How to Save Money on your Grocery Bill

1. Shop In Season
If you buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season, you will spend less money. As an added bonus, your food will taste better too. Foods that are shipped in from faraway places so that we can eat them out of season - think strawberries, oranges, cucumbers in the winter - have the added cost of transportation to get them to the store. Resist buying that hot house tomato in January. It isn't going to taste good anyway! If you have Farmer's Markets in your area, consider shopping there for local produce. Chances are it will be less expensive, taste better and be organically grown.

2. Shop Sales
Pay attention to the sales that your store is advertising. Buy only what is on sale, instead of buying based on cravings. Most stores post weekly and monthly sales. Find out the sales cycle of your favorite grocer because they don't all run Sunday to Saturday.

3. Plan Meals around Sales
Plan your meals for the week around the weekly sales. Chicken and ground beef are on sale this week? Great - plan your menu to include chicken enchiladas, stuffed chicken breasts, tacos and sloppy joes.

4. Sign up for Store Rewards Cards
By signing up for store rewards cards, you will pay the lowest price for the items in that store. You will also be eligible for special deals and promotions and may receive coupons in the mail directly from the store itself. Your receipt will show you how much you have saved just by having that special card.

5. Sign up for Store email Notices
Many grocery stores now have online coupons and unique online specials. If you sign up for their email notices, you will be in the know about these special coupons and deals. Stores also use their email lists to notify customers of events like super doubles and triples.

6. Use Coupons
Shop with coupons. You can find coupons in the Sunday paper, online, in the grocery store fliers, on special bulletin boards throughout the grocery store, on store shelves, on wine bottles and in blinking machines situated inside grocery stores. You may think that buying generic is always cheaper, but that is often not the case. By combining sales with coupons, you can often get items for free.

7. Plant a Garden
Feed a man and he eats for a day. Plant a garden and you can eat all year long. Fresh fruits and vegetables are expensive, even in season. Buy seeds and plant a garden for a fraction of the cost. Even apartment dwellers can plant small window gardens.

8. Eat Before you Shop
Never shop on an empty stomach. Make sure you eat before you head to the grocery store. Studies show that hungry shoppers spend more money.

9. Leave your Kids at Home
Shop by yourself whenever possible. Children often ask for empty calorie foods and have no concept of cost. Many a mom has broken down and handed over as box of cookies just to get some peace and quiet. Leave them home, shop in quiet and stay on budget.

10. Take a List and Stick to it
Get out your sales fliers, your coupons and your email notices ahead of time and make a list of what you need to buy for the week. Be sure to take your list and a pen with you on your shopping trip and determine to buy only what you have on the list. You will avoid impulse buys this way.

Post provided by Melissa (connorsmom) from TriangleMommies.com

Mom Blogger Spotlight: Kira from Just Like June

Meet our fellow Mom Blogger, Kira from Just Like June!

As my blog says: I'm a modern woman with old-fashion tendencies. I stand firm with my feet on the ground as a stay at home Mom and homemaker. I love my life and never apologize for my decisions. I cook and bake from scratch, crochet, make my own jam, and write my thank you cards promptly. Away from my duties at home, I play cello, love to learn foreign languages and read anything that I can get my long fingers on about existentialism, religion, and history. In a past life, I earned a Bachelor's in Sociology from a top University and worked in non-profit management. I quit a high-stress gig to be a nanny and realized, "THIS is what life is about!" That's the moment that the June in me woke up.

How many kids do you have, what are their ages?
I have one son, who is fifteen months old and is a ball of energy. We're hoping and crossing our fingers that we'll be lucky enough to have at least four children.

Describe how being a Mom has changed you and your lifestyle:
It's actually made me more patient and more forgiving, not just with others, but with myself. I'm a multi-tasker and a short sleeper by nature, so motherhood is a perfect fit for me. It's like nature's perfect job. I thrive on twenty things at once. I'm a bit batty I tell you. Before having my son though, I was harder on myself. I should do this, look like this, do this with my life, etcetera. Since having him, he's taught me that you don't have to be perfect all the time, as long as you're trying your hardest and being genuine.

What is the hardest thing you've hard to learn/overcome/adjust to since becoming a mom?
Slowing down. Oh, the slowing down was the hardest! Thankfully I learned to nurse my son in a carrier but there were times, especially when he was very small, where we'd have the 30-40 minute nurse-a-thon on the couch and I'd sit there going insane over all the stuff I wasn't doing. It wasn't until one day he really looked at me while nursing and let out a sigh as if to say, "Oh Mama. Slow down and enjoy this. Touch my skin, smell my hair. Slow down." Besides the slowing down, I think another really hard lesson for me to learn was that my son cries because he's trying to tell me something and sometimes he screams because I'm not getting it, darnit, and he's really angry. Little people can have BIG feelings and I really don't buy into the "sometimes babies just cry" notion. We moved to China when he was 8 months old and I remember a woman coming to my door to sell me something that she thought I had ordered. I didn't speak a lick of Mandarin and she didn't speak any English and she ended up screaming at me because I couldn't understand her. She was demeaning and I was so angry because I thought she was an idiot for not getting my simple cues. I cried after she left and I looked at my son and went," Oh my gosh. I SO get you now. When you want something SO simple but can't express it."

What is the most rewarding part of being a mom for you?
When my son learns something new and I'm there to see his expressions of being so proud of himself. When the sun peers through the window in the morning and I lie next to my son in his bed and nurse him while he gives me his favorite stuffed animal to nurse on the other side. When he says funny stuff. When he's screaming his head off like a psycho in a thriller flick and I want to rip my head off but then we snuggle together, read a story and suddenly the world is alright. Basically, every breathing minute of it.

Are you a SAHM, WAHM, or do you work out of the home?
I'm a stay at home mom. When my son is asleep for his nap or late in the evening, I do transcription work online, but I don't let it interfere with my time with him.

