Book Review: Reasons to Smile (Celebrating People Living With Down Syndrome)

A good book will reach out and grab you and not let you go.

Reasons to Smile (Celebrating People Living With Down Syndrome, by Andrea Knauss & Elizabeth Martins, reaches out and grabs you over and over again, and even after you have finished the book, you can't help but pick it back up and peek at your favorite stories again.


The book is a collection of not ten, not twenty, but over 50 enlightening and uplifting personal (short) stories written by various authors that will certainly make your heart smile. Each story is accompanied with a photograph of the person featured in the story and a perfect quote for every story, as well.

Breaking the Rules Book Hits Amazon Best Sellers Top 100!

I am ecstatic to announce that my new release, Breaking the Rules, has already hit the Amazon Best Seller Top 100 list for Parenting Reference!

It's currently at the #42 position!

Yes, I discuss 7 controversial parenting issues, but I do it with my children's best interests in mind. I oppose all of the experts, but rightly so. Excerpt:

Get My Book! (Review Bloggers)...for only $2.99!

If you have ever wanted to start a blog or if you are a blogger who wants to get into reviewing products, services and events,

Welcome to my book!

This is it, right here! It will tell you everything that you need to know, and more, to get started.

Get It Now

This is not a silly scam. This is actually what I learned through the blood, sweat and tears of blogging, and I wanted to share it with anyone who has yearned about where to start. 

I'm not one to brag about my skills and abilities or boast about things that I have accomplished. As a matter of fact, most people who know me will tell you that I am a pretty down-to-earth, humble mama who doesn't really say a whole lot about her accomplishments.

I don't know why I'm like that, but I've found that, in the long run, it kind of hurts me, because I find it difficult to market my own books. Most of my friends are taken aback when I tell them that I have two published books (and working on more!), and that's if they even know that I have a website.

About the Book

I'm going to make this as short and sweet as possible. If you are new to blogging, you will want to read Review Bloggers. If you have been blogging for a while already and you would love to jump into reviewing and giving away products on your blog, this is the book for you!

I outlined everything that you need to know about blogging, from statistics to social media to building your readership. Then, I also included some of my tips and tricks and organizational strategies to help you keep it all on track. Established bloggers who want to review products can check and see if they are on the right track, and then quickly move onto the "getting flooded" with products" part.

Bloggers are getting PAID to review products, now, too. Your time is WORTH MONEY, my hardworking blogging friends! If you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for?

Look, it's only $2.99. If you have Kindle Unlimited, you can get it for FREE. But, just think as that little $2.99 that Amazon takes 30% of as a small token donation (I have 9 children, after all!) to my family.

And, it's a pretty good read, from what I've heard in the reviews. (I promise, none of those reviews are PAID, either.) I was bummed someone left a 4 star review, but it was still honestly positive and only said that you couldn't get from here to there overnight, but as I said in my response to the review, I took everything I learned through blood, sweat and tears for years and condensed it so that people can achieve it in a fraction of the time. 

Happy reading! Let me know what you think!

Angels of Redemption

I am so excited to introduce to you a very special woman (and mother) with a story that will touch your heart. Without further ado, here she is:

By Alethea J. Salazar

My name is Alethea J. Salazar and I’m the author of the novel Angels of Redemption, which was published in August of 2009. I’m a single mother of four sons and I own and operate a one woman consulting business for builders and developers in the amazing city of Las Vegas, NV. Despite the downturn in the building industry I have managed to create a very specific market niche’ for residential builders and I have been able to maintain a successful career while I continue to write and do what I can to support my family in an economy that has been less than forgiving.

Ever since I was a child I have always had a love affair with literature.  I would read for hours on end as I let my heart and mind escape into the stories that would take me away to worlds that weren’t my own; worlds that were full of adventure and happy endings. The joy I got from reading inspired my dream of becoming a writer. But as with most dreams we often tuck them away into the back of our minds believing that they will never become a reality.  However, with perseverance and one creative idea I began to write… and I kept writing until I finished my book, Angels of Redemption. I worked hard sending out what seemed like thousands of query letters to agents and publishers. But all I got for my hard work and efforts were rejection letters… and then more rejection letters until I was ready to use my book, my creation, as kindling. But I refused to give up and eventually I fulfilled my lifelong passion of becoming a published author.

My inspiration for Angels of Redemption came from a life altering experience, not unlike what so many others have gone through. Like so many Americans I struggled to make ends meet in a faltering economy. For years I worked as an architectural manager in the building industry… and was making a handsome living… when I found myself jobless and collecting unemployment for the first time ever in my 20-plus year career. I was devastated and humiliated by the need to rely on others to help me take care of my own children.

