Now-a-days it seems that children are more materialistic than ever. They have tons of video games, more than one game system, iPods, cell phones and designer clothes just to name a few. Much of the problem is some of the TV shows that are on TV. For example a show on MTV called “Sweet 16″  shows teenagers with the best clothes, shopping for brand new sports cars they want for their birthday present and planning their $200,000 birthday parties.  Shows like this give children the impression that money comes easily. (more…)

With today’s economy, Coupon Clippers are definitely growing in numbers. Consumers are changing the way they shop and they are choosier about the brands that they buy.

I, for one take coupon shopping and saving money to the extreme! I have am the proud owner of a free website that teaches consumers how to make the best use of their coupons, and how to get stuff for free or at least on the cheap. Money saving tips go way beyond coupon clipping, and my tips have recently been featured on The Today Show as well as several media segments around the U.S. The need to share these money-saving ways as I discover them has me busy with a weekly podcast where I talk about different ways to save money and live better by doing so! For example, my best shopping trip scored my family $1880 in groceries for only $19 at Albertsons®. I was able to fill my pantry, donate to my church and also to local charities. The best part? I get to share the deals with my community both-on the air and online! (more…)

In many areas around the globe Spring means that rain will fall more often than usual. And, the rain in Spring is important as our beautiful World needs it for its survival as we know it. Without Spring rain our beautiful flowers wouldn’t grow, the trees would begin to suffer and our land would become dry.

But, as a mom I know that when it rains it means that our children become crazy, rambunctious children. They begin to become stir-crazy from being in the house for too long. Children love being outside… they love running around, discovering nature and playing which helps exhaust their never ending energy a bit. But, when they are in the house they can’t do this. When the weather is bad for many days on end children begin climbing the walls and our stresses as a parent begin to climb.

But, unlike rain in the Fall and Winter…. rain in the Spring and Summer tends to be warmer. As long as the rain storm is not an electrical storm there is really no danger in letting your children get wet. As a matter of fact with the right kind of rain clothes your children can not only really enjoy themselves out in the rain, but they can also learn a lot from it. (more…)

It’s Springtime and when I think of Spring I think of grass growing, trees getting their leaves back, flowers blossoming, animals running around, kids playing outside. Basically, when I think of Spring I think of “Life”.

With that being said I’m going to write about something that combines two spring like topics….

Life & Gardening.

Okay, before you start think I have absolutely gone bazerk let me explain.

There is a lesson that every parent should teach their children. It is the lesson of Respecting other Living things.

This lesson can be a very tough one to teach, but when you start teaching this lesson early and continue throughout the child’s life you have a better chance of raising happy human beings that won’t take life for granted. And, using Gardening can help you teach your children this life lesson without them knowing that you are teaching them any lesson at all.

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Last summer I moved from Washington, DC to Minnesota, just in time to behold Minnesota’s pride: The State Fair. I had never seen any fair that rivaled it in sheer size and variety. As someone who loves food and cooking, the attraction which interested me most was the home arts area. It showcased the baked goods, vegetables, pickles, jams and more of eager competitors vying for the coveted blue ribbons.

The world of competitive cooking, local and State Fair recipe contests, as well as brand sponsored, commercial contests is fascinating. Some competitive cooks devote a great deal of time and effort to developing recipes and entering contests and even win prestigious prizes like the famous “Bake-off” contest multiple times. (There is even this Hall of Fame for noteworthy contesters.)

For some contestants, the incentive is the fun of competition, and for others, it is the prizes, which are sometimes small or large, and can be anything from a set of measuring spoons to an all expense-paid trip, to a small cash prize to a million dollars. I once won a pedometer in a recipe contest that featured sour cream, and I am terrifically proud of it.

Cooking (recipe development especially) is a way to test creativity and develop diligence. Entering a competitive cooking contest would be a great project for a family to undertake. Brainstorming and decision making prompts conversation. Imagine a reticent ‘tween getting excited by the idea, taking out her I-pod ear buds, and actually wanting to spend quality time with a parent. Imagine bored siblings getting along as they excitedly develop the next winning recipe. Wouldn’t it be great to turn the television off and make cooking a family activity? Wouldn’t it be great to celebrate a win together?

Malt-O-Meal has announced its 2009 recipe contest season, which will include 25 state fairs, offering great prizes all across the country. What recipe featuring Malt-O-Meal cold cereal will your family invent? For specific rules, contact your local fair directly.

Ready to get cooking? Here’s some resources:
• watch videos of winning Malt-O-Meal contest recipes
• for more competitive cooking contests, see State Fair Recipes
• see winning recipes for inspiration
• get advice and tips on how to win

Have you competed in the Malt-O-Meal cooking competition in the past? Write a post about your experience here! I’m looking forward to reading about your experience.

Jill Bloomfield

As a mother we have tons of responsibilities and duties to take care of throughout our day. We wear a ton of hats as a mom. And, much of the time moms feel they are taken for granted. We work hard and there isn’t a payday at the end of the week. However, our payday comes throughout everyday. No, nothing monetarily, but something worth so much more. A paycheck that is worth so much more than any bank can cash. I am talking about the sentimental things. The things our children do or say without even realizing they are giving us the strength as a mom to keep going and keep taking care of our family.

Happy Mother’s Day my fellow Mothers. I know you work so hard. And, you do it without thought or resist. Here are a few of the hats you and I wear everyday.

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For many people April brings tons of rain, green grass, leaves on the trees, beautiful flowers, longer days and warmer weather. But, there is something else that April brings that many people dread…..

Tax Season.

But, for people who receive refunds instead of dread their thoughts are consumed with trying to figure out what they are going to do with their tax refund. Should they save it? Should they pay-off a credit card? Should they put on an addition on the house? Should they invest it?

While all are fantastic ideas on traditional things to do with your tax refund. I’m going to write about something a bit non-traditional.
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Making Time for yourself is so important. In order to be happy and healthy you need to do things for yourself. But, this can be very difficult for many mothers. Putting others first is part of our job description, right? Wrong. We keep saying to ourselves if there is time left over at the end of the day for me then I will do something for myself. But truthfully, when does that time every come? Usually never.

Truth is most mothers give so much to their children, husband and households that there is usually never time left for themselves. And, the fact is that this is not good for them or their families. Not only could you as a mother be suffering, but chances are if you are not taking time for yourself than not only are you suffering, but your children and your husband are suffering as well. (more…)

Are you overcome with a case of sticker shock every time you see the price of a jar of spices? Buying these little guys at your neighborhood grocery store can be super expensive. However, if you shop at ethnic-whether they’re Chinese, Mexican, Vietnamese, or Indian– grocery stores, you can find great deals on spices and many other products that you cook with every day. (more…)

The Easter Holidays are just around the corner. And, I don’t know about your household, but in my household my kids love to celebrate each upcoming holiday with some holiday crafts. Not only do crafts entertain my children, but it also builds their excitement for the Holiday itself. Plus, their artistic creations always fill my home with Holiday Decorations which the entire family and all that visit can enjoy.

So, with that being said, I thought I would do a link round-up of some of my favorite Easter Crafts I found through-out the blogosphere. Some of the following Crafts are more for the adults and some are meant more for children. But, all are sure to give your family plenty of Easter enjoyment. And, the Easter Bunny will be sure to know how excited your family is when he comes to your house for his annual visit.

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