Share your inspirational unstoppable girl story and find other self esteem tools here.

But inspiring the next generation also starts at home and within ourselves. As a mom with a pre-school aged daughter I hope to instill her with confidence and a positive self-esteem. How do we nurture this starting at a young age and beyond?

TZM Contributor Erica Rood shares tips for building your daughter’s self-esteem-5 Ways To Find Your Daughter’s Spark.

Your daughter’s spark* is what makes her light up. It is what fills her with excitement and enthusiasm. Sometimes, sparks can be bright and obvious, but sometimes they hide under fear or uncertainty. More often, the spark needs to be discovered and lit up! Helping your daughter find her spark and helping her nurture it is as important as buckling her seatbelt or brushing her teeth.

Why? Because it is the spark that lights up her life’s purpose and illuminates her path. When your daughter recognizes her spark and lets it shine brightly, she will more content, satisfied, and motivated.

Sparks can be anything from music to helping friends to writing, poetry, to playing sports.

How you can help identify and light her spark:

1.Tap into her skills or talents.
Does your daughter love to write, draw, sing, or dance? If there is something she is naturally good at and enjoys, this may be her spark. Purposefully notice it and complement her on her enthusiasm, skill, talent, or dedication.

2. Notice if your daughter is committed to a particular cause.
Is there a particular area that she cares deeply about? The environment? Animals? Friends? Help her get involved in charities or organizations that align with her passion.

3. Observe what is unique about your daughter’s character.
Is there a part of her personality that stands out to you and others? Share your own uniqueness and help her discover the amazing qualities that make her who she is. Then celebrate it!

4.Rekindle your own spark.
What were you like as a child? What did you love to do? What sparks your life today? Share your spark enthusiastically with your daughter.

5. Help her wonder about potential sparks.
Anytime you have a chance, ask her questions that get her thinking about her passions, dreams, and interests. Use these for starters:
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to…. ? Imagine what it would feel like to….. ?

*Spark is a term coined by Dr. Peter Benson, founder of the Search Institute and a leading expert on adolescence. To read more about sparks, visit http://www.search-institute.org/sparks.
*TZM was not paid for this post.

I love smoothies. It’s a great quick and easy way to get a healthy start to your day or as an afternoon pick me up. Here’s a tasty smoothie recipe that may also help with PMS symptoms.

Who doesn’t love a day at the spa, especially for Mother’s Day. But if you don’t have time to get to the spa, but still want to get some spa zen at home. Here are some are some quick DIY beauty tips and recipes that are super easy and won’t break the bank from guest contributor Michelle Pino.

The Softest Feet Ever

You don’t need to book a pedicure to get your feet poolside ready. Instead, whip up a simple scrub in your kitchen.

What you need:
-Sugar (raw sugar works best, but granular will do the trick)

-Olive oil

-An inexpensive pumice stone from the drug store

Mix the sugar and oil to make a paste, and use the pumice stone to slough away the dead skin from your heels. When you’re done, rinse off and coat your feet in a thick body butter or lotion. Cover with socks for two hours and voila: Your feet will be just as soft as if you’d been to a ritzy spa.

Banish Dry Winter Skin

You can use the same scrub from the foot treatment above on the rest of your body as well. Just skip the pumice stone: Your feet need it, but pumice is way too abrasive for the thinner skin on your body.

If you can steal an hour for yourself to take a nice relaxing bath, create your own DIY moisturizing bath treatment by adding oatmeal and milk to your bathwater. A cup of whole milk is best. As for the oatmeal, avoid a mess by grabbing an old nylon and filling it with oatmeal, tying it off and dropping it in the bath. You’ll enjoy the moisturizing properties of the oatmeal without having to scoop oats out of the drain later.

Michelle Pino, is a Spa Manager at Skana, a spa in upstate New York. She enjoys DIY projects, healthy recipes, exercise, and all things related to skin care.

This quote was on my pillow in my hotel room at The Ritz Carlton, Laguna Niguel this weekend at The Mom 2.0 Summit.  It pretty much sums up motherhood and this entrepreneurial journey I have been on the last several years.   When my son was born, I left my full-time news job and ever since I have learning everyday how to be a better mother, how to be better person, and a better student of life.  

The internet, social media, new media whatever you want to call it has opened up new doors and each day each door has yet another potential door.  The women and men I met this weekend have amazed me. What they have created in their businesses and in their lives and possibilities that are yet to come.

Later this week I’ll share some of the insights and inspirations from the conference itself and tips from my media pitching and interview panel. But today I wanted to officially announce the relaunch of Zen Media Inc., my media training and consulting company.