Talk about a very humbling experience. I was unable to find a job to save my life... no one would hire me.  I had too much experience for this job… not enough for that one. The frustration and desperation continued to mount as the bills continued to pile up. Stress took a crippling toll on me as well as the entire family. This was the point where my family convinced me to start my own business. I became a consultant for builders who no longer had the staff to run their businesses efficiently due to downsizing. But even going out on my own I’ve never come close to replacing my lost income. We found ourselves quickly losing ground financially. At one point, we were even days away from having our home of 10 years auctioned off. I was in quicksand… and sinking fast.

As we quickly continued to slide down the slippery slope of financial devastation the fear of failing my sons and losing everything I had worked so hard for over the last decade gripped me like nothing ever had and the thought of being homeless after all those years was more than I could bear. Fear, despair and persistence quickly took over. I had to take back control… but I didn’t even know where to begin.

That is when the idea for my book, Angels of Redemption, took hold. The story is about a woman struggling with her own loss and despair as she is faced with the ultimate decision that will change the fate of her life and soul forever.

        Angels of Redemption is about a woman named Sarah who loses her family in a tragic car accident and she finds it impossible to go on day after day. Her loneliness and grief quickly consumes her, until in a final act of desperation she decides to take her own life.

But what she finds in death is not what she expected. Instead of spending eternity with her family, she finds herself lost, somewhere between Heaven and Hell, with other souls just like her. Their only goal is to earn their way into the gates of Heaven, and ultimately to their lost loved ones.

There is a catch. In order to earn their way into Heaven they must return to earth and save souls that are in despair. But they aren’t the only ones with an interest in these lost and desperate people. Satan unleashes his own army of demons to inflict as much chaos and despair as possible within their power.

Sarah finds herself in a timeless battle between good and evil over the souls of mankind, and the Redeemers will do whatever it takes to defeat the minions of Hell.

I have had an amazing time at many of the Las Vegas Local Author Book Signings and I have been privileged to be one of the featured authors at several conventions across the United States. So far I have been blessed with a loyal reader fan base who are anxiously awaiting the sequel, which I’m proud to say is finally close to completion. Rise of the Demon will be the second installment in the Angels of Redemption series. The series is currently scheduled to be a trilogy, but depending on the response from readers after the release of book 3 I may continue the series as an ongoing saga.

I have been blessed with a wonderful career, the privilege of becoming a published author and, most importantly, the mother of four of the most amazing young men anyone could ever know. I pray I will always have the good fortune to continue writing and give readers a world not their own they can escape to.

We wish you fortune and health in the future, Alethea! Now, go buy her book! :)

Here are the links to her book:

Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/Angels-Redemption-Alethea-J-Salazar/dp/1448638933

Barnes & Noble
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/angels-of-redemption?r=1

Good Reads
http://www.goodreads.com/search?query=angels+of+redemption

Facebook Fan Page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Angels-of-Redemption
I Am Modern Magazine
http://www.iammodern.com/angels-of-redemption-by-alethea-j-salazar.html

Books-A-Million
http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Angels-Redemption/Alethea-J-Salazar/9781448638932?id=5136474679614

Library Thing
http://www.librarything.com/work/11546635/members

Red Room
http://redroom.com/member/alethea-j-salazar

"Review Bloggers: Get Flooded with Review & Giveaway Sponsor Products"

Have you been ogling and stalking other people's blogs, wishing you could be the one reviewing the coolest, newest products, being invited to events, and being offered services to review?

Have you been blogging forever, wondering if companies will ever notice you? Are you a stay-at-home "mommy blogger" who has lost her connection to the "working world"?

But, wait! There's more!

Alternatively, if you're a "mom-preneur", a company - or even an individual - trying to kick off your new product, book, service or event, there's information in my book for you, too!

Why work with bloggers? How can bloggers promote your ideas? Which ones should you work with?

Although it's written for the blogger who wants to enter into the exciting niche of blogger marketing, it will also show you tips about working with bloggers, including Alexa scores, Pagerank and other statistics you should be asking for!

Just released in Kindle stores, straight from the QueenMom herself:

"Review Bloggers: Get Flooded with Review & Giveaway Sponsor Products" reveals step-by-step, tried and true instructions that have helped so many other bloggers.


Miss Shauna at The Adventures of My Family of 8, just one blogger who took my advice and ran with it, has made me proud! And, after email-after-email from bloggers who wanted to know how to "get into" reviews and giveaways, I've decided it's time to go ahead and create a book that will walk any blogger through the right way to contact companies - and the right things to say.

I've included all of the terms and data you'll need to be familiar with to be successful with reviews and giveaways...the rest is up to you!

If you want your inbox flooded with emails from companies, this is the book for you!

