Tips and Hints for Wahms

Microwave Popcorn-skip the expensive store brand and make your own

2012-01-12T22:32:00.004-06:00

Thanks to Donna at http://www.createacan.net for sharing this with me. We tried it and the results were great! As much as my kids love popcorn, I can't believe we didn't do this much sooner. I'm excited to have a nice healthy snack the kids can make themselves in just a few minutes.

All you need are:
Paper lunch sacks
Bag of unpopped popcorn
tape

Low Carb Pizza Crust!

2011-10-09T18:06:00.000-05:00

I am so excited. I had pizza again! For over a year I've been scraping the tops off and suddenly I could eat it. Even better, it was SO EASY to make. It passed my kids' test and my 15 yr old son who is so picky.. he took the toppings off and ate the crust! This is a keeper. Trevor and I are excited to have legal low carb pizza back in our life! It is filling as well.
Here's the recipe from Lowcarbfriends.com :
Mix 2 cups of mozzarella cheese
1 cup of cheddar cheese
3 eggs
Combine all together. I used parchment paper, otherwise use non stick spray on your pan. spread it thinly across your pan. I used a cookie sheet, it wasn't enough to cover it all but by the time it cooked up, it almost all reached the edges.
Cook at 450 degrees for 10 minutes. Watch for it to be melty gooey and a little crisp on the edges. Let cool. I put mine in the fridge for 5 minutes and then it peeled right off the parchment paper and I carried it around, so proud that it worked! Then I put it back on the parchment paper (mistake), added my sauce and toppings and put in broiler for about 5 minutes. (I pre-cooked my toppings).Note: Parchment paper says not to exceed 425 degrees for a reason.. Luckily mine didn't catch on fire but it was "toasted". Take out and cool for a second. I cut mine into 2" squares and served. Everyone, kids included, loved it! A definite keeper and it was so fast and easy!

Broccoli cheese soup

2011-08-30T10:08:00.000-05:00

2 tablespoons butter
3 Tbsp thicknthin/not starch
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
**2 1/2 cups water
3 cans chicken broth -- about 4 cups (I use one box of Swanson Organic Chicken Broth)
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
16 ounces frozen chopped broccoli -- thawed and drained
1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped -- finely chopped
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese -- sharp or extra sharp
2 tablespoons chopped chives -- or green onion tops

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add
flour; cook and stir 30 seconds or until bubbly. Add cream,
water, broth, salt, mustard and cayenne pepper; bring to a
simmer over high heat, stirring frequently. Add broccoli
and red pepper; return to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer
uncovered 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Add cheese; stir over low heat just until cheese melts
(do not boil). Top with chives if desired.

**For a thicker soup, cut back the water by one cup -
From Your lighter side.
Omit olives, bell pepper, chives

Taco Soup

2011-08-30T09:44:00.001-05:00

Doing this one from memory:
Scrambled hamburger
Ranch seasoning
Taco seasoning
2 cans of beans
2 cans of red beans
2 cans or corn or frozen
1 can of rotel-not spicy!
maybe a can of tomatoes.
Simmer and stir
Kids love it, even Jordan loves it.

Crockpot cream cheese chicken

2011-08-30T09:37:00.001-05:00

--1 can cream-of-something soup
--1/2 cup chicken broth
--frozen chicken pieces
--packet of Italian salad dressing mix
--2 cloves minced garlic
--block of cream cheese (to add later)

Sounds good, will try. Serve with wh. wheat noodles

Chicken cacciatore

2011-08-30T09:19:00.000-05:00

Slow Cooker Recipe
1 1/2 c. marinara sauce (lo-sugar)
1/2 c. thinly sliced onions
1/4 c tomato paste
1/4 c red or white wine (alcohol cooks out)
1/2 tsp each dried rosemary and sea salt
8 small chicken thighs (skin removed)
8 oz mushrooms cut in half or quartered

Mix marinara sauce, sliced onions, tomato past, wine, rosemary & salt in 4 qt. or larger slow cooker.

Add chicken and mushrooms, toss to mix and coat

Cover and cook 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours on high or 5 to 8 hours on low til chicken and onions are tender.

Remove to a serving platter.

To Help in Joplin, Missouri

2011-05-22T21:22:00.002-05:00

American Red Cross: Greater Ozarks Chapter
If you are not a Red Cross Volunteer but wish to help call 2-1-1 in Missouri to be connected to organizations needing volunteers

Instead of waiting for your family and friends to text you back (poor cell reception) check http://www.redcross.org/safeandwell. #joplin

Official updates coming from Responders on Facebook:
Page from those in/around Joplin
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joplin-Tornado-Info/

Joplin Tornado hit 5/22/2011

2011-05-22T21:11:00.003-05:00

http://twitpic.com/51be03- Joplin High school after tornado

Joplin Hospital

Low carb broccoli salad

2011-05-21T11:13:00.000-05:00

I'm going to give this a try- found it at http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2009/01/my-favorite-broccoli-salad-a-low-carb-recipe.html

ORGANIC BROCCOLI SALAD (I use mostly organic ingredients)

3 bunches fresh broccoli, chopped (UPDATE: I’ve recently learned that broccoli should be cooked before eating, otherwise it will block absorption of certain nutrients. SO from now on I will lightly steam it before tossing it in this salad. I’m going to try to leave a bit of a crunch, hope I can pull it off…)
2/3 c. raisins (I substitute with dried cherries or dried cranberries)
1/2 small onion, chopped small
10 slices of bacon (crisp-fried, crumbled) – from your local farmer if possible

Mix these ingredients together for the dressing and stir into salad ingredients:

2 T. raw apple cider vinegar
1 c. mayo
1/4 c. sugar (Original recipe said 1/2 c.! I use palm sugar)
Optional: 1 T. fermented soy sauce

I also add crispy almonds on top – they add a very nice crunch! Chill well before serving, if you can wait for it.

Local news station video of ESOAL

2011-04-05T14:18:00.000-05:00

http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13194089

Emotionally Stretching Opportunity Of A Lifetime

Honor Academy, Acquire The Fire Questions??

2011-04-05T14:03:00.000-05:00

Until very recently I hadn't heard of the Honor Academy. My sister is graduating this year and has decided this is where she wants to go. She, like I, had never heard of ESOAL. I've watched the videos and I find them very disturbing. I'm doing more research on this so she can see the facts.
She's called up there and they tell her the videos are made up, and that you can read anything on the internet.
True-but if you dig deeper you start to see a pattern. In this day and age you can connect in real time.

What I have learned is that the college is not accredited. She has to be insured to attend. She'll need money for "every day expenses" and while she's working as an intern she won't get paid. She's going to pay $10,000+ for ??? This is what I'm trying to figure out.

