Extractly Delicious!!

http://www.watkinsonline.com/ Don't forget to use Independent Associate ID:
391569

 EXTRACTLY DELICIOUS!
NEW larger size is available
May 25, 2011!
Watkins has over 20 flavors of natural extracts
sure to make your favorite recipes
even more flavorful!
For the serious bakers, we now have the value size — 8 ounces — in our most popular favors!
Great value — at the price of $10.99 USD that's only $1.37 per ounce versus the 2 ounce extract at $2.50 per ounce!

 
 Baker's Sized Extracts   (8 oz/236 mL)
21191   Almond
21192   Butter
21194   Coconut
21195   Lemon
Regularly $10.99 USD each
Special Price $9.99 each*
21197   Pure Vanilla
Regularly $17.99 USD
Special Price $16.99 *

Your family will be delighted with these melt in your mouth truffles. Easy recipe — mix some up today!

 

White Chocolate Truffles

Ingredients

2 cups/500 mL vanilla (white chocolate) chips
1/4 cup/60 mL sour cream1-1/2 tsp/7.5 mL Watkins Original Double-Strength Vanilla
1/4 to 1/2 tsp/1.2 to 2.5 mL Watkins Almond Extract
Watkins Baking Cocoaand/or powdered sugar, and/or melted semi-sweet chocolate


Melt vanilla chips in small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Stir in sour cream, vanilla and almond extracts; mix well. (If mixture begins to stiffen, return to low heat until mixture is smooth.) Refrigerate approximately 60 minutes or until mixture is firm enough to handle, stirring occasionally. Form mixture into 3/4-inch/2-cm balls. Roll in cocoa or powdered sugar, or leave plain and pipe on melted chocolate in an attractive pattern with a decorating bag. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.

Makes 60 truffles, one per serving.

I no longer have my e-associate account. I chose to cut this expense; however, you can still do all of your ordering online by going to http://www.watkinsonline.com/ and using Associate ID: 391569

Thank you!
Regina

Do Medical Professionals Listen to You?

I have been very quiet this week and I would like to explain why.  I got up Monday morning and just really didn't feel well. I thought that maybe I had a bladder infection, so I went to the doctor. I pretty much know my body and know that if I have these symptoms really all I can do is get some antibiotics and then things will get back on track.  So, I started my Monday morning out in the doctor's office.  They run the normal test, wrote me a prescription for an antibiotic, and sent me on my way.  I picked up my meds, ate and took them. It was a powerful antibiotic, so I only had to take it twice a day. Took the 1st two rounds and everything seemed OK. I got up Tuesday morning expecting to be able to go to work...but something was terribly wrong. I felt worse than when I went to the doc on Monday!! I called the doctor's office back and explained how I was feeling. The receptionist transferred me to the nurse. I once again explained, "Hi, I was in the office yesterday for a bladder infection. Usually once I take 2 rounds of antibiotics I feel better. This is not the case today. I feel awful. I am worse than yesterday. I am extremely fatigued. I feel as if I have inflammation in my lower left abdominal region and I just hurt all over. I was expecting to be able to go to work this morning, but there is no way I can do that." 

The nurse seemed to listen to me and replied that what I was describing was "normal" for a UTI [urinary tract infection]. I explained to her that while I understood these symptoms could be "normal" for that, it wasn't normal for ME! I know my body. I know how it reacts to these treatments and besides that...I didn't have the "normal" UTI symptoms in that there was no frequency in urination nor burning...those symptoms had subsided as one might expect when treated with antibiotics. It was easy to tell that she was quickly becoming annoyed with me. What did I want or expect any way?  I was just seen on Monday and it was only Tuesday.  Didn't I know that you have to give medications time to work?

 Yes!!! I know it takes time for medication to work but SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH ME AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT!! Feeling helpless and somewhat annoyed myself, I simply thanked her and hung up. She wasn't going to put a note back for the doctor, she wasn't going to have him call me, and she didn't want me to come into the office...I was on my own!


I convinced myself that maybe, just maybe she was right.  Maybe it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. I returned to bed thinking maybe my body just needed a little rest.  I slept several hours.  When I awoke, I felt even worse than the 1st time I got up.  I ate and took my medication and went back to bed.  I knew something was wrong...but they weren't going to listen to me, so why call back...

