The Fearless Path Book and Accompanying CD For A Relaxing Emotional Workout With Leah Guy

The 411 by Maria:

I have always loved meditations but never felt like I knew how to do it properly. This CD even with the noise of the house going on around me I was able to listen and relax with headphones on.  Leah's voice and the accompanying music are the perfect blend for her words of guided meditation. 

Each part of the CD accompanies a chapter in her book The Fearless Path going through the 7 Chakras.

Root
Sacral
Solar Plexus
Heart
Throat
Third Eye
Crown

Probably the part that really radiated with me in the book the most is where Leah explains why Letting Go is not the best advice. As someone who has lived through sexual abuse, my mother's death, my father's abandonment, and a narcissistic relationship that broke me. It broke me into millions of pieces. I had always Let It Go. It was what I had learned to survive in  my life. To accept crumbs and to just let it all go but I was just accumulating more and more hurt and feelings of inadequacy. I learned I was holding onto so much anger, fear and resentment that I was unable to fully enjoy my life and be at complete peace.  I have been divinely guided in my healing and  my relationship with my spiritual belief is so much stronger for all I have been through.

Leah really does speak to your soul and if you feel as though you constantly have a black cloud over your head it is time to do something about it. Shake off the negativity and I believe wholeheartedly that Leah can help you do that with her guided meditation and not New World but Real World no nonsense assistance you can live your best life.

School Cyber Bullies And My Spirit Visitor Or A Day I Hope Not To Relive

It started out as a great morning. It was Handsome's 14th Birthday and he was so happy and excited. All was well until about 8:00 A.M. when I heard some snit about my son being video taped and shared on Snapchat taken during recess. Two videos by girls in a grade above him with something like "whose mans (not a typo, they said mans) gets their hair cut like that?" The other was "who runs like that?" With laughter in the background.  Cyber bullies picking on a kid for being different in an unpoliced world like social media. Nothing new but it breaks my heart. 💔💔💔💔💕

UGH...anyway..long story short, call to the school to report it. Feelings of hurt, anger and a momma bear instinct to protect my Autistic, innocent boy from the mean world. I tried to spend my day with my 10 2 year old toddler at work. They need me too and I want to be there for them. I cuddle, rock, hug, pick up and kiss them all day long.

I got Handsome and Goddess from school and he is in a great mood excited to head to Game Stop to use his birthday money from his Aunt on a new headset for Xbox One and his dinner of choice, Kentucky Fried Chicken.

We get home and around 6:00 PM I get a call from my Uncle to inform me that my Grandpa had died. Grandpa was 98 years old and had recently fallen ending up in the same rehab as his wife my 99 year old Grandma. They were not sharing a room but were right next door to each other. He was very good to my sisters and I growing up. Tractor rides, candy, money, trips to Toys R Us with a get whatever you want speech and always sweet. I can still hear his voice in my head. "What? You're talking tooooo fast, slow down". He was the polar opposite of my other grandpa. I am so sad to say good-bye. Grandpa had buried my mom, his first born when she was only 34 and my Uncle his baby when he was only 32. So my thoughts going to bed last night were that they were all together.

According to my Uncle he never woke yesterday. He had oxygen over his face when my uncle stopped by and was sleeping so my uncle went to my grandmother. In the dining hall. The nurses went to my uncle who was helping grandma with lunch to tell him my grandfather had passed. He never woke and went quietly and peaceful. My uncle told grandma who said "already! So soon!"

I believe grandpa went way before lunch. This is going to sound strange but I was laying awake in bed yesterday at 5:00ish yesterday morning when I felt someone lean on my bed. There was a small hug and I thought it was Skye coming to crawl into bed even though she hasn't in months. When I put my hand out no one was there. I was creeped out for a moment and pulled the sheet over my ear. Yup still scary even as an adult but going to bed last night that moment brought me peace. Maybe grandpa was saying goodbye. I will hold onto that thought until my last breath.

This is the last photo I have of him.  He waved good-bye to us pulling out of his driveway last time we visited.

The Perfect First "Scary" Bedtime Story For Kids by Bethanie Murguia #scholastic

The 411:

I love this book. It is absolutely the perfect book for kids who say they want a "scary story." When my daughter was 3-6 she loved the idea of scary. Not sure where it came from but she talked about wanting to hear a scary story all the time. I never read her one because she didn't really want one and I knew that. She was already in my bed every night and I couldn't imagine I would ever be able to get her in her bed after a "scary" story. I would have loved this book for her.

Grace and her brother Walter want their Papa to read them a bedtime story and Grace wants it scary but Walter doesn't want it Too Scary!

The story takes Grace and her Brother into the woods and along the way they insert their ideas which helps Daddy tell one that isn't Too scary for Walter and his "brave" sister

Absolutely adorable with awesome, sweet illustrations even on the "scary" pages.

