Family Made Simple

Label the Action, Not Your Child...

2012-08-01T22:12:00.000-04:00

Last week, my two-year-old was being testy. And demanding. And all the fun things that go along with toddlerhood. At one particular moment, he had shoved my brother's arm aside in clear irritation. Okay, so maybe he had a right to be irritated (this is my brother we're talking about here), but my husband and I didn't want to encourage rude behavior. But as much as I want to call him out on his rudeness, I try to label his action, not him.

"That was rude," I pointed out. I could have easily said, "You're rude," but I didn't want him to think that he is inherently rude, just that his shoving someone aside was inappropriate.

Labeling applies to emotions as well. When he isn't exactly Mr. Chipper, I try not to say phrases like, "You're grumpy," or "You're sad." Instead, I aim for, "You're being grumpy," or "Do you feel sad?" That way, he won't think that he's a grumpy person, but rather a person having a grumpy day, or feeling sad at this particular moment.

Even positive labels are subject to mislabeling. Take, for instance, saying, "You're funny!" instead of "You're being funny!" Unlike negative labels, being funny or other positive traits probably don't do too much harm, but sometimes even positive labels might lead kids to assume these traits and actions are based on what others say, and not necessarily on how they see themselves. Or they may begin to feel like they are predominantly these traits—from funny to shy, from athletic to artistic—without room for much else, since "funny" is their "thing."

How the Spanish language relates to parenthood

In English, we have one way to define people: I am. The same word applies to permanent definitions like our roles as mothers (I am a mom) just as much as it applies to more fleeting emotions, circumstances and feelings (I am tired).

Spanish, on the other hand, draws a distinction between the two states of being with the verbs ser and estar. Ser is used for the more permanent and inherent descriptions such as I am a mom (Soy mamá) while estar applies to conditions and changeable states such as I am tired (estoy cansada).

Who knows whether Spanish evolved to reflect this distinction just so that we won't necessarily tie our actions to our selves, but I've found the difference a helpful reminder that, when it comes to parenting, we need to label the actions instead of our kids, particularly with misbehavior and discipline. We can reinforce that we may not always approve of what they do, but we'll always love them no matter what.

Nina is the owner of the blog Sleeping Should Be Easy, where she writes thought-provoking topics and useful parenting tips. She is a mom to a two-year-old and would love it if you checked out her blog and Facebook page.

8 Simple Tips for Preparing for a Stress Free Back-to-School Season!

2012-07-13T10:47:00.000-04:00

Before you know it, the fall will be here. You can be sure this back to school season is stress free by following these 8 simple tips.

Start preparing now to get your child organized. You may say, “It’s July, I don’t want to think about it now”. Do not wait until the last week in August.

Prepare now, even if you put a plan on paper and put it into motion later.

8 Simple Tips for a Stress-Free Back-to-School Season:

Get them in the habit now of organizing their clothes. Keeping like items together, color code, keep tops together, pants together, etc. This tip will save you money because you know exactly what is in their closet and you won’t buy duplicate items. Go through their entire closet when the seasons change.

Be sure your child has an area designated in the home to do their homework. Give them a space in their bedroom or in another area of the home, preferably not the kitchen table. Give them a space that is their own space.

Buy them a small desk with drawers and bookshelves.

Hang a bulletin cork board for them to display reminders or favorite pictures from school. Contain the cork board to one area near the desk.

Organize the area keeping notebooks, books, writing utensils, and gadgets contained.

Work with your child to organize and develop their space.

Be sure to give them a calendar to keep on their desk that they can refer to for important project deadlines and activities.

Give them the tools and containers to store and organize loose papers.

Teaching your children to be organized at an early age will prepare them for the future in their personal lives and their careers. Organized people are more efficient, more productive, they save time and money. People will have more confidence in you if you are organized. Give your child the tools now to become organized.

It is never too early to start!

Guest Blog Post: by Kristin Carcieri-MacRae. Kristin is a professional organizer and owner of Organizing In RI, LLC. Kristin is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers. She specializes in organizing businesses, residential, and life. Check out and LIKE her Facebook page too!

FMS Fan Recipe for Honey-Dijon Chicken and Spinich Wraps

2012-07-10T09:49:00.003-04:00

Fellow Family Made Simple fan, Don, shared this yummy Honey-Dijon Chicken & Spinach wrap recipe on our facebook wall. Thanks Don!

Hope you don't mind me sharing, but Just wanted to share a recipe I found and tried. The recipe is quick and easy to make and a great summer meal. It's called:

Honey-Dijon Chicken and Spinach Wraps

Ingredients:

1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons Honey-Dijon mustard
2Tablespoons milk
2 cups cubed rotisserie chicken
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup halved red seedless grapes
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
4 whole wheat tortillas
Baby Spinach

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonaisse, honey-dijon mustard and milk. Then stir in chicken, grapes, celery and walnuts.
(I refrigerated my mixture for about an hour to chill)
Wrap 4 tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave for 30 seconds
Scatter the baby spinich over each tortilla and spoon the chicken mixture down the center.
Roll up tightly and cut diagonally in half.
I served some fresh zucchini as a side. What a refreshing meal.

This recipe is definately a keeper for me. I was going to have the left-overs for lunch tomorrow, but my wife decided she was taking it for lunch...oh well!!

Enjoy!

NOTE: I really love when FMS fans share recipes, helpful tips and ask questions they want answered by other parents. Don't be shy. If you don't want to post on the wall, message or email me! ~ Tessa

Simple Tips for a Tidy House from a Professional Organizer!

2012-07-09T10:08:00.000-04:00

Keeping a Clutter Free and Kid Friendly Kitchen!

The meals are planned, prepped and served. Lunches are packed and the kids know just where to look for their favorite treats. Our fridges hold the leftovers from the weeks end, invitations to birthday parties and our children’s beautiful works of art. Where else but in the kitchen can you create so many memories, meals and….a mess! Being the center of the household the kitchen can quite honestly become the dumping ground for anything from backpacks to sneakers to mail. Keeping your kitchen clutter free is possible by simply creating zones and boundaries for its use! Here are some simple quick tips to help your kitchen stay de-cluttered from the first meal of the day to the last glass of juice just before bedtime.

Information Central- Creating a Task Center

The kitchen is typically our first stop of the day. Utilize a dry erase board on the fridge, put up a cork board or magnetic calendar and list daily appointments and reminders. This is a great way to stay on track of the week and a great reference point to how busy your week will be. Get the kids involved by having them place stickers on certain activities they are looking forward to, or use the boards as a chore chart. Keeping your board updated is also a great tool to allow children to learn the importance of organization and create a sense of accomplishment once their tasks are completed.

Zones

A counter full of clutter and a kitchen table piled high with schoolwork will result in time lost cleaning and searching for things. Create zones throughout your home so that items do not always land in the kitchen. Use the entryway for backpacks and jackets. Have an incoming and outgoing mail zone. Create a storage bin for your child’s school work and have them place their favorites within each folder. By taking the time to place items within their zones and designated areas you will find it to be a big time saver over the course of the week!

