She Needs a Time In
April 29, 2009 | 3 Comments
When Ilana comes home from school, she’s in a horrible mood.
Even after a snack and a little rest. (Plus, she takes a nap at school.)
I’m sure it’s because it’s a transition time. Oldest handles this by hiding behind his Nintendo DS for half an hour. When he’s done he’s ready to interact (It reminds me of a man who comes home from work and reads the paper.) Julien doesn’t seem to be bothered by the transition at all, he usually runs out to play with his friends.
Her little sister misses her all day and wants to play with her when she comes in the door. Ilana is in no mood to play and starts fussing at her sister for messing up HER (their) room and anything else she can think of.
It upsets me.
I want to punish her for treating her baby sister that way.
Her behavior is unacceptable. She’s being antisocial and one time, I sent her to her bed to rest and stop being so grumpy.
Didn’t work.
She just lay there and screamed.
Part of attachment parenting the older child is remembering your instincts.
I realized that what she needed was a Time In. She needs to reconnect with mommy after being away from me all day, and she doesn’t even realize it. (She likes to pretend she doesn’t like me.)
So I hold her in my lap and ask her about her day for a few minutes. This seems to make the grumpies go away. (It reminds me of when a tantruming toddler nurses for a minute and jumps out of your lap all happy.)
photo credit: Jason Pratt
WW: 1977
April 29, 2009 | Leave a Comment
To see my Wordless Wednesday, you have to go here. (I’m stealing her WW.)
Quick and Easy SEO Your Mom Blog
April 29, 2009 | 3 Comments
SEO Your Mom Blog
One of the most important tasks on your to-do list when you want to make money with your mom blog?
Get lots of traffic.
The more visitors you have, the better your affiliate commissions, sales of your own products, and the more you can charge for your private ads (and if you’re monetizing that way – the higher your income from ad networks).
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is a fabulous traffic generation tool for mom bloggers.
Why?
It’s free.
And once you learn the basics, it becomes second nature. I don’t even think about SEO anymore when I add a page to my blog(s) or site(s), I just do it. Search engines give me over 90% of my traffic, so the stuff works.
Hopefully you have chosen a niche with your blog and you have developed a list of keywords and phrases that your market is interested in. If you haven’t done this, do it right away. Developing a keyword list helps you come up with ideas for content when you run a little dry. Regularly conduct keyword research to stay on top of what’s popular in your niche, using tools like the Google Keyword Tool.
Before we go any further, let me say something about the whole topic of SEO and blogging. Some say you should stay away from SEO altogether on your blog. Others say to SEO the heck out of it.
There IS a happy medium.You can please the search engines and also write for your reader.
(WordPress makes this easy – you can use the All In One SEO Pack plugin to help.)
I mentioned on my business blog the other day that I’ve gotten a LOT of free publicity lately, and almost all of it came from reporters finding my blog in search engines. They get online, search for a subject matter – and a blog post of mine comes up.
Umm… what is not to love about that?
Now. On to the tips.
SEO for Mom Bloggers
Tip #1: Use Your Keywords
Make sure you’re using your keywords in html tags. For instance:
* Title tags. Title tags are quite possibly the most important place to place your keyword. WordPress lets you create a title for your post that’s different from the file name (url), which is a huge plus. The title tag is what shows up in a reader’s browser bar when they favorite your page, so it needs to be a little sexy.
* Header Tags. Header tags are next in order of importance to search engines. They’re ranked in order of importance and look like this – <h1>Primary and/or Secondary keywords here</h1>
The “1” designates this header as the most important header on the page. See the large font “SEO your mom blog” above? That’s an H1 tag.
* Alt Tags. This is probably the most frequently overlooked tag. Alt tags are used to provide a text description of a graphic. Why is this useful? Two reasons. One, some internet users (either because of visual impairment or for faster speed) have their browser set to not show pictures. The Alt tag tells them what the picture is about. It also tells search engines and adds to your overall SEO efforts. Each graphic on your site should have a description and an alt tag. It only takes a few seconds to do this, and again – WordPress makes it easy.
