Top 10 tips for saving money on food

 Sometimes people don't realize how much small changes can make. 

Here's 10 tips to save money at on the grocery store:

1. Buy ONLY when your favorite foods are on sale and then buy 2 or 3 of each. It's so easy to grab that box of Cheerio's or macaroni and cheese when it's full price because your child asked or begged for it, but it can make a big difference when it goes on sale for $1.50 or $2.00 less.

2. Become a queen of watering down! I can stretch a bottle of juice from 15 serving to 25 by watering it down. Taste test it as you are doing it so it doesn't get too weak. If you start the kids on this early, they won't even taste the difference.

3.  Shop dollar stores for all non-food items like napkins, plastic utensils, hand soaps. Even spices. This can often save you 50% over grocery stores.

4. Teach kids the art of sharing. When things were bad financially, my kids learned how to share a large muffin or a small ice cream or a treat. They would take turns breaking off pieces or digging their spoons into it. Either that, or they didn't get one at all. Trust me, they learn fast that something is better than nothing. You simply don't need to have 1 of everything for each child.

5. Go easy on meat. We treat meat as a side dish and load up on vegetables in season and grains. At about $10 for a good steak or the same for a pack of meat that makes 4 hamburgers, this can add up fast. Make the burgers smaller and you can get 6, and load up on the other side dishes. Make at least 2 or 3 meals a week meatless.

6. Buy fruits and vegetables only in season and only on sale. This can make a huge difference! Corn in the summer can be under 50 cents an ear. Strawberries in June....berries in the summer. Buy extra and freeze for the winter months too!

7. Learn to love left overs! The EPA says Americans generate over 30 million tons of food waste each year. Use leftovers for a nice brown bag lunch the next day if possible, or make them into a casserole or just eat as it was. Waste not, want it. It teaches kids about conserving too.

8. Go generic on certain items. Most grocery stores have a generic version and many have a store brand organic version that is even cheaper than a name brand regular version! I can get canned chick peas in the store organic version at $1.00 a can, or the regular non-organic at over $1,39. Pay attention rather than just grabbing the same old items and see what's new. Do price comparisons-it really helps.

9. Never shop when hungry. We all have fallen prey to this and come home with that giant box of donuts or cake we don't need. Shop right after a meal and stick to a budget.

10. Plant a garden! There's nothing like walking out the the patio to pick a tomato and it's A LOT cheaper than buying. Get a book on gardening at the library, or google some videos and get growing. Even if you only have a very small area, certain items can be grown in pots. 

Oh and bonus tip #11- Make sure you are part of the rewards program each store offers and always have your card scanned,

Confessions of a card sender

My Mom is a saver.

Last year she gave me a box with tons of pictures I drew and cards I made her when I was young! So sweet and fun to look through with my own children, especially my daughter who also makes me cards all the time.
My daughter leaves them on my pillow at night, hidden under my blankets or just on the counter for me to find when she's at school. I , of course, have left her ( and my sons) many ,many cards as well.

Sometimes it's just nice to come home to a beautiful and thoughtful card. Always actually.

Come to think of it, there were many years when I sent cards ALL THE TIME to my local friends. Gosh, if some of them had saved all the cards I sent as a teen and especially in my early 20's, we could build a nice big house with them!

Not really funny, but guess I had to tell my BFF's all the time how I loved being BFF's! Why not?

And don't even get me started on the cards I sent to boyfriends.....full writing on both sides ( and even the back)  and they weren't exactly thrilled to have to read all that I'm sure. ha!

So last year I joined SendOutCards. No, this is not a post to sell YOU anything. Just had to mention how nice it is to be part of a company who's mission statement is about following through on promptings. And I just like to share whne I find a great thing!  You know that feeling of
 " I should send a card"....well, that's how SendOutCards got started.

So now I don't have to run to the store, keep stock on hand and worse, search for a stamp which I was ALWAYS out of. Always.

I still send cards often and especially to family. I love making custom cards, like the one here, with my kid's pictures. My Mom usually frames them!

Guess my little point is, if you are thinking of someone....if you miss someone....if you love someone...if you are proud of someone.....send them a card! It's always appreciated and guess what? I'll bet YOU will feel as happy sending it, as the receiver feels getting it.


"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."~ Maya Angelou 

All I wanna do...is have some fun!

Are you anxiously awaiting the end of school to hit the road with the kids?

Seems like they grow up way too fast nowadays and before I know it, they'll be off working or at college! Yikes!

 I have SO many plans on paper and in my head, of places we want to go and see and experience!

Just in the U.S. alone there are many states we want to see and towns we just have to explore.

What's your summer plans?

Life's better....at the beach

I'm sitting on a giant piece of driftwood on the beach . My mind is swirling furiously with creative thoughts yet it is curiously empty.

The rythmic crunch crunch of the rocks and shells under my sandals has made time stand still...just for a while.
As it always does at the beach.

Some people just have a need for that salty beach air, as much as they do for, say, sleep.
I am one of them
Life just is brighter near the shore, literally and figuretively.
The sounds of the sea lure us in, enchant us and speak to us in languages only our individual ears hear.

I dream to explore the shores of all our magnificant states. Step by step. Sand by sand.

There's nothing in this world as invigorating yet relaxing as a good walk on the beach.

