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Motherhood Incorporated

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RSS Sandra Beck Speaks

  • Working Mum’s Network by Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated
    Working Mums’ Network by Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated   By Sandra Beck   It was definitely harder to set up play dates with the workings Mums. It was less ‘see you at Club’ and more ‘let’s check the calendar’.  However, I found that the time pressure seemed to put the friendships on fast-forward. When I ‘clicked’ with someone, we [...] […]
  • What’s Cooking? By Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated
    By Sandra Beck     It’s ironic. Cooking is meant to be the ultimate domestic goddess occupation. Why is it that the aftermath makes my kitchen look like a hovel?   I’d lovingly plan, chop, sauté, and present the food attractively. The kids would push it around their plate. “It’s a bit spicy for me” my som would comment [...]
  • What is Your Parenting Style? By Sandra Beck, Motherhood Inorporated
    By Sandra Beck               Attachment parenting – just for hippies? Attachment parenting recommends that, for maximal emotional security, the child co-sleeps, breast-feeds, is carried in a sling, and in all possible ways not forced to be separate from their family adults before they initiate it themselves. Impossible for a working mum? Nicola Horlick […]

RSS Shannon Penrod Speaks

  • Life After Obsessed
    Shannon Penrod, the mother of a six year old recovering from Autism, shares her thoughts on life after a panic disorder.
  • Thursdays This Summer – The Skirball Adventure
    Shannon Penrod, the mother of a six year old recovering from Autism makes a trip to the Skirball Cultural Center as part Thurdays this Summer.
  • Obsessed
    Shannon Penrod, the mother of a six year old recovering from Autism, admits to suffering from OCD and her decision to particapate in A&E's new ground breaking show Obsessed.

RSS Lily's Truth

  • The Effective Parent by Susan A. Haid, Author/Producer, Lily’s Truth
    Here are Ten Principles of the Effective Parent: 1) Offer your children committed love. Let your children know, without a shadow of a doubt, that you love them and you will always love them no matter what. Make this a clear and consistent message. 2) Become the best educator of your children’s basic life skills that you can [...]
  • Spiritual Parenting by Susan A. Haid, Author/Producer, Lily’s Truth
    Let’s take a look at who our children really are. Our children are fully self-contained, sovereign, spiritual beings who have thier own individual connection to The All. As parents, what does this mean? It means that we honor the divine being within our children, and we help them to maintain their own personal relationship to The [...]
  • What do YOU Want? by Amanda van der Gulick
    “I bargained with Life for a penny, And Life would pay no more, However I begged at evening When I counted my scanty store. “For Life is a just employer, He gives you what you ask, But once you have set the wages, Why, you must bear the task. “I worked for a menial’s hire, Only to learn, dismayed, That any wage I had asked [...]

RSS Health and Body by Deb Gillespie

  • Is it Spring yet?
    I feel the spring air in my bones. I feel it in my blood and deep down to my soul. It’s in my walk, an added bounce to my step, a quicker beat in my heart. The smile on my face, the twinkle in my eye, I can’t hide it any longer. Spring is here. What [...]
  • The Essence of you and me
    “The essence of you is everything you ever see, taste, touch, and experience. Everywhere you go, every step you take, every breath you take is actually happening by the essence, of the essence, in the essence, and to the essence. All the rest is noise and chatter.” Adyashanti     I read these words. Are they mere words? [...]
  • Where there is energy there is power
    When do we give up on our dreams? Somewhere along the journey, many of us give up on our childhood dreams. Remember when we were young and we pretended to be actors or super heroes? We were so excited about our future goals of being writers or even the president. And now what are we [...]

