43 Ways to Simplify Your Life 3 Aug 2010, 8:31 am

Zen Family Habits posted this article by Sherri Kruger on 43 ways to simplify your life.

Here are some easy tips taken from the list:

1. Set your clothes out for the next day the night before.

2. Make your lunch for the next day the night before.

3. Enjoy the present moment as much as you can.

4. Reduce the amount of tv you watch.

5. Create morning, daytime, and evening routines.

6. Don’t get caught up in other people’s drama.

7. Focus on a simple, but healthy, eating plan.

8. Be positive.

9. Finish old tasks before starting new ones.

10. Focus on one thing at a time.

For the complete list, read the whole article at Zen Family Habits.

Simplify Your Life 2 Aug 2010, 9:41 am

This week is Simplify Your Life Week, which is all about organizing and uncluttering your life. Things don’t have to be so complicated; make an effort to break free from the unnecessary baggage in your life, and you can live more simply.

Check out these books that can help untangle a few things in your life:

1. The Parent’s Guide to Uncluttering Your Home: How to Organize What You Need and Recycle What You Don’t

2. 101 Recipes for Preparing Food in Bulk: Everything You Need to Know About Preparing, Storing, and Consuming

3. The Complete Guide to Project Management for New Managers and Management Assistants: How to Get Things Done in Less Time

Follow Twitter as we post tips on simplifying your life!

Seven Dimensions of Wellness 29 Jul 2010, 11:17 am

While July is only Social Wellness Month, it is still important to consider the other areas of wellness in your life.

The 7 Dimensions of Wellness, according to the University of California, Riverside, are:

1. Social

2. Emotional

3. Spiritual

4. Environmental

5. Occupational

6. Intellectual

7. Physical

Each factor of wellness interacts with the others; so while you are focusing on Social Wellness this month, you are improving other areas of wellness too!

Check out these books if you need some help improving other areas of wellness.

Environmental Wellness: http://atlantic-pub.com/green.htm

Occupational Wellness: http://atlantic-pub.com/career.htm

Follow us on Twitter for more!

Social Wellness Assessment 27 Jul 2010, 10:12 am

Are you socially well? Take this assessment from Definition of Wellness to find out.

Social Wellness Assessment

The social dimension of wellness involves developing, nourishing and encouraging satisfying relationships.

Read each statement carefully and respond honestly by using the following scoring:

Almost always = 2 points

Sometimes/occasionally = 1 point

Very seldom = 0 points

_____ 1. I contribute time and/or money to social and community projects.

_____ 2. I am committed to a lifetime of volunteerism.

_____ 3. I exhibit fairness and justice in dealing with people.

_____ 4. I have a network of close friends and/or family.

_____ 5. I am interested in others, including those from different backgrounds than my own.

_____ 6. I am able to balance my own needs with the needs of others.

_____ 7. I am able to communicate with and get along with a wide variety of people.

_____ 8. I obey the laws and rules of our society.

_____ 9. I am a compassionate person and try to help others when I can.

_____ 10. I support and help with family, neighborhood, and work social gatherings.

_______ Total for Social Wellness Dimension

Score: 15 to 20 Points -  Excellent strength in this dimension.

Score:  9 to 14 Points – There is room for improvement.  Look again at the items in which you scored 1 or 0.  What changes can you make to improve your score?

Score:  0 to 8 Points – This dimension needs a lot of work.  Look again at  this dimension and challenge yourself to begin making small steps toward growth here.  Remember:  The goal is balanced wellness.

How did you do? If you need to improve  your social wellness score, keep up with our Twitter all week long for tips on improving your social wellness.

July is Social Wellness Month 26 Jul 2010, 9:02 am

Social Wellness Month is sponsored by Words of Wellness and was put in place to assist people in their efforts to live a healthier life. Social Wellness Month offers an opportunity to help others feel good about themselves and build stronger social ties to the people you love.

According to Definition of Wellness, social wellness is having positive interactions with and enjoying being with others. It is having comfort and ease during work and leisure situations and communicating feelings and needs to others. It involves developing and building close friendships and intimacy, practicing empathy and effective listening, caring for others and for the common good, and allowing others to care for you. It is recognizing the need for leisure and recreation and budgeting time for those activities.

At Atlantic Publishing Group, we can help you improve your social well-being. All of this week we will be Tweeting facts and tips for social wellness, blogging about ways to enhance your social wellness, and sharing links to websites for more information.

