5 Quick Tips to Making Family Count TODAY

Want-it Wednesday:

This Want-it Wednesday, all I want is a BREAK from the crazy. And of course when mama’s crazy, so is the rest of the family.

And then I found her and it – at least a way to close down the crazy and to make our family make those valuable moments count. 

Susan Sachs Lipman, founder of slowfamilyonline.com, writer for Christian Science Monitor‘s Modern Parenthood, is also author of Fed up with Frenzy, which teaches parents how to incorporate Slow Parenting into their family's hectic lives and trade in frenzy for quality family time. She shared a few quick tips to help me take a deep breath through special techniques and tips like:

1. Slowing Down the Morning Rush- Instead of battling the busy drop off rush at your child’s school, take time to park the car a few blocks away and walk your child to school. This strengthens family connection and starts the day off in a relaxing and peaceful way.

2. Make Meal Time Meaningful- Dinner is one of the few times families get to spend time together during the day. Make the most out of dinnertime by picking a family question to share, for example, “What’s the funniest thing that happened during your day?” Families can also create fun bonding time by picking recipes, and preparing meals together throughout the week.

3. Say No to More Things- Parents don’t have to serve on every school committee and children should not sign up for a lot of activities. More pleasure comes from devotion to one thing at a time and free play, rather than organized activity.

4. Give Your Electronics The Day Off- Call for a family “day of rest” from technology. This can be incredibly restorative, to give full attention to your loved ones. Even cutting out a 30 minute TV show and substituting it with a family walk or game can add joy to your life.

5. Do a Fun Activity or Craft- Many wonderful activities like making sock puppets, pinecone bird feeders, or singing around a campfire have gotten lost in the hustle and bustle of our overly scheduled lives. These fun activities can bond families and create lifelong memories.

Source: etsy.com via Cherae on Pinterest

While I’m rarely the one to “take time out,” this book has empowered me to be a better role model for my kids to take time to making it count. It’s about honoring life’s simple pleasures in the relatively short time we’re all here together. It’s about connecting to that part of ourselves and our families that somehow got lost in the shuffle of our busy lives.

Slow down the frenzy. Enjoy the family. 

Fed Up Frenzy

Susan Sachs Lipman

Sourcebooks

Buy on Amazon.com

ISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

"I Ate All Your Cookies!" and other things you wish you could tell your kids {Book Review}

After all the fun of Valetine's Day crafts, cupcakes and cuddles, there was the aftermath of children very "high" on sugar from cookies and candy running crazy around my house. While I love my children more than life itself, it is days like these that make me want to tell them the things I'm really thinking like:

If honesty is the best policy, then getting a copy of this book from your pediatrician or OB should be a requirement.

"I Ate All Your Cookies"  admits all the secret truths that parents are thinking in their head, but will  (probably) never share with their children. From blowing the cover on who Santa really is to revealing that the dog is not actually living on a farm chasing bunnies, this book shares hundreds of relatable thoughts for any parent who has ever considered letting their kids know they really feel.

I Ate All Your Cookies: (and Other Things You Wish You Could Tell Your Kids)
Quinn Conroy
Sourcebooks
Buy

Looking for other other books to read? Check out some of my recents reads here!

DISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

Look Good FAST with Your New Handy "Trainer"

Sharing Saturdays:

The last of this month's focus on diet and exercise, The High Intensity Fitness Revolution for Women claims it can make your look good, fast. 

"If you’re the kind of woman who spends an average weekday lounging around, then feel free to put this book back on the shelf. This is a fitness regimen for women who don’t have an hour or more to work out each day." 

The High Intensity Fitness Revolution for Women: A Fast and Easy Workout with Amazing Results leads you through a revolutionary workout routine by Pete Cerqua, one of New York City’s most applauded fitness trainers.

Cerqua owns and operates the 90-Second Fitness flagship studio in New York City. One of New York’s most respected and in-demand fitness trainers, he has been helping people lose weight for more than 20 years.

Cerqua claims he knows the secret that will change the way you see exercise forever: short periods of high intensity workout are much more productive and effective than lengthy periods of “overtraining.” This book is about getting the best possible result for your body in the shortest amount of time— at home. It focuses on toning your muscles, increasing your metabolism, strengthening your bones, preventing arthritis, achieving great legs, and all around looking and feeling better. 

