Sharing My First Job for #vlogmoms

Remember Your First Job?

I Share My First Job for #vlogmoms

This week on #vlogmoms I share my unique first job, along with a little insight into my upbringing.  The video froze while I while was talking a little bit about the job… and what it was like training my replacement… who was a 30 year old man.   I was 13, needless to say that interesting.  Can you imagine having a teenager train you to do your job?

 

Next weeks topic – What was the best piece of advice you recieved as a Mom? What was the worst?

Share Your First Job With Us?

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New Years Resolutions

Do You Make New Years Resolutions? 

The beginning of the year is the perfect time to evaluate where you are and focus on changes you might want to make.
I’d love to hear about your New Years Resolutions, big or small!  We are far more likely to achieve our goals with the support of a strong community around us!

Share Your New Years Resolutions with us!

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Green

Green: More than a Color

Green – is a color, but these days for most people it invokes so much.  One little 5 letter word,  interpreted many ways.

Personally for many years… being green wasn’t positive in my mind , nor was it anything I endeavored to incorporate into my life.  It was something that my mom did.  If you  asked me what I thought the word green meant, I would have said it’s for other people,, but not me.  Those people I might have considered  activist, treehugger’s – extremist who were convinced the sky is falling because a kernel of corn dropped on their head. I’ve come a long way.

Now, as the editor of a healthy living eco savvy lifestyle website, suffice it to say my perception has changed – just a little.

Is Green:

• a lifestyle
• a movement
• a trend

Does being green make you:

• Hip
• Crazy
• An Activist
• An Environmentalist
• Savvy

 

I asked  friends, What Does Green Mean to you?

“Making the best choices I can with the knowledge I have while trying to learn more every day.”

Amy Lupold Blair

“Chemical free, hormone free, as mother nature and God intended it to be.”

Lisa Morris Frame

“Being as earth friendly as possible – no chemicals, eating healthy foods”

Erin Carnahan Lane

“Green to me means that you make choices that contribute to the well being of the Earth and environment.”

Kadi Cobb Prescott

“Leaving the earth a better place than I found it. Cleaning up after myself like my mama taught me.”

Robin Elton

“Thinking about the environmental impact of purchases, research, and saving money by keeping it simple (IE less boxed food=less waste/recycling).”

Kelly Gehrmann Whalen

“Green means everything in it’s purest form. Whether that being food, products or a person.”

Shana Dieli

“Green means caring about your carbon footprint and doing what you can to reduce your negative impact on Earth.”

Stacie Haight Connerty

“To me green is  like the old camp saying, “Leave no trace.” I want to leave my little part of the world a little better and a little cleaner than it was when I arrived. Being green is not just about recycling or using less energy, eating organic foods or walking instead of driving. It’s a state of mind.”

Lolli Franklin

“Green means back to basics – back to our roots – feeding and thriving off natural products, natural foods, baking from scratch instead of processed, using nature instead of artificial, cheaper products and harmful toxins.”

Lisa Douglas

On Facebook and Twitter we  heard

Money, Lifestyle, Booger (someone’s son had a cold!), conscious, Sustainable, healthy and Safe for our kids.

One Fan went on to say “I think that people used to associate the word “green” with having to sacrifice something they did not want to or be inconvenienced in some way, but slowly I think more people understand that going green is not near as difficult to incorporate in their life as they originally thought.”

Isn’t it fascinating!  One word can bring so many meanings.

 

So…you may be wondering.  What does green mean to me?  I think it’s all about action.  What do we do with the information we take in on a daily basis.  Attempting to live in a mindful and conscious manner.

 

What Green Commitment Can You Make Today?

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101 Things You Don’t Likely Know About Me

• My first nickname was Tarantasaurus Ruiness Rex.
• The best nickname came from my husband. He calls me The Muse.
• I picked Diva all by myself.
• To this day my grandmother calls me Roo..
• I was born & raised on the West Coast of Canada.
• I didn’t have many of friends growing up.
• During my childhood education I attended 12 schools. I even went back and forth to one of those schools 5 times!
• I hit my bed many days after school in tears, wondering why I didn’t fit in.
• Could be the reason for the afrorementioned lack of friends.
I had to repeat algebra 11. Math is not my strong suit.