RSS H-Factor Happiness

  • Change Happiness
    The words change, instability, insecurity, and unpredictability describe the dynamic state of affairs in our world today.  Nothing is what it used to be or what we thought it would be.  As we look towards tomorrow, what world do we envision for ourselves?  We find that we are staring into a gray zone.  We are [...]
  • Achievement Happiness
    Are high-achievers happier than the rest of the population?  Is there a relationship between goal achievement and happiness?  Curiously, there are people who have achieved great things in life but aren’t necessarily happy.  Conversely, there are those who have achieved very little by today’s standards yet seem to be quite content.             This is a quest […]
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  • 29Jun

    By Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

    What could be more discouraging than expecting the impossible?  Most of us would agree that it would be unreasonable to ask an infant to put the toilet seat down when he is done, yet we hold ourselves to equally absurd standards.  We expect the impossible of ourselves when we equate success with perfection.istock_000005556793xsmall

    I love art, now.  Drawing, painting, or just crafting in general are a source of great personal joy and quality time with my children.  When I was a child, art wasn’t on my list of favorite subjects.  It wasn’t that I didn’t like the process of coloring or enjoy the visual feast of a gallery, I just found it difficult to be excellent at creating a piece of artwork.  Math, science, spelling, history, those were the subjects for me.  There was only one way to do it – the right way.

    Thankfully, while in college I became determined to overcome this mindset.  One day while I sat on the back porch enjoying the afternoon sun, I began sketching from a picture in a history book.  It was a portrait of a Native American man in a full headdress.  His eyes were serious, his face marked with the lines of old age, and a challenge to sketch to say the least.  I wore the eraser thin and became increasingly frustrated with my inability to transfer the image to my sketch pad.

    Then, in a stroke of rare genius, I decided that I was just going to let it be wrong.  I watched in amazement as the portrait unfolded.  The eyes, though imperfect carried the same grave sense of humanity that first inspired me.  I can confidently say that the resulting sketch is still my best, and is complimented regularly by the budding young artist in my family. 

    Fine art hanging on your wall isn’t the only benefit to letting go of the little things.  Here are a few more advantages to embracing the imperfect in our daily routine:

    - Less stress

    - Extra time with family

    - More confidence

    - Freedom to be yourself

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    www.motherhoodincorporated.com

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  • 26Jun

    You might not know that Jeff Saad came to Motherhood Incorporated to set up his food blog at www.jeffreysaad.wordpress.com. We do, and we are ever so proud of him as he advances on the show!

     

    Please watch our client Jeff Saad on the fourth episode of season 5 of The Next Food Network Star. Airing this Sunday night at 9:00pm / 8:00pm central time on Food Network.

     

    We are so proud he has won two of the three episodes so far. Check out his recipes on the Food Network’s website.

     

    This episode is quite the roller coaster ride! Watch what happens…

     

    Bobby Flay tests the remaining seven finalists by having them put their culinary point of view on a classic American dish – the burger! The finalists whip up their ideal burger while sharing personal stories and their connections to their dish. The best burger lands a place on the menu of Bobby’s new restaurant venture “Bobby’s Burger Palace.” Then, Guy Fieri and USA WEEKEND Magazine associate editor, TJ Walter, surprise the finalists on the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, challenging each of them to create a dish using a basket of international ingredients for a group of returning American soldiers. The winner learns that his or her recipe will be featured on the July 3-5th cover of USA WEEKEND Magazine, and another finalist is eliminated.

     

    CLICK HERE TO VOTE

     

    See all the contestants and highlights at www.foodnetwork.com/star

     

    Check out his food blog at www.jeffreysaad.wordpress.com

     

    If you miss it Sunday you can see it each week at the following times:

     

    Each episode of TNFNS will premiere on Sunday at 9pm ET/PT and repeat throughout the week at the following times:

     

    Sundays at 12am ET/PT

    Thursdays at 9pm ET/PT and 12am ET/PT

    Saturdays at 2pm ET/PT

    Sundays at 7pm ET/PT

     

     

    Nadia and Jeff are so grateful for all of your support! I hope all is well in your world. Take care.

     

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  • 25Jun

    By Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

      Is your To Do list cluttered or covered in dust?  Maybe your To Do list is a mess of subconscious worries prone to resurfacing at the most inconvenient times.  A To Do list is a work-at-home mom essential.  Here are a few tips to help you manage the job that never ends:flowers2

    Write it down.  Give your brain a break by writing everything down.  When you are juggling a career and family your mind is bound to be distracted at various times throughout the day.  Once you have noted an action that needs your attention, your mind will be free to return to the task at hand.