And at the beach with my kids,  life is just about as perfect as it can get.

Does the beach hold special memories for you?

All she eats is McDonald's

I heard that said yesterday about a 3 year old and it has irked me all day so I had to get this off my chest.

And I'm not going to get into the (real) issue of healthy food vs. non healthy food. I mean, even some health "nuts" have been known to stop at a McDonald's here and there, or on the road, ya know? I've done it....
but SERIOUSLY?--->> "ALL SHE EATS IS MCDONALD'S"???
I mean, does this child get in the car and drive herself there?
Is her stroller set on auto pilot to wheel her to the nearest Happy Meal?

Guess my point is that it's the PARENTS who have the food  choices to make and we all can say NO ( I say no very often, just ask my kids! haha)

Yes, I heard Whoopie Goldberg say on The View something about "stop telling us how to raise our kids" in relation to the matter of childhood obesity.

But again, why are parent's letting kid dictate what they eat? When I was a kid....ha...yes, I feel very old now, thanks....but when I was a kid, I had to eat what my parent's put on my plate whether I liked it or not!
Anyone relate to that?

These days as a Mom I give my 3 a lot more flexibility and choices than I had but nonetheless, if all they wanted was McDonald's, they'd get really hungry, know what I'm saying? Really hungry. Until they learned to eat "real food".
What's your thoughts?

Mother's Day

Have you heard your kids planning and scheming what they will do for you on Mother's Day?

I overhead a tidbit last night and then my 5 year old came to me asking if eating muffins in bed was OK in our house?
It's just too sweet!

I'm excited as I always am, to see their outpouring of love and thankfulness when I wake up Sunday morning.

Of course, to me, EVERY DAY is Mother's Day. I think Moms are simply blessed beyond words by the gift we have been given in raising our children. Hard? Sure. Time consuming? Yes Draining? All the time. But AMAZING? Every single day!

Becoming a Mother for the first time , in 2000, made me realize and appreciate that THIS is the biggest gift we ever receive-to have a Mother and to BE a Mother.

I wish all my Mom friends a wonderful Mother's Day full of love and laughs. And muffin crumbs in bed.

Ways to love the moment in Virginia Beach! ( I DID!!)

Virginia Beach is America's friendly family beach and boardwalk and they offer many reasons to LOVE THE MOMENT IN VIRGINIA BEACH!

The coastal charm, pristine beaches and water water everywhere make it a perfect Spring or Summer vacation destination for families.

As an avid traveler and coast lover, I've had the pleasure of visiting VA beach 3 times and each time it gets better and better. 

The last time was my ultimate favorite, having my 3 kids with me and 6 days of unscheduled fun in the sun.  There's a ton of family activities  and places to explore. We always started our day with a walk or bike ride on the boardwalk . Bike rental shops are numerous and there are surreys that hold up to 5 family members. We rented one on 2 different occasions and this was a highlight of my kid's days.

Stop along at any of the wonderful restaurants, many with outdoor seating, and grab a great breakfast or lunch and  then settle into the soft sand for a few hours of frolicking and splashing or try your hand at sandcastle building. 

Staying right on the beach allows you to run up to your room anytime, though there are wonderful hotels in town only a short walk away as well.

We visited the Virginia Beach Aquarium which was awesome and had the best 4d movie about coral reefs ! It was a fabulous way for us  to chill out on a hot day . The kids played and we explored for a few hours and we all enjoyed the aquarium thoroughly. Another day, we ventured out to the nearby Busch Gardens and had a blast on all the rides.

The whole coastal experience of Virginia Beach is one you won't soon forget.  My kids still talk about their week in VA beach and I'm planning another drive there this summer.  It's simply a gorgeous ocean playground that offers an awesome escape, a break from cooking and housework and good clean family fun.

The VA beach culinary experience is fabulous with fresh seafood, salads and family friendly menu's in abundance. Watching the sunset while dining al fresco was my most memorable night. I have a vivid picture in my head of my kids bathed in the glow of the sunset, with flushed faces from the excitement  and pink noses from the sun, and I remember that feeling that just made my heart burst with love. What is it about the salty fresh air that just makes us slow down and appreciate life to the fullest?

After sunset , we strolled along the boardwalk just reveling in each other's company and the delicious salty air. We grabbed an ice cream, browsed the terrific shops along the main street and even hit up some rides at the amusement park!  Got splashed by the water ride and stayed up way to late, having way too much fun. Street performers had my children mesmerized. All in all, I'd have to say it was one of the best nights we've ever had, Anywhere.

What else is there to do?

Try your luck at some fishing on the pier or go crabbing in the Chesapeake Bay. Go shopping or have a picnic. Take a military or history tour. From the mini golf course, to whale watching cruises, to a great water park, it's all right there within a short walk or drive and definitely offers something for everyone. How about some Beach Street USA? THE BEST!!! 

Now that my kids are older, we're going to check out the hiking at First Landing State Park and climb to the top of the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse. Maybe kayak and look for a pod of dolphins ( my daughter would be thrilled beyond words if we see them ! )

Maybe we'll even get brave enough to try a parasailing adventure or some surf lessons!

Surrounding yourself in the pristine beauty of the ocean and the bay is just what people need to escape from it all and from experience, I can say that Virginia beach is the ultimate escape that is not far away yet a world away. Live the life , yes, indeed, I  think I will ! 

