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Boost Your Traffic with Stumble Upon

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I very frequently use a service called Stumble Upon. Basically, it is a database of websites that you can “search” by stumbling from one site to the next. You can use a random stumble, or pick a keyword to search for. I often use this service to stumble through wedding and scrapbooking websites to find new resources, ideas and blogs to share with my readers.

Stumble Upon also lets you add sites you visit - and this is were it becomes useful to you as a site-owner. Every time I add a new blog post to one of my blogs, I add it to the Stumble Database. It’s very simple to do - I installed the Stumble toolbar and when I am on the post page, I simply click the Thumbs Up button. A pop up box asks me to pick a category for the site and lets me add a description and keywords as well to make it easier for them to know where to place that link. Then, that page is added and when someone stumbles using one of the keywords I added, they find my post!

It also works well for stores and other websites. For example, I have submitted my best selling product pages, main store page, category pages, etc. Eventually I would like to add each individual product page, but I have hundreds of products so I am doing a little at a time.

Stumble Upon is a free service, and very very easy to use. Enjoy:)

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Aim High

I have no idea were this quote originally came from, but my pastor used it in a sermon once and it has stuck with me since:

“I would rather aim to high and fall short then aim to low and succeed. When you aim high, even if you do not reach you goal, you will have achieved more if you had aimed lower and then been happy enough to simply succeed at that small goal.”

Setting small goals are an important part of reaching a larger goal and staying motivated - but when you look at your overall goal, the larger purpose, aim high. It’s like fundraising: if you aim for $1000, chances are you will raise $1000. If you aim for $10,000 - you might not make it all the way - but you will probably raise a lot more then you would have had you settled at $1000.

As a mother, this means setting my goal to be a perfect mother. Is it realistic? No, not really - I am human after all. But if my goal is just to do the best that I can do - that is probably all I will accomplish. By aiming higher, I not only open myself to the potential of achieving more - but I also learn to rely more on the Lord because only through Him can I be better then my own personal best.

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Summer Fun Kabobs

Kabobs are one of my favorite summer foods. They are a fun socializing food. Your family and guests get a chance to interact with each other and their food.

• Meat choices for kabobs are beef cubes or strips, chicken breast cubes, pork strips, lamb cubes, shrimp with tails on, scallops, and liver strips.
• Vegetables for kabobs are green, red and yellow bell peppers, onion wedges, zucchini rounds, fresh whole mushrooms, cherry tomatoes or tomato wedges, partially cooked small potatoes.
• Pineapple chunks add a sweet taste to kabobs.

Grilling kabobs requires more prep time, cutting up the meat and vegetables, but its fun to let your guests make their own kabobs by choosing the meat and vegetables and then grilling them. Always use an oven mit when turning kabobs as the skewers get very hot.

Brush meat and vegetable kabobs with Italian Salad Dressing and sprinkle with Watkins Garlic Salt. You can also brush with olive oil or melted butter or margarine mixed with your favorite Watkins herbs and spices such as rosemary, thyme, dill, basil, ginger, oregano, sage, parsley, curry powder, marjoram, cayenne pepper and sprinkle with garlic salt, seasoning salt, or onion salt.

• Sage, thyme, ginger, rosemary, and garlic powder or salt go good with chicken, pork, or lamb.
• Curry powder and dill go good with lamb.
• Rosemary, basil, parsley, marjoram, oregano, and garlic powder or salt go good with beef.
• Curry powder, parsley, garlic salt, cayenne pepper go good with shrimp and scallops.
• Dill, basil, thyme, garlic, onion, or season salt go good with vegetables.

Choose the herbs and spices for your taste preference.

For extra flovor, during the last 20 minutes brush with barbecue sauce, steak sauce, soy sauce, glaze, or lemon juice for shrimp and scallops.

Serve with cooked white, brown, or wild rice.

Uncooked fruit and cheese kabobs make appetizers and light desserts. Cut various kinds of cheese into cubes. Alternate on wood skewers with pieces of fruit, such as grapes, strawberries, pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, kiwi, pears, and apples.

Grilling Tips

1. When cooking skewered meat or vegetables, cut your food into equal-sized pieces to ensure even cooking. It’s also helpful to make sure that the pieces are too big to fall through the cracks in the grill.
2. Cook meat and vegetables on separate skewers because of variations in cooking time.
3. Use metal or wood skewers. If using wood skewers soak in cold water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning. The shorter wood skewers are good for grilling appetizers. Rosemary stems can also be used for skewers. They impart a rosemary flavor to food. Soak in cold water before using.
4. If you choose to marinate your meat, do so for two or three hours prior to cooking. Marinating tenderizes the meat and reduces cooking time. Do not marinate beef over night or it will start to cure and turn gray.
5. Brush sauces onto the food only during the last 20 minutes of grilling. Applying sauces earlier can lead to overbrowning or burning.
6. Don’t put cooked meat on the same plate used to carry raw meat. This can cause bacterial contamination. The same rule applies to cooking utensils. Use one set of tongs to pick up raw meat and a separate set of tongs to pick up cooked meat.