    Keep it all in one place.  Whether you prefer a notepad, daily planner, or PDA, be consistent with where you keep your To Do items.  A note in your purse, another on the back of your hand and a third hanging on the refrigerator only adds confusion to an already hectic day.

    Use single action items.  Your To Do list should consist of specific action items, not projects or goals.  These are the steps you take to complete a project, or accomplish your goals.  When you finish a task, cross it off.  When you work at home your boss isn’t there to pat you on the back, so you may find it gratifying to assess what you have accomplished at the end of the day.

    Be specific, the more details the better.  If you include all the information you need to complete the task at hand, you will be able to finish it with ease.  This is especially helpful when squeezing things in throughout the day.  A quick phone call while you are in the waiting room of your doctor’s office becomes simple when the phone number is at your finger tips.

    Estimate the time you need.  Be realistic with yourself about how long it actually takes to get things done.  If you block off a half an hour to run 30 errands, you’re not likely to stay on schedule.  Your schedule is there to help you plan out your day.  Overextending yourself will only leave you feeling stressed out and let down.

    Categorize your list.  Breaking your list into categories will help you become more efficient.  Use a page in your planner or notebook for errands, another for phone calls, and a third for emails.  If you are in the car, flip to the errand page and check off anything on the way to or from your destination.  You can save loads of time by accomplishing similar items while you have the resources readily available.

    Set priorities.  Use priorities to keep from falling behind.  Make sure you accomplish the items at the top of your priority list, but don’t be afraid to group those items with less urgent tasks that can be done at the same time.  The goal here is efficiency. 

    Reassess regularly.  One phone call can change your priorities in an instant.  Review your priorities and change them as necessary.  If your To Do list isn’t quite working for you, switch it up a bit.  A few minutes invested now can add up to hours of time saved in the long run.

    www.sandrabeck.com
    www.motherhoodincorporated.com

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  • 23Jun

    By Shannon Penrod

    I love it when Oprah asks people, “What do you know for sure?”   Here is what I know for sure today : There is help if you are willing to ask for it, and willing to embrace it.  I agreed to be on the A&E show Obsessed  because I wanted and needed help. I got it! 

    Today I am overwhelmed (in a really good way) with people offering me their well wishes, their love, their support and their congratulations.  I want to thank everyone for their messages and encouragement, they have meant so much to me and my family.  I also want to let everyone know that I am doing wonderfully and so are my husband and my son.  Life has returned to normal.  It is amazing and miraculous to have had this “return to myself” in what seems like such a quick period of time.

    For those of you have written to me to let me know that you are suffering, as I was - I want you to know that there is hope and there is help.  I won’t tell you that it is easy, but it is easier than not living fully.   I know what it’s like to be in that dark place.  I am no longer there.  I hope you will find your help and join me on the other side.  I don’t know if Cognitive Behavioral Therapy works for everyone but it certainly worked for me.  Thank you A&E!

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  • 22Jun

    By Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

     I have a group of girlfriends I’ve known since high school.  We used to go out on the town together, but now that we are all busy working moms, we’ve become lunch buddies.  We gather around a picnic table with sack lunches and kids in tow every Friday afternoon.  Friday is ladies lunch out.  How I look forward to Fridays.Color caps and gerbera

    Ladies lunch out has become a lifeline full of laughter and fun for all of us.  We enjoy the food and fresh air.  Our kids run and play together, while the mommy crowd catches up with the ins and outs of  daily life.  I always return home refreshed with my children ready for a long nap.

    I’m fortunate to have close friends nearby and available during the week.  If that’s not the case in your situation, there are other opportunities available to help take the edge off of work-at-home isolation. If you have kids in the house, check for a local moms club.  Moms Club International has over 2,000 chapters in the US.  There is a small annual fee to join, but it is well worth the investment.  My local chapter has been a great source of support.  You can find them on the web at www.momsclub.org.

    Book clubs are great, if you enjoy reading.  Between the trips to the library or bookstore, and the meetings themselves, you’ll have plenty of excuses to get out of the house.  I recommend finding a casual club, so you won’t feel pressured to finish the book.  The goal here is relaxation, so leave the stress in the office.

