Smart Family Tips » Reviews

Positive Parenting Solutions Online Review Part 1

Beth — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:33:48 +0000

This post will kick-off the review series of Positive Parenting Solutions Online. Why a series? I want to review the product as I use it and implement it. When I was investigating this program I was frustrated by some of the online reviews I came across. I mean no criticism to the writers themselves, but after reading the 1-2 paragraph reviews, I kept wondering, “Will this program help us?” I decided the best way to find out was to give it a try, but I’m choosing to try it out publicly so that you will be able to decide if this is something that might be helpful to you.

First, some background

Most of you know that my husband and I have twin daughters. They are currently 4 years old and will turn 5 in two months. They will begin kindergarten this fall.

Until the beginning of this summer they were in a private preschool program that we were happy with. The sudden shift from daily structured activity to summer at home with some, but far less, structure and “entertainment” than they were used to has been a bit difficult for all of us. We’re adjusting, but it occurred to me that I could use some help.

I’m a studier at heart and I’ve read more parenting books than I’d like to count. I’ve also looked into some parenting courses, but haven’t been able to find enough information on any of them to see if they would be useful for us. Recently, I read the book, Courageous Parents, Confident Kids: Letting Go So You Both Can Grow and Amy McCready, founder of the Positive Parenting Solutions Program, was a contributor. I liked what she had to say in the book and I began looking into her program. The website has lots of glowing testimonials, which is good, but I couldn’t help but wonder if there were any dissatisfied customers. I couldn’t find any online. I did read a few blog posts, but they were very general and didn’t give me enough information about whether or not it would be a good match for us.

Ultimately, I decided to give it a try. Before I made the purchase, I emailed Amy McCready to let her know that I planned to buy the program and conduct a review-as-I-go series on Smart Family Tips. I wanted her to be aware and also to assure her that I would write honestly about our experience with the program without giving the entire program away. She responded in under a half an hour and answered a few of the questions I had about the course. In the interest of full disclosure, I will tell you that she offered 3 months of access to the program at no charge so that I might be able to implement and review it properly. I accepted this offer and assured her that if it worked for us, we would be purchasing the online course at the end of the 3 month period.

So, why do I want to work through an online parenting course? Are my kids out of control? Am I losing my mind? Not yet. Partly, I’m doing this because I am an information gatherer. I like to learn and I like to have options. And, we are having some issues lately with tantrums and back-talk and “convenient” helplessness. I want to see if an online program can really help. I think others might want to know if it can, too.

We’ll begin the program this week and I’ll provide weekly updates of our progress and my assessment of the program here on the blog.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I’ll do my best to answer them. I hope you enjoy this journey with me and my family and I hope your find it helpful.Similar Posts:

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Want To Build Your Own Empire?

Beth — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:12:02 +0000

I’m going to stray a bit from the usual green-talk here today to let you know about something really cool.

Chris Guillebeau of The Art of Nonconformity is one of my favorite people on the web. As I told a friend recently, there are a lot of snakes in the pit, but Chris is definitely NOT one of them. Chris has two primary goals: 1. To visit every country in the world before he turns 35; 2. To help people build their own empires doing work that matters.

I’ve purchased a couple of Chris’s products and have never been disappointed. I bought Working For Yourself which is one of Chris’s Unconventional Guides and I participated in the $100 Biz Forum he co-produced with Pam Slim. Chris is honest and the information he provides is genuinely helpful. He has achieved success himself and simply sets out to show others how to do the same — but his focus is on helping you achieve success with your dreams rather than merely replicating what he’s done.

One of the things I really like about Chris is that there’s very little hype around his products. There are no pictures of him driving fancy cars (he doesn’t even own a car–this is by choice, not because he can’t afford one) or promises of earning millions while you sleep. His life and his message are about achieving freedom, not about amassing huge quantities of money. His advice is specific and actionable.

I’m telling you about Chris Guillebeau today because he’s opened up his most ambitious product to date. It’s called The Empire Building Kit and it comes with loads of case studies of regular people who have managed to earn between $50,000 and $150,000 per year doing things they love. The people profiled in these case studies run their own very small businesses with 3 or fewer (often no) employees. The most impressive part of The Empire Building Kit is that Chris will send one email per day for 365 days that helps you build your empire one step, one day, at a time.

