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    A Place Where WAHMS Can...

    Work Hard AND Play Hard!

    Contrary to the picture, we haven't lost our marbles....YET! Be warned...the house might get a little messy, the discussions might have you crying one time and falling off your chair with laughter at others. We like to work hard and play hard here, so if you're up for that, grab a seat and join the ride. Drinks are in the fridge!

 

631393_food_and_drink_5Pork – The Other White Meat
16 Free Cooking Brochures – Available for download or have them mailed to your home.
Pork Lovers Get Your Free Guides Here




raffkLogoSubway – Kids Healthy Eating Kit
Help Your Kids Get Fit for the Fun of It with this Kit




4 Free Issues of Parenting Early Years MagazineparentingEY
Great for parents of children up to 5 years of age.
Sign up to receive your free magazine issues right here.








1006882_pumpkin_halloween7 Halloween Stories
by: Chuck Larkin (Master Storyteller)
Great for telling this Halloween! Spooooky – Read at your own risk!
Grab Your Own Copy of these Free Halloween Spooky Stories




1108048_a_song_for_love10 Free Christian Songs via iTunes
If you like Christian music – here’s some good music for free. I’m actually listening to these for the first time right now. I must say the first song (a rap) was ok – I guess the kids might like it. I’m on the second song (Broken & Beautiful) right now and it’s beautiful. The 3rd song just started and it’s a little heavy metalish from what I can tell from just the opening. Seems like there’s a good mix for the whole family.
Get Your Free Christian Music Here

Why Freezer Cooking Is Perfect For WAHMs

Written by Hillbilly Housewife - Susanne Myers on October 2, 2009

Hi there.. I’m Susanne – The Hillbilly Housewife. Arika was kind enough to invite me to write on “They Call Me Wahmmy.com” on Fridays during the Month of October. I’m traveling from blog to blog this month to spread the word about living frugally and to raise awareness and funds for Breastcancer Research.

Today I’d like to talk to you about freezer cooking, why I love it and how it helps me out as a WAHM. I guess I should mention that yes, I am a work at home mom. I run Hillbillyhousewife.com as well as various other website. And I don’t have to tell you how crazy it gets sometimes when things go wrong, websites break, a project is suddenly due or you land a bunch of client work (which is great but doesn’t leave much time for things like cooking, gorcery shopping etc.)

On those days, I pull a freezer meal out, stick it in the oven and get back to work. An hour later dinner is done and all that’s left to do is set the table, sit down and eat.


Freezer Cooking Made Simple

I wrote an enire ebook on the topic (Called Freezer Cooking Made Simple), which both Arika and I highly recommend, but today I’d like to share some tips with you that you can start implementing right away to get your freezer stocked for those busy work days.

Meatloaf

When you’re cooking meatloaf, make a double or even tripple batch, cook one and freeze the other two. I bought two inexpensive loaf pans that I use just for freezing the meatloaf. You can also set the extra meat mixture in the fridge while you’re cooking your meatloaf for that night, then line it with wax paper, add the raw meat mixture and freeze it until it’s set. Transfer it to a freezer bag or wrap it tight in freezer paper. When you’re ready to make the meatloaf, remove the wrapper, pop it back in the loaf form and bake it.

Pancakes and Waffles

I don’t usually have time to make pancakes or waffles during the week. I make extra large batches on the weekends and spread anything we don’t need on a large cookie sheet and freeze it. After an hour or so when the pancakes or waffles are frozen solid, I put them in freezer bags.

The waffles go straight in the toaster on weekday mornings. The pancakes can be microwaved or defrosted and reheated in a warm pan.

Casseroles

Most casseroles (especially those that don’t contain pasta) freeze well. Again, make a double batch or spend some time one weekend cooking up several casseroles (I do that a lot right after Christmas and Thanksgiving when we have  a lot of leftover ham or turkey). Freeze them and reheat later.

Casseroles usually taste better if you defrost them before you reheat. I also leave off any cheese topping and sprinkle it on before I stick the thawed casserole in the oven.

Stay away from pasta casseroles when you’re planning on freezing them. The pasta tends to get very soft once frozen and reheated. The only exception would be lasagna which freezes fine for me.

Soups and Stews

Most soups and stews freeze really well. Chili is a favorite in our house. You can either defrost them in the fridge over-night, stick them in the microwafe to heat, or add the block of frozen soup or stew to a large pot along with a little extra water and slowly melt and heat it up.