    If you like to exercise a membership to a local gym is a fantastic way to reduce stress, stay healthy and meet new people.  The club I attend is very flexible.  I enjoy the company of the women in my classes, and there are classes available just about anytime you could imagine.  No matter what you choose to do, get out and socialize on a regular basis.  It is sure to leave you happier and more productive in the long run. 

    www.sandrabeck.com
    www.motherhoodincorporated.com

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  • 18Jun

    By Shannon Penrod

    100_7385Thursdays this Summer” (my plan to entertain and educate my child on a budget) began today with a trip to The Skirball Cultural Center.  What a great way to start the summer!  The two exhibits on Comic Book Super Heroes  were really fun for the kids.  They got to dress up in Super Hero costumes, draw their own comic book character and check out a lot of vintage artwork. 

    The real hit of the day was the amazing Noah’s Ark exhibit!  The entire exhibit was hands on and interactive.  I love it when a docent says, “Make sure you touch everything!” 

    All of the animals are sculpted from reclaimed materials in the exhibit 100_7438so there are layers to the enjoyment.  While the kids were pulling levers to create lightning, wind and rain the adults got to stare in wonder at an alligator fashioned out of a tire, a glove and a violin neck. Amazing!  The entire exhibit was ingenious, captivating and deliciously educational.  Yippee for Thursdays this summer!  And did I mention it was FREE!  Yes, Free!  Every Thursday the museum is open for free  – there wasn’t even a parking charge.  Thank you, Skirball Center for a wonderful day!

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  • 18Jun

    By Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

    Do you have an artistic eye?  Are you comfortable with computers? You could work at home as a graphic designer.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average income for graphic designers as $45,000 per year.  With the option of enjoying the flexible work hours of a home office environment, this is a career worth looking into.  fresh-paint

    The Technology

    At a minimum, you will need to equip your home office with a computer, printer and design software.  Most entry-level positions require at least an associate degree, with a bachelor’s degree preferred. 

    Getting Started
     
    The key to success as a graphic designer is a killer portfolio.  The best way to build a portfolio is to get busy working.  That may seem intimidating if you have little or no experience, but there are plenty of opportunities out there if you are willing to do a little pro bono work.  Many nonprofit organizations looking for graphic designers, and free is the right price.  Idealist.org lists open paid and volunteer positions within the nonprofit sector.  Gaining much needed career skills is even more fun when you are assisting a worthy cause. 

    Choosing a Niche

    Once you have built an impressive resumé, you may find it beneficial to choose a niche or specialty.    Choose an area of expertise based on your strengths and interests.  Specializing will help you gain credibility with your clients.   Here are a few graphic design specialties to consider:

    - Advertising / Commercial Designer

    - Animator

    - Desktop Publisher

    - Illustrator

    www.motherhoodincorporated.com

    www.sandrabeck.com

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  • 15Jun

    By Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

     June at last!  May is without a doubt my least favorite month of the year, and it’s not just the dreary weather.  Mayis the month when I usually realize that I’ve already lost sight of the goals on my resolution list.  That is until a friend of mine insisted I participate in a little goal writing exercise during our girls’ night out.  The small group of women let out more than a few groans at her suggestion, but we figured why not give it a try?  It was then that I learned a few simple steps to bring any goal within reach.planning-ahead

    Make It a Priority

    Before you begin setting your goals, take a few minutes to list out four or five things that matter most to you, such as family, career, health or spirituality.  Taking a look at what we truly care about will help us set attainable goals in areas of our lives worthy of the effort. 

    Be Specific

    Once you have a list of the most important things in your life, set specific goals to improve in those areas.  For example, don’t set a goal to spend more time with friends, instead set a goal to call a friend once a week, or invite a friend out once a month for coffee.

    Write It Down

    Writing goals down doesn’t just solidify them in our minds, it serves as a much needed reminder.  When my friends and I took the time to write down our goals that evening, I didn’t think too much of it.  It was only later, as I stumbled across my list while thumbing through my notebook, that I realized the advantage of such a practice.  I encountered my list of goals many times throughout the year.  When I took a look at that sheet of paper, my zest to achieve my goals was renewed.

