For all Michael Jackson fans! This book is really a true to life “in his own words”  collection of private sessions with his spiritual advisor.  I thought it was deep, and telling of a Michael none of us could have ever hoped to getting close to , had it not been for this book!  I always liked Michael Jackson, the one from the seventies and early eighties, but this gave me pause and thought to what he was really like. I liked this book. In 2001, Michael Jackson sat down with his close friend and spiritual guide, Rabbi Schmuley Boteach, to record what turned out to be the most intimate and revealing conversations of his life. It was Michael’s wish to bare his soul and unburden himself to a public that he knew was deeply suspicious of him. The resulting thirty hours are the basis of The Michael Jackson Tapes. There has never been, and never will be anything like him.
In those searingly honest conversations, Michael exposes his emotional pain and profound loneliness, his longing to be loved, and the emptiness of his fame. You discover why he was suspicious of women and how only children provided the innocence for which he so desperately longed.
Despite his unprecedented fame, now more than ever questions remain: Who was Michael Jackson, really? What were the formative experiences of his life? What was the true nature of his relationships with his father, his mother, his family? How did he cope with fame? What was the source of the unending pain that ultimately consumed him? What were his views on the most important areas of life, such as faith, death, marriage, women, children and his music career? What was the nature of his friendships? Such questions have been endlessly discussed by everyone except the man behind the mask: Michael Jackson himself. The Michael Jackson Tapes finally reveals the real Michael Jackson, in his own words.
For more information please visit: www.michaeljacksontapes.com .

Getting Started: Start with a generalist (internist or family practitioner) who can help you  prevent illness, handle most problems and refer you to (and coordinate your care with) first-rate sub-specialists when needed.

Where to look:

If you have a health insurance plan which limits you to participating doctors, look at the plan’s list of general internists or family practitioners and narrow it down*:

1)      Choose those affiliated with the best teaching hospital near office or home (Note that in order to be given the privilege of the hospital affiliation, a doctor’s credentials will have been scrupulously checked, thereby saving you a lot of time and energy.)

2)      Make a list of those doctors with an office convenient to you.

3)      Ask colleagues, friends and other doctors if they know and like any on your list.

4)      If you can’t get such a personal referral (or get more than one), check detailed information on the doctors, choosing some characteristic you find important or interesting (such as sex, languages spoken, medical training).  To find such information, check…

a)      Your health plan’s list

b)      The doctor’s website

c)      The website of the hospital

d)     Such websites as doctor.webmd.com (unhappily, all of these sites are filled with errors – most carried over from other sites; so check with the doctor’s office to verify information). Some sites offer patients’ opinions of doctors: use them only for general impressions, recognizing that angry patients are more likely to offer opinions than happy ones.

Once you’ve narrowed it down to one doctor, give him or her a try.  Schedule an interview visit with the doctor (your insurance probably won’t cover it – but its well worth the expense to find the right person before you’re feeling very sick) or make an appointment with him or her for a simple problem such as a sore throat.  Decide beforehand what’s most important to you in the right doctor, and during the visit watch for clues such as:

• Are the office and staff scrupulously clean, professional and well-organized?
• Does s/he run on time (or at least does the staff – apologetically – keep you informed of delays)?
• Does s/he listen carefully and respectfully – so that you know you’re being heard and feel comfortable in sharing very private details without fear of being judged?
• Is the doctor a good teacher, so you understand how to take an active part in your healthcare?  Are your questions answered clearly – and if you don’t quite understand, are you comfortable in saying so?
• Is the doctor willing to ‘negotiate’ – taking into account your personal quirks, or is s/he rigid in outlook and approach?

* If  you’re lucky enough to be able to choose any doctor (inside or outside your plan), start by choosing the best teaching hospital convenient to home or office and go to the hospital’s website.  Most have a section “Find a Doctor”.  Choose “internal medicine” or “family practice”, and then follow steps 2-4 above.

When you need a specialist (such as an orthopedist or gynecologist): start by asking your   internist or family physician.  That should direct you to a specialist expert in your        particular problem and oblige the specialist to write a consultation note to your        general doctor.  This lets the generalist help you coordinate your care (sending             you for a second opinion if appropriate) and keeps all your records in one place      should             you want your records transferred elsewhere.

If you don’t feel comfortable with your current doctor:  Find another one!  Don’t be embarrassed – after all, the two nicest people in the world can have a dreadful marriage.

So take the time to find the right, long-term partner – one with whom you communicate comfortably and trust to help you prevent illness and to diagnose and treat it early should you become ill.

1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health-care staff. The written policy should address all ten steps, prohibit the promotion of formula, be available to all staff, and be evaluated for its effectiveness.
2. Train all health-care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy. All staff should be trained in the advantages of breastfeeding and the basics of practical management. Selected staff members should receive specialized training to allow them to serve as resource people.
3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding. Pregnant women attending prenatal services at the hospital should be informed about the benefits and practical aspects of breastfeeding.
4. Help mothers initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth. Healthy babies should be given to their mothers to be held skin-to-skin within thirty minutes of delivery and allowed to remain with their mothers for at least an hour. Mothers who have had cesarean deliveries should be given their babies to hold skin-to-skin within a half hour after they are able to respond to their babies.
5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation, even if they are separated from their infants. Nursing staff should offer all mothers further assistance with breastfeeding and verify that mothers can demonstrate correct breastfeeding technique. Mothers of babies in special-care nurseries should be shown how to express their milk frequently to maintain lactation.
6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breastmilk, unless medically indicated. Staff should know the valid medical reasons for offering supplements to breastfed infants. Formula used in hospitals should be purchased by the facility and not accepted for free or promoted in any way.
7. Practice rooming-in — allow mothers and infants to remain together twenty-four hours a day. Rooming-in should start within an hour of a normal birth or within an hour of when a cesarean mother can respond to her baby. Separations should occur only for necessary hospital procedures or medical indications.
8. Encourage unrestricted breastfeeding. Mothers should be advised to breastfeed whenever their babies show signs of hunger. No restrictions should be placed on the frequency or length of feeding
9. Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants. Mothers should be taught to avoid pacifiers and bottle feeds because they can interfere with breastfeeding.
10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support groups and refer mothers to them on discharge from the hospital or clinic. Key family members should be taught how to support the breastfeeding mother at home. Hospitals should have a system of follow-up for breastfeeding mothers after discharge, such as early prenatal visits, home visits, or telephone calls.

The above is an excerpt from the book Great Expectations: The Essential Guide to Breastfeeding by Marianne Neifert, M.D.. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.
Copyright © 2009 Marianne Neifert, M.D., author of Great Expectations: The Essential Guide to Breastfeeding

There is significant public concern over the ingredients used in children’s products. Clementine Art removes the mystery and worry by creating art products that have simple, natural ingredients. Clementine’s pure and natural products allow children to express themselves with materials that are safe for them and the earth.