That’s it for this week. I’ll be back next week with some more frugal cooking tips. If you’re interested in Freezer cooking, I’d like to invite you to order my Freezer Cooking Made Simple ebook today. 20% of my profits in October will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Susanne – The Hillbilly Housewife

http://www.HillbillyHousewife.com

P.S. I’d love to hear your thoughts on freezer cooking. Is this something you do regularly? Do you make your own or do you buy frozen premade meals at the grocery store?

A Couple of Funnies to Kick this Tuesday Off with a Laugh

Written by Arika on September 29, 2009

World’s Scariest License Plate

You can try to pass her, but I sure wouldn’t honk the horn.

ATT000591

*********

Never Argue with a Woman

One morning, a husband returns the boat to their lakeside cottage after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap..

Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors, puts her feet up and begins to read her book. The peace and solitude are magnificent..

Along comes a Fish and Game Warden in his boat.

He pulls up alongside the woman and says, ‘Good morning, Ma’am. What are you doing?’

‘Reading a book,’ she replies, (thinking, ‘Isn’t that obvious?’)

‘You’re in a Restricted Fishing Area,’ he informs her.

‘I’m sorry, officer, but I’m not fishing. I’m reading.’

‘Yes, but I see you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment. I’ll have to take you in and write you up.’

‘If you do that, I’ll have to charge you with sexual assault,’ says the woman.

‘But I haven’t even touched you,’ says the Game Warden.

‘That’s true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment.’

‘Have a nice day ma’am,’ and he left.

Moral of the Story: Never argue with a woman who reads. It’s likely she can also think.

Do You Ever Run On All Heart?

Written by Arika on September 22, 2009

I have been thinking a lot lately about how I approach things in my business. I’ve also been really focusing on why I do the things I do, where those things do or don’t fit in with my long term goals and how each action I take (or don’t take) affects who I am and where I’m headed. Yeah, I know pretty deep right? In reality I have always been a very deep thinking person…yes sometimes even to a fault.

Anyway, before I start rambling about deep thoughts that make you say “Forget that!”…and click away from this post, I wanted to show you something and then ask you a question.

This clip is from a movie that I watched for the first time a few years ago. I absolutely loved this movie and caught it on TV a few times before I ever found out what the name of it was called. When I did find out I thought it was very appropriately titled, “Facing the Giants.” Even though the movie is about a football coach who takes a losing team, everyone has pretty much given up all hope on, and turns them into winners, it fits so many areas of life in general.

Anway, I’ll let you see it and then I’ll be back.

Pretty enlightening isn’t it?

Talk about giving it your all. There are so many times in my life that I could have gone further if I’d just kept going for a little bit longer, pushing past where I thought I needed to stop.

So, here’s my question for you.

Has there been a time in your business and/or life when you pushed on even when it seemed the cards were stacked against you?  Have you ever pushed yourself beyond the limits even you thought you were capable of and ran on heart alone?

Fat Loss Quickie: Can You Squat with the Big Dogs?

Written by Arika on September 18, 2009

Happy Friday! ;)

If you’re just stopping by and don’t know what the Fat Loss Quickie/Sexy Mama Abs workout is…you can head over here to catch up. The goal of FLQ is to create a healthier and wealthier home business owner without spending a ton of money (the entire program costs less than 20 bucks) and without taking a ton of time (as business owners and parents, we don’t HAVE tons of time to workout).

I’ve been having a blast with it and I think anyone who works from home should at least check it out. As WAHM & WAHD, it’s no secret that we let our health slide a lot, but if we begin putting our health as a priority, the wealth will come because we’ll be more focused on the business goals we’ve set for ourselves and won’t have to spend hours and hours working at the computer.

***Today’s Fat Loss Quickie/Sexy Mama Abs Update***

So, today Nicole wants to know “Who’s the Squattiest?” in her Computer Butt Challenge. To find out all about it and jump in (you’ve got until midnight tonight your time to get in if you aren’t already) click right here.

BannerFatloss200x250Every Friday of the Fat Loss Quickie Home Workout, we have to do 100 squats for the cardio portion of our daily exercise. That in itself is quite the feat. ;0) Leave it to  Nicole to bump it up a notch and hold a contest on her blog to see who could do the most squats (thank goodness tomorrow is a day of rest!).

I’ve been doing my squats off and on all day long and I won’t lie…I’m freakin’ sore! But it’s awesome to see everyone pushing their limits. Absolutely Amazing! I LOVE it!

