WFMW-Start Their Morning Off Right

This week over at WFMW it's a Back To School Theme!

Here's my little tip: Start their morning off right! I'm not talking about feeding them Cheerios! I'm talking about having God's word available for them to see first thing in the morning.

I started this many years ago but must admit that I've been VERY slack lately. So here is my commitment to start my kids day off right this school year. I'm going to print out Bible verses and glue them onto index cards and then post them on their bathroom mirror. I'll post a new verse each week.

First week of school will be:

1 Peter 3:8-9 (New International Version)

8Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Thanks to Zaankali for sharing this verse in her post today.

Go check out more WFMW Back to School tips!

WFMW-Exercise DVDs & NetFlix

Hi- my name is Beth and I'm an exercise DVD addict! LOL

Seriously, I love using exercise DVDs to workout in my home. I don't belong to a gym-never felt comfortable in around all those people- plus don't want to have to GO somewhere to workout.

So my choice it to have tons of DVDs to choose from here at home. But wait, what if you buy a DVD and end up hating it? Well, that's where Netflix comes in very handy! Just get a DVD through them and try it out- you can do it once or 20 times - and then decide if it's worth buying.

Some of my favorites are the Walk Away the Pounds DVDs by Leslie Sansone. Her indoor walking workouts are so much more than ordinary walking. And don't get intimidated when you see a DVD that has 4 or even 5 miles on it- they are broken down into 1 mile segments-so you can do as many or as few as you want. Or if you are like me-you can repeat the same mile several times.

I also like the Crunch series DVDs. They have yoga, pilates, Cardio Salsa, Dance Party, scuplting and much more. These are great workouts and are typcially about 30 minutes to 50 minutes.

And lastly I also enjoy the 10 Minute Solution series. They also have a wide variety including Fat Blasting Dance Mix, Kickbox Bootcamp, Rapid Results Pilates and many more. Don't let the title fool you, they aren't just 10 min workouts. They usually have several segments that are 10 minutes each. Choose to do one or all 5-depending on the DVD.

And lastly some of my all time favorites- The Biggest Loser workouts- whether it's the original workout, volume 2 workout or the latest series- Cardio Max and Power Sculpt -you're guaranteed an excellent workout.

With so many choices on Netflix you really can't lose- or can you! Isn't that the goal!! Give them a try- it's well worth it!!

Check out more WFMW tips over at Rocks in My Dryer!

WFMW-Purse Security

Ok, maybe the post title is a little misleading- security may be stretching it a little. But I do feel that my purse is safer when I do this.

I don't know about any of you- but I hate keeping my purse on my shoulder when I'm shopping and pushing a shopping cart (or "buggy" as we call it here in the South). It's just a hassle.

I usually just sit my purse in the little seat compartment and try not to walk off from the cart, but I have been known on MANY occasions to walk right off and leave it sitting there while getting something down the aisle.

A few months ago a very kind older gentleman came up to me and suggested doing the following to keep my purse safe. He told me that the kiddie seatbelt can be put to good use-said his wife does this all the time.

Just loop the seatbelt thingy through your straps and if someone tries to take off with your purse they're gonna have to drag the whole cart with them.

So now when I shop, I always do this!

Want to find more tips to see what is working for others? Head on over to Rocks in My Dryer for tons of Works for Me Wednesday goodies!!!

WFMW-Backwards Edition-Getting Started on Etsy

Oh, y'all are so smart I decided to post TWO WFMW- Backwards Edition questions!!

HELP!!! I want to start a store on Etsy selling purses, tote bags, purse insert organizers, etc. but I'm not real sure how to get started- other than setting up the site. I've already done the basics for that- but I need some real nitty gritty advice to help me get going!!

Are you an Esty pro? If so, share your expertise with me- PLEASE!!

WFMW-Backwards Edition-Crockpot Recipes

Today it's the Backward Edition of Works-For-Me-Wednesday- which means that I get to ask you for some great ideas!

We are in baseball full swing and only have two nights a week that we don't have practice or games. Plus I am starting to substitute at the elementary school again so dinners need to be fast!

I'm looking for some kid friendly (not loaded with fat) crock pot ideas!

Can you help a sister out???

Want to give others more of your excellent advice?? Head on over to Rocks in My Dryer and see what other questions you can answer!

