It must be serendipity that I am in currently in the janitorial industry and that I enjoy cleaning. I use my skills as a sales and marketing director to sell my ritual of welcoming spring.

While some people enjoy lounging, daydreaming or reading when the days are still cool but sunny I enjoy tying up loose ends and starting with a “clean” slate. So what if others do not share my enthusiastic spring dance in honor of mother-nature! Why do they insist on their own dance and will not applaud my magnificent performance? Here are my favorite things to do in spring:

1. Spring clean & de-clutter home & office:

Make a caddy of your basic tools. I use multi-purpose cleaner, microfiber cloths, lamb’s wool extension duster, furniture polish, disinfectant spray, trash bag and a laundry basket to put items I am removing from the room. If your ceilings are high you may need a small step ladder. I also have a broom to get behind furniture I can’t move and for carpet edges and corners. A vacuum with attachments is also very handy. Place your equipment outside the entrance of the room you are cleaning. Give each room a thorough, top to bottom cleaning. This is the perfect time to launder the curtains and bedding. If you are up to the challenge you can also flip furniture cushions, mattresses and rearrange the furniture. The best approach I have found is to start each room at the entrance door and circle the room. Start your high dusting, touching all surfaces on the walls such as picture frames, shelves, etc. If the curtains are not going to be taken down, remove the dust on the tops & fabric folds. Cobwebs can get anywhere, including the flat walls. Get under and behind the furniture with the duster and/or broom. Dust inside the window frame. Wash the windows. Use a microfiber with just a mist of all-purpose cleaner and dust the surfaces you can reach. The last thing I do is use my disinfectant spray and vacuum.

2. Get rid of clothes not worn:

I bring storage containers or boxes and kitchen trash bags and a black marker. First go through the shelved clothing, second the clothes that are hanging and third clothes that are in drawers. Make a pile on the floor of clothes that should be place in the garbage. Box up the seasonal things you are going to keep. Things you are giving away put into the trash bags. Use the marker and put your name and season of clothes on the boxes. Label the bags with the person’s name you are giving them to, yard sale or Goodwill. Store away the seasonal boxed clothes, put the give-away clothes in your garage or auto so you will not forget to take them away.

3. Clean yard, porches & garage:

All of these are good for family team work, but this one especially is. The garage needs and occasional de-clutter and cleaning. You will need a broom, plenty of boxes or plastic containers, a black marker and maybe some white mailing labels to write on. If you have a large major crisis in there you may want to copy the show “Clean Sweep” and get out three tarps on the drive or yard. Tarp number one is for things to keep, tarp number two is for giving away or yard sale, tarp three is trash. When you have everything out that you can, you may now dust, sweep and/or pressure wash. Organize tools by their use and season. Keep the yard tools together, garden tools and the basic repair tools together, etc. The sports equipment and toys are also organized and the off season sports equipment and toys should be boxed and put up. Tarp number one “things to keep” will be boxed up and labeled and neatly put back into the garage. Tarp number two “things to give away or yard sale” should be boxed, bagged or price tagged for yard sale. Label the give-away or yard sale items and neatly put back into the garage. Tarp number three “trash” items need to be bagged if they can fit into garbage receptacle or hauled to the dump if necessary. Now the garage is neat and clean!

4. Thoroughly detail autos:

Have a contest with someone if you are detailing two autos! Guard yourself from the sun. Tools needed are a vacuum with attachments, trash bag, towels, paper towels, 2 microfiber cloths and a large terry cloth, two old large beach towels, a long handled car wash broom if you have one, and a stiff brush for the wheels & tires and bucket & sponge. I also fix a small caddy with window cleaner, Mr. Clean, some Q-Tips, Armor-all, Febreze, car wash, wax with an applicator or soft cloth and tire “black” spray. Start on the inside and fill up your trash bag with any garbage in the auto. Look under seats and in the cracks of the seats. Pick up items that will hurt your vacuum. Take out all the carpets and lay them down to vacuum. Then fill a bucket with about a gallon of water and an ounce of Mr. Clean. Use this water first to scrub the seats with a very damp cloth, it may remove some stains and it smells good. Then wash the dash, wheel, seat dividers and inside the doors. Constantly clean your cloth in the bucket. Dip Q-tips in the water and use to get the dash cracks, corners and areas the cloth couldn’t get into. Spray Armor-All on a microfiber cloth and wipe down the dash and hard smooth surfaces made from similar material to shine up and make like new. When finished put that cloth away from the others so you will not use it again. Time for the inside windows! I use a window cleaner and paper towels to wash all the inside windows, then I go back over them with a microfiber cloth and it really polishes good. The last thing I do is vacuum the carpet. Be sure to adjust the seats forward and backward to get all areas. Last I give the fabric and carpet a spray of Febreze, carefully avoiding my windows. Vacuum the carpets that you took out. If you want to organize the trunk and vacuum, this is a good time. Now get the windows up and shut the doors. Empty your bucket and refill with plenty of water and a little carwash. Hose down the entire auto and wash by sections. Immediately rinse off each section as you go around the auto. When you think you are done walk around the auto for any touch-ups. Now use your stiff brush and scrub the wheels and tires a few times, then rinse. Hose off the carpets you removed and let air dry. Use a beach towel to dry off all areas of the auto. After drying and no water spots it is time to wax. My favorite auto wax is the new spray on wipe off type, but if you are using the paste wax it is done the same way. Put wax on a section at a time, and then remove it with the second beach towel. Let the paste wax dry before buffing off. Again check all around the auto for any areas that need touched up. After waxing I wash the windows with paper towels and then polish with the microfiber cloth. Your wheels and tires should be dry by now so you can spray your “black” spray on them. Now that is a sparkling beauty!

5. Get planting beds & flower containers ready:

You can start seedlings indoors or wait for the nursery centers to stock your favorite plants. Guard yourself from the sun. Tools you may want for the large planting beds are a tiller (if large area) rake, shovel, garden claw, landscape fabric or plastic, gloves, trash bag potting soil (my favorite is Miracle Grow with the water holding material). First pull all weeds and place in trash bag. Rake the surface of leaves, old mulch and debris, put in trash bag or compost bin. Use shovel or garden claw to turn the soil (till if large area) and mix in your potting soil. After the area is complete, cover with the landscape fabric or plastic. When you are ready to plant, cut holes in the landscape fabric or plastic and place plant where you want. To finalize your flower gardens, cover the fabric or plastic with mulch or rocks. For the flower containers, if they have previously been used they must be washed and let air dry. When the weather is warm enough you can plant. Place some large stones or broken pottery pieces in the bottom for drainage. Fill pots ¾ of the way full. Decide where to place your plants and surround them with potting soil and firmly press down. Give a good drink of water. Check on weekly to remove dead material and water if needed.

6. Start seedlings indoors:

Pick a few seeds you want to start, veggies, herbs, flowers (Burpee is my favorite brand). You can use a sun lamp, although I never have. Just don’t start too early or they will grow too large before you can transplant. The easiest way is to get the jiffy pots ready for water and seeds. You can also use a rectangle receptacle like a cake pan and fill with potting soil and sprinkle on the seeds and water. Pour off excess water. Save your seed envelopes to mark your plants or you won’t remember what you are growing and where. When the weather is warm enough and all chances of freezing are over they can be transplanted either in a prepared bed or container.