Learn more about Virginia Beach here

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Virginia Beach blogging program. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

That's random

Ever have those days where you try TOO hard and nothing works?

Life
That's me when it comes to being a Mom...when I try to be super Mom-in-our-perfect-don't -forget- to- say- please- and -thank- you-did-you-wash-your-hands-world, I'm actually way too tense, end up punishing my kids, or stressing out over stuff that is just SO not important.
But when I ease up and just go with the flow, I'm actually a better Mom. I'm a fun Mom, playing more and worrying less that they didn't read for 30 minutes or they forgot to set the table or say thank you.
My kids are wonderful and I'm blessed beyond words .
I actually hang little notes and signs around the house to remind me to SAVOR and slow down and enjoy it. Before I know it, my first baby will be in college. Don't EVEN talk to me!

Laughter 
Anyway, so I'm cooking muffins for an after school treat. Sometimes when I'm cooking I start narrating
( in my head) like I'm Giada or Rachael Ray or something.
At least I THINK I'm not speaking out loud. ha! Do you ever feel like you could be on your own cooking show? A pinch of this, now just let it simmer.... bam! ...YUM!

Love
Speaking of cooking shows, why does the TRAVEL channel seem to have mostly shows about FOOD and eating wild animal parts?
I used to love Samantha Brown shows where she showcased actual cities and things to do there. Sure, it included some eating but there were others things too. I always wanted to be a travel writer or reviewer or better yet, photographer ( less typos!!)
Some days my brains spins because I think too much. Really. And others, I can lay on the beach and practically CRY over the beauty of the sun glistening on the water. Or burst with LOVE watching my kids laugh jumping in the waves.

Random
Today, I'm working on a few articles and following up with a few people who are ready to commit to getting fitter . Health and wellness has been a passion since I got certified as a personal trainer back when I was in my 20's. Never really worked it but learned a lot! I've self studied nutrition for many years now too.It's all about balance and everything in moderation-I try not to obsess over GMO's and pesticides because it could drive me nutty.Eat healthy-exercise-lower stress. It's something we ALL have to try to do daily. That's a major reason I joined Visalus. Not just because it allows Moms like me to work from home and on facebook, but because the obesity rate is out of hand and we are talking a part in changing that, plain and simple. You can learn more here if interested.

I also have to transfer all my pics over to shutterfly- God forbid my computer crashes and I lose them all ( again!!). Love my new Mac though....way better than my ancient PC was. And I mean ancient. The guys laughed at me when I was in Best Buy inquiring about an issue. When I said it was 8 years old, the kid almost passed out. Young whipper snappers think they can get something new every 3 months? HA! Wait until you have 3 kids , then you'll see ! You'll be wearing the same pair of shoes for  7 years and your cell phone will be outdated faster than you can say APPLE.

I'm rambling.

What I am looking for is a guest post or 2, so please contact me if you write about Mommyhood with humor, life, positive thinking, law of attraction , traveling,writing, blogging, or stuff like that. No pay, just a bio. Would love it!

So, now that I'm writing for a few websites and blogging and of course still a Body By Vi promoter, I find my time online is getting crazy.

With my bad back, sitting can get painful. Can't stand it!

And then of course, the house gets neglected. I've resorted to using my stove timer in hour increments and it seems to be working.

As soon as that thing rings, I'm hopping up from my chair and heading to the library to register the kids for some classes and look for another good Kristen Hannah or Barbara Delinsky book-my escape reading at night .

Then it'll be back online for an hour, then an hour to exercise and before I know it, my 6th grader will be home.

How do you manage your time during the day?

Can I get some extra hours in the day?

Wow, when things get crazy, they really get nutty!

I just found some AMAZING sites I want to dive right into. Made connections with some blogging Moms who I am interested in chatting with.

I found resources on how to grow my blog, how to get more followers and I'm on a weekly conference call with company ,Visalus, right now, on speaker. Not to mention I'm so excited to be a writer on 2 Long Island sites right now plus a few others I'm freelancing with.

I've got a stack of books to read on my nightstand and stacks of magazines ( I'm a magazine junkie!) , a dirty house, a yard that still needs more cleaning up and a green pool.

I also have 3 kids who are my life and I love to spend as much time with them as possible! Oh, how do we do it all in 24 hours a day? Are Moms all just SUPER Moms or what? I'm sure all of you have as much OR MORE going on as I do. What are your tips to juggle it all and keep the sanity?

Quit the games

Wow! I am just totally blown away when I go to someone's Facebook page and it's game score update after game score update after game score update...I don't know. Maybe it's just ME, but I can find a lot more worthwhile stuff to do online. Can you?

I've found some amazing sites,  tremendously talented bloggers to follow, ways to grow my home business, connections to learn from, friends to keep up with, amazing online magazine to learn from, recipes to plan meals around, online shopping deals that save me cash and time ...but online farming?
Um,  I don't think so.

OK, so it's not that I NEVER play games. I have a few on my iphone and have been known to play while waiting in a doctors's office. And my kids have challenged me to a few. It's OK.

But seriously, some of these people then complain how they have NO money or NO time in the day to exercise, or clean , or go places they want to go  or whatever it is! We all have the same 24 hours. It's a matter of choosing our priorities right?

