leading brands of GPS-enabled devices in the U.S., so chances are yours is one of them .www.updateyourmap.com

Updating is easy, just go to this website and follow the drop-down menus which correspond to the built-in system or portable device. Installing updated navigation maps takes just minutes, but can save hours, fuel and the frustration of getting lost or being late. Mom’s taxi service has to stay on schedule and stick to a budget!



www.updateyourmap.com

Weight Loss TV Star Erik Chopin’s Fit n’ Fruity Family Sundae

Indulge in this deliciously refreshing ice cream sundae for less than 200 calories!
Ingredients:

1/2 cup Blue Bunny® Fat Free Frozen Yogurt Homemade Vanilla

1 Tbsp. Bear Naked® Fit Vanilla Almond Crunch Granola

3 Tbsp Fresh Blueberries

1 Tbsp Walmart’s Great Value Original Whipped Light Cream

1 Large Strawberry on top

Preparation

Scoop Blue Bunny® Fat Free Frozen Yogurt Brownie Fudge Fantasy into bowl. Sprinkle Bear Naked® Fit Vanilla Almond Crunch Granola and fresh blueberries on top of frozen yogurt. Finish with light whipped cream and strawberry.

Variation

For chocolate lovers, use Blue Bunny® Fat Free Frozen Yogurt Brownie Fudge Fantasy instead of Homemade Vanilla frozen yogurt.

Check out more recipes, deals and celebrity ice cream creations at www.walmart.com/icecream.

From Our Point of View: How to Engage and Retain High-Achieving Women

 by Marcia Reynolds,
Author of Wander Woman: How High-Achieving Women Find Contentment and Direction

1. Provide Developmental Opportunities
One of our greatest passions is to resolve complex challenges, yet we need our managers to provide the resources for learning so we can be continually successful. We are top talent because we are committed to being the best. We come to you with experiences and degrees. To continue on our path to excellence, we need you to support the continuation of our development by offering ample tuition reimbursement and encouragement to further our learning. We want you to treat training and coaching programs not as perks but as a part of your overall business strategy. Frankly, to stay innovative and progressive, all employees should be trained in communication skills, managing change, dealing with their emotions, and building strong relationships with their peers within and across divisional borders. This is especially true in tough economic times when you need everyone to stay on top of their game. The last thing you want to do is cut funding for training and coaching when we are facing major difficulties. Give us more opportunities to learn and grow so we can help you take the company to the top faster than our competition. We would love for you to engage us in that challenge.

Also, provide us with mentors who are passionate about what they do so we are inspired to stay and learn more. We like to feel that we are in the company of smart and spirited people. We like to connect with leaders in other areas. We want breadth as well as depth of knowledge. If possible, create a platform where the most successful women in the company can network with and develop the younger female talent so the pipeline grows. Also, we are not always politically astute, so a good mentor can help us put our energies in the right places and see opportunities that we might miss that best use our talents.

2. Make Our Mission Meaningful
We want to be a part of something that feels bigger than ourselves. Even if our products are not that meaningful in the bigger scheme of life, we want to work for companies that care for their employees, respect the environment, and support their local communities. We will eventually disengage if we don't see how our work fits into a broader, more significant context. We struggle with committing to, a monetary goal or a drive solely focused on beating our competitors. We don't just work to make a living. We work to make life better. We will align our energies with your penchant for profit when we can see the evidence of our good work in the world, even if that means we are simply helping people to feel more safe and happy. We know in our hearts we can make a significant difference on this planet. If we are doing that in our jobs, we are likely to stick around and share with the world how excited we are about our work.

3. Continually Affirm Our Contribution and Value
Our sense of contribution and value to the organization is as important to us as our paycheck, but we can't always see the larger effect of our work. We need to know how well we did in relation to the people we touch, whether it's our peers or our customers. It's not enough for us to know we have great knowledge and ability. We need to know if we have made an impact and that others value our involvement.

This acknowledgment needs to be continual because our sense of contribution is fleeting. Once we finish a task, we are quickly on to the next. There's always another project to master and another crisis for us to resolve. You need to remind us of our impact because we tend to lose this sense while swimming in the sea of our assignments.

However, don't overload us because you can count on us for results. We love to give outstanding performances. We love that you trust us. Yet if you rely on us too much, we would rather look for another job than face failure. Make sure to regularly ask us how we are feeling about our work and if we need any resources to get our work done. We often struggle with asking for help. Even when we ask to figure out a problem on our own, we still appreciate that you check in to see if we need any additional support.