Vacation is the Bomb, We wish our mothers could come

2011-04-05T13:56:00.000-05:00

True stories from those that have been there

2011-04-05T13:50:00.000-05:00

http://www.recoveringalumni.com/search/label/True%20Stories

Is the Honor Academy Accredited?

2011-04-05T13:13:00.000-05:00

From their website-no.
http://www.honoracademy.com/index.cfm/pageID/2281/

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Honor Academy accredited?

No. Teen Mania is a ministry and cannot be accredited. Sterling offers credits for courses taken at the Honor Academy. Your transcripts will show that you took classes through Sterling.

How can I get my credits transferred from Sterling to another college?

See STEPS TO APPLY FOR STERLING COLLEGE ADMISSION

HA How To

How much does it cost to transfer my credit from the Honor Academy to Sterling?

There is no charge for Honor Academy interns to transfer to Sterling College.

How much does it cost to transfer credit from another college to Sterling?

It costs nothing unless the college you are transferring from charges a transfer fee.

Will I need to send Sterling my high school transcript?

Yes.

Will I need to send Sterling a copy of my ACT/SAT scores?

Yes.

What can I do if I have not taken the ACT/SAT?

You will need to take either test as soon as possible.

What is the minimum score that I will need on the ACT/SAT?

SAT - 1290, ACT - 18

Can I use scholarships from my high school to pay for the transfer of credits from Sterling to another college?

That is determined by the awarder of the scholarship.

Does this partnership affect scholarship opportunities?

This is determined by the awarder of the scholarship.

Will FASFA cover the cost of transferring my credits?

No. You cannot use FASFA for credits already taken.

Does Sterling offer online classes?

Sterling does offer online degree completion programs in education, business and ministries. Check with an Academic Advisor at Sterling for more details, or go to their website at www.sterling.edu.

If I apply for credit through Sterling College, does that mean I'll be designated a "college student" during my time at Teen Mania?

No. Your academic credit will not be "official" until you complete your time at Teen Mania.

Will applying for the Sterling credit allow me to show that I am a college student for insurance purposes?

No. You are not an official college student while you are at Teen Mania. Upon graduation from the Honor Academy, your academic credit can be used at Sterling or another college.

Can I show that I am "in college" to help my sibling get additional financial aid at the college he's attending? Will applying for Sterling credit allow this?

No. You are not "in college" while you are at Teen Mania. Upon graduation from the Honor Academy, you may obtain your academic credit to be used at Sterling or another college.

Once I am at the Honor Academy, may I choose which classes I would like to be transcripted for me after I graduate from the Honor Academy?

Yes. As you exercise the college credit option, you may choose which classes the Honor Academy will transcript for you. You will need to do this by the deadline that is communicated to you upon arrival at the Honor Academy.

After I finish my time at Teen Mania and my transcript is sent to Sterling, may I pick and choose which courses I want to transfer?

No. All of the courses reflected on your Honor Academy transcript will be transcripted from the Honor Academy and sent to Sterling.

Will all of my credits transfer to the college I want to attend?

Yes. Sterling is a fully-accredited college, so other colleges and universities will accept academic credit from Sterling. If a particular course you have on your Sterling transcript does not count for a requirement for your major/minor, it should still count as an "elective" course to go towards your total credits required to graduate.

Should I take advantage of this Teen Mania/Sterling partnership?

Absolutely. If you feel that college is in your future or if you eventually want a college degree-from Sterling or any other college or university-this is a great opportunity. By getting academic credit for your Teen Mania experience you will not "lose time" in obtaining your college degree.

Teen Mania training scripts-eye opener

2011-04-05T12:26:00.000-05:00

http://teenmaniawatch.blogspot.com/2011/03/teen-mania-publishes-training-documents.html

Yelp reviews for the Honor Academy

2011-04-05T12:22:00.000-05:00

Taken from: http://www.yelp.com/filtered_reviews/nVr4UaUnyFJ5TUsts4y2lw?fsid=1Z6eNcvnphzQhIIW-rliaA

1friend

6reviews

Abigail S.

Phoenix, AZ

Updated - 3/17/2011 I noticed that many of the 5 star review are from people who list Lindale TX as the home town. I think the cult members are trying to make it look like all that happens there is Sunshine and Daisey's, which couldn't be farther from the truth.

For a bit of an eye opener look here (http://www.recoveringa...) IF you are thinking about attending the HA do your homework - I wish I had.

1 Previous Review: Show all »

1/19/2011

Can I give less then 1 star? Like -2. Spending time at the HA was by far the worst choice I've ever… Read more »

0friends

1review

Jay R.

Placerville, CA

3/16/2011 The HA is awesome! The worship is awesome. Speakers amazing. Opportunities countless. And overall excellent. It is also a very challenging year, which I think is why there are some fragile individuals that give it bad reviews. But I was an intern for two years and made lifelong friends and had God work in my life in character defining ways! I don't know of a better program for a kid right out of high school.

0friends

1review

Christina R.

Tucson, AZ

1/25/2011 The Honor Academy, referred to as "The Bubble", by past and current interns provides a very skewed world view to those in attendance. It is not just a place where self-discipline is taught, it is a place where outside opinions are censored and immediately warranted as sin.

Unhealthy long work hours and very little sleep is deemed to be good discipline. "You'll sleep when you're dead" is a phrase often repeated in the HA to motivate. Labor laws don't apply to interns as they have paid roughly $10,000 to volunteer.

In addition to strenuous work hours, there are a series of other time consuming requirements such as corporate workouts, classes (not credited mind you), and peer "team building" activities wherein you're assigned a "family" of fellow interns. These core groups are above and beyond the five men/women you already share a small room with. Didn't see a picture of that in the brochure did you?

You will be required to find a church and also be active in outside ministry. Other than the occasional trip to wal-mart, this is the only time most interns get off campus. Doesn't exactly sound like navigating the world as an adult for the first time after leaving home.

Any genuine concern you express to someone who could actually do anything about your job, health, or peers is a rebellious spirit. They'll give you chores to correct that if you won't accept that as a possibility.

Interns are highly encouraged however to keep each other in line by confronting others non stop about the sin in their lives. Everyone is so afraid to step out of line it keeps the dissention to a minimum.

Sleep deprived, fear motivated, young adults aren't likely to speak up about what is happening until the fog of manipulation clears, sometimes years later.

0friends

5reviews

C D.

Houston, TX

1/24/2011 I gave a year of my life to Teen Mania in exchange for what I thought would be a great spiritual experience. I worked 60+ hrs per week, shared a room with 5 girls, shared a bathroom with 36-40 other girls, and was told I could not leave work until I had everything finished. (I am currently an executive assistant, and one week's worth of work at TM is about three weeks's worth in my current job, and I am VERY busy during the day.) Add to this a constant message from leadership that we are never enough, God doesn't approve of us unless we look like X, and the complete lack of Love and Grace extended or taught by leadership. It is a recipe for a cult, and at the very least, great spiritual harm.