Eleisia Whitney is a Watkins Home Business owner. She enjoys cooking and baking with Watkins extracts, spices, herbs, and sauces for healthy meals. Eleisia publishes a Watkins Newsletter, Around the Kitchen Table, that brings you recipes, cooking and health tips, and contests for free Watkins products.
Read the current issue at http://www.everydaynecessities.com/may15-07newsletter.htm
Visit her at http://www.everydaynecessities.com and
http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/eleisiawhitney

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Friday Feast #2

 
{Featured Flickr Feast by susiepie}Appetizer
Name a sound you like to hear.   - I love the sound of rain:)

Soup
What is your favorite kind of cheese? - Monterary Jack or Austrian Smoked Gouda

Salad
Do you sleep late on Saturday mornings? Why or why not?  I try to, but most of the time the kids don’t let me. Of course, I am up at 6 during the week - so sleeping till 8ish on Saturdays is still a treat.

Main Course
When was the last time you forgot something?  What was it, and how long did it take to remember it?  Pretty good chance I haven’t remembered it yet, lol.  Last night I forgot to put away the leftovers from a party I had - remembered this morning when I got up and found it all on the counter still.

Dessert
Fill in the blank:  I notice ____________ when _____________.

I notice that I get a lot of spam when ever I check my emails.

Next week, Stacey and Eleisia, our In The Kitchen Writers, will be taking over the FF for me:)

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Vegetables on the Grill

I love the taste of fresh vegetables cooked on the grill. These recipes may not be new to you. You might have a similar recipe tucked away in your recipe box or filed away with those recipes you cook from memory. When your kitchen temperature rises fire up the grill.

Corn on the Cob a la Grill

Corn on cob with husks
Salt and pepper
Herb butter or butter
Pail or pan of ice water

Pull husks back from corn and remove silks. Pull husks back over corn and soak ears in ice water for 30 minutes. The water helps to steam the corn and keep it from drying out as it cooks.

Remove corn from ice water and drain. Place on grill rack and cook until desired tenderness, approximately 15 minutes, turning ears occasionally.

Remove ears of corn from grill with tongs and cool slightly. Carefully pull back husks and use husk as a handle to hold corn as you salt, pepper, and butter then enjoy that sweet fresh corn taste. Use an oven mit or clean garden glove to hold corn by husk if it is too hot.

Herb Butter

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup finely chopped mixed herbs of your choice (such as basil, thyme, sage, parsley, dill, chives, tarragon, oregano, marjoram or rosemary)
1 teaspoon Watkins Sea Salt
1 teaspoon Watkins Black Pepper

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well until herbs are distributed evenly. Place on a piece of waxed paper or parchment, shape into a cylinder or disk, and seal ends, or pack into a ramekin and cover with plastic. Chill in refrigerator until firm.

Will keep in refrigerator for about 2 weeks, and in the freezer for a few months.

Herb Butter for Veggies, Burgers, or Steaks

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
2 tablespoons shallots, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Chill in refrigerator.

Grilled Potato Packets

Six russet potatoes
Salt and pepper
1/3 cup Watkins Onion Soup Mix
1/2 cup olive oil or melted butter
Heavy duty aluminum foil

Scrub potatoes and trim blemishes. Slice unpeeled potatoes on a large piece of heavy duty aluminum foil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and onion soup mix. Drizzle with olive oil or melted butter. Fold edges of foil up over potatoes to seal and then fold the ends to seal. Carefully shake contents to mix well. Place on grill and cook over indirect heat so potatoes do not burn. Grill for 45 to 60 minutes. Carefully remove hot packet from grill. Serve from the aluminum foil. Serves 6.

Variation
Prepare individual potato packets by slicing one potato on a small piece of aluminum foil. Season and seal edges. Grill.

Eleisia Whitney is a Watkins Home Business owner. She enjoys cooking and baking with Watkins extracts, spices, herbs, and sauces for healthy meals. Eleisia publishes a Watkins Newsletter, Around the Kitchen Table, that brings you recipes, cooking and health tips, and contests for free Watkins products.
Read the current issue at http://www.everydaynecessities.com/may15-07newsletter.htm
Visit her at http://www.everydaynecessities.com and
http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/eleisiawhitney

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A Meal A Tweenager Can Make

I had a friend who had hurt her back and could not cook for her family at the time. I wanted to help make a meal for her and her family, but I did not have the time to go over there with a cooked meal. My friend’s husband and daughter had come over that day to help my husband with the pool we were putting in. I had a brain storm. I thought to myself, “Why don’t I send a meal that the daughter could prepare at home for her family.” I was so excited.