I'm a big fan of timers...I'll be a writing MACHINE for an hour, but when the timer goes off, I pick myself off this computer chair and take a walk, do some yoga, head to the store or clean my house. It's all about balance, which I've blogged about many times before.

Do me a favor? If you like my blog, become a follower (link on right). Or share on your FB or Twitter page. I LOVE comments and I LOVE to connect with like-minded people.

For  about 7 months of the year, I LOVE Long Island!

I was just looking back through some pictures I took. These sum it all up for me. Long Island Summers
are beautiful and such a special time for families aren't they?!

It always will find you..like it found me. ALWAYS

Whatever your passion.... whatever you have spent years doing for NO money( and often with a lot of blood , sweat and tears)  will ALWAYS creep up on you and , in the end,  it will reward you.

For me, I've been writing as long as I can remember.

Teachers used to tell me to be a writer.

College professors wept openly when I dropped out ( OK, I made up that part, but one did call me asking why I dropped out)

I wrote on the college women's magazine.
I wrote songs for a local band.
I wrote and submitted dozens of greeting cards for years  (to no avail)
I blog and blog and barely know if anyone is reading my blog ( comments anyone?)

But somehow recently, a shift happened and  I took that big step and submitted an article to a website.
They accepted it and I get paid.  So I submitted another.  And another. And lo and behold ( do people ever still say "lo and behold"?), they accepted more.

Then somehow( my memory eludes me) I found a local Long Island Mom's site and submitted to them and now I am a contributing ( paid) writer! Doing reviews of local towns and beaches and family activities is fun for me and seeing my name online is exciting . I now am looking into 3 other sites too.

So, what is YOUR passion? Do you paint, build, garden or decorate? What can you not go 3 days without doing or thinking about?

Why not sit back and OPEN yourself to opportunities and let them flow in? Don't turn it away, saying YEAH YEAH, I know, but I don't have time...yada yada....we all have the same 24 hours...heck, somehow I am MANAGING to work from home writing, work in network marketing with Visalus and to raise 3 kids on my own- 100%!!!

I have no clue how, but it does happen. I do it. And I go to bed each night pretty tired but thankful.

So my floors may be a bit dirty, my pool  3 shades of green, my laundry in piles... but I am finding time daily both for ME and for my KIDS so I must be doing something right!

And I hope your passion sneaks up on you again....even if you neatly tucked it away for a while...and maybe it'll even scare the crap out of you, but it'll also give you that deep down really g o o d feeling of knowing something has clicked into place too. Trust me.  And go for it!

Feeling a bit lost? Find your inspiration

For me, it's a simple as being near or in water. Every time I'm feeling down or out of sorts, I head to the shore and when I leave, I'm always more grounded and full of creative ideas.
Even some of my best ideas have come to me in the shower! I need to bring a notebook with me in the shower,seriously, ha!

So it's really a matter of finding WHERE or WHAT inspires you, what makes you the BEST you you can be, what makes you leave all your troubles behind.....and then doing that as often as possible.

Whether that be the woods, the mountains, the sea or something else, you'll feel it in your heart. Have fun!

For the love of 2 year olds

My father asked me how old my son was today. It was not that HE couldn't remember, rather, he was trying to remind me after I had done a bit of complaining about the state of my den floor.
"Two" I answered as the realization of what he was thinking sunk in to my overtired and very frazzled brain.

This is my 3rd two year old child. I know all about the "Terrible Two's" and "Terrible 3's"
(also known as TERRIFIC 2's by some!)

My baby is now half way through the 2 year and his nickname has the word "Destructo" in it.
Or maybe hurricane is a better description. Tornado? He is the whirlwind of bouncing-off-the- walls energy combined with the amazing ability to empty drawers and cabinets at the speed of light, going from room to room, only stopping to throw all my pillows and cushions on the floor or pull his sister's books off her book shelf or dump a bowl of cereal or a hamper.

He is a climber, a yeller, a jumper , a runner, a feisty little thing full of his favorite word "NO!" He needs his shirt changed and his boo-boos kissed hourly.

He is also one of the MOST ADORABLE PRECIOUS boys I have ever seen. His smile can stop me from opening my mouth and spewing the unthinkable words that just want to pour put of me.

His voice can melt any tension that started churning in the frenzied state of cleaning this mess.

His eyes, well, any Mom knows what the beautiful innocent eyes can do to us. Talk about unconditional love.

Two is a wonderful fantastic age of self discovery and pushing boundries. The inventor of the refrigerator lock knew this. (and I'm on my 2nd one with him alone)

Two is one of the sweetest ages EVER! Really. I like to look for the positive ,to know that life just goes by so fast and this precious age is to be appreciated, for all it's worth.

New words are learned and spoken from my little guy daily.

He does the happy dance when he sees his Grandma and Grandpa, he waves to the garbage men with uncontained joy, he piles onto my lap with 15 books and a few stuffed puppies and cuddles in between my legs and arms, a perfect fit that every Mother has the privelege of knowing.

He can buy that extra hour at bedtime each and every night by saying "MUH-MO" (one more) after each story I read.

He can shout hurray at seeing a cookie, or throw a green bean 18 feet across a room , but one thing he cannot do is sit still.

He prefers to watch his train movies while jumping on the couch or climbing on the bay window. Some people may call this hyperactive or put a label on it.