"Mom-Preneurs", Companies, Individuals, and PR firms who are promoting products:

The information in this book is also priceless for you and your business. Alexa and Google ranks are demystified and you'll find out why other companies are working with bloggers...and why you should, too!

You'll realize why other companies are working with bloggers and how bloggers have a huge influence over consumers on the Internet. You can also pick up some strategies, based on statistics, to figure out which markets and which blogs you want to target.


Bloggers & Companies = The New Way of Marketing

Blogger Reviews: It's the new way of marketing and if we all do it right, it will probably be around for a long time!


The Cover

I want to brag about the cover a little bit here, too. I had a brainstorm over the phone...described my vision for the cover to Rik Feeney, a writing, editing, publishing, book cover-designing jack-of-all trades who is constantly coming up with brilliant ideas, and that night, he sent me the cover in my email, my brainstorm brought to life!

If you're looking for someone to listen to your ideas about your book cover and then bring them to life, right before your eyes, he's got a knack for it - and he'll get it done fast!


Edited by Chitraparna Sinha from SocialVani.com, Linda Rogacki from SurvivetheCostofLiving.com and Rik Feeney, published author of Writing Books for Fun, Fame and Fortune! and member of the Florida Writers Association. 


"Review Bloggers: Get Flooded with Review & Giveaway Sponsor Products"

Grab it on Kindle now for only $7.99!

Writing Books for Fun, Fame and Fortune! (The Review)

Out of the blue one day, I received a phone call. The caller asked, "Is this the QueenMom?"

I was a bit taken aback at the moment, as, yes, I am the QueenMom, however that is a name that I hear in emails and essentially on the Internet, but on the phone, I have rarely been referred to as "QueenMom". He immediately peaked my curiosity. As the conversation moved on, I really started digging what the guy on the other end of the line was telling me...

It happened to be Rik Feeney who called me. Rik Feeney, the author of Gymnastics: A Guide For Parents and Athletes and Back Handsprings: The Secret Techniques, to name a couple of his publications.

We talked about a whole slew of topics...and it led to his book, Writing Books for Fun, Fame and Fortune! Of course, as a freelance writer and blogger, this book intrigued me. Aren't we all trying to find a way to make more money?

Get a sneak peak at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Books-Fun-Fame-Fortune/dp/1935683152

I found not only our phone conversation enlightening, but also the book. As a matter of fact, it inspired me to start two e-books that I hope will come to fruition in the near future.

On the back of the book, the questions are posed: "What expertise do you have in business? What are your hobbies? What unique life experiences have you had that others can learn from? What are you passionate about in life? 

If you have knowledge that could relieve someone else's pain, provide a solution for a problem, or show someone else how to get ahead, then you are ready to write a book."

On the phone, we discussed how the idea behind a simple blog post could turn into a book. Every thought, every idea could be expanded upon and lead into a complete, instructional, informative book! Ever thought of that? And, now with ebooks, Amazon and the Kindle, there are ample ways to get your book out there to sell, too.

Mr. Feeney has packed this 142 page quick-read chock-full of tips and advice for anyone who is interested in writing their own book, from the initial thought to the publishing aspect, in an easy to read format that's actually quite enjoyable.His quick and witty way of writing makes it enjoyable and enlightening all the way through!

By the time our phone conversation had ended...and, let me tell you, we talked for a while and it was a sheer pleasure!...Rik had given me several ideas to think about...and actually had me thinking that I could accomplish what I never thought was possible. Oh, yes, I know that I can write a book. I have the ideas in my mind and the information to share, but I just didn't think that I could bring it to fruition.

Do I have the gumption to complete a book? Well, I guess we'll see! And, when it's finished...hopefully, you'll buy it! With Rik's step-by-step guide to writing a book, basically anyone can do it.

You can purchase Rik's book at Amazon for $14.95. The Kindle edition is $9.99.


I was provided a review copy of the book. No compensation was received - all opinions are mine.

Amazing Deals on Glasses (And A Blessing)! 39dollarglasses.com Review and Giveaway!

Blessings never cease to amaze me when they occur!

Veronica, my 10-year-old daughter, woefully came to me with her prescription glasses - one piece in each hand. Somehow, Kodi-bear had gotten his devious little hands on them and broke the (let's see if I get this right...) "temple" in two. (I'm referring to the piece that goes from the frames to the ear - did I get it right?) Needless to say, she was devastated. And, I reluctantly added "Get Veronica new glasses" to my to-do list for the upcoming week. Ugh! Do you KNOW how much the last pair of glasses cost me?