808 Conversation Starters

The 411:

I believe this book is a great conversation starter for anyone. For the past 14 years I have hit up my friends on Facebook asking various questions of the day and they love it! Who doesn't love talking about themselves?

The book is written for couples are struggle for something to talk about after an exhausting day of monotonous work or another night in front of the TV. I totally can support that.  Who doesn't love conversation that doesn't start with how was the weather where you were today?  I have been with my husband since 1997 but we were friends since 1991 before dating and I can tell you that on any day he wouldn't want to answer any of these. I just rattled off about 5 of them randomly and he mostly just answered with sarcastic but funny answers. At least we were conversing. HOWEVER with that said, I know many people who would love this book.

Friends
Family
Potential Dates - I have friends who have done Speed Dating and I think they would have loved to have this book with them)
New Partners - Why waste precious time getting to know someone? Ask a few questions from this book and see if they are worth it.

The Stuff of Family Life by Michelle Janning

The 411:

I  am a keeper of things! Mostly things pertaining to my family life.  My parents, my childhood, and my children. Throwing away things that I feel make up who I am as a person. The photo of the dress my mother wanted me to wear at my wedding, mom's journal, love notes and cards from old boyfriends, any card or letter a friend mailed to me over the years, notes and art work from my kids. These are the things I cannot imagine ever tossing. I am less sentimental than I used to be due to life making me a bit harder than I used to be but still need to keep certain items. I was hoping this book would help me figure out a better way to deal with tossing things away in a way to downsize.  The book mostly reminded me why the things I hold onto mean so much to me. 

It was interesting to read what each piece in our home says about us and the image we are putting out there. How the way we place our furniture and many more uses the dining room table have other than just eating. Glad to see it is not just my family. 

Definitely a fascinating read. 

Help In Understanding the Autistic Mind From The Inside: Behind the Locked Door by Paul Louden

The 411:

I was so interested in reading this. My son Handsome is on the Autistic Spectrum. I read all I can about autism. What is the best way to help my son succeed. How to communicate with him but none of the books have spoken to me as much as this one. Paul is speaking from a totally different place. He knows. He is not a doctor, therapist, educator, he is Autistic and he knows! He knows from a place that no one else can. He is speaking how my son would speak if he could. 

If you have a child with Autism you can already tell from the chapters this is a must read. My son is 13, soon to be 14 and I have thought about all of this in regards to my son.

What does he REALLY understand?
Will he ever have friends?
Will he go to college, have a job, a relationship?

My son is so many of these things and NOT because like they say if you know one autistic person you know one autistic person. There is no cookie cutter example of an autistic. My son knows when he needs to be alone and will say so. He is very much a creature of habit so much so that I know what time of day it is by what he is doing. He wants to follow the rules and wants everyone else to do so.  He doesn't understand sarcasm and hates jokes because he doesn't get them. He LOVES his family and loves his mommy and tells me every single day. He is amazing and I wish the rest of the world saw him as I do.

There were so many eye opening moments in this book and I believe this is a book for all parents, doctors and educators.  My son has a whole support system behind him at school and I know with every bit of my core there are still many of them that really don't get it. I wish I could gift this book to every single one of them. 

I will probably read this book at least another 10 times in the next two years. I love that Paul wrote this and thank him and his parents also featured in the book for the honesty and candidness.  

I Couldn't Put Down Speed of Life by Carol Weston

The 411:

This is a story that called for me to read it. I couldn't put this book down even in the middle of my very busy mommy, work and blog life. There is so much I love about a girl named Sofia who like me lost her mom as a young teenager. I was going on 12. At times I found myself re-reading passages as I remember those firsts without my mom. Oddly enough the dates resonated with me. Sofia's mom died April 8th. So did my mom. Her mom's birthday was in June. So was my mom's. Sofia and Maria rhyme. OK maybe it seems like a stretch to you but that little 11 year old Motherless daughter is still living in me and I visited with her a few times during my reading this book. 

When Sofia meets Advice Columnist Kate her life changes. She not only has a confident, someone she say everything she is thinking to but suddenly her dad starts dating her. What is she to do when the person she has told her deepest feelings to is now in her life face to face?  

The characters are well written and real. This is a funny, sarcastic filled with heart.  I have read other reviews on Speed Of Life and know some were shocked by the fact that Sofia didn't push against the changes in her life or even her father starting to date early. I can tell you as the daughter of a grieving father the last thing you wanted was to upset him more or see him cry another day. Anything that would help him not grieve was OK. Sofia is not an angsty teen so she would not push against these changes. 

There is a romance in the book when Sofia meets Sam but it is the perfect first romance. I would be OK with my new 12 year old reading this book. There relationship is perfectly innocent.

It is no wonder Carol still is the Advice Columnist at Girl's Life and has been since 1994. She has a youthful way of writing that crosses across the generational lines. I think my 12 year old would love this book as much as I have at 50. Whether you associate with Sofia or Kate in this story you will love it! 