WFMW-Audiobooks

I LOVE to read but it seems that lately I don't have as much time to sit and read like I used to.

Or, I end up "reading" several different books at the same time. It gets a little crazy sometimes.

My answer to this problem??- AUDIO BOOKS!!! Love them!

I've found that our local library has a great selection of books. I've listened to a wide variety. Some examples have been- Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult, Losing It: And Gaining My Life Back One Pound at a Time by Valarie Bertinelle, and The Choice by Nicolas Sparks.

I download the CD's to iTunes and then onto my iPhone. Then I can listen whenever I want. I love listening when I run in the mornings, or I'll listen while doing housework, or I'll connect my iPhone through the aux. function in the car and listen on the road. It's great! When I don't have the time to sit and read I can still listen!

So now I can listen to one book (Currently The Testament by John Grisham) and read another (Teen-Proofing: Fostering Responsible Decision Making in Your Teenager by John Rosemond- I will write more on this book later- it's a great book to prepare yourself for dealing with teens)!!!

Head on over to Rocks in My Dryer to find more WFMW ideas!!

WFMW-5 Ingredient or Less Recipies-Black Bean Brownies and Diet Mt. Dew Cake

BLACK BEAN BROWNIES

Yes, you are reading the title correctly! My 5 ingredients or less recipe is Black Bean Brownies!

Now before you go ahead and click out of this post let me tell you that these are some of the fudgiest, moistest brownies that I have ever made!

Honest- just give them a try- I bet you''ll like them and they are super simple to make!

1 box of Betty Crocker Low Fat Brownie Mix

1 can of Black Beans (I use the fat free kind)

Place beans in blender (juice and all) and add maybe 1/4 of a can of water

blend until liquefied - add to brownie mix

Bake according to instructions on box - That's it! Do not add anything else!

Voila- yummy brownies!

My kiddos love these and one of them is extremely picky about what he eats.

I just haven't told him what's in the brownies!!!

Want more 5 ingredient or less recipes?

Head over to Rocks in My Dryer and check them out!!

Oh wait- here's another great one!

DIET MT. DEW CAKE

1 box of cake mix (I use yellow)

10 - 12 oz. of Diet Mt. Dew

1 pkg Sugar Free/Fat Free Jello (I use Lemon)

1 c. boiling water

1 c. cold water

Mix the cake mix and soda together

Place in a greased 9 x13 dish

Bake at 350 for about 30 min.

let cake cool while you mix jello

mix jello pkg with 1 cup boiling water

Stir until dissolved

add cold water

allow to cool for a few minutes

Poke holes in cake with a meat fork or the handle of a wooden spoon

slowly pour jello mix over cake so it soaks into holes.

Place in refrigerator to cool.

Delish!!!

WFMW-Podrunner Intervals-Update

Guess what- I am no longer shuffling- I'm honest to goodness running.

I'm re posting or updating about this post because I wanted to share that it really does work!

Less than a month ago I was having difficulty with my 5 min. intervals. Guess what I ran on Monday?? THIRTY MINUTES- yes, that is 30 min running non-stop! On Friday I ran 20 min. and so on Monday I decided I'd just go for all I could for as long as I could.

I felted like I'd been running for a LONG time when I looked at my watch and it showed I'd only been running for 9 1/2 min. WHAT?? But I did not give up- I knew I could do it. I knew I'd already accomplished 20 min and I wanted to see if I could go 5 more.

I hit 25 min and thought, come on, you can go a few more min. then it was 27 and I KNEW I could make it 3 more!! After the run I got in my car and drove it so that I could measure the distance- it was 2.4 miles.

Folks- this is the person that struggled to run the 65 second intervals when I started.

I don't always listen to the Podrunner Interval podcast when I run now. Most of the time I listen to The Diva Cast and I wear a watch that has a stopwatch and I just check myself every now and then. But I KNOW for a fact if I hadn't started out using the Podrunner Intervals I never would have accomplished what I have!!

I'm starting to think I just may be able to run that 5K in October!!

Now, head on over to Shannon's site and get more WFMW ideas!!

WFMW-Podrunner Intervals

Oh, today I'm really proud of my WFMW because it's quite an accomplishment for me!