What challenges have you faced as a SAHM?
I think my biggest challenge has been society looking at me like I have two heads because I'm an educated, relatively well-spoken woman who chose to stay home. They don't understand when I tell them I didn't "give up" anything and that I'm really happy being home. People reflect a lot of their negative feelings onto others and I get a lot of flack for being unapologetic for my decision. Do I think it's right for everyone? Of course not, that's why I'm not you and I'm not making decisions for you. The way that people take my decisions so personally has really been astounding.

When and how did you get started blogging?
I started blogging as a way to bide my time when I was on bedrest after getting pneumonia during my pregnancy. I was bored, hungry, and had a penchant for butter. I also loved writing, so it was an easy hobby.

What is your favorite part of blogging? What are your favorite topics to cover or types of posts to share? My favorite part is the emails I get from people. It's really awesome to hear from other Mamas or even women who aren't Moms but who really like my recipes and tutorials. I have a soft spot for baking, but I really like to share a lot of different things to keep things interesting. So, you'll find baking, cooking, old-fashioned living tips, marriage tips, etc.

What have you gained for yourself, and as a mom, through blogging?
I've gained an outlet for my creativity and I've gained a sense of strength knowing that I make other women feel ok in their decision to stay at home as well. Women need to stop apologizing either way. It makes us look like doormats.

You can find Kira here!

Blog - http://www.justlikejune.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Just-Like-June/180124970965
Twitter - http://twitter.com/justlikejune
The Ordinary Day Project - http://theordinarydayproject.wordpress.com

Heather's Weight Loss Journey: Chapter 3

Let’s start with the great news: no injuries! My knee is feeling so much better, and my exercise is once again pain free. It’s been so nice to be able to walk up and down the stairs without wincing. And I’m still so proud that I continued moving forward instead of using that as an excuse to give up like I would have done in the past.

But even in the absence of injuries, these past two weeks definitely brought new challenges. During the thunderstorms and high winds that hit NC, we had a massive tree (I’m talking about 6 feet in diameter) fall on our house! It was crazy!! So the days following were consumed with phone calls, filing insurance claims, visits from adjusters, and getting estimates from tree services and roofing companies.

On top of that all, we had an unexpected visit from my in-laws who flew out from California and stayed for a week. They came to help us with the tree which was so generous and really helpful! But it still threw me for a loop since I was out of my normal routine. It was really hard to find time to fit my exercise in. And we were constantly on the go, which meant eating out a lot.

So one thing I found to be so helpful was taking the time to sit down at the computer and look up several restaurants and their nutrition facts. I made a list of the top eight that we visit frequently, everything from coffee shops to fast food to sit down restaurants. And I wrote out the healthiest options at each one and the total calories. I now carry this around in my purse so I will always know the best choices, even if I wasn’t planning to eat out. This has been a huge help! I have already used it numerous times.

My husband has commented on how impressed he is that I’ve been able to maintain healthy eating even when faced with menu options like Burgers and Fries. It isn’t always easy, but I will say the biggest difference between this time around and the failed weight loss attempts previously, is that I have a very clear picture in my mind of the end goal. I can literally see the way I want to look, and the way I want to feel. Knowing that image can become a reality means so much more to me than that burger does!

And just for fun, I wanted to share a few of the things I have discovered that I love, and that keep me from feeling deprived. I absolutely love Greek yogurt! It’s packed full of protein and is so satisfying. I buy Fage O% in the 6oz containers. Sometimes I top it with some crushed pineapple, other times I use chunks of mango and a drizzle of honey. I also love Thomas’ 100 Calorie English Muffins with a Tbsp of natural chunky peanut butter. This is my go to breakfast and keeps me feeling full for a long time! I can usually make it to lunch without feeling like I need a snack.

My favorite dessert find is Jell-O Pudding Temptations! The French Silk Pie (140 calories) tastes like I’m seriously indulging. Or for less than half the calories, the Jell-O Mousse Chocolate Indulgence (60 calories and sugar free) satisfies my sweet tooth. Regardless of the flavor I grab, I always top with 2 Tbsp light whipped cream. This little treat is something I eat almost nightly. I really think it helps curb cravings and keep me on track.

I have also discovered that I love Wii Fit Zumba! I’d never even taken a Zumba class but kept hearing about how fun they are. I can’t even follow the moves perfectly; I just bounce around a lot…much to my husband’s amusement. But the music is so fun! And twenty minutes burns close to 300 calories, according to my heart rate monitor. It’s been really neat for me to try different forms of exercise, and realize I can actually enjoy that time of my day!

So it’s been four weeks total. And here are my current stats. I’m really happy about my progress so far, and more importantly, I feel great!

Weight: 171 (-13lbs)
Waist: -3.75”
Hips: -3.0”

Making A Difference - One Mommy at a Time

BaltimoreMommies.com

Kristin Sausville is a new chapter manager for BaltimoreMommies, but has been a member of the site since 2008 after seeing an ad for the site on Craigslist. “I was impressed to see that BaltimoreMommies was part of a nationwide network,” Kristin shared.

She continued, “My involvement with BaltimoreMommies and The Mommies Network has helped me find myself again. It's so easy to get lost in motherhood and it's easy to find your world centering around your children. BaltimoreMommies and The Mommies Network gave me friends who understood what I was going through because they were going through similar things themselves as well as an amazing volunteer opportunity. Being involved in Leadership has helped me feel like Kristin again and not just Mommy.”

On describing BaltimoreMommies to other moms she meets, Kristin enthused, “I tell them that I'm a member of a local moms' group, that it's completely free to join and that we have play dates for kids and get-togethers like MNI and MNO just for the moms. I talk about how we have a forum that's available 24 hours a day where we can get to know each other since sometimes it's hard to make small talk when chasing little kids at a play date. And I talk about how much it has meant to me.”

While she’s new to being a Chapter Manager, Kristin has been a support moderator and Charitable Events manager, giving back and volunteering. She explained, “Volunteering has helped me learn to be more disciplined with my personal time management, more diplomatic and fair when dealing with others, and a greater drive to follow through on responsibilities than I had previously had.”

“I feel that TMN helps mommies become better women. It provides an outlet of support that mommies often have trouble finding and so desperately need.” she added.


