I recently received praise from a man at the coffee shop about my amazing children—their beauty, manners, vocabulary, personality…and the man who was complimenting them said, “Good job, Mom.”

“Thank you,” I replied. But I didn’t have time to tell him…

There are so many people who make up an endless web of support for my life as a mother, contributing time, financial support, taking my children on adventures, giving our family a borrowed cup of milk or sugar when we don’t have time to run to the store, a mug of coffee for a boost, wine for lunch (kidding), band-aids, birthday presents, laughs, and the ultimate gift of seeing my children in a different way that draws out new aspects of their potential.

It’s like Thich Nhat Hanh’s quote in his book, Peace is Every Step, “If you are a poet, you will see clearly that there is a cloud floating in this sheet of paper.” He is describing the interbeing-ness of all things.

The borrowed cup of milk came from a cow that was birthed by a mother cow that was fed by a farmer who was fed by his mother who was sustained by an endless interconnected web of love and support…

It’s easy to go about our lives and do our normal activities without realizing that there are those that sacrificed a lot so we could have our freedoms. Not just remembering the ones serving now, but those who have served in our past … My grandfather is one of those people. Here is a great video on Veterans day and a segway into a really great charity!

Homes For Our Troops is a great charity … while there are many ways to help including volunteering, just a $10 donation can help buy a box of nails. These veterans who have returned home severely disabled have the ability to return home to a home thanks to the people who have donated. Everything (including just a box of nails) is appreciated! Take a look at the site and read some of the stories of those in need. There are current projects and “Mission Completed” projects. Almost every state is represented.

Who in your state can you help?

Cheers to our Veterans!

I admit it. I have been sober for almost two months now (53 days to be exact). I hope I don’t get fired for admitting this on Jennifer’s Review—a wine-related blog. But the truth is my life has changed for the better since I drained my last yummy Bota Box of Old Vine Zinfandel.

A glass or two or more was a nightly habit for quite some time. And there was always this nagging feeling that I ought to stop it. Well, since I quit, the benefits have been much greater than the consequences.

It’s not necessarily that the glasses of wine were preventing me from pursuing important things in my own life (although it does add up); it’s that quitting the bad habit has freed up space for something new. I hadn’t put it so succinctly into words until after I started reading a timely book given to me by a friend.

In The Four Desires, by yoga teacher, Rod Stryker, he recommends a two-part technique for gaining power in your life through letting go of bad habits. Part one, decide on a Departure Point, and part two, Seed the Gap. The Departure Point is basically the point where you break off from your bad habit. And in part two you become aware of and acknowledge the space that opens up in your mind and self when you leave off from your bad habit. In that “Gap” you “Seed” it with a clearly stated intention for your life.

The process in the book leading up to “Seeding the Gap” does take time and dedication, but I wanted to share the concept because it is genius, simple, inspiring, and could lead to real and lasting change if practiced sincerely and regularly. Everyone has a bad habit. And part of the fear of letting go is not knowing what to do instead. By replacing the urge with a clearly stated intention and connecting to your best self, you gain back your own power and move forward in your life.

I really do feel empowered, and honestly, things are clicking. It’s great to know I have a stockpile of bad habits I can use to leverage myself forward. And I guess once they are all exhausted, it either means I will be able to levitate or be the most boring person on earth.

What bad habit do you want to give up? What supremely inspiring intention will you choose to replace the urge?

I was at an art opening one night at Yellow Feather Coffee in Denver, CO and there was a young woman sitting behind an old old typewriter with a little hand written sign that said “Poet for Hire.” She was typing poems for tips. You just had to give her the subject and a little money, and she typed you a poem.

I gave her the topic “Choices.” She delivered it on a crumpled up piece of paper with real coffee stains. She said, “here’s your poem,” over the sound of a crowded room with loud music. I got the chills as I reached for the paper—like receiving a secret antidote (all typed without a single typo). She had channeled the perfect reply to my present questions.

Here’s what she wrote:

Choices

When we have to choose / our brain reduces the moment to wall color
Carpet or tile / approximately how many people are in / the room / climate
In a way every choice seems important / and we don’t want to make a mistake
I’m never sure if I should get small or medium / red or blue
Friday night or Sunday morning / but the face of the world looks at me with
Expectation / I need more time to look at the room, / seconds more.
The world to pause as well.

Ah! “The world to pause as well.” Sigh.

Paying a few wrinkled dollar bills for my very own poem was one of the most satisfying purchases I have ever made. How often do you get that kind of fulfillment for a few bucks that doesn’t leave you with guilt or a hangover?

I know her name was Molly, but she didn’t have a business card or a website. Google “Poet for Hire,” and surprisingly, not too many sites come up. I’m glad though, because finding a poet through a search engine and contacting them via email just doesn’t have that same authentic, rustic, yummy feel. Keeping it analog. That’s where it’s at.

Hire your local poet: a little money for a lot of magic.

Typewriter image credit: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=2079

Wine makes you feel warm inside when you have that first sip, the luscious berry taste, the velvet tannins … but that really is just a superficial immediate feeling. With this one … you get that nice warm feeling the instant you buy it without even opening or seeing the bottle. I know. It’s almost like a teaser for “The Secret”!

