Vintage Homeschool Moms

Exercise and Joy with Felice Gerwitz Podcast #212 What does exercise have to do with joy? Being joyful is a result of exercise and can help our mood and stamina. In this episode, Felice explains her findings - what has worked for her and what she still struggles with in her exercise routine. Many of you are now motivated to exercise. And, for that I am grateful. Now I need motivation from all of you. Post your exercise stories in the comment section below. Remember to subscribe to our ezine for great giveaways and freebies. Visit our podcast sponsor! Get all these books from our Media Angels Membership website.

Get Organized--Fast by Dejunking Your Home with Felice Gerwitz I'm on a mission - to get organized fast and I did this by dejunking my home. Is your home neat, everything in its place? Well, congrats--but if you are like most of us, we can always use some helpful tips. Join me as I discuss how I tackled this job and won! We discuss the four-box method and even my favorite but little-known method. I'm sure I've wasted years looking for things! My kids can't find their math books or I am missing my favorite pair of scissors. Sound familiar. My mother's voice rings in my ears, "A place and everything in it's place." While that makes sense it is difficult to do--and we homeschooling moms just don't have time. Right? Well, this has changed and now with my tried-and-true method, I finally have an organized house, one drawer, and one closet at a time. Visit our podcast sponsor! Get all these books from our Media Angels Membership website. Show Notes: Get Organized Fast! * Give yourself a time limit * Ten minutes a day * Tackle a section of a room each day * Tackle a bigger job over the weekend The best idea is to take everything out of the room--if you can, this is the best way to get organized fast. Only put in the things you must have and categorize everything else to store or give away. See the four box method below. Four Box Method to get organized fast: * Keep the items you need or have space to store. * Sell or donate the items that you do not need. Use sites such as eBay, Amazon or Craig's List to sell. * Trash: Papers--if they contain sensitive information it is best to shred them or throw them away.  Throw away broken items or things that are too worn to give away. * Store the things you do not need immediately. Only if you know you will use these things again but not immediately. Listen to the podcast for more tips and get organized fast ideas!

Missing Key To Weight Loss with Felice Gerwitz Podcast # 209 Do you exercise and struggle with weight loss? Are you looking for the missing key? Have you wondered how some marathon runners are still packing on the extra pounds? Maybe this is you - you work out and try really hard to watch the calorie intake and still you can't shed those pounds. After doing much research I realize there is more to this than just exercise and diet. A whole lot more! Listen to find the missing key and start losing those pounds. Visit Our Sponsor Podcast Show Notes: The Missing Key To Weight Loss * Extreme exercise mimics stress in the body * High intensity workouts are not necessarily healthy * Marathon runners and not necessarily the thinnest people if they have the wrong attitude toward food * Exercise can wear our bodies down and increase insulin levels - this triggers inflammation * Stress locks our body into survival mode - metabolism slows * Food attitudes are very important * Low to moderate intensity exercise for 20-30 minutes three or four times a week * Best prescription for weight loss, health and fitness is moderation   Solutions to the missing key to weight loss: * Avoid stress - if stressed find ways to handle it * One thing * Find exercise you enjoy * Enjoy your food, sit and enjoy eating

Playtime Does playtime develop young minds? with Felice Gerwitz Podcast #208 Playtime allows children time to discover and explore. Sometimes we provide the latest and greatest toys or schedule every second of our kids lives with sports, camps, and lessons. Kids need time to think and to thrive on having time to figure things out on their own. Do your kids have a hard time playing on their own? In this podcast Felice shares tips on helping children to be independent, learn and explore. Sometimes just a little bit of structure helps as well as well as having ideas they can pursue on their own. Please visit our sponsor- Show Notes: Playtime * How do you gear you kids up for "free time" playtime? * What do you do when our kids can't figure out things to do on their own? * What is something they ask to do - that you say,"We don't have time to do now?" * Set up timers * Paper - paper airplanes * Books - reading, writing their own stories, creating plays and "shows" * Brainstorm lists with your children of things to do Children sometimes need direction to play alone. If your child is one of these "types," the best advice is to work into it slowly. If your child has other siblings this may not be difficult. However, children tend to gravitate to the tried and true. They may not explore other avenues unless parent-led. If your child tends to be a realist (I had several children who were), encourage them in the arts, theater, puppet shows, etc. I explain more about this on the podcast about playtime.