If you’ve ever thought about building your own empire or about designing a life based on your own goals rather than someone else’s, I can’t recommend Chris’s products enough. Give The Empire Building Kit a look and see if it’s right for you. There are three different price points to make it affordable for all would-be empire builders.

Do yourself a favor and let Chris help you Build Your Own Empire in 1 Year. What have you got to lose?

[Disclaimer: I'm recommending this product because I truly believe in Chris Guillebeau and the quality of projects. Should you purchase The Empire Building Kit through any of the links in this post, you won't pay any more, but your purchase will help support Smart Family Tips.]Similar Posts:

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Tiny Prints: Green Printing

Beth — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:24:14 +0000

Today I’m highlighting one of our sponsors, Tiny Prints. They design beautiful greeting cards, thank you notes, business cards, invitations, birth announcements and more. A couple of months ago, Tiny Prints offered me a gift card so that I might try their products. I ordered a set of personalized notecards and couldn’t be happier with the ordering process and the quality of the cards that arrived. The design I chose is called “Perched Birds”. We have two children, so the four birds were perfect for us. The paper is heavy stock and the printing quality is excellent.

There are numerous designs to choose from in everything from sleek to cute and beyond. The best thing: their company actively works to green their business practices. All of the paper they use is either FSC certified or made from 30% post consumer waste. When I asked a representative from Tiny Prints, what steps they are taking to be more green, this was the response:

We went through an extensive checklist and walk thru with a member of the County of Santa Clara Green Business Program. They checked our appliances, recycling program, what kind of lights we use and more. After determining that we were a fit for the Green Business Program, our company was then reviewed by various compliance agencies in the area. We passed everything and are now certified green!

We:

Buy “greener” products (i.e. recycled office and kitchen supplies, items that are not harmful to the environment, etc.)

Send out Spare the Air updates weekly

Track energy usage

Turn off all electronic items that are not in use (shut off computers at the end of shifts)

Recycle proper items

Encourage staffers to use public transportation and carpool

While Tiny Prints is a sponsor of this site, I was not paid to write a positive review of their company. I am truly pleased with the quality of their products and with the efforts they are taking to green their business practices (otherwise I wouldn’t have accepted them as a sponsor). I’d encourage you to visit their site and see the designs for yourself. They are running a series of promotions and discounts on the site right now, too.Similar Posts:

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For Valentine’s Day, Go Fair Trade

Beth — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:33:32 +0000

Equal Exchange, one of my favorite companies, is now offering the Chocolate and Coffee Pairing Gift Bag just in time for Valentine’s Day. Mambo Sprouts, a website dedicated to offering savings and coupons on green and organic products, sent one of these great bags to me to review.

I’ve always been impressed with the quality of Equal Exchange’s products and this is no exception. The coffee is wonderful and the chocolate is delicious. The gift bag includes two 12 ounce bags of Organic, Fair Trade Coffee (Love Buzz and Mind, Body & Soul), two organic Panama Extra Dark Chocolate Bars, two organic milk chocolate bars and a coffee pairing instruction card. All of this is packaged in a 100% recycled, printed gift bag with recycled tissue paper and ribbon.

I make it clear in my review policy that I will not promote products I don’t genuinely love. Nor will I promote products that go against the principles of this site. Equal Exchange is a first rate company that is doing a lot of good.

This Valentine’s Day, why not consider a gift that will not only make the recipient happy, but one that will provide the producers of the products with a living wage?

Visit Equal Exchange to read more about the Chocolate and Coffee Pairing Gift Bag and to order.Similar Posts:

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Steady Days: A Review

Beth — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 19:38:58 +0000

Jamie Martin, who writes the delightful blog, Steady Mom, has recently released her first book, Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood. I found Jamie’s blog only a few weeks ago and was so taken by her story and her posts that I ordered the book from Amazon immediately. I can honestly say it did not disappoint and I’ve been mulling over the ideas contained in its pages for days now.

The book consists of 40 very small chapters divided into 4 categories (Getting Organized, Retaining Enthusiasm, Learning Together and Making Memories). The chapters are small for a reason. Jamie knows that moms are sometimes only able to read in fits and starts. It’s easy to squeeze in a chapter here and there as time permits.