BaltimoreMommies.com opened in April 2007 and currently has 467 members. Any mom in Baltimore (city and county) and Howard, Eastern Carroll and North Anne Arundel Counties are welcome to apply and join the chapter - membership is free. Don't live near Baltimore? Check out http://themommiesnetwork.org to find a chapter in your area!

Menu Monday: Asian Noodle Salad

This cold noodle salad is actually made with linguine, but if you want to use soba noodles they would be wonderful too. There are quite a few recipes online for this dish, one at Pioneer Woman- probably most popular and here at Savvy Vegetarian.

So, here's how we make it around here.

1 pound cooked linguine or soba noodles. Rinsed with cold water

Vegetables and Herbs- pick what you like, this is great to clear out your fridge at the end of the week too- use a lot, they are soo good with the dressing. I forgot the spinach for this batch and didn't use broccoli.

Napa cabbage - 1/3 sliced thin
Purple cabbage- 1/3 sliced thin
Bell peppers- red, yellow, orange and or green - I use thee colors, slice half from each
English cucumber- peeled and sliced or regular cucumber peeled, seeded and sliced
3-4 stalks of tender celery with leaves- the inner stalks the leaves are so flavorful, chopped
Bean sprouts- a couple of hand fulls
Thinly sliced carrot- you can use a julienne peeler or buy grated carrots
1/2 cup of chopped cilantro leaves or Thai basil
1-2 scallions sliced
Baby spinach
Baby broccoli florets

Protein- Optional
Tofu- firm tofu, wrapped in a clean kitchen towel and weighted with a plate and canned good to press out the liquid. Cubed then fried in a little oil until crisp.
Chicken- leftover roasted chicken shredded or grilled

Dressing-
zest from 1/2- 1 lime
1 1/2 limes- juiced, I usually add 2 limes because I like it tart
3 tablespoons sesame oil
8-10 tablespoons olive oil
6-7 tablespoons soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar- not packed just lightly scooped
4-5 tablespoons of grated ginger- I use my micro plane (we love ginger)
3 cloves minced garlic, I grate it also
2 jalapenos seeded and minced (I use these as a garnish too)
1/3 cup Cilantro chopped

Garnish
Sesame seeds
Cilantro
Thai basil
Lime wedges
Sliced jalapenos


Whisk the ingredients for the dressing (except the cilantro) until the sugar is mostly dissolved and combined- I've also thrown everything in a blender and it works fine. Stir in cilantro. Toss the dressing on the noodles, protein and vegetables in a large bowl. Serve with garnishes.
This is best eaten the day it's prepared unless you leave out the napa cabbage, cilantro and Thai basil and sprinkle them on top when ready to serve.

Post submitted from the Give Peas a Chance blog.

Ideas for Free (or Inexpensive) Spring Fun!

Springtime is here and we have lots of new opportunities for free family fun as the weather turns nice.

A favorite in our house is a family walk. We leash up the dogs, put a helmet on our son so he can safely ride his bike, and the husband and I hoof it. To make it a fun adventure, our family calls it a bunny hunt. Our neighborhood has a plethora of bunny rabbits in the Spring and our son delights in spotting them. Some days we spot bunnies, but not always. Our record spotting is 9 bunnies. But its really about the hunt. If your neighborhood doesn't have bunnies, look for other things - maybe your area has bluejays, frogs or daffodils.

With the weather warming up, its a great time to visit your local playgrounds. Pack up your sand toys, bring a sun hat for yourself and your little ones and bring some water. Kids can work up a sweat in a hurry! Most towns and cities have several playgrounds for kids of all ages. My son prefers ones with sandboxes and a bike path, but your little one may be a fan of swings and slides. Its a great time of year to check them all out and decide which is your family's favorite.

Flowers are in bloom this time of year, as are many plants and trees. For a delicious picnic, visit your local farmer's market so you can enjoy the wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables that Springtime offers. Pack that picnic lunch, grab a blanket and go explore your local flower gardens. Pack some bubbles for the young ones to entertain themselves.

For free fun right in your yard, get out the sidewalk chalk and draw, play a game of hopscotch or Mother May I, grab a jump rope, turn on the sprinkler or start a rousing game of tag. If your family is sports oriented like mine is, Spring is a great time for a backyard game of baseball or soccer too.

There is a theme to all this free family fun - get outside, enjoy the pleasant Spring weather and have a wonderful time with your loved ones...before the heat and humidity of Summer coerces us back inside.

Mom Blogger Spotlight: Alissa, Rags to Stitches

Hi! My name is Alissa and I blog ramble over at Rags to Stitches. I'm so excited to be blogging over here at The Mommies Network today. What a great network and I'm so honored to be a part of it.

I'm a lover of:

my Heavenly Father

My husband

Kids

family

walks on the beach {corny, but awesome}

sunsets

taking as many pictures as possible so I can capture an image of every memory

blogging

play dates with friends

I'd much rather talk to you on the phone than text

I love receive hand written mail. Write me, I'll write you back!

I love a clean house, but hate to clean

and I can't make it though the day without my morning coffee and chocolate {sad I know}

I love meeting other mommies and welcome any extra advice I can get.

Family is extremely important to me. I grew up in Southeast Asia and didn't get to see my extended family often so I welcome any opportunity to get everyone together!

I have 2 children. They are 17 months apart. Close and I love it. Most days! My daughter, Miss K is going to be 3 in June and my son Buddy is 16 months. They are a bundle of energy and I love watching them grow and learn to explore the world around them. I'm completely that corny mom that wants to shout from the roof tops and brag about every new thing they learn and do. I can't help it, I love them so much!! They are the smartest, most lovable kids whose laughter can make anyone smile from ear to ear.

