Try This Book Series For A Thought-Provoking Discussion With Your Child

“Some People Believe... Aliens” is a rhyming picture book intended for toddlers and young children, illustrated with bold, bright colors, simple lines, fun shapes, and even a little character hidden in each picture to find (which is half the fun)! It is currently available for only $0.99 on Amazon's Kindle, which you can also download as an app for your smart device or computer for free, no Kindle device required (and don't forget Christmas is coming up and there's nothing like instilling the joy of reading! Okay, enough with the shameless plugs, hehe).

My passionate hope is to set a jumping-off point for parents to initiate open, loving, trusting, imaginative, and exploratory communication with their young children. They're never too young to start that! My series, “Some People Believe...” is not about pushing any one view, it's merely about open-mindedness, possibly tolerance, and definitely education.

Sample Page

My mother-in-law deserves some major credit for planting the idea-seed in me, for without her one of my longest life goals may never have come to fruition. As her children were growing up, she never pushed one belief or another, she would simply say, “Some people believe this, some people believe that.” She is such an inspirational mother and person!


I loved the concept – children will grow up and eventually chose what they believe in, whether or not you agree with it...all we can do as parents is guide them.

When a child is raised, for example, in a Christian household, all they'll know of the world is Christianity – by that I mean because they're so young, they'll think everyone is Christian – so when they finally meet someone who believes differently than they do, it's sometimes a shocking experience and they might not know how to handle it.

By presenting views in an unbiased, non-forceful, educational way, it creates an open, trusting dialogue between parent and child. Young children, even toddlers, are capable of understanding complex issues if it is presented to them gently and age-appropriately. “I chose to believe in this, but let's explore what other people believe, too,” might be a great way to introduce your child to your values...and that nonjudgmental, tolerant, open-minded tone that you set will stay with them forever and later in life, when they encounter someone with opposing views, it won't be such a shock. They'll be prepared.

On top of being an English/Liberal Arts major, I've taken Early Childhood Education classes, and over the last few years of my adult life I have been a professional childcare provider, a foster mother, and have worked in an elementary school. I've wanted to be a mother since I was three-years-old and could fill my onesie pajamas with stuffed animals to pretend I was pregnant – if that anecdote doesn't illustrate that I have a passion for children, then I don't know what will.

I've wanted to be a published author since I was 11, so this is a major milestone for me! I've always been a writer, but I primarily write fantasy/sci-fi/paranormal romance for young adults. I never thought I would be inspired to write a children's book. The thought never crossed my mind. The final tipping point that set a fire in me for starting this children's book series happened when I was working as an After-school Care Coordinator with children a variety of ages. A six-year-old boy came up to me while we were watching a science movie about space and asked a simple question that would start the ball rolling, “Do aliens exist?” I couldn't answer that ethically and force my beliefs on him, so I answered with political-correctness, “You know what, what's a very good question! You should ask your mom.”

Even though to some it might be considered a controversial topic, I started with “Some People Believe... Aliens” because it was just so much fun to write and illustrate! I could let my imagination flow with fun colors and shapes and silly words and become child-like again! However, if that's not your cup-o'-tea, there will be more topics in the series, hitting on anything from different religions to even different types of cultural food (you know, some people believe a candied grasshopper on a stick is a dessert), so stick around and keep your eyes peeled!

I can't express how nervous and excited I have been over the last few months while I've been getting this ready, or how supportive my dear husband, family, and friends have been! (A quick shout out to my parents, who have always encouraged my dreams, to my brother for his discerning eye and critique, and to my husband/ soulmate – words cannot describe my love and appreciation for his encouragement).

I plan publish on other eReader platforms such as Nook, Smashwords, iPad, ect. Eventually, but sooner rather than later, I will have a printed edition (most likely through CreateSpace) because there's nothing like holding an actual book and children are very tactile. Please, feel free to share this post with friends and family and feel free to link this post to your Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest or any other social platform. I'm really relying on “word-of-mouth” right now, so that would be a great help and much appreciated!

 

Again, feel free to link and share the news to friends and family!

Much love!

~Nicole A.