4. Design and Foster a Creative and Collaborative Environment
We love to work for leaders who create environments that provide an open flow of communication in all directions. Let us talk freely, whether it's around the real water cooler or the virtual water cooler using social media. Environments that support collaboration foster rapid innovations. We want easy access to tools and resources. We want our leaders to be visionaries and catalysts who transfer decision-making to us and allow us to choose how we want to work. Instead of managing people from a top-down position, leaders should see themselves as the "spokesperson" in the middle of the wheel with employees in motion around them. They should inspire more than enforce. Cooperative cultures represent the future of management. We want to help you make this significant change.

5. Delegate Clear Expectations and Then Let Go
If you give us what we need to do a great job on work that is meaningful to us and valuable to the organization, we won't disappoint you. Give us control over the processes and decisions related to our tasks as much as possible. We love figuring out the best solutions. We need to feel we have the power to implement what we plan. If you think we need a more strategic perspective, coach us to see other possibilities instead of telling us what to do. When you delegate a project to us, give us the authority to talk to all stakeholders to negotiate actions. We will report our progress to you on a schedule we agree to and respond to issues promptly. We learn fast from our mistakes.

Let us know early on when changes will affect our work and share with us the reasons for the change. These days, those kinds of changes happen daily. We need to know about a shift in direction as soon as you do. If something comes up and you have to make a decision that goes counter to what we had hoped for, tell us why you made the decision so we can develop our business acumen. We want to grow beyond our technical capability. Letting us see through your eyes gives us what we need to succeed in our future positions.

6. Recognize Outstanding Performance
We like working for companies that have a culture of recognition. You may think that we are just doing our jobs, but we need to be recognized for our hard work even when it becomes the norm. Your recognition can be as simple as a personal comment or written note praising something we specifically did and the impact it had. We also like public recognition. When you visibly recognize our continual peak performance you demonstrate to everyone that you value this behavior. And don't just recognize results; show appreciation for our creativity, inclusiveness, optimism, and determination even if the results did not turn out as expected. When you honor our efforts, you help us to feel proud. We need help when it comes to stopping and admiring our work. If you give us this gift, we will repeat the behavior you reward.

Also, please recognize us by knowing us. We are staunchly loyal to the people who show they care about us now and in the future. Know our talents, goals, and dreams. If you were called by HR today and asked what you thought were my strengths, frustrations, and aspirations, could you answer these questions? Know who we are today and what we want for tomorrow. If we aren't clear about what we want for our careers, help us envision our future. Then offer to support us as we move forward on this path.

7. Give Us Flexible Work Schedules
We need help in managing our energy more than our time. We will work obsessively to complete important projects. Yet we need to renew our energy so we don't burn out. Therefore, we want flexible schedules based on meeting goals instead of wasting time in traffic or on "who can stay the latest" contests. We recognize the need to be present for important meetings, but on days we can get more work done from home, trust us. We have become comfortable with technology and will use it to communicate. Because we always produce results, let us figure out how we will get the work done. If you want to know more about setting up work cultures that are flexible and successful as a result, look at what these companies are doing: Capitol One, Deloitte & Touche, Best Buy, Marriott, Patagonia, AES Corporation, Sun Microsystems, IBM, PepsiCo, and Wal-Mart. At the Brazilian company Semco, employees choose their own salaries, set their own hours, and have no job titles, yet the profits keep growing and there is practically no employee turnover. By the time you read this, more companies will have followed suit. We're hoping you want to stay ahead of the pack with these progressive companies.

If we have children to take care of, don't put us on a "mommy track" that doesn't have access to promotions and plum assignments. Let us decide what we can handle. If you allow us the flexibility to meet the goals on our own terms, we will in turn be honest with you about what is possible. If we decide we need to step back because our home-life challenges need our attention, welcome us back when we are ready and we will amaze you with the results we produce.


Author Bio
Marcia Reynolds, PsyD, organizational psychologist and Master Certified Coach, is author of Wander Woman: How High-Achieving Women Find Contentment and Direction is president of Covisioning, a training and coaching firm helping companies worldwide unleash the brilliance in their people.
For more information please visit wanderwomanbook.com and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter
Win a copy of Wander Woman: How High-Achieving Women Find Contentment and Direction HERE

BLOG TOUR: The Art of Devotion by Samantha Bruce-Benjamin

There was a little mix up, I am happily hosting this blog tour but it's on my other blog Mommy Reads too Much. Please stop by!

Silk Pure Almond Review & Giveaway

Winners are Cindy &Cheryl!