    Celebrate Success

    When you have made progress on one of your goals, reward yourself.  A pat on the back, or night on the town for your hard work is incentive to keep heading in the right direction.  Personally, I find that a good piece of dark chocolate does the trick on most occasions.  Setting goals with a group of like-minded friends makes celebrating our successes that much more enjoyable.

    www.sandrabeck.com
    www.motherhoodincorporated.com

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  • 13Jun

    By Shannon Penrod

    I have a confession to make.  I have OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder).  There are a very few people who know me extremely well who are thinking right now, “Yeah, what else is new?”  While the vast majority of people who know me are probably thinking, “Gee, n111621489664_8802shouldn’t her house be a lot cleaner?”  As luck would have it my particular brand of  OCD doesn’t lend itself to obsessive cleaning. 

    There is a great new show on A&E called Obsessed that follows OCD sufferers as they go through a process of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  It’s a ground breaking show that airs on Monday nights at 10/9c, right after Intervention. Obsessed shows how debilitating OCD can be for some people.  It’s an important show that is gritty, real and aspires to be helpful to those with OCD.  Which is why I agreed to participate in the show as a patient. 

    I can hear my friend Millie saying “Boy, you really are putting your business on the streets!”  Yes, Millie, I did and I am, and if anyone is interested they can tune in to A&E on June 22nd to watch the entire story.  If nothing else it should be interesting, and may even answer a few questions about some my “quirks”.

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  • 11Jun

    By Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

     Today’s clutter, as unassuming as it may seem, is tomorrow’s crisis waiting to happen.  Be it a misplaced phone number, unpaid bill, or botched assignment, there is little worse than a headache that could have been prevented.  Follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to a clutter-free workspace.  The big picture

    Schedule It

    Set aside time each day to take care of paperwork, such as opening incoming mail, refiling documents, and shredding items that contain personal information.  These tasks quickly fall through the cracks of a busy day, and leave behind telltale piles of paper throughout your home office.

    Take Action

    Taking immediate action on open items will prevent paper, and stress, from piling up on you.  If you are unable to complete a task immediately, record it in your To Do list along with a due date.  Create a Pending file for items that require further action.  Note any actions you have taken in the file, then schedule some time in the future to follow up.

    Go Paperless

    Store anything possible on your computer.  A scanner is handy for filing documents electronically.  Organizing data files into folders makes it easy to retrieve what you need, when you need it.  Gone are the days of the sticky note.  A PDA is a handy way to jot down any important information, not to mention schedule appointments, track your expenses, and store your To Do list.  Be sure to back up your PDA and your computer regularly.

    Start Small

    Set small, reasonable goals, then schedule a few minutes a day to achieve them.  Try cleaning out one file drawer at a time, or clear out your inbox.  If it’s not useful, throw it out.  If you feel uncertain about tossing something, store it in a box and label it to be thrown out at a later date.  If you still haven’t used the item by the date on the box, it’s not likely you will need it again.  Taking small incremental steps will keep things moving in the right direction, off of your desk and out of the way. 

    www.sandrabeck.com
    www.motherhoodincorporated.com

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  • 10Jun

    By Shannon Penrod

    Last week my son turned 6 years old.  We decided to throw him a dance party.  It didn’t seem at all odd to me, he loves to dance and I wanted to do something that wouldn’t revolve around food and wouldn’t cost a small fortune.  Solution: Dance Party!  IMG00270-20090605-2059We found a great warehouse space that comes with a trampoline, a bouncy house, a Wii and an Xbox 360 (both hooked up to big screen TVs) - the rent was ridiculously cheap and I bartered the services of a great DJ. 

    I did this for a little boy who has worked so hard to overcome autism.  My mom and my husband and I watched him at the party, which my friend Therese called a six year old rave, and we couldn’t believe how social he was.