What was supposed to be a year of growth really turned into a year of pay-to-work slave labor with excessive restrictions, zero privacy, near-constant illness due to the living conditions, and spiritual/emotional abuse. Sadly, I know that I am not the exception but the norm. Save yourself the heartache and the therapy bills. If you are looking for a deeper connection with God, join YWAM. If you are looking to build discipline and character, join the armed forces. But whatever you do, RUN AWAY from the Honor Academy.

1friend

9reviews

Shannon K.

Huntsville, AL

1/21/2011 The year I spent at the Honor Academy led to more heartache, trouble, depression, anxiety than I had already experienced.

I would NOT recommend this internship to anyone.

0friends

1review

Tom B.

Lakeland, FL

1/19/2011 If you're looking to be free labor, working absurdly long hours for this organization than five stars!

If your expectation is, as mine was, To grow in the Lord and be discipled to, to be part of a ministry that would become a lifelong fellowship, well...1 star is as low as I can rate the Honor Academy here.

To any current interns. There is no such thing as "the line." Once they've gotten all the work out of you they can, you become obsolete. Ask yourself why so few alumni come to alumni weekend considering the thousands who have given a year or more of their eager youth to Teen Mania. Just think about it.

0friends

18reviews

Lisa F.

Bloomington, IN

1/19/2011 As both an intern in 00-01 and a mentor to past interns over the past ten years I would very much not suggest this place to anyone wanting to really grow in the lord (or have your teen grow in the lord).

A few points of interest:

Malnourished interns- While they do feed you they don't feed you a balanced diet and even worse if you can't get to the cafeteria because of work or other issues during the assigned times there are no other options for you to get food outside of leaving campus and spending money.

Money- You are spending roughly $10,000 to be there for a year with little to no college credit. If you leave early there are no refunds and further you will likely be required to pay for the rest of your time at the internship If you leave of your own accord instead of being sent home by them.

Suspect eyes- When I say that someone is watching you 24/7 it's because they are. Even the other interns have been taught that anything you do should be something for confrontation. If you are female and do not have interest in looking girly they tend to tell you that you are out of the will of God.

If you have specific skill sets they are not likely to use them. I had many friends who knew how to cook or were lifeguards already and had years of experience in these fields They knew how to do their jobs and do them well and expected to go into the HA to learn while serving. Once there they put them in the telemarketing area of the ministry and then gave them strict scripts to adhere to. If they wanted to be honest with those they were talking with they couldn't be for fear of being forced to do extra working out.

In the last several years from my friend's experiences and from the kids I have mentored this place has gotten so much worse. Interns have been told to wash their clothes in the sink but then get in trouble for doing so. If someone has an illness at the HA they are ignored unless the signs make them too sick to physically get out of bed and even then they are going to be told by the leadership that they are too lazy.

If you want to grow (or your teen to grow) please please do NOT go here. Take the 10K and use it toward a good blble college or a good University with a good college ministry near by for your kids to plug into.

0friends

1review

Josh K.

Pasadena, MD

1/19/2011 I attended the HA from 2000 to 2001. I was dismissed/left the program in June of 2001.

Since leaving, they have shared personal information, without consent, to other churches, and while I was there, believed whatever it was that they wanted when situations were presented to them as well as worked upwards of 80+ hours a WEEK (I was 18 at the time) in my "Ministry Placement"

If someone is wanting to attend the Honor Academy, PLEASE be sure to do thorough research on them before going.

Toshiba Laptop Battery Issues

2011-03-30T10:13:00.000-05:00

My laptop was 17 days old when it suddenly said it wasn't charging even though the charger was plugged in. We switched chargers, same problem. Did a google search and visited the Toshiba support forum. I was surprised to find that tech support know of this issue and how to fix it. We tried it last night and so far so good. Here's the link to the fix: http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/modelContent.jsp?ct=SB&os=&category=&moid=2871367&rpn=PSK3JU&modelFilter=L675D-S7105&selCategory=2756709&selFamily=1073768663

Other than this I love my Toshiba and especially the keyboard. I havent' had any issues with the keyboard as others have reported.

have to try this one- pizza quiche, start with pepperoni on bottom

2010-06-15T19:16:00.001-05:00

DEEP DISH PIZZA QUICHE 4 oz softened cream cheese4 eggs1/3 cup heavy cream1/4 cup parmesan cheese (grated)1 tbs chives1/2 tsp Italian or pizza seasoning2 cups shredded cheese (I use mozzarella/cheddar mix)1/2 tsp wet garlic or 1/4 tsp garlic powder1/2 cup lowest carb tomato or pizza sauce1 cup mozzarella cheeseToppings to taste (I use pepperoni, sausage, onion, green pepper, mushrooms, whatever!)Preheat oven to 375.Beat together cream cheese and eggs till smooth (I use a blender).Add cream, parmesean cheese and spices.Spray 13x9 glass baking dish with PAM.Put 2 cups of shredded cheese in dish and pour egg mixture over. Bake at 375 for 30-35 minutes.Remove from oven.Spread with sauce and then add your toppings.Cover with mozzarella cheese.Bake till browning and bubbly (or however you like your 'za!)Let stand for 5 minutes or so.ENJOY! I like to have mine with a salad. This freezes well also. I think it's just as easy to make two, then bag and freeze individual portions to throw into my lunchbox. I microwave them for about 3-5 minutes.Donald
from: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=44087

Low carb cheesecake

2010-06-15T19:04:00.000-05:00

You want a good and easy cheesecake recipe that rivals the best cheesecake you've ever had in your life? Well, here it is!It's based on a regular recipe that I got from a friend years ago, and I've made it LC.You can mix this up in a blender (though it has to be a powerful one) or a food processor or even just a bowl with a mixer (as I do).2 eggs2 tsp vanilla1 1/2 cups sour cream1/2 cup Splenda (or any flavored SF syrup you like)Blend until combined, maybe 15 or 20 seconds. Then slowly add:16 ounces cream cheese (2 packages, softened)2 Tbsp melted butterThat's it! If you like, you can make a crust out of 1 1/2 cups almond meal (ground almonds), 1/4 cup splenda, and 1/4 cup melted butter.Bake in a preheated 325-degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes. It won't look quite done, but it does firm up as it cools and has been in the fridge. To help keep the top from cracking, I place a pie tin filled with water on the shelf below to keep the heat moist.I input this into Fitday, and the totals are (using Splenda and having a crust):4,049 calories370 grams fat81 grams carbs (minus the 24 grams of fiber equals 57 ECC)92 grams proteinIf you get 12 servings out of it (which are still good-sized servings, since it's pretty rich), the counts per serving are:324 calories30 grams fat4 ECC7 grams proteinAnd if you use a liquid SF sweetener like DaVinci's or Atkins syrups (which have no carbs), the ECC for the whole recipe drops to 39, and one serving drops to 3. Remember, a cup of granular Splenda has 24 carbs in it because of the maltodextrin filler they use so it measures the same as sugar.Even DH didn't know it was LC. He loved it! Also, sometimes I'll keep out a cup of the batter and add some unsweetened cocoa to taste (1 Tbsp has 2 carbs with 2 grams fiber, so 0 ECC), and then dollop it in and swirl it around.Other people have added pumpkin and other flavorings. It also freezes well. Same texture and flavor after defrosting.

