BPA - and more...

I'm sure by now, you've heard it all in the news: BPA in bottles. Most of you know it can be harmful (and has shown as such in lab animals), and some of you may even know that companies such as Toys R Us are working towards clearing their shelves of bottles that contain BPA (Good for them). But, what some of you don't realize is - BPA is in WAY more than just bottles. I'm not trying to start a freak out fest, here...but you should know. For example, the plastics you eat off of, the disposable containers you put food in to store in the fridge, your water pipes could all have BPA (depending on what you use). BPA is NOT a new thing. We're just learning about it - our society kind of has this "do now-ask questions later" approach. And now, tests have confirmed that BPA has also been found in....canned foods. As in, your favorite spaghetti sauces and veggies (and more). In general, the more acidic the food is (tomatoes, fruits, etc.), the more BPA it leaches.

In order to not cause a public uproar, the government is taking a very laid back stance on this, saying there is nothing to be concerned about. However, the scientists are not in agreeance - they say that the evidence shows harm in lab animals and it may be the same for humans. But, they aren't positive yet, and neither should the government be, either.

The report is here. You should definitely take a look and decide for yourself.

The good news: There are some companies that use special BPA-free products for your food (like Eden Foods). And then of course, there's always paper cartons and jarred foods.

Babysteps, Motherhood to Career by Diane Lang

Going back to work after having a child can be difficult for any mother - regardless of your child's age. And, if you've been out of school or the workforce for a while, going back can seem daunting. Diane Lang's book BabySteps, Motherhood to Career outlines the things you need to know when re-entering the workforce, from resumes to attire to the transition phase filled with emotions. This book is incredibly comprehensive - and yet to the point.

An Interview with Karen Ehman

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself - an intro, so to speak:
I have a hubby of 22 years and three sometimes argumentive but mostly charming children: Mackenzie-17, Mitchell 13 and Spencer 10. I am a stay-at-home mom who speaks and writes on the side and am a member of the Proverbs 31 Ministries speaking team and a volunteer for Hearts at Home and organization who mission is to help moms love their lives. I love to see my daughter act on stage, watch my boys play sports, hang out with my husband discussing life and read my Bible. I love to cook and organize. I love to write handwritten notes. I hate to clean and can't sew to save my life. I hate to send emails and type as slow as a snail. I also have pitiful, partially finished scrapbooks and no real personal hobbies. In 8 years when Spencer is gone, I'll find one in my "spare time" unless, of course, I'm a Grandma by then!! :-)

2. Please tell us a little about your books and what led you to write them?
My first two Homespun Gifts from the Heart and Homespun Memories for the Heart were co-written with my best friend from college and a dear friend from church. They are designed to provide easy, doable ideas for moms who want to remember their loved ones with creative gifts or make special memories with their kids on holidays, holy days or the every days of life. My first solo book was A Life That Says Welcome and it chronicles my tale of marrying into a family of decorators, cooks and bed and breakfast owners while I myself could barely boil water! It is about 1/3 story driven and biblical hospitality info and 2/3 practical ideas on decorating, cleaning and recipe ideas. It also encourages hospitality on the road--reaching out to those with whom your life naturally intersects. My most recent book is The Complete guide to Getting and Saying Organized. It is an idea driven, practical and doable workbook type volume that walks moms through setting the bar where they want it and crafting their own plan to manage their time and organize their stuff. It definitely is NOT one size fits all!

3. What is one of your favorite "life lessons" that God has taught you thus far?
God is sometimes in the plans, often in the waiting and always in the interruptions!

4. When it comes to cleaning and organizing, I hear a lot of people who are very discouraged and tired. What would you say to them to help them along? Any tips, suggestions, or words of advice?
They need to take into account their particular lifestyle and stage of life and not try to replicate someone else's slick plan. I like to encourage women to learn strategies to take care of the have tos of life in an efficient manner so that they have more time for the want tos of life!!

5. Have a quick organizational and/or cleaning tip you'd like to divulge? Pretty please?
It sounds old fashioned but I have found it to be true--have a place for everything and everything in its place! Grandma was right! I find most women suffer from what I call the "for now" syndrome and it causes great distress in their life. You know all of those piles of "for now"....I'll place this junk mail here..for now. Or I will set this clean laundry over there....for now. Or I'll just lay this junk I don't know what to do with here....for now. Pretty soon we have piles for for now all over the house staring us in the face and making us feel defeated!!!!!!

