Have a secret that is burning you up?

I just saw this on Good Morning America... The ExperienceProject.com.

A place for big and small confessions of all sorts, where Mom's can get things off their chests and/or help support others who are struggling.

Do you have something you would like to cyber-confess? Some topics are fun... "What celebrity to you refuse to watch?", "Who were you in high school?" and "What were your family mantras growing up and do you have them now?".

Everyone needs an outlet once in a while, especially MOMS!

Check it out...>

Cafe Fashionista

Looking for a fun and unique look at some fun and unique products?

Erika from Cafe' Fashionista brings us reviews on stuff from business cards to two-toned shoes, to platinum nail polish to Yogurt Passion (and that's just the most recent blog post!). She does all the leg work... and we get to enjoy the treasures she finds!

Check out Cafe' Fashionista...>

Follow Us on Twitter

We made the jump

(with a growing number of folks)

to Twitter!

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It's a fun, quickly updating way to stay connected with friends, celebrities and even favorite businesses (grin)! We will use it to compliment our blog and will use it when we have something news-worthy to share and want to let you know ASAP! (Like if we get wild hair to have a sale!)

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We hope you'll hop over and set up your Twitter account if you don't already have one... and FOLLOW US! We'll follow you too!

Cheap, Healthy Foods - Watch Your Weight and Your Budget

A major issue for those who are trying to create a healthy lifestyle is the cost of healthy food. There are many products on the shelves of your local grocery store that are healthy, but most of them have a larger price tag than the unhealthy, high-fat foods. There are options. If you shop wisely, you can eat healthier than you ever have before and decrease your grocery bill at the same time. Nutritious eating doesn't need to be expensive.

Less Junk = More Savings: In choosing healthy foods, keep in mind that you will automatically be spending less than before due to the absence of junk foods that you may normally purchase such as soft drinks, sugary snacks, and high fat meats.

Less Waste = Less Waist: Healthy eating is not just eliminating certain foods from your diet; it is replacing them with healthy foods. And, if weight control is your goal, you will also be reducing your portion sizes, which will mean less money spent on each meal.

Less Meat, More Veggies: Reducing the amount of meat you eat and replacing it with vegetables is a great way to save money. Fresh vegetables are not nearly as expensive as meat or poultry and your body will thank you for it. Salad is another cheap, healthy food. The pre-packaged salads will cost a bit more than if you purchase the lettuce and other vegetables separately and prepare the salad yourself.

Frugal Fruit: Fruit can be a somewhat expensive, but if you purchase canned fruits in low-sugar syrup or water, you will pay relatively little in comparison to fresh fruit. Apples and oranges are inexpensive compared to some other fruits and you can often find sales that will further reduce your expenses.

Beans and Rice are Nice: Legumes and rice are very inexpensive and you can use either or both of these to replace meat several times per week.

Save on Meat: Canned fish costs considerably less than fresh fish and still contains most of the nutrients. Canned tuna and salmon are very cheap and are very low in fat and calories if you choose the varieties packed in water rather than oil. Chicken is less expensive if you purchase a whole chicken and remove the skin yourself before cooking.

Healthy food does not have to be expensive. You can purchase cheap healthy foods and not only eliminate unhealthy fat and calories, but you can actually save money if you shop wisely.

Article by:
Would you rather spend time doing the things you love rather than being stuck in the kitchen? http://www.freequickrecipes.com/ has quick recipes for mothers... and others. And, if you are looking for a fun way to trim your thighs, don't miss http://www.funexercisevideos.com/ .

Writing Your Personal Mission Statement

Companies use mission statements to let people know why they are in existence. Their mission statement could include information about who they are, what they do, and how they do it. Although corporate mission statements vary greatly, each serves as a guide for the company, its employees, and the general public. But how many of us have personal mission statements? Informal research suggests that few people use detailed written mission statements in their own lives. Sure, most people have some idea where they are going and what they hope to accomplish in life but few have actually written a formal mission statement.

What are the benefits of having a written personal mission statement? First, it’s easier to define the actions and goals that will help you achieve your vision. It serves as a roadmap to get you where you want to go. A mission statement allows you to measure your current reality and your progress toward your ideal life. It also allows you to evaluate your values and incorporate them into your daily life.

A mission statement is simply a statement of what guides you, what inspires you, or what you want to accomplish in your life. There are many different ways to approach writing a personal mission statement, but an effective statement can be written in four simple steps. First, list one to three values or principles that you live by and why these are important to you. If you have more than three values on your list, order them by importance to you and select the top three. Next, list the things that bring you happiness, inspire, and satisfy you. This would include the things you do best and most enjoy doing. Then list the things you’ve always wanted to do or the legacy that you would like to leave. These three lists will be combined and used to write your personal mission statement.

An effective mission statement will be simple, clear and brief (between 2-5 sentences). There are many different ways to combine these three lists into a personal mission statement. The first method is to use your own words and combine each of your three lists into a meaningful statement. The second method is to use a template and fill in the blanks with your answers from the above exercises. There are many templates available online that can guide you to crafting a mission statement. Here are a few of my favorite templates:

I value [1-3 values] because [why these are important to you]. I will [what you will do to live by these values].

To live each day with [1-3 values or principles], so that [what living these values will give you]. I will do this by [specific behaviors].

To treasure above all else [most important things to you] by [what you can do to live priorities].

As you write your personal mission statement, remember to keep it simple, clear and brief. Be sure to state everything in the present tense and keep it positive. If there are any negative statements, restate or redirect them to positive statements. Make your personal mission statement part of your everyday life – keep it handy and review it frequently as you schedule your daily or weekly activities. You will find that your mission statement may continue to change and evolve as you do. Revisit it often and make any necessary changes. And finally, keep in mind that you will get what you focus on. The more effort and focus you give to living your mission statement, the more results you will see in your life.

Article by:
April Mims is a life and career coach specializing in work/life balance issues and life and career transitions. Her coaching practice is Nexus Coaching Partners. She is passionate about empowering clients to balance the demands of a successful career and a strong family life. April invites you to a complimentary 30-minute coaching session to see if coaching could benefit you. To learn more or subscribe to The Nexus Connection newsletter, visit www.nexuscoachingpartners.com.

Girlfriends & Good Times: Top 5 Getaway Tips For Road Trips

You coming? Well slide over, Thelma and jump in the backseat, Louise! We're gassing up and escaping. When are we leaving? Right now! What's the plan? Who needs one! What will we do? Anything we want! Check out this section to get a quick rundown on all you need to know to start your roadtrip girlfriend getaway and tips to make your girlfriend getaway even more fun!

Read on...>