I'm running shuffling.

Yes, it's a very slow run but it's running none the less. About a month ago I was searching through podcasts and found First Day to 5K. It's an interval training program that is supposed to have you running a 5K in 9 weeks. Notice I said "supposed" to!! I've had to repeat week 3 and will probably stay on week 4 for another week before moving on. (You'll also see that they have a Gateway to 8K on there as well)!

Here is what I like about it. The music sets your beat. I really like that there is a cue to let you know when to run and when to walk. You don't have to worry about watching a clock to check your time! You get this nice little signal to let you know when you are supposed to begin running and when you can gloriously stop to walk. That's the interval part. You walk and run during each workout. Each week the running time increases. Here is an example:

Week 3
5 min warm up
90 sec run
90 sec walk
3 min run
3 min walk
90 sec run
90 sec walk
3 min run
4 min cool down

Week 4
5 min warm up
3 min run
90 sec walk
5 min run
2 min 30 sec walk
3 min run
90 sec walk
5 min run
2 min cool down

It hasn't been easy but I keep plugging along. My hopes are to run a 5k in October.

Here are a few things I've learned while doing this:
-stretching is extremely important (before and after the workout)
-good shoes are a necessity- I have trouble with shin splints and have had a difficult time with shoes!!
-it is ok to repeat a week!
-push yourself but not so far that you want to quit!! I have had to cut that 5 min run short a few times!
-ENJOY!!

So I'm off to shuffle run now! Wish me luck!

Works for Me Wednesday-adding icon to iPhone home screen

Good Golly Miss Molly- I'm actually posting something on here! Whew- I can't believe I've been so slack lately. Lots and lots to talk about- but for now I'll just give my little tip for the day for Works for Me Wednesday-

If you have an iPhone and can take a second away from playing with it applying it's extreme functionality, you might want to add an icon from the Internet to your home screen. Here's how to do it:

It's really quite simple- actually most of you probably already know how to do it-but here goes:

click on safari and go to the website that you want to use- then click on the nifty little + symbol on the bottom of your screen, then you can choose to add it as a bookmark, add it to your Home Screen or mail the link to someone.

It's that simple- and if you want to change the name of the icon- simply type in the new name!

Now, if you want to REMOVE an icon that you've added- that's easy as well. Simply press and hold the icon- all of the icons on the Home Screen will start wiggling. Then just click the "x" and you can delete it. now I just need to figure out how to delete ones that I don't use that where on there when I got the phone. A little research and I'm sure I can figure it out!

Head on over to Shannon's site and find tons more Works for Me Wednesday ideas!!!

Works for Me Wednesday-Low Point WW Snack

Well, it's another Works for Me Wednesday and today I thought I share my latest snack attack food.

I'm "doing" Weight Watchers- I put it in quotes because I do it at home, on my own and not through meetings. Anyway, I do love me some snacks and this is my latest find. I've eaten the 100 cal. Oreos for awhile- I usually crush them and mix them with fat free or lite cool whip. But oh I've found a new way to eat them.

Crushed and mixed with the new Weight Watchers White Chocolate Cheesecake 1 pt. yogurt!

YUMMY! You've got to try it.

P.S. I LOVE their Key Lime Pie yogurt too. Mix that with a little bit of ff or lite cool whip, crushed 100 cal graham crackers and stick in the freezer for a little while- instant key lime "pie".

Jump on over to Rocks in My Dryer to find more Works for Me Wednesday topics!!!

WFMW- Emotional Well Being Supplements

I have emotional issues. I am not going to lie. I tend to get rather snippy and if you’re around me and you have a head, you better watch out because I might just BITE IT OFF!

Now that being said, I am not like this all the time, but I do tend to get this way a lot.

DH first suggested I see the doctor about getting something to take to help take the edge off after my FIL died and we knew we’d be spending a lot more time with my MIL (but that is a WHOLE different post- or series of posts LOL). I tried about 5 different prescriptions before I found something that seemed to work. It did help tremendously with the moods and all but it made me so sleepy I could hardly function. I was literally struggling to stay awake, even when I took it at night.

