Shop small business and shop HUGE

     November 26, 2011 is shop small business day!  If millions of Americans would shop small it could be Huge.  I took the pledge to only shop small on 11/26/2011, will you? Just go to Pledge here, and give Mom and Pop shops a day of their own.  I was given this opportunity as a Vocal Point member and now I want to share it with you!

     I personally prefer small business.  You get much better service and they don't harass you to buy something.  If you haven't already take the pledge now!

Chocolate for Thanksgiving anyone? 18+ Only post

     When you think of Thanksgiving what do you think about?  I think about Turkey and Families getting together and enjoying themselves.  Once you go to your parents house and then to your in-laws house, it is just nice to come home and relax.  If you are like me and you have children then your day still isn't over.  So you spend what little time you have with the little ones before putting them to bed and then it is time for you and your spouse to relax and be Thankful together.  So what do you do, and do you involve Chocolate?  You do if you go to EdenFantasys and at a great price.

     I have found some wonderful items that you can purchase for yourself and your hubby or you can purchase them for gift ideas.  And they are always at really great prices.  My favorite is the Chocolates Sweet Spot Kit - vibrator kit.  The kit is regular $32.99 and on sale right now for $24.74. A saving of $8.25, Thankful now right?  The kit includes a traditional pocket rocket and bullet style vibrators that have a shimmer metallic brown color, and a bottle of chocolate flavored lotion.  They are food grade material, waterproof, and the pocket rocket and bullet are multi speeds.  Can you say Thanksgiving Dessert?

     You can check out EdenFantasys website for video reviews and written reviews.    I found that these were helpful if you are not sure on a particular item or exactly what they were for. You can also ask the manufacturer about their product or ask an expert.  You have the option of being public or as private as you like.  These are both options I cherish because maybe I don't feel comfortable about talking about everything with just everybody!  If you are looking for a great gift item for a special friend or your spouse try EdenFantasys, and rest assure you will not be disappointed!

Disclaimer:  This is the opinion on Jennie from Southern Mom of 4, I was asked to do this post or told what to write, however I did receive a gift card for the participation in the review.  All thoughts are those of mine and no others!

E-Vegitarian cookbook ~Review~

     I have been given a great opportunity to review a vegetarian e-cookbook, Confessions of a Red Hot (veggie) Lover.  I must say first and foremost I am not a vegetarian but I do love my veggies!

     I used my hubby as a Guinea pig on a few of these and I must say I was surprised at his response!  He loved the Omelette's and usually he only wants an omelet with sausage or bacon in it! However he too is a big fan of his meat he was very happy with these recipes. Unfortunately my camera is broken so I can't take any pictures to share with you but I promise to upload some as soon as I can get some!

     With these recipes you really don't know that isn't any meat in them unless you prepared the meal or unless you were told.  There are great recipes for your children to help you prepare and I promise it will help you get your little ones eating more veggies!  I have a 7 and 3 year old and sometimes it is a little difficult getting them to try new things but I didn't have a lot of trouble with these!

     Confessions of a Red Hot (Veggie) Lover is available on Amazon and was released June 2011.  It is written, by Belinda Y. Hughes.  For her special diets food blog visit Belinda's page. 

http://belindayhughes.webs.com/writings/html
http://cafebelinda.blogspot.com/
http://amazon.com/dp/B0054I2CU4
http://facebook.com/confessionsofaredhotveggielover

Discalimer:   The opinions in theis post are solely the opion of mine, I did not receive any comphensation for doing this post.  I did receive a copy of "The Red Hot Veggie Lover" e-cookbook for the purpose of review only!

Is Ignorance Really Bliss?

     Being from the South you hear alot of terminology growing up that sometimes really don't make sense.  My dad always had my favorite one.  I will tell you about that one later, but first to ~Ignorance is Bliss~.

     As an adult every time I think of that old saying I have to ask myself, What? What really are they talking about?  So as I was talking to my husband, David, one day we got to talking about ignorance.  Now you have to understand that this is a man that if he ever read it, seen it, heard it, he remembers it!  However me, I can't read something and half the time tell you what I just read or what it was about.  When you think about things in certain aspects you really start to understand where, and why they came about. 

     Steve Jobs is one of the most recent, smartest men most of us know about and I have to ask myself was he REALLY happy?  If you go to google and ask the question "Why are intelligent people less happy?" you get a huge number of results.  My husband seems to be a very miserable man most of the time, I guess because he knows so much about people and things that he doesn't really get to enjoy anything.  If we watch a movie together I get quizzed on her the stars are, what else they played in, etc.  To be honest I don't care who they are or anything about them.  Do you think they care who I am or my struggles in life? NO!

     But the best southern phrase I have ever heard and to this day makes me the maddest has to be ~Did you hurt in to your Notion?~

     Ask anyone outside of my friends and family and they look at you like you are CrAzY!  However growing up if we got hurt that is what my dad would ask and if you told him no, he told you to go back and do it again!  I am 35 and my dad still enjoys that one!

     Would love to hear any comments, phrases, thoughts, or opinions you have on this post.    Life in general is so full of surprises and we have to take them day by day and sometimes those old sayings that your dad had may make you feel better.  So please if you have anything I would def. love to hear...