The Cleaning Bug

Photo Courtesy of marthastewart.com

I am queen of procrastination! I confess! It's been - what? - five, six months since I blogged. I suppose I have no excuse as I have had no work or classes for the summer and have just been sitting on my ample bum doing nothing of value. Although I am probably being a little too harsh on myself... I have enjoyed events with friends and even made a little headway on a novel I haven't worked on since I was fifteen. Granted - it needs a lot of work and revision since I have grown and changed, but the basis is there - it's a start. Anyway, I have been yo-yo-ing between inspiration and complete lack of motivation, which accounts for the long interruption between blogs.

The past few days I have been completely waylaid by allergies! Ahhhh! Nasty things, really! Congestion, sore throat, itchy eyes, and not to even mention the exhaustion (at least for me). Of course, it probably doesn't help that my husband and I added another pet to our family (temporarily watching him for my sister), a small but fluffy thing that seems to do nothing but eat, sleep, crap, and shed long white hair all over my dark furniture! Granted it's not his fault, but it doesn't help my predicament.

Amidst the sneezing I caught the Cleaning Bug and decided to tackle our second bedroom (office/craft room) closet. What a challenge! I am seriously evaluating the small hoard of baubles and unused craft objects that have been passed down or that I have acquired, sitting there waiting to be used on some project or other. I keep forgetting they are there or what project I had in mind for them in the first place! Perhaps I have subconsciously held onto them as long as I have because I felt like the full drawers of bits and pieces made me a crafter/artist - which is just absurd. So I am trying to prioritize my projects and discard unfinished/un-started ones - I figure these materials would be much better in the hands of someone who will use them and am therefore going to donate to my local thrift store or post something on Craigslist. I have not yet finished the closet, but I already feel as if a weight has been lifted. I think next I shall start on my kitchen (again) and then my clothes closet (which has been needing some rotation and thinning). I have also taken a leaf out of Bea Johnson's blog and will be donating most of our books to the local library (which I have not yet stepped foot into and it is apparently right across the street!). I love to read, but honestly I have hardly touched my books and I find it much easier to read on the computer (since font can be enlarged and books can be awkward to hold after long periods of time, etc.) and we have been considering investing in a Nook so as to cut down on clutter. Also, and I have not yet brought this up to my husband, but we have an extensive DVD collection - which I am now realizing only 1/6 of which gets watched...I am going to propose that we sell those DVDs that hardly get watched since we have Netflix and can rent them anytime we get the urge to re-watch a movie. I think this would save space and be a valuable use of our money and time.

I look around our house and I see many non-functioning items and art pieces that I have no personal attachment to. Yet I still have this...fear/hesitation, I guess...of letting them go. What will I put in that place then, I ask myself? Can I find something functioning that replaces this aesthetically? I think this will be an interesting way to get the creative juices flowing, challenging but fun!

'Til next time, Dear Reader,
~*Nicole

I swear, this time! This time, for sure!

How many times have you said, "I'm going to eat better," "I'm going to work out," "I'm going to read that book?" For many, the lists go on. So many people live in the world of "later." Guess what, time stands still for no man, and if you live in the world of "Later", there might not be another tomorrow holding the same opportunity. If you're like most people - not having a visible plan of action that you've taken the time to create - then your wishes will forever be an empty statement sent out into the universe. I admit I'm the same way. In 2007(ish), in my College Success class I learned about the acronym S.M.A.R.T. for goal setting. It made soooo much sense and when I do follow the steps it actually helps me accomplish my goals, no matter how big or small, short-term or long-term. Here's how:

S - Specific. When you say something like, "I'm going to eat better," it's really a noncommittal statement. Ask yourself, "How?" How are you going to eat better? Do you need more grains or veges in your diet? Less sugar, perhaps? Saying something like, "I'm going to prepare organic, homemade meals using the Food Pyramid as a guide," is definitely more specific and can help you to better judge whether you're on track with your goal or not.

M - Measurable. So you might prepare one or even two homemade meals, but that's not really helping you achieve your goal. You need to measure flour for a cake, right? So it is with goals. "I'm going to prepare three organic, homemade meals a day using the Food Pyramid as a guide," would be considered measurable.

A - Achievable. Say your goal was to "lose 30 pounds in 30 days through eating organic and exercising," besides not being doctor recommended, it's just not reasonable. "Lose 6-10 pounds in 30 days through eating organic and exercising," is way more reachable!