My husband called to check on me. I told him I felt 10 times worse than I had on Monday and that I had called the doctor's office back, but the nurse just kept insisting that what I felt was normal. He came home from work and asked me if I wanted to go somewhere else. I couldn't even think!  My head felt like I was in a deep fog now. My critical thinking skills were gone!  Was this bad enough to be considered an emergency and go to the ER? What should I do?  What was going on with me? Why was I so fatigued, hurting all over, so thirsty and nothing would quench my thirst, and now in a fog? I called my mom and spoke with her. I told her how I was doing and all of it. She insisted I take a trip to the ER...so we did.

April 19, 2011 6:30 pm  Arrive at Emergency Department, check in.  6:45 pm, get triaged and returned to waiting area. 8:30 pm, get called back to a room. Blood work is drawn, answer more questions about my symptoms. Once again, try to explain how I feel and what is going on with me. The doctor comes into my room about an hour or so later and tells me that I'm not diabetic. That's good to know, but I didn't think I was any way.  The symptoms I was complaining about seemed to be very similar to Ketoacidosis, an illness many diabetics face where their blood sugars are too high for too long.  OK...he's ruled this out, now what?  He thinks for a little bit then decides that he needs to do a CT Scan of my kidneys. He needs to make sure there are no problems with them or my colon. OK. Let's do it...if that will explain why I feel like I feel.

It doesn't take long and they are in to take me for this scan. Another 30 minutes to an hour and the doctor is back with the results. Kidney's look great, no problems. Colon looks great, no problems.  There is a big cyst on your left ovary which could be causing abdominal pain and back pain. This is what is wrong with you.  He writes a prescription for pain medication, instructs me to continue taking the antibiotics and sends me home.  I am still very foggy, very much in pain throughout my body; not just in my abdominal and back regions; and I still know something else is very wrong...but maybe I can't accurately explain my symptoms so anyone can figure out what is wrong with me because of the fog.  I am so weak I can't sit up for much more than 5 minutes at a time and I am getting worse; but I follow the doctor's instructions and take my antibiotic. I get up Wednesday...I am so weak I can barely get out of the bed. Trying to form a complete sentence is nearly impossible, I have to think so hard about what I want to say and try to get it out of my mouth.  In my head I just keep asking, "God, what is wrong with me? Why doesn't anyone else see what I feel? How can I get them to understand what I am talking about? I am dying and I know it, and if they don't get serious about finding out what is wrong with me I will be dead!"  I popped my Toaster Strudel in the toaster, pulled it out, and made my way back to bed. Once I finished eating it I took my antibiotic.  I then took another nap. I guess this was going to be life for me...get up, eat, take medication, and go back to bed. I was too lethargic to do anything else.  I couldn't drive anywhere because I didn't have strength to get into the vehicle alone, and as "spacey" as I was I might not be able to find my way back home.  "GOD, PLEASE HELP ME!"

My husband stayed home from work with me because he was worried. He and my daughters took care of me and our home. I couldn't take it any more.  We were having a late dinner and I knew I still had to take that 2nd dose of antibiotic for the day. I decided to take a hot bath while waiting on dinner. I glanced at my medicine bottle and noticed a warning label..."MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS". I thought, "Hmmm...may cause dizziness...could it be causing the rest of these symptoms too?" Why I hadn't I thought of this sooner?

  I finished my bath.  I came into the living room with my husband and I said, "I finally know how to describe the way I feel.  I feel as if I just had surgery and I am in the recovery room and the anesthesia is finally wearing off. I think this could be from the medication! I feel DRUGGED!" I went to the internet to look up the adverse reactions to this medication!

Here is what I found:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or tarry stools; burning, numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness of the arms, hands, legs, or feet; chest pain; dark urine or unusual change in amount of urine; fainting; fever, chills, or unusual cough; hallucinations; inability to move or bear weight on a joint or tendon area; irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness; moderate to severe sunburn; mood or mental changes (eg, new or worsening anxiety, agitation, confusion, depression, restlessness, sleeplessness); muscle pain or weakness; pain, soreness, redness, swelling, weakness, or bruising of a tendon or joint area; pale stools; persistent sore throat; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; severe or persistent diarrhea; severe or persistent dizziness; stomach cramps/pain; suicidal thoughts or actions; tremors; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual fatigue; vaginal yeast infection; vision changes; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Everything highlighted in yellow was what I was experiencing! I skipped that 2nd dose of medication Wednesday, and by Thursday morning I could THINK! I could form complete sentences!  I honestly believe if I had taken that 2nd dose of medication Wednesday night, I would have died in my sleep. It would have been the fatal dose.  I thank God that He gave me the awareness in this massive state of confusion to figure out what was going on! I drove back to the doctor Thursday morning and he confirmed that it was severe adverse reactions to the medication! He has notated throughout my chart that I am allergic to this medication.