What I like most about it: there's pictures on how to do the exercises on the machines. While I've downloaded plenty of workout apps on my phone, I still spend most of workout time looking on my Iphone and not on actually doing the exercises. This way I have not only a list of my workout, but how to do it and on what machine. It's the next best thing to the trainer. 

Best of all, if you and your honey are looking to lose some pounds together, there's actually a book just for the hubby, too -The High Intensity Fitness Revolution for Men.

The High Intensity Fitness Revolution for Women

A Fast and Easy Workout with Amazing Results

By Pete Cerqua

Skyhorse Publishing paperback, also available as an ebook

$14.95 (Under $10 on Amazon.com)

DISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

Diets Don't Work For You? Then Think About Your Thyroid

Sharing Sundays:

When I was pregnant with my son, I was lucky enough to be diagnosed with gestational diabetes (joke, well kinda, actually.) 

For several months I had to learn how to eat a low glycemic diet as well as prick my figure several times a day and take medication to get track my blood sugar to make sure both the baby and I were healthy. While at the time it seemed like the meanest thing that could happen to a pregnant lady with a craving for strawberry cupcakes, it actually did me a world of good. So much so that when I found out was pregnant with my second, I immediately made sure I ate healthily and tracked my blood sugar from day one.

Thankfully by eating a low glycemic diet, I didn’t have gestational diabetes again and I was probably healthier than I had been in a long time (I only gained 12 pounds with that pregnancy.)

While eating a low glycemic diet has long been the solution for those with diabetes, it’s now become the solution to how to break through obesity as well as boosting your metabolism by understating how to balance your thyroid. Unfortunately, it’s not just a quick diet that you can do for a week or two; it is a life change for real long-term health and weight control. Just get ready for 300+ pages...

The Thyroid Solution Diet is written by Ridha Arem, M.D., an endocrinologist, clinical professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and director of the Texas Thyroid Institute in Houston. He served as chief of endocrinology and metabolism at Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston, so he does have all the cred to understand how the body and your thyroid should work together. By combining the best elements of the Mediterranean Diet and low in high-glycemic index foods, he gives you everything you need to know including:

• Over 50 recipes and meal plans
• A comprehensive list of favorite foods that make the diet unique
• Detailed exercise programs with 100 step-by-step photos
• Personalized advice for a total lifestyle revolution
• The 15 common causes of metabolic problems that lead to weight gain
• The hidden factors and toxins in your environment that lead to weigh gain, and how to eliminate them
• Techniques to control cravings
• Mind-body relaxation methods for counteracting environmental stresses
• Compared to some of the other “diets” I’ve done, this one is not easy to follow on a first-round, but much more inclusive on both diet, exercise and how (and why) it all works together.

This book is less a diet and more a way of living. So if you're one of those who say diets don't work for you...then don't diet - just do this. 

The Thyroid Solution Diet

Ridha Arem

Ballantine Books

Buy from Amazon for around $15

DISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

The Carb Cycle That 's Good For Your Thighs

Sharing Sundays: 

While I’ve been working on a rather low-carb diet for a week now (except today), I don’t mind telling you that sometimes I wish the Susan Powter high-carb diet of the early 90s actually did work. Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a diet where you could eat spaghetti and baked potatoes and not feel like you were committing espionage or something?

Purchase Franco Carlotto's Carb Cycle on Amazon.com.

Actually there is a way, according six−time Mr. World FitnessFranco Carlotto called the Carb Cycle.This simple but effective method allows you to eat your favorite meals and carbs regularly by constantly filling and depleting your body's natural carb storage system with his special revolutionary method.

The short book is powerful, logical, and practical so you can understand what to eat and what not to eat and most importantly, why and when as well as to make notes, etc. Franco explains how to properly consume carbs as a tool for fat burning and not to overeat. Not only does this book make it easy to understand but also teaches what to eat, at what time and on what days. Following the guidelines outlined from Franco, you don’t have to count carbs, but just follow The Carb Cycle.

Thankfully, this diet isn’t complicated or restrictive. And it’s not a plan, but a way to eat without feeling like you’re missing out (which is normally one of my problems with diet plans.) And ultimately, you’ll maximize your fat−burning, speed up your metabolism, and increase your energy levels when you follow the cycle.

The Carb Cycle

Franco Carlotto

Buy It

DISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

Ready to Join ShredderNation? 6 Weeks, 4 inches, 2 sizes

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review.