7. Write down new things to do in the summer and fall:

I like to write down things I haven’t done in a while, new things or things to do with particular friends and family; go to museum with mother; watch movie with Linda. Learn how to rollerblade, take a painting class, run a marathon, go boating and so forth. I have things to do indoors for rain and outdoors for sunshine. Keep your list next to your calendar and when you want something to do check one off. Make arrangements a week or so ahead so you will have a full social calendar.

8. Begin a customized fitness plan:

First schedule a check up with your family doctor and make sure you are okay to become more active. Define what you want to accomplish and a date to accomplish this by. If you have more than one goal, do this for every goal. Example: I want to lose 30 pounds by August. Next step is to plan out how you will accomplish this. Example: I will clean out my kitchen and replace with healthy low calorie foods. I will walk one mile every day. I will lift weights thirty minutes every other day and so on. Keep positive affirmations and motivational post-its on your bathroom mirror and refrigerator.

9. Get a new hair cut, hair style or color:

Be browsing the magazine for cuts and color you like to get an idea or two. Visit your favorite hair salon or one that a friend refers. Ask the stylist to recommend a cut and or color for your complexion, lifestyle and budget. Ask questions regarding maintenance before you decide. Your cut must be quick and easy to maintain if you lifestyle is very busy. If you are young you can easily go more dramatic and bold. If you are more mature or have a career you may want to stick with some classic styles and color, but different than you usually get. This is a great ego boost and when you are confident and happy, it will rub off on everyone around you.

10. Take a long walk, hike or bike ride in a scenic area:

This is a great family outing, or couples and friends outing. Bring your dog if you can. If you have a favorite park or recreation area, plan a day and a picnic for this event. This could ba a great way to scout out a camping area. Take the basics, sandwiches, fruit and water. Dress for the occasion and don’t forget sun protection. Bring a rain jacket or wind breaker in case the weather suddenly changes. Let someone know where you are going and bring a cell phone. Bring a Frisbee or football to mix things up. Just enjoy the time to spend with good company and appreciate the beautiful earth.

With a “clean” slate completed there is still ample time to soak up all the crisp air and sunshine. I feel I have accomplished something great and it makes me feel terrific about the next great season!

Look for more articles coming soon!

When we think of a luxury lifestyle, what comes to mind? Expensive cars, private jets, vacations to faraway places, fancy dinners in fine restaurants and the like? While wealth does have its advantages, one key benefit is allowing the individual the freedom to choose the lifestyle they wish to experience. While this freedom of choice is cherished and envied by many, it may be surprising that many affluent people are choosing to use their freedom to engage in and promote environmental sustainability, reduced environmental footprint, conservation and global stewardship. What is even more exciting is that regular everyday people can also participate without the need for extreme wealth.

Bright Idea

While the light emitting diode has been in existence for decades, we have only just begun to see the transformation of this technology into a proven tool for the replacement of incandescent and halogen light bulbs while significantly reducing energy consumption. LED light bulbs now come in every size and shape and have evolved from their clunky unrefined beginning to sharp modern designs that appeal not only to the eye but to the pocketbook. They also last much longer than regular light bulbs, which is a bonus for sure. When considering how many individual light bulbs are in a single average sized home and the expense associated with providing energy to those lights, it is no wonder that a key priority for many is the conversion of their existing lights to LED lights. The only factor inhibiting the widespread proliferation of LED lights is the initial expense. Not everyone can afford to spend thousands of dollars converting all of the lights in their home to LED lights, even if they will get that money back in lower energy bills. The good news is that as more people such as those enjoying the luxury lifestyle demand more LED lights, the cost to the consumers will become more reasonable, thus lowering the cost of access to these fantastic products. Some websites even allow you to purchase LED lights in volume at great discounts and deliver them to your door, proving that bright ideas can be affordable.

Pimp My Ride

If you think of the wealthy riding around in their Bentleys, Ferraris and Cadillac SUVs, have a look again. Many affluent are making a conscious decision to reduce their carbon emissions footprint by supplementing their collection of gas guzzling flashy rides with Hybrid vehicles or fully electric rides. Although until recently there were only a few hybrid or electric options for commercial consumption, the array of choices has exploded and with fantastic styling that will make heads turn. With brands such as Lincoln, Lexus and Porche now producing hybrid options, you can have your cake and eat it too. And for those who enjoy the look and feel of an exotic car, take a look at the Karma by Fisker Automotive. With styling reminiscent of Aston Martin, this car definitely delivers in the “hot ride” category.

But if you live in a modern metropolis like New York, Toronto or London, the more appealing option for both functionality and style would be a moped, or to be more exact, an electric bike. E-bikes are spritely electric powered bicycles that can get you places quite quickly especially when there is any level of traffic. Consuming mere pennies per charge and being able to travel 40-50 kilometers on a single charge at 30-50 kilometers per hour, the benefits of this mode of transportation are being looked at by more and more people. Along with being a bit more affordable than a car, e-bikes are extremely fun to drive and are perfect for quick trips to the market or to visit friends. The bonus every time you drive your hybrid or electric vehicle is the good feeling you have in knowing you are creating a minimal environmental footprint.

A Sneak Peek at Teak

If you entertain often or have lots of friends over to enjoy the barbecue in the summer, you will know that buying a good patio set is an essential addition to your home. Patio sets come in a variety of styles, materials and price points. Everything from cheap and cheerful to ultra-high-end with the associated price tag can be found in this home furnishings category. So how could a patio set have an impact on the environment? You don’t drive it and it does not use power. The key traits that have an environmental impact for patio furniture are the materials used to make the furniture and the frequency of replacement. Cheap patio furniture is typically made from tubular metal that has been painted, along with plastic parts. The materials themselves can be hazardous to the environment as materials rust, paint bubbles and chips off, and plastic components become brittle and break. They need to be replaced every few years with new sets, with the old sets being sent to the dump and placed into landfills. The cheaper the sets, the more environmentally harmful and less biodegradable the components typically are. Now the flip side to this coin is teak patio furniture. Teak is a natural material that is now being harvested in an environmentally sustainable commercial environment. Traditionally teak has been known to be high end when created into patio furniture and along with this the price has traditionally been very high. Once built into furniture, it will last for generations if properly maintained. In this sense, you can rationalize paying a bit more for teak furniture if you know that the replacement costs will be minimal.

The Picture is Getting Clearer… Butt Wait!!

Bathrooms provide a small degree of privacy and peace in an otherwise hectic life. The few moments spent in it, taking a relaxing bath, collecting ones thoughts and preparing for the beginning or the end of each day are cherished by many. But when you take a closer look at this shelter from the outside world, there are two key points of waste that when multiplied by the frequency and number of people that use this room in every household in the world, that’s potentially a huge problem.

The first is water, specifically hot water. For most of us, hot water sits in a tank in our basement which occasionally uses gas or electricity to keep the internal water temperature at a set level of hotness. Many people who lead the luxury lifestyle enjoy things “on demand”. They like their TV “on demand”, fine dining “on demand” and hot water “on demand”. On demand hot water heaters have proliferated greatly in other areas of the world, but are only beginning to become popular in North America. Small devices are installed close to where hot water is needed and as the hot water is called for, the device heats up the water instantly to the desired temperature. This eliminates the wasted energy of keeping a tank of water hot when it is not being used.

