Ricki Lake

Remember Ricki Lake? I loved her talk show way back when. Now she's made a documentary called "The Business of Being Born" with Abby Epstein. I heard about this on E! Well, now I'm doing a fundraiser in conjunction with a Red Carpet Premiere of this event that benefits Bloom. They're a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering families, with an emphasis on natural mothering. Perfect for my business and what I'm all about!

I'm beside myself with excitement because Ricki Lake has personally invited stars such as Helen Hunt, Keri Russell, Cindy Crawford, Matthew Perry and so many more. Who knows if they'll come! Not that I'll personally meet any of them but I'm donating stuff for the silent auction and for the gift bags so maybe they'll bid on the auction item? Maybe they'll call me the next day (one can hope) and help me spread my mission of families cleaning non-toxic?

The best part...the fundraiser isn't just for celebrities. YOU can help too by clicking here. For those thinking that networking marketing is small time and that people don't make money this is also proof that yes we do and it can be as big as you dream it to be!

3 Minutes

Three minutes of your time. Push play and listen to the entire three minutes. Mom's do you want to work from home? Are you looking for an opportunity? Have you ever wondered if there was something out there for you to do from home that was legitimate? If you like what you listened to and want to learn more then click here to learn more.

Stress RELIEF!

Moms, we know stress! Juggling the kids, housework, our marriage or relationships, work, family issues, money, and the list keeps going and going. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control estimates that 75-90% of all doctor visits are stress-related. This makes sense because just this morning I thought I needed to see a doctor for my blood pressure after I spilled my coffee all over the front of me, my son was in a snow bank with no boots on (he escaped out the door) and my daughter was playing in the puddle coffee. All this and I had to be out the door for a meeting and to take my son to school. I'm sure we have all had this type of morning at one point or another. Except that is not where my stresss starts or ends.

Moms need to find a natural way to deal with this stress or else we aren't as healthy as we can be and then we aren't doing our best to perform daily tasks. Moms I know get migrains from stress or they don't eat right. Sleep problems result from stress. There are dozens of related health issues due to stress and frankly, I don't have time to deal with the health issues. According to WomensHealth.org stress can make it harder for women to concieve, cause a lower sex drive, depression, weight gain and bowl problems. Okay, those don't sound fun to me.

Stress is just life but we have to deal with it and what I've found is working for me. It is all natural and takes less than 30 minutes to work and is called Stress Relief Complex. For some people working with a therapist, doing yoga, exercising or taking a vacation helps with reducing stress. For me taking the Stress Relief Complex in combination with getting a good nights sleep (when possible), taking my vitamins, doing Cinch and eating well all help to make my stress more manageable. I have a lot of friends that choose prescription medicines to help them cope but with the side effects and dangers it just isn't for me. I would rather choose natural, healthy methods that work. Whatever you choose just try to manage your stress this New Year so that you are the best mom and woman you can be and maybe try some Stress Relieft Complex to see if it works for you?

Green Fundraiser = Green Money Maker!!!

Does your church group, preschool, high school marching band, or some other club or organization need to raise money? Have you been looking for a fund raiser that doesn't involve selling candy bars, cookie dough, pizza kits or some other unhealthy food? Maybe you want a fund raiser that actually does something good for people and for the environment?

Bottom line a fundraiser has to make money for an organization. I have a GREEN solution for you that is literally green. The possibilities are endless but a group can potentially make thousands of dollars from selling products that are green. The fundraiser can be long term or short term. Say for example, a marching band wanted to earn money for a trip (I did present this to a group) and they needed it fast. They decide to sell a green cleaning kit and profit $25.15 per kit. The band asks each family to either buy one kit or sell one kit. There are 500 members in the band. Assuming they sell 500 kits they make $12,575!!! Yes, one kit. Can you imagine if they sold more per family or band student? Now the kits are worth $3400 of cleaning conventional cleaning supplies so the band is saving families a great deal of money at the same time they are making money for their trip. They are also reducing toxic waste, helping people breath easier, reducing green house gas and waste in the land fills. It is a win-win situation! Again, this is one possibility but the money making potential is fairly large for a determined organization. Each group can only make what they sell and there are no guarantees or promises but the profit margin is there. Oh, did I mention NO deliveries...the products are shipped to the buyers door step. That is a HUGE plus!