Each weekend I'm concentrating on a new diet plan in efforts to create a BETTER ME in 2013...While my first diet review of the year, "The Silver Cloud Diet" had some great benefits, I just couldn't just stick to only meats, nuts and eggs for a week. So this week I'm looking at a plan that promises in 6 weeks you can lose 4 inches and/or 2 sizes if you follow his plan of food and exercise.

Dr. Ian Smith's SHRED: The Revolutionary Diet has some pretty big follwers already...with a Facebook page with more than 13,000 likes, appearances on Dr. Oz and locally on WFAA's Good Morning Texas, and the #1 selling diet book in the country, I figured it was time to open this baby up and see what all the fuss is all about.

"ShredderNation" as he refers to his following of those who are participating on the plan or have completed the diet plan (100,000 people and growing), is all about eating...all the time, with a low-glycemic diet plan of four meals and three snacks in order to introduce your body to "diet confusion" (basically eating different kinds of foods to boose your metabolism and increase weight loss.)  Sounds like magic, right?  With a six-part program, the book outlines flexible choices for every meal, snack and exercise throughout the plan. And then once you've completed the plan, you shouldn't need the program since you've learned how to eat appropriately. I was impressed, but it's all in the food for me, so I wanted to share a part of the Day 1, so you can see if this plan is for you:

SHRED© Week 1 Day #1

Note: 1 cup of coffee is allowed each day. Please put minimal amounts sugar and milk in the coffee.

Definitely stay away from those coffee concoctions that are full of calories–caramel macchiato, cinnamon dolce latte, caffé latte, etc.

**If you choose the diet soda as your beverage, you are only allowed to have one 12 oz can per day maximum. The hope is that you will choose beverages that are more nutritious.

**2 slices of 100% whole grain or 100% whole wheat can be consumed at any point throughout the day at any time; however, ONLY 2 slices

Meal 1

1 piece of fruit

Choose only one of the following.

1 small bowl of oatmeal

2 egg whites

1 egg white omelet (made with two egg whites max. with diced veggies)

1 small bowl of sugar-free cereal with fat-free, skim, or 1% fat milk

1 container of low-fat or fat-free yogurt

1 cup of fresh juice not from concentrate(grapefruit, apple, orange juice, tomato, carrot)

Snack 1

100 calories or less

Meal 2

Choose one of the following. Remember, your choice must not exceed 300 calories and must not have any added sugars.

1 fruit smoothie

1 protein shake

1 bowl of soup (no potatoes, no cream sauces, no meat) -good examples: vegetable, lentil, chickpea, split pea, black bean, tomato bisque, etc. Be careful of sodium content!

1 piece of fruit or 1 serving of veggies

Beverage Choices. Choose one of the following.

1 12-oz can of diet soda

1 cup of lemonade (freshly squeezed preferred)

Unlimited plain water (flat or fizzy)

1 cup of flavored watered

1 cup of juice (not from concentrate)

1 cup of unsweetened iced tea or any other type of tea

1 cup of low-fat, reduced fat, fat free, unsweetened soy, or unsweetened almond milk

Snack 2

150 calories or less

Meal 3

1 small salad (no bacon, croutons); 3 tbsp fat free dressing only

Choose one of the following.

1 piece of chicken (4-6 oz, no skin, no frying)

1 piece of turkey (4-6 oz, no skin, no frying)

1 piece of fish (4-6 oz, no skin, no frying)

(you can have 1 slice of cheese if desired)

1 serving of veggies

Beverage Choices. Choose one of the following. Make a choice different than the one you made in meal 2.

1 12-oz can of diet soda

1 cup of lemonade (freshly squeezed preferred)

Unlimited plain water (flat or fizzy)

1 cup of flavored watered

1 cup of juice (not from concentrate)

1 cup of unsweetened iced tea or any other type of tea

1 cup of low-fat, reduced fat, fat free, unsweetened soy, or unsweetened almond milk

Click here to see the rest of your meals and snacks for the first day. 

Exercise

Amount of Exercise Today: Minimum 30 minutes. If you want to do more, all the better! Work as hard as you can from this list of cardiovascular exercises.

So I've decided that with a promise of eating constantly and reasonable exercise I can lose 20 pounds, I'm willing to try it at least for a week. 