Real Moms Love to Eat ~Review~

     Here at Southern mom of 4, we do love to eat really good southern food.  It is no surprise that Southern Women are larger than most simply because we enjoy FOOD!  However, while I enjoy food I am a very picky eater and I am afraid it may have rubbed off on my children.  We always feel a little guilty when we think of our eating habits and then we have a thought of going on a Diet.  Diets never seem to work for most people, and now I can finally say I have found a book for us all!

    Beth Aldrich's new book is due to be released on January 3,2012, titled Real Moms Love To Eat.  She is running a sweepstakes for pre-ordering her book, and you can pre-order her books at the following links and enter to win some great gifts in return.
Amazon
Barnes and Nobles
India Bound
Books*A*Million

And in Canada
Amazon
Indigo

     The gifts include for November 1: The ultimate mom on the go traveling snack carrier and travel bamboo utensils.  November 15 is a plush throw blanket.  New items are added weekly so be sure to check back in to see what new ones are added.

     I can't wait for January just so I can receive this book and check out all the new recipes Beth Aldrich's has to offer.  The book is broken up into 3 different sections:
1. Fun easy to follow 10 part plan for moms
2.  Life long changes in their approach to food
3. 21 days of meals suggestions, tips, recipes, and lifestyle changes.

     I myself am NOT on any kind of diet but I think that every mother should think about healthier eating for her family.  According to the chart I am fortunately in my average weight class and my family is also within healthy weights.  I tell you this because I think that this book is more than for someone who is going on a diet.  She offers life changing style, and tips for all family sizes.  And I do enjoy cooking so the recipes for me are just a bonus to the book.  Please check out Beth Aldrich's book Real Moms Love To Eat and tell your friends about it.  If every family would just change maybe 1 or 2 bad eating habits imagine how much healthier we would be and even feel. 


Disclaimer: I wrote this blog while participating in the socialmoms and Beth Aldrich - Real Moms Love to Eat blogging program, for a chance to get 3,000 My Reward Points.  For more information on how you can participate click here.

Food Affairiate Tool Kit

Food Affairiate Tool Kit

Signs of Abuse in a Relationship

     You may ask What is there to know?  I already know the signs!  I used to think I knew the signs until I myself went through the Domestic Violence.  Even then I still would not have admitted to going through such horrific things.  As a child and teenager I would always tell people I am NOT going to be with no man that beats me!  There is much more to the abuse than just him or her hitting each other.  I have listed here a few things that over the years I have learned, mainly from experience and some from other sources.

     At first we will list the obvious ones that should throw up a red flag for anyone!

1. 1.  They suddenly walk around with sunglasses on because they have a blackened eye.  If you have a really close friend that never wears glasses and suddenly has on a pair and especially refuses to remove them when coming indoors, your friend may be in a bad situation!
2. Broken bones - Everyone at some time in their life may experience a broken bone, but if someone is suddenly receiving what would be considered more than usual broken bones, and their story is they fell down steps, or tripped and hit the floor.  You may want to try and talk to this person.  Don't be surprised if they don't want to talk, they are afraid for their life at this point.
3. Depression - most people when they are being mistreated tend to blame themselves for what happened to them and tend to stay away from others.  They used to be an outgoing person and now they don't want to leave their house or have company.
4. Weight gain or weight loss - You know your friend and you know if they are trying to gain or lose weight.  Major gain or loss is never a good idea for health reasons and with depressions,  and stress we tend to deal with it in our own way.  Maybe they are refusing to eat or overeating to comfort their own feelings!
5. Sex - If your friend was the type of person that stayed solely with one partner and suddenly was seeking out attention in unhealthy manners he/she may be abused.  This is also common in especially young girls that are or were molested as young girls. If a person goes from being with one partner to having many partners, this could be a sign that they are in a sexual abuse situation.  They may not be the one looking for but will almost allow others to do what they will because they feel they have too.
6. Cries alot - sometimes they will cry over spilled milk as the old saying goes.  This maybe because they are yelled at all the time over nothing.
7. Self esteem goes to nothing - In most cases of abuse they are told they are nothing, and never will be nothing.  I was told I couldn't make it without him and that nobody would ever want to be with me.
8. Cutting - sounds crazy but sometimes they do things like cut themselves to feel alive, I did.  If he could inflict pain on me why couldn't I?  It just made me realize I really was somebody!
9. Withdrawals - Their entire lifestyle may change from going out with friends or talking on the phone to you can't find them.  They refuse to answer calls and never wants to be part of anything anymore!
10. Alcohol and or Drug abuse - Again a way of dealing and blocking out the pain!

     This post was not intended in anyway to diagnose someone.  This is things I experienced with myself and felt maybe or would help others to understand some of the things that abused women/men go through and even in some cases how they deal with it.  If you suspect something is going on with your friend try talking to them and just show support and concern.  If they are ready they will talk but you can not force them to communicate and talk about it.  Calling the law only made things worse for me because my ex-husband swore I was the one who called and I was beaten even worse.

Disclaimer:   I wrote this post for myself and not to be intended for any kind of medical use.  I have experienced this and this my opinion and that of NO others!