The second area of waste is paper, most of which goes down the toilet… literally. Toilet paper is the norm for keeping us clean, however there is great expense associated its purchase as well as in addressing the environmental impact of this volume of organic waste. The solution for this problem can be traced back to the 17th century with the creation of the bidet. Popularized in the early 1900s with the proliferation of modern plumbing, the bidet was not only the epitome of high class and elite living back then, but has experienced a resurgence in this modern age. Although more commonly seen in Europe, the health benefits and smaller environmental footprint of the bidet has been a draw for the wealthy. A bidet uses a gentle spray of water to wash oneself and a dedicated towel is used to dry after use, thus eliminating the need for paper products. Installation of this fixture has become a staple in mansions, high-end hotels and resorts, and spas across North America, Asia, South America, the Caribbean and elsewhere. For those of us that do not have the washroom space to install an additional fixture, technology has been created to allow the bidet function to be integrated into the toilet seat. This means that with replacement of the toilet seat and some very basic plumbing, anyone can have access to the benefits of a bidet in their home at quite a reasonable price for the average consumer. This is yet one more way that people looking for luxury are asserting their caring for the environment into conscious daily choices that can have the greatest impact in their lives.

Conclusion

So what we are able to conclude from our brief look at the modern technological advancements and keen choices available to those who value luxury in their lives, is that more so than ever people who have the means to obtain these products are making environmentally good choices. So that begs the question, what about the rest of us? We all choose priorities differently in our lives and that is a right afforded to all. Some may prefer to make a statement by choosing to drink an organic or fair trade coffee every morning while others rollerblade or walk to work to save money and the environment all at the same time. Whatever your preference, the choice is yours to make as you wish to set your priority. The good news is that all of the technologies and products I have mentioned in this article, if any have peaked your interest, are becoming more affordable to the regular consumer. With their increase in popularity, the growth in international logistics and trade, availability of information on the internet, not only is it possible to find wonderful products that are beneficial to the environment but you are now able to score them are great prices. With this in mind, it has never been easier to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle and feel even better about helping the environment.

By the year 2025, the U.S. population is expected to increase by 25%, according to projections. This puts the nation on a growth path similar to the one experienced just after World War II, when the GIs came home and helped create the Baby Boom in the 1950s and 60s. This, and the fact that Americans are living longer, means that nearly every U.S. market segment will expand in numbers over the next 20 years.

“This [population] growth will combine with increasing diversity to create an ever-growing list of market segments,” says Josh Calder, chief editor of the Global Lifestyles project, a research venture of an Arlington, Virginia-based consultancy, Social Technologies. “I saw a professionally made bumper sticker the other day that said, ‘Proud to be Sikh and American.’ Such niches driven by ethnicity, attitudes, and interest will proliferate,” he adds.

As the population increases, traditional niche markets may become difficult for businesses to target with a single marketing strategy. The niche market of today will become a mass market in its own right tomorrow.

These new markets will naturally become segmented not only by nationality or age, but also by spending behavior and other psychographic characteristics. It’s already happening today – as traditional social groups are breaking down, people are meeting their needs for connection through communities of interest, or “beehives,” that express personal identity.

“Beehiving is the growth of tight-knit, alternative communities sharing common values and passions. Marketers must tap into beehive rituals, customs, and language to build trust and patronage,” according to Vickie Abrahamson, co-founder and executive vice president of Minneapolis-based Iconoculture, a trends consulting firm.

Many forms of hives, different honey

The growing tendency to form new, small groups that share common interests, values, activities, and passions ranges from extreme snowboarders to the Happy Camper RV Club. Beehives offer the equivalent of a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval for consumers, and represent the development of new marketing groups. Their common interests give marketers new and different hot buttons that can be used to attract customers more reliably than age, gender, or ethnicity alone.

What’s different about beehiving is that it’s not just a new term applied to an old form, or even a new way of looking at something that already exists: beehives are new forms of things. Take something as simple as grandparents, for instance. The market segment “grandparents” used to mean old people with gray hair and funny stories who baked cookies and took us fishing. The new grandparents can be anywhere from age 40 to 85, they’re active and vibrant, and they’re just as likely to take their grandchildren hang gliding. It’s becoming clear that people aren’t over the hill at 50 anymore – we’ve become almost an ageless society, where people define themselves more by the activities they’re involved in than their age. The old form of “grandparents” doesn’t exist anymore, and the new form is likely to be split into many beehives. Smart marketers will see grandparents as belonging to many active groups with possibly only this in common: the love of grandchildren, and the desire to do cool stuff with them.

How to communicate to beehives

For marketers, beehives are “good news and bad news.” The good news: Beehives help us identify new ways to connect with people, new hot buttons that people are reacting to, and a different way to slice the pie. So many tired and rehashed marketing and communication methods fall on deaf ears that it’s exciting to think there might be something our audiences will listen to and react to in new ways. We just need to speak their language.

The bad news: It’s all new territory, and it’s all over the place. The audience you want to attract is probably fragmented into many different beehives, and you’ll have to learn how to navigate the new waters. For instance, if you’re an organizational communicator, your audience is probably not members of “Your Company Beehive” who are eagerly awaiting your next communication – instead, they could be rollerbladers, poets, NASCAR enthusiasts, etc., and you’ll have to figure out how to grab their common interests to create your own community. If you’re marketing a product, you might want to find out how different beehive segments can use it, and communicate to those segments individually – at least in some part of your marketing. Interesting, huh?

It does give us all food for thought. And another thing to think about: not all beehives come into being naturally – beehives can be directed, and they can be encouraged. The following is a list of some examples of beehive behavior – some of which were brought about deliberately by experience marketing.

Beehive behavior

Wristband fever

Lance Armstrong and the “Wear Yellow” campaign made wristbands popular, and groups everywhere now ask you to wear your passion on your wrist. Approximately 55 million people across the globe wear a LIVESTRONG(TM) wristband in support of people living with cancer. Youngsters can be found with colored rubber bracelets stacked from wrist to elbow – the more, the better.

Online communities

You can find a web group for almost every interest. There are online communities for owners of miniature dachshunds, Star Trek lovers, and migraine sufferers. And more than 85 groups of fans gather online just to discuss the Italian comedian, Beppe Grillo.

Belief-based products

In the Middle East, cola drinkers link taste to faith when they buy the anti-Western Mecca Cola. Part of its corporate philosophy is its pledge to donate 10% of its profits to fund humanitarian projects (such as schools) in the Palestinian territories, and another 10% to charities in the countries in which the drink is sold. This activist stance is reflected in the company slogan, which appears on all its products: “No more drinking stupid, drink with commitment!”

Just like me

Parents of young daughters are aware of the American Girl doll phenomenon, where customers will spend hours (often four or more), in American Girl Place, shopping for branded dolls, clothing, books, accessories, and memorabilia. Visitors spend hundreds of dollars just for the experience. American Girl even has its own restaurant, the American Girl Café (with a four-month waiting list). Dressed in matching outfits, girls come from all over to dine with their little plastic friends.

Investing and real estate clubs

Scores of people who wouldn’t otherwise leave their homes are getting together once or twice a month to learn and talk about finance and investing. They invite speakers, have group projects, exchange tips, and go on trips together.