Now, if anyone in the medical field is reading this blog today, I have a message for you...

PLEASE! PLEASE! If one of your patients call you or come in and say that something is not right, don't just dismiss them!  LISTEN TO YOUR PATIENTS!! A key thing to remember, the patient KNOWS his/her body!  They know how they react to things. Do NOT treat everyone as a drug seeker or hypochondriac; 9 times out of 10, they aren't!  They are in tune with their bodies and know when something is wrong!

Everyone, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! If something isn't right, you will know it! TRUST YOUR INSTINCT and DO NOT GIVE UP UNTIL SOMEONE LISTENS TO YOU!  If I had simply given up, I may be dead right now. Yes, I felt like giving up. What was the point in talking to anyone about it...they had their opinions already and didn't CHOOSE to listen and HEAR WHAT I WAS SAYING!  If I had stopped there, I wouldn't be here writing this to you tonight! I wouldn't be preparing for my daughter's birthday party tomorrow...instead, my family would be preparing for my funeral! You know your body...listen to it!

Blessings,

Regina

It's Time to Celebrate MOM

Darkness into Light

Our last post was on fighting the negativity in our lives. I have spent the morning listening to a wonderful teaching on Chabad.org. In this video Sara Esther Crispe shares with us ways to move from the Darkness in Light. This is such a wonderful teaching that I wanted to share it with you all! I pray you are blessed by it!
Blessings,
Regina

Please click the link below for this video and wonderful teaching.
Darkness into Light

Fighting the Negativity Around You

I have read many blogs over the last few days. A lot of these spoke of overcoming fear. They were all very good and very insightful, but fear isn't the only thing we have to face and overcome. Negativity surrounds us every day; whether it is our own or someone else's.  It doesn't matter who it belongs to...it affects each of us.

 We have to fight off this negativity.  There are times when it is easier to be negative....but that gets us NO WHERE FAST!  NONE of us have to have negative attitudes. Bad things come at all of all of the time. The truth is WE HAVE A CHOICE IN HOW WE REACT TO THOSE THINGS!  We can join the pity party or we can shake it off!



This is a Eraser Ring aiming for the wearer to erase the negativity.

How do we fight it off? How do we erase the negativity surrounding us?  How do I do it?  There are many ways to do it. Here are a few examples of some:

I was around a particularly negative person today. I must say this person never has anything good to say and I am usually stuck around this person about 8 hours a day. How do I deal with them?  I have learned how to tune them out to a degree so I can tune out the negativity. When I can't do that, I look for other ways to ward it off. Today, for instance, I walked outside. The sun was shining warmly on me and the wind was blowing very hard. [As Winnie the Pooh would say, "it was a very blustery day!"] I stood in that wind with my face turned toward heaven and I said, "Lord, allow your winds to blow over and through me and cleanse. Blow off the negativity that surrounds me this moment and help me to see the good, the blessings you have provided me. Amen." I walked back inside saying to myself, "this has been a good day and it's not going to stop here!"  What did I do? I made a conscious decision NOT to be negative in return and let one bad apple spoil it all for me. I am so thankful that I CHOSE to see my blessings and continue to have a good day!

 This has become my motto! This is one of the things that helps me survive! Negativity leads to things like depression, low self esteem, bullying, and the list goes on.  So something unpleasant happens to us.  Everything that happens to us, good or bad, does so because God allowed it to. It could be a test of our faith, something used to draw us closer to Him!  What do you choose today?

I choose to be positive and pray that my positive attitude affects someone. May it turn some one's cloudy day into one filled with sunshine and hope. We can choose our reactions and we have to realize that our REACTIONS come with consequences just as our ACTIONS do...after all....a REACTION is another ACTION.