Want to join me on this mamachallenge? Then buy your copy and let's get going together. 

What do we have to lose?  I have baby #2 weight gain and hopefully baby #1, too, so it's worth it to try. 

Shred: The Revolutionary Diet

Ian K. Smith

St. Martin's Press

Buy It

How NOT to Be a Clueless Chick in 2013

Me Mondays {Review}:

This month I'm dedicated to making us all a little better -- whether it's more healthy, more beautiful or more organized, we're aimed at creating an IMPROVED ME. For me to reach my goals, I've got to make a list. I've got 'em over the place - from long-term lists to daily post-its, putting things in lists WITH DATES remind me to stay on track and get things done. 

So I was so happy to find a new series I'm in love with that I only wish I'd found about four years ago - when I was pregnant and a new mom with "The Clueless Chick" series. 

Mom, Type A/OCD type and author Jennifer Durbin created a new line of books that's perfectly suited for moms with busy schedules looking to be the best they can be - "ClffsNotes" style. Her first three books are all less than 100 pages and packed full of lists and helpful fundamentals to make some of life's most stressful moments,  manageable. 

Party Planning Tips for The Clueless Chick
While we all aspire to be Martha Stewart, let's be honest, it's not always possible. The Clueless Chick is here to help with simple templates and ideas you need to create the best party, shower, networking event, etc. 

Baby Traveling Tips for The Clueless Chick
Any mom will tell you that first time you load up for that first trip with your baby, you feel like you are loading up your whole house in the back of your car. But after a few months, your must-haves change significantly to the real bare essentials. In this book, she outlines how to survive going to restaurants, staying in hotel rooms, etc. with kids. This book of lists is great for first-time parents to those of us with a few under our arm who might need some reminders. 

Pregnancy Tips for The Clueless Chick 
Just found out your pregnant and don't know what to do? Don't inundate yourself with every book ever written on the topic, start with this book to give you a little direction and feel like you understand a little something! From how to extend your existing clothing, where to find new fashionable maternity clothing, to what you really need to put on your registry, this is a great starter book that should be given to you when your test puts out a positive!

The Clueless Chick
Jennifer Durbin
Brigham Distributing
Buy It

DISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

Diet Review: Dr. Salerno's Silver Cloud Diet

Sharing Saturdays: 

As part of my IMPROVED ME series this month, I’m taking a look at a topic that many of us take on in January: diets. Each Saturday I’ll review one of the latest diet book trends and see how easy it is to follow and if you lose weight.

Our first look is at Dr. Salerno's Silver Cloud Diet: The Sustainable Diet for the 21st Century. Written by Internationally acclaimed medical expert on aging and weight loss and James Beard Award-Winning cookbook author Linda Eckhardt, the Silver Cloud Diet t is first a quick plan to drop weight and then ultimately a lifestyle changing system. “This three-step proactive approach to nutrition is based on organic unprocessed foods, high protein, natural fat, and low-carbohydrate, low-glycemic choices, fortified with pure natural nutritional supplements targeted to strengthen your immune system, reduce inflammation, and destroy free radicals.”

Since Salerno studied under the creator of the Atkins diet, so the diet plan seems very similar to the little-to-no-carb plan that was all the rage in the late 90s. However, a majority of the book also explains how the toxins and poisoned food supply is affecting our health. Once to the plan itself, several delicious recipes are included to make your two weeks tolerable. Baseline: if you don’t like meat, eggs and nuts, this diet isn’t for you. But if you can survive the two-week detox, this plan might be a great way to jump off the way to healthier eating, living and even stop the effects of aging.

While I haven’t decided whether this plan works for my lifestyle, it is in consideration. The benefits of the diet are amazing; normalizing weight and eliminating prediabetic conditions, but the use of several supplements that makes me a little aprehensive. However, the overall benefits of regulating body function, controling hunger and stopping hunger without counting calories, but through portion control is an excellent learning tool for any healthy eating plan. 

Dr. Salerno's Silver Cloud Diet: The Sustainable Diet for the 21st Century

Madison Lexington Books

Buy It

                                

Capturing the Year with The World Almanac for Kids 2013

Sharing Saturdays:

Do you need a reminder that Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift are two of the most interesting people in 2012? Probably not since they may own the title in 2013, but it is amazing so many other people,  little-known facts and stats  comprised 2012 in a nutshell. The World Almanac® for Kids 2013 provides timely and timeless information on popular subjects such as animals, science, sports, music, U.S. history, and more. Readers will find out what's hot in 2012 with full-color photographs and facts about favorite sports and entertainment superstars. 

