Wedding Planning Checklist
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Archive for August, 2006
You Deserve a Break – Your Free Report & More Great Info
Hi -
I have some exciting news that I wanted to share with you.
Over the past 6 weeks I’ve been re-writing my eBook Journey To Joy: Simple Tips, Resources and Tools for Living a Happier Life and it is finally complete.
This inspiring 46 page eBook explores many obstacles that we as women face today. It also provides you with essential action steps, worksheets, resources and inspiration that will help you overcome the obstacles and lead a life filled with more Joy!
Included with this eBok is a 1hr. Balancing Your Life Audio Seminar that I lead recently and I tossed in the transcripts to the audio as well.. phew that’s a lot of goodies 
Well, I hope you take the time to stop by and read about the eBook. Also, I was interviewed about the new eBook and you can sign up to receive access to that audio as well.
I have also set up a wonderful and totally free affiliate program for this resource and you can earn a 50% commission.
Here is the link to your ‘You Deserve a Break‘ Report. In this report, I share many ways that you can give yourself the down time and the pampering that you deserve.
Enjoy!
Aurelia Williams
Real Life Coaching
http://www.reallifecoaching.net
——————————
P.O. Box 92439
Washington, DC 20017
info@reallifecoaching.net
Tel: 202-744-2676
Fun Indoor Activities for Children
When it’s raining, snowing, or just plain too cold to play outside, your household can fall victim to the “I’m Bored Blues”. With a little creativity and imagination, you can turn the tables and find fun things to do without running to the store or turning on the television. Keep this list of ideas handy, or write each idea on a slip of paper and put them in a hat. The next time the kids are bored, let them draw a slip of paper from a hat to decide which activity to do first!
Click here for Fun Indoor Activities for Children.
Are your Children Animal Lovers?
If so, you may want to take a look at Zoobooks Magazine! It is a great way to start kids off on a life-long passion for reading and they learn so much.
Zoobooks uses creatures as teachers and the cost is amazingly low. My 6 year old son loves this magazine and we read them together a lot. It is great bonding time and the children learn so much while having fun! He also loves the big animal posters that come in the magazine as well. He has them hanging all over his room. <<Smile>>
Better Crocker I am not…
I am always amazed when I come across Moms that have this knack for being super creative in the kitchen when it comes to baking. I will be the 1st to admit that I am not a baker. My 1st sorry attempt at baking a cake was for my oldest daughter for her 5th bithday party. When I brought the cake out to the table my daughter quietly asked “Mommy, what happened to the Cake”? Yeah, It was a little lopsided and the frosting was very uneven but it DID resemble a cake <snicker>
In my blog reading travels I ran across this entry *The Icing On The Cake* and I was so in AWE of what this mother created! Perhaps this mom should open up a mini-bakery.. heck, I would supply her with business all year around
Aurelia
Ways To Boost Your Childs Self Esteem
Self esteem in an important quality for all children to have. As parents, you can help to boost your child’s self esteem by following the steps below:
- Model good self-esteem: Express through your actions and words that you respect yourself. Children are wonderful at imitating what they see and hear. Remember, you are your child’s best role model.
- Create positive routines: Young children need routines to help them to feel secure and competent. Try to set a good schedule for bedtime, rest/naps, meals, etc. Try to keep exceptions to the routine to a minimum and explain any necessary changes if/when they occur.
- Allow many opportunities for children to contribute to the family: Give your child a job/chore that only he/she does for the family. Even a small job can have a positive lasting impact on your child’s self esteem.
- Talk about the world in positive terms: Even though there is negativity in the world, don’t dwell on it with your child. When with your child, be sure to point out the many positive things in the world.
- Spend time with your child: Remember quality is more important than quantity. Even if you spend just 30 minutes with your child one on one — playing games, taking walks, having long bedtime chats, or just snuggling in front of the TV, spending time with your child shows them that you value their company.
- Give your child choices: Giving your child choices between a reasonable set of options that are already predetermined by you will make them feel empowered.
Take a look at this Self-Esteem Game it has 300 Fun Activities That Make Children Feel Good About Themselves. It comes with 300 self-esteem-building game ideas that require no special preparation or equipment.
Princess Birthday Party
I don’t know what little girl doesn’t think about princesses or wishes that she was one. I have 2 daughters and although they are older now, I remember playing dress up with them and giggling with them in front of the mirror.
Here is a great article on throwing a Princess Party for your little girl on a tight budget. It is filled with wonderful ideas!
If you do decide to throw your little princess a party, please come back and post to us about it. Also share your pictures!
Aurelia
7 Quick and Easy Dinner Time Ideas
It’s 6:00 p.m. the kids are hungry, homework needs to be done, you’re stressed and then they ask… “Mom, what’s for dinner?”
It’s not easy juggling our busy lives while trying to feed our families a hot nutritious dinner everyday. These 7 quick and easy dinner ideas will help take the stress out of family meal times.
1 – Plan a Menu – This does take a little organizing ahead of time but it’s definitely worth the effort. Find a few minutes during the weekend and plan your meals for the upcoming week. Write a quick menu, do your shopping and stick the menu on your fridge. Every morning quickly glance at it and take out the foods that need thawing and plan ahead how much time you need to prepare the meal.