Healthier Products, Healthier Children
Clementine Art produces professional quality and earth friendly art supplies with pure, simple ingredients. Clementine’s products are colored with plant and mineral pigments instead of artificial dyes, providing an innovative solution to chemical laden, artificially colored art supplies. For Clementine, “natural” doesn’t mean a sacrifice in quality. Clementine offers creamy, washable tempera paints that don’t flake or crack; crumble-free, long lasting modeling dough; soft, vibrant crayons, and rock crayons designed to help children develop their dexterity through creative play; and a clear, strong, washable glue for paper, fabric, and wood.

Clementine’s ingredients appeal to parents who are concerned about the products that their young children interact with every day. Clementine offers ingredients that are both earth and child friendly. Clementine is dedicated to the health of the child and the health of the planet. Its product ingredients, packaging, and business practices reflect a commitment to sustainability and the environment. Clementine Art’s products do not contain any synthetic preservatives, animal byproducts, or petroleum bases, and Clementine is the first art product company to list all ingredients on its packages. Clementine Art uses renewable resources; all packaging is made from 80 percent post consumer recycled materials and is printed with soy based inks in a wind powered facility. Clementine is gentle to kids and to the earth.

Think Outside the Box, Color Outside the Lines
Clementine Art was founded in 2008 by Diana Mercer, a former teacher with over 20 years of experience in the field of education, arts education, and child development. Diana created Clementine Art to encourage open?ended art explorations for children. The process of creating art is a powerful developmental tool for children, and Clementine Art products encourage children to dream, imagine, experiment, create, problem solve, and above all, express themselves. Explains Diana: “Real art is about creating. Early childhood educators know that the process of creating art is just as important to a child’s development as the outcome. I wanted to create products that not only engaged children in an open ended creative process, but that could also become an everyday part of a healthy and creative lifestyle.”

A Bold and Bright Future
Clementine’s Management Team is comprised of natural products industry leaders. CEO John Maggio co-founded Boulder Potato Company [Boulder Chips] in 1994 and has since brought more than 100 retail products to market. Gordon Cooper, VP of Sales and Marketing, joined Clementine Art from Larabar, where he served as Vice President of Sales until it was acquired by General Mills in 2008. Katherine Gregory, VP of Operations, joined Clementine Art from Williams Sonoma, where she held management roles in both operations and marketing. Founder and Board Chair Todd Woloson, is a managing partner at Greenmont Capital Partners in Boulder and a co-founder of IZZE beverage company.

For more information on Clementine Art’s natural art products: visit www.clementineart.com or www.twitter.com/clementineart.

One of the biggest examples I give to people when they question my extensive medical library is this- when my child gets sick, I simply flip open a couple of pages in one of my books that tells me when it’s a good time to seek medical attention.  Obviously if it is a known emergency, I will know what to do, but what about those moments when it’s borderline?  Or how about when you or your loved ones must undergo a procedure that you may not fully understand?  You look through your books to learn more about said procedure or you browse the internet in search of answers.

Having a library full of medical books is not always a bad thing, as they usually come in handy during situations where you are questioning something your doctor explained to you in medical jargon.  So where exactly do I purchase my books?  My medical student books are purchased through the book store and at the library of the school in which I attend.  Those books not purchased in the bookstore or at the library at purchased from various locations online or from other bookstores not related to the college.

I was recently introduced to the Top Medical Books website, where you can purchase books galore for reasonable prices.  And from what I can tell, they offer pretty much any book you could ever think of.  If you are looking to fill up your library with medical books, be sure to look into Top Medical Books.  Why spend a fortune on medical books when there are websites out there that can save you money!

Beginning October 29 until November 30, Lands’ End is hosting Big Warm-up coat donation sites at its 252 Lands’ End Shops at Sears and 13 Lands’ End Inlets(r).  Donated coats will be distributed via the National Coalition for the Homeless in communities nearby.  AND… Lands’ End is giving 20 percent off the purchase of a new coat for each one donated.

So go through the closets, there are always coats that no one wears anymore! Give to the cause and keep everyone warm this season. It will warm you up inside!!

Visit WWW.BIGWARMUP.COM to see how each coat can warm a heart, track donations, find donation sites, watch an inspiring video and spread the word.

1.Plan and Shop Smart for Food.

The key here is to plan ahead.  Plan menus for the week around sales of fresh poultry, fish, meat, dairy, and produce, and make use of leftovers. by planning ahead, you are minimizing your trips to the grocery store and using only what you eat.  Utilize online menu planning services like The Six O’Clock Scramble for help.

2.Find Cheaper Auto Insurance

According to Consumer Reports, many Americans have stayed with the same auto insurer for 15 years. Depending on your profile and where you live, you might be able to save hundreds of dollars a month by shopping around. Or, talk to your insurance company about increasing your deductable to lower your premium.

3.Shopping and Entertainment

Decide what you want to spend BEFORE you go to the store and are emotionally sucked into paying more than you desire.  In addition, go out with a predetermined amount of cash.  When the cash is gone, stop spending, prioritize your social calendar and limit some of the higher priced activities.

4.Pay Down Debt

Most consumers with credit card debt spend hundreds of dollars a month just in interest charges.  Stop charging and do everything possible to pay more than the minimum balance owed each month.  Visit www.creditcards.com and transfer debt to a card with zero percent interest for 12 months.  Do your best to pay down your debt in this allotted time.  Dig up cash from tax returns, work a part-time job, clean out your house and host a garage sale.

Put your mind to it and do it!

I was so impressed with this book! I felt this was written just for me! It hit home to alot of issues I constantly have with myself and image of myself, that I was almost relieved to finally have someone write it down and come up with some really great points that I was forgetting when it comes to really loving myself “as I am right now”!! I give this five stars!! YEA!!!!!

How many times have you waited for something to change so that you could finally start feeling beautiful?If you are like most women, the answer is “all the time.” Here is the problem: most of us tend to live with the delusional belief that we somehow need to change in order to be beautiful. It usually sounds something like:

• When I lose this extra weight, then I will be attractive.
• If I can just get my abs a little more toned, then I can wear that bikini I love.
• I feel so much better after I put on my make-up in the morning.
• I looked much sexier before I had these wrinkles.
• My hair looks drab and lifeless until I get it colored.

Unfortunately, we think these stories, these lies, that we have been taught are true. We believe that we somehow need to change who we are, how we look, and what we do in order to finally be sexy, attractive, and drop-dead gorgeous.

This is a lie — an erroneous, ubiquitous, and often painful lie. The truth of the matter is that you are inherently, unconditionally, and absolutely beautiful and lovable right now, without changing a single thing.

Fortunately, very fortunately, you can expose these lies and choose to no longer live under their spell.

Ready to get started? Here are 6 simple and sure-fire ways to help you feel beautiful today:

1. Become Aware of What You Are Thinking

Simply become aware of the stories you are telling yourself so that you are no longer reacting on auto-pilot. Through awareness alone, you can begin to transmute your reality and transform lies into truth. Actively acknowledge that there is no inherent truth in the belief that you need to change something about yourself in order to be attractive. Consider that you can start feeling beautiful immediately, in this moment, without changing a single thing.