Keep the Fridge and Pantry Tidy

Draw separators, containers and bins work wonders in the fridge and pantry! The idea that you can find items in your kitchen quickly and easily doesn’t have to be a dream. Use an over the door organizer to store anything from bottles to dry goods. To free up space in the cupboards create a snack drawer for the kids and stack canned goods in a magazine file! Use labels where you can as a reminder of the designated spot for items. Always take stock and purge kitchen utensils you may not need!

Good luck and Happy Organizing!

Lauren Silveira resides in Providence, RI with her husband Kevin and 11 year old step daughter Jenna. She currently owns and operates Organized for Life, where she is able to fulfill her passion of allowing others to become organized within all areas of their lives. Check out Lauren’s Organized for Life Facebook Pagetoo!

Our Visit to Story Land Recap & Ticket GIVEAWAY!

2012-07-03T10:04:00.000-04:00

My daughter recently turned four! Before her birthday, we kept throwing around different celebration ideas and party themes. Should we have a cookout in our yard and have a kiddie pool, jumpie house etc? Do we hold off-site at a type of kiddie playland? All great options… options we’ve done for previous parties.

This year we wanted to do something a little different. Since she had been asking to go on vacation or as she calls it, “Bacation”, we decided to go on a long-weekend getaway to celebrate her birthday. But, where do we go?

We have been told by many that she is a little too young to truly enjoy Disney. We needed to find a fun-filled, spot that was geared to little ones. We decided on Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire. Story Land is a family-friendly park geared for families with kiddos ranging in ages from 2-12.

Last year, we went to another well-known theme park in Pennsylvania but unfortunately had an awful experience. We swore to never go back.

By contrast, our visit to Story Land was truly magical from the moment we got there until we left, seven hours later! I honestly can say that everything from conscientious park attendants, cleanliness to the variety of rides and attractions received a positive check.

We arrived right when the park opened at 9 a.m. Since it was my daughter’s birthday, she was given a special birthday sticker at the entrance desk. Each ride attendant would comment and wish her a Happy Birthday. The Old Lady in the Shoe even gave her extra stickers which made her day!

Speaking of park attendants and characters, they were all very helpful, never rushed us and truly seemed happy to be working there.

As you may have been able to tell by some of my facebookposts, I’m somewhat of a neat freak. I can happily tell you that Story Land met my high expectations and was extremely clean. Another check in the positive column!

Another plus, having a preschooler that seems to have the need to “go potty” every half hour, it was great that there were so many restrooms around the park. We never had to walk very far to get to one.

As mentioned above, we were looking for a park that was age appropriate for our preschooler but also one that my husband and I would enjoy as well. Story Land fit the bill.

We walked around the nursery rhyme themed area, drove the antique cars, rode up in Cinderella’s Pumpkin Coach to Cinderella’s castle (the highlight of the day for my princess-loving daughter), rode through the park on the train, swirled in the tea-cups, relaxed on the Swan Boat ride and soared through the air on the flying fish. We also sat under the “big tent” to watch the Story Land circus which was cute and again, fun for all.

Our last stop was to the kiddie water park, the Ocean’s of Fun. It basically was an area with ocean-themed sprinklers. It was a nice area for the little ones to run around and cool off but not get totally soaked. There was no need to change into a bathing suit but I would recommend water-safe shoes like crocs because there are tiny puddles around that you know they will want to jump in.

All in all, Story Land was an absolutely perfect vacation and way to celebrate our little one’s 4th birthday. We were sad to leave and are already planning next year’s visit! I really cannot say enough about it and highly recommend it.

So this being said, thanks to Story Land, we are able to giveaway 3 tickets to one lucky Family Made Simple fan!

ENTER the Story Land GIVEAWAY

(you must follow all entry steps):

You must be a FMS fan, If not LIKE our page
LIKE Story Land’s Facebook page and tell them FMS sent you!
Comment below as to why you'd like to go to Story Land (make sure to include your email address so we may contact you if you are the winner!)

Good Luck!

Homemade Slow-Cooker Red Bean & Beef Sloppy Joes

2012-07-02T09:26:00.002-04:00

In the summer months, we, um I should say my husband, does a lot of grilling. There is nothing better than grilled chicken, hot dogs and sausage but sometimes we just want something different. Lately, I have been preparing a crock-pot meal in the beginning of the week that will work for two different meals.

This week, I made homemade, gluten-free red bean & beef sloppy joes.

Day 1 we will have traditional sloppy joe sandwiches with corn on the cob and salad.

Day 2 I will mix the leftover meat with whole wheat pasta.

Gluten-Free Red Bean & Beef Sloppy Joes

2lbs Ground Beef
1 lg can of small Red Beans
1 lg onion
1 green pepper
1 ½ cup ketchup
½ cup water
2 cloves chopped garlic
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Ttbsp soy sauce (we used gluten-free)
1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder (optional)

Chop onion, garlic and green pepper in medium size pieces. If you chop too small they will disintegrate in the crock-pot. Rinse beans under cold water. Mix onion, pepper, beans, garlic in a bowl. Add hamburger to the slow-cooker. Add chopped veggies and beans. Add ketchup, water, vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce and garlic and onion powder. Cook on low for 6 hours. If the sauce is too thin for your liking, add 1-2 tbsp of corn starch and mix well.

I think it is better the second day so I made it on Sunday night to have on Monday and Tuesday. Either way, it tastes delicious and is so much better than the store-bought canned sloppy joe mix.

Enjoy!

Tips From a Teacher~ Simple Summer Learning Activities You Can Do At Home

2012-06-29T12:52:00.001-04:00

So many parents ask “So, what can I do to help my child(ren) continue to learn and progress with math and reading over the summer"?

As a teacher, I always recommend that parents do continue to work with their children during the summer so that their children don’t have what I call, the “summer loss” syndrome.

I would say “just a little everyday”. Not a big deal, right?

Well, that was before I was a mom. Now, having two little ones at home, I know that just a little bit can become a big deal. You still want a stress-free summer that is fun for your children and yourself.

Here are some simple summer learning ideas that will make that “a little everyday” a lot easier and something fun that your child will look forward to. You will take pride in the fact that you are helping your little ones with math and reading skills and your child will have so much fun, he will not realize he is doing school work!

Simple Summer Learning Activities:

If you have little ones, have your older ones read to them.
Do basic math facts with food.
Cut up their peanut butter sandwich into pieces –
Have younger children count the pieces.
Older children, work on addition, subtraction or fractions.
Basic math facts with flash cards (dollar tree sells them).
Keep track of the time of completion and they can compete against their own time.
My oldest is obsessed with Legos. Lego activities that hit both spelling and math are:
Spell words out using Lego blocks.
Count out red Legos, orange Legos, black Legos, etc. Which pile has more/less?
Good old fashion reading to your kids is always great time for bonding and learning.
And, as I still tell all my students, READ, READ, READ!

I hope this helps! Because in the end, like it or not, the “summer loss syndrome” is real! I see it every September.

~Dalila

Guest post by Dalila L. Mendoza. Dalila is the mother of two boys, Jacob – 6 and Jeremy – 1. She has been married to her husband, Joshua, for 10 years. Currently, she is the Assistant Principal of an elementary school and a second grade teacher (yes, full time in both positions).

