Quotations to inspire mother's

I was looking through my mail and this article got my attention. Quotes to inspire frazzled mother's. Some made me smile and some made me laugh. Here are a few that i loved!!!


29. No one ever died from sleeping in an unmade bed. ~ Erma Bombeck

39. Mother – that was the bank where we deposited all our hurts and worries. ~ T. DeWitt Talmage

49. You know you’re a mother when your child throws up and you run to catch it before it hits the rug. ~ Unknown

69. If you have children, the demands made upon you during the first hour of the morning can make the job of an air traffic controller seem like a walk in the park. ~ J. Wurtman

Here is the link to the article http://www.mamapedia.com/voices/69-quotations-to-inspire-frazzled-mothers

Hope you enjoy it as much as i did. Remember we all have our bad days. Don't get discouraged and know that even though you don't see or feel it you are doing the best you can and every mother feels this way from time to time. We as women need to help others through these moments.

Decluttering

 I was doing my annual decluttering of the house this week. There were 3 areas that i found the most clutter. My cupboards, bedroom closets and bookcases. Here are my guidelines for decluttering these areas.

Kitchen cupboards:
- Go through all you kitchen cupboards, one at a time of course, and you will be amazed at what you find that can be thrown out or donate. When I cleaned mine out not too long ago, I  found spices that were expired. This will also help your organization which you can do as you declutter.

Bedroom Closets:
 -  If you haven't worn it in awhile or it doesn't fit get rid of it.    I am always amazed at the clothes I get rid of when I clean out my closets!

Bookcases - I have a tendency to keep books that i read and never read again.  Also, go through knickknacks, papers, magazines, or anything else filling up those bookcases. I also do this with movies and Cd's and get rid of the ones i no longer need.

My rule if I'm not going to read it, watch it, use it, or listen to it, it gets donated!! I give to different organizations near my home. I think it's awesome to help others in need! Another thing i do with my son's old clothes, books, and toys is have swaps with other moms in my area. This a big help and you can get items that you need also!

The rest of the house is a piece of cake once you have decluttered these areas. Once you have everything decluttered and organized, get everyone to keep everything in its place and your home will remain organized.

My weight loss strategy

As the New Year begins people make the resolution to lose weight! This is a resolution that I myself have committed to. I have found several products from The Wellness Company that are helping me with my weight loss goal. I am using these great products to help with my workout routine.

 Attain® with Crave Blocker® Shake —Milk Chocolate

~ Naturally reduces hunger cravings with patent pending Crave Blocker®

~ Blocks cravings by naturally suppressing the hunger signals that come from your stomach and your brain

~ Contains no caffeine, other stimulants or hormones

I use this as a start to my day. Breakfast is hard becaus i'm always on the go so i take this with me.

Access® Exercise Bars – Chocolate Coconut Kraze

~ Access stored body fat faster

~ Increase endurance with less fatigue and soreness

Tastes better than any protein bar i have ever tired. I have so much energy when i use these that my workouts are easier. I feel more energized after my workouts thanks to the kraze bars.

SplasH₂O™ - Raspberry

~ A sugar-free, zero-calorie drink mix that’s deliciously light and refreshing

~ A healthy alternative to high-calorie, high-sugar drinks like juice and soda

I love the flavors of this drink ! It is much better than other sports drinks.

I use these products for my everyday eating routine. The whole grains help keep me full and I do less snacking.

Simply Fit™ Crackers —Harvest Grain

~Satisfies your snack attack with a smarter choice

~ Made with 10 whole grains and seeds

~ Made with organic ingredients

Simply Fit™ Microwave Popcorn – Natural Butter 

~ Fresh and delicious gourmet flavor

~ 24 grams of whole grains per serving

~ 100% organic certified

Overall I love these products! They are made from whole grains or are organic. I am trying to also eat healthier and these taste great and are good for you. I have not found one that I haven’t enjoyed.

Octopus Craft

Materials

• Single glove
• Needle and thread
• Dry rice
• Hot glue
• Large pom-pom

• Buttons
• Wire
• Ribbon
• Felt

Instructions

1 .First, tuck the thumb inside the glove and use a needle and thread to sew it shut. Fill the glove with dry rice, or dry beans than tuck the cuff inside.

2. Stitch all along the cuff's edge, then pull the thread tightly to close the top.

3. Sew or hot-glue a large pom-pom to the top of the glove. At the base of the octopus -- where the glove's fingers attach to the palm -- pinch the sides together and sew a few stitches to hold them, as shown. This will help make the body rounder..

4. Attach buttons to the undersides of the four fingers with hot glue. Sew or hot-glue on button eyes and a felt mouth.

Other things you can add are

~Make earrings by threading stacks of buttons onto pieces of wire.

~Tie ribbon around the pom-pom for a head scarf

~Add a felt brim to the pom-pom for a hat.

Toxic Brew Alert - Are YOU causing your baby to be sick?

by Hero Mom
http://www.hero-mom.blogspot.com/

Harmful Household Cleaner Chemicals

I recently watched a video about toxins in our cleaning supplies and I was surprised and appalled at what the video revealed. (see below)


It is amazing to me that so many of the products that manufacturers claim are safe for children are filled with harmful chemicals or pesticides.  My recent article on Bleach No More : A Safer Alternative for Your Bathroom highlights the harmful effects of Clorox.