2. Set an Intention to See Beauty

Setting an intention is simple: intend to create a different reality for yourself. Here are some examples:

I intend to experience my inherent beauty. Or: I intend to see my beauty and perfection at all times. Or: I intend to know I am inherently beautiful, lovable, and worthwhile.

Do you ever see your reflection in the mirror and grimace at your wrinkles, vowing to purchase the latest anti-wrinkle cream? Set an intention to find beauty in your reflection.

Or when you undress, do you ever suck in your stomach, berating yourself for not yet losing those 5 extra pounds? Set an intention to appreciate the body that you have right now.

Do you ever go shopping for clothes and wish you were a size (or more) smaller? Set an intention to unconditionally accept your body.

Hopefully you get the idea; set an intention to see yourself through the eyes of beauty.

3. Take a “Meditation Moment”

Meditation is the mental equivalent of brushing your teeth. This means that it is an essential and indispensable daily activity designed to help rest and rejuvenate your body, cleanse your psyche, awaken your spirit, and help you live a life that you love.

Nourish yourself with instant meditation moments throughout the day.

Are you waiting at the bus stop on your way to work? Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, allowing yourself to connect within.

Are you making dinner for the family? Take 30 seconds and focus on the sounds, smells, and sensations in your environment, letting them nourish your senses.

Are you in the shower, getting ready to start your day?

Turn your attention to the feeling of warm water cascading against you, gently caressing your body, and allow yourself to relax.

These meditation moments can happen anywhere, anytime — 30 to 60 seconds of closing your eyes and connecting within can make all the difference in the world.

4. Your Body is Your Best Friend

Your human body is your truest ally. Befriend it and it will serve you tirelessly.

Treat it as you would a dear friend:

Feed your body with healthy food, taking the time to give it proper nourishment.

Remember to exercise, and make it enjoyable. If the gym makes you cringe, opt for yoga, Pilates, dance, or good old walking. Anything to get your body moving will do wonders.

Relaxation is key. In our harried and hurried world, it is essential that you remember to relax and rejuvenate.

Instead of critiquing your body for not being enough of this and for being too much of that, offer it gratitude and appreciation for its unwavering support and devotion.

5. Create Meaningful Moments

Every day is filled with countless tasks and errands: going to work, talking with friends, picking up the kids, supporting your significant other, washing dishes, going to the gym, visiting the supermarket, shopping — on and one it goes. Remember that you can imbue each moment with meaning. It can be as simple as smiling at everyone you meet, reacting with compassion and love instead of anger, or making sure to tell your friends and loved ones how much you care about them.

6. You’re Smoking Hot, Inside Out

Remember, you were born beautiful. Believing that you are unattractive is a learned habit. You can unlearn it and discover the Joy, Peace, and Love that are your natural state and birthright!

So that is it — 6 Simple Steps. 6 simple steps to start feeling beautiful, right now, in this moment. You don’t have to go anywhere or do anything to experience the Beauty that you already are. In fact, there is nothing you can do, say, or buy that will make you any more perfect, any more beautiful, or any more desirable than you are in this very moment. Simply know this, and you will revel in your true beauty.

©2009 Sarah Maria, author of Love Your Body, Love Your Life: 5 Steps to End Negative Body Obsession and Start Living Happily and Confidently

Parents have to consider safety, reliability, handling, economy and a range of personal preferences when choosing a family car. Experts from AutoTrader.com, the ultimate automotive marketplace, offer the following overview on popular family-friendly models, including minivans, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and sedans:

SUVs – Attractive, roomy, sturdy, powerful and responsive, these vehicles have been a very popular choice in recent years.

• Pros:
  • Often sit up higher, an ideal feature for improved all-around visibility.
  • Often equipped with four-wheel or all-wheel drive to handle different terrains.
  • Typically feature family-friendly bonuses, such as rear-seat DVD players and enough cup holders for the entire family.
• Cons:
  • Can be gas guzzlers.
  • More prone to rollovers, leading to safety concerns.
  • High thresholds may lead to trouble loading items into some SUVs.

Minivans – When they first appeared on the scene and before SUVs took the stage, minivans were the ultimate family vehicle choice – and are making a comeback.

• Pros:
  • Less likely than SUVs to roll over in a crash. Built-in crumple zones help to absorb the impact and protect passengers.
  • Roomy for passengers and allow a great deal of cargo space.
  • Often equipped with automatic sliding doors, which lessens the stress of loading the car while holding a child.
  • Low threshold makes it easier to remove car seats and load groceries.
• Cons:
  • Generally have a lower resale value than an SUV.

Family Sedans – As gas prices rise, so do the attractiveness and sales of sedans – especially smaller, more gas-friendly ones.

• o Pros:
  • With a smaller size, family members can be within reach of the driver.
  • Include perks like affordability and nimble handling.
  • Can offer better gas mileage than most SUVs and minivans.
    • Cons:
  • Storage space can be more limited.

Other Factors Parents Should Consider when Looking for a Car:

• Size and activity level of a family. Are family members involved in extracurricular activities or sports with equipment that requires more storage space, or will the car primarily be used as a means to get from Point A to Point B? Does the car need to be large enough to fit everyone and everything inside, or will a more economical sedan suffice? These are important factors to think of when looking at different vehicles.

• Safety. Parents should take note of important features with which a family car should come equipped, such as electronic stability control, side airbags, anti-lock braking systems and tire pressure monitoring systems. When you’re looking at specific models, if you choose an SUV for your family car, look for responsive mid-size models with excellent crash test ratings, or consider a crossover, which combines the safety of minivans with the sleek features of a traditional SUV.

• Personal preferences and convenience. Personal preferences such as cargo area size and ease of car seat installation vary for each parent and absolutely important to consider when looking at different cars. Parents may also want to consider factors that make things more convenient when it comes to children, such as dark upholstery (for spills and messes), keyless entry (when you’re juggling kids and other items) and a LATCH system, which makes installing car seats easier and safer.

Visit www.AutoTrader.com to learn more.

This new guide on how to map out what to do in retirement is the most  meaningful gift for anyone who has not yet thought about what they want to be doing on a day-to-day basis when they retire.  This workbook-style guidebook is customized for the nearly 73 million  Boomers about to enter or already starting retirement and could be the best gift they get this year.

“Most individuals entering retirement are surprised by the many unexpected practical and emotional possibilities and choices that await them.  CUSTOMIZE…don’t minimize…YOUR RETIREMENT is designed to help them in planning all aspects of their retirement years,” says the author, Donald Strauss.  “This book helps readers to focus on what  they want and helps them define how to create ways to build a happier future.”

The book – which is uniquely designed in a workbook style – offers more than 80 self-discovery exercises to guide the reader and/or

couples to assess and discuss vital topics as they define the next stage of their lives. Chapters offer information ranging from how to

view different approaches to work instead of simply totally “retiring”; to how to anticipate and deal with changes in relationships following retirement; to how to determine future housing and health needs; and even how to deal with managing financial  potholes such as the issue of insufficient funds for retirement.