Simple & Seriously Delish Homemade Sweet & Sour Chicken

2012-06-14T10:33:00.002-04:00

I have had a strong craving for Chinese food. However, the last few times we have ordered out, I have not been impressed with the dry, seems like day-old chicken.

Last night, I tried to make my favorite, sweet & sour chicken, from scratch. It was really easy to make. I just hoped it tasted good!

Not only was it absolutely delicious and tasted so much better than that from the Chinese restaurant but it was so much healthier too.

Since it was not battered and deep-fried, my recipe was lower in fat, calories and cholesterol. Not to mention that it was gluten-free.

I also was able to make a serving for four for less than $10! You'd spend a lot more than that with takeout.

Seriously Delicious Homemade Sweet & Sour Chicken

4-6 chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces

1 cup of brown sugar

¾ cup of apple cider vinegar

8 tablespoons of ketchup

1 16 oz can of pineapple- chunks (including juice)

2 teaspoons of soy sauce

4 teaspoons of corn starch

1 bag of frozen broccoli

1 teaspoon of jarred chopped garlic

Rice

Onion Powder

Olive Oil

Before you start the chicken, start your rice according to directions on box. I add the chopped garlic and frozen broccoli to the rice and let it cook together.

Drizzle olive oil on the bottom of a large frying pan. I used a wok and would really recommend investing in one. It is great for making stir fry too!
When the pan is nice and hot, add the chicken. Sprinkle with onion powder. Cook all the way through
Mix brown sugar, vinegar, ketchup and soy sauce in a large bowl. Add pineapple and juice. Mix.
Add to chicken. Add teaspoons of corn starch. Mix and bring to a boil. Continue mixing until sauce thickens.Lower heat and let it sit for a few minutes.

Serve over rice and Enjoy!

Finding Family-Life Balance! How Bad Do You Want It?

2012-06-06T11:15:00.003-04:00

I don't know if you ever feel the same, but something I struggle with is finding a balance between family responsibilities and spending time with my almost 4 year old.

I constantly have something on the to-do list whether it is doing dishes, folding laundry, making my monthly meal plan…the to-do’s never end.

I also have a little one, an only child, that always wants me to play with her.

I recently came across the following Polish proverb:

I am getting much better at stopping what I’m doing when my preschooler says “mama, let’s play together”.

As you know they grow so fast. In the blink of an eye, there may come a time when she is 13 and no longer wants to spend time with me.

The chores will always be here AND will eventually get done.

Couponing 101: Organizing Your Stockpile

2012-06-06T09:25:00.001-04:00

Now that you’ve started to use coupons to stock your homes with your favorite foods and cleaning items it’s time to really think about your stockpile.

It is important to be realistic with the amount of space that you have and can devote to your grocery items. I am lucky enough to have a full basement with plenty of space to store my items but if you don’t have this luxury you can be creative without making your house look like the

local convenience store.

Storing items under beds and in closets is a great way to keep organized and to maximize your space. If you are going to do this I highly recommend keeping your items in Rubbermaid plastic totes that are labeled with the contents. The totes help to keep critters out and the labels will keep you from having to rifle through each bin trying to find what you need.

Also keep your like items together. I have all my cat and dog food together on one shelf, all my paper goods on another, all baking items together and so on.

Keep your items stocked with the older items towards the front; although most canned goods and other stock up items have lengthy shelf lives, you don’t want to use all the 2013 dated items while the 2012 sit and wait to be used.

Lastly decide what minimum and maximum of each item you want to keep in your stockpile so that you know when it’s time to stock up and when you can focus on another item. This will also help you from having to eat cerealthree times a day for 4 weeks to make room!

Best of luck to all of the new and newly energized couponersout there.

Please feel free to let us know if there is anything you would like to see me cover for you regarding couponing.

It has been my great pleasure to share my saving tips! ~ Marsha

Guest Blog Post from Family Made Simple fan, Marsha Giroux. Marsha, the mom of Harry, 2 ½ and Sophia 1 resides in Rhode Island.

7 Tips for Making Bathtime Fun & Not a Struggle!

2012-06-05T10:36:00.002-04:00

Bathtime, it is either a time that you little ones love or hate!

There was a time, not too long ago, that my preschooler would run when I said “tubby time”. Since, baths are a necessity, I had to come up with some ideas to make bathtime fun for her AND me! By using everyday items you have around the house, you can turn bath time into play time!

7 Fun-filled Bathtime Ideas:

Bubbles- I pour a little bit of bubbles in a cup and give a bunch of different shaped bubble wands. She has fun blowing bubble while I wash her hair with ease.

Cups & Cooking Gadgets- She loves playing pretend cooking or pouring water from one cup to the other. Sometimes I ask her to make me hot chocolate, coffee, etc. Instead of putting up a struggle she is focused on her task at hand. If she starts to get frazzled, I’ll distract by asking “can you please put some milk in my coffee”. Works everytime!

Plastic Toys- Give your child plastic tub-safe toys of different weights. Play the Sinking Game. Hold up two toys and ask “which do you think will sink first”.

Mega Blocks- Yes, bring a handful of big mega blocks into the tub and let your little one build away. When finished using them in the bath, I just throw them in the dishwasher to clean.

Squirt Gun- This is probably my little one’s favorite. She knows she can have fun squirting her dolls, the bath walls, anything as long as it is not outside the tub or mommy! Ask her to wash the tub for you. She can “clean” the walls and then give her a wash cloth to dry.

Straws- Show your child how to hold the straw above the bath bubbles and blow (without sucking in water). He’ll get a kick out of making designs in the bath.

Glow Sticks- Turn out the lights and give your child a glow stick for club tubby time. This is great to pull out during the much-hated hair washing time.

Hope you find some of these tips helpful!

Comment below and share your bathtime stories, struggles or even tips of your own…

Ever thought about starting your own biz? Follow these 9 tips for success- Part II

2012-06-04T09:29:00.001-04:00

You’ve heard the statistic before: Nine out of 10 small businesses fail. So what are those 10 percent who are successful doing differently?

Having recently launched my own life and career coaching business for women, I thought I’d share my top 9 tips for success. This is the second article in a two-part series. The first article covered tips 1-5. If you missed it, you can read it here. Below, you’ll find tips 6-9.

6. Get comfortable with self-promotion.

In order to make an impact on the world with your service or product, people have to know about you. Many people—especially women—are uncomfortable promoting themselves, but if you decide to become an entrepreneur, I believe marketing must be your top focus—especially in the beginning.

Some people think of marketing as sleazy or dirty—and certainly, when done the wrong way, that’s how it can come off. But I believe that there’s an authentic way to market your business by demonstrating to potential customers that you genuinely do care about them and can offer a solution to their problem.

I can say that I wholeheartedly believe in the value I provide to my private coaching clients—and I believe that if there’s someone out there who needs my help, it’s my duty to help them find their way to me. So I look at marketing as the tool that helps them find me—not in a pushy way—but the message being, “Just so you know, I’m here and I have the skills to help you stop struggling and reach your life and career goals. If it feels right for you and you think working together would be a good fit, I’d be more than happy to help.” See, not sleazy, right?