Interested? Want more information on how your organization can use this as a fundraiser that can potentially earn money and does good for the health of people and the planet? Complete this form and I will contact you and send you a complete power point presentation that describes this fundraiser in depth and gives you more examples and scenarios. I will work directly with you to guide you through the fundraising process so that your organization makes the most money possible.

Enter to Win

Maybe you've caught the wave and you know all about the Get Clean products because you've watched Oprah. Maybe you've read about them in Parenting Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, Time Magazine, Dr. Oz's Books, The New York Times, Women's Day Magazine, All You Magazine, or even Wag Magazine. Perhaps you've seen them on The 11th Hour Film? So click fill out a contact form and mention the drawing. The drawing will take place January 1st, 2008. So why not? The products obviously have gotten a lot of attention lately but it is because they are amazing!!! All that is asked from you is to share your opinions on the products you win right here on this blog and spread the news and tell your friends and neighbors. Word of mouth marketing! Simple for winning a product that is worth $3400 in cleaning supplies.

Good Morning America featured this company as a great home based business and because of this green wave, now is the time to make some extra cash and start your own business. If you're looking, if you want to use the products or if you just are curious you owe it yourself to find out more. Either way, enter to win cleaning supplies and if you win, blog about it here and help with word of mouth advertising to tell your friends about these great products and where to get them.

Good Luck! The clock is ticking!

Charity Birthday Party?

I'm writing this blog as a reward for balancing my checkbook (something I loath and I'm not very good at) because I was right on the money this month with no errors. I have to tell you my husband was relieved because he usually has to come to the rescue of a teary eyed, frustrated, determined women that has consumed some wine (maybe part of the problem) to get her through the balancing act. Needless to say we were both happy and so at last my reward, blog time!!!!

My little princess is having her first birthday in a month and this is a topic I've been chomping at the bit to write about. She doesn't need anything. Her brother had every baby/toddler toy out there because he was the first and every older cousin passed their toys down to him. My house seems to be swimming in plastic toys that are probably coated with lead paint. So besides a few dolls and girly things here and there -- which I could really care less about -- she has enough. Plus, anything she might need she'll receive from old St. Nick.

What do I do for her birthday blogging friends??? My son has had 3 huge themed birthday bashes and I feel like she is going to get the short end of the stick. She has a winter birthday and the family who lives hours away won't travel in the snow as compared to my May baby and his parties. Her special day is right after Christmas and she needs nothing. It's kind of bumming me out.

So here's what I've been contemplating....a Charity Birthday party. I really want both of my kids to grow up giving back to society and being contributing, active members of their communities. I have a teen sister and bless her heart she's selfish and always has been (my parents and her big sisters...me included are to blame partly) with no regard to money or community service. I just don't want my children to be like this. I want them to know of others hardships, appreciate what they have, donate their time, money and possessions, educate themselves on worldly issues and be involved with keeping our Earth healthy and themselves in good shape. A lot to chew on but I can do it. That's what parenting is about. So what better time to start?

Here's a few ideas I've heard so far...

• Have a giving party where the child gets a gift but chooses something for everyone to bring to give to a charity (toilet paper, tooth brushes, etc.).

• Have a build a bear party and give the bears to a children's hospital.

• Have everyone invited to the party bring a used toy and donate to a shelter.

• Have a fund raising birthday bash to raise money for a good cause.

Some helpful websites I found...

Charity Guide
Build a Bear Birthdays for Charity

So give me YOUR thoughts and ideas. Remember she's going to be ONE! I still want to preserve the idea of it being her birthday but would like to do something for her and then my son in May that can become a tradition.

Giveaways From a Fellow Blogger

We all need to know about a giveaway and a fellow "green" blogger has one going on and we should all get in on it! Love the choices she made. So do yourself a favor, check out her blog and register to win some free stuff. I personally love the t-shirt she's giving away from tee's for change. My teenage sister wants clothes for Christmas and this is exactly what I've been looking for. So check out the crunchy domestic goddess and register to win one of her four giveaways and get some great holiday gift ideas. The clock is ticking!!!