May you be blessed this day!
Regina

J R Watkins

  Your road to success can begin here!

Nestled in the Mississippi River Bluff town of Winona, MN., Watkins has been America’s pioneer in natural living since 1868. As America’s original natural apothecary manufacturer, Watkins uses only the finest natural ingredients in its diverse lines of personal care, home care, remedies and organic flavorings. Committed to being America’s most trusted natural products company, Watkins adheres strictly to the same quality standards set forth by its founder J.R. Watkins. Its J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary line of personal care contains only natural, environmentally friendly ingredients from renewable resources, avoiding chemicals like parabens, sulfates, phthalates and more and is one of very few lines to be certified by the Natural products Association. Natural cleaners have also been a large part of its diverse product mix as far back as 1917, when the company first launched Natural Vegetable Oil Soap made with pure vegetable oils and no animal bi-products, fillers or colors. Almost a century ago its advertisements boasted "Just pure soap, that's all"... and "Pure enough to eat!" As globally-minded as its customers, Watkins now aims to make household chores a little easier with its newest line of J.R. Watkins Natural Home Care cleaning products. Made with refreshing lemon and lavender oils and highly effective plant derived surfactants, Watkins diverse line of cleaners are safe and effective for your home and your family. Responsible manufacturing processes are as important as its commitment to providing natural, consumable items for everyday life. By utilizing gravity- fed filling, biodegradable packing materials, as well as strict recycling programs and much more, Watkins is devoted to leaving the smallest environmental footprint possible. Since moving from Plainview, Minnesota to Winona in 1885, Watkins has consistently been one of the largest employers in Southeastern, Minnesota. It has remained a leader and responsible contributor to not only its local community in Minnesota but also to the world at large and continues to support educational, cultural and humanitarian efforts, including the United Way, Best Buddies, The 52nd Street Project and many other non-profit organizations dedicated to making the world a better place.

Milestones In Watkins’ 141-Year History

1868 J.R. Watkins Medical Company founded in Plainview, Minnesota. Launch of first product, Red Liniment.

1869 Introduction of Trial Mark™ bottle—America’s first money-back guarantee.

1888 First Watkins factory building erected in Winona, Minnesota.

1895 Introduction of Watkins Vanilla Extract, Black Pepper and Cinnamon.

1901 Publication of first Watkins Almanac, Home Doctor and Cook Book.

1911 Death of J.R. Watkins.

1912 Architecturally significant administration building completed at a cost of $1.2 million.

1913 International expansion begins with branch office in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

1917 Watkins Vegetable Oil Soap introduced, made purely of vegetable oils with no animal bi-products, fillers or colors.  Advertisements boasted "Just pure soap, that's all"... and "Pure enough to eat!"

1920 Product line reaches 100 selections.

1922 Herb tablets (vitamins) introduced.

1928 Watkins receives Gold Medal honors at Paris International Exposition for vanilla, black pepper, cinnamon and other pure spices.

1942 90 percent of Watkins’ production capacity dedicated to the WWII Allied effort.

1955 Bill Porter begins his 50-plus year career with Watkins; his story of working “door-to-door” with cerebral palsy will inspire countless news stories and a television movie.

1960 Watkins ads appear live on NBC’s “Today” show, hosted by Dave Garroway.

1978  Watkins Incorporated is acquired by Minneapolis entrepreneur Irwin L. Jacobs.

1990 Watkins quadruples in size under Jacobs’ ownership. Customer direct delivery offered.

1996 Watkins expands natural product line.

1997 Mark Jacobs named president; wellness product line is refined and expanded.

1999 Watkins counts over 350 products.

2002 Door to Door, the heartwarming TNT movie inspired by the life story of Watkins salesman, Bill Porter, debuts; wins 6 Emmy Awards, including Best Made-for-TV Movie and Best Actor (William H. Macy).

2003 Watkins celebrates 135th Anniversary.
To increase brand awareness and distribution, Watkins makes select products available through specialty retailers, grocery stores, and drugstores/pharmacies.
Watkins launches Good Tastings™ by Watkins sampling/sales program for its direct selling Associates.

2004 Watkins launches into mass retail with Vanilla and Pepper in Wal Mart. Watkins participates in sponsorship of Grand Excursion - a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the railroad that connected the East and West sides of the country. Approximately 20 boats participate in the re-enactment of the trip from Rock Island, IL to St. Paul, MN on the Mississippi.