7. Done is better than perfect.

I definitely struggle with this one, as I tend to be somewhat of a perfectionist. But I have learned to let go a bit over the past few months. If not, I would still be “preparing” to launch my business, rather than enjoying the ride!

Don’t let analysis paralysis hold you back. Repeat after me: Implement, implement, implement! Don’t get me wrong. You certainly want to be sufficiently prepared and have a well-thought-out strategy when you begin any endeavor, but you won’t know whether something works or not until you’ve actually implemented the strategy and can see the results, which leads me to the next tip…

8. Fail fast & forward.

This tip is an extension of #7. The only way to know what’s effective and what’s not is by trial and error. The key is to learn from what doesn’t go exactly as planned. You want to jump in and try something, determine very quickly whether it’s working or not, why that is, and then course correct right away—either by tweaking your approach slightly or taking a different route altogether, depending on what’s at the root of the “failure.”

9. Hustle!

As Marketing & Lifestyle Expert Marie Forleo has said, “Before you become an overnight success, you must be an everyday hustler.” One of the key goals for many entrepreneurs when they start their businesses is to have more freedom and live a more flexible lifestyle (and this was big for me, too)—but in the beginning, while you’re establishing your business and your credibility, it takes many, many long hours, and tons of hard work and dedication. It will not be easy. It will be exhausting, it will be draining, and there will be times when you question what you are doing and if you’re up to the task. But if you put in the hard work up front, I truly believe you will reap the rewards in the end.

Being an entrepreneur is not for everyone, but I can say without question that I love it! And in those tiring, dark moments, I keep the following quote I once heard top of mind. “Entrepreneurs live for one or two years like most people won’t, so that they can spend the rest of their lives living like most people can’t.”

Dana D’Orsi is a life & career transformation coach, the founder of Best Life Solutions and the creator of The Best Life System™, a proven step-by-step program that teaches women who feel stuck or frustrated in some area of their lives or careers how to get “unstuck,” figure out exactly what they want and get it in record-time. For immediate FREE access to Dana’s Best Life Video Series, as well as a complimentary email subscription to Dana’s weekly success tips, visit www.best-life-solutions.com. You can also connect with Dana on Facebook at www.facebook.com/danadorsi.

10 Tips For A Relaxing Trip To The Beach WITH The Kiddos!

2012-05-30T10:27:00.002-04:00

Summertime! A time for warmer days, longer nights, family cookouts, fun-filled outings and days spent at the beach.

If you are like me all year long you dream of feeling warm sun on your face, sand between your toes and hearing the sound of the ocean’s waves hitting the shore… but then your thought quickly turn to the hassle of having to lug the heavy cooler, sand toys, blankets oh and can’t forget the kiddos because they are complaining that the sand is too hot on their toes!

Do you get discouraged, say the HE(double hockey stick) with it and instead turn on the sprinkler in the yard or do you brave going to the beach?

If you chose the first option and stayed home just to avoid the aggravation, I can relate. I was like you until my sister, the Beach Pro, gave me a few tips!

10 Tips for an easy and relaxing Beach Trip:

The night before put water bottles in the freezer. This will serve 2 purposes! You can use it instead of ice in the cooler and it will be melted enough to drink when you want it. I always add a few non-frozen bottles in case the little ones want water right when they get there.

Invest in a beach cart. For under $30 you can get a decent sized cart to load with all your beach essentials and will only have to make one trip from car-to-sand.

If you are going to be a beach pro, you have to think like one. You don’t just plop down anywhere, you have to put on your inspector gadget goggles and scope out the place. You want to first and foremost find the restrooms. Then claim your spot nearby. It makes “Mommy, I have to go to the potty” moments a lot easier!

There are phone apps to check tide times so you can chose a seat that is just right so you know if the tide is coming up or going down and won't have to move when the tide comes up or goes out. If you don't have a tide app, it's always on the morning news and the lifeguards know if you ask them.

Do you get tired of having to walk back and forth to the ocean to fill buckets or is your little one still not sure about the ocean? Bring a little blow-up pool. Place it next to your blanket then walk down to the ocean with a few buckets, fill them once and add them to the pool. Your kiddos will stay nearby and you won’t have to wonder where they are. You may even be able to read a magazine!

Keep an extra bucket of ocean water near your seat that the kids don't play in to quickly rinse hands or sippy cups. A little salt water never hurt anyone!

Plastic sandwich bags- At lunchtime, put baggies on your little one’s hands. He will get a kick out of having mittens on. You will be happy that he is not ingesting a lot of sand and can actually eat a clean sandwich!

BABY POWDER.... baby wipes tend to just spread the sand around, baby powder gets the sand right off! I use it before I put my little one in the car.

Put all of the toys in a mesh sporting ball bag (can find them in the sporting section of most department stores)... you can quickly rinse all toys and keep track of smaller items. Just dip the whole bag in the ocean to rinse. Shake out and excess water can drip out and not get yucky.

Untraditional beach toys you find around the house make for a different, fun and exciting trip....think old happy meal toys, measuring cups, funnels, spatulas, etc. You can even store these in your bag and only pull them out if a melt-down occurs.

Hope you find these tips helpful. I sure did and now enjoy going to the beach! It should be a relaxing time…a time to form fond family memories!

Ever Thought About Starting Your Own Biz? Follow These 9 Tips for Success.

2012-05-22T09:37:00.000-04:00

This is the first article in a two-part series. The second article will cover tips 6-9.

You’ve heard the statistic before: Nine out of 10 small businesses fail. So what are those 10 percent who are successful doing differently?

Having recently launched my own life and career coaching business for women, I thought I’d share my top 9 tips for success. Obviously, the real test will be whether I’m still standing one year from now, five years from now or 10 years for now—but as long as I continue focusing on these foundational principles, I feel good about my chances.

1. Start with your big "why."

Before you jump into any large endeavor, you want to make sure you’re clear on your big “why.” So in this case, you want to determine WHY you want to start your business.

Is it to make a difference in the world?
Is it so you can have a more flexible schedule and spend more time with your family?
Do you want to become the master of your own destiny?
Do you want to be a stronger role model for your children?

Whatever your primary motivation is, write it down and keep it somewhere you can see it often. When the going gets tough (and it will!), focusing on your “why” will help you persist.

2. Have a plan.

You wouldn’t drive cross country without a map, right? Well, don’t start a business without charting your path first.

Clearly, you’ll want to think through the traditional elements of a business plan: company description, products/services, strategy, market analysis, financial projections, etc. But in addition to your formal business plan, you’ll also want to consider the following items:

Do you have enough money in your savings account to cover your family’s expenses while you build your business? It can take some time before a new business turns a profit. My advice is to have a minimum of one year’s worth of your salary put aside.
How will you manage your time? If you’ll be working from home, will you have child care? If you have to put in extra hours on the weekends, will your spouse be able to help out with the kids?
If you’re still working in a traditional job while you prepare for your business’ launch, what’s your exit plan? Will you juggle both responsibilities for awhile? At what point will you transition fully?

