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Welcome to KnoxvilleMommies!
As part of The Mommies Network, KnoxvilleMommies.com is a free community for moms in Knoxville and surrounding areas, Tennessee. We realize that all moms need local support -- and who can't use another friend? KnoxvilleMommies.com offers a simple way to connect with local moms for friendship, support and fun. Members meet on our private discussion forums to share information on everything from where to get the best haircut to tips on transitioning to a "big kid" bed. Each month, we also offer many face-to-face events for our members, their children and their families.
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If you grew up in the kind of neighborhood I did, then you remember people sitting out on their front porches in the evenings, kids playing out in the neighbors yard til it was too dark to see and the mad rush to the ice cream truck when that little jingle was first heard on the street.
Nowadays, that scene is almost non-existent. Many parents are working late, then have to pick up the kids from their day care provider and rush home to make dinner, spend a little quality time with the kids and then off to bed to start all over again. Parents are worried that the streets aren't safe. People drive everywhere, and the most you see someone is when you are both getting into your car at the same time.
There are many benefits to having a close relationship with your neighbors. Research shows that neighborhoods where people know each other by name and are connected to one another have lower crime rates. It has even been shown that kids who live in tight knit communities do better in school.
Maybe it is time for us to bring back the days of yesterday, and get to know our neighbors. One way you can do this is by making a neighborhood directory. Send a letter (or even better, deliver it in person) asking your neighbors if they would like to be included in a neighborhood directory. A sample letter can be found here. Have them complete a form that provides you with information to put in the directory. A sample form can be found here. Once you have collected the completed forms, print a directory and distribute it to your neighbors. You can also email the directory to them to save on paper costs.
Another idea is to start a website for your neighborhood. You can get a free website from Geocities (http://www.geocities.com) or Neighborhood Link (http://www.neighborhoodlink.com). You can put a calendar of events in your area on the site, or perhaps list the email addresses of the residents. A bulletin board can be used to post announcements or special needs.
What about an old-fashioned potluck dinner or backyard barbecue. Invite your neighbors and ask them to bring a covered dish or dessert to share! What a wonderful way to get to know the people in your neighborhood. You might enjoy it so much that you turn it into a monthly event!
In this day and age, it is even more critical that we know those who live around us. Our very safety might depend on it. But there is also so much joy to be found right in your backyard! A host of new friends (and babysitters!) can be found just a stone's throw away from your front door. And perhaps, all of your neighbors are just sitting there waiting for you to make it all happen!
An tasty old-fashioned cake your whole family will enjoy!
Applesauce Cake
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups applesauce 1 1/4 cups sugar 2/3 cup shortening 1/2 cup milk 2 eggs 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1 cup raisins 1/2 cup chopped walnuts powdered sugar for dusting
Preheat oven to 350*. Grease and flour a bundt pan (or can use a 13x9 in a pinch). Mix together flour, applesauce, sugar, shortening, milk, eggs, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and ground cloves in a mixing bowl with a mixer on low speed until blended well. Beat on high speed with mixer for 3 minutes more. Stir in nuts and raisins. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes til pick inserted comes out clean. Let cool. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Do You Have Flower Power? Are you looking for some curb appeal? Do you need to beautify your backyard? Spring planting season may be a few months away, but there's no better time than now to grow with KnoxvilleMommies! We've partnered with Flower Power to bring you a fabulous fundraiser to help you plan the garden of your dreams.
Flower Power sells quality flower bulbs with a 100 percent money-back guarantee. Gorgeous geraniums, tantalizing tiger lilies, and beautiful begonias are just a few of the many bulbs available and ready to be shipped to your door. This fundraiser runs Jan. 22?March 20, 2012, and your bulbs will arrive in April and May, just in time for beautiful summer blooms.
So save some gas and the trip to your local nursery or big-box store, and plan your perfect garden from the comfort of your computer. Visit http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/i/t/240212/PJO9s0rzFtID to view the enormous array of flower bulbs, and spring into Flower Power and KnoxvilleMommies' fabulous fundraiser!
Special bonus: Spend $40 or more to receive a free bag of 10 Twilight gladiolus, a $10 value.
Grow with us!
Profits made through our fundraising link go toward our chapter's operating expenses.
The New Year's parties may have ended, but our sponsorship promotion hasn't! We're still ringing in the New Year at The Mommies Network with an incredible deal that will have you reaching for your noisemakers.
Moms may have the greatest buying power, sharing business experiences and trends with one another. And since women make more than 80 percent of all purchasing decisions and control two thirds of the nation?s disposable income, targeting this group benefits your company. Resolve to reach this influenial portion of the population by taking advantage of this limited-time promotion.
With all new/renewed sponsorship agreements, your business will receive a complimentary blog feature (advertorial to include logo/product image and 500 words). Prepaid agreements receive a 5 percent discount and a complimentary two months on one sponsorship listing. Sponsors also receive 20 percent off event sponsorships. Offer expires Jan. 31, 2012.
The end of the month is just around the corner, so what are you waiting for? Celebrate with TMN by taking advantage of this amazing deal.
For more details on how your business can ring in the New Year with moms across the nation, please contact Jessica Van Dyke at Jessica.VanDyke@TheMommiesNetwork.org.
It's that time of year again. Everyone is cooped up inside hiding from the cold winter weather, which gives ample opportunity for the spreading of germs! There are no known cures for colds or flu, so prevention is your best chance of staying healthy. Here are some simple tips to keep you and your family safe from colds and flu this winter:
1. Wash your hands!
This is the number one tip offered by most health experts and for good reason. Most colds and flu viruses are spread by direct contact from someone that has the virus or has gotten their germs onto an object that you then come in contact with and infect yourself. It could be a phone, a computer keyboard, a shopping cart handle, etc. Germs can live for hours or in some cases weeks on objects. So wash your hands often and teach your children to do the same. Make sure your child knows to wash their hands before they eat, after using the restroom, and after blowing their nose. And make sure they know how to wash correctly, with soap and water for at least 30 seconds, to make sure they are washing away the germs.
2. Don't sneeze or cough into your hands
Germs and viruses can cling to your bare hands, so using them to cover your coughs and sneezes can result in passing along your germs to others. When you feel a sneeze or cough coming, use a tissue, then throw it away immediately. If you don't have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the inside of your elbow.
3. Don't touch your face!
Cold and flu viruses enter your body through the eyes, nose, or mouth. Touching their faces is the major way children catch colds, and a key way they pass colds on to their parents. Teaching kids to not touch their face can also prevent other infections from getting into their eyes, such as conjunctivitis, so this is a good tip to practice year round.
4. Drink lots of fluids
Water flushes your system and washes out toxins as it hydrates you. A typical, healthy adult needs eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids each day. How can you tell if you're getting enough liquid? If the color of your urine runs close to clear, you're getting enough. If it's deep yellow, you need more fluids. Also, make sure your kids are getting enough water, and use juice and other sugary drinks in moderation.
5. Get in some aerobic exercise
Exercising helps get your blood pumping, makes you breathe faster, and makes you sweat, all of which help your body fight off infections.
6. Eat healthy foods
Make sure you eat plenty of dark green, yellow, and red fruits and veggies. They contain natural chemicals that give vitamins found in your foods an extra boost. Yogurt is another healthy option and has been shown to lower the risk of catching a cold by 25%, due to the natural bacteria contained in yogurt.