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=224312

Day 26 of hcg diet

2010-05-24T08:58:00.003-05:00

Today I'm down .4 while on TOM. I can be happy with this.
Last night had a grilled hamburger cooked on George Foreman with salad and a bit of cottage cheese.
It's time to re-order hhcg for some family members. I'm finding that a lot of websites are charging outrageously for 2 oz and a "recipe book". You can get hhcg from http://www.woodsmassage.com for $20, 2 oz. Same exact bottle others are selling for $140!
I'm ordering our next batch from http://www.healingpowerwithin.net . They've gotten a lot of good reviews from the many people on the hcgdiet yahoogroup.

Yesterday I cleaned the kids' rooms and did tons of laundry. Got tired but not overly.
My feet are no longer swollen and it looks like my hiney is shrinking! I wish my belly would go with that, but I can be happy. I feel so much better.

I keep reading how people are having boring hcg meals while on the hcg diet.
Our meals aren't boring. We're using spices, the George Foreman grill and lean meats.
Now the salad.. I did mix up a vinigrette that added some kick to it.

Trevor worked at lakehouse yesterday and gained 3 lbs. Might have been the bug spray or the fact that the day before he lost 4 while playing paintball. He didn't stray from the diet. Neither of us have eaten our fruit. Kids ate all the apples- they think they're candy. I really need an apple tree.

HCG diet, my jean shorts fit!

2010-05-23T11:41:00.002-05:00

Today is Day 25-I've lost almost 23 lbs and lots of inches. I see a waist, my upper body is shrinking. Today I fit into the jean shorts that didn't fit anywhere before we started this. I couldn't even get them over my hips. Yay!

I held weight at the same for the last two days. Today I lost 1/2 lb- ya. Not sure what to expect on TOM.
Today I think I'll have egg scrambler with a piece of turkey bacon. Bacon is off protocol so hope it doesn't cost me.
Everyone is at lake house so lunch is on me.
I also need to make some Marinara for this week- so good! great with chicken and meatballs. Kids love it too.

Trevor lost 4 lbs yesterday we think due to paintball playing, nothing this morning. He's lost almost 30 now and looks great!

Where Teresa got hers from to start with and more recipes

2010-04-25T13:11:00.000-05:00

http://www.liquidhcgdiet.com/liquid-hcg-diet-recipes/

Lots of great recipes

2010-04-25T12:34:00.001-05:00

http://hcgweightlossresults.com/DietRecipeIdeas.html

Free preview e-book of recipes- my style

2010-04-25T09:08:00.001-05:00

http://www.hcgweightlossdiets.com/support-files/free-hcg-recipes-book-preview.pdf

Lots of recipes

2010-04-25T08:58:00.001-05:00

http://hcgcoach.com/recipes.shtml -not sure I would try these but maybe later.

Dr' Simeons "Pounds and Inches"

2010-04-25T08:41:00.001-05:00

http://hcgdietassistant.com/uploads/Pounds__Inches.pdf -read from page 30 on to understand the workings and benefit

Recipes compiled from others on HCG diet

2010-04-25T07:44:00.003-05:00

Recipe for Diet:

http://www.hcgdynamic.com/recipes.php

Chicken Bouillon Base

6 100 gms pieces of chicken breast
8 cups water
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion salt
1/4 tsp celery salt
1/4 tsp poultry seasoning
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 tsp sea salt

Combine ingredients in pot and cook until chicken is done. Remove chicken and refrigerate or freeze to use at a later time (6servings). U can also freeze for future cooking. Put 2 cups in a medium size container to make soup or a few tablespoons to saute veggies.

hcgdietinfo.webs.com

BREAKFAST 1/2 FRUIT

STRAWBERRY SHAKE 1/2 FRUIT

12 MED STRAWBERRIES " FROZEN " REMOVE STEMS

2 PKG TRUVIA OR SWEETNER OF CHOICE

1- 2 TBSP LEMON JUICE [DEPENDS ON TARTNESS DESIRED]

ADD WATER IF NEEDED

THIS WAS MODIFIED BY LADIES IN THE WEEKLY MEETING . GREAT IDEA TO FREEZE BERRIES WOW SOOOO YUMMY

http://freehcgrecipes.com/
Meat in Tomato Sauce
100 g of lean hamburger, chicken, shrimp, fish (or whatever meat you would like to eat)
1 large or 2 small tomatoes
1/4 tsp. of garlic salt
1/4 tsp. onion salt
1/4 tsp. Italian Seasoning (make sure it has 0 carbs)

Side Dishes/Vegetables

Apple Cider Vinegar Dressing--Great for salads with plain lettuce!
2/3 c water
1/3 c Apple Cider Vinegar
Stevia powder of liquid drops to taste
salt and pepper to taste

Mix the water and Apple Cider Vinegar together, stir or shake, and then add stevia drops or powder to taste into the mixture. Finally, pour over your lettuce.
You can either add the pepper into the salad dressing mixture or you can just sprinkle it over your salad.
Tip: If you want a stronger, more vinegary taste, switch the ratios (2/3 c vinegar and 1/3 c water).
That will give you more taste AND a great health benefit since Apple Cider Vinegar is great for your overall health and weight loss!

Warm Cinnamon Apple
1 apple
cinnamon to taste
stevia to taste

Super long snake

2009-02-18T09:26:00.002-06:00

Dh said they found this where they work. Make sure to put down your drinks.

Consumer Product Safety Commission Act

2008-12-29T09:56:00.002-06:00

The law, known as HR4040: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsia.pdf
As it stands now each component must be tested to comply.