R - Realistic. Is your goal reasonable? If not, you're setting yourself up for failure. For example, if I worked full time and commuted an hour and a half back and forth, had kids, after school activities, and was taking night classes, I probably would not be able to keep my goal of three organic, from-scratch meals a day. Oh, I know some people can do it, but would I have the motivation at the end of the day? Can pigs fly? So I would probably want to revise my goal to, "I will make one homemade organic dinner for three nights." For me, my schedule, family life, and motivation level - this would be realistic.

T - Time Frame. There needs to be an end in sight! If you don't set some sort of time frame, you will keep procrastinating. Think how inspiring it will be when you see that deadline approaching ever closer as you cross off the days on the calendar. "I'm going to prepare three organic, homemade meals a day using the Food Pyramid as a guide for 4 weeks," and at the end of those four weeks, guess what? I'll have a total sense of accomplishment! I admit, I get a high from completing my tasks.

Setting Mini or Micro goals helps too to achieve the larger goals as well. By writing out a monthly, weekly, or even daily goal objective using the S.M.A.R.T principals, it can help keep you on track. For example, my Mini (or weekly) goal might be to have shopped at my local farmers market for the best quality produce for my three dinners. My Micro (or daily) goal might be to secure one hour to look up new recipes.

What techniques have you used to accomplish goals? Have you tried using S.M.A.R.T. goals? How did that work for you?

'Til next time, Dear Reader,
~*Nicole

About The Author

Nicole A.

About The Author

So, I’ll get down right to it - who the heck am I and why should you read my blog? I guess I should introduce myself - isn't that what polite strangers do?

I am not a doctor, healthcare provider, or scientist, but I am passionately curious, a student of the world and of life, and I question everything. I don’t believe in accepting a detrimental status quo or taking much of what we’re led to think (by the media) at face value. I feel everyone, person or agency, has an agenda and it’s best to be aware of it. My personal agenda is spreading Truth (with a capital T), open-mindedness, justice, equality, maybe challenge the way you been taught to think, and shine a light on a few subjects that we should have been taught in school.

I feel it is my duty to compile and share this amazing information in the hopes that it could change a life, like it’s changing mine. I try my best to write accurate information on both sides of an argument and I’m open to changing my opinion if presented with better information (especially if it’s backed with science). And I’m open to respectful discussion and constructive criticism, but not conflict.

While on my own journey to lasting, holistic, natural health, I am discovering so many things that I wish had been taught in high school. I’ve never needed to use Geometry, but I wish I’d known about in-depth nutrition and environmental toxins because that’s going to affect my whole life – whereas math won’t. I think if the information I’ve been researching, backed by science and medical studies, were more wide-spread, then America wouldn’t be in such a health crisis. More people would be energetic, less obese, vibrantly healthy, even joyful. If we educated our kids to be healthy, happy, and kind over cramming for tests (for things they won’t use in adulthood), we’d have a different kind of generation altogether; I think we’d raise people that would go out and change the world for the better.

My passionate curiosity has led me down many roads of study: holistic and natural health, alternative medicine, ancient practices, simple living, minimalism, Zero Waste, Plastic-Free, eco consciousness, self sustainability, natural earth building, tiny homes, real education, politics, social issues, science, medicine, anthropology, psychology, spirituality, meditation, and mindfulness. And I feel, like most things, they’re all intertwined and not separate disciplines.

I'm a perpetual-learner, writer, wife, and foster mom. I don’t like to put myself in a box because I am so many things. I like to think of myself as creative, artistic, and practical. I’ve been an artist since I could hold a crayon, a writer since I was 11, and an eternal avid reader. I have struggled with my health, depression, anxiety, weight and body image since I was 16. I’m currently turning my struggles into strengths, but it has (and continues to be) a long, uphill battle. I am focusing on my health journey, writing about it and sharing the important science with you, and enjoying life with my husband, cat, and any foster kids we might have.

In my hope to educate and heal myself, I’ve stumbled upon many great sources that I wish to share with you if you have similarly struggled. Stay tuned, subscribe, and share the knowledge if you, too, are seeking sustainable health.

Glad to have you along for this journey with me,

~Nicole A.