7 Tips to Avoid the Morning Rush

It’s stressful isn’t it? Having to get all those things ready, trying not to forget anything, not to mention bickering kids, tantrums about what to wear or the sleepy head who doesn’t want to wake up. No, the morning rush isn’t any fun but luckily there are a few things you can do to bring peace back into your family’s morning routine.

Prepare Ahead – Sounds simple enough but did you know you could actually leave just about everything ready for the next day? It might take a few extra minutes out of your evening but you’ll be much faster if you prepare everything once the kids are asleep rather than rushing in the morning.

Lay out the kids clothes for the next day - Include things like hair clips, socks and shoes. And don’t forget to lay out your clothes too.

Leave breakfast ready (or nearly ready) - Depending on what you have for breakfast you can often pre-prepare a lot of it. If you have pancakes make the batter the night before and stick it in the fridge. If you have cereal and toast, leave the cereal out, bowls, spoons and bread. You can even set the table to save time.

Pre-Pack Lunch Boxes - If your kids take a packed lunch to school prepare it the night before. Most things like sandwiches will be fine left in the fridge overnight.

Pack Their School Bags – Look through their bags and make sure there aren’t any last minute dates or events you’ve overlooked. Pack all their books and things in their bags and leave everything by the front door.

Get The Kids Involved – The responsibility of getting the kids to school shouldn’t completely lie on your shoulders. As soon as children are old enough to help out then they should. Even the youngest of kids can help.

Make a Chart – If your kids (like most kids) are forgetful, make a chart for each one which explains in order all the things they need to do in the morning. You can draw pictures for the really young ones and write a description for the older ones. For example, you can have a picture of a toothbrush, then the school clothes, hair brush, etc.

Talk to your kids about the list beforehand and explain it to them. Then stick it up in a prominent place in their rooms and the next time they ask you “mom, what do I do know?” tell them to go look at their list. This is a great way of getting kids a little more involved and to start teaching them responsibility.

By preparing ahead you can’t avoid all of your family’s morning stresses but it will certainly help a lot, and who knows you may even have time for that extra cup of coffee.

Every year I make a pact with myself to get the holiday cards out a week earlier than last year. Of course, its mid-December and although I’ve received many in the mail, I have yet to even order mine. But, next year will be different—I know it.

And speaking of pacts, this year I’ve made some New Year’s resolutions that I’ve vowed to abide by. I’m relying on the other moms I connect with to keep me on track. And vice versa — because after all, no one understands the joys and challenges of motherhood better than a fellow mom.

1) Actually make time to workout - to lose the last of that baby weight!

2) Stop checking email after 6 PM – focus on family when the workday ends

3) Read a “grown-up” book – one that doesn’t rhyme

4) Schedule and partake in the girls night I’m always talking about with my friends – to remember how much fun it can be to wear lipstick and heels

5) Volunteer – to show my kids that giving is better than getting

6) Make new friends – listen and learn from other moms

7) Organize! Toss all of the junk mail – if I didn’t read it today, I won’t read it tomorrow

Be on top of important dates – send cards on time this year

9) Remember every day is a blessing – take full advantage of it

10) Buy something special – not every trip to the mall has to be for the kids

Jaine is a military wife, mother of a 2-yr-old daughter, founder of Moms and Tots of San Diego (www.bigtent.com/groups/mtsd) and a full-time technology coach at Big Tent, helping other community groups effectively use technology to grow and prosper. Respond with your resolutions for “Mommy Resolutions” for 2008.

New Year’s #1 Resolution Among Adults was…

Can you guess? You might be surprised. Go ahead, guess. I’ll wait.

It’s saving money! Not losing weight, but saving money. Yes, it shocked me, too. Second to your mortgage, food just may be your highest monthly expense. So, it does make sense to trim that expense as much as you can, right? (Hint, the answer is yes!) Menu planning can help you cut cost and help you resist picking up alot of extra food and snacks at the grocery store, not to mention going out to eat at the last minute…

The owner of DineWithoutWhine.com has given me a coupon code that I can pass onto you so you can save 20% on her menu planning service.

To get started, go to this site DineWithoutWhine.com and choose either the 3, 6, or 12 month subscription option. When you’re checking out, enter this code: 04AO (The first digit is a zero and the last is an uppercase letter “O”.) and you’ll save 20% instantly. Most people give up on their New Year’s Resolution before January 31st. Give yourself the tools to actually make it work this year. You’ll be so glad you did!