Can I test at home? The testing labs must be accredited by the CPSC. You can find a list at: http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/labaccred.html

What can you do?
Read this letter, contact your lawmakers and let your voice be heard.
Dear Friend,

I want to bring to your attention an urgent legal matter affecting
anyone making, distributing or selling children's products of any kind. On
September 12, 2008, the General Counsel of the Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) issued an opinion stating that the new safety
standards of the
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) applies
retroactively to
inventory (Falvey Opinion). This opinion poses a serious threat because it
means that we will all be liable for any potential violation of law from
products already on our shelves, although these products are safe and were
purchased or produced legally and in compliance with the law. The
potentially
disastrous financial exposure we all face was highlighted in the Wall Street
Journal in an article published on November 18, 2008 (see attached). Despite
calls for its reconsideration, the Falvey Opinion was recently
reaffirmed by the
CPSC General Counsel.

We have posted the many documents relating to this issue on our
website. Please go to the special section of our website,
http://www.learningresources.com/category/id/104512.do,
<http://www.learningresources.com/category/id/104512.do,> to read the Falvey
Opinion and see comment letters and articles which explain the impact on
you and
the business community. In particular, I urge you to watch three videos
from a
recent CPSC panel discussion posted on http://www.youtube.com/
<http://www.youtube.com/> (search for CPSIA
or go to our website for links) which explain the many unintended and
harmful
consequences of this law.

THE CPSIA - HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

The CPSIA was enacted in the summer of 2008 in reaction to a wave of
toy recalls in 2007, largely due to lead-in-paint (already illegal at
the time).
The anger of Congress, inflamed by media like the Chicago Tribune and
various
activists, turned a reasonable concern over safety procedures into a fear of
everything. The CPSIA was crafted to eliminate any conceivable
possibility of
danger, regardless of science, risk, burden or consequence. It affects a
breathtaking array of products intended for children, including footwear,
carpets, clothing, bedding, luggage, lamps, toys, books, consumer
electronics,
school supplies, office supplies, jewelry, housewares, sports equipment,
and so
on. Although well-intentioned, implementation of the CPSIA is throwing
another
wet blanket over the weakening economy and will become a big part of your
economic reality soon. The new law exposes your business and your supply
chain
to excessive costs and recordkeeping expenses unrelated to safety risks and
enforces its new rules with minimum penalties of $100,000 per violation
and the
threat of felony convictions. These burdens bear no rational relationship to
improvements in children's product safety.

Defenders of the CPSIA claim that the need for new safety standards
is so urgent that they must be imposed with retroactive effect. Don't be
fooled
by activists in the newspaper and on TV: opposing the tight rules of the
CPSIA
does not create a choice between safety and jobs. The safety of children
remains
the priority of the children's products industry, including our own school
supply and educational toy industries. The absence of an appropriate
transition
period for existing inventory under the Falvey Opinion is nonetheless
creating a
significant job loss scenario in the name of safety.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO TO RESPOND TO THIS THREAT?

The legal issues under this law, especially the General Counsel's
retroactivity opinion, threaten your business' ability to make a profit.
It's
that serious. The time to act is NOW. As the Wall Street Journal article
makes
clear, the voice of commerce has not been heard by Congress. People are
afraid
to say anything in opposition to a law purporting to protect children.
We must
face the reality, however, of a sick economy and the unbearable burdens
under
the CPSIA. Ignoring this law is not a choice for any of us - like it or not,
the CPSIA is a game changer.

We are threatened as a community, and we must speak out as a
community to beat back this threat. Here's what you can do:

First, write the CPSC, House and Senate staffers, and your own
Congressmen and Senators to express your views of this law. We have attached
three sample letters plus email address and contact information for U.S.
government officials. Feel free to put your concerns in your own words,
or use
the attached sample letters. To create an email, simply add your name and
company information at the bottom of the letter, and cut and paste into
an email
using the contacts in the attached document. Please send emails right
away and
make calls expressing your view on the seriousness of this issue.

Second, send copies of those letters and emails to your local
newspapers, TV stations, and radio stations. It is my hope that the Wall
Street
Journal article will be the first of many articles exposing the devastating
unintended consequences of the CPSIA.

Third, ask your business partners, friends, families and neighbors
to get involved. Washington can't and won't act unless it hears the
voices of
constituents louder than the voices of the activists which have thus far
controlled this process.

The business community needs to raise its voice. Your Congressman
and Senators will be very concerned about jobs and the state of the
economy in
your area. Ask them to get involved to insure that local businesses are not
brought to their knees by overreaching government regulations.

Some of you make or sell children's products that fall outside
Learning Resources' educational toy and educational materials sectors.
Please
feel free to forward this email or adapt it to notify other children's
product
companies. I have no pride of authorship - please use this letter as you see
fit. We need to draw attention to these issues urgently and generate a loud
community response.

If we act as one united community, we can exert enough political
pressure to reverse the Falvey Opinion and possibly even build a
consensus for
an appropriate review of the CPSIA itself.

Thank you for your immediate help on this important matter.

Best regards,

Richard Woldenberg
Chairman
Learning Resources, Inc.

mr.Food's no bake Holly Crackles

2008-12-12T11:28:00.001-06:00

I'm going to try these with the kids, Easy, fast simple, festive:

Holly Crackles

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 | 11:39 AM

Want to be a smart cookie this holiday season?

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
30 large marshmallows (1 10-ounce bag contains 38 to 40)
1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons green food color
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups cornflakes cereal
Red-hot cinnamon candies, for decorating

In a medium saucepan, melt butter and marshmallows over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
When melted, remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon food color and the vanilla. Add more food color, if desired. Stir in cornflakes.
Drop mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, onto waxed paper. Decorate with candies. Let stand 30 minutes, or until cool.

Black Friday Deals, coupon codes, free shipping

2008-11-20T10:27:00.003-06:00

Have you heard? You can shop from the comfort of home and find huge savings. There is a great list at http://mypreciouskid.com. Great deals from 10% off up to 25% off, free shipping on many items. Book mark your favorites and save.

Missing Teens From Missouri, why did it take 4 days for an amber alert

2008-10-23T19:52:00.004-05:00

Levi and Paige were known missing Friday night. Paige didn't come home. Her friends and family say that is not like her. Levi is bi-polar and has been off his medicine.These kids need to be found. No one is sure where they are headed. Could be Missouri, Arkansas, Colorado, California or ? They haven't used their credit cards and no one has heard from them since October 24th. The news media is working on this but everyone across the nation needs to put an eye out for these two kids.

How can you help?
Print out a flyer. Stick it to your window, post them on bulletin boards, businesses, schools.
Pray for these two families and their children.
Link to their missing website set up by the family, add the website to your signature.
Post a bulletin on myspace and stop by their website to read the latest news.

An amber alert has been issued.
Together we can help find these children.