Unfortunately, with school coming up fast, Dylan's surgery date impending and the new baby on the way, my to-do list was overwhelming and getting Veronica glasses fell to the bottom of the list. Fortunately, she only has to wear them for reading and seeing in the classroom, so they weren't necessary for everyday activities until she actually went back to school. However, school was coming up FAST!

The Blessing

Remember I mentioned a blessing? Just as the kids are gearing up to start school, Dylan's surgery is on the brink, the baby's birth is impending, and my to-do list doesn't seem to be dwindling as fast as I need it to, the opportunity to work with 39dollarglasses.com presents itself. I've said it before and I'll say it again, "God works in mysterious ways!"

When I received the email about reviewing the site - and the opportunity to receive a pair of glasses in exchange for the review of the site and the glasses, I was so excited! It was actually beyond that - I was ecstatic and amazed at the timing of the proposal.

The 39dollarglasses.com Website

One of the first things that I did when I visited the 39dollarglasses.com website was check out the selection of glasses. Would my daughter even like any of the choices that they offered? First of all, the organization of the website is extremely user-friendly, from start to end. There are quick-access tabs at the top of the homepage that will lead you to the type of glasses that you are looking for. So, quickly and simply, I clicked on the "Shop Eyeglasses" tab and found the "Kids Eyeglasses" category. Just with a quick glance, I knew immediately that Veronica would find something that she would love.

Because I want her to feel comfortable, classy, sophisticated and pretty when she wears her glasses, I chose to let her make the decision on her own. I told her to get on the laptop and look through the kids eyeglasses on her own. One of the coolest things about the website is how you can click on a pair of glasses to view them and then change the color of the frames and lenses with a click of a button. It's actually quite fun and we ended up spending far longer than I expected "designing" our own glasses. However, as I mentioned, I wanted Veronica to choose a pair that she would like for a long time and feel good about wearing.

After a ton of playing around, she decided that she loved the "Rabbit" style in lavender. I couldn't agree with her more. They are stylish, chic and make her feel pretty. (See pic below)

Glasses sure have come a long way since we were children! I know quite a few kids who would have loved the opportunity to choose from the selection of glasses that 39dollarglasses.com offers back when I was in school!

Ordering

Once you have chosen the type/color glasses that you want to buy, it's time to order. Now, I am a prescription eyeglass script Loser. I have no idea what any of the numbers mean - or even how to enter the numbers correctly on an order form.  I have never ordered glasses online before, either, so this part was surely going to be difficult!

To my surprise and disbelief, 39dollarglasses has this covered! They make ordering prescription eyeglasses simple for a dum-dum like me. :) Managing a veterinary hospital several years ago taught me the O.D. and O.S. part of the prescription (right eye and left eye, respectively), but the rest was foreign. Unfortunately, the script I was provided by Veronica's ophthalmologist had no graph, no lines, and no way to easily figure out which number went into which box.

Like I said, though, 39dollarglasses has this covered! They have a "How to Read My Prescription" link that opens up a new window. This window breaks down each aspect of the script and even has 6 more questions to help answer common questions that people might have about their script. With this information and instruction, I was easily able to enter the appropriate numbers into the correct spots. (And without this guided ordering, I would have become frustrated and probably have left the site and looked for a more user-friendly site if I was ordering eyeglasses for the first time.)

Polycarbonate 

I learned a new word back when I first ordered glasses for my kids (I have two in glasses): Polycarbonate. This basically means that they are impact-resistant, and it is "the same material used to make bulletproof glass", according to the site.

Accidents happen, especially with children (hence the broken pair in the first place!). When I was ordering glasses at the ophthalmologist's office last time around, they highly recommended polycarbonate glasses for the kids, as they were much, much safer.  They told me that if one of the kids wore their glasses in gym class, for example, and a ball hits their glasses, shards of glass could go into their eyes - not a pretty thought! Unfortunately, my insurance did not cover this aspect of the glasses, so up went the price $100 for each pair!

Would you know that 39dollarglasses does not even give you the option to choose polycarbonate glasses when you order glasses for your kids? ALL of their children's glasses are made with the polycarbonate glass, so no matter which pair you choose, your child's eye will be as safe as they can be. And, there's no extra charge or fees for the polycarbonate - I LOVE that! (An immediate savings of $200!)

The polycarbonate is also lighter and thinner than most regular glasses, which is great for children's little faces, too!

More Options

I was provided an allotment to spend at 39dollarglasses, so when it came time to check out, I was able to select the anti-reflective coating, as Veronica likes to use the computer frequently. The last step was probably the most fun, as we were able to choose a "designer" case. This is the one we chose:

How adorable for a 10-year-old girl! And, it all cost less than $75! In addition, I ordered Veronica's eyeglasses on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend, and we received them in the mail on Wednesday...how's that for fast shipping?