3. Understand the numbers.

You need to treat your business like a business—notan expensive hobby. Repeat after me: Businesses are in business to make money. While you may have launched your business out of a desire to do what you love and/or be of service to others, the only way you’ll be able to do those things on a continual basis is if your efforts are bringing in some cash.

Pay careful attention to your expenses and take the time to figure out your projections. Numbers don’t lie and if yours aren’t adding up, you’ll need to get serious about raising your prices, increasing your marketing, cutting expenses and re-thinking your products and services altogether.

4. Don't reinvent the wheel.

As Tony Robbins says, “Success leaves clues.” Research others in your field—as well as in other fields—who have been successful in business. Study what they have done and model it (that’s model; notcopy). Sure, there’s room for innovation, but some principles of success are timeless. You’ll also want to consider investing in information products on topics like marketing and social media, as well as an experienced business coach who can help you grow your business faster—and with less struggle.

5. Focus, focus, focus.

Launching a business takes serious dedication—and hours upon hours of hard work. To make it happen, you will need to cut out anything in your life that is not moving you in the direction of your larger vision. This may mean saying “no” to social engagements or volunteering at your children’s school. It may mean that your house doesn’t get vacuumed or you buy brownies for the school bake sale at the store instead of baking them from scratch. Everything that is non-essential has to go!

I also recommend building your support system. Ask for help from your spouse, parents, siblings and friends. If you can swing it financially, hire a nanny or babysitter, a housecleaner and a virtual assistant. Shop online and use a grocery delivery service like Peapod to cut down on your errand time. Look at all of your current activities and figure out where you can find extra time to devote to your business. Remember, lack of time is really a lack of priorities. Go back and revisit your big “why” statement. Then ask yourself, what could be a higher priority than that?

Mind Body Barre Review & GIVEAWAY

2012-05-17T08:57:00.000-04:00

I'm always in search for a fitness routine that is quick, fun, engaging and gets results.

I have a little confession...I'm a self-admitted infomercial junkie and have tried everything. I think I may have every exercise DVD program that has come out in the last 15 years - The Firm, Step, Urban Rebounder, Slim in Six, Core Secrets, 10 Minute Trainer, Windsor Pilates, Zumba, Jillian Michaels Shred…I’ve got ‘em all.

I’ve been hearing a lot of talk about barre fitness. For those that don’t know what it is all about, barre fitness is body sculpting and toning based around a ballet barre. This sounded like nothing I’ve tried before and was intrigued.

Angela Vernaglia, founder and owner of Mind Body Barre Fitness & Healing invited me to try a class! I was so excited yet admittedly a little nervous. I really didn’t know what to expect.

First impressions were positive! The studio was super clean, crisp and had an ultra-relaxing vibe.

The class started out with a time of stretching on mats. We then did some whole body sculpting using light weights. We only used 3lb weights but wow! After a few targeted moves, my muscles started to burn. I looked at my watch and still had 45 minutes to go. I thought "can I make it"?

It was as if Angela could tell what I was thinking and just at the perfect moment, said "don't stop, you can do it!". She really was motivating!

After doing some pilates-like and sculpting moves on the mats, we moved to the barres to work our legs. We did a variety of squats some traditional, some not so traditional. Like mentioned above, I've done a number of exercise classes but nothing has worked me like this. My legs were literally shaking but it felt good! I felt strong and so proud that I was keeping up.

Towards the end of class, Angela turned off the lights and spritzed the room with calming lavender oil. It was a much welcomed time of stretching and meditation. Mind Body Barre is not just about working your body but also your mind and spirit.

At one point, Angela said something that really touched me…"You ARE so many things to so many other people, mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, friends, co-workers and the list goes on and on....you spend much of your life giving yourself to others, and while that is part of life, it doesn't necessarily define who you are and what you want-- it's important to step back now and then as ask gently ask yourself, "What is it that I really want?"

I left class feeling powerful, energized and all-in-all amazing! It kicked my butt and I was sore for a few days later but loved it! I literally can't wait to go again! It was so much more than just a fitness class. It truly was a invigorating mind and body experience. This is why it is gaining such popularity and people can’t get enough!

I'm so excited to tell you that 3 lucky Family Made Simple fans can also experience a FREE Mind Body Barreclass.

Thanks to Angela, we are able to giveaway 3 passes- 2 in-studio and 1 virtual class. Yes, they even offer virtual classes that you can take from the comfort of your own home!

To enter this giveaway:

Take a look at the Mind Body Barre class schedule and comment below telling us why you would want to give it a try and whether you'd be interested in an in-studio or virtual class. AND...
LIKE the Mind Body Barre Facebook page. Make sure to tell them Family Made Simple sent you.

If you do both of the above, you will be entered into a drawing. We will randomly pick 3 winners!

Good Luck!

PS. They are offering a special free Open “Bar”re class on 5/26 for NEW Clients 10:30-11:15am

Click Here toRegister for the FREE Class or to look at the schedule!

*At Mind Body Barre, they offer group fitness classes ranging from their signature barre class, dance and yoga inspired workouts, to personalized workouts for people of all ages and body types. In addition, they offer massage therapy, reiki treatments, meditation, healing arts, intuitive counseling, educational workshops and activities.

Spring Cleaning the Home...Mind & Soul!

2012-05-16T12:03:00.001-04:00

It is Spring cleaning time!

In our home, we are going room by room and removing and donating the things we simply do not need. We don’t need 20 glasses and 10 coffee mugs. I’m no longer holding onto the “what if they fit someday” clothes. We are donating toys that my daughter no long plays with. We have gone through five rooms and have a few more to go. Our rooms actually look brighter and feel more spacious. Why didn’t I do this years ago?

Besides washing windows and baseboards, it is a time to clear out the mind and soul of all the negative and unnecessary dust and cob webs.

I’m at the point in my life where I’m finally ready to tackle and get rid of all the junk and all the clutter that’s been weighing me down.

I’m starting to forgive those I’ve held grudges or ill feelings against (hey, I’m only human). I am attempting to let go of the things I cannot change and am trying only look on the bright side of any situation.

It is not easy and takes work- daily reminders, notes and nudges. Let me tell you, it sure feels good to let go of all this garbage! I physically feel like a weight has been lifted from my chest.

We’ve all heard that there’s power in positive thinking. Our whole sense of being, our attitudes, outlooks and even outcomes are affected by how we look at a situation.

I admit that I easily get flustered when things aren’t going my way and stress out. I’ve really been trying to work on this though. I don’t want to be part of “team half-empty”! Not only do I want to live a calm, peaceful life, but I want my way of being to rub off on my little one.

Team Half-Full

Our children watch and take in everything. My little one has already exhibited some anxious tendencies when things don’t go as planned. I want to cut this bad habit in the bud. So now if she gets upset, I’ll say “it is ok. No big deal”. She’ll laugh and repeat it.

From this day forward I’m making a pledge to be on “team half-full”!

I’m going to be grateful for what I have and not dwell on what I don’t. I have loaded an inspirational message app on my phone to be reminded to look on the bright side. I keep a notebook in my bag to write down a song lyric, phrase or quote that touches me throughout the day.

Which team do you tend to sit on- The “half-full” or “half-empty” team? Are you ready to simplify for a fully satisfied way of living?

Give it a try. You will be glad you did!