One of the things that struck me in the first section was Jamie’s question, “If you’re not organized, why not?” It’s not a reprimand as much as it’s a question to ask yourself. Jamie suggests that being organized makes your job as a mother more peaceful and more productive. The question is really, why would you deny yourself the gift of peace and productivity?

I appreciate that Jamie’s suggestions can apply both to mothers who work outside of the home and to those who work full-time in it. While she is interested in homeschooling and follows the Christian faith, she in no way suggests that her choices are the right ones for all mothers. It’s as if she’s saying, “Hey, I know this is hard. Here are some things that have worked for me and my family. Feel free to use my plan, or adjust it so that it works for you.”

She provides plenty of resources and shows us step by step exactly how she organizes her days. If you have children, this book is a can’t miss. At under $10, Steady Days is well worth a look.Similar Posts:

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Smart Family Tips Holiday Gift Guide

Beth — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:15:15 +0000

It’s here.

The Smart Family Tips Holiday Gift Guide

A few people have asked me for ideas on what to give someone who’s trying to live more simply and sustainably. My first suggestion is to focus on items that can be put to use — either consumed (like coffees, teas, and other goodies) or an item of quality that will last for years. For example, if you know someone who really loves to cook, investing in one quality kitchen knife would be better than buying a cheap waffle iron. To offer up a few more ideas, I’ve put together a gift guide through Amazon.com. Feel free to browse around. There’s quite a variety of gifts at a range of price-points. Hopefully, the list will spark some ideas and help you with your holiday shopping.

Happy hunting.

◊◊◊◊◊◊◊

Something else I wanted to make you aware of is a company I’ve recently learned about.

EcoPaper carries an amazing array of tree-free paper. It’s an innovative and exciting concept. According to their website, their paper “fibres come from the waste of processing common agricultural products” — like bananas, coffee and tobacco. EcoPaper makes copy paper, journals, notebooks, envelopes, cover stock, art & sketch pads and stationery. You may want to visit them on Monday; they’re offering 15% off with code ECOCYBER – For Cyber Monday.

Photo Credit: Ryan McDSimilar Posts:

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Clean + Green Review

Beth — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:12:59 +0000

I was recently introduced to a new line of products called Clean + Green. I’m pleased to say that the product I tried works. We sampled the Dog-Concrete & Grout Cleaner and were pleasantly surprised. We have a 110 lb. yellow lab and when he uses the bathroom on the garage floor, suffice it to say, the mess is plentiful and smelly. We’ve tried numerous products in an attempt to get the left-over scent out of the concrete floor, but have found they really just mask the smell for a short period of time.

About a week ago there was a storm coming and my husband moved our dog from his pen into the garage. The next morning, there was the usual mess. After mopping it up, my husband went after the can of Clean+Green. He followed the directions exactly, which were incredibly simple: shake can, spray on affected area, allow to air dry. The next day when I went into the garage to get something, there was absolutely no urine odor. That’s something I haven’t been able to say for some time.

Clean+Green contains a large line of pet products. In addition to the concrete cleaner, there are cleaners for carpet, wood & tile, auto, furniture, and cat’s litter box. Another great looking product is the De-Skunk Coat Cleaner. The Clean+Green website says the cleaners are “effective on any common household odors such as animal and people urine and feces, skunk spray, smoke, sweat, and food odors.”

Speaking of smoke, our power went out last week for a few days and we kept warm by burning a fire in fireplace. Even though my husband cleaned out the ashes, the ash smell has remained. I reached for my can of Clean+Green Concrete & Grout Cleaner, and once again, the smell is gone.

It’s obviously important that the products work, but the best thing about them is that they are safe for children and pets and eco-friendly. According to their website, “CLEAN+GREEN is all natural, non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, non-corrosive, and non-flammable. Per the U.S. Federal Regulations Toxic Substances Control Act, Title III, Section 311 & 312, this product contains no health or hazardous materials. It is perfectly safe to use around people and animals when you spray an odor source.”

I can only assume that their other products work as well as this one did. I know I’m sold. Clean+Green products can be purchased online at their website and in stores like Wal-mart, Petsmart, and PetCo.

[Disclosure: We received one free can of Concrete & Grout Cleaner to sample. We are receiving no other payment or incentive for this review. The links in this post are NOT affiliate links. Please see my Review Policy for more information.]Similar Posts:

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Ecousable – How Do I Love Thee?