To me, it's called "Two". And I'll take it.

This is an article I wrote 3 years ago. Fast forward to a bright and amazing Kindergartener. Still active but not as destructive. Still gorgeous. Still feisty. Still one of the rulers of my heart.

And re-reading this article, I have to say, I really MISS that 2 year old and everything about that age!

At 5,they're no longer babies. But they are still as precious.

Life in these plugged in times-for better or for worse!

For all my LOVE of modern gadgets and computers and electronics, I feel like I'm CONSTANTLY telling my kids "Enough! Put it down and go out and play!!!"

Sadly funny huh?

We live in such an age of fast technological advancement that, of course, babies are born knowing how to use an ipad and toddlers blog, right?

But truth to that or not, technology brings the world together as much as it is tearing apart the family structure, according to some.

I mean, as I blog this, I have one on the wii, one on the itouch (sick in bed) and the other one, well, he WOULD be on something but he's in the shower at the moment (they haven't invented a waterproof ipad or kindle yet have they?)

Me I'll roll with it since I really do love the way we can stay in touch even when my kids are at park with friends or how I can skype with my brother on the other coast.

I love that my son's kindergarten teacher sends e-mails during the day with updates.

I love hanging in bed at night with my kindle( yeah, real romantic, I know!)

But I'll always incorporate as much NATURE time and beach walks as I can so we really do connect -with each other and with the earth.

But for now, someone is texting me from their bedroom, so I must run. Toodles !

The art of allowing

Sometimes our desire for success or money can become obsessive. Often our constant quest for it can be draining. I know! Been there. Too often. But I find that when I let my heart lead the way and I do what I LOVE ( writing) the opportunities flow easier (and the pay as well).

Though we all get impatient , the process of allowing things to flow to us can be hard. We want NOW, we are demanding on the clock and grow weary of waiting. And guess what? That only serves to hold back what we want. We are actually often clinging so tight, that we block it .

We have to learn to EXPECT great things to come at the "right" time, to ALLOW abundance, or creativity , or whatever it is you seek, to align with our dreams when things just "feel right" and to allow our dreams to come into focus. We ,then,can sit back on that river ride called Life and enjoy it!

Roasted cauliflower and garlic quiche

So I'm not exactly the gourmet cook and this is not a recipe blog, but I have to share this AWESOME quiche I made last night. So delish!

Roasted Cauliflower and garlic quiche

2 1/2 cups caluiflower- chopped into 1/2 slices
olive oil
salt and pepper
3-5 cloves garlic( personal preference based on taste) finely chopped
1 small onion finely diced
1/2 cup bread crumbs
8 eggs
3/4 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan
3 tbs spoon chopped parsley

Oven -425
Grease 9 inch pie plate
Toss chopped cauliflower with 2 tbs of olive oil and arrange on baking sheet. Roast about 12-15 minutes until tender

In large skillet, add 2 tbs olive oil over medium heat and add garlic and onions, cook 3-5 minutes until tender. add breadcrumbs and salt and pepper
toast 5-7 minutes.

Beat eggs in medium bowl.
add cottage cheese and parm cheese
add parsley

spread the bread crumbs in the pie dish
top w/ cauliflower
pour on egg mixture
shake to spread the mixture
bake, rotating half way for 20-25 minutes until browned.
let cool 5-10 before slicing

Breaking free of the chains that bind

Isn't it funny, how we walk along in life and we sort of aquire things that try to hold us back...things that drag us down...and we don't realize how much it's slowing us down until one day, if we are lucky, we say "Enough of this crap!"and break free of it.

And the FREEING feeling...the letting go..the LIGHTNESS of it all....is just so amazing! Leaves space for new uplifting things and people to enter our world. Room for growth and liberation.

I just let go of something I had hung onto way too long and feel VERY RELIEVED today!
Have you ever gone through this "shedding" of the old? This removing the heavy chains that slowed you down? Do you do it often? Does each time bring you great new SPACE and OPPORTUNITIES?

Wishing you lots of tremendous freeing of all that holds you back!

Curl up in the Winter Garden! GREAT GREAT book !!

So if you are like me and LOVE to read, Winter, Summer, Spring and Fall, and you like modern fiction mixed with a little romance ( nothing overkill ladies, this is not harlequin!) women facing situations and problems they strive to overcome and/or some historical fiction, I have to recommend Winter Garden.

I have read about 8 Kristen Hannah books thus far and she is my NEW favorite author!

I'll add that this book starts slow (all of the Amazon reviews agree) but about 1/3 of the way through it really changes and by half way through, I found it totally and completely riveting and didn't even want to put it down to cook dinner!( Cereal kids?)

Grab a cup for coffee or tea ( or a hot of vodka if you're feeling a bit Russian( hint )) and hang out in the Winter Garden. Enjoy! Comment if you real it OK?

Ready to rock out the New Year's resolutions?!

Well, it's almost another New Year and so many of us are ready to make new RESOLUTIONS, reach for our dreams, make empowering lifestyle changes and commit to new ways of living.

Of course, some want to sit in the muck around them and make NO changes-just EXIST, rather than LIVE!!

Not everyone wants to jump off airplanes, scale large mountains and have 6 figure businesses!