All About My Mom Mother's Day Activity

2012-05-11T16:26:00.000-04:00

Ask your child to fill out this Mother's Day Questionnaire every year to see the change in answers and growth in your child!

You can be the reporter and "interview" your child. You can even have your child put his/her handprint on the back. Store these beautiful mementos in a special scrapbook you create together!

Mother’s Day
All About My Mom

My mom is ________________ years old

My mom looks beautiful when she______________________

I love when my mom ________________________________

My mom cooks the best ______________________________

My mom makes me laugh when _____________________

My mom's favorite outfit is ____________________________

My mom always says________________________________

I have so much fun when my mom and I ________________________________________________

I love my mom because _____________________________!

Happy Mother’s Day Mom!
I love you so much!

From: __________________, _____ years old

I assure you that this will be a bonding activity that you both will look forward to for years to come!

* Either print this out or copy/paste the questionnaire wording into a blank document. PS. You can also email the link to your college-aged and adult children to continue the tradition!

Love Pizza? Federal Hill Brick Oven Pizza Review & GIVEAWAY!

2012-05-10T08:51:00.001-04:00

Sometimes, this mama needs a break from cooking! So, on Saturdays, we typically will go out to eat.

We have the good intention of trying new restaurants but after a few rounds of “where should we go?..I don’t care” (while driving around aimlessly) we usually end up at a local chain restaurant. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love chains every now and then but really prefer to eat a fresh, home cooked, non cookie-cutter meal.

This past Saturday, we went about our restaurant outing a little differently. We actually had a plan!

A few days prior, I had noticed a Facebook advertisement for Federal Hill Brick Oven Pizzain Warren, Rhode Island (non-RI’ers please don’t stop reading..there is moral to this story). Normally, I ignore the ads but this one grabbed my attention because it said gluten-free pizza. As many of you know, my little one has a sensitivity to gluten. Right then and there, I decided we were going to go to Federal Hill Pizza on Saturday!

I was told they could get pretty busy on Saturday nights so we made reservations. When we got there we were immediately welcomed by Christine. She owns Federal Hill Pizza along with her husband Bill, the chef.

Not only would Christine come out to welcome everyone that came in, but Chef Bill walked around the restaurant a few times to talk to guests. Impressive!

We ordered one of our favorite appetizers, fried mozzarella figuring we would get your average mozzarella sticks. Boy, was I mistaken. The plate was quickly brought out with 4 large-sized fried mozzarella triangles. They were like nothing I have ever eaten and were definitely not frozen. I’m pretty sure Chef Bill sliced fresh mozzarella, breaded it and cooked it as ordered. AMAZING!

Next, our pizzas were brought out. A gluten free cheese for the little one, a “Greek Zorba” for me and a “The Way It Should Be” for my husband. The not your average pizza names were fitting because these were not your average pizzas!

The crust was just like I like it – crispy on the outside but soft and doughy on the inside. This included the gluten-free crust. For anyone that has had gluten-free pizza, this is normally not the case.

The sauce, made of fresh, crushed tomatoes, was so flavorful. Not too spicy, not too tangy, not too sweet…just right! Oh, and the cheese…I can’t forget to mention the cheese. It was slices of fresh mozzarella cooked to gooey perfection.

I should have expected simply spectacular food from seeing all the “Best of…” awards and accolades on the wall. After eating, I can tell you that these awards were well-deserved!

Chef Bill was trained in Italy and spent a lot of time striving to make the perfect crust, tasty sauce and only uses the best of ingredients. Talking to him, you can tell he truly takes pride in his work and would never serve anything to anyone he wouldn’t first eat himself.

We have been known to drive to North Conway, New Hampshire which is over 2 hours away to have pizza at a place which we love. At the end of our meal, I said to the hubby “we found our place and no longer need to drive to NH for to-die-for pizza…we have it right here in our backyard”.

The moral of the story, when you make a point to go out to eat, it should be for really good food- food that truly is fresh and delicious, not just food that you settled on because you didn’t have to cook it yourself.

Local moms, you really have to check out Federal Hill Brick Oven Pizza! They have so much more than pizza on their pretty extensive menu. Non-local moms, it is worth the drive! With being so close to Newport, Providence and Boston, you could make a long weekend out of it!

In fact, Chef Bill and Christine have been gracious enough to offer 5- $20 gift-certificates to Family Made Simple fans!

To enter this giveaway:

Take a look at the menu and comment below telling us what you think you would order. AND...
LIKE the Federal Hill Brick Oven Pizza Facebook page. Make sure to tell them Family Made Simple sent you.

If you do both of the above, you will be entered into a drawing. We will randomly pick 5 winners!

Good Luck!

I Took the Green Bean Casserole & Made It Into An All-in-One Meal!

2012-05-07T10:47:00.001-04:00

I don't know about you, but I could probably live on green bean casserole. Like many, it is a side dish we have at every Thanksgiving meal but then for some reason, I don't really think of making it otherwise.

I was recently craving this delicious dish but wanted to tweak it into a main course, a delicious all-in-one meal.

I came up with a Green Bean Chicken Casserole. Yummy!

Green Bean Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:

6 Chicken Breasts
2-3 cans of Green Beans (depending on casserole size)
1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
2 cups of French fried onions
Onion Powder, Salt and Pepper
2 cups of Shredded Cheese (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix green beans and cream of mushroom soup in a large bowl. Season with onion powder. Optional- mix in one cup of cheese.

Spray bottom of a shallow casserole dish. Cut each chicken breast in ½ so they will cook quicker and place in dish. Season with salt and pepper.

Precook chicken in the oven for about 10 minutes.

Take casserole out and top with green beans. Cook for an additional 35-40 minutes.

Top with 1 cup of cheese (optional) and then French fried onions. I didn’t have any French fried onions on-hand but crushed some crackers, added lots of onion powder and melted butter. They smelled and tasted almost the same.

Cook for an additional 15 minutes until topping is a light golden brown.

Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!

Couponing 101- How To Find Coupons

2012-05-04T10:04:00.000-04:00

So, you may be wondering where my vast selection of coupons comes from, the simple answer is anywhere and everywhere.

I can spot a coupon from several yards away and am never shy about picking it up! I have asked neighbors for the ones in their recycle bins and grabbed the ones left behind in shopping carts. These are just impulse grabs.

Keep reading to learn how to get lots of coupons so you can create your own stockpile.

Most of you probably already know that coupons come in the Sunday paper, although this is a great guarantee to get the deals right to your doorstep, at a price of $3 a paper, I am hesitant to recommend it.

I highly recommend going to smartsource.com typing in your zip code, and searching for other papers that offer their coupons. You can likely find them at a lower cost or even free! I am lucky enough to receive a SmartSource coupon book in a free special edition Thursday paper that is delivered right to my doorstep. I have also found a local paper that goes for .50 so I get 6 for the price of 1 Sunday paper!

Your mailman may even be bringing you free coupons in the mail each week. You may be throwing them out each week and not realizing it. You know that cumbersome stack of “junk mail” that quickly goes from the mailbox to the recycling bin? Sort through it this week and I bet you find a Redplum coupon book, or at minimum some coupons to your favorite local businesses and restaurants.