Beth — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:10:42 +0000

I’ve gotten a little behind on reviews, so you’ll see a few of them here this week. I do hope reviews are helpful to you in that the goal is to let you know about products that I believe are a good value and good for the environment. For more information about my review policy, just click on the link.

A while back Ecousable contacted me to see if I’d be interested in trying out their stainless steel water bottles. I was recently livid disappointed with SIGG’s failure to disclose that their bottle liners contained BPA and was happy to give a new brand a try.

Bottom line: I’m in love.

All Ecousable bottles are made of 304 food grade stainless steel and the tops and sports caps contain NO BPA. One of my favorite features is the grippy black mat on the bottom of each bottle (my husband really liked this feature, too). These are made of non-toxic EVA.

The Ecousable bottles are lighter in weight than my Kleen Kanteen and that is a positive feature, in my opinion. They come in a variety of attractive designs. You can also order Water Wrapz in a large number of prints to personalize your bottle or to keep your hands from getting cold against the stainless steel. The company will provide one free Water Wrapz with the purchase of each bottle. If there’s one draw-back to these bottles, it’s probably the Water Wrapz. They look neat, but aren’t really wide enough to grip. My kids (aged 4), however, think the Water Wrapz are extremely cool.

Speaking of cool, Ecousable also carries “The world’s first BPA Free stainless steel filtered water bottle,” the Ech20. The filter is in the top and “removes up to 99.99% of pollutants for up to 100 gallons of great tasting filtered water.” The Ech2o also received excellent reviews from The Alternative Consumer and Lighter Footstep.

The best thing I can suggest is to visit the Ecousable website and check them out for yourself. I think you’ll be glad you did.

Discount: Ecousable was recently featured on The Martha Stewart Show. By clicking this link, you can receive 10% off your first order with Ecousable. They’ll also donate 10% of your purchase price to a clean water charity.

Giveaway: I am giving away 2 Ecousable bottles to one lucky commenter. I have 1 white 16 oz. bottle (the wrap will be different from the one above) and 1 18 oz. red Ech2o filtered water bottle up for grabs. I’ll cover the shipping cost. Just leave a comment below to enter. You get an extra entry for tweeting the giveaway (just come back and leave a separate comment letting me know you did so). I’ll use a random number generator to select a winner on Friday, November 20.

[Full Disclosure: Ecousable sent me a few bottles, free of charge, to try out with my family. Other than the free samples, I am receiving no compensation from Ecousable for this review, nor are any of the links to their site affiliate links.]Similar Posts:

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Unclutter Your Life In One Week: Book Review

Beth — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:11 +0000

I actually wrote yesterday’s post, Some Thoughts on Clutter, a couple of weeks ago. I’d been thinking about my clutter and scribbled out the words by hand. Before I had a chance to upload it on the site, I learned that Erin Doland, Editor-In-Chief at Unclutter.com, was preparing for the launch of her new book. I really like the website, but didn’t know if I wanted/needed to read yet another book on getting rid of clutter. As I mentioned yesterday, I’ve read a lot, but still haven’t taken much action. On a whim, I emailed Erin and asked for a review copy of her new book. She kindly agreed and sent it to me.

Many of the positive things in my life have come about as the result of a whim. I’m so glad that I took the time to contact Erin. I found the book inspiring and, most importantly, do-able. Erin’s motto: simplicity is revolutionary. Clear the clutter so you can pursue what you love the most.

The problem I’ve had with many of the other books I’ve read is that the tone can be off-putting. Some authors attempt to amuse you and much of the time reading the book is taken up with skimming and skipping around silly jokes to get to the point. Other authors take a more therapeutic approach and try to assume the persona of a dear old friend who wants to counsel you through your issues with clutter. Others assume the reader is exactly like they are, and so they provide the one set of steps and tips that worked for them.

When I take the time to read a book about simplifying my life, I’m not interested in being entertained or looking for a friend, and the way my personality works and the way my life runs may not be exactly like that of the author.

Enter, Erin Doland’s book, Unclutter Your Life in One Week. This book really is different and if I’d found it first, I could have saved myself a lot of time and money.

What I like:

◊ The tone of the book is casual, but to the point. The impression I came away with is that Erin is like a lot of us — she once struggled with clutter, but has found a way to straighten it out. She does, however, realize that everyone has a different style and that what worked for her may not work for everyone. For each of the “steps” she walks the reader through, she offers several methods of accomplishing the tasks that are sustainable for a variety of personality types.