My Opinion...(In case I haven't said enough!)

I can't say enough about 39dollarglasses.com. They not only make it easy to order prescription eyeglasses on their website, they also have a ton of different styles of frames, colors and even cases to choose from! From now on, forget about replacing accidentally broken eyeglasses through our ophthalmologist or at any of the local eyeglass places around here! I'm going to save time and money the next time around and order through39dollarglasses.com!

Affiliate Program

If you are interested in working with 39dollarglasses.com, they have an excellent affiliate program.

Giveaway!(A Blessing for You!)

39dollarglasses.com wants you to check out their website, their easy ordering and their excellent prices, too! They are passing on the blessing of a pair of prescription glasses (up to $75) to one very lucky Mommy Rantings reader! (US or Canada addresses only)

Simply "Like" the 39dollarglasses.com Facebook page. (But, be sure to NOT leave a message that Mommy Rantings sent you, as it is their policy to remove posts that include blog names)


Did you say you wanted extra entries???

For extra entries:

Like Mommy Rantings on Facebook

Follow Mommy Rantings through GFC (left hand column of blog)

And, for three extra entries, you can blog about this giveaway and leave three comments with a link to your blog.

This giveaway will end on October 7th at midnight eastern. Good Luck!

Thank you, 39dollarglasses.com for this opportunity and blessing! I was provided an allotment to spend at 39dollarglasses.com in order to perform this review. All opinions in this review are mine.

Fisher Price Cradle Swing - Ocean Wonders Aquarium Review

Last baby go-round (which was the wonderful, now two-year-old Kodi-bear), I had purchased the Fisher Price Cradle Swing - Ocean Wonders and HE.LOVED.IT!

Of course, when I decided that 6 children was enough for me, I ended up giving the swing away once he outgrew it. Regretfully.

So, I've been desperately searching for a replacement at a decent price that wouldn't knock me off my feet. And, I finally found one! But, this one was a bit different than the one Kodi-bear had enjoyed so much. THAT one cost us an arm and a leg in batteries. It seemed we were buying a new package of 4 D-sized batteries every 3 days! So, when I realized that this new one was electric - yes, it plugs in! - I was ecstatic!

Beyond the fact that it's aesthetically gorgeous, it has a number of different features that babies love!

Swinging

It swings in two different ways: a cradle motion, from side to side (perfect for the newly born), or a front-to-back (or head to toe) direction (for the bigger babies). It also has 6 different speeds, from low to high, to adjust as your baby grows and gets heavier.

Sounds - Music

There are eight different songs that you can choose from, including soothing music, playful music and nature sounds for your little one's ears.

Sights - Mobile and Water Globe

To keep your infant's eyes busy and entertained, there is a motorized mobile with four different, colorful fish hanging from it and a water globe that changes colors, creating an amazing, colorful display, and has "little swimmers" inside.

Toy Tray - Motor Skills

A removable toy tray has beads that slide from side to side for when your baby starts to use their hands to develop their motor skills.

Extras

And, if that's not enough, there are safety belts and a cushiony padded seat with a soft headrest for comfort. The padding comes off easily so you can run it through the washer when necessary. The legs are detachable and it folds easily for storage or travel. This particular model, as I mentioned earlier, comes with the plug-in option that includes a 6-volt AC power adapter, but it also has a place where you can, if you elect to, put four size D batteries into it (just in case the swing is positioned where there is no plug or you want to take it outside).

Reviews

There are mixed reviews on this swing - many owners have complained about the squeaking that I now remember. It will start to squeak as the baby grows bigger. I also remember that this required a quick fix - simply adjusting the legs to ensure that they are flat on the floor. Otherwise, people seem to love this swing as I do!

Buy It!

You can find the Fisher Price Cradle Swing - Ocean Wonders Aquarium at Amazon.com for $227.98. But, if you're not rich like me, you can start planning ahead in the beginning (or middle) of your pregnancy and start putting the word out at consignment shops or search for used swings on craigslist. I waited until last minute and almost missed out! To be quite honest, I was just about to settle for just your ordinary swing to tide me over until I could find the one that I wanted. However, I did find one on craigslist that was in brand-new condition for a really great deal just in the nick of time. (Thank you, Miss Leanne!)

So, little Mr. No-Name will be enjoying what I consider the King of Swings throughout his infanthood - and I will enjoy some peace of mind while he's swinging! Of course, there will be pics to come in the very near future!

The Stocked Kitchen Recipe Book Review

I found a gem of a recipe book! It's called The Stocked Kitchen - and it's 300+ pages chock full of unbelievably delicious recipes based off of only 1 shopping list! When I was offered the chance to review this book, I had no idea what a surprise I was about to receive!