The book is divided into seven paths designed to explore the world of retirement:

• ENVISION YOUR OWN INSPIRING RETIREMENT
• THE FINANCIAL PICTURE…MAKING IT A MASTERPIECE
• KEEPING IN SHAPE
• BEING AT HOME
• VITALIZING RELATIONSHIPS
• WORK IS NO LONGER WORK
• TIME TO DO GOOD & FOR GOOD TIMES

“There is no doubt in my mind that this book will help readers more consciously and comprehensively plan their forthcoming retirement or make their current retirement more enjoyable and hopefully more meaningful,” said Dennis Zavac, Retired President, Executive Service Corps.

When readers complete the book, they feel significantly more in control of their destiny. They have examined opportunities and options, made choices, and planned actions to achieve their goals in retirement, whether retirement is immediately on the horizon or further in the future.

I love the winter season! My family calls me nuts, but I am from Rochester, NY and have lived here all my life, so when I say winter season, I mean snow storms and blizzards and below zero tempetures right through end of March sometimes! But I wouldn’t move for all the sunshine in Florida!!  Unfortunately, for the kids it can get tricky, and being stuck in the house all season isn’t good for them (or me) so we try to get outside and have fun, no matter how cold or snowy as often as possible! Cheryl Jones has come up with a list of ten things we can do this “Frosty” season of cold!  Just because there is snow on the ground, and here it can be up to 3 feet high, dont get stuck with cabin fever all winter!

1. Don’t be afraid of the cold: Bundle up and encourage outside play times. If there is snow on the ground…go sledding or tubing, have a snowball fight, build a snow man, make snow angels or just go for a fun hike.

2.Enroll your child in an instructional class: swimming, dance, gymnastics or indoor sports classes.

3.Find indoor activities at your local skating rink, bowling alley, laser tag center or rock climbing gym.

4.Discover a local community center or health club with basketball courts, pools and/or tennis courts. Shoot hoops, swim or volley tennis balls across the net.

5.Rent or purchase a children’s fitness video. Instead of watching cartoons and playing video games–push the couch and tables out of the way and workout together.

6.Turn up the volume! Download your children’s favorite music and just dance. Have your kids re-enact their own music video, video tape them and play it back for hours of fun!

7.Check out kids fitness classes or mommy and me group exercise classes at your local health club or gym.

8.Create an obstacle course in your house. Set up stations in your family room or throughout your house. Tunnels, hula hoops, jump ropes, steps and physio balls are great props for an exciting playtime.

9.Summer is not the only time for camp! Look for school’s out holiday camps and mini clinics at your local health club or community center. Kids can enroll in half day or full day activities.

10. Don’t forget the game of Twister. This game is an all time favorite for kids and adults!  And other classic games like Duck Duck Goose and Freeze Tag can be played at any time.

This review is part of the Green Books campaign. Today 100 bloggers are reviewing 100 great books printed in an environmentally friendly way. Our goal is to encourage publishers to get greener and readers to take the environment into consideration when purchasing books. This campaign is organized by Eco-Libris, a  a green company working to green up the book industry by promoting the adoption of green practices, balancing out books by planting trees, and supporting green books. A full list of participating blogs and links to their reviews is available on Eco-Libris website.

I never knew that personal care products are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration or any government agency.  In fact, there are more than 10,000 chemical ingredients found in personal care products-such as body wash, aftershave, and toothpaste-and 89 percent of these chemicals have not undergone any safety testing.  Since we all need to bathe, wash our hair, brush our teeth, moisturize our skin and groom ourselves, wouldn’t it be best to use safe alternatives rather than chemical ridden products?

Clean Body:  The Humble Art of Zen Cleansing Yourself is the nontoxic, eco-friendly alternative.  Providing simple recipes created and tested by cleaning guru Michael Dejong, this book allows readers to take pride in the fact that they can mindfully and safely clean themselves, their babies, their beloved or betrothed and pass these tips onto anyone else who looks like he or she could use a good scrubbing too.

Clean body includes:

Simple earth friendly recipes to clean every part of the body with only five pure cleaning elements: baking soda, lemon, olive oil, salt and white vinegar.

Instructions for how to make everything from moisturizing hair treatments to a revitalizing foot tonic.

Separate sections for men and women, including how to clean the “tender vittles”

Dejong draws from Eastern beliefs systems to harmoniously balance five pure elements-baking soda, lemon, salt, olive oil and white vinegar in his recipes as the basis for his all natural concoctions.  Every part of the body from head to toe, is covered with recipes ranging from facial exfoliates and callus removers to soothing moisturizers, cleansers and creams.

Printed in a sustainable manner, Clean Body is made with recycled paper from pre-and-post-consumer waste and vegetable-based inks.

I love the fact that I have all the ingrediants in my kitchen right now to have all natural prducts for my entire body, and they are all safe and really work!  Now mind you, I love the girly smells and aromas of all my lotions and moisturizers, and “stuff”, but I now will be adding these natural ways to cleanse, and moisturize into my daily routine too!  Great little book to have, I have one in my room and now I keep one in my bathroom!! Sweet!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

“Babble is a fresh line of baby onesies with unique designs that allow babies to show their sassy side,” Babble President Demirjian Huss said. “

Babble babywear onesies are made with 100% cotton, quality material in vibrant colors with designs that include: “Suck it up”, “Your crib or mine, “recycling Center, and “It’s 5AM somewhere,” among others.

As part of a soft launch to consumers, Babble engaged mothers through social media to submit sayings and to share their ideas for upcoming design releases.  An overwhelming response from moms encouraged Babble to present their designs to national buyers.

Babble babywear is the brain child of marketing executive and agency President Kara Demirjian Huss.  After delivering her third baby in January of 2009 and three of her top agency executives following suit in February, March and May, she launched this new company using her core talents, love of fashion and inspiration from the mothers and babies that surrounded her.

For more information or to see what moms are saying about Babble, visit the website at:  www.babblebabywear.com or visit their fan page on Facebook.

I received the two onesies pictured here and they are just so soft and so bright and colorful! I have a friend who is giving birth in a few weeks, and can’t wait to give them to her, as I know she will just love them!! They are really great for baby showers, or just to buy a handful to have for your own babies!!

Enter RealPlayer SP<http://www.real.com/realplayer>, which offers an easy way to transfer these important videos from your computer straight to your mobile device in just a couple clicks, creating a “video wallet” to replace those still photos you’ve been carrying around all these years. The first time a baby rolls over or takes a step, a child’s first day of school, first car, graduation…these special moments are now easy to share in person with friends and family at Thanksgiving, Christmas holiday parties, or just about anywhere you go. Not everyone is a gadget guru and RealPlayer SP makes creating a “video wallet” so easy, it’s is becoming a must havetool for parents. This is a completely free site, so go on, visit and check it out!  You will have fun putting all the videos together!

The delightful aroma of the kitchen during the holidays – with smells of cinnamon, peppermint, chocolate and vanilla – is a scent that many associate with long lived memories. The holiday season is a perfect time to create flavorful memories with your family and loved ones. Nielsen-Massey Vanillas A Century of Flavor cookbook provides moms with a variety of holiday recipes. Vanilla Carmel Corn Crunch can be made with your young chef, while Creamy Vanilla Sweet Potatoes is a perfect side to your family’s main course.