    Just three and a half years ago we realized there was a problem when we went to a friend’s birthday party and our son sat in the corner by himself, humming as he played with a Buzz Lightyear toy, he never even noticed there were other children at the party.  Last week he was the belle of the ball, laughing and running from activity to activity, talking to his friends, answering when his friends called him, even cracking jokes.  It was a great night, and it was filled with family and friends who had shown up to celebrate with us.

    Towards the end of the party I had a moment.  You know one of those rushes of feeling and clarity that kind of takes your breath away.  I looked at my mom and my son and was acutely aware of how quickly time passes and how precious every moment is.  There were several moments when I considered not having a birthday party for my son this year – In this economy…aren’t we all carefully considering every expenditure? 

    But as I looked around that warehouse room and saw all the faces of people we love and that love us, I knew that this would be a night my family would always remember.  In ten years we aren’t going to remember all of the daily struggles to pay bills and buy biomeds and secure therapy hours, we’re going to remember the celebrations.  I thought about the last ten years and the weddings, graduations, births and home comings we’ve enjoyed, there have been hard times too and even a few funerals, but when all is said and done, it’s the celebrations we remember the most.  I’m awfully glad that we took the time to find the joy in life, now I know…it’s in the celebrations

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  • 08Jun

    By Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

    I hate turning down a job.  Being in business for myself, I have to manage my time wisely.  There is also the unending tasks of being a mother.  Sometimes, I have to tell my family no too.  Ultimately, it comes down to quality.  Whether we aim to produce a first-rate product for our clients, or be a top-notch mom, saying no once in a while may be the only way to achieve our goals.

    So everyday we make choices.  What is most important for our families, for our businesses, for ourselves?  The first time I realized that I was going to have to turn a client away, I was torn about what to do.  I was already heavily committed, and he was looking for some work on short notice.  I didn’t know if I could maintain the relationship we had, and turn down the offer.  On top of that, I had already committed to a weekend hike with my children.Outdoor fresh flowers at farmers street market

    As I weighed my options, I considered the disappointment my kids would have in me if I let them down.  I also considered the possibility that the work I had committed to finishing for my other clients may be rushed, or late.  In the end, I sided with my children and the commitments I had already made.  My clients return to me because I keep my commitments and hold myself to high standards when it comes to job performance.  My children learn how to do the same because they watch me.

    Turning down a customer is risky.  They may turn to someone else.  But to me, tarnishing my reputation and integrity by taking on more than I could handle seemed worse yet.  In the end, I thanked him for the offer and explained that my schedule wouldn’t allow me to accept this time.  He thanked me by offering me another open project at a later date.  I’m glad I learned to recognize my limitations, because now I know that saying no can be a good thing.

    www.sandrabeck.com
    www.motherhoodincorporated.com

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  • 05Jun

    Our vote for Next Food Network StarAt Motherhood Incorporated, we are so proud of client Jeffrey Saad and we support him as our vote for The Next Food Network Star!!!

     

     The premiere episode of season 5 of The Next Food Network Star. Airing this Sunday night at 9:00pm / 8:00pm central time on the food network channel. Please watch me and vote!  You are going to see the good, the bad and the ugly for sure! So please, check him out and if you like what you see vote for him.

     

    If you miss it Sunday you can see it each week at the following times:

     

    Each episode of TNFNS will premiere on Sunday at 9pm ET/PT and repeat throughout the week at the following times:

     

    Sundays at 12am ET/PT

    Thursdays at 9pm ET/PT and 12am ET/PT

    Saturdays at 2pm ET/PT

    Sundays at 7pm ET/PT

     

    CLICK HERE TO VOTE

     

    See all the contestants and highlights at http://www.foodnetwork.com/the-next-food-network-star/index.html

     

    Check out Jeff’s food blog at www.jeffreysaad.wordpress as we are so proud of our team who helped him put it together and thank him for his mouthwatering blogs!

     

    Go Jeff go!