And obviously, keep that keyword phrase in mind when you write the actual post. Use it a few times but make sure it sounds natural, not forced. (This is where keeping your reader first in mind and search engines second comes in.)
Tip #2 Blog Daily
Content is essential for traffic and good search engine ranking. Give your readers and search engines a reason to visit. Make a commitment to blog daily or as often as possible. Get guest bloggers on board if you need to. Use memes like Wordless Wednesday to help you out. Don’t forget to schedule posts in advance if you’re feeling wordy – write several posts at a time and have them automatically publish, one a day.
Tip #3 Get Juicy, *Relevant* One Way Links
The more sites that link to your blog, the more valuable search engines think you are. But keep in mind that not all links are created equal. Search engines give more weight to links from sites which are popular and credible and that are relevant to your website topic. For example, one of the sites that links to my blog is www.Mothering.com – this link means more than a link from another site that isn’t in a similar niche.
You can get more links to your blog by:
* Posting frequently. The more content you have, the more you’ll be talked about.
* Submitting articles to article directories. (For instance, www.ezinearticles.com)
* Guest blogging – again, on a blog in a similar niche
* Linking out to other bloggers you want to connect with, they’ll often return the favor
* Do cross blog conversations and interviews when asked
* Consider buying links. A few dollars on a highly trafficked site can mean lots of new visitors. You can get a juicy one way link from this blog for only $10!
What The Funk
April 28, 2009 | 1 Comment
I’ve been in a funk for weeks now. 
I don’t really feel like talking about it. Or at least, not all the reasons for it. I already said that I was sad about putting the kids in school (which is kind of like being sad when a baby weans herself – it’s the end of something and not bad in itself. See below.)
It’s not like me to give in to a mood.
I even write about my little tricks I use to get over a bad mood quickly. I learned some of these techniques from a book I own, that has a permanent spot on my bookshelf, called You Can Be Happy No Matter What. I typically don’t take moods and lows too seriously. I try not to analyze it, I just put one foot in front of the other and keep marching.
I’ve missed a few workouts. That doesn’t help. It’s been hard to get used to the new schedule. When the kids get home they need snacks and rest and to clear their head and I don’t feel right about dragging them back out again to the gym (and I can’t go during the day because the kid care is only from 5 – 8 pm and I have Sadie during the day). Plus, some nights they have homework to complete.
The kids are doing great in school. They pop out of bed at 6:30 each morning, ready to go.
Today I felt the funk start to lift.
The weather here in Georgia has been stunningly beautiful for days now. Sunny and warm and just gorgeous. That helps a lot.
It also helped that two days this week, I’ve slept until 9 AM or so. I get the kids off to school, then cuddle with Sadie in bed, and we both drift back to sleep for a couple more hours.
Heaven. I must’ve needed it.
Yesterday I took dinner to a new mom, one of my best friends just gave birth to her fifth baby. I held this tiny little 9 day old infant. 
That kind of reminds you that all is right with the world. 
Also, when she started putting her fist in her mouth and making those little newborn sounds, my breasts didn’t get the slightest bit tingly.
Which means I must be done. Even though if I met my Jim-Bob Duggar, I could probably have a dozen more. I think he’s pretty hot.
So what’s new with you?
photo credit: Allie_Caulfield
Yard Sales Are Depressing – When You Are the Hostess
April 27, 2009 | 7 Comments
Don’t get me wrong. I love shopping a good yard sale. In fact last Saturday I went to two yard sales in my neighborhood.
At one I got an awesome original piece of artwork for $5, and at another I got a huge stack of like new clothing for my 6 year old daughter for next to nothing.
It’s Having A Yard Sale That I Hate
I’m not exactly sure why, but I’ve always found it depressing to host a yard sale.
For one, it’s a lot of hard work.
And there are so many things I would rather be doing on a Saturday than sitting in my front yard hoping strangers come buy my junk.
Maybe it’s also because hosting a yard sale reminds me of how much junk we collect.