2005 Watkins launches J.R. Watkins Apothecary line into Target stores nation-wide. Watkins forms partnership with Chinese Businessman, Wang Chao Bin, offering more than 100 products to the Chinese market. Watkins facilities in Winona, MN are added to the National Register of Historic Places.

2006 Watkins launches line of USDA Certified 100% Organic Spices in Wal Mart. 
Watkins Pure Vanilla and Watkins Organic Black Pepper is awarded the Cooking Club of America Member Tested and Recommended Seal of Approval.  Watkins launches first national print campaign since the 1960's.

2007 New York Mets pitcher Johan Santana endorses Original Liniment.
J.R. Watkins Natural Home Care line launches. 

2008 J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary line launch, along with line extension of natural, pure spices.
The Natural Products Association has granted the J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary products the NPA Seal of Compliance.  To earn this coveted seal, products must be made out of at least 95% natural products from renewable and sustainable resources. 

Getting Ready for Summer...and Living Naturally

Good afternoon! What a beautiful, HOT day we have here in the South today. I have been trying to decide what to plant in my garden this year.  It's getting time to think about it. I always wait until after Easter to set anything out because here in South Carolina we always have a cold snap right around then.
 Each week we go to the grocery store


and the prices are going higher and higher. What do we plan to do about it? I plan to grow as much of my own as I can and since this is a year of New Beginnings...learn all I can about canning and preserving my harvest.  I remember being a little girl and watching my grandmother can fruits and veggies and make her own jams and jellies.  I wish I had learned more about what she was doing...It's never to late to learn though and this is what I intend to do and to teach it to my children.

How do you plan to spend your summer?  Will you do any gardening and putting up your harvest? Do you have any gardening tips that you would like to share? Leave us comments. I need to learn all I can...and there may be others who enjoy learning new tips and tricks to a productive garden as well.

Do you start your seeds inside or do you plant them straight into the ground? Last year I started mine inside. I didn't want a bunch of little plastic containers to throw out into a landfill. So, what did I do? Well, I found this great tip on YouTube, and I will share it with you here. I made my starter pots from newspapers. Why do this? Well, I was able to plant the pot and all into my garden, and not hurt the environment. Call it "Green Gardening" if you will.  See the video below for the instructions on making these!



Happy Gardening!  You may want to check out some of our dips and seasonings to add that special flavor to your harvested veggies!

Spring in the South

Spring in the South is almost like a glimpse of heaven. About 3 years ago we purchased our property....beautiful 12 acres with a pond and a beautiful creek. I like to get out and walk the property for peace and serenity. There is nothing like sitting on the bank at the creek just listening to the water and wind as it speaks to you. Our wonderful creator speaks to us through His creations. When my spirit is troubled, I can go there and find my peace in any circumstance. I am truly blessed.


Reflections in our pond

As I was walking our property this afternoon, I came to my daughter's peach tree. She worked hard planting this tree last summer. She dug the hole, watered, and nurtured this little tree. It is still small, but she will be harvesting the fruits of her labor this year! There are several baby peaches already on her tree. How heart warming to see something your children nurtured producing fruit.

This is one way God shows us about reaping what we sow. We reap our harvest of our labors such as the peaches on the tree, but we also reap the consequences of our thoughts and actions.  When someone wrongs you, you have a choice in the reaction you will have. You have a choice to forgive them or seek vengeance on them. What will you choose? Unforgiveness leads to a heart filled with bitterness and bitterness can lead to many health issues. You can be the most health conscious person, eating right, working out, etc...but if you allow the root of bitterness to take root in your heart, it can eat you alive and cause health problems and unhappiness. Forgive to be forgiven. Release the hurt feelings and replace them with love. Bless those who curse you...you will be blessed from this! We take care of our physical bodies, now let's include our emotional and spiritual bodies.