Love me, love my car

Saturn owners are still getting together for rallies and meets even though the official company-sanctioned Homecoming Festival at the company’s Spring Hill plant in Tennessee was cancelled in favor of smaller, local gatherings in March of 2004. And there are several “Saturn fan” chats and forums available online where the owners plan their events. Listen in sometime – these folks are really into their Saturns.

The bottom line buzz

All of these groups are bound together by their chosen interests and passions; that’s what makes them strong. It wasn’t necessarily that the people in them were born at a certain time, or as a certain gender, or into a certain ethnicity, or had anything else happen to them that was beyond their control – they chose these groups, they made an effort to belong. As the population continues to increase, people will continue to form new beehives, and new markets will appear that will segment by spending behavior and other psychographic characteristics. Communicators can take advantage of this trend by recognizing these beehives, taking note of how they affect spending and behavior, and tapping into what makes them tick – and then communicating to them on their own terms.

Sources:

The Next 25 Years, American Demographics

Fast Company

Wikipedia.org

With summer vacation beginning, many parents may be wondering what to do to keep their kids busy during the school break. These tips are great for any time of year, however, and a few will even work for winter! The reason I took the time to come up with one hundred ideas was to help parents connect with their children AND keep kids busy without using television and video games as a means of entertainment. I strongly believe that media, video games and television are terrible for kids…especially when over used by parents as a means of keeping their kids occupied. Sure, there are times it is OK or even a great thing…however, in this techno crazy time we live in, it is WAY overdone and kids do not even play or use their God-given imagination anymore!

Anyway, use what works for you and your family. There are tips for just the kids, you with the kids, older and younger working together and family stuff too! Obviously, some are age specific and others gender specific. However, there are enough ideas listed that any Mom can find several to use and keep her children busy!

101 Tips to Keep you Children Busy without the use of Media and Technology

Note: please use caution and common sense with any activity. Make sure the activities you let your children do are age appropriate. Make sure there is proper supervision. Most important, PAY attention! Safety, caution and awareness is to be used at all times with our children.

1. Play-Doh or Clay. This is an awesome way to keep toddlers and school age children busy. You can give them an “assignment” to create something specific, give them cool tools to use, or just let their own imaginations go wild. Even some teenagers can enjoy this activity if they have younger siblings to do it with.

2. Finger Paint. This is fun…especially for younger children and elementary age kids. Be sure and put newspaper or some other alternative down to keep area they will play in clean. Get large sheets of finger paint friendly paper and let them go hog wild. This is also a great activity for outside.

3. Make them play in their room. Yes, it is OK for kids to play in their rooms with their TOYS. LOL!

4. Blow Bubbles. This is fun, indoors or out. Let them be creative when trying to find ways to make big bubbles.

5. Encourage outside play as often as possible. Of course, be safe and make sure your children are supervised. Playing outside is sadly a forgotten past time for many of today’s techno driven children. Just get them outside running and playing…sweating and good old fashioned hard playing is good for building strong bones and healthy lifestyles!

6. Music. Turn on some praise music, or other clean…but still enjoyable music and let them dance around the house. If you have a few kids…or even two, they can play musical chairs.:) This is the only idea with some sort of techno usage.

7. Read. If they can read, give them books to read on a regular basis. It is important that they read…often. If your kids are too young to read themselves, read to them…daily. Also, a good picture book will keep little non readers busy.:)

8. Write a story. This is a fun one to do with your young children…older ones too. However, if you need a little break and you have both age groups, have your older child(ren) make up fun stories with the little ones.

9. Act out the story they create in #8. After they write a story, if possible, let them put on a show for you. Make pop corn, invite the grandparents and make it an in house “Broadway” event! They are sure to feel special!

10. Mad Libs are a fun things to do and great for all ages.:)

11. Bake. You can use the older younger option with this one as well…better yet, Mom, get in the kitchen with them and have fun!

12. Make cards. This is great for holidays, get well, birthdays or just for fun. You can also have them make cards for the elderly or sick kids in the hospital and go with them to hand deliver. Another idea is to make them for soldiers!

13. Chores. LOL…yes, give them chores. Daily, weekly and seasonal. Chores are good for kids and help them learn to do things properly and be responsible. I am shocked at how many of my teenage daughters friends do not have chores. LOL. She thinks I am nuts, but I say chores are good! Kids should learn to work hard, be helpful and be doers! Little ones can do chores too…just keep them age appropriate and within their abilities.:)

14. Dress Up. My 6 year old daughter is a dress up queen. She LOVES to dress up. We have a friend with a son who dresses up too. He is super heroes of course, LOL, but hey, it occupies his time just as much as my princess dresser! This is a great activity for both genders. I would even let them raid your closet for shoes and cool outfits…of course nothing too expensive in case something happens.

15. Scrapbook a recent fun day. You can buy one of those scrapbook kits, or just pull out what you have. Get pictures developed from a recent fun time and let them create a scrapbook. You will need to help them with cutting and gluing if they are younger, but let them be creative.:)

16. Do a science project. This is great for learning and keeping busy. Visit the local library and find a book with age appropriate ideas and get busy!

17. Practice an instrument. If you have children who are learning to play an instrument, have them practice more. Or better yet, put on a special concert for the family!

18. Take a bath. This requires supervision…especially for non swimmers and younger children. However, a warm bath with some fun toys is a great way to wind kids down!

19. Go swimming. If you have a pool, let the kids go swimming (again, supervision for those who need it). If you do not have a pool, schedule a day for you and some friends with kids to go to a local pool and have fun!

20. Turn on the sprinklers. Nothing says fun like running around in the sprinklers on a hot day. Slip and slide and soap fun with the hose will work too!

21. Walk the dog. If you have a dog, let the kids walk it. It teaches responsibility and keeps them busy.

22. Play board games. Good old fashioned fun plain and simple!

23. Ride bike.

24. Skateboard, roller skate or rollerblading are fun to do.

25. Sledding in the winter is a fun time killer too.

26. Draw. Pull out some paper, crayons, colored pencils, etc. Let them draw on their own or give them ideas.

27. Dust. Little ones LOVE to dust…at least mine did! LOL! Give them a duster and let them dust your furniture and such.

28. Charity. Have them go through their toys and find things to give to less fortunate kids then themselves.

29. Let them have their own garage sale with old stuff they no longer use. Take them for ice cream, or something with the money they earn!

30. Summer business. Help them create a neighborhood lemonade stand, snow cones, or whatever. Use it as an opportunity to teach them how to handle money. Tithe, save and spend.

31. Play with pets. If they have a pet(s), make them PLAY with it!

32. Feed their pets. Yes, they need reminding. LOL!

33. Plant an herb garden. This can work even if you do not have a yard…just use pots. Once their herbs begin to grow, use them to make a special dinner together.

34. Color. The dollar store and dollar section at Target sell huge coloring books…cheap. Buy some and let them color. Better yet, color with them.

35. Scavenger hunt. Create one yourself, or enlist a teenager to help you. Make it fun and some sort of goody at the end.

36. Go to the park.

37. Go to the beach.

38. Hula Hoop. Super fun and to make it even more fun, use more than one! Have a “competition.”

39. Backyard Olympics. This is good for getting several children together. Invite some friends over, pot luck lunch style or BBQ. Set up some games for healthy competition (age appropriate). Give fun medals to the winners…and even something for the losers. You can even have the kids help with planning and let them make the “medals,” with foil, yarn and markers.