Life as a mom completely changed my life, in a good way, but it changed my life. Even when I was little I wanted to grow up, get married, have babies... be a mom. It seemed easy, natural, something that would work for me. When my husband and I got pregnant with my daughter we were determined to have her fit into our lives. And she did. Even as a baby her smiles became the life of the party. She crawled early, danced early, walked early, talked early and began sleeping through the night at 12 weeks. Ok you catch my drift. I didn't immediately notice all the "changes" that were happening. I was in a bubble, naive. Before you go thinking I'm bragging, my point was that I had one child and having one child I didn't always remember the bad times because I could nap when she napped so it doesn't matter that I was up all night. I could use Hyland's Teething Tablets because they hadn't been recalled yet. And it didn't matter if it took me longer than normal to get anywhere because I had no where I had to be. I was a SAHM first and foremost.

When we got pregnant with our son we were ecstatic. We figured, how hard can this be. Our little girl is so easy, this one will be too. Enter the needle that burst my bubble. He cried more, needed me more, didn't nurse as long, was up at all hours, still doesn't sleep through the night. He often leaves me exhausted, frustrated, feeling like I have no clue what I'm doing or what's wrong with him. There was no more napping when he napped, Hyland's Teething Tablets to ease the pains of teething, and suddenly going anywhere seemed like a bigger task than I could possibly handle. I often plan my week so that we only do 2 errands, or 1 play date or activity per day so that I don't have to worry about meltdowns, tears, public humiliation. As Buddy get's older it becomes a little bit easier. I've learned to chill out, they've learned to be flexible, and playing outside everyday is a must in my house. With each day I've learned to take a deep breath, give it to the Lord, and allow all the little things roll like water off a ducks back and not let it ruin my day. Some days this is easier than others, I'm not going to lie, but I believe that this is God's calling on my life right now and he gives me the strength and wisdom to get through each day.

One of the most rewarding things about being a mom for me is just that, being a mom. Hugging, snuggling, kissing, whispering "I love you" a million times a day. Wiping buggers, changing diapers, watching my daughter pee in the potty for the first time, and dance in her first dance class. Picking up my son from Bible study child care and having him smile at me and show me the toys he's playing with rather than breaking down in tears. Hearing my daughter tell me she loves me "through and through." Knowing that my son's favorite word is "mama" and he will say it over and over with a big grin on his face. Watching my kids clap and cheer with excitement when they do something for the first time all by themselves. And that's just to name a few.

While I would consider myself first and foremost a SAHM, I do have a home business, Rags to Stitches Boutique. I am passionate about sewing, crafting.... creating. Most of my sewing is done while the kids are napping during the day or after they go to bed if my hubby is working late. I'm also actively serving at my church through MOPS and being involved in VBS (Vacation Bible School). Some days, I'll be honest, it's hard to balance life as a mommy and having a stay at home business. I'll get a bunch of orders at one time and tend to stress about how I'm going to budget my time to get it all done. There are days when I have to put the orders aside and be there for my kids and my husband. It may mean that something gets shipped out a day later than planned, but hey, that's life. That's why my turnaround time for custom orders is often 10 days to two weeks unless a rush fee is applied.

I started blogging in 2007 when I got pregnant with my daughter. It was a way for my family to read what we were up to and for me to journal how I was feeling. I hope to one day organize each year into a blog book for my kids to read when they get older. Then in 2009, when my business Rags to Stitches was born, I began a new blog. I love blogging and I still blog in both places although you will most often find my ramblings on my Rags to Stitches blog. I love to blog about what's inspiring me, what I'm working on, featuring other small businesses, doing giveaways, and of course I love to blog about my kids. It's a way for me let loose, express myself, meet other mommies, and be real about life and all that comes with it.

I hope you'll stop by sometime and say hello. I love meeting new people! I'd love for you to become a new follower too.

Making A Difference - One Mommy at a Time

BuxtmontMommies.com

Anitta Williams is an ocean and several time zones away from her hometown in Finland. After moving to the US, she searched for moms groups online for months. She had enjoyed the support of a Finnish new parent's group and found it very important to her as a mom.

Finding BuxmontMommies.com in 2010, she immediately knew it was what she was looking for. Anitta shared, "Moving to a new area, new country can be a bit overwhelming but with the support of BMM I've found many things to do with my kids. I've gotten to know some amazing moms and even found a great pediatrician and our rental apartment with the help of fellow mommies."

Not content to just participate as a member, Anitta moved from moderator to manager and finally to assistant chapter manager. She explains, "I was very interested in volunteering from the beginning, and when the opportunity to moderate came up, I jumped for it. When I was offered the manager job, I was already hooked so there was no turning back. I love volunteering for our site. Our leadership team is awesome - we have many talented, hard working volunteers on board."

Buxmontmommies.com serves 352 members in Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia, PA. "Our site provides great support for moms, not only online but through many play dates, mom's night outs and meet-and-greets, giving us an good opportunity to meet other local moms." continued Anitta "BMM has made a huge difference in my life. It definitely helped adjust to a whole new country and new culture." she added.

Buxmontmommies.com opened in November 2006 and currently has 352 members. Any mom in Bucks County, Montgomery County, and Philadelphia, PA is welcome to apply and join the chapter - membership is free. Don't live near Philadelphia? Check out http://themommiesnetwork.org to find a chapter in your area!

Slider Cupcakes

Tomorrow Piglet is taking cupcakes to school for her last day/birthday celebration. So I made these little sliders. Cupcakes with sesame seed buns, brownie patties, coconut lettuce, and frosting for ketchup and mustard. They are so cute! I think she will like them.


Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Sponge BOB Square pants... sorry. These would be great for a Sponge Bob birthday party too.

Post submitted from the Give Peas a Chance blog.

Life as a Homeschool Mom

If I were to meet you on the street today, I would introduce myself as Heather, stay-at-home/homeschooling mom of my daughters who are six and three. You would ask me my thoughts on the public school system and about my choice to keep them home, then about my method of teaching, and the curriculum I use. I would smile and say all the right things. I would tell you just how much I love it, how passionate I am about being their teacher, and how confident I am that this is the right choice for my family.

But that wouldn't really be the truth.

You see, more often than not I have no idea what I am doing. I second guess every decision. Homeschooling was never something I imagined myself doing, so I wonder how I got to this point, and what I was thinking. And some days I allow myself to dream about that big yellow bus pulling up in front of my house and taking my children away for the next six hours.