This vanilla-inspired cookbook, published by family-owned Nielsen-Massey Vanillas, celebrates the exciting nuances of one of America’s most-loved and versatile ingredients – pure vanilla. It is filled with 50 of the most tantalizing recipes, highlighting the intricate, yet delicate flavors of pure vanilla and is written for the novice cook as well as the seasoned chef.

The deliciously interesting cookbook combines recipes from the Nielsen family collection as well as recipes from chef friends attracted to Nielsen-Massey s quality vanilla extract. Contains a delightful collection of bakery and pastry recipes and teaches how vanilla can be essential in a savory dish.

Check out the recipe below for just a peek at what you can find in the wonderful cookbook on vanillas!

Vanilla Maple Syrup

Makes 1 cup

1 cup pure maple syrup

2 teaspoons Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract

Combine the syrup and vanilla extract in a small saucepan and mix well. Heat until warm.

Note: Substitute Nielsen-Massey’s Mexican or Tahitian Pure Vanilla Extract for a change of taste.

About Nielsen-Massey Vanillas:

Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest extracts in the world. The full line of Nielsen-Massey’s Pure Vanilla products include: Vanilla Beans and Extracts from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar and Certified Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract, Vanilla Beans and Powder. Nielsen-Massey Vanillas recently introduced a new line of Pure Flavors: Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Almond Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water.  All Nielsen-Massey products are certified Kosher and Gluten-free. The company is headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, with production facilities in Waukegan and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands.

Nielsen-Massey is pleased to offer one reader a copy of the cookbook  “A Century of Flavors” by following rules below:

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CONTEST ENDS: November 14, 2009 @ MIDNIGHT EST.

Taft Brown blends his love for children and his passion for music to connect with his audience. Taft has been writing and performing since his adolescence, but since having kids of his own, he has found a creative passion for writing his imaginative and entertaining music for children and families. Taft says, “I get my inspiration from my four children, and I hope to share the fun with other kids and their families through my music.”

For years Taft has been involved in singing and performing songs to children from youth camps to children’s worship, but creating a CD for kids only occurred to him after helping his oldest child brush her teeth. Her tooth was loose at the time and he began singing “Loose Tooth” to the tune of “Footloose.” Soon after, Taft started writing parodies with kid-friendly lyrics to popular songs; a few months later, he added his own original melodies. According to Taft, his objective is to make music that both kids and parents will enjoy, resulting in a truly full family experience. He believes children should learn, be motivated, and discover self-confidence. With catchy hook-lines like “Socks with Crocs” and “Bye-Bye Tricycle”, Taft’s songs are focused on what a child might be experiencing in their world today—on their own level.

Taft’s band rocks, with accomplished musicians including Chance Britton on drums and percussion, Jimmy Butler on keyboards, Gabe Wicks on bass guitar, and Bobby Colvert on electric and acoustic guitars.

Taft, his wife Kristen, and their four children currently reside in Franklin, Tennessee. Taft’s high-energy debut album titled “How Now Brown Cow” on the Green Banana Music label is now available on CD and downloads

Green Banana Music is happy to give 4 lucky readers a chance to win a copy of Taft Brown’s new CD “How Now Brown Cow! Just follow the rules below, and good luck!!

Rules
1. Contest is open to U.S. residents only.

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Additional Entries:

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2. You may write about our contest on your blog!

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CONTEST ENDS: November 14, 2009 @ MIDNIGHT EST.

From free yogurt to carbon offsets, the rewards possible through the myStonyfield Rewards Program “show this isn’t your typical loyalty program,” says Stonyfield President and CE-Yo Gary Hirshberg.

“First, it’s simple. Eat yogurt, get free stuff, and repeat. Second, we give you Earth-friendly rewards you can feel good about, and rewards that let you give back, like carbon offsets.”

Consumers also won’t have to worry about shipping or handling fees or any other charges. The process begins by consumers looking for reward codes on Stonyfield yogurt products, and then signing up on-line for a myStonyfield Rewards account at www.mystonyfieldrewards.com.

Once registered, consumers enter the lid codes in an online account, save up points, and redeem them for rewards that will be shipped free.

Besides free Stonyfield products, other items available through points include products from Stonyfield partners like Nature’s Path, Seventh Generation, Annie’s Homegrown, Bear Naked Granola, Body + Soul magazine and more. You can even use points to purchase carbon offsets, via NativeEnergy.

And there are lots of ways to earn points, says Hirshberg. Besides receiving points for purchases, points are available when consumers use the “Share This” feature on Stonyfield web pages, or by telling a friend about myStonyfield Rewards.

Consumers participating in Stonyfield’s “Bid with your Lid” program not only vote for a non-profit to win $100K from Stonyfield, but earn rewards points for doing so.

The myStonyfield Rewards program ends March 31, 2010. For more information, visit www.stonyfield.com

In addition to new co-op, 2 vs. 2 multi-player action, Backyard Football ’10 features enhanced controls, new unlockables, insane power ups, custom teams and characters, multiple play modes (single player, season play, tournament and all-pro) as well as a hall of fame from Backyard Football ’09 Play all 32 NFL teams, 11 wacky Backyard teams, or create your own. Backyard Football comes loaded with top NFL Superstars as kids-Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, LaDainian Tomlinson, Michael Turner, Tony Romo, Brady Quinn, and more. Play one game or a whole season. Tons of unlockable players, fields, and goodies… A great gift idea for the upcoming holidays! What a great fun game for the whole family, especially football fan families!

One lucky reader will get a chance to win this game!

Rules

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2. You may write about our contest on your blog!

3. Tweet about this contest and comment here to tell us!

CONTEST ENDS: November 14, 2009 @ MIDNIGHT EST.

I dont know about you, but I check my horoscope everyday! And I also have astrology books all through my house, even in the bathroom! I was so happy to get the newest one from these two authors, as they are very good at what they do!! I am just amazed sometimes at how accurate they are! Great new addition for the new year, I already have two copies!!

From the world’s leading astrology team comes your personal astrological guide for 2010!

What does 2010 hold for you?  The world’s most accurate astrology team shows you how to apply astrology’s ancient wisdom to reveal the turns in the road of life and describe the best ways to navigate everyday situations.

Rick and Jeff look closely at what 2010 holds in store for each of the twelve signs to help you gain a true perspective on your world, and deeper knowledge of yourself and your loved ones, friends and colleagues.  They provide the tools that make it easy for you to keep track of what will be happening during the year, including:

• Forecasts for 2010 that tell you what to really expect and how to deal with the core areas of your life- love, career, money, health, home, and personal and spiritual growth.
• Concise forecasts for August to December of 2009 containing summary and mini calendar for each month.
• Unique, in-depth, month-at-a-glance”calenders” of the major astrological events for your sign, with key dates and high energy Super Nova Days.
• Big picture tips for each sign-for the year and every month.