Toxic Household Products

I have made it my life's mission to find healthier cleaning products and also spread the news about harmful chemicals that affect our children. I decided to do more research on another well known household cleaner that I have used whenever I was sick or my kids were sick.  If you have a child with asthma and/or upper respiratory problems please pay attention.


Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 Alert
Did you know that many product manufacturers are now using the CPSIA (CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETYIMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2008)!

Ethanolamine

According to wikipedia, CPSIA is a general law that imposes new testing and documentation requirements, and sets new acceptable levels of several substances. As of 2008, manufactures that produce apparel, shoes, personal care products, accessories and jewelry, home furnishings, bedding, toys, electronics and video games, books, school supplies, educational materials and science kits are under stricter guidelines.

The Act also increases fines and specifies jail time for some violations. This includes stricter guidelines on products with high lead content. Although the act focuses more on products for children not cleaning products - because kids do not use cleaning products.

LYSOL
For example, LYSOL® Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner ingredients include: (for full listing click on link) displays the CPSIA on the other domain that lists all the ingredients of their products.

Water, Diluent, Ethanolamine, Phenoxyisopropanol, Lauramine Oxide, Fragrance / Parfum Fragrance Alkyl (67% C12, 25% C14, 7% C16, 1% C8-C10-C18) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides,Dipropylene Glycol Phenyl Ether, Alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides,Ethanol.


I will pick one of the ingredients to show YOU that it is not safe (please note, most likely it is stated that the level of Ethanolamine in the product is not strong enough to be toxic.)

According to the Dept. of Labor, Ethanolamine (aka Ethylolamine) could cause irritation of eyes, skin, respiratory system; drowsiness; cough, sore throat, shortness of breath; headache; eye redness, pain, burns; skin redness, pain, severe deep burns; INGES ACUTE: abdominal pain, burning sensation; shock or collapse.

Toxic Brew
Do you know what the ingredients in your cleaning products mean?

The definition of ethanolamine is a clear colorless liquid with an odor resembling that of ammonia. Flash point 185°F. May attack copper, brass, and rubber. Corrosive to tissue. Moderately toxic. Produces toxic oxides of nitrogen during combustion.

I urge you to watch the Toxic Brew video and I will continue to update you on harmful products and how they affect your environment and the safety of your children. 

I am here to help you. I would be happy to research any of your household products or help you find a safer alternative, please email me at beth_wells608@yahoo.com There is no charge for my help. I am doing this because I care.

Events in Westchester and Manhattan

There are many activities to do for Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend. I was looking and this one i think would be the most fun to do!

Jan 14 2012

A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Central Library

11:30am - 2:30pm

Where:	89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica NY
Cost:	Free
Contact:	718-990-5114
Website:	http://www.queenslibrary.org
Ages:	All ages
Add to cal:	GoogleYahooiCal/Outlook

Look for more activities at the Sony Wonder Technology Lab. They have many different activities for children. They teach many differnt things my son loves theses kind of activities!

January 19th 2012

Tech for Tots: Learning with Sounds

Sony Wonder Technology Lab

1:00pm - 2:30pm

Jan 1 2012 By Melissa ASee all events

When:	Thu, 2012-01-19 13:00 - 14:30
Where:	550 Madison Avenue, New York NY
Cost:	Free
Contact:	(212) 833-8100
Website:	http://sonywondertechlab.com/pe-calendar.html
Ages:	4-6
Add to cal:	GoogleYahooiCal/Outlook

Do you hear what I hear? Children explore some of the basic functions of the computer and discover different sounds that they hear every day. 

Activities in the Westchester/Manhattan areas

You should make time to go see the train show at the Botanical Gardens. I loved it! The  buildings and flowers are amazing!

November 19, 2011 - January 16, 2012

Holiday Train Show

Holiday Train Show regular pricing
Adults: $20
Students/Seniors: $18
Children 2-12: $10
Children under 2: Free
Members: Free

This looks like a very fun activity for children. I plan to take my son!
January 12th 2012

Sesame Street: Happy Healthy Monsters Screening

Sony Wonder Technology Lab

12:00pm - 12:45pm

Jan 1 2012 By Melissa ASee all events

When:	Thu, 2012-01-12 12:00 - 12:45
Where:	550 Madison Avenue, New York NY
Cost:	Free
Contact:	(212) 833-8100
Website:	http://sonywondertechlab.com/pe-childrens_screenings.html
Ages:	All ages
Add to cal:	GoogleYahooiCal/Outlook

Join Elmo, Zoe, Grover and friends as they jump into shape and learn the importance of eating healthy snacks, moving their bodies, and getting plenty of rest. With the help of celebrity guest stars Andy Richter, Fred Willard, Wyclef Jean and India Arie, children learn to be healthy while having fun! Join us after the screening for our Family Workshop: Happy Healthy New Year.

Here is a link to mommy poppins.com
http://mommypoppins.com/

Here is a link to things to do in the Hudson Valley
http://hudsonvalley.ettractions.com/destination/133/

Here is a link to activities in the westchester area just clink on your town!!
http://www.westchestertowns.com/htm/lnk/Link0022.html