We have to have a balance in our lives. We are made of 3 parts...body, mind, and spirit. These 3 need to have a unity, a balance to function properly. We feed our physical bodies when they are hungry...do you feed your spiritual and emotional parts?
"How do you do this"; you might ask. Well, meditating daily on the Scriptures will feed your spiritual side but what about the mind? How do you feed your mind? As we feed our spiritual and physical bodies we nurture our minds, we make great connections with people who encourage us, we absorb things like a sponge. If we are continuously around negativity we, too, can become negative. Our minds are like computers, in a sense, if we put junk in we get junk out. What we feed our minds becomes apparent to others through our actions and words. We will bear fruit just as the fruit trees do.
This picture says a lot when it says "To Produce The Fruit, Nurture the Root". We have to have a foundation, water, and nutrition just as these trees do. Ground yourself...nurture your roots...feed the proper nutrition physically, emotionally, and spiritually!

Dixie Naturals can help with the physical nutrition by offering all natural and organic products. And as you enjoy this heavenly spring and start to reap the fruits of your harvest...add some flavor to them with our seasonings and dips. We also have supplements to boost your immune system and brain power. :)

Stop by our online store today! http://www.watkinsonline.com/rsanders
Blessings,
Regina

Food, Farming, and Health

Good Thursday afternoon. Praying this day finds you all doing well. One of the great things with Watkins products is that they are all natural and many organic. Why should we be lookin at all natural and organic? Well, let's see what Jesse Richardson of Organic Soul.com has to say about this:


Organic - Food, Farming and Health from Earthbound Farm on Vimeo.

See the rest of this post here: http://www.organicsoul.com/food-farming-and-health/.

Dixie Naturals- Watkins, Inc has many organic and all natural products such as:

  This is just a few of our many organic and all natural spices, dips, and seasonings. Stop by our online store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/rsanders.

Have a GREAT weekend!
Blessings,
Regina

Are You Thinking of Starting a Home Business?

Good morning. I couldn't sleep last night. I'm not sure why, but it was just in the air and I was up. This wasn't necessarily a good thing since I still had to be at work at 8am this morning. I cam home, took a long nap...and yes, the cycle starts over.  I have always been a night person living in a day person's world.
  This is me, except instead of sitting in front of the TV, I am in front of the computer. The house is quiet as everyone else is asleep. Here I sit with my computer and coffee, knowing I will regret this in a few hours.  While I am up, I might as well make the best of it.

Have you had a passing thought of starting up a home business?  What is holding you back? Finances? Fear? Both? Don't allow these things to stop your dreams. I did for years, but finally about a year ago, I decided if I wanted different results I had to make a change!  If we do the same thing over and over the result will always be the same. What did I do? I faced those fears. I started by researching many different business opportunities. Did I want to start one from the ground up or did I want to buy into one where I would have support? Would I consider a MLM kind of business? Can you really succeed with them? If so, what kind? There are so many.  These are the kinds of questions that came flooding my mind as I researched many businesses of all shapes and sizes and different markets. These were questions I had to ask myself and the only things I knew for certain were that I wanted my circumstances to change and I wanted to be able to help people in some kind of way. It is my nature to want to help people, it is how I am created and it is where I find joy in life. I don't find joy in others having needs, but if I can help them meet those needs, I find joy. I have been blessed to be able to do that in many areas of my life, my home business included.

I encourage you now to DREAM BIG! Don't ever let any one tell you that you won't succeed. You absolutely can! It doesn't have to cost hundreds of dollars to start a business [although you will probably have to make some kind of investment.] You can start one today and be successful at it with faith, hard work, ambition, and diligence. If you are reading this now, then, I believe this is something you have been considering. I will help you in any way I can. If you want to sign on to my business, then great...if not, guess what...I still will help you! I want you to be successful and see your dreams become a reality!


Contact me today via email at rms29105@pbtcomm.net, link with me here by clicking follow, follow me on Facebook.  I look forward to connecting with you!

Blessings,
Regina

April is Autism Awareness Month

What are the symptoms of autism?

The main signs and symptoms of autism involve problems in the following areas:

• Communication - both verbal (spoken) and non-verbal (unspoken, such as pointing, eye contact, and smiling)
• Social - such as sharing emotions, understanding how others think and feel, and holding a conversation
• Routines or repetitive behaviors (also called stereotyped behaviors) - such as repeating words or actions, obsessively following routines or schedules, and playing in repetitive ways

The symptoms of autism can usually be observed by 18 months of age.  There are many possible red flags for autism - behaviors that may be signs or symptoms of autism.  Some features may mean a delay in one or more areas of development, while others may be more typical of autism spectrum disorders.  If you think your child shows red flags for autism, talk to your health care provider.
http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/asd.cfm

Would you recognize autism if you saw it? Chances are, you have seen it, no you didn't recognize. Too often, we judge the parents and the child too quickly. We feel their behavior isn't up to our standards...and sometimes people will make comments like, "If that were my child I would.....". Don't ever say that, because that isn't your child and honestly, you don't know what you would do until you walk that mile in their shoes.  Also, remember this....People with Autism Spectrum Disorder are PERFECT just the way they are because GOD created them like this and He makes NO mistakes!