A great book to have on hand for everyday use and a really great coffee table book!

Meditation, or stilling of the mind, significantly reduces stress and the detrimental effects on your mind and body. It is proven scientifically that even small amounts of meditation daily can cut down on the negative effects of stress. Quieting your mind will eliminate the thoughts and emotions that cause stress and increase your sense of peace.

When something comes up for you that creates stress (a stressor), ask yourself if there is anything you can do about it. Can you manage or change the stressor? Maybe not, but you can change the way in which you view it. Remember that stress comes from your perceptions, based on your beliefs, and you can change those. Do not ‘worry’ about the cause of your stress. ‘Worry’ is a useless emotion and only increases stress and irrational thoughts, as well as preventing you from finding options or taking action.

Try to look at the stressor objectively, that is to say, without your personal beliefs, perceptions, and emotions attached. Break it down into smaller more manageable parts and set out a plan to deal with each part. Eliciting the help of someone you trust may aid in brainstorming options that you may not have thought about previously.

You need to take care of your mental health because your mind is what drives everything you do and if it breaks down, every aspect of your life will be affected. Seek out professional help if needed. There is no stressful situation that cannot be managed. It’s up to you to take the lead in your life.

Cheryl Hitchcock DSW, ADC

www.integritycounsellingservices.com

Lesley Spencer Pyle is the founder and president of the HBWM.com, Inc. Network which includes Home-Based Working Moms (www.HBWM.com) and HireMyMom.com (www.HireMyMom.com). Pyle has been featured in numerous publications including Forbes, Entrepreneur, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Parenting, Dr. Laura’s Perspectives, Family PC and many others. She has 4 children ages 2 to 14 years and has been working from home since the first baby was born!

And how do you avoid that dreadful moment 10, 15, or 20 years from now when you look at the photos and wonder, “Why did I ever wear that? Why did I style my hair like that? Why did I do my makeup like that?”

Well, it is actually quite easy. Stop looking at the trends of what is considered beautiful for 15 seconds, and look at the classics that have been beautiful for ages. Here are two very simple and consistent principles used throughout the ages to create that look of timeless beauty.

1)       Create contrast. Visual contrast has always been key to being a classic beauty. Fair skin and rich hair is an example of natural contrast. But contrast doesn’t just have to be between you hair and skin color. You can also create contrast between your skin color and clothes and between several articles of clothing. Why is contrast so important? Contrast creates visual interest and make colors pop. Think about the color wheel: opposites attract.

As we age, we want tone down the contrast. In your 20s, you can go pretty crazy with color contrast. So if you want to create a bold fashion look, use contrasting color. It is the easiest, most inexpensive way to create a dynamic look as well. As we age into our 40s and 50s, and beyond, begin to tone down the contrast. So if you are a fair skinned and blonde, try a gray suit instead of black. The harsh black can begin to exaggerate the visual signs of age, such as wrinkles. So don’t go to extremes that can age us and startle others.

2)       Be true to yourself. I know it sounds quite simple, but it always amazes me how many dress for who they think other people think they are. If your look and image don’t reflect your true authentic self, then you will always make those “Why did I do that?” mistakes. You’ll feel embarrassed later if you aren’t authentic in this current moment. Why is that so important? People can tell if there is something amiss, so if you are dressing to please someone else other than yourself, it won’t work. So be original, and be timeless.

By creating timeless looks that reflect who you are, you and your look will never be out of style.

Oceana’s Adopt a Creature set, offers online shoppers up to 6 sea creature cookie cutters and 4 sea creature plush toys they can virtually adopt in someone else’s name. Gift recipients receive an adoption certificate, creature facts and a sugar cookie recipe with the cookie cutters.  You can view all creature options at http://www.oceana.org/adopt.

During the holiday season is when we need to come together the most. We believe that this program represents not only a fun gift for friends and family, but also a warm reminder of why we need to protect our oceans and all of the creatures who live in it.

One of Meyer’s Most Popular Teachings Shows Kids How to Face their Fears

This was such a joy to watch! The grandkids, Jordon and Chloe just loved the characters, and the music was so delightful! The thing I loved best was I could let them watch it and do other things as I know that the content was just perfect for them. Joyce Meyer is just wonderful in sending the message to not be afraid and its done in a way that the young ones really catch onto and understand! Well done! I already have this on my list for gift giving this holiday season!

New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed Christian speaker Joyce Meyer is bringing another one of her most popular messages to the award winning children’s’ series“Paphappahooey Island.” In the new installment of the series, Meyer’s phrase “Do It Afraid “communicates a message of courage to a new generation of listeners.

In “Do It Afraid,” Ali (voiced by Ava Taylor) and her furry friends set out on a mission to discover lost treasure and rescue Miss Ruby (voiced by Joyce Meyer).  But along the way, they must face their fears – whether it’s a crowd of clucking chickens, singing karaoke, or just being alone. In the end Ali and her friends heed the advice of Miss Ruby and conquer their fears as they “Do It Afraid!”

The 68-minute DVD features an additional episode, “Never Alone,” which is another entertaining lesson on overcoming fear. When the gang sets out on a camping trip, they soon fear that someone or something could be following close behind.  In “Never Alone,” the group of friends discovers the key to rising above the things that can bring worry and panic into everyday life.

Both episodes combine brilliant music and powerful messages of faith to create engaging content viewers have come to expect from “Pahappahooey Island.” The suggested retail price for the DVD is $14.98.

About Joyce Meyer
Joyce Meyer, a notable New York Times bestselling author is well known as an acclaimed Christian speaker. She hosts her own radio show and appears on the National Cable Television Ministry’s programming featured on an array of prominent networks.  Joyce Meyer Ministries television is also broadcast internationally in 34 languages, including French, Korean, Ukrainian, Russian and Arabic.

It’s no surprise that women today are busier than ever juggling multiple roles, especially as we enter the most hectic time of year. So what are women missing? More than 80 percent feel they are missing out on life moments with family due to the stress and time involved with everyday responsibilities.*

Now imagine these stress-causing chores removed from the day or better yet, for an entire week. Would individuals travel or simply stay home and truly enjoy what matters – family. Nearly 60 percent of women say they’d prefer to spend time off with family at home versus a destination vacation, especially given today’s economic challenges.*

Mary LoVerde, recently named Speaker magazine’s top 25 people to watch, explains, “In a world that demands better, more, faster and sooner, reenergizing is necessary. Taking a moment to pause and reenergize your life gives you the time to connect with loved ones.”

In today’s high stress pace of life, more than 80 percent of families are finding it difficult to escape everyday responsibilities and spend more time together*. To help families slow down the pace and enjoy the moments, Pine Mountain® is launching the “Win the Ultimate Vacation at Home” program supporting a call for all to benefit from “More Warmth, More Time, More Life.” The national consumer campaign runs from Sept. 1, 2009 through Feb. 28, 2010.  As part of this effort, Pine Mountain is teaming up with lifestyle expert and best-selling author,  Mary LoVerde, to provide tips to help families reduce the stresses in their lives and add more warmth to everyday living.