Here’s the details again:

20% off a 3, 6, or 12 month subscription

Code: 04AO

Expires: 4/15/2008

Click Here to Grab My Savings Now

3 Tips For Enjoying Holiday Parties Without Overindulging Guilt

Inevitably all will be making the rounds this holiday season to visit friends and relatives.  Undoubtedly everyone we visit will have the traditional spread of delicious foods that will tempt us into overindulging on the many treats available.

Anyone can still enjoy holiday parties and refrain from consuming too many high-fat foods and drinks. 

Here are some tips to help your refrain from overeating:

1. Before going out to any holiday party, have a small snack and plenty of water.  The old saying: Never food shop when you’re hungry?  Well, the same applies to holiday parties.  While you may have been dieting over the summer months in preparation for the upcoming holidays, still maintain whatever diet plan you are on by simply heading straight for the veggie platter.  Avoid heavy desserts and substitute water for cola and punch.

2. Utilize the same portion control used in the diet plan.  If attending a sit-down holiday fare, odds are there will be a tempting spread of fine foods and desserts. Although you may feel you deserve a treat of a creamy dessert, choose one that is the lesser of two evils.  More often than not, hosts will have plenty of food to enjoy that will not play havoc with a waistline.

3. Stick with salads and low fat dressing, put aside the stuffing and utilize a small plate.  While it will be difficult, you can enjoy holiday parties as well as anyone else.  After all, you have been dieting for quite some time and probably know how many calories each menu contains. 

Today, more holiday preparation is geared towards low fat meals and the preparation of these meals offers a wide variety of healthy alternatives than the more traditional heavier meals used to.

The holidays are a time for family and friends to get together and enjoy each other.  Utilizing portion control will help you enjoy the feast while also alleviating the pangs of guilty feelings afterwards.

You have made the commitment to exercise regularly and settle into a healthy lifestyle. It is not always easy to keep up with working out on a regular basis so providing yourself with an energy boost prior to your workout will make the workout go more smoothly, you will feel better, and therefore, are more likely to keep it going.

There are many perfect fuel foods for energy boosts and muscle repair, but women’s bodies are different than men’s. Here are just five of the best fitness fuel foods you should be eating before a workout.

Yogurt: Yogurt gives you an energy spike perfect for before a workout and it is easy to digest. It is pre-workout food at its best.

Cereal: Fuel up with whole grain cereal and fat free milk. It will give you more energy for a better and longer workout.

Oranges: One orange has all the vitamin C requirements for the day and they are portable, perfect for eating on the go. Being rich in vitamin C means they help repair muscle tissue after a workout.

Ground Flaxseed: Flaxseed is fiber packed and a daily dose of 1-2 tablespoons is all you need. Toss it into your cereal and you won’t even notice it is there, it cannot get any easier than that.

Bananas: Bananas are high in potassium, which you need to replace fluids lost from sweating. The carbohydrates in bananas also provide an energy boost to sustain a good workout.

Super charge your workouts with a little fitness fuel beforehand and you’ll find yourself having more energy for a longer and better workout. It will not take long to see the results in the mirror.

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Mom2Mom Magazine, http://www.mom2momlounge.com is an online magazine written by moms, for moms. Find mom-relevant issues, insights, product reviews, fun ideas, fashion and beauty, family travel, health, recipes, WAHM’spirations, humor and more.  Each issue is filled with realistic, quick and easy reads that matter to Moms.

Product Name: Scriptures and Meditations for Your Best Life Now
Rating: 10
Where to buy: http://www.amazon.com

Description:  This is a beautiful keepsake type book that everyone needs in his or her collection. It is an inspiration in helping the human mind find the potential to create a peaceful and happy life.

Review: This book is one of the best there is.  It is so inspiring in it’s words, pictures, scriptures and ideas.  It would be a wonderful gift for anyone.

The seven steps included in this book were so helpful to me in a time when I needed inspiration to help me find a better way at looking at life.  They helped me realize that there are things in my life to be thankful for. 

The scriptures were wonderful.  They set out ideas for me to think about and use in my life.  It was inspiring to read these scriptures and think about God and how he was the biggest part of my life. 

The way it is written is so light and easy.  It is easy to understand and apply to everyday life.  With the thought of the day also included in helps you to focus on that day only. 

It shows you how you can leave your past in the past and live for the day and remember the good things God has brought in your life.  It also helps you to rebuild your own self-esteem.

If you’re not a big reader this book is for you.  It only takes a few minutes to read the scripture, thought for the day and the ideas included with them.  Also just looking at the natural pictures will enlighten your heart. 

I would recommend this book to everyone.  Whether you are religious or not it is such an inspiring and self-building book that everyone can get something from it.