2 – Befriend the Crockpot – Okay, this little invention may not be the coolest kitchen gadget around but it can definitely be a lifesaver. With a little planning you can have a nutritious dinner ready before the kids can even say “mom…”
3 – The Casserole is Back – Similar to the crockpot but great for days when you forget to plan ahead. Casseroles work great with leftovers or just about any items you can find in your pantry. Throw together some pasta, tuna, corn kernels, peas and cream for a quick meal. Casseroles made with rice or potatoes are just as easy. Keep a few easy recipes on hand and add or omit ingredients according to what you have in your pantry.
4 – Easy, Versatile, Pasta – By far the easiest way to quickly throw together a healthy family dinner. To avoid boredom try to avoid the usual jar of sauce and pasta dinner. Try this, heat two tablespoons of olive oil over very low heat and add one crushed garlic bulb, stir for about a minute and add a can of drained crab meat, the juice of one lemon and a little salt and pepper to taste, and finally add a little chopped cilantro or parsley. Serve over your pasta with some garlic bread on the side for a delicious meal in minutes.
5 – Eggs Incredible Eggs – Eggs aren’t only for breakfast, they’re also great for quick dinners. Make an omelet and fill with a little ham and cheese, you can also add some chopped tomato, onions or mushrooms. Serve along with a salad and some bread. Or make a Spanish tortilla. Scrub, peel and thinly slice a couple of new or small potatoes. Add to a sauce pan with a little water and boil until soft, about 8 minutes. Add a little oil to a nonstick frying pan, add the potatoes, scramble eggs and a little chopped onion (optional) cook on low until the bottom starts to set. Then stick the frying pan under a hot grill until the top of the tortilla sets. Serve with a side salad.
6 – Sandwich Bar – Some days you just don’t have the time or energy to cook a hot meal, but you can still feed your family a nutritious meal in the way of sandwiches. Put out some bread rolls (whole wheat is best), add a platter of cheese, ham, turkey, tuna or any other favorite fillings. Add another platter of chopped lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and any other favorite veggies. Now let your kids put together their own sandwiches. Serve with some pretzels, a salad or cut up veggies and dip, a little hopeful but worth a try.
7 – Wrap It – Wraps are great for quick dinners. You fill them with just about anything. For a Mexican wrap cook a little ground beef, drain and fill wrap. Add some chopped tomatoes, grated cheese, sour cream or guacamole. You can also fill it with a little heated tuna with some corn kernels and a little mayonnaise or try scrambled eggs, chopped ham and tomatoes. Leftover chicken with cheese and lettuce works great too.
Check out Healthy Menu Mailer, Your Very Own Personal Assistants That Plan the Meals and Make out the Grocery List For You While You’re Spending Time with Your Family!
Breakthrough Stress Relief Tips
When you feel the need to escape and take a few minutes to yourself to de-stress, follow some (if not all) of the tips below.
Put yourself in time out: Allow some alone time for yourself. Use this time to focus on you. Find a place in your home that you can go to and find privacy. You can ask your partner or a friend to take the family out for a few hours while you enjoy your alone time. Do nothing, sleep, read, watch a movie, and just enjoy your solitude.
Call a Friend: Rather than yelling at your husband or your children, try picking up the phone and vent to a friend. Be sure not to vent AT her, but rather tell her about your day and get it all out. If she offers you some advice, listen and soak it in. This mini-time out session will leave you feeling heard, de-stressed and you will find that by the end of your call some of you anger will have dissipated.
Play: As adults, we sometimes forget the beneficial value of play. Play stimulates our imagination, encourages our creativity, boosts our energy, and best of all, it is fun. Try a game of tennis, a game of cards online or perhaps invite some friends over for an evening of adult board games.
Meditate: Meditation has been proven to reduce your blood pressure, and helps to dramatically reduce your stress level. Meditation and/or prayer will help you to keep in touch with your spiritual side. Meditation is a very effective method of relaxation. To meditate, quiet your mind and allow yourself to focus on one thing, such as your breath. Find a relaxed comfortable position where Try visualizing good health and peace as you inhale. While you are breathing out breathe out all of your stress. Set aside approximately 20 minutes for this exercise. Upon completion, you will see just how much more relaxed your mind and body is.
Take a nap: Find a quiet, comfortable spot and take a nap. Even a short power nap can leave you feeling refreshed, renewed, and more focused. Studies have shown that people who spent 30 minutes each day napping had one third less heart disease than those who didn’t nap.
Eat: Not just anything but certain things. Studies show that certain foods can help reduce stress. Carbohydrates will actually soothe you. Good sources of carbohydrates include rice, pasta, potatoes, breads, air-popped popcorn and low-calorie cookies. Experts suggest that the carbohydrates present in just one baked potato or a cup of spaghetti or white rice, is enough to relieve the anxiety of a stressful day.
Movie Time: If you don’t have anyone to watch the children for you while you de-stress. Put in one of their favorite movies, supply your children with a few healthy snacks, and have them occupy themselves for a little while so that you can take a breather.
Don’t feel guilty for taking time out to rejuvenate your mind and body. Being a mom is not an easy task and it is a full time job. Take a break when you need it and be sure to ask for help to keep the stress at bay.
Be sure to take a look at the following Resource: Why Make Yourself Crazy: 300 Breakthrough Stress Relief Tips.
Aurelia