Best Summer Reading For Children with Meredith Curtis and Felice Gerwitz Podcast #207 Please visit our sponsors -   Meredith Curtis - Show Notes: Best Summer Reading For Children Visit Meredith's extensive book list on her website - MeredithCurtis.com Podcasts about reading: * Summer Reading List * Best Way To Teach Reading * Build Your Summer Reading List Check out this podcast on Summer Reading Kids read when they are ready and able. Read aloud – lots of out door and free play. Free play develops their minds and bodies.

 Do It Yourself Crafts With Kids  - Felice Gerwitz Are you a do-it-yourself type of person? Or are you looking for DIY crafts for kids? This podcast features some great ideas to get even those who dislike crafts into the swing of things! Felice loves doing crafts with kids and she shares some of her most successful endeavors. Podcast #206 Thanks to our sponsor - MediaAngelsMembership - check out these great deals! Show Notes: DIY Crafts For Kids: Top Tips: Use recycleables as much as possible Categories * Practical and Useful * Mason Jars * Wall Decorations or Art * Gifts   * Practical and Useful * Bookmarks (Valentine's day) or special occassions * Pencil holders * Embrodery, Knitting * Clay - Trays * Throw rug - Example here * Mason Jars * Sippy cups - birthday or holidays * Layered sand, salt or rice - colored (then use as vases) Use colored chalk * Color salt, * Wall Decoration and Art * frame old keys * Use a wood block - stain and add big paper clip * Wreaths * Gifts          

Summer Activities For Kids with Felice Gerwitz Podcast #206 Summer is here and these summer activities are for kids no matter what the time of the year - with these ideas and suggestions you can enjoy hours of fun, create memories and best of all learn. (What else would a homeschool mom say?) Enjoy! Show Notes: Summer Activites For Kids Baking * Teach children basic cooking skills * Eat food from different countries * Make homemade ice-cream or yogurt * Make homemade smoothies * Homemade pizza – start with bagels or English Muffins * Popsicles with fruit juice and paper cups * Smore’s Nature * Start collections, shells from the beach, rocks, bugs, etc. * Drawing – use paper and crayons to make crayon relief drawing * Take pictures and make a digital photo album – label photos * Canoeing, Kyakking * Swimming or Learn to swim Arts and Crafts * Outdoor crafts that are messy! * Sculpture with soap, or sand * Use recyclable items * Create a mural – hang a large sheet of paper and do a group art project   Backyard Parties or Festivals * Campfire Party * Set up a circus * Fourth of July Party * Mexican Fiesta * Seafood Festival * Renaissance Festival * Hawaiian Luau * Make up your own festival – ice-cream festival with candy toppings and games * Scavenger Hunts (I love these for birthday parties)   Sports * Learn how to play a new sport * Set up mini-golf in your yard or a friend’s yard * Play badminton or yard tennis * Tennis * Bowling * Roller skating, skate boarding * Handball,   Fun Activities * Water sports – slip and slide * Water balloons * Lemonade stand * Game night – once a week * De-junk room – yard sale – or give to charity * Study the night sky! Learn the summer constellations and identify specific stars (you may need to go to a local park with less light) * Camp in the backyard   Exclusive Freebie - Start Planning Your Homeschool Over the Summer Disclosure: Read Me

 Let's Talk About Exercise Apps That Work - with Felice Gerwitz and Sue Gross Podcast 205 Do you use an exercise app? Do you want to know which exercise apps work? In this episode, we discuss exercise apps and exercise equipment that helps you stay on track with your health and keep off the weight. Sponsor: MediaAngelsMembershipcom Sue Gross: PerfectlyPureandNatural.com   - Sue talks about this wristband app: World Global Wellness - Fitness Band PerfectlyPure.WorldGN.com Show Notes: Exercise Apps That Work and Help You Keep Off The Weight With all the new exercise and tracking apps available how do you know what works? What do you invest your money in? If you listen to the typical commercials everything takes minutes and you are fit for life? But nothing is fast - it takes work in reality. * Various Apps - look at what you want in your app * Latest tracking wristbands that track your help * Block negative rays (Sue Gross addresses this) * Stationary bikes/ * Helio - Wellness Band World Global Wellness Fitness Band - as shared by Sue * heart rate * breath rate * blood pressure * steps * moods, energy level * EKG and ECG * Quality of sleep patterns * Titanium Plates -helps improve blood circulation