 

• When I was in my twenties – I refused to divulge my age.
I have 2 younger sisters.
• When I was 13 I had a job growing 450 POUNDS of Alfalfa Sprouts every week.
• When I decided the sprouts were too much work, my replacement was 27. I had to train them.
• My mom had me at the age of 16.
• I moved out on my own when I was 15.
• We grew up poor. Really poor.
• I don’t remember being aware of the poorness, completely.
• At six I need 16 stitches on my big toe the result of a run in with a frog pond.
• I was an only child for 9 years.
• My mom and dad have been married for 40 years.
My mom and dad lived together for 1.5 of those years.

• I majored in Communications at college… only in Canada… we call it University.
• I didn’t belong to a Sorority, they weren’t that big in Canada, or if they were I didn’t know it.
• I’m happily married.
• My husband and I met online.
• My husband is a professional comedy writer.
• People ask what it’s like being married to someone who is professionally funny? You know that Keith Urban song – “I’m going to put you in a song”… I’m going to put you in a joke just doesn’t have the same ring!
• Stories from our real life have appeared in prime time.
• I make my Canadian friends bring me Hawkin’s Cheezies. I know, they are so bad for you!

• I have 2 children.
• I have a stepson who lives on the east coast, so I have 3 children.
• I have a husband who lives with me, so sometimes I have 4 children.
• I gave birth to both of my children using hypnosis – that means no drugs.
• My first child was conceived in Las Vegas, I like to say “What happens in Vegas doesn’t ALWAYS stay in Vegas. 
Happily we were actively trying for our first child.
• I was a certified ski instructor
I never actually taught anyone how to ski, just wanted to make it through the program
.
• I lived in Whistler, BC, Canada.
• At the time I was my banks youngest Mortgage Holder.
• I’ve donated hair 3 times.
• I’ve had 4 ear surgeries.

• My right ear has a human prosthetic bone.
• My left ear has a metallic (man-made) prosthetic bone.
• Or it could be the other way around… I get them confused.
• My favorite forms of exercise is S-Factor.
• I was raised by my mother.
• My father has barely been involved in my life. Barely.
• He lost all my baby pictures – forgot where he took them to be developed.
• He did show up for the wedding.
Has never checked in to see how my children are, or how I was while I was pregnant. He “doesn’t want to interfere.”

• I’ve worn sunscreen on my face most everyday since I was 13 years old.
• I read a British Vogue that convinced me I would age more gracefully.
• We fostered 7 puppies. Once.
I was promised we wouldn’t keep any of them…
• Dude talked me into Doggie Diva… I wasn’t really given a choice.
• We now have 3 large dogs.
• I didn’t want to date anyone with dogs… now I have 3.
• Proof to me that God has a sense of humor.
Our house is never empty.
• When I’m home alone, I love how peaceful it is – it’s a rarity.
• When I dined alone and I was single, I remember trying to convince myself I was enjoyed dining alone. Now, when I have the opportunity… bliss.
• We have no family living within 800 miles of us.

• My favorite Movie is a little known gem called Hear My Song, starring Ned Beatty.
• I’ve never smoked a cigarette.
• I’ve never tried an illegal drug.
• Unless you count the time I was 7 or 8 and my mother gave me mushroom tea. She says I asked for it.
• Did I mention, 
I believe in God.
• I tend to view expiration dates as guides vs a set rule.
• My cocktail of choice is a Grey Goose L’Orange Cosmopolitan.
• I am NOT a morning person.
• I get up on Sunday morning to go to Church – but we do go to the late morning service.