Enter
One Hope Wine
Pinot Noir
2009

This wine is special — and actually I got it on a special. I was introduced to this wine thru a Klout Perk. If you aren’t on Klout and you don’t know what a Klout perk is, I can help! You can click here to learn all about Klout and sign up. My Klout perk came about with wine. One Hope wine gave me $25 toward their site to check out their wine selection. When I got to their site … I was pleasantly surprised!

It’s wine with a cause. It’s wine that gives a portion of the sale price to charities! In my case, I picked up the 2009 ONEHOPE Arroyo Seco Reserve Pinot Noir. This wine comes from Rob Mondavi Jr. and comes from Force Canyon Vineyard in the prestigious Arroyo Seco AVA in Monterey County. The great thing is that 50% of the profits go to support Children’s hospitals. So basically … you are drinking to help children. I hope no one ever takes that last sentence out of context.

Think that’s it? 50% of proceeds to support Children’s charity? Nope, it’s not .. in fact, you get to then select your other option for even more to go to another charity. A smaller select portion goes to a charity within their partnerships. You can additionally designate money from the original purchase price to one of the following charities: National Breast Cancer Foundation, National MS Society, Texas Wildfire Relief Fund, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, ASPCA, charity: water, Room to Read, World Food Programme, Wounded Warrior Project or ONEHOPE Foundation. I decided to give the extra money to Wounded Warrior Project. (I hope you’ll click that link to learn more!) I love having control of which charity to give to! It’s the perfect gift for any control freak!

How did the wine taste? I will start off by saying you need to let this breathe overnight. I used an aerator and found that this wine was so much better the next night. It has a nice blackberry / raspberry note to it and a bit of oak (hint) which might be because it’s aged in American and French oak barrels. I even got a hint of truffle in there … yep, I tasted it!

So if you want to have a great wine and know that you are also helping to support charities, check out ONEHope wines — be a control freak and make your own donation!

Cheers!
P.S. — I had my wine with a blueberry fayre and a mango ginger stilton … all on a Triscuit!

I’m a doodler, are you? I find it to be a creative outlet when I doodle. If you’ve ever called me and we’re having a brainstorming session on the phone, be assured, I’m doodling. I admit, I was taught to think that if I did this, I was actually bored with the conversation or what I was hearing… etc. I’d usually stop out of respect to the other person. Amazing how your learned ideas vs. the reality can mold your thoughts isn’t it?

Enjoy the Doodling Ted.com speech from Sunni Brown:

Link to Sunni Brown’s speech here: Sunni Brown Ted Speech

Cheers to Doodlers! WAIT, I got a better one …. Doodlers Unite!

Some of you know that I love spreading good things I hear to everyone. I also think that bloggers have a great chance to always help spread good ideas. With this thought I came up with the “Donate Your 100th Post” idea for bloggers. I admit … I think I’m the only one doing this. It’s been a time issue to get the word out – but I’m not going to stop. Lead by example!

With this said, my 500th post is donated to theGIVEShirt.com which is founded by Thomas Budde right here in Milwaukee. I not only had the honor of meeting Thomas, but learning more about his charity … which is a very cool idea! I also had the opportunity to interview him!

Here is my interview:

JR: Thank you for doing this interview for my “Donate Your 100th Post” project! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
TB: I’m on a mission to continue discovering my life’s purpose, and fulfilling it, without limitations. I know that I’m here to help as many people as possible, as much as possible, in ways that no one else can, or is. I’ve always been happy, but I’m so much happier now devoting my life totally to others.

JR: How did you come up with The Give Shirt idea?
TB: I realized the true power of giving – how incredible it feels to give freely, and how much better life is when freely giving is a natural part of it – and wanted to share that insight with the world. One easy and yet powerful way to do that is by advertising the concept of giving on a shirt, which we wear all of the time anyway.

JR: You host a 24 hour run-a-thon … what is the 24 hour run-a-thon?
TB: All over the world from 4am Saturday 10/22 until 4 am Sunday 10/23 people are running, helping others pay more attention to their health and be more aware of giving, and raising money for various charities. I’m running the full 24 hours around Milwaukee, wi and collecting donations and pledges per mile for theGIVEshirt.com. more information is available on the facebook page: 24-Hour runathon to raise awareness and money for health and giving. (Saturday, October 22 at 4:00am – October 23 at 4:00am)

JR: What is your hope for this organization?:
TB: We are increasing the global consciousness of giving. As people give more, they feel so much better. People they give to also begin giving more, and likewise begin feeling better. Gradually the world is becoming a more giving, and thus better, healthier, happier place.

Want to know how you can catch the giving fever? “Like” The GIVE Shirt Facebook page, “Follow” them on The Give Shirt Twitter stream or subscribe to their YouTube channel (video below).

Here is Thomas explaining the runathon and theGIVEshirt movement!

Please get the GIVE shirt, for yourself and others. This movement needs you! If you have any questions, please email theGIVEshirt@gmail.com

I like to try and send out an inspirational or positive message on Sunday. I think it starts off the week in a great way and I hope showcases something new; be it a new thought, product or organization.