Let's Talk About Bored Kids with Felice Gerwitz Podcast #204 Are your kids bored? Do they say...Mom, I'm bored! The word "bored" is on my "banned word list," and my kids know it. But, what about kids who need some direction? In this podcast, Felice tackles the question head on with ideas and solutions. Show Notes: Bored Kids Here is a fast track solution for the “I’m Bored” syndrome: * For the little ones, have things to do already planned. Rotate your toys. If you have everything out they get bored playing with them. If you take out some toys for a few weeks and change them out – watch the fun begin. * Use a schedule. If you have a routine each day – there isn’t time to be bored. Typically a child becomes bored when we are busy or they are not used to finding things to do on their own. Giving a child a schedule (with pictures to begin with and words when they read, it will give them a routine and they will know what to expect next – it also gives them a sense of security. * Older kids – have them help create a schedule * Kids home for the summer (college) I have them create a schedule for the day. Yes they can have time to read, go see friends, to the gym (I have athletes) etc. They also have jobs – both work for me. So, they set their schedule with my approval, when they are working and when they will be on their own time.   Summer activities for kids to do: make a list with the kids help. Check this out for a short list of ideas to combat bordeom: Younger Kids * Bubbles – give kids different size bubble makers and watch them go! * Slip and slide or similar type of water activity in the yard. Little ones love sprinklers – weather permitting. * Sand box/ water table * “Retro toys” – jump rope, hoola hoop, * Make tent indoors with sheets, blankets and towels * Puppet show / hand puppets * Impromptu plays Middle school kids * Reading * Tag – freeze tags * Water balloons * Slip and Slides with a tarp (my son’s addition) * Flying kites – making kites * Bikes/ scooters/ skate boards * Basketball/ soccer/ baseball * Arts and Crafts – tie die * Rubik cube Park –kayaking/canoeing  – fishing – ice skating, archery, airsoft , paintball, trampoline parks *use to have one until our insurance provider made us take it down. High school kids * My kids said if you have not figured out what to do at this point in your life you need to work with them on * SAT prep – look into college – career search Photo Credit - DepositPhoto.com 2017 Copyright -Natasha Fedorova      

Weddings On The Cheap  When two moms, and we are talking about homeschool moms, have daughters getting married, you know they are going to think about weddings on the cheap! In this episode, Meredith and Felice share their insider's tips about throwing an amazing wedding party and not breaking the bank! Let's Talk About Weddings On The Cheap with Felice Gerwitz and Meredith Curtis Episode 203 Do brides go into debt to create the wedding of their dreams?  Some do, but you can avoid all that with these great ideas. In this podcast, we will share many do-it-yourself tips. We will cover: Finding the perfect location Finding A Church When to send out "Save the Date" cards or When to Send Out Invitations Fun table decorations Buying the decorations to use more than once Decorating on a shoestring budget Wedding on the the cheap food ideas and more!

Exercise and Weight Loss with Felice Gerwitz It isn't every day that I'm excited to report my exercise and weight loss progress but today I am so excited! I hit a personal goal and my personal best - in fact, it was exceeded! And now I'll share some ways you too can focus on the beauty of the summertime and not backslide gaining weight you've previously lost. While on vacation I knew I would eat, and eat, and eat. The big excuse is we are Italian and we "live to eat," or so, that was my mother's fame to claim. There is some truth in enjoying food yet this podcast is about how I could enjoy foods, while keep from gaining the ten pounds I lost, beforehand. Join me for the fun. Visit our Sponsors - Media Angels Membership Site - Media Angels! Show Hosts Notes: Exercise and Weight Loss * Plan - If you have a plan - on how you will maintain your walking/exercise routine it will help you lose weight, keep the weight off or maintain your weight. Prepare for the times you know you may over eat and either increase your exercise regime or plan to cut back on future meals. It's okay to cheat if you have a plan on how you will overcome the setback. * Focus - By keeping a focus on what you want to do and havign a plan you can keep that summertime promise! Focus on your goals: Is it to lose weight, is it to continue to exercies, or is it to do both? At times I would diet without exercising and it took ay longer than diet and exercise. If you lose weight exercise will keep that weight off. * Accountabilty: you are my accountablity! Having this podcast and sharing my success and failure means that I have someone to report to! Who is your accountablity partner? * Routine: Keep doing what you are doing. And be sure that you get back to your routine and if you get off the schedule. Ask your accountablity partner for help. If needed, start small and rebuild your routine untill you reach your desired outcome. Keep that plan in mind... and let's do this together!  