First of all, when you open it up, it starts reading like a regular book, with "The System"...

"Start With the List"

"We've all had that moment during the day when we ask, with a knot in our stomach, 'What am I going to make for dinner?'" (Oh, my goodness! That thought crosses my mind about 6 times a week!)

Then, the awesome authors (above, Sarah Kallio and Stacey Krastins) go on to tell you how to effectively use the recipe book, with "Using the System", still all the while writing in a down-to-earth, fun and, of course, informative fashion. What's even better is that they have come up with a basic list of about (I didn't exactly count) 200 ingredients. And, every recipe in the whole 300+ pages of the book, about 300 pages of which are all recipes, are derived from that one shopping list.

One Shopping List

That's the true beauty of this recipe book! Every other recipe book that I have ever owned required me to search through the recipes, find what I liked and then create my shopping list based off of the recipes that I wanted to make. This book does it all for you! They even include about (again, I didn't count) 15 pre-printed pages in the back of the book with the complete shopping list and boxes to check off while you are shopping. So, you can pull out a page and head to the store right away!

Okay, but that's not the best part! Well, maybe it is...no, I guess it's not. Okay, I'm torn! The recipes! The recipes are so expansive and delectable...it's difficult to believe that one grocery list covers all of the recipes in this book! Some are made from scratch and some are quick and simple. After looking through the recipe book for a while, I still haven't found a recipe that seemed really hard to make - they're all pretty simple, most with under 10 steps of directions and many with only 3-5 steps.

I don't even know where to start, but here are some of the recipes you will find:

pineapple upside down cake
meat loaf
cinnamon roll loaf (and the pic of this - yes, there are pics, too! - looks yummy!)
turtle pancakes (mmmhmmm...with the nuts on top)
veggie pizza
chocolate chip almond bars
cream cheese coffee cake
pancake batter fried shrimp
moo shoo shrimp stir-fry
italian burger
stovetop mac and cheese
hamburger buns
crab rangoon with sweet and sour sauce
bacon-wrapped pineapple
bacon-wrapped ranch chicken
cinnamon french toast bake...and if that's not enough, there's a raspberry french toast bake, too
margarita bars
lemon layer cake
marinades! honey-lime, italian, asian, greek, java, lemon-pepper, moroccan
egg salad
curry chicken salad
apricot chicken salad
asian lettuce wraps
deviled eggs
chicken pot pie
chicken florentine
cinnamon chip scones
pesto spinach pizza
chocolate truffles


I could go on and on and on...that's just the tip of the iceberg! There are over 300 recipes to choose from...if you can't find a ton of recipes for your family in this book, there's something seriously wrong with you. And, again, there is only one shopping list to work with. Forget about the hunt-for-the-recipe, check the pantry method of cooking. Shop with one list, make anything you want in the book.

As a busy mom of six and a new baby on the way, I love the concept and will be shopping with the grocery list next shopping trip! I'm excited about how much easier this recipe book will make my life! Don't forget to get your copy! They'll be on sale July 5, 2011!

What's He Really Thinking? Book Review

One thing that I love to do is relax with a good book. So, one of my favorite places to visit for book reviews is BookSneeze, because not only can you find honest opinions about books from real people, you can also find great books to review!

What's He Really Thinking? (How to Be a Relational Genius with the Man in Your Life) by Paula Rinehart is actually a much better read than I expected. I love how she intertwines God and religion with the concepts and scenarios that she brings up in the book. These are every day issues that women experience with men, whether on the light side or on the deep side, and she has great answers and recommendations for each situation and example that she brings up.

What Men Do, How Men Change, Why Men Hurt are just some of the names of the chapters you will encounter in this book in Part One. Then Part 2 delves into Expectations, Respect, Conflict, Getting Through, and Intimacy.

If you're in a new relationship or are experiencing difficulties in your marriage, I honestly believe What's He Really Thinking? will give you some insight into the depths of a man. Even if you are not in a relationship now, and are looking for the man of your dreams, the advice in this book will definitely point you in the right direction. It may even point out some danger signs that you can look for when you are dating, in order to differentiate the men who are good for you as opposed to the ones who might bring you heartache.

You can find this book on Amazon (click the link above) for a phenomenal price, so if you're still baffled about the inner workings of your man (or men, in general), it's definitely worth the time and money.

I received a complimentary book from BookSneeze in order to write this review. All opinions are expressly mine.

"The Club No One Wanted To Join" Book Review & Giveaway! (The Madoff Victim's Stories) CLOSED

Madoff Victims In Their Own Words

It could have been you...it could have been me. Anyone could have been taken advantage of this way!