In addition to finding free coupons, there are great internet coupon resources to find coupons that you can purchase and have delivered to your home OR print from your home computer. My absolute favorite spot to get bulk coupons is EBay.

On Ebay, there are plenty of options to get the quantity desired and I decide how much I am willing to spend on them. I stick to a strict policy of not paying more than 10% face value of a coupon. I also try to avoid auctions and stick to the “Buy it now” option so that I can get the coupons that much faster. If you use EBay for coupons don’t be afraid to reach out to sellers to see if they will offer discounts for larger quantities for coupons. For example, if I see someone selling 5 sets of 10 coupons. I will ask for a bulk discount if I purchase all 5, most times the buyer is willing!

Coupons.com

My other go-to coupon websites are coupons.com and smartsource.com. They consistently have high value coupons and are frequently updating their stock available. These websites limit you to 2 prints per coupon per IP address but they are completely free, and you can print right there and then. Save some pennies by printing them in black and white, they do not need to be in color to be accepted at stores.

My last and possibly greatest sources for getting coupons are is by asking my family and friends. When I decided I was going to make using coupons part of my life I reached out to them and asked for help.

Remember, never say no to a coupon! If you can’t use it, you can trade it for one you can or donate to a coupon bank.

Don’t ever be shy when it comes to gathering your coupons.

Check back next week to learn more on how to manage a stockpile! ~Marsha

Guest Blog Post from Family Made Simple fan, Marsha Giroux. Marsha, the mom of Harry, 2 ½ and Sophia 1 resides in Rhode Island.

Yummy Crust-less Quiche - The Perfect Mother’s Day Brunch Recipe

2012-05-02T09:30:00.003-04:00

Sometimes we like to have breakfast for dinner! It may be bacon and eggs, pancakes, omelets or quiche.

Last night, I made a crust-less quiche that was so good. It would be perfect for a Mother’s Day brunch. It was quick, easy-to-make and fool-proof.

My husband and I stayed at this really cute Bed & Breakfast a few weekends ago. The innkeeper made this quiche that was absolutely delicious so I asked her for the recipe.

In the past, I have been known for not cooking quiches all the way through. This one, however, came out perfectly cooked. I wish I had made two!

Ingredients:

½ cup of Bisquick (I used Bob's Red Mill gluten-free pancake mix)
1 ½ cup of Milk
3 Eggs
¼ cup of Butter- melted and cooled off
Salt and Pepper for taste
1 ½ cup of Shredded Cheese
Chopped Ham
Chopped Scallion

Directions:

Add first 5 ingredients into a blender and mix.

Chop desired meats, veggies and cheese. I had ham, cheese and scallion on-hand so this is what I used.

Add to egg mixture and pour into a greased pie dish.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45-60 minutes. Until the middle is set. You can test it by inserting a knife to toothpick in the middle and if it comes out clean, it is done.

Let cool/set for at least 20 minutes before cutting

The added Bisquick helps form a magical crust that is so yummy. For a twist, you can even pour the egg mix into muffin tins and have guests add different ingredients for a quiche buffet. Or freeze the mini-quiches for quick-and-easy breakfast on-the-go!

Serve with fresh fruit, cottage cheese, toast etc. and Enjoy!

Easy Chicken Parmesan Recipe~ PS. It Is Baked, Not Fried!

2012-05-01T10:51:00.002-04:00

One of our family-favorite Italian dishes is chicken parmesan.

The traditional chicken parm recipe is fried and loaded with gluten but my Family Made Simple version is not. It is baked and gluten-free (gf).

Like everyone we are trying to watch what we eat and make healthier choices. Most of our dinners are also gluten-free because my preschooler has a sensitivity to gluten.

Ingredients:

6 skinless chicken breasts
1 egg
¼ cup of milk
Bread Crumbs
1 jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Place chicken breasts into a Ziploc bag. Pound out to make them a little thinner. They will cook faster and end up a little crispier!

Mix egg and add milk. I then place chicken in the egg wash but let it sit for a minute. It may just be me, but I think the chicken ends up moister when I do this.

Coat chicken in breadcrumbs. Since I was making gluten-free chicken parmesan, I needed to use gf breadcrumbs. I thought I had some in the fridge but did not. The chicken was already sitting in the egg wash… What do I do? I got it! We had some corn Chex and rice crispies. So I put the cereal in another Ziploc with some garlic powder, Italian seasoning (basil and oregano) and grated parmesan cheese and let my little one have a blast crushing the cereal into “bread crumbs”.

Spray bottom of a casserole dish with olive oil cooking spray. Place chicken in dish and spray the top of the chicken with a light coating.

Cook in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Once the chicken is cooked and the top is golden brown. Take it out of the oven and top with sauce and cheese. Place back in the oven and cook until the cheese is bubbly!

Serve with your favorite pasta and Enjoy!

The Idiot Spouse

2012-04-30T09:14:00.002-04:00

What a 'loaded' title! Who am I to call someone an 'idiot'?

You say that I don't know your spouse well enough to call him/ her that? - Well, you're correct. I don't.
But, who says that I was referring to your partner and not you?

Okay. Here's the scoop.

You look at your husband or wife and see their faults as well as their great qualities. And, yes, they undoubtedly will occasionally pull some bone-head move. And, at those times, you call them an idiot. It's deserved, you say.

They went to the market for bread and came home with a lot of groceries, but no bread. You asked them to do the wash on cold cycle, but they ran it on hot, so everything shrank. You told them to fax paperwork to a client of yours and they faxed over evidence that you are looking to dump them in favor of one of their competitors. You have them pick-up take-out and, don't you just know it... They forgot to have the salad dressing put on the side.

So, of course, they deserve to be called an 'idiot'! Perhaps even 'stupid'!

Okay. But let me ask when was the last time that they called you one? Never, you say? Because you don't do such dumb stuff?

Perhaps that is the case. - Or, is the truth that they don't dare to? Because of the wrath that they would endure from doing it? Or the cold shoulder that they would receive?
Perhaps, their 'idiot' moves involve tasks that they typically don't perform. And, they don't have you do things that are out of your comfort zone or range of experience.

Perhaps you deny calling them this name. Do you have another pet name? One that still shows your disgust for their ineptitude?

Or, perhaps, you are like Debra in Everybody Loves Raymond. In so many episodes, she calls Ray an 'idiot'. But, in one episode, they both decided to treat one another nicer. And that included her no longer calling him the 'i'-word. - But, true to form, Ray did something that he shouldn't have. And, he accused her of calling him 'idiot'. Debra denied it saying she hadn't spoken a word. But he remarked that her eyes screamed it out at him.
And, he was correct.

So, what's my point here? (I could call you an 'idiot' for not getting it, but that wouldn't be nice or fair.)

I have several to make. First, no one, including you want to be called such a name, even if you did something foolish and regrettable. Especially by someone who has supposedly committed themselves to them for 'better or worse'. - Second, folks know when they pulled a major-league boner. They don't need it rubbed in. - Third, there are many ways that you can humiliate or insult your wife or husband. Verbally. Eye motions. Other facial expressions. A groan.