40. Jump rope.

41. Mow the lawn. this is a great option for older kids. You can also encourage them to make it a summer neighborhood business.

42. Puppet show. Get out those old socks you know will never see their match again, markers, squiggly eyes and whatever else you can come up with. Help them create cute sock puppets and let them put on a puppet show! Another great reason to get the grandparents over.

43. Play tag.

44. Play a sport. Get them involved in some sort of sport.

45. Puzzles. These can take hours depending on age and how many pieces. Great activity.

46. Take a nap. We all know little ones are MUCH nicer when they get a nice nap! LOL!

47. Do homework or study. During school, make sure they spend enough time doing homework and studying.

48. Take pictures. Buy a cheap disposable camera and give it to your little one. Tell them to find things to take pictures of. You can make it educational too. Have them look for specific colors, sounds, letters, etc.

49. Make jewelry. This can be simple with yarn and beads, or more complicated with wires and tools. It all depends on your child’s age and abilities.

50. Paint nails. If you have girls, let them paint their nails.

51. Hopscotch.

52. Chalk. Let them go hog wild on the driveway or sidewalk.

53. Quiet time. Yes, it is OK to just have quiet time. You can play the quiet game!

54. Play catch.

55. Simon says. This can be a lot of fun.

56. Paper Mache.

57. Create a collage. You can use what you have around the house, or go for a walk and find things to make a nature collage…whatever you can think up.

58. Play cards. This can be done with you, each other if you have more than one child, or, teach them to play solitaire.

59. Build fort. They can do this indoors or out. Outside may require Dad. However, some old boxes from a local store can work wonders. Inside they can use sheets and chairs…whatever.

60. Start a club. They can start their own club. Princess club, super here club, or something more mature for older ones.

61. Race. Have them race outside. Make it fun. Have them do different kids of races…maybe holding an egg on a spoon, backwards, somersaults…use your…er…let them use their imaginations!

62. Make a care package. This is great if you know someone sick…or take one to a terminally ill children’s hospital.

63. Volunteer. This is a great idea for the whole family.

64. Exercise. It’s good for children too…and if Mom gets involved she may just lose some flab!;)

65. Origami. You may need a book for this one.

66. Journal. Teach them to journal. It is a good way for them to learn to process and analyze their thoughts and feelings. It can also be a creative writing journal.

67. Dictate. I do this with my 6 year old. Give your child a special notebook. While you are working around the house, cooking, whatever, have them pull out the book. Dictate words for them to write. This is a great way to teach spelling and reinforce phonics. Keep the words within their capability of course!

68. Dry flowers.

69. Play with Lego’s or blocks.

70. Do a craft.

71. Make paper air planes. Race them!

72. Make rubbings. This is great for after a walk with things like leaves you find. However, you can also use what is around the house. Example: place newspaper on table. Put item to be rubbed on it…like a leaf. Place white computer paper or some other paper over it. Use crayon and rub (color) over it. The details from the leaf will show up on the paper. You can use just about anything…leaves, coins, etc.

73. Earlier I mentioned doing mad libs…another idea is to have them make up their OWN!

74. Wash the dog.

75. Talent show. Have them organize and put on a neighborhood talent show.

76. Or an art show.

77. Raise money. Help them come up with ways to raise money for the church or local charity. This teaches them to think and care for others.

78. Plant a tree.

79. Join a book club…or start one.

80. Grow a bonsai.

81. Home Depot. Many Home Depot’s host monthly craft days for kids. They are free or low cost and the kids go home with something cool they made! The one in our town has made bird houses, door hangers and many other cool things with the kids. Call your local Home Depot to find out.

82. Fly a kite.

83. Take a family road trip.

84. Rake the leaves.

85. Build a snowman, snow angels, just play in the snow in the winter.

86. Have a snowball fight.

87. Make a picture book of favorite things. You may need to help them out, but this can be a fun activity.

88. Help cook. Give them a job to do to help you make dinner.

89. Play school. Have your child get their stuffed animals out and teach them what they are learning in school.

90. Take a media free vacation.

91. Make Popsicles with juice.

92. Create a bird feeder and have them bird watch. They can make an easy bird feeder with an old soda bottle and bird seeds, or even use peanut butter and birdseed. Google easy to make bird feeder online for some ideas. After it is made, have them watch for what kind of birds come to eat. You can even make it a project for older kids…maybe statistic of what kind of bids come…Be creative. Think outside the box.

93. Memorize Scripture. This is probably one of the most important things they can ever learn to do!

94. Read the Bible. As Christian Moms, we need to help our children make this choice, so when they grow up, they will do it on their own!

95. Act out a favorite story.

96. Creative eating. Pull out some fruit, sprinkles, pretzel sticks, raisins, etc. Sit them down and have them make silly animals to eat as a snack. They will not only have fun making them, they will have something healthy to eat!

97. Refrigerator magnets. When you are busy in the kitchen and cannot use the kids for help, throw some magnets on the fridge and let them play with them. It will keep them close by and busy.

98. Chalk board paint. Paint an area in their rooms or the play room with chalk board paint. Let them make a different picture each day that represents what the weather is outside.

99. Tye die. Shirts, socks, whatever.

100. Make a shirt. Go to the local craft store and buy a plain white shirt and different tools for writing/decorating cloth with. Make shirts. You can do this for holidays, special occasions, praise the Lord shirts, family vacations, etc. It is fun and time consuming.

101. Go on a nature walk.

Well, I hope these 100 tips give you something to think about. I am certain that you will be able to use many of the ideas above…or even your own versions of them! And, keep in mind…most of these ideas can be modified to fit your child’s age and capabilities.

Undoubtedly the newest rising star in the field of human powered vehicles, the Trikke scooter never fails to amaze anyone who watches its riders zoom gracefully along.

Pedestrians will even stop the Trikke riders in order to satisfy their curiosity. “What makes that thing run?” is the most frequent question.

And as soon as someone steps onto the Trikke and experiences its innovative three-point cambering vehicle (“3CV”) technology for him/herself, he is usually unable to stop commenting on the Trikke’s many benefits. “A revolutionary sports, fun and fitness machine…” “…absolutely addicting…” “…closest thing to skiing on pavement” and “…compact maintenance-free machine that fits into every aspect of one’s lifestyle” are among the common compliments bandied about as people applaud the innovation and fun of the Trikke scooters. But did you know that the Trikke was developed because of one man’s desire to experience the fun of ‘carving’ on a more stable and safer device? This is how the Trikke scooter painstakingly evolved into the fun and fitness machine it is now.

During the late 1980’s, Brazilian inventor Gildo Beleski tried to learn skateboarding or roller skating, but to his frustration, he kept falling and had a hard time keeping his balance.

As an engineering graduate from the Brazilian Institute of Technology, Beleski remained undaunted and instead used his technical background in designing and manufacturing suspension parts and power trains for compact vehicles to create a three-wheeled vehicle for riding downhill.

In 1988, he finished his first Trikke prototype that combines the stability of three wheels and brakes with a contemporary frame designed to enhance the Trikke rider’s ability to lean or camber. He called it Trikke (pronounced ‘trik), similar to a bike, only with three wheels. When he tested the Trikke, he discovered that it continued to move forward on flat ground beyond the bottom of the hill as long as he kept turning and leaning.