• I love the smell of Vanilla.
• Vanilla is also my favorite flavor of ice cream.
• Caffeine gives me the shakes.
• Caffeine also keeps me awake at night.
• Needless to say, I take decaf.
• I gave up splenda.
• The thing I miss most about giving it up: Diet Hansen’s Black Cherry.
• I find regular soda too sweet.
• I took a lot of popcorn to school in my lunches.
• I used popcorn as currency trading it by the handful to upgrade my lunches.

• I have a habit of buying supplies in bulk.
• This means i have 2 CASES of toilet paper in my garage right now.
• We snowmobiled in the woods once Christmas and rode back with a Christmas Tree that we chopped down (It was on my mom’s property).
• I sold cars for Jaguar.
• I’ve studied interior design in both Canada & the US.
• I’m beyond excited about being the same size I was when my husband and I dated – AFTER birthing 2 children!
• Even more exciting – I didn’t have to work out for 2 hours daily – to reach that milestone. Couldn’t have made that work even if I wanted to.
• I really enjoy a cup of organic hot chocolate at night.
• I’ve all but given up my favorite perfume Angel – fragrances aren’t required to reveal ingredients and as a result I don’t feel very comfortable using them regularly. I save it for special occasions instead.
• I don’t like lavender.

• I was tortured by compost duty as a child.
• I now compost myself, the easy way.
• When I was single, Patty Sanger, The Millionaire Matchmaker set me up on a date.
• I never had to go through one of her “casting sessions.”
• I used to salsa dance 3-5 nights a week.
• I can walk in 6″ heels. I blame the S-factor (see above)
• Macaroni and cheese is the only meal that my entire family is happy to eat. Makes me crazy.
• Having children inspired my passion to get informed about living less toxically.
• I love dude ranches.
• Breakfast is my favorite meal. Ironic given the way I feel about mornings.

• I’m a survivor.
• I love chocolate hazelnut truffles.
• I can eat a lot of blueberries.
• I have vivid memories of the ceiling in one of my childhood homes collapsing. Ka boom.
• I always remember my mom growing a big garden.
• I now have a small garden of my own. Very small and I’m not afraid to call in back up!
• I love to read, but can’t read and lead a normal life… When I get locked into a book, I will read until daybreak.
• I’m not sure exactly why I wanted to move to Los Angeles, I know that since living here I’ve felt completely at home.
• Did I mention – Math wasn’t my strong subject?

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The Time Is Now For Chemical Reform!

Have you asked for a stronger national chemicals policy?

You should.

Pure Natural Diva is thrilled to be spearheading a campaign – Bloggers United – to help spread awareness about this very important issue!

I spend a huge amount of time researching and taking care  to ensure  I buy only the safest products for my family and recommend the same for my readers.   But should I really have to?  I mean, products that are on the shelves should be safe, right?  Yet, headlines tell us again and again that they’re not.

Take a few seconds to sign the petition… today.

We need a stronger law!

Which is precisely why I’ve worked with the EWG to create Blogger’s United to  support a nationwide effort to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act in Congress.  This law was passed back in 1976 (remember The BeeGees?!) and hasn’t adequately protected public health since.  It’s high time to strengthen our country’s toxic chemicals law – and right now there’s an opportunity to do exactly that.  See, this Spring Senator Frank Lautenberg (NJ) introduced The Safe Chemicals Act.

I hope you’ll join me in asking our representatives in Congress to pass this bill.  It’s incredibly important, and the time is now.  The more of us who ask, the more likely they are to listen.  So go ahead…

Tell Congress to put toxics on its “to do” list NOW

The plan is to make it crystal clear that we want an effective national chemicals policy that protects human health, especially our children who are most affected by toxic chemicals.

The way I see it, if we’re frustrated by the current system (check), we should work hard to change it!

QUICK & EASY – SIGN THIS PETITION TO CONGRESS

Numbers talk: 150,000 signatures is the goal. 
EWG will deliver this petition to key lawmakers on Capitol Hill to show them how BIG and PASSIONATE this Safe Chemicals movement has become. Can you help us reach our goal today?

It’s easy to sign and share – and extremely important to our success.