Check out this book for more help:

How to Start and Make a Conversation: How to Talk to Anyone in 30 Seconds or Less

Teachers Can Make a Difference 21 Jul 2010, 10:59 am

Teachers can be one of the most powerful influences on children. Their actions go far in shaping the behavior of students, and they often serve as role models for students. They can directly affect their achievements in school, have an influence on future school and career goals, and encourage students to succeed in other parts of their lives.

This article explains the part a teacher can play as a role model:

http://www.brighthub.com/education/special/articles/17266.aspx

Creating a positive student-teacher relationship is important in having a favorable influence on children. A positive relationship is necessary to raising student achievement, as this article explains: Positive Relationships. If teachers have a positive attitude and outlook and try to get along with students, they are more likable and can have a more positive impact.

If you are a teacher, there can be a lot of pressure for you to be that positive influence. The first year of teaching has the most pressure, and at Atlantic Publishing Group, we have books to help you be successful in your first year.

• How to Be Successful in Your First Year of Teaching Elementary School: Everything You Need to Know That They Don’t Teach You in School
• How to Be Successful in Your First Year of Teaching Middle School
• How to Be Successful in Your First Year of Teaching High School

From an Expert 20 Jul 2010, 3:06 pm

Author and Parent Advocate Sue Scheff believes that educating parents on an industry that is extremely confusing is the first step to finding the best help for their teen. Take a look at her WordPress blog and see what she says about National Make a Difference to Children Month.

http://suescheff.wordpress.com/

Her latest post explains The World’s Longest Group Motorcycle Benefit Run. It started July 17th in St. Augustine, and is heading to Alaska to raise awareness and funds for the non-profit Ski-Hi Institute. Ski-Hi supports the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind.

Make a Difference to Children 19 Jul 2010, 9:19 am

You have the power to make a positive difference to children, even if you are not a parent. This includes children of all ages, so don’t forget about teens! Volunteering your time to organizations that help children in need, donating money to a worthy cause, or simply eating dinner with your child every night are a few ways you can make a difference.

Throughout the week we will be Tweeting about organizations dedicated to helping children, websites that provide ideas for you to make a positive impact on a child’s life, and events you can attend.

At Atlantic Publishing Group we have many books on parenting, but these in particular are about helping children:

In Search of a Family: A Story of an International Adoption

Not all children are fortunate enough to have parents. If you are unable to have children of your own or you want to make a huge impact on a child’s life (and have the ability to take on this responsibility), consider adoption.

The Complete Guide to Understanding, Controlling, and Stopping Bullies and Bullying: A Complete Guide for Teachers and Parents

Whether a child is being bullied or is a bully, you can be a trusted adult and help resolve the situation.

Your Child’s First Pet: A Parent’s Guide to Ensuring Success

If you are able to have a pet in your home, think about getting your child a new friend. Just remember that a new pet for your child doesn’t mean you won’t have to take care of it!

July is National Make a Difference to Children Month 16 Jul 2010, 3:04 pm

Every day is an opportunity to make a positive impact on a child’s life, but use this month as a time to start! Since it’s summer, children are not in school — which is a great time to spend time with your own children or help those in need.

Next week we will be explaining ways you can make a difference in a child’s life. Keep up with our Twitter as we go over big and small things you can do, because even giving a little can mean a lot.

Writing A Children’s Book Is Easier Than You Think… 16 Jul 2010, 9:44 am

Activity #4: Write a book

Resource: How to Publish Your Own Children’s Book: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply

Top publishers and writers in the children’s book industry were interviewed and have lent their expertise to this book to provide an overview of everything that is needed in the process. The reader will learn what morals and values publishers and readers look for in children’s books and what to expect in a publication deal. The book also provides information to help the reader recognize what market their book appeals to and how to adjust their book to fit a market where it will be most likely published. The author will also inform the reader on the basics of the children’s book publishing industry and how it is fundamentally different from that of the regular publishing industry. Publishers and print on-demand options will also be explored, as well as how to package the book and make it visually appealing to the intended market. From there, the reader will learn how to gain publicity and build their book into a long-term career.

Sneak peak of the book:

Click here for a tip on originality.

Click here for a chart on organizing and establishing characters.

Click here for advice when setting up a contract with a publisher.

Reviews:

Marissa writes a blog called Mama Sparkles. She read our book and posted her thoughts on her blog. Check it out!

Lynette has a blog called Crazed Mind. She posted her thoughts on her blog as well. Check it out!

*For more information on this book or other similar books, please visit our website.