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  • 04Jun

    Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

     

    Do you enjoy working with numbers?  Do you have an eye for detail?  Bookkeeping may be the work-at-home job for you.   An expensive education is not required.  Most bookkeepers and accounting clerks need a high school diploma, while some professionals advance their careers through a 2-year associate degree.  On-the-job training is common in this field.  Flexible telecommuting options make this career especially family friendly, and a great fit for the work-at-home mother.spring-trees

     

    Required Skills

     

    A strong aptitude for numbers is a must for bookkeepers and accounting clerks.  Familiarity with computers, word processing software, and spreadsheets is also required.  You must be an organized, detail-oriented person, with an ability to spot and correct errors.  A bookkeeper or accounting clerk must also be trustworthy with a strong sense of ethics, as she will frequently work with confidential information.  Good communication skills are always beneficial.

     

    The Technology

     

    You will need a computer equipped with a printer, as well as word processing and spreadsheet software to work as a bookkeeper or accounting clerk out of your home.  Basic communication tools, such as a phone line and email address, are also necessary.  Fax capabilities are a plus.  An online fax service may be a viable option for those who do not wish to invest in a fax machine.

     

    Getting Started

     

    The easiest way to build bookkeeping and accounting skills when you are starting out is to volunteer your time to a nonprofit organization.  There are plenty of organizations looking for bookkeeping and accounting assistance.  Try searching volunteer.gov for local or virtual opportunities.  If you put forth your best effort, a satisfied patron will usually be happy to serve as a reference while you search for a paid position.  

     

    Certification

     

    The Certified Bookkeeper designation is awarded by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.  Candidates must have at least 2 years of bookkeeping experience, follow a code of ethics, and pass a four-part examination.  Though certification is not necessary to be successful, it will boost your credibility with potential employers.

     

    www.sandrabeck.com

    www.motherhoodincorporated.com

     

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  • 02Jun

    By Sandra Beck, Motherhood Incorporated

     Last weekend I spent some time visiting with family.  My sister’s ten-acre lot has become something of an oasis these days.  The rural atmosphere is a delight for this suburban native, and a much needed source of rest.  As I cuddled with my toddler, tired from our hour-long afternoon hike, I remembered a time when my unwillingness to leave work in the office overshadowed our time together.  When you work at home, like I do, it can be all too easy to slip into an assignment during off hours.flowers1

    As I became acclimated to the work-at-home lifestyle, I picked up a few easy techniques to help bring my mind back to the things that matter most at the end of the day.  Here are a few ideas for making the transition from work to home a successful one:

    Set a work schedule and stick to it.  When you plan to work a set number of hours, it is easier to prioritize your time.  Once you have a plan in place, be diligent about staying within those boundaries.

    Transition by spending time doing something you love.  Set aside some time to journal, blog, read a book, or partake in another hobby after you finish working for the day.  Time spent doing something you enjoy will help get your mind off of the job and ready for a restful evening.

    Keep your To Do list accessible.  If a work-related thought begins gnawing at your brain, write it down and leave it for business hours.  You’ll have the reminder you need to get the job done at the appropriate time.

    Resolve to power down. Shut down your computer, cell phone and other work-related technology at the end of the day.  Once it’s off, leave it that way!

    When all else fails, get out of town.  A weekend getaway or an afternoon with family or friends is a wonderful way to smooth the rough edges left behind by a stressful work week.  You needn’t spend a lot of money to get away, sometimes a family trip to a local park is all that is needed to melt the stress away.

    www.sandrabeck.com
    www.motherhoodincorporated.com

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  • 31May

    We at Motherhood Incorporated are so proud of Robin Boyd everyday, but for this we are especially proud! Well done Robin!

     

    By LAUREN SAUSSER Union Leader Correspondent

    HOOKSETT, NH – Robin Boyd may be many things, but an attention-seeker she’s not.

    That’s why it came as such a shock when this mother-wife-volunteer-Web designer got a call from Hooksett Lions Club President Alden Beauchemin letting the Hooksett native know she had been chosen as the town’s Citizen of the Year.

    “He gave me the news and, of course, I was surprised,” Boyd said. “I was hoping for another person in town to be the award winner, and I thought he was calling me to tell me that person had won.” But it was Boyd’s exemplary record of community service, especially with her lifelong commitment to the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, that caught the attention of the Lions Club committee that selects the Citizen of the Year. She is the 50th resident to be honored with the distinction since the program’s inception.