The time is right now.  
There is a political window of opportunity to move the Safe Chemicals Act forward in 2010, but in the current political climate, windows close quickly and unpredictably. If we don’t give it our absolute all NOW, when the political momentum is there, we may lose this chance.

Sign it, share it
.  This issue is far too important to let Congress do nothing.  We need your help – by signing and sharing the petition – to get the Safe Chemicals Act on the Congressional “to-do” list.  Preferably at the top.

Bonus Points?  Only takes a minute!

Use this link to send a letter to your Senator quickly and easily.

Thank you for taking time to be heard!

Don’t forget to spread the word!  Use the buttons to spread the word on Facebook, twitter and other social media!

Have a blog?  Join the Blogger’s United Campaign!

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Gasland: An Eyeopening Documentary

This is not sexy sharing… then again… not everything can be sexy.  I just finished watching a documentary by Josh Fox called Gasland and I encourage you to set your DVR and so you can watch it on HBO, hurry, the last day to catch it is July 29!

Josh takes the viewer on a road trip around the country exploring the impact of the primary method of Natural Gas Drilling – known as Fracking – on everyday American’s, their water, homes and towns.

I have to admit I knew nothing about this before watching, now I plan on learning more.  This film was eye opening and worth adding to your summer watching.

The New York time wrote this article on the subject and if you want to dig even deeper… the site – Un-NaturalGas.org has extensive information on the subject.

Check out this preview:

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7 Puppies – The Runyan Puppies – Coco and Captain

The diva family is fostering 7 puppies that are 4 weeks old – they had to be seperated from their mother who was too weak to care for them.

In a moment of weakness Dude talked me into this adventure. They have been dubbed the Runyan Miracle Puppies by their rescuer, comedian Rebecca Corry.

Read the full story of their rescue – the short version is it took Rebecca a week to talk their owner into surrendering them to her, the babies were near death and the mother not much better.

The mother has been fostered, but was unable to care for the babies. The diva family stepped in to foster the babies until they are old enough to be place in homes.

To donate to their care, Rebecca has set up this fund through Chip-In.

UPDATE – July 10, 2010

Lil’ Pip – just went to the vet.  He’s very seriously ill.  We’re not sure if he’ll make it.  We’ll keep you posted.

UPDATE – July 10, 2010 – Late Afternoon

Lil Pip was taken to heaven.  The little fighter didn’t make it.  We are so glad that he spent the entire morning cuddling with Lil Diva on his last day.

Update – July 19, 2010

Coco and Captain Morgan both went to their forever families tonight!  We are so happy for them.  There are 4 lil guys who are still looking for homes!  Dude is really hoping that Bella’s forever home is OUR home and of course Lil’ Diva is just assuming that is the case!

The negotiations are in full swing!

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The Wild Chicken Way

We live in Los Angeles – one thing I never expected to hear from my children is “Mama, can we take the wild chicken way” as we go about our day.  Yet this is the chant that echo’s from the backseat of my mini van – repeatedly.

Not to far from our home we have discovered 2 wild chickens.  Yes.  You read that right.  Wild Chicken’s in LA! So, whenever we’re in the area the lil’s always ask for a drive by, I typically slow down to see if we can spot them.

You might be wondering how I do I know these particular chickens are in fact wild?  The first time I spotted them – I was take aback.  These chickens are hanging out a half a block from Ventura Boulevard – we’re talking a long way from Kansas.  So, being  Canadian – that means “too nice” according to Dude -  I stopped with the intention of coming to their aid.  I thought they must have owners missing them, but I didn’t really have a plan for EXACTLY how I was going to help them… I digress.

After I’d spent a little time trying to corral the hens a neighbor pulled up,  I asked if he know who the chickens belonged to – and he informed me they were wild and had been in the area for YEARS!!!

The “wild chicken way” isn’t usually the fastest way to our destination, yet I consistently detour hoping we spot the elusive hens.

When we actually spot the hens – we’ll usually take the time to double back and watch them peck around.  Nothing much happens, but the children love it and always hate it when I finally start inching the car away.