◊ The book is comprehensive. Erin addresses all three of the main types of clutter: clutter in your home, clutter at work, and clutter in your life. There are tips for reducing the clutter in each of these areas each day.

◊ The goal is clear from the beginning. When you reduce the amount of stuff in your life and streamline your routines you have more time and space for the things you enjoy. In the first section, titled “Foundations,” she writes, “Simple living isn’t about depriving; it’s about enriching. You’re getting rid of what doesn’t belong to make room for what does.”

What’s inside:

The book is divided into days of the week. There are 3 primary tasks for each day.

Monday: Your Wardrobe, Your Office, Your Reception Station

Tuesday: Your Bathroom, Your Files, Your Chores (Creating Routines)

Wednesday: Your Bedroom & Commute, Communication at Work, Your Kitchen & Dining Room

Thursday: Your Living Spaces, Working at Work, Your Home Office

Friday: Scheduling Strategies, Routines at Work, Living with Clutterers

Weekend: Taking Care of Yourself, Preparation, Making the Most of Your Personal Time, Vacations, Socializing

And finally a section on “Celebrating and Maintaining Your Success”

Throughout the book, Erin includes worksheets and charts to make the whole process easier. There is even a comprehensive list for both Fall and Spring cleaning.

This may just be the resource that helps me finally tackle my clutter. I plan to post periodic updates of my progress in hopes that doing so publicly will encourage me to achieve the goal.

If you feel at all overwhelmed by your stuff or if you feel like you need a plan to make your days run more smoothly, I can’t recommend Unclutter Your Life in One Week enough. It’s available on Amazon in hardcover for only $14.96 and the Kindle edition is $9.99.Similar Posts:

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The Farmer’s Garden: Share the Bounty

Beth — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 23:43:04 +0000

I learned about a great new website this week and wanted to share it with you. The Farmer’s Garden is a free resource for sharing and locating local produce. Maureen Farmer, who created the site, agreed to answer some questions for us.

What prompted you to start The Farmer’s Garden web site?

I am a Master Gardener and for the past four years I have been growing as much of my own food as possible. Most growing seasons, I harvest more produce than I can eat, freeze and give away. I realized that when I give a zucchini or a bag of mixed greens away, the recipient seems genuinely happy and their happiness reflects back onto me.

This spring, I taught myself the PHP programming language to supplement my existing programming skills. Home gardening is more popular than ever this year. I combined my profession and passion to create The Farmer’s Garden website so everyone can have access to locally grown food.

How does the site work and how much does it cost?

To find surplus produce in your local area, go to The Farmer’s Garden, enter your US zip code, select the radius that you are willing to travel, click the submit button and see what people in your area have to offer. You also have the option of refining your search by transaction type, category and/or key word.

Registration is required to post a classified to sell, trade, or give away your surplus produce. Food pantries and individuals can also register to post wanted classifieds. There is no charge to use The Farmer’s Garden because registration, posting and searching are all free.

It looks like a great idea. Have people been receptive to it?

Thanks. I have received positive feed back from many individuals and non-profit organizations. My site went live four months ago and I’m happy to already have registered users in almost every State.

Do you have any advice for people interested in growing (and perhaps sharing) some of their own food for the first time?

Gardening is very rewarding and easier than many people think. It is wonderful to plant seeds or seedlings, watch them grow and then actually be able to reap the rewards. Gardening is also fun, educational, and very economical. If you don’t have space where you live, research community gardens or try growing herbs or salad greens near a sunny window.

If you have the space, grow a little extra food to share with others. You’ll be surprised how good a small act of kindness will make you feel.

Any thing else you’d like people to know?

Many backyard gardeners also grow varieties of produce not found in your local grocery store. This is a terrific opportunity to taste new foods. If you don’t know how to prepare something, ask the grower. He or she will probably offer you several tasty recipes to try. You might even make a new friend in the process.

The Farmer’s Garden is new, so if you don’t find what you’re looking for at first, try again next week. We’re growing every day.

Beth’s Note: I encourage you to visit the site. As you know, we grew our own organic garden for the first time this year. We plan to do it again next year and I’m thrilled to know there’s a place where I can easily share our excess food.Similar Posts:

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