A Mompreneur's Salute to Veterans: Veterans Day 2014

Today is Veteran's Day and as I reflect I would like to first give thanks to all of the Veterans and their families for the sacrifices they have made.

Though I have never been in the Armed Forces, I have many family members, friends, and classmates who served. My father in law was Vietnam vet. My childhood friend and escort, for our senior high school official introductory night, died as a marine in the first Gulf War, while saving one of his fellow comrades. My nephew is a Marine...etc. etc.

I understand the pain and suffering that Veterans and their families go through. They are our heroes and on this day I thank God for them.

Freedom to Dream and to Pursue those Dreams

What has their sacrifice meant for me and for all of us in general?  It means that we have the freedom to pursue our goals and dreams. One of the inalienable rights we enjoy as citizens of this great country is the right to pursue happiness.

Yes we have the right to seek that which gives us joy! No one can convince you that you must stay in this job or that your path to success has to be along a course of someone else's making.

You are free to choose!

My choice is to be a mompreneur.

Veterans Day 2014 for a Mompreneur

Veterans Day 2014 was, for me, a typical mompreneur type day. I got my kids ready for school: prepared breakfast and lunch (I prefer sending them with home lunches.) I was about to go for my walk but my walking buddies cancelled.  

Then I went to 2 face to face appointments, after which, I attended  a telephone conference collaboration for a new business venture. When that was done, I picked my kids up.

On the way home we chatted about what happened in school. I enjoy this time, after school and in the car, with them because there are no distractions. Our evening was typical also.

But guess what? It was just as I had planned. I wasn't exhausted.  I prepared a nice meal of couscous, halibut and asparagus. The entire family sat together and conversed.

[caption id="attachment_284" align="aligncenter" width="442"] Dinner on Veteran's Day 2014[/caption]

We have the freedom to choose and  we have relative peace in a stable home.

This is only possible because of the sacrifices of our Veterans.

I remember when my nephew said he was joining the Marines.  I thought initially, I don't want him to go. But somebody has to. Someone has to be brave and strong and be willing to sacrifice for the good of us all.

Again, I thank all Veterans this day. And as I continue to reflect I am in awe of them. They are all heroes.

What did you do this Veterans Day 2014? Share with us below. Grow with us on this journey of motherhood and entrepreneurship by subscribing to this blog. We will learn together in so many areas of our lives.  And remember Life is Good.

Healthy Snacking

As you work, remember to take short breaks. The body is meant to move not just sit and stare at a computer screen.

I give myself a break every 90 minutes. During this time I stretch, use the ladies room or snack.

Today, during one of my short breaks, I grabbed a healthy snack of vanilla yogurt, almonds with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

What are your healthy snacking ideas? Do you take breaks intermittently throughout your work day.

Share your thoughts with us by commenting below and don't forget to subscribe to this blog.

 

To Franchise or Not?

So you want to start a business; but you are unsure of where to begin. What are your options? Should you purchase an existing business, start from scratch, or buy a franchise? Franchising as an option provides a lot of benefits.

Nicole Fallon of Business News Daily wrote an article today where she discusses trends and some of the benefits of  franchising. She mentions that franchises help one avoid unnecessary risk and they are more easily expandable in international markets. Also as an added incentive, franchises are perfect opportunities for inter-generational family businesses especially between the millennial and the boomer.

While this is true, you have to consider whether or not franchising is suitable for YOU.

Fast Dinners for Busy Mompreneurs

It is Friday....yeahhhhh! Let the party begin. But wait, I still have to fix dinner.

While I loovvveee to cook, I am super busy and by Friday I just want to relax.

Today, I made something quick and healthy, yes, healthy: a salad made with spinach, romaine, mixed greens, yellow-green-orange peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, English cucumbers, and carrots. I also made a bison burger with onions, garlic, and aged cheddar cheese.

We usually do quick meals on Fridays and today's was yummmm!

As a busy mompreneur, you deserve a break. It is ok to have fast, healthy meals sometimes. What better day than Friday.

Share some of your quick meals with us below. Grow and learn with other mompreneurs by subscribing to this blog.

Life is good:)

How to Raise a Child Who Loves to Read: 5 Simple Steps

We've heard it all before: readers are leaders, reading is fundamental to success, read a book change the world, kids who read succeed. As adults, you don't have to convince us of these truths. We know them to be true on the most basic level.

But kids are different. We have to mold them and guide them; all the while praying that they appreciate and understand the basic truths that we take for granted: look both ways before you cross the street, eat fruits and veggies, save your money. And yes, fall in love with reading because readers are leaders and all that other jazz.

How do we convince them?  How do we raise kids who love to read; kids who as adults become life long readers not just the regular Joe who only reads what he must then avoids all other written works?

Just this week, I had the pleasure of hearing my 13 year old say, "I just love to read." This announcement came after she had completed the last of the Rick Riordan Series.

She had tears in her eyes. Yes, literal tears. Don't laugh.