It doesn’t take much to get from whole, natural almonds to Silk Pure Almond™ milk. Each glass provides an excellent source of natural antioxidants, and as much calcium and vitamin D as dairy milk, with absolutely no cholesterol, saturated fat, dairy or soy. Best of all, a serving of Silk Pure Almond Original almondmilk is only 60 calories, and a delicious glass of Vanilla is just 90.

What makes almondmilk Silk Pure Almond so healthy? For starters, it’s the almonds. Every little nut is a perfectly packaged powerhouse of natural antioxidants and more. In fact, we like to think of almonds as Nature’s Perfect Nutrition – and that’s where our almondmilk begins.

Almonds are recognized by health professionals as a nutritious addition to a healthy diet. A serving of almonds provides an excellent source of vitamin E (a natural antioxidant), and a good source of protein and fiber. In fact, almonds are higher in protein and fiber than any other tree nut. Plus, they're naturally low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free.

About Antioxidants:

We've all heard a lot about the benefits of antioxidants – and Silk Pure Almond™ milk is a great way to get more of these healthy must-haves into your everyday routine.

Antioxidants are beneficial components that occur naturally in many whole foods including nuts, fruits, vegetables and soy. Health and nutrition pros agree that a diet rich in antioxidants can help you look, feel and live your best.

But how, exactly, do antioxidants work? Bear with us for a little bit of science: “Oxidation” is a chemical reaction that accompanies many normal processes in the body. When oxidation occurs, it releases potentially harmful molecules known as “free radicals.” Excessive free radical production is thought to cause “oxidative damage”; a phenomenon that may contribute to aging and a number of chronic health problems including cancer and cardiovascular disease. A growing body of research indicates that consuming foods with antioxidant properties may help combat free radicals and protect against oxidative damage, supporting overall good health. Best of all, foods rich in natural antioxidants – like fruits and veggies and many nuts – tend to be great for you in other ways, too.

Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that has been studied for its role in supporting normal heart and brain function, as well as promoting a healthy complexion. Each serving of Silk Pure Almond provides an impressive 50% of the recommended daily value of this essential nutrient. To make sure your diet includes the full spectrum of beneficial antioxidants, pile on plenty of colorful produce in addition to healthy staples like almondmilk.

Benefits of Almonds:

New to nuts? Not to worry. Almondmilk really can go everywhere:
· Splash almondmilk on your favorite cereal. Good morning, antioxidants!
· Have you tried an almondmilk latte? Prepare to get hooked.
· Whirl up a smoothie with Silk Pure Almond and your favorite fruit. (Throw in a handful of crushed almonds if you’re feeling extra nutty.)
· Almondmilk cooks and bakes to perfection, and can be substituted for milk in many recipes. Discover soups, cakes, muffins and more – with fewer calories than you’d think.
 My Thoughts - I received 2 coupons to the Almond milk for free. I bought the original and the vanilla. We first tried the original, it was delicious and sweet. It was thinner than the whole milk we usually drink but that was fine with me. The original almond milk is only 60 calories per serving. All but one gave it an A+, my oldest daughter only thought it was okay. Next we tried the vanilla almond milk. I thought it was a little sweet but this is coming from someone who doesn't eat much sugar. Everyone else LOVED it!!! I did think it was a very nice treat in my decaf coffee.This is a product I'm going to add to my grocery list. I need to give up dairy (VERY hard for me) because it effects my allergies and this milk is dairy free. I am still going to buy milk because my household drinks A LOT of milk and at $2.99 a half gallon we just can't go all the way yet. Coupons help and  Pure silk is offering a Coupon Registration($.75 off)
They are also allowing me to giveaway 2 Prizes!

The first winner gets a Silk Pure Almond coupon for a free half gallon and also a Silk Pure Almond branded ChicoBag

The second winner gets a Silk Pure Almond coupon for a free half gallon

Mandatory Entry - Visit their Homepage and  tell me a recipe that looks good to you.

Extra Entry - Follow Taking Time for Mommy on Twitter HERE & tweet about it (can tweet once a day)
Extra Entry - Follow Taking Time for Mommy on FaceBook HERE
Extra Entry - Follow Taking Time for Mommy on Google Friend Connect
Extra Entry - Follow my other blog Mommy Reads too Much on Google Friend Connect
+5 Extra Entries - Signing up for our weekly Newsletter (form to the right)
+3 Extra Entries -Fan our writer Tawdra Kandle on Associated Content and comment on one of her articles Here
+2 Extra Entries - Comment on any non-giveaway post on either Taking time for Mommy or Mommy Reads Too Much - You can do this as much as you want :)
+1 Follow Tawdra on Twitter HERE
+3 Follow Tawdra's Blog Publishing Quest

Giveaway will end on June27th at 11:59pm. The winners will be chosen by random.org and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to U.S. residents 18+ only.