I love my girls dearly, of course. But the days are long, and the weeks are hectic. And I rarely get a few minutes to think, let alone have a conversation with another adult. We have days that we wake up early, get dressed and into our school room right away. And then we have others where I realize we are still in our pajamas at noon and I haven't even opened a workbook, or answered a single question.

Guilt and fear are par for the course in motherhood, but in my life they are exacerbated by being primarily responsible for my children's education. I believe that right now they learn so much through play, and have a natural curiosity to explore the world around them. But secretly, I worry that I am not smart enough to teach them all they need to know. I question whether my methods really are the best. And I'm afraid that I am doing them a huge disservice by not exposing them to a more structured learning environment.

As I start asking myself questions, I become riddled with the fear that while homeschooling is what I want for my girls, I might not be cut out for it.
But then...something miraculous happens.

My youngest daughter will count to twenty, correctly read the letters off a sign as we pass by, and ask for her mountain of books at bedtime. My oldest daughter will flawlessly name the planets, sound out letters, and proudly find Italy on the world map. They will ask for more rhyming games, and sight words. They will demand just one more sheet of school work. They will run to their dad when he walks through the door, eager to tell them what they learned about that day. And they will beg to have school on Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays.

And in those moments, I realize that something is working!

So a more accurate representation of the truth is that I am a stay-at-home/homeschooling mom of two. It is harder than I expected it to be. I don't know if I am making the right choices all the time. But my children are learning! And they are loving it!! And that hunger for knowledge is exactly what I wanted to instill in them all along.

Post submitted by Heather (imarriedrich) from UnionCountyMommies.com

Mom Blogger Spotlight: {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker

Meet our fellow Mom Blogger, Shell from {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker!

Tell our readers a little about yourself!

I am a 20-something fiancée, mom, student & early childhood educator. I blog about trying to balance all of these things while attempting to maintain {okay, actually, attain} a clean, inviting home filled with the people and things I love.

How many kids do you have, what are their ages?
I have one son who is 20 months old

Describe how being a Mom has changed you and your lifestyle:
When I learned I was pregnant, I was attending school full-time, working full-time, and holding two positions in a sorority. While my fiancée & I had already been engaged for over a year at the time, we definitely weren't trying to get pregnant. Our son, Shane, was a very welcome surprise, but his arrival definitely changed everything for us. We both moved out of our parents' homes and into our first apartment {where we lived for a year before buying our home this last June}, I quit my job while my fiancée took a hiatus from school, and I had to leave my sorority and switch to online-only courses so I could stay home and be with Shane. So just about everything about our lives changed- but I think it was all for the better.

What is the hardest thing you've hard to learn/overcome/adjust to since becoming a mom?
The social life- or lack thereof- is hard for me. I have never been a "party girl"- even though I was in a sorority I didn't drink and since I've been with my fiancée since my freshman year of high school, I didn't date. But I have always been a social butterfly- I just like people. So it's been hard losing contact with all of my friends who are still in the place of their lives that I was in when I found out I was pregnant. I've had to overcome the isolation in two ways: blogging, and making mommy friends. It was a little hard at first to make mommy friends, since I'm such a young mom, but attending community activities & working at a popular international early childhood gym/music center has helped me to meet some friendly women that at the very least I can go to play dates with.

What is the most rewarding part of being a mom for you?
It's such a cliche answer, but everything. Every hug, every kiss, every "Mooommmm!" just reiterates to me that I am where I'm meant to be in my life. Even when my son is being devious & ignoring my every word, I am proud of him for realizing he is capable of doing such things.

Are you a stay at home mom, work at home mom, or do you work out of the home?
I work between 4 & 8 hours a week outside of the home teaching, but for the most part I am a stay-at-home-mom.

What challenges have you faced as a WOHM/SAHM?
It is frustrating that I'm ALWAYS "on the clock"- my fiancee can come home & relax because he worked all day, so coming home is supposed to be "his time". Even though I chase around a crazy toddler all day, make three square meals for the tot & two for my fiancee, clean the house, put Shane down for naps, do the grocery shopping, blog, take care of the dog, do the laundry, etc. {&you all KNOW how long that list would be if I listed everything}, I'm still expected to be the one taking care of Shane from when he wakes up until he goes to bed. Because, you know, I'm a stay-at-home-mom. That's what I do. {Note: There was heavy sarcasm in that last bit.}

When and how did you get started blogging?
Back in high school, I had a blog on Xanga. The subject matter was way different than my current blog, but that was where I fell in love with the concept. When I had Shane, I started reading coupon blogs & from there discovered the world of "Mommy Blogs". I was inspired & {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker was born in January 2010.

What is your favorite part of blogging? What are your favorite topics to cover or types of posts to share?I like meeting people more than anything else. As far as writing posts, I like to blog about things that have happened to me, such as the time I got caught shoplifting in junior high or the time I got lost for over an hour in a hotel last summer.

What have you gained for yourself, and as a mom, through blogging?
I have been able to make friends that otherwise would have been impossible to meet. I have stumbled upon some great blogs by other young mothers that I can totally relate to- and since the age gap between myself & my next-youngest mommy friend in real life is six years, it's been great having those blogs to read & interact with so that I know I'm not alone. As a mom, I've gained so much foresight by watching other people fail at things- that sounds horrible but it's so much easier to see what doesn't work for potty-training BEFORE you try it yourself, right? I like to learn from others' mistakes.

Find Shell here!

Blog: {Not Quite} Susie Homemaker {www.notquitesusie.com}
Twitter: @NotQuiteSusie {www.twitter.com/notquitesusie}
Facebook: facebook.com/notquitesusie

Heather's Weight Loss Journey: Chapter 2

You are all so amazing! I cannot thank you enough for the support and encouragement I received after the first chapter of my story posted two weeks ago. Apparently when I volunteered to do this, I was having a fleeting moment of extreme confidence. And when that passed a lot of fear and self-doubt crept in. After all, I have spent the past four years trying so hard to avoid the very thing I was about to do: reveal the truth about myself.