Thank you for helping,
Terra
http://www.paigeandlevi.com/

California fire refuge- places for pets to be taken in

2007-10-24T14:21:00.000-05:00

VCA Animal Hospitals Offers Free Boarding for Pets Affected by Southern
California Fires

http://www.ad- hoc-news. de/Aktie/ 127...3/SOUTHERN .html

http://www.ad- hoc-news. de/Aktie/ 12717634/ News/13829613/ SOUTHERN. html

VCA Animal Hospitals announced today that local SOUTHERN California VCA
facilities are offering free boarding for companion animals whose families
have been evacuated or displaced as a result of the current firestorms.
Conveniently located VCA animal hospitals will provide a safe environment
for pets that have been affected by the fires through November 5, 2007, on a
space available basis.

As thousands of families are being evacuated to shelters or facing the loss
of their homes, VCA hopes to ease their burden by offering free boarding for
pets so they can focus on the critical issues with their families and homes,
said Art Antin, Chief Operating Officer of VCA Animal Hospitals.

Boarding assistance for pets is based on space availability at individual
VCA Animal Hospitals throughout Southern California.

Pet owners can Call the following VCA facilities that currently have space
available:

Alhambra VCA Mission Animal Hospital 626-289-3643
Arroyo Grande VCA South County Animal Hospital 805-489-1361
Bellflower VCA Lakewood Animal Hospital 562-633-8126
Big Bear City VCA Lakeside Animal Hospital 909-866-2021
Burbank VCA Animal Hospital (Burbank) 818-845-7246
Canoga Park VCA Companion Animal Hospital 818-340-1569
Cypress VCA College Park - Ana Brook Animal Hospital 714-827-6861
Encinitas VCA North Coast Animal Hospital 760-632-1072
Glendale VCA Arden Animal Hospital 818-246-2478
Hermosa Beach VCA Coast Animal Hospital 310-372-8881
Hesperia VCA Victor Valley Animal Hospital 760-244-8022
La Mesa VCA Grossmont Animal Hospital 619-697-0082
Laguna Niguel VCA Aliso Viejo Animal Hospital 949-643-0437
Lake Forest VCA Saddleback Animal Hospital 949-586-4250
Lake Forest VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital 949-770-1808
Long Beach VCA Los Altos Animal Hospital 562-421-3749
Los Alamitos VCA Rossmoor-El Dorado Animal Hospital 562-598-8621
Los Angeles VCA Miller-Robertson Animal Hospital 310-657-7050
Los Angeles VCA Petville Animal Hospital 310-313-9118
Mission Viejo VCA Mission Viejo Animal Hospital 949-582-1220
Monrovia VCA Santa Anita Animal Hospital 626-359-3281
Palm Springs VCA Desert Animal Hospital 760-778-9999
Pasadena VCA A Breed Apart Animal Hospital 626-795-4444
Rancho Mirage VCA Rancho Mirage Animal Hospital 760-346-6103
Reseda VCA McClave Animal Hospital 818-881-5102
Ridgecrest VCA Crestwood Animal Hospital 760-446-7616
Rolling Hills Estates
VCA Silver Spur Animal Hospital310- 541-3331
San Diego VCA Angel Animal Hospital 619-291-0042
San Diego VCA Hillcrest Animal Hospital 619-299-7387
San Diego VCA Main Street Animal Hospital 619-232-7401
San Diego VCA West Bernardo Animal Hospital 858-485-7570
Santa Fe Springs VCA La Mirada Animal Hospital 562-921-3539
Santa Monica VCA Santa Monica Dog and Cat Hospital 310-453-5459
Santa Monica VCA Wilshire Animal Hospital 310-828-4587
Spring Valley VCA Paradise Valley Animal Hospital 619-475-9770
Temecula VCA El Rancho Animal Hospital 951-296-3898
Torrance VCA Clarmar Animal Hospital 310-371-2474
Torrance VCA Kennel Club Resort & Spa 310-539-2201
Upland VCA Central Animal Hospital 909-981-2855
Venice VCA Marina Animal Hospital 310-306-8707
Victorville VCA Mesa Animal Hospital 760-245-0109
Woodland Hills VCA Parkwood Animal Hospital 818-884-5506

Permission to Cross Post given.

[LAanimalrights] shelters accepting large/small displaced animals
Also from the Times breaking news blog:

http://latimesblogs .latimes. com/breakingnews /

Animal shelters opened

Shelters accepting displaced animals include:

LARGE ANIMALS
Pierce College
6201 Winnetka Avenue
Woodland Hills, CA 91371

Antelope Valley Fair Grounds
2551 West Avenue H
Lancaster, CA 93536

SMALL ANIMALS
Agoura Animal Shelter
29525 Agoura Road
Agoura Hills, CA 91301
818-991-0071

Castaic Animal Shelter
31044 N. Charlie Canyon Road
Castaic, CA 91384

www.AlphaPetProducts.com

www.CartAndSoul.com

www.HealthyPetPlanet.com

www.HelpingRescue.com

www.OnlineVendorWorld.com

Who wants to learn about podcasting?

2007-10-23T00:11:00.000-05:00

Rachel has created a new category at her website specifically for learning about podcasting.
Check it out:
Want to learn more about Podcasting? The WAHStation has a new sectiondedicated to learning more about this great way to get heard and be known. Visit Podcasting at www.WAHStation.com TODAY!http://www.wahstation.com/podcasting.php

Exercise routines for wahms

2007-10-23T00:08:00.000-05:00

Sparkpeople.com did it again! 6 routines with video included and it's all free.
If you haven't visited http://www.sparkpeople.com, you really should check it out. They have you covered from healthy recipes, tips to fun exercises and of course motivation:
From their free newsletter:
SparkPeople 30-Minute Workouts Add Variety To Your Routine A stale fitness program is like a stale pair of old shoes--you know how they'll feel and you once loved using them, but you just don't want to go near them anymore. We all need a little variety in our workouts. In fact, an excessively repetitive workout program is a major cause of fitness burnout.If you're looking to mix things up a little bit, try one of these 30-minute options created by SparkPeople Coach Joe D. They should each be preceded and followed by at least a little stretching and warm up. The only equipment you'll need for most of these exercises are small dumbbells, an inflatable stability ball or resistance bands. Many are simple "body weight" exercises with no need for equipment at all.Click here to see all six 30-minute workouts. Read Entire Article

A new place to network

2007-10-23T00:05:00.000-05:00

One of my customers who purchased scratch off stickers told me about a new networking place that is great for small businesses. Get to know those that are local to you. Your customers can leave comments and you get free advertising. It's a win/win.
Check it out at http://www.MerchantCircle.com

Protect yourself online

2007-10-20T00:12:00.000-05:00

http://www.Netwise.org- a great refresher course in reminding you to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Beware of the scams going on. Never cash a money order and send partial of it back. That great big order may look very enticing but think about what happens two or three weeks later. The money order comes back as fraudulent, your bank takes the money back out of your account leavintg you with overdrafts and you're out the product that you were shipped. See http://www.fakechecks.org for more varieties of the scam.