But whatever YOUR personal goals are, I wish you much SUCCESS, much HAPPINESS and the ability to live in gratefulness and appreciation each and everyday.

As a Mom of 3 wonderful children, each day I wake, I thank GOD for my blessings and I work hard at being a better MOM, a better PERSON and to live mindfully and joyfully.

OF course, life can get to us, stress can put a damper on our days, but accepting it and moving through it is key right?

So raise YOUR glass and CHEERS to a prosperous and simply AMAZING New Year!!

On Christmas Eve- FANTASTICAL MAGICAL book for girls!

If you have a daughter or special girl in your life- ages 7 to 11 or so, I HIGHLY recommend a wonderful book by Ann M Martin called ON CHRISTMAS EVE

It's for everyone who BELIEVES in the MAGIC of Christmas and who OPENS their hearts to receive that special Christmas joy that only comes once a year. I read it to my daughter last year and we are reading again and it's just such a great tradition.

Read it on Christmas Eve with YOUR girl too! Amazon has overnight shipping.
Merry Merry!

Hope that Christmas magic enchants your world too!

Maybe Christmas means a little bit more

‎"Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before.
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store.
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

Oh, that wise wise Dr. Seuss!!!
Though I DO get my kids some pretty nice Christmas presents , I'm not one to spend major money and spoil the crap out of them either. Lego Mind Storms is about $299. My son wants it. I told him Santa doesn't have that kind of money and even if he did, it's not coming into THIS house until we buy it on e-bay for less.

I try to instill that Christms is not about just gifts. It's about sharing JOY with our families. Isn't it really?

It's about warmth and comfort and love and peace and the celebration of a certain birth.


For less than $20 last Saturday, we went to a fun outdoor Dickens festival. We roasted marhsmallows, walked the beautiful town, grabbed a pretzel, looked at the train show, the beautiful lights and some cool recycled items,browsed game stores,watched horses pull carriages( enjoyed that clip-clop!clip! clop!) visited Santa's workshop( an old fashioned house) and just had a GREAT family day.

We drive around and ooh and aah at all the houses with Christmas lights, especially those talented men who synchronize their lights to music!

We drink Hot Cocoa by the fire and decorate our tree.

We watch Christmas shows I have been watching for my whole life that still make me smile!

We laugh. We cuddle. We fill our home with love. We savor.

We remember how blessed we are.

I hope you all take the time to SAVOR the SEASON and to make wonderful family memories together!

What's all the buzz about 11-11-11?

So we've lived through 1-1-1, 2-2-2, 3-3-3, etc, why is tomorrow more special? What is the big deal?
Well, if you've been reading and watching TV, you'd see it's an amazing day for manifesting, for change and for making miracles! The number 11 itself marks the beginning of new cycles and increased spiritual compassion. Plus it looks like a peace sign so it's good in my book! My daughter and her friends are at the age where we can't take a picture of them without them doing the peace sign in various contortions. Peace man! cool, yeah baby.

Adding to the excitement, the full moon in Taures is also called the manifesting moon . Though I can't see it through all the clouds and rain here in NY tonight! But it's there somewhere hanging with the stars!

I've written my intention and am ready to manifest ALL my dreams. Are you?
Are you going to play the lottery tomorrow too?

I really like this blog by Ellen Whitehurst -check it out here

Winter introspection-Emerge a better YOU next Spring!

It's cooling off and getting dark earlier and many of us are spending a lot more time indoors.
Isn't this a GREAT time of year for introspection?

Defined as "observation or examination of one's own mental and emotional state, mental processes,etc.: the act of looking within oneself", introspection can be a wonderful and divine time of tremendous personal and spiritual growth.

I know each Fall and Winter, I spend a big part of my day on my inner journey...so each Spring I emerge with a renewed sense of wonder, sense of gratitude and sense of confidence.

Confidence that I am at the place where I am supposed to be and am growing into a better, more whole, more loving, more imaginative, more thankful, more amazing person!

Will we ever say "Ok that's it! I'm done growing!"?
God forbid!

The growth process is endless and the people who do shut themselves off to it usually nend up having, um", lets' say ,having a life of "less" rather than MORE THAN enough?

When we recognize our growth, it spurs more growth. It enhances our relationships, our businesses, our whole being and doing and living and loving!

Working with a few mentors is a great way to get started!
me, I LOVE reading all self-growth( and biz growth) books but I do gravitate to Jack Canfield and Jim Rohn.

On a personal level, I just LOVE Lori Hamann whom I've had the pleasure of chatting with and being part of one of her online coaching programs. She runs some amazing group and personal coaching sessions as well as one of my favorite things ( for lack of a better word, it's a
"course" or an "exercise" and it's amazing, called The ButterFly Experiment.

Simply put, Butterfly Experiment is about manifesting all you desire in life to step into who you really are and to step into your dreams. See her site www.lorihamann.com
You will emerge a softer, more peaceful, more positive and more high vibe person.

Whatever your desire, whatever your dreams, wherever you are and wherever you wish to be, I wish you much fun , much joy and much growth along the journey!

I don't know what it is..........but it's AMAZING!

Have the planets all lined up or something?
Is the moon sending beams of huge change and growth for us?

This last few months have been months of change for me in so many ways. From throwing out things that no longer serve me, re-vamping my wardrobe and re-arranging furniture to letting go of a business that wasn't serving me and joining a new one to changing the way we eat!