Family Celebrations on The Cheap  with Felice Gerwitz Podcast 201 It is time to have a family celebration! Whether it is Veterans’ Day – Memorial Day – or the 4th of July there is always time to enjoy parties with the family on the cheap! In this episode, I'll discuss including academics, the history of the celebration, planning fun activities for the kids as well as decorations and food. Thanks to our Sponsor: Media Angels, Inc. Check out the new Media Angels Membership website here. Show Notes: Family Celebrations on the CHEAP Fun Kid Activities * Historical significance of the holiday * Memorial Day historical significance * Veteran's Day historical significance * July Fourth historical significance * Balloons - water balloons, punching balloons, helium balloons * Craft ideas Decorations - Include the Kids * Themed decorations with holiday in mind * DIY crafts - red, white and blue Food - Plan Ahead * Do as much as you can ahead and freeze * Pulled chicken, pulled pork - BBQ * Baked ziti * Fresh vegetables and fruit * Carved melon    

Best Kept Organization Secrets with Felice Gerwitz Welcome to the 200th Vintage Homeschool Mom's Podcast! Today I host several guests who will stop by to say, "hi" to all of you, my listeners and share some of their organization secrets with you! I can't believe I began podcasting on Vintage Homeschool Moms, in October of 2013 and now there are 200 episodes to keep you busy - and hopefully supplied with great resources and information for your homeschool. A few of my guests are the podcasters from The Highschool Homeschool Podcast, Talking Mom 2 Mom, Mommy Jammies Night, Homeschool Sanity, Making Biblical Family Life Practical, and the Finish Well Podcast.  

Let's Talk About Curriculum Ideas On The Cheap with Felice Gerwitz and Special Guest, Gina Glenn Podcast 199 Do you know the best place to buy curriculum on the cheap? In this podcast, Felice and Gina discuss the basic ideas behind curriculum and how to find wonderful ways to purchase great curriculum without breaking the bank. Please share our show with your friends! And rate us on iTunes, GooglePlay or your favorite podcast app. Podcasts you may enjoy related to today's session: How to choose homeschool curriculum Using movies as curriculum How do you choose good books? Living Books Living Books Library Show Notes: Curriculum Ideas On The Cheap * What is your homeschool philosophy? If you don't know, how can you purchase curriculum? * Join your favorite curriculum companies newsletter. Often you will receive first-hand knowledge of upcoming sales or discounts. * Do your homework. What works for your best friend may not work for you. * Used bookstores or homeschool consignment stores * Library Sales * Living books from original sources - library or book trade * Start your own trading library of resources * Unit studies - you can use these over multi-grades for multi-years. * Project Gutenberg, Google Books * Audios books - library or online * Loyal Books * Lists of great books: AmblesideOnline.org  

Best Things Meet Richele and Lindsey with your host, Felice Gerwitz What are the best things in your life. In my travels, as a homeschool mom, and entrepreneur I've met some amazing friends--and here I will introduce you to two very special people. Both of these ladies are wives, mothers, homeschool moms, and work-at-home mothers. They are also podcasters on this network - at Talking Mom 2 Mom Podcast that airs every Saturday. In this episode, I ask both questions such as, "If there was one thing you'd do over as a homeschool mom - what would that be?", and "What is one homeschool victory?" Visit Richele and Lindsey at their podcast here and their website here. Richele McFarlin:  Richele McFarlin is a homeschooling mom of 4 children ranging in age from 8 to 19 who doesn’t even own a globe. She has perfectly polished nails or hair perfectly in place but never both. Navigating through mountains of laundry and scaling piles of notebooks, she finds her office (favorite chair in the living room) and creates lessons and unit studies. Her obsession with fonts and dreams of hex colors led her to create Ruby Ink Design. In her many years of homeschooling, Richele has experimented with different educational methods, curriculum brands, and experienced the challenges of Dyslexia with three of her girls. She has used a virtual school, sent two children to school, removed one from school, and sent one off to college. Richele has a collegiate background in educational psychology. She is an experienced curriculum reviewer and an Orton-Gillingham tutor. Lindsey Stomberg: Lindsey Stomberg is a stay at home, work from home mom to six children eight years and younger. She homeschools and enjoys large family living. When Lindsey is not changing diapers, cleaning house and cooking meals, she enjoys binge-watching shows on Netflix with her husband … because let’s get real, who has energy after 8PMwhen you have this many kids? As her husband would say, Lindsey is a chronic hobbyist. She is always learning a new skill whether that be graphic design, sewing cloth diapers, or streamlining a start-up business with her 8-year-old daughter. Lindsey likes to DIY her way around the home, explore natural remedies, and create new and exciting recipes in her Instant Pot during her downtime. Together Richele and Lindsey authored It's the Heart, Not the Hemline: A Biblical Unit Study on Modesty.