Let's say Thanks-an easy way to thank our troops

2007-09-01T08:35:00.000-05:00

Xerox is sponsoring free post cards for our soldiers at http://www.letssaythanks.com . Simply stop by, pick out a design, leave your name, city and state and it will be printed and sent to a shoulder. Let's keep our heroes in our hearts.
Terra
http://www.easyscratchoffs.com/internet-tips.html

How to choose a home based business

2007-06-11T21:04:00.000-05:00

Recently a friend of mine was inquiring about working from home. She just had a baby and wants to stay home with her. I've been working at home for almost 4 years and she wanted some tips and ideas. I had to go back and remember how I was when I first started, looking for the elusive dream. Many businesses and ideas later, http://www.EasyScratchoffs.com was born.
My mentor said to find your niche and work your business like a business.
Best advice I ever had.
While looking for articles for my friend, I found this article that gives you lots to think about while looking for the perfect business idea

Choosing A Home Based Business!

If you are one of those who are in a quandary about which home based business to choose, take heart, here is some sound advice.
First consider that you need to (1) protect yourself from unwanted intrusions, (2) be able to look without committing, and (3) not have a ton of follow-up communications swamping your e-mail inbox. Get a free e-mail account (like Hotmail or Yahoo) to use while you're "just looking." Once you decide on a business you can give it your primary e-mail address.
1) The first item is a personal one. Do you have an interest in the product(s) being offered? For instance, if you are into health foods, vitamins and minerals, you would probably not be interested in the Chocolate Bar of the Month business. Instead you would want to look for a vitamin and mineral company.
2) Next consider the cost of getting into the business. A home-based business usually has a start-up cost ranging from free to $1,000 or more. Look at your finances and choose wisely.
3) Think about the on-going costs. Many companies require you to purchase a certain amount of product each month to remain qualified for getting paid. Some require you to increase your purchases as you advance through the ranks.
4) Consider the cost of your Web page or pages. Some companies charge you for them on a monthly basis. Others don’t charge anything. Be sure you can afford this cost before joining.
5) Know the requirements needed to begin receiving pay. Many companies require recruiting additional partners before qualifying for pay. So consider this carefully, especially if the cost of getting in is a little high. Will others you enlist be able to afford the start-up or ongoing costs?
6) Does the product lend itself to repeat sales? Is the average person likely to use this product? How much convincing will you have to do in order to get others to buy it from you?
7) Does the company offer training and materials for free or do they charge for them? This all factors into the cost of doing business and must be considered.
8) Will you have a mentor? A mentor will shorten your learning curve tremendously. Is his or her information, such as e-mail address or phone number, readily available to you?
9) Is the parent company at least five years old? This one is a little tricky. Some companies may have launched a new division, but the parent company is an established and trusted firm. This one issue has a plus on both sides of this coin. The plus for an older company is that they are established. The plus for a newly formed company, or division within an older company, is that the market may be wide open and thus the opportunity is excellent.
10) Is the company being hyped as being in pre-launch? If so, look it over carefully. Sometimes this is a ploy to draw in people to get a few quick bucks and then the company "runs for the hills." Other times it is a legitimate opportunity. Just be wary. Be sure the product is valid and one you think will be around a while.
11) Does the company say you have to sign up by a certain date or you will be passed up by others joining below you? This is a ploy to play on your fears, and it usually works. Don’t allow yourself to be pressured into joining anything you haven't thoroughly checked out and want to commit to for the long haul. Don’t ever be pressured by any kind of a deadline.
12) If you can speak with a live person, do so. Don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. But be prepared to be pressured to join and get started right away. You will have to resist this if you are not entirely convinced yet that this is the company for you.
13) If you look at a company’s pay plan and can’t understand it, maybe it isn’t for you. Most reputable companies today will have a video on the Web site you can check out. These may run anywhere from 5 to 25 minutes long. What is important is that you be able to understand the concept behind the company and know what the pay plan entails. Always remember to look for the “hoops” you will have to jump through to get paid.
This is not an all inclusive list, but it will give you an excellent start in comparing one home based-business to another. You will more than likely come up with points of your own to consider. Don’t be afraid to include them in your own personal checklist. After all, you are the one committing time, effort and possibly money. Remember, they have to satisfy you. If they don’t, keep on looking until you find the one that is right for you.
Author's Bio: Robert Armstrong is currently the Director of Corporate Training for TWCCTW, Inc., a firm which works with over 150,000 non profit organizations. He has over 35 years experience as a leader in the home-based business industry and has lectured on goal setting and taught personal motivation seminars. He is also a retired Doctor of Chiropractic. His web site is http://www.NoCatchIPromise.com.

Signs of a sick computer, tip to fix it

2007-06-09T21:57:00.000-05:00

Is your computer running slow? Sluggish?
Do you have to wait for the pages to load or does your homepage suddenly change to something else?
You may have unknowingly been affected by a virus or spyware.
A free online scan program is http://www.trendmicro.com Click on housecall and it will do a free scan for you. Be prepared to wait, 20 minutes up to a few hours, depending on your connection speed.

I've successfuly used housecall when my computer was sick.

Free Baby Shower Game Ideas

2007-05-21T18:04:00.000-05:00

Free Baby Shower Game Ideas

To Plug or not to plug, it's really not an option

2007-05-15T11:03:00.000-05:00

My mother's day was a bit eventful. Here's a picture to give you a hint.

It started out with breakfast in bed fixed by my oh so adorable children. Pancakes with just a bit of egg shell, sticky cup and gooey cookies. Yum! All was going great, when we got THE CALL...

Our soon to be boat was ready for us to test drive. We hurriedly packed all of our children and headed down to Table Rock Lake in Branson. We met the current boat owners and saw the boat.

We had decided to get a used boat, because we both were NEW boat owners and owning a boat has responsibiities, that we would later learn.. The deal was made. They let us take the boat home, so we loaded it out of the water, hooked it up to the trailer and we were on our way home.

and then the question...

"Dad", asked on of the sweet innocent children. "When can we take the boat out?" This was followed by the other innocent children getting excited and wanting to know too. so, the question we would learn to regret, ponder, question and later laugh about. I looked at "the man"- love of my life and said, sure let's go find a spot and we'll go on our first boat ride..."

What was I thinking? I was nervous, but our kids can swim. We had life jackets. What could possibly go wrong?..

We find a spot, pay $5 for the priviledge and go to the "staging area". (Note: staging area is where you prepare the boat for the water, taking off harnesses etc.)

We take off the hooks, wraps, etc and then Dh asks me if I'm going to drive the boat or the truck? Hmm. 4 wheel drive truck that I've NEVER driven or a boat that I've never sat in or driven. Choices...