After this my doc (bless her heart she was so patient with me) switched me to Wellbutrin. I was no longer tired- in fact I was wired. It worked pretty well but we decided to try taking both- at lower dosages. This worked really well- but after about 4 weeks I noticed that I had the jitters all the time. My hands were literally shaking constantly. And I while I felt better emotionally, I was a wreck physically.

Enter the blessing of herb vitamins. I did some reading and weaned myself off of the prescriptions and started taking the vitamins. Man, what a difference. I am now taking the following:

St. John’s Wort- I take 300 mgs twice a day
Korean Ginseng- 100 mg twice a day
Evening Primrose Oil- 1000 mg twice a day
5 HTP –100 mg at night before bed
Vitamin B6 – 100 mg once a day (helps the 5 HTP to work better)


I can tell you that taking these has saved my sanity and my families lives! LOL

All kidding aside- they’ve really done wonders for my overall well being and I plan to continue taking them.

Check out more Works for Me Wednesday at Don't Try This at Home, our substitute host (thanks chilihead)!!!

Works for me Wednesday: Vitamins

First of all, two weeks ago for WFMW I posted here about Oxyclean and how well it works for me. Now take into consideration that the striped pants are practice pants so they've been worn many times. The solid ones are their game pants. This is with washing them with Oxyclean and Gain in my front loader. No scrubbing or soaking at all.

Before

After

Before

After

Now for this weeks WFMW. I TRY to take my vitamins every day-but for whatever reason there are many mornings that I just don't take them. I'm really not sure why. So I decided I really NEEDED to get into the habit of taking them everyday so here's what I did to make it easier. On Sunday night I fill up 5 medicine cups-you know the ones that come with NyQuil or Children's Tylenol- with my vitamins for each day. Now in the morning all I have to do is walk into the kitchen and pick up the cup and take them. I find this so much easier! I say- do what ever works!


Head over to Rocks in My Dryer for more WFMW ideas!

Works for Me: Getting baseball pants clean-and other whites!

Ok, as you can guess by my blog title and the picture of my boys we are a big baseball family! I am always washing their baseball pants and of course their coaches had to choose WHITE!!! Hello, do they not think about the nasty red clay/dirt/dust that we have here in the South!!!

Anyway- I have tried many many different sprays and still have stains. I've tried scrubbing them with Ivory soap before washing them. Same results. I have finally found something that works great. I add a scoop of Oxiclean Versatile!

It works wonders. I put it in my front load washer (right in the washer with the clothes) and my normal amount of detergent and wash in hot water. Amazing how white the clothes are!!! It's great!

Want to learn more great tips? Jump on over to Rocks In My Dryer!

Works for me Wednesday BACKWARDS DAY!

Oh my goodness- Shannon over at Rocks in My Dryer is doing something awesome today. It's backwards Works for me Wednesday- so we get to ASK questions about how to do something.

So here's mine- how on earth do you clean your shower doors??? Mine constantly has soap scum on it and I've tried a thousand dozen things to clean it! HELP!!!

Oh wait- I thought of something else! Where do you recommend I have my child tested for Dyslexia? The school is dragging their feet and I am determined to get him help this time. I've been trying for THREE years! So, if you have dealt with this what did you do???

Thanks

Works for Me:Reading and Math for kids

This summer I'm trying to keep my boys doing some math and reading so they don't forget what they learned in school this year. They do 30 min. of each three times a week! You know, just trying to keep those ideas fresh in their little minds. While they do just plain reading and sometimes do just some good ol' times tables I do try to make things more interesting for them. So I've searched the Internet for some online reading and math games, and I've also found some sites where I can print out math worksheets and also some reading comprehension worksheets. Plus I found some good summary sheets that they can fill out after finishing a book. Here are some of the sites that we are using:

A Plus Math- online worksheets, games, flashcards and printable worksheets.

CoolMath.com- lots of fun math things to do

Tutorial World- this site has tons of worksheets you can print and use

Busy Teachers Cafe- this particular section has awesome reading worksheets

Fun Brain-lots of fun games

Kaboose Reading Games- more reading games

Math Score- online multiplication and addition drills

Gamequarium- more math games

Readquarium- reading games

Multiplication Worksheets- multiplication fact worksheets and work problems

Reading Comprehension- tons of reading comprehension worksheets

Multiplication.com - worksheets and flash cards

Hope you can find something that you can use here!!