Why the “Win the Ultimate Vacation at Home” Program?

A recent survey conducted by Impulse Research confirmed that due to a long list of daily responsibilities, families today are finding it more difficult to truly enjoy what matters. In fact, women claim that if daily responsibilities were alleviated, nearly 60 percent would choose spending time with their families at home instead of going on a remote vacation.  The “Ultimate Vacation at Home” offers families the vacation they are looking for — more warmth by a cozy fire, more time with family and more life without daily stresses (at least for seven days).

Other interesting findings….

The top daily responsibilities women claim to cause the most stress include: cleaning the house (66 percent), working outside the home (45 percent) and making dinner (39 percent).  Not surprisingly, these are also the daily responsibilities they would gladly hand over. Women today define a relaxing evening at home as one with no ringing phones (52 percent), a bubble bath (43 percent) or a warm fire in the fireplace (34 percent).  If women today had an extra hour in their day, they would put their feet up and relax, (40 percent), spend time with friends and family (37 percent) or shut the bedroom door and take a nap (36 percent).

Lifestyle Tips

Lifestyle expert, Mary LoVerde, recommends the following tips…

In a world that demands better, more, faster and sooner, reenergizing is necessary. Taking a moment to pause and reenergize your life gives you the time to connect with loved ones.  Meaningful rituals provide a sense of security and comfort. Take a moment to connect with yourself and your family, to preserve what is sincerely important to you. Connection creates balance, and feeling good is what balance is all about.

Prizes

One grand prize winner will be selected at random and will receive seven days of pampered living featuring the winners’ choice of stress relieving services up to $5,000 and $5,000 in cash. Whether they chose a landscaper, a housekeeping service or a personal chef, Pine Mountain is pleased to be alleviating these daily responsibilities and helping this lucky family kick back, relax and enjoy the “Ultimate Vacation at Home.” The winner will be announced and awarded their prize in March 2010.

Hundreds of instant win prizes, enhancing the ‘at home’ experience, will also be awarded. Prizes include: free Pine Mountain® firelogs, Bicycle® Playing Cards, Crock-Pots®, and other great products from Jarden Corporation. Pine Mountain “Win the Ultimate Vacation at Home” campaign offers prizes that connect the whole family and ignite endless fun.

How to Enter:

Individuals can enter the sweepstakes by entering the UPC codes from specially marked packages and visiting www.pinemountainbrands.com. Opportunities for instant win prizes are also available. No purchase necessary to enter. Full rules and regulations are available on the Web site.

Pine Mountain®

Pine Mountain® firelogs, a top selling brand of firelogs in the United States, has been adding warmth and a cozy ambiance to any occasion for more than 20 years. Pine Mountain® is a leader in the production and distribution of firelog options, including: Multi-Purpose firelogs, 100%Natural firelogs, Java-log, firestarters and Outdoor firelogs. For more information, visit www.pinemountainbrands.com

The bakers of Mrs. Freshley’s, the award-winning snack cake and pastry brand, invite Facebook fans to nominate people in its nationwide “Who is Mrs. Freshley’s” search. Consumers are asked to define the characteristics of the brand by suggesting who is the “Mrs. Freshley” in their lives.

Mrs. Freshley may be a grandmother who always has fresh baked goods ready for visitors or a 20-something mom whose baking skills are loved and admired among friends. Whoever she is, it’s certain that she’ll have a dash of sweetness, pinch of charm, and a little bit of spice.

Mrs. Freshley’s is known for fresh, great-tasting snacks. Consumer demand for new treats has spurred the creation of more than 50 different snack cakes and pastries, including favorites such as Honey Buns, Fudge Brownies, and Swiss Rolls.

To submit nominations, consumers visit www.Facebook.com/MrsFreshleys to upload photos and write brief descriptions of why they believe their nominees are the real Mrs. Freshley. One nomination per person is allowed. Entries for the “Who is Mrs. Freshley’s” campaign can be submitted starting Oct. 21, 2009 and must be received by 11:59 p.m., Nov. 9, 2009 via Mrs. Freshley’s Facebook page. Winners will be notified Nov. 16, 2009.

The winner will receive a $1,500 American Express gift card, be posted on www.MrsFreshleys.com and may be used in future merchandising. The individual who nominates the winner of the contest will receive a $500 American Express gift card. For complete rules and regulations please visit: www.Facebook.com/MrsFreshleys.

It is one of the most extreme things a person can go through since it is so gradual. You’ll feel bad for a few days then the few days turns into weeks, to months and then never ending. It sneaks up on you and by the time you realized you are depress you are usually in those “well there isn’t anything I can do about it at this point” type of moods so you don’t even try to seek out help. You may also not want to admit it outside of yourself.  However there are excellent alternatives if you are not good in person or wish to seek help without alarming family and friends.  There is a website called MySelfHelp.com that offers a depression management treatment for a very low cost.

The price starts at $20 dollars for the first month and $10 a month after that. Personally if you’re an exceptionally private person, don’t really like to go out much or don’t deal well with people this is a great way to get started and work on some of the immediate issues you may need help with. Their depression help program is great for the cost especially.

Quoted directly from their site “Whether you’re living with mild or more chronic feelings of depression, HealthMedia® DEPRESSION SELF HELP™ will help you reclaim a peaceful, optimistic, and more energetic outlook on life. One of the most clinically sophisticated self-help online programs available today, DEPRESSION SELF HELP™ is a highly personalized depression management program designed to give you the kinds of support, information, tools, and action plan you can use to help you feel better.

HealthMedia® DEPRESSION SELF HELP™ is a remarkable new digital coaching program that really works. And, best of all, you and those around you will feel the difference.”

They allow you to contact them along with seeing what other people say about their programs. I’ve heard nothing but great things about these programs and truly recommend you looking into their depression help if not one of their other programs should that be what you need or what someone else may need that you know. It is a good start for people who can’t quite come to terms with making larger steps, or cannot afford financially the cost of seeing professional help. Even with health insurance it can cost $40+ to see a specialist and with today’s economy it isn’t easy. So whether you’re depressed for a little while or its a long term thing you’re going through take a few moments to check out their site, email them with questions. There isn’t any harm in asking for help!

Now’s a great time to teach your kids some financial smarts. You don’t have to try explaining mortgages and defaulted loans, of
course, but you can help your children learn rich lessons about nickels and dimes and buying and borrowing. They may even gain some valuable insights into such abstractions as, well, value. As you’ll see, our lessons about moola are disguised as cool games and easy family strategies, which makes using them one investment that’s sure to pay off.

Disney FamilyFun has the activities, games, and strategies for teaching kids financial smarts, including:

*Let’s Talk about Money: Conversations to Go: The Game That Questions Money, is a worthwhile investment for your family – the game offers a mix of nuts-and-bolts problems (”How much do you think it costs to have a dog for one year?”) and more philosophical inquiries (”Does money buy happiness? How long does it last?”)

*Home Shopping: Create “Mom’s Snack Bar” and stock with healthy snacks. With borrowed money, kids can pick out and “buy” their
favorites. Make the money math more complicated as skills improve!