When I was first asked to review this book, I was like, "Sure! I'll check your book out!" I wasn't prepared for the emotional rollercoaster that I was about to hop on...this is one of those books that are difficult to put down, but so hard to keep reading, because they're so heartbreaking! It brings you into the personal lives of the people who were taken advantage of...

Me, In A Bubble

I had heard of the Madoff Victims, but I guess I was in a bubble when the whole thing happened, or maybe it was over my head...or maybe I just didn't care, like many others, because it wasn't me who Bernard Madoff took advantage of.

Now, I'm wondering what I can do for these people who thought they were investing their hard-earned money wisely. I'm wondering why the government hasn't done anything for the people who LOST EVERYTHING when Bernie Madoff ripped off with every dime of their investments, every dime of their life saving...their security...and basically, their lives.

The victims were not filthy rich investors...many were struggling, everyday people who wanted to secure their retirements...and they were left with nothing!


My Heart Broke Over and Over Again

The Club No One Wanted to Join is comprised of individual, personal stories, written by the victims themselves. Each chapter is a whole new insight into the depths of a person (or couple's) life before, during and after encountering and trusting Madoff. Each story is heartbreaking...and each one leaves me to wonder...what is WRONG with our government (The Securities and Exchange Commission)??? Why did they let this con artist come in and start up an investment firm? And then walk with $65B dollars of people's hard-earned money?

I mean, yeah, he's serving 150 years in jail now, but the victims are still broke and hopeless. It's maddening and saddening, at the same time.

One woman talks about how she and her husband scrimped and saved all of their lives to put away enough to make it through retirement and beyond...and then, after her husband passes away, she realizes that she has nothing, thanks to Madoff.  As of December 11, 2008, when the bottom dropped out, there was no more retirement...where does she turn?

Assumptions About the Victims

To make matters worse, the media called the victims rich and greedy and assumed that they did something wrong, when the honest truth was, most of them followed the advice of people that they knew before they invested...and none of them were being greedy! They all thought that they were investing their money wisely to secure their future, or at least make it comfortable.

Personal Letters to Madoff

There are even personal letters from the victims to Bernard Madoff, speaking from their hearts, in the book. They are sad, too. Heartbreaking.

My heart goes out to the Madoff victims (who also refer to themselves as the Madoff Survivors) and my prayers are with them. I hope they all find some kind of peace in their lives after having their future plans and lives pulled out from underneath them. Most of all, I hope someone comes up with a plan to help these people face the rest of their lives...

How You Can Help

In the meantime, go buy the book! The proceeds of the book, The Club No One Wanted To Join, will "help victims pursue legislative changes needed to further the rights of the small investor", according to the acknowledgments in the book.

It could have been any of us...

If you are interested in helping the victims of Madoff and anyone who invests...here are two petitions that you can sign:

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

Petitions by Change.org|Start a Petition »

Giveaway!

Alexandra Roth, the fabulous woman who compiled all of the essays and put the book together in a way that will touch anyone who reads it, was wonderful enough to offer a giveaway here on Mommy Rantings! So, you can read the heart-wrenching stories yourself!

I'm going to do this giveaway a little different than others...because I want to get the word out about this book. So, make sure that you are a Mommy Rantings follower and then you can:

Mandatory entry: Tell me why you want this book.

Extra entries:

1) Update your Facebook status with this giveaway. (2 entries)

2) Blog about this giveaway - tell me your blog's URL (3 entries).

3) Tweet this giveaway (you can do this once per day!) (1 entry per tweet -leave twitter name)

This giveaway will end on February 7th, 2011!



I was provided a copy of the book The Club No One Wanted To Join in order to write this review. All opinions are mine.

Asthma Allergies Children: A Parent's Guide Book Review

I was honored when Henry Ehrlich sent me a copy of Asthma Allergy Children: a parent's guide, by Paul Ehrlich, M.D., Larry Chiaramonte, M. D. and Henry Ehrlich. No, not just because I received a free book! ;)

I was honored because, since the birth of little Dylan (I fondly call him that because he is so tiny), my husband and I have been in and out of the hospital helping Dylan fight respiratory issues. They started when he was just days old and didn't seem to get any better as he grew.

We've been through every home remedy, including making a steam room in the bathroom by running a shower of hot water and sitting in there with Dylan for 20 minutes every hour. We've used the nebulizer with Albuterol and Pulmicort for years and we moved to the inhaler about a year ago. We've also tried the humidifiers and air purifiers as well as menthol and eucalyptus rubs. I don't think that we left many stones unturned in regard to helping Dylan breathe normally.

There were a few episodes when Dylan completely stopped breathing...

If you've never experienced watching your child struggling to breathe, let me tell you: it's one of the hardest and scariest things to watch as a mother. 