Zen Media Inc.-Find Your Zen In The Spotlight!

I have been working on this site and my vision for my company for the last few months and I’m excited to share it with you.

I’ve been coaching clients and doing workshops, but I’m just relaunching the Zen Media Inc. site. It’s for entrepreneurs, spokespersons, hosts, bloggers, or anyone that wants to understand how the media works, get more exposure, or just gain more on-camera confidence and tools to help promote you and your brand.

It will now have a bi-monthly blog and I’ll be adding new resources throughout the next few months that will help you get booked, rock the interview and find your zenspiration.

As a The Zen Mom reader, you know I’m all about sharing things that inspire and make your life easier.  But I also write a lot about entrepreneurship and media. If Zen Media is not your thing no worries, I’ll still be providing great content here and will be adding new contributors to help you live a more balanced, vibrant and zen life!.
(If your interested in guest posting or being a contributor, click here.)

But if you ARE interested in learning more about media and taking your business to the next level join my list. Zen Media Inc. subscribers will get my FREE training video, “4 Insider Secrets To Getting Media Exposure Now!” Only available to those on my “in the know” list!” I will also be sharing a lot of inspirational content, but from a more business angle. Feel free to share with anyone you think would be interested as well.

I believe everyone has a voice. Fear or uncertainty should not hold you back from sharing your voice, your vision, your story and achieving greatness in your business and life.

I want to empower you to have a voice and to be able to share that with the world.

I know as a mom, it can be a little overwhelming sometimes to take on new things, as we all have enough on our plates. But if there has been something you have been wanting to do-give it a try or explore. Depending on what stage you’re at or how old your kids are you may not feel “ready”. But we can all continue to grow and learn and who knows you may be “ready” before you’re ready. You are in control and you can do as little or as much as you want. Is there something you have been wanting to do? I’d love to hear from you.

Again thanks again for joining me on my journey to keep it zen in business and in life! Happy Monday!

With 2 kids under 5, we don’t take many roadtrips and I’ve never stayed in an RV.  I’m sure it will be an adventure. Do you have any plans? Are you trying anything different this year?

To help keep you zen here are a few tips to help you prepare no matter what type of summer vacation you’re planning to take.

READY. Before you drive, fly or take a train or boat to your summer vacation destination, make sure you’re prepared.

Ask yourself these questions to help you get ready:
-Did you take the proper amount of time off work?
-Did you put a hold on getting your mail delivered while you’re gone?
-Do you have someone that’s willing to check on your house?
- Does someone at home have your contact information in case you need to be reached while vacationing?
-Do you have the right medical and car insurance coverage to protect you while traveling?

SET. After you ask yourself those basic questions it’s time to start planning your summer vacation.

Here are just a few summer vacation planning tips to keep in mind:
-Set a goal.  Is this a vacation meant to pack in quality family time? Is it a trip to climb a certain mountain or surf a specific beach? The goal you set for your summer vacation will dictate the steps you need to achieve it. If you want to go scuba diving, is there a certification class you can take before you head out on your ocean adventure? If you’re going camping, should you research about starting fires and performing basic first aid? When you set the expectations of your summer vacation, it will not only help everyone involved know what to expect, but will also help you adequately prepare and get set to go.

-Set a budget. It’s always important to understand how much money you can afford to spend.  While traveling. If possible, start saving months before you go; if you can’t, be sure to put a price tag on what you are able and willing to spend so you don’t regret your financial decisions once  you return home.

-Set a course of action. After you’ve determined what type of vacation you want and have set your budget, it’s time to start setting the details. Compare prices on flights, hotels and the other big ticket items that can quickly sap a vacation fund. Get directions if you plan to drive; find some fun tourist attraction along your route and plan your rest stops. Set yourself up for success. No matter what kind of summer vacation you have in mind, taking
the time to plan as much of it as you can is sure to set you up for vacation success. Another way to set yourself up for success is to make sure you have an insurance company you can trust should an accident occur.

GO.

Lastly, and most importantly, have fun! Summer vacations are all about enjoying time with your friends and family and making invaluable memories that will last a lifetime.

Take along your camera, your video camera, a journal and a pen, a good book for the road and a cooler full of snacks, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Let go, relax and breathe in the warm summer air as you regroup and recharge for the seasons to come!
* Sponsored content was created and provided by Nationwide Insurance.

While I don’t drink coffee everyday, I do love the taste of it and really enjoy it after dinner out or as a “pick me up” treat.  Lattes are my favorite!  So I was excited to try Silk’s New Iced Lattes.