Please take a moment to watch the video below and share it with your family and friends.

Now that you have watched this, won't you take the time to share it with your family and friends?
Blessings,
Regina

Life is like Coffee Movie

A facebook friend of mine shared this video clip in a group we are both a part of. This goes so well with my last post that I felt I jus had to share this with you all. May you be blessed by it and please feel free to share it with your friends! Life is like Coffee Movie: "Do you know people that just seem to be happier in general? Do you say to yourself, "I want to be more like them"? Often, the happiest people in the world don’t have the best of everything...they just make the best of everything!" We can all make the best of everything...including the trials we walk through daily. When life is hard...count your blessings.

My Life is Richer

I started my business with the same dreams and ambitions as everyone else. Do I want to be rich with materialism? No, that's not what I am talking about. Of course, I want to make money...but I don't have to have money and BMWs to be happy. How then can I say that my life is richer?

My life is richer because through searching for a business to start I created new friendships, since starting my business, I have added many new friendships. I may not have ever seen these people face to face...just through pictures on a computer screen; but the friendship, the love, and the kindness shines through that computer screen each day. You encourage me when I am overwhelmed and feel like giving up, you offer to help me when I need it, and you share a part of your life with me.

Your friendships have helped mold me into a better wife, mother, and entrepreneur! I pray that I shine some light back into your lives. I do not want to be only a taker...but a giver. I do believe Charity [LOVE] is the FOUNDATION of the world! I want my foundation to be firmly planted in enriching the lives of others in one way or another.


Thank you for enriching my life and teaching me so much. Thank you for your encouragement and help; but mostly for your kindness and friendship. May the Lord Bless you and Keep you!

Blessings,
Regina

The Ultimate Blog Challenge

2011 started off as a year of new beginnings for me. I have started doing many things for the first time. One of those new beginning was starting my home business, Dixie Naturals. I absolutely love my new business. What in the world would make me choose to start a business now? I mean, the economy isn't the best in the world...if anything it is rather bleak...so why now? I knew my life needed a change. I talked with my husband about it all. Our conversation went something like this:

ME: "Something is missing, not right here. We have been doing the same thing year after year for the last 19 years and the results are still the same."

HIM: "What do you mean?"

          ME: "I mean, I am tired of the same ol' same ol'. We get up every morning, go to work. We spend long hours there away from our children, then we come home, eat dinner and get ready to do it all over again. As long as we are doing the same thing with no change, we will have the same results...and what are we gaining from these results? I want to start a business!"

  HIM: "OK. What kind of business?"

This one conversation started my research!  The possibilities are limitless! There is so much to choose from! I researched many different businesses for about a year. Finally, I found my match. I chose to go with a company which has a long history of producing and selling natural products. The start up costs were very workable with my budget and I have a wonderful team of people at my fingertips when I need help.

OK. So now I have a business. How do I market my business? How do I generate customers and team members? I make connections with people who have already ventured down this road and are willing to help newbies like me along the way. One of these fabulous people is Michele Scism of Decisive Minds, LLC.

Michele's purpose is one of the things that drew me to her work. "Besides my family I have one passion in life and that is to help other entrepreneurial women achieve the success in business that they deserve!"; taken from her website. I made a connection with Michele. Her heart and mine seem very similar in desiring to help others! It is through this connection with her that I learned of April's Ultimate Blog Challenge! It is my desire, through this challenge, to improve my blogging skills. Blogging is one avenue I chose to take to market my business. This is another of the "new beginnings" for me this year! They always say, "Practice makes perfect!", what better way to practice than through a challenge like this!

 You are never too old to learn. I believe that when you stop learning, you stop living! So, let's take this challenge, create new friendships, and learn together!

Blessings,
Regina