I make a concerted effort to keep stuff OUT of my home.
I am a minimalist from the word go. I resent stuff.
But even I, the antiClutter Queen, somehow amasses too. much. stuff. Where did all this junk come from? And why, pray tell, do I own THREE dust mops? UGH! It just disgusts me.
Umm, does this clutter make my butt look big?
I didn’t get to the gym on Friday which is a usual workout day for me (again – because of the stupid yard sale!), so I literally feel flabby. I think having a yard sale made me gain 5 pounds.
Not to mention, the city came around and pulled up my signs.
Good signage is everything when you’re hosting a yard sale.
Even though I live in an urban area, and there are tons of walkers/bikers/scooterers/cars around, we still didn’t get the traffic we needed in order to sell out. So I ended up having it on the second day too, which I didn’t want to do.
I’m done complaining now.
I did at least try to be as eco-friendly as possible. I used cardboard that was lying around to make signs. I gathered up stuff that didn’t sell and it’s in my car, waiting to go to the nearest charitable organization.
How do you feel about yard sales? Love ‘em? Hate ‘em?
At least the weather was beautiful.
Salad Saturday: Almond Cranberry Couscous Salad
April 25, 2009 | Leave a Comment
If you like this, may I recommend the <a href=”http://365saladrecipes.com/” target=”_blank”>365 Salad Recipes ebook</a> for even more healthy, delicious salad recipes?
<img src=”http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/Carrielee/saladsat.jpg” alt=”free salad recipes” align=”right” />
<h2>Almond Cranberry Couscous Salad</h2>
What You Need:
1 (10 oz) pkg. plain couscous
1 C dried cranberries
3/4 C green onions, chopped
3/4 C sweet yellow pepper, chopped
3/4 C almonds, toasted
1/3 C lemon juice
1/4 C olive oil
1/2 t paprika
1/4 t sea salt
1/8 t pepper
How to Make It:
Prepare the couscous as directed on the package.
When the couscous is cooked, place it in a large salad bowl and use a fork to fluff.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate 30 minutes or until chilled completely through.
When chilled remove the couscous from the refrigerator and stir in the cranberries.
Add the onions, sweet pepper and almonds and toss to combine all the ingredients.
Place the lemon juice into a small mixing bowl.
Add the oil, paprika, salt and pepper.
Use a whisk to mix the ingredients together well.
Drizzle the dressing into the salad and toss to coat.
Cover and refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
Serving Size: 14
Quick Before School Breakfasts
April 20, 2009 | 2 Comments
Getting up early and getting the kids off to school has gone great so far, except for one thing.
Breakfast.
The kids jump out of bed early, that’s no problem – but they’re accustomed to eating a little later in the morning, after they’ve been up for awhile.
Their little stomachs don’t seem ready for food at 6:30 A.M. For a couple of days I was throwing away a lot of half eaten eggs and stuff. I certainly don’t want them to eat at school (nutritionally inferior offerings) but I don’t want them to go off with an empty belly either. They need high quality protein in order for their little brains to work properly to study.
I decided to look at some quick breakfast options that the kids can hold in their hands and eat while they walk to the bus stop or in the cafeteria once they get to school, after they’ve been up for awhile and have worked up an appetite.
Stuff like granola bars aren’t my thing, neither is cereal. Extruded grains are a no-no in this house. And carbs aren’t really a great idea in the morning anyway, especially if the kids aren’t going to be eating lunch for a few hours.
Here are some of the ideas I came up with for quick before school breakfasts.
Egg McHuggins
I can’t take credit for this one. My Dad invented it (with a little inspiration from the golden arches, no doubt!). Egg McHuggins is pretty simple, and very tasty, and portable. The basic recipe involves a split open English Muffin. (I use the Ezekiel sprouted grain English Muffins from Food for Life. Sprouted grains are easier to digest and have more nutrition available to the body.)