I got out the ingredients and put them all together for the daughter to take home. I gave her the instructions as well. Here is the meal that I gave to her and the instructions.
Taco Soup
1 - 15 oz can of Corn
1 - 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 - 14.5 oz can of pinto beans
1 - 4 oz can of diced chilies
1 pound of ground beef
1 package of Homemade Gourmet Taco Soup Seasoning with the instructions right on the label.
I walked through the instructions with my friend’s daughter.

I flipped up the lable and told her to follow the instructions.
Brown the ground beef.
Put all the canned ingredients into a pot and add 1 can of water.
Add the browned ground beef. (This is an optional item. You can have it with beef or chicken or not meat at all.)
Cook for about 30 minutes on low heat.

Fun toppings to add:
Tortilla Chips
Sour Cream
Shredded Cheese
Salsa
Fresh Avocados

Is anyone else hungry for this? It is a fast and easy meal that young people, like tweenagers, can make.

You can also make this in the crockpot as well.

**With my leftovers, I like to turn it into another meal. I will take the soup and put it in a skillet. I will add about 1 cup to 1 1/2 cups of rice to the skillet. I will cover it and let it simmer.
I will serve with with tortilla chips and shredded cheese. It makes a fast meal and changes up the taco soup for a skillet meal.
—————————————————————————————
Stacey Walker has a Homemade Gourmet Home Business. She uses her Homemade Gourmet products regularly for cooking fast and easy to prepare meals. She is currently using Homemade Gourmet in her meal planning and when teaching her children to cook. Visit her website at www.4minutemeals.com

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Friday Feast #1

Appetizer
List 3 emotions you experienced this week.

- Frustration - I tried to make pies yesterday and for the first time in 14 years, could not get the dough right

- Remorse - Went to a baby shower, and I always end up feeling a little sad that I can’t have any more

- Grateful - For the three amazing children I was blessed with.

Soup
Name a car you’d love to have.

- Any kind of van would do, the kids are getting to big for our car.

Salad
Describe your typical morning routine.

- Up at 6:30 (or 5:45 of I am walking that morning)

- Shower, dress, relax

- Daycare kids arrive around 7, my kids wake up at the same time

- Breakfast

- Get Ariel ready for school

- Check my email

Main Course
Have you ever emailed someone famous? If so, who, and what did you say to them? Did they reply?

- I emailed an author once because her book was amazing, and she emailed me back and thanked me.

Dessert
Do you listen to podcasts? If so, which ones?

- Not often, just the wedding podcast network ones to keep up with my industry

{Featured Flickr Feast by no_surprises}

This weeks Friday Feast posted by Crystal Unrau

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Dust Off The Grills and Dig Out the Utensils

The sunny, warm spring weather brings the enticing aroma of food cooked on the grill and the most often cooked meats are still hamburgers and hot dogs. Eating your food outside on paper plates with family and friends makes every meal a picnic. The following two burger recipes will add zing to your menu.

Teriyaki Beef Burgers

1-1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 can (8 ounces) water chestnuts, drained and chopped
1/4 cup Watkins Tangy Teriyaki Soy Sauce
1/3 cup reduced-sodium beef broth
2 green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon Watkins Ground Ginger
6 lettuce leaves
6 hamburger buns, split

In a large bowl, combine the beef and water chestnuts. Shape into six patties. Place in a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. dish.

In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, sherry or broth, onions, brown sugar, garlic and ginger. Pour 1/2 cup over patties; cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours or overnight. Cover and refrigerate remaining marinade for basting.

Coat grill rack with nonstick cooking spray before starting the grill. Drain and discard marinade. Grill patties, covered, over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until meat is no longer pink, basting occasionally with reserved marinade. Serve on lettuce-lined buns. Yield 6 servings.

Cacciatore Burgers

1/2 teaspoon Watkins Garlic Salt
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/3 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon Watkins Italian Pepper
1 pound lean ground turkey or chicken
2 cups baby spinach leaves
4 slices part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 plum tomatoes, sliced
2 slices red onion, separated into rings
4 hamburger buns

Mix the chopped onion, red pepper, shredded cheese, tomato paste, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, pepper and garlic salt. Add turkey or chicken and mix well.

Shape into four patties. Broil or grill until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F.

Place turkey or chicken patty and a cheese slice on each bun. Broil for 1 minute or until cheese is melted. Top with spinach, tomato and onion slices. Yield 4 servings.

