Recipe got me to thinking that many people I speak with don’t know what Jicama is, so wanted to tell you more about this legume that looks like a turnip.

• Jicama skin, typically peeled best with a potato peeler, is a tan/brown color and it’s flesh is white. (Usually do peel before eating.)
• Jicama is a popular dietary staple in Latin America and widely grown in Mexico and Central America. Also referred to as a Mexican potato and the Chinese potato.
• Can be used as an alternative to the water chestnut.
• Doesn’t discolor when exposed to the open air for awhile.
• Raw jicama is often used as an accompaniment to raw vegetable platters.
• When jicama is used in cooking it tends to take on the flavors of the ingredients that it is being combined with. (It’s is a nice complement to stir-fry dishes)
• Jicama is available year-round. When purchasing jicama, select tubers that are firm and have dry roots. Make sure that the jicama has an unblemished skin and that is not bruised. Once purchased, store jicama for up to two weeks in your refrigerator.
• With only 46 calories for 1 cup of sliced Jicama and it’s high amount of vitamin C — seems like a good food you should try.

Let me know what you think about Jicama!

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The fact is that I wake up about 6AM and feel like the energizer bunny on speed going from one thing to another… until 2:30 PM rolls around when my body and mind starts to slow down and feel like my day should be over. Sound familiar?

Well about 1-2 months ago that’s all changed. I’ve been drinking a Verve healthy energy drink daily from Vemma and WOW do I feel the difference!

I usually drink an 8oz can around 2 or 3 PM and it gives me the oomph I need without making feel jittery or nervous, nor do I feel a crash hours after. It’s like a little bolt of Cuban coffee, but healthier! Personally, I’ve never liked the energy drinks found in the stores because I feel they have too much caffeine, they just taste too sweet to me and give me a little bit of a head rush. I don’t feel any of those effects with Verve!.

Verve! Only has 80 mg natural caffeine and filled with 12 full spectrum vitamins and a juice blend of mangosteen, green tea and aloe (Managosteen is a delicious fruit found in SE Asia and is known for its super-antioxidants properties.) You can read the supplement details of Verve on Vemma’s website.

Vemma has the regular (which is my favorite) and the sugar free version which is perfect for those who are diabetic or just watching their sugar intake.

Take it from me and give your body the OOMPH it deserves with Verve! From Vemma!

By the way, my husband loves the tropical taste and how it helps him feel revitalized and more aware, which is pretty important for a director of emergency management!

Click on this link and order yours today. Vemma has an introductory offer bundle for only $25, plus they have a risk free guarantee.

Enjoy!

disclaimer: these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. I have expressed my personal opinion and facts I’ve found on the Vemma website.

I’d like to think I have … but I must admit some days are better than others.

HealthCompareGuide.com has launched a community-driven charity that is very cool. It’s called OneACT where people in distress can receive the help they need.

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How about trying the services from one of our clients Roni Deutch Tax Center They are offering a $30 discount right now.

Good luck!

Betty

As I wake up this beautiful morning in the Cincinnati area my first reaction was “I need hide the eggs so the kids can find them”. But… there are no colored eggs to hide anymore. My kids are 10 and almost 15 yrs old and the coloring of the eggs has been forgotten. And although a little sad, it’s really okay. I miss our siblings, mom, nephews, nieces, aunts and uncles on both side of the family spread out through FL, MA, DC, GA, PA and NJ, but they are in our hearts and minds.

Today we look forward attending church and spending time with our extended church family & friends celebrating together the foundation of our faith.

I wish you a joyous Easter. May we keep the meaning of Easter with us everyday close to our heart. May we have the strength and courage to embrace strangers into His light and pay it forward.

With a smile and a kiss.
Easter Blessings!
Betty

If I only knew then what I know now.  I can’t turn the clock but I can learn from it and share with you today that buying health insurance doesn’t have to be painful.

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As I sit here, with a glass of wine at hand (A Spanish Crianza “Castillo de Fuendejalon” from ’06 I found for $10), moping and upset about the foot of snow outside and my cold feet, I am trying to find ways of making it better.  So let’s brainstorm…

1. Enjoy a glass of wine (doing in moderation of course.)

2. Bring the laptop by the fireplace so I can get some work done

3. make a pot of soup or chili — comfort food on a long winter day!

4. update your blog

5. play a board game with the family

6. rent or order a movie using pay per view (so you don’t have to leave the house).

7. make smores & hot chocolate

8. Close your eyes and visualize the warm ocean air while on a yacht cruising the waterways in Miami, FL.

Ahh.. I guess thinking about all the blessings I have is making me feel a lot better. Still cold… still going to be a pain in the ‘bleep’ until Spring …

Come on mother nature, bring on the 40 – 50 degree weather.