We’ll have conversations and wonder how they came to live here, where they sleep and how they stay safe at night.   We’ll not spot them for some time and wonder if they are OK.

In a world where the pace of life has gotten so fast my head often spins.  The “Wild Chicken Way” has become a tiny reminder to slow down and appreciate the little things in life.

Now clearly not everyone has “wild chicken’s” around the corner, but I’ll bet there is something unique in your neighborhood, something that will pull you out of the craziness of life and let you slow down to  take time and observe life’s little miracles.

Others might race through this intersection and miss the little treasure it hold for our family.  Plus, what mother’s heart wouldn’t melt just a little when hearing their childrens voices chime with this seemingly odd request…. “Mama, can we take the wild chicken way?”

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4 Tips For Choosing Baby Formula

If You Are Formula Feeding – How do you choose the safest option for your Baby?

Use these 3 tips to steer you in the right direction.

1. Choose Organic Formula

If there is ever a time to spend the extra money on an organic, pesticide free options – this is it.  If you need to use formula – choose organic for the safest option.  The trickier part will be finding one.  To my knowledge there are only a few of brands on the market: my favorite Nature’s One, Earth’s Best, Similac Organic, and Walmart’s Parent’s Choice Organic.

2. Avoid Ready Made Formula in Cans

A toxic chemical called bisphenol A (BPA) can leach into liquid formula sold in metal cans. Canadian tests show no BPA leaching into powdered formula. The same brands are sold in the U.S., making powdered formula a low-risk for BPA contamination.

Some liquid formulas are sold in plastic, mostly polyethylene and polypropylene which do not contain any BPA. Avoid any plastic containers that are rigid and transparent, marked with “PC”. All liquid formulas sold in metal cans are lined with BPA-epoxy, which has been shown to leach into the product. If you buy formula in metal cans choose the concentrated type which is diluted with water prior to feeding. Avoid ready-to-eat formula in metal cans, which has the highest BPA leaching potential.

3. Select Powdered Formulas

Powdered formulas are the best choice for parents who want to avoid bisphenol A in their baby’s diet. While powdered formula has not been tested for BPA, it is diluted with much more water than liquid formulas which reduces the amount of BPA that the baby consumes in each feeding. Nestlé has made unsubstantiated claims that they don’t use any BPA to line their powdered formula cans. Nestlé, Enfamil and Similac use a mixed metal and cardboard package with less BPA-coating. Second best are Earth’s Best Organic and PBM’s store-brand powdered formulas that use a fully metal can.

4. Soy vs Milk Based Formula

Of course you’ll want to consult your pediatrician, but unless your baby has a sensitivity to milk proteins and requires a soy formula – stay with milk based formulas.  The most significant reason to avoid soy unless you have no other options is because soy can mimic the effect of estrogen when consumed in large quantities.

If you do need to use a soy based formula – be sure to use an organic option to be sure you are getting non GMO soy.  Soy is one of the largest GMO crops.  Given how little we know about the long term effects of consuming GMO foods.  We would be wise to avoid experimenting with our infants!

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Sodas Linked to Near Doubling Risk for Pancreatic Cancer

Just 2 sodas per day has been linked to almost doubling your risk for developing pancreatic cancer!

This is really scary given that pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer – only 5 percent of those diagnosed are are alive five years after diagnosis.

Researchers believe that the high level of sugar in soft drinks increases insulin levels, which then contributes to the cancer cell growth.

The study followed over 60,000 men and women in Singapore for 14 years, during this time there were 140 pancreatic cancer cases.

The results are being released by The American Association for Cancer Research – so they are taking them seriously.

Hopefully this will make it easier to deny your children a soda next time they are begging for one! Not to mention being a little kick in the butt for our own discipline.

Just in case this doesn’t make you think twice about your next soda, Dr. Oz recently quoted Harvard researchers, stating that drinking just ONE soda per day increases your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes by 83%!

To read the full report:

Soft Drink Consumption May Increase Risk of Pancreatic Cancer.

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