In 1990, Gildo marketed his first version of the Trikke scooter. However, much to his disappointment, the Trikke failed to find favor among his countrymen and he was forced to give up on the initial Trikke’s design after garnering only moderate sales in 1992.

When he went to the U.S. in the late 1990’s on a business trip, he realized that the place was ripe for the introduction of a new cambering device while watching many people trail the Miami beach paths with their human powered vehicles (HPV). So he resumed work on his design and opened Trikke Tech in Buellton, California in 2000. That same year, he filed the patents for his Trikke cambering system, getting two of them accepted in 2001.

Year 2000 proved to be a fruitful year for Beleski with a chance meeting of entrepreneur trend-setter John Simpson. Simpson became interested in the Trikke scooters when he saw Beleski riding his earlier version of the Trikke scooter as he was exiting his favorite sushi bar in Santa Monica. Simpson admitted that at first, he thought the Trikke looked ungainly and ridiculous but when he saw it move easily without any propellers, he chased down Beleski and his Trikke scooter. He became a great supporter of the Trikke after experiencing for himself the fun and fitness aspects. As a true entrepreneur, Simpson saw the Trikke’s potential and became an investor in Trikke Tech that same year. Beleski later asked him to become Trikke Tech’s president in 2002. And they successfully launched the scooter to the American public soon after.

Since its unveiling, the Trikke has rapidly gained popularity, gaining attention from the international media after it bagged Time Magazine’s “Coolest New Inventions of 2002” title.

Hollywood celebrity’s acceptance and support further bolstered its popularity as Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt, Jim Belushi, Jim Carey, and Ben Affleck were seen riding their Trikke scooters as part of their exercise regimen, as an inter-studio vehicle, and on screen.

From less than $1 million in annual sales in 2002, Trikke’s popularity was reflected by its booming sales of $10 million in 2003, and about $50 million in 2004. With a plethora of extremely talented executives recruited by John Simpson, Trikke Tech aims to establish a brand with numerous innovations that will become a mainstay among the recreational transport devices for many years to come. They also aim to establish the Trikke scooter as a serious platform for competition.

Presently, the Trikke scooter’s market has already expanded to include Canada, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, as well as nearly every major country in Europe. Trikke Tech continues to refine its product’s performance to meet the requirements of all age groups from all walks of life as seen by the version 2 introduced in the fall of 2003 and the appearance of more products in the ensuing years. The Trikke is now rapidly gaining fame and acceptance, and you’d be well-advised to check it out for yourself as one of the more innovative and exciting human powered vehicles that maintains an advantage in safety, stability and ease of use over other HPVs like skateboards, rollerblades and the like.

Roots and fruit…one of my favorite life philosophies.

I believe we are all very similar to trees in a metaphorical sense. We have our “fruit”, which are our results. These results are based on our behaviors in that our behaviors, or actions, are what create our results.

We have feelings and emotions, which are like the branches that carry the fruit. It is our emotions (e-motion = “energy in motion”) that motivates us (or not) into action. We have thoughts, which are carried in the trunk of the tree. Our thoughts trigger or activate our emotions.

And then we have our roots, which is our belief system. Whatever it is that we believe is what feeds the entirety of our being: our thoughts, our emotions, and our behaviors. Therefore, it is our beliefs that most impacts our whole being and our results.

There is an old saying, “Whatever you can’t see is more powerful than what you can see.” This roots and fruit model is the ultimate example of this. You cannot see the root system of a tree, nor can you outwardly see your belief system. Your belief system is “buried” and until you consciously evaluate and inventory it, you will have no idea of what is impacting your life from the inside. Your beliefs affect your thoughts, your feelings, your behaviors and actions; and in the end, your results.

I have found that there are four primary beliefs that will either empower you or sabotage your success. They are as follows:

1. I have to perform at a certain level or else I am a failure. VS. I always do the best that I can and I accept my every outcome with gratitude.
2. If people don’t like me, accept me, or approve of me, I feel like a reject. VS. I attract and connect with all the people that I need who will accept me as I am.
3. If I fail I am unworthy of success, abundance, prosperity and love. VS. I accept my failure and mis-takes as experiments and every one validates my ongoing commitment to living my life fully.
4. I can’t change…This is the way I’ve been, this is the way I am, and this is the way I will always be. VS. I am an agent of change and I live in the possibility of newness every moment of my life.

I believe if you trace back any undesirable behavior or result, you will find one ( or more) of these four beliefs at the root of it. Once you have identified it, you will then have a conscious awareness of what has been driving you and you can make a conscious choice to allow it or not. You can then “bombard” yourself with your desired beliefs.

You take in information visually, auditorilly, kinesthetically, and spiritually. Use all these information input portals to fill yourself with your desired beliefs.

Write down your desired beliefs on an index card everyday. Repeat them out loud in front of a mirror. Call and leave yourself a message with these beliefs in the message. Say them as mantras as you run, bike, workout, or rollerblade. Visualize yourself living out your desired beliefs in a meditation. Pray a prayer of affirmation acknowledging that God is already instilling these beliefs into your root system and surrounding you with the Golden Light of Love and Protection that keeps these desired beliefs locked in your belief system.

Before you know it, you will be believing your desired beliefs. And that will give you more positive thoughts and emotions, which will create the behaviors and results you ultimately want in your life.

Remember: If you want sweet fruit, take very good care of your roots!

* In a conversation with my good friend, coach extraordinaire, and all-around very cool person, Deborah Roth, she actually came up with this exact phrase, so I have to give her the credit. Visit her very cool websites at www.SpiritedLiving.com and www.SpiritedWomen.net.

Time and time again we've experienced neighbors who've knocked meekly on our doors to tell us yet again of tales of mischief and misbehavior courtesy of our beloved pets. Rather than have to sign up for behavioral classes or training sessions that can take up too much of our time and money, you'd rather go online and browse for the best dog training collars and shorten the entire process to your advantage.

But how exactly do you find the best dog training collars? Do you even have an idea of ​​what they actually do and how to use them? Most people know dog collars to be used for purposes of identification, control and fashion but for training? Actually, dog collars are the most common method used for training dogs and if you want to do things right, you'll need the proper equipment as well as determination to keep your dog on the right path.

The first thing you need to do is talk to your vet about your selection of dog collars. He or she will take your dog's breed and medical background into account to ensure your dog's safety. The next thing is to make sure you can train your dog, that he sees you as a leader of his pack, otherwise he will feel that he has no reason to obey you. So to sum it up, you need to have both the right equipment and the right attitude to set things straight for him.

The next thing you need to know is that there are many types of dog collars that you can choose from based on your dog's size, disposition and training need. If you require just a simple leash and collar because they don't have issues on the walk, remember to always walk with your dog by your side or behind you to establish your position in the pack.

Now as you know, training your dog takes time but if you don't have the time to spare, you can always opt for those electronic dog training collars that are commandeering a good spot in the market these days. They are easy to use and have small lightweight transmitters and a wide range of stimulation levels because these are best used for underground / electric fence training and dogs with barking problems. They correct misbehavior either with a warning noise or an electrical shock.