What a great staple volume to talk about current events and capture 2012 for your family as you step through 2013 this NYE! 

The World Almanac for Kids 2013

Sarah Janssen

World Almanac

Buy It

DISCLAIMER:
I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

Sharing a Real Tradition with a New Look: Quentin Blake’s A Christmas Carol

Sharing Saturdays & Sundays:  Books and info worth sharing

A charming new edition of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, Quentin Blake’s A Christmas Carol is a large-bound edition that will last your family for years to come. Quinten Blake, who was made famous by his legendary illustrations for Roald Dahl, vividly brings this story alive with drawings of the jolly Ghost of Christmas Present, the bleak street children Want and Ignorance, Ali Baba with his donkey, and others with his unique droll ink-and-watercolor illustrations.  

The story which is a little complex for younger readers, Blake’s rendition tells the story for ages 7 and above using his iconic artwork. Reminding children everywhere about the true spirit of Christmas, Quentin Blake’s A Christmas Carol is sure to be incorporated into holiday traditions for many years to come.

Quentin Blake’s A Christmas Carol

By Charles Dickens; Illustrated by Quentin Blake

Pavilion Children’s

October 2012, ages 7–9

Buy It

DISCLAIMER:

I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

Sharing How the Holidays REALLY Happen with A Bit of Applause for Mrs. Claus

Sharing Sundays - Books and info worth sharing

I love reading books at the holidays and with this year's incredibly long holiday season, trying to keep the little ones at bay when Christmas is all around them is much easier if you can read a book daily to maintain the Christmas spirit.  

One of my favorite new finds to helping explain how Christmas happens is A Bit of Applause for Mrs. Claus.  Patterned after 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, this book tells the story that hasn't been told before; how Mrs. Claus helps to make Christmas happen. 

Looking back on history, Mrs. Claus is often a part of the holiday tradition, but you never hear what Mrs. Claus does as the most important person at Christmas #2 (sounds like a lot of stories to me...) However, this story, written by a family team of women, shares the backstory of when Santa falls ill how Mrs. Claus gets everything ready from reading children's letters, wrapping the gifts and even preparing the reindeer for flight to make Christmas possible. 

Honestly, in our house this story is exactly how Christmas happens. Thankfully these ladies find a much more fun way to tell it. 

A Bit of Applause for Mrs. Claus

By Jeannie Schick-Jacobowitz & Muffin Drake-Policastro

Illustrated by Wendy Wallin Malinow

Sourcebooks Jannerwocky

Ages 4-8

Buy It

DISCLAIMER:

I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

Stuff the Stocking with I See Me Personalized Books

Sharing Saturdays:

Just as important as the gifts under the tree are the gifts in the stocking. Working to find the right things that are fun and perfectly priced, this is traditionally where a small trinkets like Matchbox cars, Thomas accessories and holiday candy and of course, dog bones for Birddie, the family dog. Now with a little girl in the mix, I’ve got to expand my ideas of what goes into the cute stockings on the mantle, while also being “even” so the older one doesn’t think the younger one is getting anything cooler than he has.

Enter one of my favorite stocking stuffer finds this year: customized books. I See Me! personalized children’s books are a great way to spark a child’s imagination this holiday season. With every book, the child’s name and other personal details are inserted into stories that can help teach learning lessons like how to be a big sister/brother, the importance of a name, and most appropriately for now: the story of Christmas and Hannukah. Each of the books selected for both children included a great story, beautiful illustrations and will also make them feel special since every page including something specific just for them.

While I opted for color activity book options for both children, you can also choose for beautiful hardbound/board book editions for a little longer shelf time. And with a starting price of $9.99, these personalized books are affordable, memorable and educational all at the same time – making them an idea stocking stuffer. If my recommendation is enough, see what the Today Show, People and DailyCandy had to say about I See Me! Books.

I See Me!

Personalized Books

$9.95 - $39.95

http://www.iseeme.com

DISCLAIMER:

I received one or more of the mentioned products for the sole purpose of this review. No other compensating was given and all opinions expressed are 100 percent my own. (Accordance with FTC's 16 CFR Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")