    Mike Dibitetto, who spearheaded the selection committee this year, said the submissions were substantial and Boyd’s accomplishments stood out among them all.

    “Community service is probably the No. 1 issue for the Hooksett Citizen of the Year,” Dibitetto said. “Robin has been exemplary. Her service is outstanding.” But for Boyd, community service is her second nature. She started off Girl Scouting in Manchester when she was little, because no troop existed in Hooksett. Eventually, her mother and a friend got together and established a local troop that Boyd joined.

    She continued scouting throughout high school and college. Currently, she oversees all 18 Hooksett troops — approximately 165 scouts — as the Hooksett service unit manager.

    “I think what’s special about Girl Scouting is the fact that a girl can find what’s special about her at her own pace. She can find her own strength. She learns about herself and about others,” Boyd said. “She’s not being compared to anyone else. She’s not in competition. She’s learning to be who is she and who she wants to be in her future. That’s so empowering.”

    Boyd, a part-time graphic designer who works on Web-based projects from her home in Hooksett for a company in Los Angeles, is also supports the Lions Club and is active on the town’s Old Home Day Committee.

    She and her husband, Stephen, raised two, now grown, children, Ross and Emily, in town.

    “I think no matter how big Hooksett gets or how diverse Hooksett gets, we always seem to have a neighborly core,” Boyd said. “I think we still think like a small town. We seem to stay in touch with each other one way or another.”

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  • 26May

    By Lisa Mendell

    I just read The Girls from Ames. It is the story of a group of ordinary women who built an extraordinary friendship. With both universal insights and deeply personal moments, it is a book that every woman will relate to and be inspired by or so I believe. I should be able to finish the book today ~ I have about 40 pages left.

    It shows the dynamics of friendship and how you can have lasting, meaningful friendships throughout your whole life. It reinforces for me the importance of my friends and how girlfriends keep us healthy and sane. (Most of the time!)

    For more, go to www.thegirlsfromames.com ~ The Girls from Ames is by Jeffery Zaslow

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  • 24May

    By Lisa Mendell

    I came across an article in my email that I thought some might benefit from and it’s called How Kids Learn Cooperation. Some of the areas they touch on are:

    • Raising cooperative children- Cooperation—working in harmony with others to achieve a goal—is vital not only to a happy, successful life but also to a more peaceful and harmonious world.
    • Tuning into your child - The seeds of cooperation are planted very early, when parents tune in and respond to their young child’s needs.
    • Sharing - kids begin the process of learning to share even though it may take a few years to sink in. Why? Sharing some of their possessions is an early precursor to sharing thoughts and ideas.
    • A few good rules - Having a few simple rules in the context of loving family relationships gives kids a strong foundation for working together with others.

    That just touches on a few. For more, go to http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/Family-Values-Toolkit/Family-Values-Cooperation.aspx?ppc=69352&source=NEWSLETTER&utm_campaign=Inspiration&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=NL

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  • 22May

    By Lisa Mendell

    Last month I featured an article on how to make your mind up to succeed, which I had read in Reader’s Digest. This month I thought I would give my thoughts on a related articled entitled 5 Winners Teach Us How To Learn From Failure. One person that is spotlighted is author JK Rowling, who I alluded to in my last post. Part of what she said was….

    “She related a story about a young woman who gave up her dream of writing novels to study something more practical. Nonetheless, she ended up as an unemployed single mom “as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain without being homeless.” But during this rock-bottom time, she realized she still had a wonderful daughter, an old typewriter, and an idea that would become the foundation for rebuilding her life.”

    For more of the article go to www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/5-winners-teach-us-how-to-learn-from-failure/article125947.html

    Knowing how to approach failure can indeed be the first step to success!

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  • 03May

    By Lisa Mendell

    Michael J. Fox will be on TV this Thursday, May 7th, in a special titled Adventures of an Incurable Optimist. He will interview different people and it should be a very uplifting experience. This special ties in with his new book, Always Looking Up. For more information, go to http://abc.go.com/specials/michaeljfox/index The special airs on ABC at 9 PM Central, 10 PM Eastern. For other times, visit the above link.

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