It may also be prudent to note that new dog owners should not consider using electronic training collars unless they've had training themselves on using them as otherwise, this can result in trauma both for the dog and you. These are also generally not recommended to be used as positive reinforcement.

Now if your dog happens to have issues on the walk, you can go for a slip collar which is great for correcting any misbehavior. If your dog for example, gets easily distracted by squirrels, other dogs or even just by a gust of wind, this is great for pulling him back and getting him back on track. Just give the leash a quick, firm pull sideways because if you pull it straight back, your dog will pull against you. However, if you give it a quick tug to the side, he will get knocked off balance and you will definitely get his attention.

Another type of collar you can use is the illusion collar, which helps keep the slip collar at the top of the neck, which also happens to be its most sensitive part. This is best for dogs that have issues on the walk, particularly with pulling. Putting the collar at the top will help your dog become more sensitive to your movements and react to what you are trying to tell them.

And last but not the least, there's the harness. This is great if you want your dog to pull you around, like when you're on rollerblades or riding your bike. This is also the best option for dogs with pushed-in faces that restrict breathing like pugs, dogs with trachea or throat problems like Pomeranian's and dogs with elongated and slender necks like Greyhounds.

The most important thing to remember when training your dog is to make sure you pay attention to your energy. Be a pack leader and understand that the leash is a non-verbal way of communicating with your dog. Stand up tall and look ahead, take note of your body language and soon you'll be experiencing what it's like to have a really well-behaved dog.

One of the things that works to keep relationships alive is spending quality time with each other. In this day of the information age, it is becoming increasingly difficult to carve out the necessary time to nurture our relationships. What with long work hours, helping kids with their homework, transporting them around to their extracurricular activities, getting dinner, cleaning up and going through the bedtime routine, what time is left?

Unless you orchestrate the time for your relationship, other less important things will crowd in and take what precious little time you do have. Pick a night that will be “date night” with your partner and make a game out of being as creative as you can be. Try to see how many things you can do without spending money.

To get you started, I’ve come up with some suggestions to help you for the next year. What follows are 52 ideas for how to spend creative time together without spending money. Feel free to add or modify any of the items on the list to suit your particular relationship and circumstances.

WINTER

1. Take a drive to look at the Christmas decorations.

2. Play cards—perhaps strip poker.

3. Watch a movie together.

4. Go outside and have a snowball fight.

5. Get some finger paints and create your own body art with each other as your canvass.

6. Go sleigh riding.

7. Go ice skating.

8. Work out or exercise together.

9. Stage your own improvisation show.

10. Sing to each other.

11. Review or create a photo album or scrapbook of your memories together.

12. Play a board game—perhaps chess, Scrabble or Twister.

13. Go to a book store, get coffee and read for hours.

SPRING

14. Work on a remodeling project together.

15. Plan and complete a yard work project together.

16. Do the spring cleaning together—room by room. When done, reward yourself by making love in the room you’ve cleaned.

17. Put on old clothes and mud wrestle after some drenching rain.

18. Give each other a massage.

19. Play catch—football, baseball, softball or Frisbee.

20. Go to a car dealer and test drive the car of your dreams.

21. Shoot basketball together.

22. Dance together.

23. Take a shower together and wash each other—everywhere.

24. Take a free adult education class together.

25. Go to a mall and have a contest to see which one of you can get the most free samples.

26. Go rollerblading or bike riding.

SUMMER

27. Build a campfire and roast marshmallows.

28. Go swimming or skinny dipping.

29. Give each other a manicure or pedicure.

30. Go somewhere crowded to people watch.

31. Go to a free outdoor event, perhaps a concert.

32. Lie on a blanket outside and watch the clouds or stars.

33. Go on a picnic.

34. Watch a fireworks display.

35. Be creative and engage in sexual role plays. Be anyone you’d like to be for the night who is also exciting for your partner.

36. Sit by the water somewhere.

37. Do a prolonged strip tease for each other.

38. Have a water balloon fight.

39. Sit outside and read poetry to each other.

FALL

40. Go for a drive together.

41. Go window shopping.

42. Incorporate food into your love making—chocolate syrup, whipped cream, fondue, strawberries—anything you and your partner enjoy.

43. Call or write to someone you haven’t had contact with in a while.

44. Cook something together.

45. Spend an evening just talking with each other. Talk about the things you have done, plans you have for the future, important people in your lives or current events.

46. Take a bubble bath together.

47. Go to a free movie or museum.

48. Take a drive and find the potential in old houses and their properties.

49. Create an imaginary story together—either orally or in written form.

50. Take turns being each other’s genie in a bottle by fulfilling your partner’s every wish and fantasy.

51. Play in the fallen leaves.

52. Create an exciting scavenger hunt that ends in your bed.

Now you have 52 suggestions for things to do with your partner for every week of the year divided by season. Certainly you don’t have to follow my suggestions. Feel free to add your own or to repeat your favorites as often as you’d like.

The main point is not to see how kinky you can get. The idea is to keep your relationship alive by making time together a priority. It is important that you find things to do as a couple that you can both enjoy. If you have vastly different interests then you can enter this with the spirit of taking turns and each agree to happily participate in the activity chosen by the one whose turn it is that week.

As long as you make a habit of making your relationship a priority and allocating time each week for rejuvenation of the feelings that attracted you in the first place, then you stand a good chance of staying together for the long haul.

Please don’t let insidious boredom enter into your relationship through the back door. This is what frequently happens when we are busy placing other things ahead of our time for each other. You know what I mean—the job, the kids, our friend in crisis, etc. There will always be a competing interest for the time you’ve set aside for each other.

Other than natural disasters, threat of death or major crises, do not allow your time together to be invaded by any outside forces. Make sure to create opportunities for you to do things together without outside influence. With more than 50% of today’s marriages ending in divorce, make this small investment in the longevity of your relationship. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. What’s stopping you? Start today.

Do you want to get a tight tush like J.Lo or a bootylicious back side like Beyonce. Let it be known that these women have great assets because they work for them. Even Latifah loves her new booty that she developed from doing booty specific exercises. I have watched many women transform their back sides by doing booty specific exercises and following a healthy meal plan. If you want to create a Bikini Bottom like Cameron Diaz then do these exercises 3 times a week!

These are the most effective exercises that I always include in a workout designed to tighten your tush:

Standing Exercises 1-2 sets, 15-25 reps

1) Single Leg Squats – bodyweight: Start standing with feet hip distance apart. Lift your left foot 1inch off of the floor and put all of your bodyweight onto your right leg. Send your hips back as if you were going to sit into a chair. Make sure your right knee does not push over your right toe. Drive through your right heel, carrying all of your weight on your right leg and squeeze your right tush at the top. Repeat for 15-25 reps and then do the other leg.

2) Reverse Lunges- 3lb-8lb dumbbells: Start standing wit feet hip distance apart. Step back 3-4 feet with your right leg and land on the ball of your right foot. Lower your right knee towards the floor until your left thigh is parallel to the floor. Drive through your left heel, carrying all of your weight on your left leg and return your standing position squeezing your left tush. Repeat 15-25reps and then do the other leg.

3) Squats- 5lb-10lb dumbbells: Place dumbbells on your shoulders and start standing with feet shoulder width apart. Send your hips back as if you are going to sit in a chair. Go as low as you can without pushing your knees over your toes. Push back up to a standing position by driving through your heels and your hips and then squeeze your booty when you get to the top. Repeat for 15-25 reps.