*A Guessing Game That Pays Off: Exercise your kid’s math muscle with a guessing game that can be played virtually anywhere. Hold a handful of change behind your back and reveal both the number of coins and the total sum: “I’ve got six coins that equal fifty-four cents.” Players must guess the exact coins in your hand (two quarters and four pennies); tailor the level of difficulty to a player’s age.

*Members of the Bank of Mom: Keep a small notebook to record a running balance for each child’s allowance. Track deposits (allowance and birthday gifts) and deductions (expenses and purchases). The “Bank of Mom” will teach kids how to budget and be prepared for spending and saving in our cashless society.

*Raising Savvy Savers: Put the kids in charge of clipping
coupons. As incentive, let them keep half of whatever money the family
saves, whether it’s 50 cents on laundry detergent or 50 dollars on a
theme-park admission. Kids will quickly becoming smart shoppers!

*The Value of a Dollar: Small change adds up fast in this quick game involving money and nice but no gambling. Players take turns
rolling dice and taking coins from a pile in the middle of a table according to what they roll. As players amass money, they must trade in small coins for bigger ones; the first to collect one dollar wins.

*Go on an Imaginary Shopping Spree: Give the kids a handful of catalogs and a make-believe budget, and send off on an imaginary shopping spree. Finding a hundred ways to spend a hundred imaginary dollars is great practice in subtraction and budgeting.

*Learn More About Cash – Free!: These free websites teach financial smarts through fun and games:

• Funbrain.com: Virtual shoppers must act as their own cashiers in this change-making game. Correct math results in rewards for a pretend piggy bank!

• The Bureau of Engraving and Printing: Kids an try a funny-money, design-your-own-bill activity and a catch-a-counterfeit security game on a virtual visit to the money factory.

• Themint.org: For bigger kids interested in bigger bucks. The site offers readings and quizzes on money habits, and for the parents, the Perfectcents newsletters share tips and activities

Beyond Monopoly: Besides Monopoly, these five money games are winners in teaching dollars and sense:

• PayDay: Players weigh the merits of borrowing and investing and even gets bills in their “mail” cards. Ages 8 and up, Winning Moves, $18.

• Presto Change-O: Kids love this change-making game, which helps them master denominations, place value, and arithmetic while racing to accumulate $10. Ages 8 and up, Educational Insights, #0.

• Pit: This noisy, century-old card game requires players to corner the market on various commodities through boisterous trading. Ages 7 and up, Winning Moves, $10.

• Ka-Ching!: A basic intro to the stock market – two players try to buy low and sell high in this fun, quick strategy game. Ages 10 and up, Gamewright, $15.

• Acquire: Kids try to control the biggest hotel chains, all while learning terms such as “merger” and “majority shareholder.” Ages 10 and up, Avalon Hill, $30.

• Cold Clean – Learning to trust your dirty clothes to cold water washing methods.
• Give your conventional oven the cold shoulder – Some alternative ideas for preparing your food.
• Cold Storage – Is your fridge cold enough? Tips for keeping it energy efficient.
• Keep the Cold Out – Money saving solutions for winterizing you house.

“The Accidental Housewife” aka Julie Edelman Author of “The Accidental Housewife: How to Overcome Housekeeping Hysteria One Task at a Time” and “The Ultimate Accidental Housewife: Your Guide to a CLEAN-ENOUGH House”

• Whether the cold while maintaining a cleaner home, your family’s health AND keeping an eye on your wallet and our planet!
• The typical U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills. Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted. Yet there are ways to waste less even if you already have the most energy efficient appliances out there.
• About 90% of the energy used for washing clothes in a conventional top-load washer is for heating the water (www.energysavers.gov)
• In a high efficiency or HE clothes washer, you can do 3 loads of laundry in cold for the same energy of one load in hot. (P&G)

About Julie Edelman:

JULIE EDELMAN (aka “The Accidental Housewife”) is the TV Personality, Lifestyle / Home Expert & New York Times best-selling author of “The Accidental Housewife: How to Overcome Housekeeping Hysteria One Task at a Time,” and the highly-successful follow-up, “The Ultimate Accidental Housewife: Your Guide to a CLEAN-ENOUGH House.” With her unique take on housework and life as an “Accidental Housewife”, Edelman has fast become the go-to source for sanity saving tips and ideas for conquering chores that bore.  A nationally recognized lifestyle expert, Edelman shares her “Ego n’ Eco Friendly” solutions with millions through her regular television appearances on programs including The Today Show, The Doctors, Fox & Friends and more.  She can frequently be seen in numerous print publications including Redbook, Family Circle and Woman’s World, as well as popular websites, and on the radio.  For more sanity-saving “Ego n’ Eco Friendly” tips please visit: http://www.theaccidentalhousewife.com/index.html

ThreeJars introduces the future of allowance! In a first of its kind service, kids are able to responsibly earn, track and safely use their own money online, learning important lifelong financial lessons along the way. With ThreeJars, kids divvy up funds into separate categories: Save, Spend, Share. They decide how much to store up, what to spend, and how much to donate to charity.

ThreeJars was developed by father of six, Anton Simunovic, as a way to instill healthy money habits. “The 2008 meltdown taught us about the need to be financially self-reliant. ThreeJars is an empowering and fun service which gets kids thinking more positively about their own money. It also helps them understand the importance of helping others. I’m proud that these values are the core of ThreeJars.”

The service is extremely easy to use. Parents set the allowance limit for each child, and come payday, the site adds the new money to their total. It automatically keeps track of how much is owed and what has been paid. What’s more, ThreeJars is a real mechanism for showing that money is a limited resource. And it goes beyond just cash for candy and clothes, by encouraging long-term saving and charitable giving. Here’s how:

SAVE
Kids instantly develop the savings habit by setting aside a portion of every dollar earned from day one. They also learn savings fundamentals: like set and stick to long-term goals, practice patience, and don’t break financial commitments. Savings options include certificate of deposits, parent bonds, double-ups and more. Interest is paid by the parent. Just like real life, if kids break their savings commitment, no interest is earned.

SPEND
Kids spend their own money, not yours, and learn to value a dollar. With parent’s approval, kids withdraw cash from their personal ATM, or can buy gift cards from more than 30 of their favorite retailers (Amazon.com, AMC Theaters, American Eagle, Toys “R” Us, Walmart, iTunes, and more)

SHARE
ThreeJars gets kids involved, with helping people, animals, and the environment – and every child gets to share. By using points earned on the site, kids direct ThreeJars‘ monthly donation to causes they are passionate about. Kids can also donate from their own Share Account to causes on or off ThreeJars (Save the Children, CarbonFund.org, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Nature Conservancy and many more.)

With ThreeJars, kids are also encouraged to earn extra dollars through one-time projects around the house, even lemonade stands. With more than 200 ideas on ThreeJars, parents can spur the entrepreneurial spirit in their child.

Parents can sign up for a 15-day free trial. After that, it’s just $30 per family per year.