I actually dreaded opening up the blog that Wednesday morning because I was so scared of what would be staring back at me. I guess I was prepared for judgment, criticism…or maybe even worse than that, no response at all. Instead, I read words that lifted me up, cheered me on, and gave me hope! As much as I was hoping to inspire others, I never stopped to think about just how much I needed your support too. So again, thank you. You will never know how deeply those replies touched me.

Okay, enough with the heavy. It’s been two weeks and I feel great! But it’s been a bit of a roller coaster. And in an effort to stay true to this journey I’m going to take you along for the ride! As I said in my last blog, I am using myfitnesspal.com to track my caloric intake, and Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred for my workouts. The first few days were HARD. I was so hungry. I couldn’t think of anything other than food. And Jillian Michaels was probably my least favorite person on earth.

But on day four or five things really turned around. I was actually enjoying this new and healthy way of eating! And I was so surprised by how quickly my endurance for the workouts increased. I found myself looking forward to my twenty minutes with Jillian each day (that’s right, we’re on a first name basis now).

And then just when things were going well…I injured my left knee. It turns out that’s pretty common with the 30 Day Shred. It’s an intense workout and for those of us who aren’t used to such vigorous activity, it can be a bit hard on our joints. I was really upset. I had been doing so great…I couldn’t stop now! So I pushed through and continued the video. It got so painful that it was hard to stand after sitting, and even harder to walk up the stairs. I spent lots of time alternating between ice and heat, and resting my knee as must as possible…while inwardly freaking out that this was derailing me significantly.

I so wanted to do 30 straight days of this program and to share impressive before and after results with you. It was really discouraging to see that slipping away. But during a heart to heart with my husband, he assured me that being real on this journey was far more important than being perfect. He said that injuries and setbacks are going to happen, and it would be vital to share mine with you all…as I continued to move forward and strive toward my goal. I realized he was so right.

So I took a whole day off from exercise, and I spent some time researching my injury. I decided to get a knee brace for my left knee, and a knee strap for my right (to prevent the same injury). And the next day, I put my workout clothes back on…complete with my armor of support, and resumed shredding. This time though…I modified almost every move to be much lower impact. I focused more on the arm weights and ab exercises than the jumping, squats, and lunges. For cardio, I worked on boxing punches to keep my heart rate elevated. I stayed within my comfort zone, but continued to keep moving! And after each workout, I would carefully stretch and ice. And I started noticing a huge improvement!

I still wear my knee brace and strap during workouts. And along with my modified version of The Shred, I have added some gentle yoga to my routine to make sure I am taking care of my joints. But the pain has lessened significantly each day, and I don’t feel any discomfort at all during my normal daily activities. It was frustrating to have a setback so early, and it was hard to experience this just when I started enjoying the exercise portion of my day. But the most important thing is I didn’t let it knock me off course completely. Previously, I would have just thrown in the towel and grabbed a bag of Peanut Butter M&M’s for comfort. Instead, I slowed down and listened to my body but continued making choices that would still help me reach my goal!

And here are my updated stats.
Current Weight: 176 (-8lbs)
Neck: -0.75"
(Sorry I didn't do chest...that's the one place I don't care to know of any shrinking! Haha)
Waist: -2.25”
Hips: -2.0”

So all in all, I know I have had a huge victory…not only physically, but mentally as well!! I am definitely in this for the long haul...setbacks and all!

Menu Monday: Cajun Shrimp & Crawfish Etoufee

Cajun Shrimp & Crawfish Etoufee

To save time, buy pre-chopped vegetables at your local grocer.

You'll need...

1/3 cup canola oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 small green bell pepper, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, diced
2 fresh tomatoes, chopped
2 tablespoons Louisiana-style hot sauce (I use Crystal's)
1/3 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
2 tablespoons seafood seasoning
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup fish stock
1 pound crawfish tails
1 pound medium shrimp - peeled and deveined

To make...

Heat the oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Gradually stir in flour; stir constantly until the mixture turns 'peanut butter' brown or darker, at least 15 or 20 minutes.

Once the roux is browned, add the onions, garlic, celery and bell pepper to the skillet and saute for about 5 minutes to soften. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and fish stock and season with the seafood seasoning.

Reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Season the sauce with hot pepper sauce and cayenne pepper (if using) and add the crawfish and shrimp. Cook for about 10 minutes or until the shrimp are opaque.

ENJOY!

Recipe submitted by Becka (MomTo4) from SaratogaCountyMommies

Making A Difference - One Mommy at a Time

Adriana Roberson, ElPasoMommies

ElPasoMommies is helmed by Adriana Roberson who founded the chapter in October of 2010.

During her membership at RichmondMommies, Adriana experienced the sense of sisterhood that TMN sites embody. Wanting to create the same supportive environment for moms in El Paso, Adriana recounts,“ I saw that women were looking for support, friendship, and something to do. I realized that I could provide that if I started ElPasoMommies. I knew it would be challenging to start from the ground up, but I believed it would be worth it for the women I would eventually reach.”

Already exceeding her membership expectations for the one-year mark, ElPasoMommies is receiving good turnout at calendar events. Most gratifying for Adriana is seeing her members excitement. “They are noticing and appreciating our growth. They’re beginning to feel like EPM is theirs! That is such a great moment to witness.”

The site has not only connected moms in El Paso, it has also helped Adriana feel much more a part of her community. She shares, “ For my part, I have access to a network of women whom I never would have met otherwise. I have found that my life and that of my son have been enriched by this association of mothers and kids from different walks of life. Sometimes it’s just knowing that you are not alone that gets you through the rough patches of mothering.”

On leading her chapter, Adriana reflects, “I have more responsibilities now. It’s not just scheduling play dates. It truly is a role of leadership. It becomes more and more evident to me when members ask me questions that are deeply personal. They value my input and my opinions. I have definitely honed my skills in diplomacy! And even though my family always comes first, my chapter is a very important part of my daily life.”

ElPasoMommies.com was opened in October of 2010 and currently has 132 members. Any mom in El Paso and the surrounding areas is welcome to apply and join the chapter - membership is free. Don't live in El Paso? Check out http://themommiesnetwork.org/ to find a chapter in your area!