Killing Spree By Unborn Baby In The Dark Comedy Prevenge

The 411:

Prevenge is about a pregnant woman named Ruth played brilliantly by Alice Lowe the  writer, director whose is heavy with child. The baby is a bit pissed off and makes some unsavory demands of its Mum.  The thought of killing for your child is one many moms at one time or another may discuss. "If someone was to hurt my child I would kill them or there is NOTHING I wouldn't do for my child."' Well in this movie that is far from laugh out loud but an obvious comedy none the less, that is exactly what Ruth does. The baby tells her to kill and she does leaving a bloody mess behind her. My favorite scene is the afro wig wearing DJ who is so horny he doesn't notice that the woman he brought home for the night is largely pregnant. Men are so dumb when they are horny! The scene was cringe worthy with my husband and I squeezing our legs together and covering our eyes. UGH! 

Ruth's maternal instincts are evident with her placing a kiss on the forehead of her kills and even putting the elderly mom of one of her victims to bed with the bloody knife in her hand that she just used to kill the woman's son PLUS a kiss on the forehead.   It is a bit disturbing with that little giggling baby egging on mom through the kills. 

The movie definitely shed some light on the difficulty and loneliness of single parenthood.

Worth a look see. Is the baby a killer or does she have multiple personalities. Hmmmm.

Cauliflower Crust Pizza Is Delicious #recipe

Oh my gosh I never thought it would be good but it was amazing!

I used riced cauliflower from Green Giant, shredded cheese from Shoprite, Parmesan cheese (BelGioioso) cherry tomatoes also Shoprite, jar sauce (Rao's), fresh basil, and some oregano. 

Oven at 425
Parchment paper on the bottom of the cooking sheet.

Mix one egg white and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese with the whole bag of cauliflower and mix together. You can use whole cauliflower that you put in the food processor and make your own but I was all about a quick dinner.

Let cauliflower sit in a strainer or as I did, just push with a paper towel. Since it wasn't fresh there wasn't much water. Get as much water out as possible for a crispy crust.

Put down on parchment and shape into your pizza bottom. I like the rustic shape, mostly oblong.

Place in the oven for 10 minutes.

Put your toppings on and put back in for about 7-10 minutes until lightly browned and cheese is melted.

Now for the best part, EAT! 

The Way Education Is Going These Days, These Books Are A Must For Babies! #ad

 
I would love these books even if kids weren't expected to do well on the high stakes testing being administered in schools today. They are perfect! Thick board books for little hands with simple artwork and simplistic explanations. I would have totally bought these for my son back in the day.  They were exactly what I was looking for.

 

  

There is so much more expected of kids going into Kindergarten today. Play and socializing is NOT part of the Kindergarten model. Just 6 short years ago my daughter was learning how to spell her name and rainbow writing her letters. These days they are writing thought pieces with open and closing statements on their essays and taking tests where they need to fill in the circle with a #2 pencil. No joke! I kid you not. SOOOO I highly suggest considering these amazing books for you and your baby! 

Each book contains 24 pages and is valued at $9.99 

The Trace Race Activity Book For Toddlers

  

My toddler class loved this. All 10 of them couldn't wait for their turn to trace the race. This book allows children to take their finger and trace out the path that a rocket ship will take passing by the moon or a tractor takes around a barn, a firetruck racing through town, a plane doing tricks like loop-the-loops and spins and more.

The art work is colorful and beside the path for the little fingers to follow there were adorable whimsical characters throughout that kids will point out like the penguin, cute teddy bear and more who keeps popping up on many pages.

Arbonne Created For Baby's Delicate Skin

April is National Stress Awareness Month so this month is the perfect month to check into some products that will help baby like Arbonne Baby Care

 
Arbonne Diaper Rash Cream

What I love about this is it is thick! It doesn't just absorb into the skin and disappear. It protects the skin!  It is unscented and perfect for babies delicate skin. A little goes a long way.

Arbonne Hair and Body Wash

Also perfect for delicate baby skin. No harsh chemicals. It is light and moisturizers too. Not a lot of rinsing which is perfect for babies in the bath. I hated when I had to rinse and rinse and rinse my little ones when they were small. They screamed their head off. This would have eased bath time for both of us.

Arbonne Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF30

I LOVE sunscreen and use SPF30 and above for myself. What I love about this is that it wasn't harsh on my children's skin. Usually they end up with a rash from the sunscreen on their chest and back. It makes me wonder if not protecting would be better sometimes. This sunscreen was water-resistant and goes on nice and thick. It is non-scented and non-greasy. Exactly what I need in a sun screen 
 
Arbonne Body Lotion

This absorbs quickly into the skin and leaves no heavy, greasy feeling. It is perfect for baby skin or anyone with sensitive skin.

We have three pregnant woman at work right now (don't drink the water) and two of them are receiving Arbonne Baby Sets when the baby comes.  Only the best for my friends.