I chose choice number 1.. Me in the boat..

So I climb up into the boat, get positioned and tell Dh I don't know how to drive a boat..

He says it will be fine, "just turn the key." Um, Okay... (said sarcastically)

So we're backing up downhill straight into the water. We make it.. So far so good.

Kids are excited. Dh unlatched boat from trailer. Ugh oh.. I still don't know how to drive a boat.. I tell Dh I don't know how. His response "just turn the key". I turn the key, it won't start... I try for 5 minutes, slowly drifting farther out.

He has to move the truck with the kids, out of loading area, so I'm stuck out on the lake, in a boat that won't go. It's okay.. I'll be fine..

His parting words to me are "go over there to the docks, reach and grab"..
Okay.. the dock is at least 20 feet away. Not exactly an arm's reach. So I'm sitting out in our new boat that won't start wondering how I'm going to get "over there' to the dock..Rest assured, Dh takes care of us, so of course he jumps in the lake, wading out to the boat to push me "over there". I'm laughing saying I hope you get wet. I can't believe you put me out here. I don't know how to drive a boat!

Meanwhile he's up to his head in his non lake clothing attire ;o) He pushes me and the boat "over there" to the dock. I turn the key, turn the key, turn the key. Nothing.

He gets in the boat probably thinking he can turn the key better than me ...it wont' do anything..

About this time, he notices water in the back of the boat. Hmmmm
He gets out of the boat and tries pushing me and the boat back to the unloading,, it won't go, becase I've tied us off."let go of the boat, I've got to go get the plug"...Okay, so he pushes over there. By this time my oldest daughter leaped into the boat with daddy long legs and says dad, there's water in the storage compartment... Dad comes back with "the plug". It turns out that the plug is what you use to drain the water when getting the boat out of the water, so if you don't put the plug in.. Um. your boat takes on a lot of water and you could sink.....Well we put the boat in without a Plug! A definite new boat owner mistake. We almost sunk our boat that we had bought an hour before... DH gets the plug put in and then it's time to load up the boat. Ever tried loading up a boat onto a trailer that won't start with two people and one not knowing what to do? This must be when it becomes a "1 Man Show".I try to help but he won't tell me what to do, just does it. By this time, he's frustrated, a little tired from him improptu swim and has to break the news to me what really happened and why the silly boat wouldn't start...We load up, go back to the staging area, and he releases the plug and water flows and flows and flows.We've been boating with friends and normally it takes a minute, maybe 2. It ran for 20 minutes and it wasn't done.We're laughing now and he's telling everyone about his boat experience with a smile. We weren't smiling on Sunday.

The kids will remember this Mother's Day for awhile. LOL So my tip for the day is "Don't forget the plug!"By the way, "just turning the key" will not drive a boat. You have to turn the key to start the engine and push the throttle- and there are no brakes!

Child Safe Kids Browser

2007-05-12T11:21:00.000-05:00

I used to cringe when my kids would ask to the
use the computer to do research or play a game. It usually meant I would either have
to stand over their shoulder making sure they didn't type anything into the search engines Or I would end up with spyware on my computer from the "harmless, free kids games". Now I don't have to worry about it.

We also tried password protecting the computer so they could only go to approved
sites. This didn't work out so well because the older kids wanted to go to different sites and every 5 minutes they were asking me to type in the password and approve each page.

After much searching, we heard about
http://www.ChildrensEducationalNetwork.com who offers a free kids safe web browser, My kids love Tuki. It has age appropriate content
and is a browser that I feel safe letting my children use. Each child has their own log in, so they're preferences are saved. The developer and owner believes in keeping kids safe while allowing them the opportunity to learn.
He has launched a campaign to give away his free kid safe browser, no strings attached. Our family loves it. Best of all there are different levels you can choose, from the free version to the Premium paid version.

Busy Mom's Chicken Cacciatore

2007-05-11T09:48:00.000-05:00

I believe in quick cooking any chance I get.
Here's a recipe that involves the crock pot, chicken, and spaghetti sauce.

3 frozen chicken breasts- could use other chicken
1 can of spaghetti sauce- I doctor mine up with garlic and a bit of brown sugar
1 can of tomato sauce
Put all 3 in crock pot and cook for 4 hours. Stir and break up chicken into bite size chunks.
Boil noodles/spaghetti and add cooked noodles to crock pot. (I’ve done it in the CP but lately haven’t had luck with noodles in CP, so I precooked them.
Add noodles to Crock Pot, stir all together and sprinkle cheese over the top. Turn Crock Pot to low and let melt for 10-15 minutes.
My family loved this.

National Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

2007-05-11T09:34:00.000-05:00

Don't forget that Saturday, May 12th is National Stamp out Food Hunger day.
Leave your non-perishable food items like canned meats, soups, cereal, rice, pasta, and vegetables by your mailbox in an easy to carry sack.

Your donation will be taken to your local food pantry.
Let's all join together and make a difference.

Visit http://www.HelpStampOutHunger.com for more information on what you can do.

Feed The Hungry

2007-05-08T11:40:00.000-05:00

http://www.SpreadTheSharing.com
Click and tell them a story. They will donate one meal to a needy family.
A great way to feed the hungry.

Mother's Day Contest-Enter to win!

2007-05-07T11:30:00.000-05:00

http://www.TwomomsInABlog.com is hosting a Mother's Day Contest and all you have to do is write a tribute to your mom.
Enter now at http://www.twomomsinablog.com/?p=1224

Free Online Virtual Classes

2007-05-07T06:27:00.000-05:00

If you are a resident of Missouri, you can sign up for free online virtual classes at
http://www.dese.mo.gov. Sign up is limited to the first 2500 that sign up. Registration starts today.
Elementry curriculum and high school curriculum, including Latin and Trigonomety courses are available.

Working From Home Can be Rewarding and Exhausting

2007-05-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Working from home can be very rewarding, however it can be exhausting too. I've found that incorporating daily exercise into my routine helps motivate and give me energy. http://www.sparkpeople.com sends out a daily newsletter with great information including exercises you can do from home. They even include a small video of how to do the exercise of the day. Best of all, becoming a member is free!

Being a work at home professional, I spend "quite a few hours" working from home running my scratch-off business. I've realized I need to move more and take breaks through out the day. Rebounding has become my exercise of choice. It's great for my ankles, burns calories, moves my system and motivates me to move more. Rebounding has helped me get rid of the lethargy that would hit me around 2 in the afternoon after working all day on the computer. I highly recommend this exercise for others that work at home.

Ice storm in Missouri

2007-04-12T14:40:00.000-05:00

My tip: Don't use all electric. Get a generator. We were without power for 2 1/2 weeks and came back to a lot of broken pipes and challenges.