I stayed offline most of the day until a few hours ago, when I hopped on and saw that Patti, “The Mom”, who mind you is a 50-something spunky lady, was in the lead with 325 squats – yes you read that right THREE HUNDRED TWENTY FIVE!

When I first checked in a few hours ago I was up to 351 squats myself. Just before I sat down to write this post, I checked in again and realized another participant, Kevin “Mr. eBay” Johnson had blown right past me and was up to 435 squats. So, the competitive person I am did some more. I’m now up to 401 squats and plan to do more before hitting the sack tonight. Whether I’ll beat him I don’t know but I’m sure going to give him a run for his money! ;)

I’ll report back with the results over the weekend. For now, I’m off to squat my heart out – speaking of hearts, I know mine is lovin’ me today with all this work.

Onward & Upward to Health & Wealth,

ALsignature

FLQ Cardio Workout: 3 & 1 Year Old Workin’ Out With Mama

Written by Arika on September 16, 2009

I finally caught them on video joining in my Fat Loss Quickie Cardio and I’m proud to say my 3 year old son kept up with the entire 10 minutes! Mom – not so much, between taking video, laughing, and a little lower back pain during the jumping jacks I didn’t make it through all the reps.

So, here’s what you really came to see:

Hunter & Sierra doing Jumping Jacks

Hunter doing the March in Place Rest & Quick Steps
<a href="http://www.linkedtube.com/i60zAMEQ9d8a361bf8f72377da73cd2a635c9466bdc.htm">LinkedTube</a>

If my 3yo can hang for 10 minutes with Scott I know you and I can! :)

Fat Loss Quickie Home Office Workout – Get more information about how you can improve your health AND your wealth in only 10 minutes twice a day. You’ll be glad you did!

See ya tomorrow,

ALsignature

BannerFatloss200x250

This Sexy Abs Seeking Mama is kicking things up a notch this week with the Fat Loss Quickie home office workouts. Not only am I putting things on a whole new level, but so is Scott (and even Nicole has some fun planned for this week’s Friday workout). I’ll get to those things in just a minute, but first let me explain things on my end.

How I’m Upping My Game

I finally got my stability ball last weekend so starting yesterday I began doing the resistance (weight) portion as well as the cardio portion of the FLQ workouts. So far, I’m loving it!

Am I sore? Oh, heck yeah!  My shoulders, upper arms and chest are really feeling it after the past 2 days’ workouts, but I’m ok with that – it means it’s working. I actually feel more energized after the resistance part (which I do in the morning) than I do after the cardio (which seems to be kicking my tushie more this week than before).

So, I’m still in it for the long haul. I finally found a workout I can fit into my busy day as a mama of 3, wife and business owner. Above and beyond that, I’ve found a community of people who are just like me and who will help hold me accountable. Thank you to all of you keeping up with my progress and cheering me on by the way. YOU are the biggest reason I’ve stuck with this – nothing like public accountability to make it happen, right? ;)

How Scott’s Making Fat Loss Quickie Even Better!

I’ll be honest I really didn’t think it could get any better.  As if having a personal trainer at pretty much my beck and call for only $20 wasn’t enough. Once again he has proven me wrong (in a good way) and given us EVEN more than he already has.

  1. Tracking Printouts – We now have printouts to help us track our progress on each of the daily exercises. I printed mine out and kept records so that next week I can see the improvements I’ve made for each specific exercise.
  2. Workout Video Downloads - Before we had streaming video for each day’s workout and some of the participants (myself included but not as bad as others) had problems with the videos freezing or stopping during playback. Now, we have the option to download the videos directly to our computer making the inability of our Internet connections to keep up.  This also makes it a lot easier to go back to the videos after the first week because after week 1 you do the same workouts every week.
  3. FLQ Home Office Fitness Transformation Contest – Oh yeah, you read that right! To find out more about the first transformation contest, have a look at this video. I can tell you there are some smokin’ prizes that I’ve got my eye on – including being on stage with Scott at NAMS3 and $500 cash!

Talk about making this MORE than worthwhile, hu? I strongly urge you to join in the fun (Yes, I just called fitness fun!) It’s only 2 – 10 minute workouts a day and those 10 minutes go by FAST, but more importantly they WORK!

To learn more about FLQ and the contest Scott is holding – click here!

Until tomorrow’s update!

Onward & Upward to Health & Wealth,

ALsignature

Oh before I go – don’t forget to head over and sign the McLinky so I can visit your Fat Loss Quickie progress too!

www.theycallmewahmmy.com/fat-loss-quickie-participants/

And visit the other participants’ blogs and cheer them on too!