The Mocha Iced Silk Latte was my favorite, but it also comes in Vanilla.  It was surprisingly good and tasted smooth, silky and refreshing.  It didn’t have any aftertaste that sometimes I’m left with when I have soy milk.   If you actually like the taste of coffee, you might want it a bit stronger, but I enjoyed the coffee essence. It satisfied my sweet tooth, but wasn’t syrupy sweet.   It’s like being your own barista at home without all the work.

I love that Silk Vanilla and Mocha Iced Lattes are only 100 calories a serving and there’s nothing artificial in it and it’s made with Non-GMO soybeans.

• No artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors or funny business
• No high-fructose corn syrup
• Free of dairy, lactose, gluten, casein, egg and MSG
• Absolutely no cholesterol or saturated fat
• Enrolled in the Non-GMO Project’s product verification program

It’s warming up so this weekend I poured it over ice and it was the perfect afternoon pick me up I needed with without anything bad.  It tasted like a my own little afternoon escape.

What do you like as an afternoon escape?

If you would like to treat yourself here’s a coupon.  Happy Monday!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

Ever since my first pregnancy, I don’t look at food the same way and now that I’m raising two preschoolers I’ve definitely changed the way I eat and what I make for my family.  I started eating organic foods when I was pregnant,  I wanted to eat as healthy as possible and avoid as many chemicals as I could for me and my baby.

The more I learn about food, the more conscious I am about what I buy and what I eat.  I wasn’t always this aware.  Growing up I ate what was available-my parents made healthy Chinese food, but when it came to American food-they didn’t know any better,  my diet consisted of whatever frozen food was on sale and as a teenager Taco Bell was my go to place.

Now I make the choice to buy organic foods for my family, but not everyone has access to it and sometimes it can be a bit pricey.  So for many people it’s not even an option.  I believe everyone should have access to healthy affordable organic food.

Congress will soon vote on a new farm bill – the federal measure with the greatest impact on the food we eat. Currently, your tax dollars go to highly profitable agribusinesses that don’t need the help and to people who don’t live anywhere near a farm. The government does very little to help farmers grow organic fruits and vegetables.

So what can we do?  Make your voice heard.  Support organic food and farming by signing this petition.

By signing this petition, you are telling Congress that you want your tax dollars to go to programs that help families gain greater access to healthy, affordable food in the new farm bill.
This petition will be sent to Frank D. Lucas, Chairmain of the House Committee on Agriculture and Debbie Stabenew, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

The message to send along with your petition signature will read:

“Instead of giving billions of dollars in subsidies to those who don’t need them, I want my money put to better use. I want my tax dollars to promote organic farming, support real working farm families, protect land and water and help feed children. Please invest in smarter food and farm policies.”

*This article is sponsored by Take Part.  All opinions are my own.

1. Spinach-Here’s a my recipe for Spinach Blueberry Muffins

2. Pumpkin- Here’s my recipe for Pumpkin Pancakes.

3. Quinoa

4. Goji Berries

5. Acai

6. Cacao

7. Spirulina

Do you have a superfood you like and how do you incorporate them into your diet?

My kids’ spring break isn’t until next week, but it’s good reminder that we all need a little break once in a while.  It’s amazing what things come your way just when you need it the most.  I’ve been a bit overwhelmed lately. Trying to juggle the kids, keeping my current commitments and trying to refocus my company Zen Media, while taking an online business school class at night.  I’ve been not so zen.

Last week everything in my life was telling me to it was time to take a break, so that I could continue to grow and take care of others. That’s the whole mission of The Zen Mom, but sometimes we forget, sometimes I forget.

I’ve been doing the 21 day meditation with Deepak Chopra and Oprah one of the themes last week was “Through rest and play, I open my creative channel.” I wanted to share this letter that made me stop and reflect.

Then I did an interview with Ije Ude from Soul-Powered Coaching for her new interview series with women entrepreneurs.  Her questions were insightful and made me take a good look at myself.  She said I was Generator, I have the ability to power through any project, but I may also tend to take care of others and lose my priorities.

Then I got an article in my inbox.  Self-care isn’t just about you.

So last week I took a little break to take care of myself and have fun.     I went to  the Dr for an annual check-up something I’ve been putting off for a while and  I caught up with a friend, I went on a date with my husband and took my kids minature golfing. Just me and them.  No errands, no playdates, no checking my cell-phone, no classes, just fun.

This week I’m feeling a little more rejuvenated!

What have you done for yourself today?  What have you done just for fun?  Let me know.  Have a beautiful week.