I've started to buy 80% organic and feel so good about it. Shopping more local markets and shops.
Supporting companies I feel good about and making a supremely healthy change for myself and my kids.
As a student of nutrition for many many years, I know the benefits of fresh foods without pesticides and additives, but you know, sometimes it really takes a commitment to seek them out rather than grab the ever so convenient garbage on the market.

Business wise, I took my passion for health and wellness and ran with it and made DIRECTOR with my new company in my first month!

I switched my thinking around from " How can I make money today" to "Who can I help today"? and again, that also feels SO GOOD!

With 2/3 of the population either obese or overweight, ViSalus offers a solution called the 90 day BodyByVi challenge that I am proud to offer.
I'm on it too, and it rocks! Full of amazing energy!

And with so many people in debt as bad as they were a few years ago OR WORSE, Visalus also offers me a way that I can share how being a promoter of health and wellness can help them earn extra money without an extra boss!

There is never a better time than NOW to make a change to better health and wellness.
Physical wellness
Spiritual wellness
and
Financial wellness

I'm so excited to be part of the fastest growing health challenge IN THE WORLD! ( Over 60,000 joined us in August alone!)

How can I help YOU today?

Head over to the overview here then hop on my site to sign up for more info and a call from me . Or call me at the number on my site. Let's chat in a very non-pushy way. It's exciting how ViSalus has embraced the world of online marketing and social media!!

If you are a big part of facebook or twitter, you can promote our health challenge!

Keeping your eyes on the prize!

In network marketing and in life, We all get frustrated and have bad days.
We all have doubt that creeps in. Fears that overshadow our focus.

But when we keep our eyes on the prize, keep our focus on
what we really really really want, and what makes us feel really good, we will overcome any doubt and we will move in the direction of our dreams.

We will basically STEP INTO OUR DREAMS!

Having your own home business is having UNLIMITED potential.

No one can tell you how many hours you have to work, when you have
to start or end, what you have to wear or when you go on vacation.


It's liberating.
It can be scary.
But it is FUN!
And the freedom becomes life-changing, especially when you have children.

It's a fact that millionaires are created everyday in network marketing.

Is it easy?
Heck no.

Is it simple?
More like it.

Follow the steps of the leaders and you can step into your dreams.

Follow a passion and your life can change.

Sometimes a little soul searching........leads to a challenge

So there I was, always telling people "Listen to your heart" but *I* was not doing that. I was with a company that I lost all passion for.

So I did what someone advised me; I made a list of the few things that excite me, the few things that I do EVERYDAY even without getting any money from it.

And one of those things was reading about nutrition, health and wellness. I've been doing it over 20 years.

I take the latest supplements, eat pretty healthy, try to buy organic, practice yoga, walk.

I'm also always, let's just say, very "aware" when I see heavy people out in public eating unhealthy foods.

I want to go up to them and offer guidance.

Sometimes I want to grab the fries out of their hands and say NO!NO!NO!! ( like I do when my kids steal a cookie ,ha)

Of course I'd never do that to a stranger.

I just read that something like 40% of the population are now obese and if it keeps on this track, it could be 60%!!!
That is insane really.

I can understand being 10,even 20 pounds overweight.

It can happen pretty easily, especially as we get older.

But being 100 pounds overweight is either a medical issue or people just really eat way way way too much! and too much GARBAGE JUNK FOOD at that.

The good news is many people want to lose weight and are taking steps to do so.

I took my passion for wellness and joined a health and weight loss company that I had been watching and studying for the last 8 months.

ViSalus Sciences is on a mission to offer life, health and prosperity to all through nutritional supplements and a meal replacement shake .

I'm not going to go on and on about all I LOVE about the company and the BodyByVi challenge, but I will say that I am very happy to be part of the wellness education trend and helping people who want to help themselves.

Over 48,000 joined the challenge in the month of July alone!
it's so exciting to be able to help people lose the weight they need, avoid potential future health problems like stroke and heart disease and diabetes.

"Let food be thy medicine" and let ViSalus be the challenge and commitment you need to start losing those unwanted pounds.

Are you up for a challenge?

Hot enough for ya?
Surely I jest.

All the people who complained of the bitterly cold winter and the barely existent Spring are now grumbling about the heat.
IS that ALL we do, complain?

I will say that I rarely complain in Summer ( my fave!!) or even Spring and Fall, but in Winter, even *I* get tired of hearing myself complain. I'm totally pitifully pathetic in the Winter.

I'd rather place my order:
I'd like a 3 season climate please, and throw in 1 small snow on Christmas Eve and let's call it Winter OK?

I know, I know, how about everything in moderation... but then I'm sure we'd complain about the monotony of moderation, if there is even such a thing.

OK, that's MY little VOTD- vent of the day.Bring on the heat and stop whining. I'm sitting next to an open window listening to some sweet "summer "rain.

Now back to my AC'd bedroom! hahahaha

Sanity, inspiration, clarity-Lost and found

Ever just totally lose it? Your inspiration, your calmness, your attention span, your clarity, your happiness, your worthiness ?
All just gone.

You feel exasperated, you feel lost, you feel hopeless, not here nor there, not ready to run, not ready to crawl into bed? The kids are running wild and you just want to run away?