If you’d like to add variety to your grill menu here is a recipe from one of my friends for her favorite food cooked on the grill, fresh trout!

Her recipe for Grilled Trout

1. First, you spend the day on the banks of the local pond fishing with your family.
2. Then clean the trout and stuff with fresh mushrooms and precooked wild rice.
3. Sprinkle with a bit of salt and lemon pepper.
4. Seal in aluminum foil and cook with indirect heat on the grill.

My mouth is watering. Now what did I do with the spatula and tongs?

Eleisia Whitney is a Watkins Home Business owner. She enjoys cooking and baking with Watkins extracts, spices, herbs, and sauces for healthy meals. Eleisia publishes a Watkins Newsletter, “Around the Kitchen Table,” that brings you recipes, cooking and health tips, and contests for free Watkins products.
Read the current issue at http://www.everydaynecessities.com/may15-07newsletter.htm
Visit her at http://www.everydaynecessities.com/ and
http://www.WatkinsOnline.com/eleisiawhitney

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10 Ways To Keep Romance Alive When You Work From Home.

Becoming a work at home mom can be one of the most rewarding decisions of your life. The downside is that it can also become a huge stress on your romantic relationship. After taking care of business, children, and your home all day, it can be difficult to switch into a romantic frame of mind by the time your partner finally walks through the door. So how in the world do you keep the romance alive when you’re just plain tired and stressed out? Here are ten tips that you can start implementing today to rekindle the spark:

1. End your work day at least 30 minutes before your partner arrives home. This gives you a few moments to yourself in which you can reflect on your day, destress, and gradually ease yourself out of work mode.

2. If you prefer working in your pajamas and fuzzy slippers during the day, that’s fine. However, make sure that by the time your partner arrives home you are dressed in your “real clothes”. Pajamas may be more comfortable, but they don’t usually promote feelings of romance.

3. Keep your work area as seperate from your living area as possible. When your work day is done don’t give into the temptations of checking your emails, your order status, or making “just one more” business call. Once you get into this routine you and your partner will both benefit.

4. Spend some alone time together every single day, even if it’s just a few minutes after the kids are in bed. Spend some time talking, snuggling on the couch, or even eating a late-night snack together.

5. Try to get out of the house together as often as possible. Go for a drive, see a movie, walk around the neighborhood, or just sit outside and look at the stars. You don’t have to leave your own backyard or spend a lot of money to spend quality time together outside of the home.

6. Address any problems in the relationship right away and in a conversational manner. Avoid letting these negative feelings build up and explode later.

7. Do something special for your partner everyday. This can be as elaborate as planning a fancy candlelight dinner, or as simple as replacing all of the pencils on his desk with freshly sharpened ones. Little things to let him know you care are always appreciated and noticed more than you might think.

8. Don’t neglect your other responsibilities. Letting a home-based business take over your life is certainly an easy thing to do. Make sure you are still completeing the everyday tasks that you are responsible for, or arrange to swap certain duties with your partner if this would be more appropriate.

9. Use physical gestures regularly. The most obvious things like hugs, kisses, back rubs, and foot massages are great ways to keep the closeness between you and your partner alive. Don’t forget however, that more subtle gestures can be just as powerful. A light touch on his arm in the kitchen, a hand on his leg while watching tv, or stroking his hair while riding in the car can all send positive signals.

10. Last but not least, be sure to tell your partner that you love them everyday. If you usually only say the words “I love you” at the end of phone conversations, or when leaving the house, make a serious effort to include these words at other times too.

Sounds easy enough right? That’s because it is! The sooner you put these tips into practice, the sooner you will see results. Now, go get romantic!

Article by:

Heather Crowley is a full-time eBay seller and freelance writer. She also owns and operates The Auction Chick, a website dedicated to helping moms work from home by selling on eBay. To learn more and share your thoughts, visit http://www.theauctionchick.com.

Article sourced from http://www.ladypens.com

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Sun Protection

My kids came home today with a newsletter that included some information on sun safety and skin cancer - I thought I would share:

- In Canada, 47,000 people will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year

- sun-induced damage to your skin accumulates over the years - so while a tan/burn might go away - the damage is still here, permanently.

- most of our lifetime sun exposure happens before the age of 18!!!!

HOW TO PROTECT THOSE KIDDIES:

- Keep babies under 1 year old out of direct sunlight

- Keep toddlers and older children out of the sun during the peak hours of 11 am to 3 pm wheran the sun’s powerful ultraviolet B radiation is strongest

- Reinforce basic sun sense: wear a wide brimmed hat or a cap, protective clothing and a SPF 15 sunscreen. DO NOT use sunscreen on babies under 6 months though!

On a somewhat related note: don’t forget about heat stroke and dehydration! Provide lots of WATER!!!

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