Spread a little butter on the English Muffins then top with cheese. (I use raw organic cheese and grass fed butter – either KerryGold or Organic Valley’s pastured butter.) Bake in the oven until the cheese melts. (Or yu can toast them first and then place the cheese on top and warm until it melts. Or use shredded cheese.) Meanwhile, scramble an egg. Put the scrambled egg on top of the cheesy English Muffin. You can fry some bacon (make sure it’s organic and grass fed!) or sausage to go on it too.
This is what we had this morning. The kids were munching on them as they walked out the door. Easy to hold and eat.
Coconut Flour Blueberry Muffins
Ever since I tried these the first time, I’ve been hooked. I got the recipe from Cheeseslave who got it from a cookbook called Cooking with Coconut Flour. Since youngest and I don’t eat wheat, we get our muffin fix with these. They are SO VERY delicious and surprisingly filling. I cannot eat two of them!
Muffins are portable and delicious even when cold so these are perfect.
Smoothies
Smoothies worked well the other morning because the kids could sip on them slowly while they got ready. I made mine with raw milk, strawberries, banana and organic vanilla yogurt. Got 50 smoothie recipes right here.
Larabars
In a pinch, I give them each a Larabar. These are just about the only “granola” bars I approve of. They’re made from dried fruit and nuts – that’s it. The kids love them and I always have a supply in the pantry. No HFCS or other cheap sweeteners, no trans fats, no soy (yuck!), no fillers and no grains.
That’s what’s working for us right now.
Natural Moms Podcast #120
April 20, 2009 | 1 Comment
My guest this week is Jo Robinson of EatWild and author of Pasture Perfect: The Far-Reaching Benefits of Choosing Meat, Eggs, and Dairy Products from Grass-Fed Animals.
Eating animal products and meat from grass fed animals is the environmentally friendly choice.
Animals raised in confinement are unhealthy and not eating their natural diet. Therefore they require antibiotics and hormones in order to turn a profit for their owners. Their meat and milk is also much more likely to be contaminated with e.coli, salmonella and other pathogens.
When you buy meat and milk from a local, small farmer, you are supporting healthy green eating! Not to mention that grass fed meat is tastier and much healthier. One reason for this is because of the higher amounts of certain nutrients, such as Omega 3 fatty acids and CLA in grass fed.
Welcome AJC Readers
April 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment
If you read today’s Atlanta Journal Constitution, maybe you saw me and my kids hanging laundry on an indoor drying rack. (I have to admit, I had extra help that day with the laundry, what with the camera woman snapping pics!)
The article was called “Big Changes Serve a Larger Purpose” and featured Atlantans who made changes in their everyday lives to be more environmentally responsible.
I hope you stick around and decide to listen to the podcast. Tomorrow’s show is certainly in harmony with that theme. I spoke with Jo Robinson, author of Pasture Perfect: The Far-Reaching Benefits of Choosing Meat, Eggs, and Dairy Products from Grass-Fed Animals.
Not only is eating grass fed far better for your health, it’s also the environmentally friendly choice.
Be sure to sign up for my free newsletter (the sign up box is on the top right of every page of the site) for special discounts, offers, giveaways and simply to be reminded of our weekly show.
Thanks for stopping by!
Salad Saturday: Romaine Lettuce Hearts Finger Salad
April 18, 2009 | Leave a Comment
If you like this, may I recommend the 365 Salad Recipes ebook for even more healthy, delicious salad recipes?
Romaine Lettuce Hearts Finger Salad
What You Need:
2 hearts of Romaine lettuce
1 T pecans, toasted
1 small red pepper
1/4 C Italian cheese, shredded
1 C Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing
How to Make It:
Separate the leaves of each heart and place them on 2 salad plates.
Sprinkle the top of the lettuce with 1/2 T of the pecans per plate.
Slice the red pepper in half and remove the seeds and core.
Slice each red pepper.
Place the red pepper slices on top of both salads.
Top each salad with 1/8 C of the cheese.
Divide the dressing into 2 small bowls.
Serving Size: 2
By placing the dressing on the side you can use your fingers to dip the lettuce and peppers.