We take breathing for granted. We don't think about the breaths of air that we take in...we just do it, but when you have respiratory problems, you never take the air that we breathe for granted. Ever!

While planning the move from the Carolinas to the North (New York!) last May, I wondered how the move would affect Dylan's breathing issues. We had lived in the Carolinas since he was born, so there was no telling how the move would affect him. My fear was that the North would be worse on his little body, as the winters are more harsh and the season changes happen quickly...and I couldn't imagine things getting any worse!

But, I was wrong...

By the grace of God, Dylan hasn't had any scary episodes since we moved in May, which tells me something that Asthma Allergies Children: a parent's guide discussed. One of the chapters (12. Allergies and the Environment) outlined information about the actual air that we breathe. The allergens that float in the air that we don't think about normally - those silent predators! It states, "If the air is completely free of the substances an allergic patient is subject to, there will be no symptoms."

Wow! Think about it...if our air was completely pure, breathing issues would not exist. Allergies would disappear. Right? "Pollen and mold spores are the major outdoor allergens responsible for seasonal allergens," according to the book. This quote comes from the section that state, "Geography Matters".

So, what was so different between the South and the North? The South has prolonged season changes, which allows the pollen and other seasonal air raiders more time to gather and bother the respiratory system. I remember one year when the pollen was so thick on the cars, they looked like they were all colored green. Green! Up here, in the North, the seasons change pretty fast and those allergens disappear faster than they would in the South, which means less exposure to airborn allergens.

I am no scientific scholar, but it makes sense...and I'm glad that we made the move, both for financial reasons and for the health of Dylan, who has suffered enough. Since May, when we moved to New York, he has, I think once, fell victim to a respiratory spell when I thought I would have to pull the nebulizer out. I was armed and ready, but the wheezing went away within a day or two.

About the Book

Okay, so I got a little off the subject, which is the book, so let me get back on track...

When I first started reading Asthma Allergies Children: a parent's guide, my immediate reaction was: I love the tone of voice! It's not written in a scientific, struggle-to-understand-what-the-heck-these-doctors-are-saying method, no! The tone is extremely down to Earth, like your friend is talking to you. It's a book that, from the first page to the last page, has a personality. You wouldn't believe that doctors wrote it...no offense to doctors, but you have to admit, their lingo is a little over the top (over my head, anyways!) sometimes.

The chapter break down is perfect for quick referencing, should you need to return to a section later on for advice:

As you can see, they help you gather a good understanding about allergies and asthma, they incorporate images to accompany the explanations and descriptions, also. And, here is an example page from the book to give you an idea of the tone of voice....

 

Sorry to cut it off right there, but doesn't it catch your attention and make you want to read more? 

And...if you read the above selection from the beginning of the book, you will notice how they mention that the book runs in accordance with their website, AsthmaAllergiesChildren.com because "medicine moves faster than print". This website is also full of resources including journals, weekly, tips, mailbags, and much more.

Parents:

If you have a child that suffers respiratory issues, Asthma Allergy Children: a parent's guide is definitely a must-have! It's chock-full of information and images and, although I hope that I never have to deal with Dylan experiencing respiratory issues again, I know exactly where the book and the website can be found, if I ever need to reference them again. This book can replace all of your other asthma and allergy reference guides and books that are collecting dust on your bookshelves!

Oh, and need I mention that Henry sent me a personal letter with the book? In it, he told me that "two of the top allergists in the country work at the University of Buffalo Med School". 

So, I conclude that not only is Asthma Allergy Children: a parent's guide the best book that I have read pertaining to allergies and asthma, I also know that our move to the Buffalo, New York area was a blessing for both our family and little Dylan's health. 

Thanks, Henry, for sending me the book! It has a special spot in our home now.

I received the book Asthma Allergy Children: a parent's guide for the purpose of writing this review. I did not receive monetary compensation for this post.

The Sacred Journey Book Review

You will notice that I am starting to review some books here on Mommy Rantings, and because there are such diverse people visiting, I'm going to be covering a ton of different book genres...which I think is fun!

Booksneeze recently sent me The Sacred Journey, by Charles Foster, to read and review.  I usually enjoy reading a good book about the Bible and the perspectives that come with scriptures. This one seemed a bit over the top for me. I will say that, in the very beginning of the book, the editor mentions that people will find things that they do not agree with throughout The Sacred Journey. She is right.

I will also say that if you're looking for a deep read that focuses on the Bible and takes you on a long journey, The Sacred Journey could be for you. If you like to read another person's views on parts of the Bible, again, this book could be for you. Be prepared for a journey into Charles Foster's mind and how he interprets scripture.

I give it a 2-3 stars, at most.