Bottom-line is that we all are capable of making mistakes. Especially when doing something that we have little or no experience with. Or, when we are distracted by more important matters. - Cut your spouse the slack that you would want given to you. If you ever made such mistakes, that is.

'Nuff said!

Russell Irving is a media-acclaimed, expert on Single Life, Marriage, and more. – His book, Improve Your Marriage – Don’t Overlook The Obvious applies to couples in a longterm relationship and is available through book retailers such as Amazon.com and the book’s companion website,
www.DontOverlookTheObvious.com . Check out his YouTube channel, ImprovingMarriages. His Facebook page is Russell Irving.

Couponing 101: Controlling Your Checkout Amount

2012-04-27T10:34:00.000-04:00

You are well on your way to becoming a couponing expert!

You have made the commitment and are scouring the ads for the best deals.

Now let’s talk about controlling your checkout.

Unfortunately there are sometimes problems at the register either with the cashier, the computer or the coupons.

You want to be prepared for this and it starts with a well organized shopping list.

The Well Organized Shopping List:

Be prepared
Shop with a detailed list with prices, item counts, couponsand store ad in hand
Double check the stores coupon policy to make sure nothing has changed since your last visit.
Bring an empty envelope so as you put items in your cart from your list, move the coupons into the empty envelope. This helps to assure that your counts are correct and that you don’t accidentally forget something.
Before you go to the cashier, do one last count of your coupons and items. I know this sounds redundant but it makes checkout time about watching the computer and cashier and not about having to count coupons.

Now it’s time to head to the checkout.

First, never go to the "self checkout" with coupons. You will find yourself there for 30 minutes longer than if using a cashier because a manager needs to come over to authorize every coupon you scan. It’s not worth your time!
Be very selective on the cashier. In my experience, older men are tend to be the worst cashiers when you have coupons! Again, in my experiences, they have been rude, degrading, grumpy, and make the most mistakes. Personally, I prefer to go to younger cashiers because they don’t have any preconceived notions on people with coupons. If you get stuck with a cashier that is unwelcoming to your stack of coupons just carry on, their bad mood is not going to derail your savings!
Also, ignore anyone with comments or grimaces to your use of coupon. I have had a couple cashiers that asked if I was poor, or if I was a hoarder, or one of “those crazy couponers.” I just laugh it off, and remind myself that my budget is NOT any of there business.
Now it’s the big moment... ask the cashier to wait until you have unloaded your cart to start ringing in the items. This way you can focus on the register screen.
Also be sure to give your store savings card before your items are scanned. As fun as it can be to see the numbers do a huge drop at the end of your transaction it is vital to see that your sale items are ringing in correctly.
Watch as each item is scanned, you have your list so you know how much they should ring up .
If anything comes up wrong speak up immediately, I am never shy if something comes up wrong even if it’s off by a few cents, no one watches my pennies better than I do!
Finally, watch as each coupon scans to ensure that the correct amount of money is deducted and if it’s supposed to double, that it does. If you catch problems at the register , you will avoid a trip to customer service.

At the end of each transaction I always thank the cashier for their patience and quickly double check my receipt for any problems.

Sometimes it may not seem that a dollar or two is worth your time but if you let the store get you for two dollars every time you shop you can be losing out on hundreds of dollars each year.

Check back next week to learn more on how to find your coupons! ~Marsha

Guest Blog Post from Family Made Simple fan, Marsha Giroux. Marsha, the mom of Harry, 2 ½ and Sophia 1 resides in Rhode Island.

Is It Time For Another Baby?

2012-04-26T11:09:00.002-04:00

I am a content mom to two children: a 2 ½ year old boy and an almost eleven year old girl. I have stated many times, both out loud and to myself, they don’t make any other kind, just boys and girls so technically I’m good... I’m done.

I don’t want any more children because, as I have stated before, I have my boy and my girl and they don’t make any other kind.

With that being said, my younger sister went into labor a couple of days ago. It was a very long, tiring and anxiety-ridden labor, and that was just for me.

I was so anxious for her, and I just wanted it to be over. Of course, I couldn’t wait to snuggle with that little girl. I couldn’t wait to smell baby smell. There hasn’t been a baby girl in our family for almost eleven years. I was anxious to get my hands on that baby. So anxious, apparently, that I couldn’t sleep the night she was born because I knew the next day I would be able to finally go see her.

Was I tossing and turning in bed because I was nervous to meet her and hold her, or was there another reason?

I mean I was pretty sure that I didn’t want another child. I was pretty positive I was done starting from scratch and was perfectly content raising my mini me’s from this point forward. Yes, pretty positive indeed.

Yet, I wondered what holding this tiny baby would do to me. Would I feel an overwhelming desire to run home and beg my husband for another child, which for the record, I know he would be all for or would I be content just holding and snuggling and giving back this precious being?

So, of course, my mind started wandering to all the what if’s and all the different scenarios my life could take on should I hear that clock a-tickin’. This could be a game changer for everyone in my house.

Off I went to the hospital. It was now or never, and to be honest, I just wanted to know. Another baby for us, or not?

The moment of truth came when my mom handed me my tiny, not-even-24-hour-old niece. I held my breath and snuggled her and instinctively started the good old bum pat and swaying from side to side. I smelled her baby smell. I didn’t dare look at her baby toes for making her cold and mad. She was awake and looking at me, and I smiled at her and gave her tons of kisses.

When my time was up, I gave her to my brother-in-law begrudgingly and left my sister with her family. I walked out of the hospital knowing, without any doubt, that I was very content and my family was very complete. It felt good to know that I was sure of my feelings.

However, I refuse to wash my sweater for fear of losing that baby smell until the next time I get to hold her! ~April

Guest Blog Post by April Keyes, a work-at-home mom to two children; one school-aged and one toddler. She writes her blog, “Confessions of a Truu Mom” in the hopes of making others smile, laugh and know that they aren’t alone in this journey of madness otherwise known as motherhood. Check out and LIKE her Truu Mom Facebookpage too!

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FMS Fan Recipe for Honey-Dijon Chicken and Spinich Wraps

Fellow Family Made Simple fan, Don, shared this yummy Honey-Dijon Chicken & Spinach wrap recipe on our facebook wall. Thanks Don!

Hope you don't mind me sharing, but Just wanted to share a recipe I found and tried. The recipe is quick and easy to make and a great summer meal. It's called:

Honey-Dijon Chicken and Spinach Wraps

1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise 2 Tablespoons Honey-Dijon mustard 2Tablespoons milk 2 cups cubed rotisserie chicken 1 cup chopped celery 1 cup halved red seedless grapes 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional) 4 whole wheat tortillas Baby Spinach

Directions:

This recipe is definately a keeper for me. I was going to have the left-overs for lunch tomorrow, but my wife decided she was taking it for lunch...oh well!!

Enjoy!

NOTE: I really love when FMS fans share recipes, helpful tips and ask questions they want answered by other parents. Don't be shy. If you don't want to post on the wall, message or email me! ~ Tessa

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1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons Honey-Dijon mustard
2Tablespoons milk
2 cups cubed rotisserie chicken
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup halved red seedless grapes
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
4 whole wheat tortillas
Baby Spinach