This is the third wave of the study (1999, 2004 & 2009) which indicates a growth of media usage within the youth by about an hour since the study in 2004.

Also interesting to note that most kids are multi-tasking within the mediums, which equals 10:45 hours worth of media usage, compared to 2004’s study which was 8:33 hours worth of media content.

Well, this is really no surprise to most parents today, we know are children are consuming more media today than they did in 2004. I believe we are more aware of the usage during winter months when sports season is over and it’s a little chilly outside.

As a mom of a teenager and tween, I see it and live it. After all, I work in the digital media space, I run my life, and our family events, using technology and digital media.

I found it interesting the report states: “Youth who spend more time with media report lower grades and lower levels of personal contentment.” The participants in the study were grouped into three categories based on number of hours they consumed media content in a typical day:

• Heavy users: +16 hours (21%)
• Moderate users: 3-16 hours (62%) << betty’s notes: seems like a really broad range
• Light users: – 3 hours (17%)

Study states that nearly half (47%) of all heavy users say they usually get fair to poor grades (C’s & lower), compared to 23% of light media users.

The study goes on to say it “cannot establish whether there is a cause and effect relationship between media use and grades, or between media use and personal contentment.”

So what does this report mean to parents & how do we use it?

Should we be concerned that our youth is spending their time in front of electronic devices? I don’t believe the answer lies in shutting down all digital media away from our kids.

I do believe we can use this study to remind us of some fundamental parenting skills:

• Know what your kids are being exposed to
• Greet your kids with a hug and kiss each time they go off to school and when they come back home (that’s a tip from the Cuban mom in me)
• Know who they are “hanging out with” online and offline
• Have open communication and understanding that is it your right as a parent to look through text messages, emails & computer history files. Hopefully, this isn’t necessary if you have an open communication with your kids, but they should know you have that right.
• Attend teacher parent conferences even if your kids are doing well in school, it’s amazing   what learn about your child with only 10 – 15 min’s with their teacher. (and I was told by a teacher, they actually appreciate the face time with the parents.)
• Find ways to openly communicate with your children. Suggestions are:
• Turn off music during drive time and talk to your kids
• Schedule regular family dinners and turn off ALL media (i.e. don’t answer phone, cell phones put away, TV off, etc.)
• Schedule family game time, board games and outside activities (additional note: they might fight you on this, but will usually end up having fun. Plus we also include their friends in games, great way to get to know everyone.)
• Do chores together

I’m sure you all can add a few more to the list … please do & comment them below.

What does this study mean for marketers?

It’s a goldmine my marketing peeps! Study shows us stats like video game playing is more popular among 11 to 14 year old’s and music becomes increasingly popular as teens get older. There’s all sorts of demographics and statistical goodies for marketers marketing to our youth.   You can read the entire study at: http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/8010.pdf

One last tip from this mom of 2: Don’t be afraid of technology, embrace it, learn it and engage. If you don’t engage into what your kids are doing, they’re less likely to engage into what you’re doing.
xoxo

I know we email, twitter, and update our status today to communicate with friends and loved ones. We talk, text and send pictures that help us communicate. But about a good old fashion letter?

Why am I — ms. geek the social media/microblogger herself — is even bringing this to light? Well, my nephew who’s in bootcamp can only receive letters. So I ask my son to make sure he writes to him and I realize our kids may learn how to write letters in school, but they really don’t put that into practice.

Remember the days of ‘writing notes’ to your friends and passing them in school, or shoving a note into someone’s locker? LOL. You’re much younger than I am if you’re rolling your eyes! If not, you understand exactly what I’m saying and hear me loud and clear.

So…. for those of us who need a little reminder here’s a little cheat sheet on how you can write a personal letter/note to someone:

1. Start with “Dear John,” or “Hello Susan”

2. Body: Don’t forget to indent 5 spaces and you can usually start with “How are you?”, then mention how you doing what your doing lately. Other topics of discussion can include:

• what you’ve done this week (big test or project at work you’re working on?)
• how you are feeling about the recipient of the letter
• updates on your family members
• funny story about the dog
• the fact that you went on vacation
• anything else of interest

3. Closing: include your closing (i.e. Love, Peace, Sincerely) and your signature.  (A letter with a signature is extremely rude)

It doesn’t need to be a book, or some heart wrenching story. Just write and share your life, feelings and wishes towards the another person. Especially if they are in the military where they don’t have other forms of communications.

My nephew is working hard, tired and I’m sure missing his loved ones. Do you have someone that can use a little love via a letter?

If you really need help in setting this up I found this cute little site that helps you set up a letter in proper format: http://www.readwritethink.org/materials/letter_generator/

Have other suggestions or comments?  Post them here!