Also...don't forget to register to win some green cleaners from this blog. Subscribe to my blog and boom you're registered. The drawing will take place the beginning of January. The cleaners were featured on Oprah in November and will replay again tomorrow. Click here to view the clip. Good luck!!!

Love and Logic Parenting Tools

I'm a stay at home business owner who feels like she has the weight of the World on her shoulders (nothing new to any mom reading this). I wouldn't give up staying at home and making a difference in the lives of others like I do but there are some hair pulling days! I have a 3 1/2 year old and a 11 month old. My little squirt is everywhere and into anything dangerous (cords, electrical outlets, the computer tower, stairs, etc.). She just looks at a toy and instantly crawls away to find something hazardous to her health. My toddler turned preschooler is sassy, clever and very temperamental but can be trusted in a room alone. Now I'm a teacher with a Master's in Early Childhood Education (two classes away really) so one would think I could handle two children, right? Nope. I really feel like I did better with 18 other children in a classroom then at home with my offspring.

My adorable and sometime annoying husband (love you cutie) says to me one night during a bath time melt down that I went to school to do this so why am I stressing out over a temper tantrum? I took a very big deep breath and counted to 10 before answering him. Here was my answer, "Well, darling one might think this but in reality I went to school to teach not to parent." Being a teacher does not qualify you for parenthood. Yes, it helps because I know a great deal about child development and discipline strategies but it is different in the classroom.

There is no manual that tell us what we should do or how we should feel when things happen. If one existed I'm sure they would be sold out and a line of moms would be standing around the corner of every store selling them. Being a business owner and a stay at home mom can be stressful and everyone handles stress differently. Well, I remembered a program I used when I was teaching that I loved and now I own the program for parents and can't recommend this enough to moms and dads. Love and Logic and it's been around since 1977 (that's as old as me)!!! It is rational, it makes sense, it works if you follow through with it and it's fun. Shouldn't parenting be fun??

What I love most about it is that my husband likes it and so we both can be on the same parenting page and that makes a significant difference with that argumentative little guy of ours. Even if you don't buy the program, sign up for the email tip because that alone is a breath of fresh air some days. Happy parenting and best of luck!!!

The Purple Plate

Another fabulous gift idea that can be used for anytime of the year. I have given The Purple Plate for weddings, birthdays and now for Christmas. Everyone I give this to raves about it and tells me how thankful they are. Let me explain what this purple plate is and how it works. Yes, it's a plate and yes, it's purple. For the person who receives this purple plate at dinner time it is an honor and become more than a just a purple plate. It becomes a way for other people at the table to say wonderful, nice things about that person. Maybe it is used as a family tradition on a birthday or maybe it is used every night at dinner and is a way for families to reconnect.

Let me tell you why I love this idea. Over and over I hear of families not sitting down for dinner or spending time together. I hear nasty sarcastic words out of the mouths of babes and wonder if they ever hear nice things being said. This plate teaches children how to accept nice things being said about them and to them. It teaches them how to say nice things to other people. Every child and family could practice this nightly but for most busy families weekly or monthly is going to be more the case. Give this as a gift to anybody this holiday season and feel good about what you have given OR give it to yourself and your family. I love supporting women in business and those trying to do good things for others and Jolynn Paige is the perfect person to support. So check into it and feel good this holiday season for the gift you're giving.

Natural Kids Cereal

I'm guilty for giving my little guy the bad cereal with sugar and marshmallows in it. His older cousins eat it and he wants to be just like them so yes, I've bought it. I'll serve it with organic milk, fresh fruit and organic yogurt. It doesn't make me look any better, I know. I sit here ashamed to admit this to the blogger world but I have to be honest.

Luckily I found a healthy alternative and he actually loves it. It's called Mom's Best Naturals, Mallow-Oats. I've tried other all natural cereals and he won't eat them. I bought this and crossed my fingers that he would love it and I could stop ruining his healthy breakfast. The label on the outside of the box says no artificial color or flavors, no hydrogenated or palm oil, no high fructose corn syrup and it's a family owned company. So it has that feel good vibe to it. The packaging isn't colorful or catchy and the price for a 16.0 ounce family size box was only $2.04. Now that I can live with!!!! And....little sweetie pie can't get enough of this cereal! Phew! So no more bad stuff in my house!!! I did a little dance when he asked for more and said it tasted good.