"Spring into the World of Eric Carle" Photo Contest

Enter a photo of you and your family or members of your family during their favorite weekend activity. Label all entries "Spring Contest" and send them to promotions@themommiesnetwork.org . Ten Winners will receive a wonderful "World of Eric Carle" prize! Contest ends very soon, so get those cute pictures sent in!!


“The World of Eric Carle, best known for The Very Hungry Caterpillar™, consists of a broad range of children’s products. Inspired by Eric Carle’s vibrant artwork and beloved stories, the range enchants children, while appealing to moms’ desire for fun, quality product for their little ones – leaving them ‘very hungry’ for more!”

To see more from Eric Carle, check out the links below!

The World of Eric Carle on Facebook

Eric Carle Merchandise and Eric Carle Products

Signs of the Time

The desire for enrichment classes geared towards babies and toddlers has become very popular in the United States. One of these lessons is teaching sign language to babies and children – some as young as 6 months, and in some cases even younger! The demand for baby-signing videos and classes has gone up over 200 percent in the last few years. Signing for infants and toddlers offers a way for parents to communicate with children who are too young to communicate vocally. It also provides a way for the infants and toddlers to express wants and needs that parents and care givers would otherwise have to guess at in response to crying.

I signed with my day care children, as well as with my older two children. Then, my third child came along in February of 2007, and I began working on signs with him at birth. Like an increasing number of parents, I wanted to make the most of my infant’s natural urge to communicate — capitalizing on a window of opportunity in which infants can gesture long before they are able to talk. Thanks to our early signing work, he produced his first sign before he reached six months of age! By 18 months, he had a vocabulary of 200 signed and spoken words. He also used multiple 2-5 word sentences. Because of my son’s accomplishments, I now know that, in hindsight, I should have started with my older two from birth. Even though they were both early speakers, using signs with them would have ended a lot of frustration on both our parts, as well as opened up a whole new world of communication!

Infants naturally gesture – it’s a normal part of any baby’s development. Even without prompting, a baby offered food when he is not hungry might shake his head vigorously; a baby whose mother leaves the house might wave her hand. By actively teaching their pre-verbal babies to express themselves with sign language, parents are taking such gesturing a step further. For example, babies could learn to ask for a book by placing their hands together (palm to palm) and then opening the hands while maintaining contact between the pinkie fingers. They could also teach them to ask for food by rubbing their tummies. These are both examples of American Sign Language gestures. Some baby-signing programs recommend using only gestures from American Sign Language; others believe children should be allowed to create their own gestures. Babies exposed to true ASL signs regularly from an early age can generally begin using them effectively by 6 - 9 months, or even younger — well before they can say them, much sooner than those who use other gestures, and even sooner then those who used no signs what so ever.

Advocates of ASL believe that true signs are easy for babies to learn and that they offer the additional benefit of being widely known and understood. Using ASL allows your child to learn another accepted language, just as you want them to speak their native language correctly. You probably wouldn’t teach your baby made up words for things, and the same principle applies to made up signs. Look for programs that only use ASL if you want your child to have the highest level of benefits.

Signing provides children with far more than just rudimentary communication skills. Signing can improve a baby’s intellect, increase self-esteem and happiness, reduce fussiness and temper tantrums, improve problem-solving skills, and help toddlers get along better with each other. It also strengthens the bond between parent and child, as you are able to communicate effectively with your baby. Signing has also been proven to enhance early language and literacy skills, enabling children to speak sooner and develop larger vocabularies. Some even attribute significant increases in IQ to early signing. Signing with children with special needs is also very beneficial. Since many children with special needs will have trouble speaking for quite some time, teaching them to sign will lessen the chances of tantrums and frustration (on both sides!). Many parents with special needs children, especially those with children with Downs Syndrome, Autism, and Apraxia, have said that their child learned to sign and it inspired a language explosion, much sooner than they would have expected one.

When looking for a sign class for your child, make sure to look for the following items:

• ASL background of the instructor(s)
• The program is American Sign Language based, and not mere gestures
• Past class participant satisfaction
• Instructor(s) education level
• Whether or not the instructor has had success with their own child(ren)

Article submitted by Becka (MomTo4) from SaratogaCountyMommies.com

One Mom's Response to Helping a Friend in Need

If you’ve spent some time on one of The Mommies Network boards there is no doubt in my mind that you have heard the word “support” numerous times. Well, a few months ago I had the incredible privilege of seeing firsthand just how amazing that support can be when a group of talented and passionate moms banned together for the same cause.

It was just before Christmas when we heard the news that one of our fellow members had suddenly and tragically lost her husband, the father of their two young daughters. Immediately, her closest friends got together to figure out the best way to help. What they came up with will touch and inspire you all…and they managed to pull it together in the matter of about ten days!

I had the chance to talk with “Union County Mommies” member Libby Younts. She came up with the big idea, but is quick to say she couldn’t have done it without a lot of help! When I asked her to describe the event, she said, “Our family fun day was a day filled with love and support for our fellow mommy. It was a fantastic event and something I'm so proud to have been a part of.”

While the event was truly a family fun day, consisting of photographs with Santa Claus, a Music Together demonstration, and a visit from the local Fire Department to entertain the kids, this group of moms expertly organized several fundraising opportunities to help shoulder the financial burden this stay-at-home mom was about to face.

“We started with the Santa pictures and then thought of what we could add to it. We knew we'd have a line waiting for Santa so we wanted a way to make more money - from that came a raffle. Then we had SO many generous donations that we added an auction. We also have SO many gifted bakers in our group that a bake sale was just a given,” Libby told me when I asked how they came up with the different ideas.

Based on the seventy-eight different families that signed up for Santa pictures, Libby estimates there were around 200-250 people in attendance. In order to get the word out to the community she says they designed a flyer and emailed it to everyone they know. They also posted it in every establishment they frequent, including daycares and elementary schools. Then they created a Facebook page to spread the word through social networking.