Disclosure - the products awarded are courtesy of Silk Pure Almond, no other compensation has been given

Homeschool Graduation: Yes, It DOES Exist!

I've been in contact recently with people at 
the very beginning of the homeschooling adventure--people with very 
young kids. They’re interested in how to begin, anxious to get it right from the very beginning. And they are very concerned about the not-uncommon lack of support from family and friends when it comes to homeschooling.

I want to share some encouragement 
with everyone.
 Our second oldest daughter graduated recently through the ceremony at the Florida Parent Educators Association convention. This is our second child to graduate high school, but 
our oldest had attended a high school of performing arts in New Jersey and so 
had a "traditional" ceremony; this was our first true homeschool 
graduation.



There are so many people who will challenge your decision to 
homeschool as you go along, and one of the comments we frequently 
received was, "You're denying your child things like prom and 
graduation!" While I certainly believe that the benefits of 
homeschooling outweigh the very fleeting pleasures of things like 
dances and ceremonies, it is pretty wonderful that we can still offer 
our kids the option to participate in so-called milestone events. 
Within her senior year, our daughter attended several dances, including a prom, went on her senior trip and 
participated in a very well-done and lovely graduation weekend.
 For anyone who hasn't experienced a graduation ceremony through a homeschool convention, I can tell you 
that we were very impressed. On Friday, there was an informal but well-organized day of senior fun, where the kids met their fellow graduates, played 
games and swam. On Saturday, they had a mandatory graduation practice 
and then that night, a dinner and dance.

What made this uniquely 
homeschool-centric is that the dance was a family affair--it was multi- generational! There were little ones, parents and grandparents, not 
to mention the graduates themselves, alumni and siblings of various 
ages. It was pretty impressive.
 
The ceremony itself on Sunday morning was also amazing. There were 
touches that allowed everyone to get to know each graduate, even 
though most of them had not met each other prior to that weekend. There was a real sense of 
cohesiveness despite the fact that these graduates probably hadn't 
attended a single class together ever.



We had family come in from New Jersey, California and Georgia for weekend. 
Most of them hadn't experienced homeschoolers, other than my own 
family. Without exception, they came away with a totally different 
view of the homeschooling community than that which is popularly espoused in the world. One 
uncle is a retired college professor (he educated special needs 
teachers and still works within that sector). He attended the 
convention on Saturday morning. He was quite literally blown away. 
He kept saying to me, "I just had no idea."



So to everyone at the beginning. . .know that this journey will 
go faster than you can imagine. One day you're teaching phonics, and 
the next you're waiting for SAT scores! And know too that you are 
doing the absolute best things for your children by educating them at 
home. The payoffs are incredible, and when you watch your child 
receive his/her diploma, you have the gratification of knowing that 
you were not only supportive parent, you were also the teacher and the 
guide--a full participant in this amazing experience.



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

Little Skink's Tail Review

While Little Skink hunts yummy ants for breakfast, she suddenly is attacked by a crow! But the little lizard has a trick to escape–she snaps off her bright blue tail, and it keeps on wiggling! Readers will enjoy pretending with her as she tries on the tails of other forest animals. One is too puffy-fluffy; another too stinky! Then one day Little Skink gets a big surprise . . . and she doesn't have to dream of tails anymore! The book encourages children to be comfortable with themselves as they are and also includes lots of science.

A "For Creative Minds" section at the back of the book features a mix-and-match tail activity, footprint map, and information on tail adaptations.
My Thoughts - It's no surprise that this book won The Mom's Choice Awards Honoring Excellence. It is beautifully written and has amazing illustrations. This book quickly became my daughters' favorite. My favorite part was that it's educational. It got them thinking, asking questions, and they really enjoyed the creative mind exercises at the back of the book. There is even a website to go and print up worksheets to go along it.   I found this book is great for preschools or play groups too.It really holds the little one's attention.
Visit Janet Halfmann's website to see her other wonderful books!
Buy Little Skink's Tale



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

Download A Free Frappuccino Beverage Music Mix

Starbucks has created a free music mix to complement your Frappuccino® beverage. Featuring electrifying summertime favorites ranging from Frightened Rabbit to Hot Chip, your free Frappuccino® Beverage Music Mix is available to download on iTunes now!