We all get like that! Well, everyone I've spoken to anyway.

And we need to know where to go or what to do or how to UNFUNK ourselves.

Then , before we know it, we wake up one day and just FEEL again. We want to shout out to the world-->I'M BAAACKKK!!!

I know for me, it's the beach that does it. Luckily I live 5 minutes from the coast, and a good walk on the beach, toes in the sand and salt water in the air usually does it for me. Then a nice HOT shower( again, it's water for me) and a good night sleep and all creativity is back. I am inspired again. I feel back ON TRACK, ready to rock the world.

So I hope YOU find your source of rejuvenation.

If it's lost, remember it can be found.

Look into your heart and do what makes you feel good to re-claim the joy, the balance and the clarity you seek.

Step into your dreams!

Step into your dreams.

I just heard that expression and it knocked me back ,like WOW! YES!That's it!

All along we dream of what we want, how our lives should be , could be, will be.....
but it's like we are on the outside looking in.

When all we really have to do is STEP INTO OUR DREAMS!

Doesn't it just sound so easy?
And you know what? It is.

I'm taking a big step into MY dreams and challenging you to step into yours.

Got your high vibe on?!?

You know when you JUST KNOW?

When you are tuned in to something?

When the passion you feel comes from your heart and in turn it TURNS up your vibe and your energy?

When you just feel SO SO GOOD?

Well, THAT is exactly the way I feel now.

And it's because I joined a company that resonates with ME, with who I am and with what I believe in.

I'm not trying to sell YOU on it.

I am trying to encourage you to get out of the funk you feel. You do feel it don't you? Sort of a winter-doldrums-what-am-I-doing-I'm-in a rut-sort of thing.

or maybe an "OK, I need some excitement and I need it NOOOOWWWWW!!"

Or maybe you are not making what you think you are worth and it's dragging you down?

Life's too short to sit and wait for opportunity to knock. And when it does, will you be tuned in to it?

Make today the day to turn it all around, to act on a belief, to grab hold of a passion, to see an opportunity.....

Whatever it may be, make it YOURS and ride the wind with it!!

Be the artist of your life

"Approach your life as an artist creating"

As I read that quote today, I was again reminded how we are co-creators of our worlds.
When I hear people complaining daily about something, I am compelled to ask "WHY continue to be a part of that drama?"

Isn't it easier to walk away and do something that just makes us feel good to the core?!?

Actually NO.

Most people, it appears, find it easier to stay with what they do, to stay with what they have, to never step out of the comfort zone into the new zone. Change is hard. It often comes with discomfort.

However that temporary discomfort is usually a permanent growth and will turn out to be a superb move in the long run.

Growing as a person takes time.

Who we were born to be sometimes is under layers that must be stripped off one by one. Or we are "layers" as Shrek says....layers and layers of integral aspects of our true beings, our beautiful loving souls .
We just need to know how to become the best we can be. Looking inward is a place to start. Asking yourself DOES THIS FEEL GOOD? is a way to start.

So the reality is: the canvas is your life.

 You are the artist.  It's up to YOU to help God with creating the beauty within the frames of your life.

What single mom's do

WHAT single Moms do:
we cook, shop, clean, scoop litter boxes, clean bird cages, walk dogs,vacuum ,kiss boo-boos,brush teeth, comb out lice, hold hands, scare off monsters......
we watch soccer games, dance rehearsals, batting practice,cartwheels and endless "look at me's"...

we chauffeur, drop off, pick up, make late night runs to CVS for medicine, drink our coffee black to give out the last milk to a little mouth, mow the lawn, plant the seeds, weed the gardens, vacuum the pool, wash the car(or not),get the mail, decorate the house, put up the Christmas tree, take down the Christmas tree...

we get the oil changed, lock and re-lock the doors, attend school conferences,write notes, vote, help with homework, wash hair, scrub dirty feet, read bedtime stories...

we make lunches, bake birthday cakes, plan vacations, drive 300 miles, paint the walls, sew buttons, push the swing, sweep the driveway, answer the phone, program the DVD,scrub the toilet, fill up the tank, rake the leaves, shove the snow...

we write cards, print pictures, clean the fridge,break our nails, light a fire, pay the bills, call customer service, go to the bank,answer the door, iron the clothes, put together furniture, fill the leaky tires, wrap presents...

we are Santa, the tooth fairy, the easter bunny, the teacher, the friend, the neighbor, the single Mom

WHY we do it:
LOVE

Let the Universe catch it in delight...

Did you ever want to get off the road and take the detour?
Did you ever think of going through that open door?
Do you just know that there is so much more

Did you ever feel trapped and long to be free?
Did you ever think and say “Why me”?
Do you know that there is so much more to see?

Did you ever hope and wish and pray ?
Did you ever feel like your life is one shade of grey?
Are you looking for a whole new way?

Freedom is yours starting today
Let not fear wash it away

Grab onto a passion , unleash a fear
Unhinge the door, the future is near

Paint your dreams vivid and bright
There is no wrong, only right

Be the seeker, live and learn
Teach others-make their fires burn

Throw out the keys to a wasted week
Open your eyes to the opportunity you seek

Never a day nor a night without love
Grab hold of your joy and toss it above

Let the Universe catch it in delight
Let your world be full of love and light


original content by Debra Ferrie