Mom's Best is located in Northfield, Minnesota and has been around since 1919 and they limit the advertising so the cost is low ($2.04 I paid for a big box). They support renewable energy and purchase 100% of the electricity they use from Windsource. Since 1996 they reduced the waste of water to make the cereal by 41% and energy by 10%. Wow! Let's support this company and buy their cereal so that our kids eat good.

Eco Bouquet

I love getting flowers and I'm notorious for calling the local flower shop, Sky's the Limit, and doing a house charge to send flowers to a friend or family member. While visiting The Nature Conservancy website to do some holiday shopping (remember I'm giving gifts that give back) I came to the idea of Eco Bouquet's that are organic. Okay...wow! I can buy someone a organic holiday wreath and 10% will go to The Nature Conservancy through December. Talk about a feel good gift for me and the person who gets the wreath.

Not just for Christmas but for Valentines, Mother's Day, or just a thank you I can send a Eco Bouquet and have it support a cause from social justice to environmental protection. This will be a bookmarked website on my computer and now I have to contact that local florist to see if they can hook me up with this too! I'm all about giving local people money so I have to start there but folks, send flowers and help a cause!!!

Plastic Bags Blow!

What a cute saying...."Plastic Bags Blow"! I found this on ReusableBags.com while searching for environmentally friendly holiday gifts (which I promised I would write more about). There's an actually campaign to help stop the use of plastic bags. You can get activist kit with buttons, t-shirt and stickers for only $4.95!!! Wow! What a great thing to get a young teen who wants to have a cause. I can't stand using the plastic bags but do my best to recycle them at our local Wal-Mart or use them for our tiny garbage cans around the house. I'm not as diligent as I should be about using my canvas bags and it has to do with forgetfulness and laziness.

When I started reading some facts on ReusableBags.com I started feeling guilty and now will be buying everyone I know for Christmas some of their very stylish bags. I'm going to use them as my gift bags this year so that I'm not even buying wrapping paper (if I can avoid it). Here are some facts from ReusableBags.com that I urge you to check out....

• Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating discarded plastic bags mistaken for food.

• Plastic bags are among the 12 items of debris most often found in coastal cleanups, accoPlastic bags don’t biodegrade, they photodegrade—breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits contaminating soil and waterways and entering the food web when animals accidentally ingestrding to the nonprofit Center for Marine Conservation.

• Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide. That comes out to over one million per minute. Billions end up as litter each year.

• According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. (Estimated cost to retailers is $4 billion)

So here's another great earth friendly, give back and help someone gift idea and a prompt for myself and everyone to stop being so lazy!!!! Shame on me. Make sure you leave me a post and tell me if you use reusable bags or what your thoughts are.

Moo! Organic milk to buy or not?

Is it worth paying extra money for organic milk? I buy everything and anything I can that is organic. My thinking is that I might as well give my children food that does not have pesticides, hormones or synthetic chemicals in them. I can't shield them from everything so I might as well make choices when I grocery shop to shield them from what I can. Just because I choose to buy organic hot dogs without nitrates does not mean that at the next birthday party my little guy won't have your traditional wiener full of nitrates!!!

That is my thinking but does it make sense or just drain my wallet? My husband barks every time he sees the small carton of organic milk with the high price on it and then my little darling wasting it because he doesn't finish it at dinner. The actual health claims, according to Karen Collins, R.D., is not supported by research thus far and so there is no known advantage to organic milk.

So what does it mean to buy organic milk anyhow? It means that the cows aren't raised with hormones (they get sick and they are treated with antibiotics) and that they eat food not treated by pesticides and they get to have time in a pasture eating grass. Nobody knows how long they spend in a pasture eating grass and until I started reading about this I couldn't have cared less how long a cow spent grazing. Well, cows eating grass produce more of an acid that helps fight cancer and the big argument is that traditional milk cows eat more grass.

So what should us mommies do? Organic or not? Holey cow is right....I don't know!! I'm going to still go with my gut and choose organic even if those cows don't get as much grass eating time. I love how the milk lasts forever compared to the traditional milk!!! Maybe this will provoke you to do some more research or at least think about the milk you are choosing.