6. Any tips especially for moms/dads with younger children in the home, regarding life, love, and happiness - and cleaning and organization, of course!?
Get the family on the same team. Your hubby and kids are not the enemy. Satan and his distractions are the enemy. Her wants us to bicker, complain, mess each other up and divide and conquer our family! Don't let him. Have a plan. Work the plan. Work together so that your home stays relatively in order and you can free up time to spend together as a family doing something you love to do!!!

7. And, how about some tips for older parents and grandparents who have trouble parting with their things, and end up feeling so tired and disgusted that they jump ship before they even start?
Enlist the help of someone who is not emotionally attached to your stuff. It is just STUFF!!!! Weeding out and organizing is good for the soul. And maybe some of your stuff can go to help someone else who will actually use it!!! I have an entire chapter on de-junking your house ridding it of items no longer needed. It is one that readers tell me was the most helpful for them. I say away with the junk!!!!


And, because we LOVE participation - we want you, our readers, in on the fun!
Just leave a comment with your best organizational tip when it comes to either managing your time or organizing your stuff. (The two major areas her book covers) And/or tell us your biggest organizational challenge or time management fiasco.

We'll be drawing winners from the comments (which answer our questions) to receive something great! So, be sure to ALSO leave your name and email address as well (in ADDITION to your answers)!!

Getting Organized - And, Staying That Way!

As some of you know, I've taken a challenge for the year 2008 to organize my ENTIRE home. I call it: Project Organization 2008. You can ooh and aah later at the brilliance of that title, but right now...I need you to focus!

A few weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to read The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized by Karen Ehman. And, I have to say - if you were to buy just ONE book to help you regain focus and motivation to clean (without making you feel like the worst mother/Christian ever) THIS book is IT.

In her book, Karen touched my heart with some of the things she had to say:

"They (lists) are no longer my taskmaster and I their slave. Instead, they are my Global Positioning System ... pointing me in the right direction but allowing me to still recieve a call from the Lighthouse asking me to alter my course for a while."

And, how true that statement is! Sometimes, I let my lists take over my day, making me less open to opportunities and people who need me because they wouldn't "fit" with the previous list. But, no more. In Karen's book, she shows how to be organized while still being flexible - and how to do it in the easiest way possible.

Another huge help I've had in organizing not only my home, but my life, was the Hearts at Home Planner (also a product by Karen Ehman). These planners are genius! - With fill-in calendars, menu planners, contacts, notes, and more! They also come in zippered and non zippered!

Next up, an interview (and giveaway!!) with Karen Ehman, herself!

New Group and a Favor!

Today, my post is going to be short and sweet. :) I'm asking a super quick favor of you ALL - whether you are a mom, dad, grandparents, or TTC - please go to: http://www.lilaguide.com/groups/parents
and sign up for my group. If you aren't in lilaguide's system, it'll prompt you to join first (it's free), so please take the 3 minutes to do that and then join my actual group (address above). I'm in a contest, so the more members I get before Aug. 1, the better. I'm aiming at 600! It's all free and you are under no obligation to actually post anything or do anything in the group (unless you want to) - Just join! Please?

Oh yeh. And, as always...if you join, I'll add your name to a drawing and I'll be giving away prizes.

Let's Be....

Here's a name you are going to want to remember: P. K. Hallinan, the author of these lovely books. Each book has watercolor illustrations and great lessons geared for little minds in 200 words or less (in poetry form, no less). They are also board books - meaning they're great to grow up with kids - from 6 mos on up, these little hardy books will stand the test of time and help you to implement some great values and virtues.

I can speak from experience as to how great these little books are. Lorelei's Mimi has made sure that her book shelf is packed with virtuous and fun books. If you're interested in owning your own, you can buy them at www.idealsbooks.com.

My Mommy's Tote

Note: This isn't a repeat post, but I forgot to include the discount code before! Check it out below!!

Imagine a light-weight tote that could hold each of your children's medical documents, important papers, and those magazine pages you ripped out of a parenting magazine 3 months ago. Imagine a place where you knew you could put your children's things...and it wouldn't take up much room - or fuss. Imagine My Mommy's Tote - a lightweight, 9.75"x12.5"x3" tote that could hold it all. And more.

Each tote can hold 200 papers, and comes with pre-printed plastic dividers - which will hold up quite nicely...even to spills. My Mommy's Tote comes in pink/brown or blue/brown.

Wouldn't it be nice to have all of their papers ready at your fingertips whenever you need them? The answer is yes. YES it would.

Discount: 15% off all purchases PLUS 15% off shipping & handling when you enter First Impressions during checkout.