I am so grateful my family was able to be there that day. The room was filled wall to wall the entire afternoon. The energy of love and support was almost palpable. And I think everyone who attended left in awe.

“My dad has always inspired me to help others and get involved... the fact that two sweet little girls just lost their father sealed the deal for me. I HAD to do something. Not to mention how absolutely helpless we felt for our friend. Had this happened to anyone else she'd have been the first one to jump in and start arranging all of us to help. We had to do something - this could have been any one of us,” Libby explained why she felt so strongly about stepping up to help in a big way.

For anyone who is looking for a way to do something similar for a deserving family in your community, Libby wants to leave you with some advice and encouragement: "Have a committee completely dedicated. Decide what everyone’s strong points are. If someone is great at getting donations have them be in charge of that. You just find what people are best at and they come through with flying colors. If you have a great enough team and everyone pitches in ANYTHING is possible. Without every single person that jumped in to help it wouldn't have been so successful.I can't even tell you how incredible it was to see our community come together. SO many people dropped off bake sale items, auction and raffle items, and offered to donate their time. It was inspiring to be a part of it. Truly one of the best things I've been involved in. It made me SO proud to be a part of UCM. This is such a fantastic group of women that really do care about each other.”

Post submitted by Heather (imarriedrich) from UnionCountyMommies.

Mom Blogger Spotlight: Lindsay Blogs

Hi, my name is Lindsay and I’m a blogger.

Let me start by telling a little about me. I have two little girls. Only fifteen months separated their births. They are now three and four years old. I have been married to my husband for six years. I have worked outside of the home for as long as it’s been legal (and even a year or two before that). I am a born-again Christian and host a small group in my home every week for Bible study as well as serve on the leadership team at my church. I am a social media enthusiast and a blogger.

I started my blog in December 2009. The original intent was (very stupidly) to make money. After all, if Dooce could do it, why couldn’t I? It turns out, you have to be a really brilliant writer, photographer and world class social media entrepreneur to make anywhere near a full-time income blogging, so I gave up on the money-making dream within days.

When I first told my mom that I was writing a blog, she asked me why. Only, she asked me in such a way that almost sounded like, “Why in the world are you wasting your time on that?” I blog because I instantly found a community of {not always} like-minded women who understand me. They get the trials and tribulations of trying to do it all and are able to relate to me on such a basic level. The blogging community is amazingly tight-knit and sisterly (and yes, sometimes catty – that’s sisterhood, folks). I have been able to find solace in the knowledge that I’m not a terrible mother when I post about my girls having major attitude and receive comments from other moms going through the same thing.

Over the past year, my blog has changed its tune a few times. I went from a humor/storytelling blogger to a review/giveaway blogger and now to a faith-based blogger. But, the overall sentiment has never changed. I’m a mom and I love to blog. I love connecting with others and allowing them a peek into my head for a few hundred words. I love knowing that people actually like the things I write or relate to the things I’m experiencing.

Some people might say, “Doesn’t it take too much of your time?” My answer is simple – Don’t you have any hobbies? There are lots of ways to spend your spare time – TV, video games, reading, surfing the internet. I just choose to spend some of my free time connecting to other moms through blogging. Is that so wrong?

Lindsay is a 20-something, Christian, working, blogging mom. She and her husband, along with their two little girls, live in Metro Atlanta. She blogs about her faith, her life and everything that goes along with being a mom at www.lindsayblogs.com. She can also be found on Twitter (@Lindsay_Blogs) and on Facebook(http://www.facebook.com/justmyblog).

Making A Difference - One Mommy at a Time

Whitney, LouisvilleMommies

Whitney learned about The Mommies Network after having her first child four years ago. She was living in North Carolina at the time, and didn't know many other mommies. A friend told her about a local chapter of the network, LakeNormanMommies.com, and she joined!

When asked what her favorite part of being a member of the LakeNormanMommies Community, Whitney stated: “I loved that as a new, first-time mom there were so many people that I could ask questions to! I also liked that there were a variety of events to attend because I lived far away from home and didn’t know other moms.”

Whitney and her family moved back to her home in Louisville three years ago. At that time, there were no Mommies Network communities in the region. She applied to open her own site and on May 26, 2008, LouisvilleMommies was born! In the three years since LouisvilleMommies has been open, they have acquired 300 members. Whitney hopes to have at least 500 by the end of the year!

When asked about her chapter and how she feels about it as a whole, Whitney stated: “I love our chapter. We started off so small and it took a while to build momentum, but now, things are growing rapidly! I love that we have so many events now and that moms are starting to form true friendships. They are starting to talk about our site the way I used to talk about my NC site, and that thrills me because that was the whole point! It has given me a sense of accomplishment in seeing something through! I am so happy to have formed new friendships and to have so many great things to offer to the moms in Louisville now! Every volunteer opportunity gives you insight into things you never would have known before and you can always look for ways to carry that through into other aspects of your life!”

And her advice to new or potential Chapter Managers: "Have patience! It takes a while to get members and to get people to talk, but once it takes off, it is sooooo worth it!”

When asked about the personal experience she's had with The Mommies Network and her own home chapter, Whitney stated: “I just think overall it has made me a better mom! I have friendships and seek advice from those who are living the same life as me every day! It has given me a respect for all different types of parenting! I think TMN is a true value in all moms’ lives because it is a free outlet to form friendships!”


LouisvilleMommies.com was opened in May of 2008 and currently has 312 members. Any mom in Louisville and the surrounding areas is welcome to apply and join the chapter - membership is free. Don't live in the Louisville? Check out http://themommiesnetwork.org/ to find a chapter in your area!

Only FOOLS Text & Drive!

This April Fools' Day, The Mommies Network would like national community support in making it an official “Only Fools Text and Drive Day”. By launching a video where children tell parents how they feel about texting and driving, and passing it along through our 25,000+ members nationwide, we intend to do just that. To pass along the message that “Texting and Driving is For Fools”, the video encourages everyone to drive with their headlights on TODAY - April 1, 2011.

Watch the video, use your headlights today, and DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE!!!