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3 Tips to Stop Temper Tantrums in Toddlers

Guest Post

I remember when my wife and I first found out that she was pregnant. We started thinking of names, wondered if the baby would be a boy or a girl, and pictured what he or she would look like. One thing that was very far from our minds was a temper tantrum. However, once you have a two year old, because of the prevalence of temper tantrums in toddlers, they are impossible to ignore.

Temper tantrums in toddlers are difficult to deal with and can leave a parent feeling powerless to stop. Having tools to deal with your child and a plan in place will greatly increase your chance of success. While I can't hope to give you an entire plan in a short article, I hope my top 3 tips to stop temper tantrums in toddlers will be a good start.

Tip #1 to stop temper tantrums in toddlers: Sleep, Sleep, and More Sleep!

One of the most common reasons for temper tantrums in toddlers is that they are tired. Research shows that toddlers need at least 13 hours of sleep every day. It is recommended that they get roughly 11 hours of sleep at night and a further 2 hours of sleep during the day. I know what you are probably thinking, "but my kid just doesn't need that much sleep." Well, does he fall asleep in the car? Do you have to wake her up in the morning? These are two signs that your toddler is not getting enough sleep, and that could be greatly contributing to tantrums throughout the day. Just think about how you feel when you are not getting enough sleep, and your toddlers behavior might make a little more sense!

Tip #2 to stop temper tantrums in toddlers: Set a Routine, and Stick With it!

No matter what you have read to the contrary, children want, and need, structure. They like to know that certain things happen at a set time every day. I am by no means telling you to regulate your child's life, but if a parent wants to stop temper tantrums in toddlers, the daily routine is a great place to start. Many tantrums are triggered when a child is tired or hungry. By setting a schedule for naps and lunch, your child's body will adjust to the daily schedule and he will be less irritable as a result.

Tip #3 to stop temper tantrums in toddlers: Don't Give Your Child Too Many Choices

While giving a toddler some choices to make is a very good thing as it will help him to develop independence, it can easily be overdone. Toddlers brains are very concrete and are not yet ready for too many choices which can often lead to temper tantrums in toddlers. Have you ever been to a restaurant with hundreds of items on its menu? The choice can be overwhelming even for an adult who fully understands how to make decisions. Instead of asking, "what do you want for lunch?" ask "would you like a grilled cheese, or a hot dog?" This way, your child is still learning to make choices and develop responsibility, but the stress and confusion is eliminated.

I hope that these three tips are helpful for you and your child. Parents everywhere are struggling, but there is hope! Click here for more tools and strategies and an entire plan for how to completely eliminate temper tantrums in toddlers forever!

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Low Fat Recipe For Ice Cream Sandwiches

When watching your weight, try not to completely take away your comfort foods. Depriving yourself of your favorite foods or sweets might lead to binge eating when finally giving in to the craving. Instead, indulge in one of these guiltless pleasures. If you prefer not to have chocolate ice cream sandwiches, substitute the chocolate grahams with plain grahams, honey grahams or cinnamon sugar grahams. The cinnamon sugar grahams make a really interesting sandwich, though it does up the calorie and possibly the point count up a bit! These are extremely low in points if you are following a diet with a point system; look it up or ask your counselor for the exact count.

Ingredients:

* 1 box chocolate graham crackers, thawed in refrigerator, if frozen

* 1 large tub low fat, fat free or sugar free whipped topping (any flavor desired)

* 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar (optional)

* Sugar free or fat free instant hot chocolate drink powder (optional)

Directions:

1. On parchment paper line up 10 graham crackers.

2. Spread 3 Tablespoons whipped topping on each cracker.

3. Top each with another graham cracker.

4. Put those ten sandwiches in the freezer on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet until frozen, then put them in a zippered bag with parchment between each one.

5. While they are freezing on the cookie sheet, repeat with next batch of crackers and topping until finished.

For chocolate filling, add sugar free, low fat or fat free hot chocolate drink powder in the topping until desired chocolate taste is achieved.

For added sweetness, dust the top of the finished sandwiches, before freezing with cocoa, powdered sugar or sugar substitute.

Linda Talbott Brewer is the Nashville Comfort Food Examiner for Examiner.com, Nashville.

Linda will be writing many more recipes for ezine as well as for examiner Nashville. Check back often for food adventures, food oddities, comfort foods, healthy comfort food makeovers and food histories.

Visit Linda's Examiner page at http://www.examiner.com/x-26032-Nashville-Comfort-Food-Examiner

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