For some reason, today I kept running into Suicide Prevention information and inspirational stories on this subject. Whatever reason that is … I hope you enjoy the following video from TedYou:

Kindle and email subscribers can watch the video here: JD Schramm TEDyou Video

If you found John’s story inspirational .. you can follow him on Twitter to keep up with his events: JD Schramm’s Twitter Account.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is a great place to start to learn more, donate, get help and know that there are others out there: AFSP Site

And of course, you know I always love to hear from my readers!

Cheers to you!

JenniferReviews@gmail.com
@JenniferReviews

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May 17, 2011 was the second annual “Evening With Aaron Rodgers” a benefit for the MACC Fund. I had the privilege of being invited for the second time to this event. I have to say each time I’ve been impressed with the loving contributions of those attending, the care of the MACC Fund staff, Aaron Rodgers and RBSH Enterprises.

I could fill this post up with Aaron Rodgers football stats, his great accomplishments on the field, but any of my readers here know that I like to focus on the who behind the what, whenever I can … that’s what this post is going to be about.

The evening started with a cocktail reception where children of the MACC Fund stories were featured throughout the venue. It was great to see all the people filling in … executives, journalists, Aaron Rodgers fans … a blogger. Then we all gathered into the main ballroom for dinner — which of course was fantastic. The Hyatt Regency Milwaukee did a great job and the staff was great.

Then the introductions started and if anyone has attended an event where Jon McGlocklin, Founder / President of the MACC Fund and John Cary, Executive Director of the MACC Fund have spoken – you know these two give a whole hearted personal investment toward the work they do to help children with cancer and blood disorders. Their speeches were heartfelt and encouraging of the work the MACC Fund is doing.

Then we were treated to another celebrity, Trent Dilfer ESPN Analyst who talked about his personal life experiences and challenges that he overcame. It was pretty impressive. Many times we see these successful athletes and don’t realize they face the same challenges we do. For the main event, Trent was there to interview Aaron Rodgers and interview Aaron Rodgers he did! The fun started ….

To keep this post short but hit the point I appreciated the most about Aaron Rodgers was the fact that with his down to earth attitude, he told us of his challenges prior to becoming SuperBowl MVP…. he always kept pushing onward, always kept raising the bar. He realized when he didn’t make the list of the top 100 quarterbacks (back in the day), he had to do more and do something other quarterbacks weren’t doing…. he increased his work out to 2 hours a day. That was the phrase I left with that night … do something the others aren’t doing. It seems to have worked out pretty well for Aaron Rodgers.

The auction began and it was one of the most exciting auctions I’ve been to in some time! With the gracious offering of the Hyatt Regancy Milwaukee and Aaron Rodgers agreeing to make an appearance at a chef dinner … 2 of the highest bidding items went for $45,000! Amazing … those contributions will go a long way to help children. It’s clearly a mission of Aaron Rodgers to make sure that the MACC fund is recognized, that he can help do his part to help children and that he really does care.

It’s important for me to note that at the first event Aaron took the time to come out and say hello to all those that attended … I was impressed with that last year. This year, Aaron stayed after the event to shake hands and talk with attendees as well. I found that to be impressive – it could have been very easy to dismiss the fans after his accomplishments of the past season. Just one more reason Aaron Rodgers is loved by the Green Bay Packer fans.

Of course … you know I have to leave you with a picture of our dessert of the night!

Cheers to sweet endings!
JenniferReviews@gmail.com
@JenniferReviews

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Yes, it’s true, this is my birthday week. I’m 40.

I don’t feel 40, I have a few aches and some of my joints make sounds when I move but in my mind – I don’t think of 40 as anything different then a continued journey. A few people have told me that 40 is the new 20 …. the new 30 …. I don’t think so. I think 40 is 40.

I actually didn’t plan for this birthday, in fact I’m not doing anything special. It’s just another day in that journey – but I still can’t help wondering and thinking back on my life from my first birthday.

Who could have imagined all the things I would encounter. In fact, I wonder if my grandparents would have ever imagined they would have a part in my creation?

Who would have thought that all the things I did as a child would create me and how I am at this ripe age of 40. Things like my awesome cooking skills.

My ability to think outside of the lines.

The way I sometimes like to be the entertainer.

How I would end up writing a wine blog after my first wine (water in a wine glass) dinner.

Who knew this wine dinner would lead to a wine blog?

Who would know when growing up to now …. my brothers always have my back.

And who would know that on a father / daughter wedding dance – happily ever after would elude me after that.

The time’s you go with your mom to Sea World as a child…

….. to charity events as an adult.

Or even being the 4th generation in a line of amazing women.

It’s all those things that mold you, that make you and shape you into the person you are today. So no … I know that 40 is 40 and even though it’s gone by fast and had a lot of highs and lows….

It's time to relax and be confident

I can’t think of anything more fun then watching how things turn out when I tell you of my 80th birthday week. Thanks for being here on my blog for the last 3 – 4 years… it’s been fun and I look forward to having more fun with all of you!

Cheers to 40!

JenniferReviews@gmail.com
@JenniferReviews

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