4) Side Kicks, Round House Kicks and Back Kicks: Do 15-25 reps of each kick. If you are a beginner then I recommend that you ask a kickboxing instructor to teach you how to safely execute these kicks with good form and technique.

Floor Exercises 1-2 sets, 15-25 reps

1) Back Kicks on all fours- Start on a mat on your hands and knees. Pull your abdominals in tight to support your back then push your right leg towards the ceiling, creating a 45 degree angle. Squeeze your buttocks when your leg is fully extended and then return your knee to directly under your hip. Repeat this movement for 15-25reps and then switch to the other leg.

2) Fire Hydrant on all fours- Start on a mat on your hands and knees. Pull your abdominals in tight to support your lower back and lift your right knee out to the side like a dog lifting there leg to go to the bathroom. Squeeze the outside of your buttocks and then lower your leg. Repeat this movement 15-25reps and then switch to the other leg.

3) Shoulder bridge butt squeezes: Start on your back with arms facing down on the ground, knees bent and feet placed about one foot in front of your knees. Drive your hips into the air by pushing through your heels and squeeze your buttocks. Lower your hips about two inches and then press back up squeezing your buttocks. Repeat this motion for 15-25reps

4) Single leg shoulder bridge butt squeezes: Use the same form as the regular shoulder bridge above except on slight change. Lift your left foot 2 inches off of the ground and balance all of your weight on the right leg, squeezing the right buttocks each time you lift the hips. Repeat for 15-25reps then change legs.

Cardio Exercises 20-45minutes

1) Hiking or Treadmill Walking on an Incline of 5.0-10.0

2) Climbing Stairs or Stair climber Machine

3) Ice Skating, Rollerblading or Skating Machine

4) Jogging or 5 sets of 30-90second Sprint Intervals with 2-3minutes of recovery

I have designed a twenty minute Butt and Thigh Blast Workout DVD specifically designed to tighten your tush and it has been hailed by many as their favorite workout. To check out “The Hollywood Trainer Butt and Thigh Blast Workout” that includes all of the standing and floor exercises listed above go to http://www.thehollywoodtrainer.com .

SoBe as it is called by its residents, or South Beach Miami for the rest of us, sits between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and includes all of the islands of Miami Beach south of Indian Creek. South Beach Miami’s transformation from farmland into the vacation paradise it is today started in the 1910’s with the construction of the Collins Bridge making the first land link between mainland Miami and the beaches. In 1926, a hurricane destroyed most of the new area but now there are around 40,000 residents living in South Beach, and many more residences are second vacation homes.

Before Miami Vice hit the television screens in the 1970’s South Beach was really a very poor and undesirable area with a shocking crime rate which is no doubt what inspired the subject of Miami Vice! Today however South Beach Miami is a world away from that den of iniquity and is one of the wealthiest, desirable and most prosperous commercial areas favored by celebrities, fashion designers, business tycoons, sports enthusiasts and tourists. Miami offers an all – year – round vacation climate, and even if it does rain – there are countless choices of activities to keep you and your family occupied on your vacation.

South Beach Miami is a major entertainment destination with over 150 nightclubs, countless restaurants, fashion boutiques and hotels making the area popular with both American and international tourists. Here you can choose from boutique luxury hotels, bed and breakfast or budget hostels making the resort available to everyone including students on a budget and budget conscious families can now also enjoy amazing fun packed vacations in safety on South Beach.

Fashionistas and shopping enthusiasts can choose from glorious and unique selections in the Lincoln Road Malls, spanning the beach between 16th Street and 17th Street going in an east-west direction. South Beach Miami is a place where new fashion is showcased and where you can be the first to try, buy and wear it! The shopping malls are just teeming with fashion boutiques, galleries and small intimate restaurants that succumb to all tastes.

Clubbing fans can head for Washington Park and Washington Avenue, one of the best-known and cosmopolitan areas in South Beach. Washington has some of the world’s largest and most popular nightclubs including Cameo and Mansion as well as chic shops and boutique hotels. It can be an art gaining admission to the top nightclubs in Miami – you need to practice buttering up the somewhat enthusiastic doormen, and always have a plan B ready for action! You will soon perfect your technique but do be prepared for one or two refusals. Admission costs anything from $20 to over $100 and can include a line requiring several hours of patience to gain entry to the hottest night spots frequented by celebrities.

Spring Break and Easter are very popular times to visit Miami for everyone. Celebrities of all genre come for the International Film Festival, the Winter Music Conference and Fashion Week which all happen in March. This is perhaps where new trends are set for the coming summer season and being here to witness these annual events is a very special and unique experience. Weather is very pleasant in the spring for beach activities, golf, tennis and watersports with temperatures of high twenties and low thirties so families with children can enjoy the beaches without suffering an overdose of sun on their pale winter skin.

Ocean Drive is a very popular Spring Break and tourist area which includes Lummus Drive and the famous Pearl and Nikki Beach nightclubs. Gianni Versace lived here – can’t be bad! Popular Ocean drive restaurants include News Cafe, Mango’s and Clevelander which was featured and made the cool place to be seen in on MTV.

A carefully selected tour to the Florida Everglades National park is a must for every tourist to Miami, especially for one-time visitors. This internationally famous park of the 10,000 Islands is one of the few places in the world where you can safely come face to face with incredible wild animals in their original natural habitat.

Gorgeous rare birds, American alligators, mangroves, rare orchids and the naturally diverse landscapes of this park create a rare opportunity for families and anyone with an interest to experience something educational, real and totally in contrast to the white sand Miami beaches. Fishermen and anglers can take guided fishing tours to catch snook and tarpon and visitors can choose to visit and experience the Everglades from a kayak, canoe, raft or powerboat. You can arrange a fly – over of the Everglades in a helicopter or light aircraft, and guided hiking tours which are of special interest to ornithologists are readily arranged.

There are family adventures in the wilderness at the Babcock Ranch, with swamp rides and cowboy suppers. Babcock Ranch arranges safaris featuring wild alligators, bison, panthers and birds and there is also a zoo in the Naples area, all features of Miami that make an interesting and contrasting change of scenery.

Cruises by catamaran and pontoon boats are popular to Naples and Marco Islands with their pristine beaches or you can hire your own boat and take your party on a private cruise. Sunset cruises sail daily to tranquil spots where you can watch stunning sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico as you perhaps sip a fruity cocktail and nibble on savory treats. You can see dolphins at play, grazing manatees, nesting birds like heron and egrets – this is nature at its best.

The quick drop-offs and perfect greens of the Miami Golf Club ensure that golfing enthusiasts won’t be unchallenged or disappointed and there are many more sports activities available for visitors to enjoy at Miami South Beach. The tree – lined boardwalk is forever popular with walkers out for a stroll, and for rollerblading, jogging and cycling.

The enticing white sand beaches and turquoise waters of Miami South Beach offer endless opportunities for surfing, sun bathing, jet skiing, snorkelling, swimming, sailing and all other watersports and you can always catch a game of beach volleyball. In the evenings, a session at one of the many world-class spas is a must, a great place to relax after a day in the sunshine with a body treatment that will leave you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and ready for the excitement the night has to offer in Miami South Beach.