The Barefoot Executive: The Ultimate Guide for Being Your Own Boss & Achieving Financial Freedom by Carrie Wilkerson * Book Review

Starting your day sitting on the patio, sipping on coffee (or tea), while working on e-mail is a universal dream. Having a flexible work life that allows you time to spend with loved ones is something everyone would enjoy. Doing all this while still having a nice income flow is something that only happens to millionaires, right?

For anyone who dreams of running their business from home, author and highly successful entrepreneur Carrie Wilkerson says it is possible and gives encouragement in her book, The Barefoot Executive: The Ultimate Guide for Being Your Own Boss & Achieving Financial Freedom. Carrie helps readers of all types understand what it takes to starting and running a rewarding home-based business. In the book, you’ll learn how to reclaim your time, determine your income, and change your lifestyle-all while keeping personal priorities intact. The book offers the opportunity to live life on your terms with the financial freedom to do it. If you want the type of life described above, this book can help give you a boost in the right direction.

Successful at running her own seven-figure business from home and being an active speaker on the subject, Carrie demonstrates business models with tables and charts in an easy-to-understand format. Chapters within the book include subjects on finding a target market, developing marketing strategies, and brand development. The book also covers common pitfalls to avoid in starting a business from home.

Some things you can learn from reading this book are:

• Your “why.” The most important question. Why do you want to work for yourself?
• What type of business best suits your experience and talents.
• How to stay focused on your goal and avoid distractions.
• Where to find the support that will accelerate your success.
• How to link your business to the right market.

The author will walk you through the process of building the business you need to achieve the life you want. Her guidance is practical. No philosophical silliness, no theoretical abstractions—just concrete action steps alongside insights from fellow entrepreneurs, interactive exercises, and links to Carrie’s online video coaching segments. It’s the next best thing to working one-on-one with her.

My honest opinions on the book:
I found this book to be well written and easy to read. I like how the book is broken down into easy to follow sections, making it good for readers that like to read a book from cover to cover or those that like to skim the book looking for topics of interest. I also like the interactive aspect of the book, making it more like a workbook. As for the actual content of the book, don't expect the author to hand you the secret password to unlocking the door of opportunity. That's going to take work on your part.  I find the book to be more helpful as a motivational tool rather than a business guide. Everything presented in the book is probably stuff you have heard all your life. I found the content to take on more of a "dream big" and "you can do it" vibe. It is the way it is presented in the book that grabs hold of you and pulls you in, then has you nodding in agreement telling yourself "yes, I can do this!". Then when reality, something this book seems to be lacking, slaps you back to Earth, you start getting a sense of déjà vu. That's why I see the book more as motivational rather than business informative. From reading the introduction, the author recommends that readers use the book as a long term guide. In other words, she doesn't recommend reading it from cover to cover in a matter of a few days but to keep the book handy, read and use what you get from it throughout your quest for that dreamlike life. I have mixed feelings when it comes to whether I would recommend this book or not. For me personally, I did not really get much out of the book. But hey, it's a book.  Books are forms of written art, open to your own interpretations. It might be cheaper than therapy and written in a way that makes it feel like one-on-one conversations, but you have to remember that it's a book, written for no one in particular except the one who wrote it. 

If you're into ebooks or audio books, this title is available in those formats as well as print. Visit barefootexecutivebook.com if your interested in checking out more about the book or author, including links to purchasing the book and a free chapter download.



Disclosure: The book referenced in this review was provided to me free of cost, courtesy of Living Your Moment, for the purpose of conducting this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Different people may have different outcomes. Please see disclosure policy below for more information pertaining to this site.

Orijen Pet Food Available at MrChewy * Review

 Back in January, I posted a review of the MrChewy.com website. Being so impressed with all aspects of the company, I am happy to bring you another review for a product I got to try from MrChewy.com! Even though my three dogs like to relax and take life slow at times, they still utilize their wild animal instincts quite often. They love to be outdoors where they can play, hunt and explore. (The poor little rabbits, birds and squirrels get quite a workout around our place also!) 

When I got the opportunity to discover and try out some dog food from Orijen, manufactured by Champion Petfoods, I was thrilled. Like the MrChewy company, Champion Petfoods KNOWS about dogs. Champion Petfoods, located in the heart of Alberta’s prairies, got their start back in 1985 and has become Canada’s award-winning pet food maker.

Orijen pet food is produced using only the freshest regional ingredients. Their foods are perfectly matched to the digestive systems of both dogs and cats. The natural health-boosting herbs Orijen pet foods contain help strengthen organs and tissues while also supporting the digestion process of pets. Because Champion Petfoods knows that active dogs and cats require a meat-based diet, rich in animal protein and fat, they use free-run poultry, wild-caught fish, and free-range red meats for Orijen pet foods. Arriving fresh from the region each day, the meat is never frozen and never exposed to heat or chemicals. In addition to the fresh meats, Orijen also contains fruits and vegetables and balanced mineral content. The harvested fruits and vegetables are ripe with vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants. All these fresh ingredients are processed under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s highest food safety standard, insuring peak health for pets. Even the ingredient suppliers are approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. Orijen is also grain-free for more controlled blood sugar levels and excludes ineffective nutrients from plant oils. Champion Petfoods works closely with local farmers, fishermen, food processing innovators, and the scientific community to produce the highest quality products.

Orijen brings peace of mind to owners by promoting peak health of their pets in addition to containing natural flavors that their pets crave. Champion Petfoods uses only the freshest ingredients and no preservatives. They focus on being truthful, responsible, and innovative. Their prized products are never produced or packaged in any other facility. The minds behind Champion Petfoods always keep their personal cherished pets in consideration when making Orijen.

I was excited to try out the Orijen Regional Red All Life Stages Dry Dog Food available at MrChewy.com Having three dogs, each in a different stage of life and of a different breed is what prompted me to choose the Orijen dog food suitable for all life stages and breeds. Knowing that a dog food manufacturer had a dog food that was suitable for all dogs made me even more curious about the brand and product.

One feature of the packaging that I really like is that the bag, being 5.5 pounds, has a resealable closure. It was very easy to open, close and store. So, not only is the food inside good for pets, it's packaging is very convenient. This dog food is looking like a winner so far!

As if they knew this bag of dog food was for them, my two youngest dogs, Loki and Mojo, ran into the kitchen where I was with the bag of Orijen. Loki, the Great Dane, was the first to be bold and curious. His curiosity was not quenched until I set the bag on the floor and allowed him to sniff and check it out. This act got Mojo, the Chihuahua, curious and he had to follow suit. If you click on the above picture to see it orginal size and examine the first photo, you will notice that Loki was licking his chops in anticipation! (or maybe he was just trying to lick the bag?)

All three of my dogs seemed to really like the Orijen dog food. They all ate it with lots of passion. Obi (pictured above in the middle) gave it his sign of approval by licking his chops in between bites. Loki (bottom photo) gave his approval by licking his bowl clean.

Mojo, who usually stuffs his mouth full of kibble and carries it off to his bed to eat, didn't leave his bowl. He was the first to clean his bowl (hence the empty bowl from previous picture) and waited under the dinner table until the others were done so he could go and inspect the clean up of the others bowls. Even though he might not have been happy after not finding any leftovers, I think it was his sign of approval!

Connect with MrChewy and stay up to date on all his "pawsome" happenings by signing up for his newsletter, Like MrChewy on Facebook (feel free to let him know the gang at Go YAY sent you!), or follow Mr. Chewy on Twitter.

Disclosure: The product(s) in this review was provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Different people may have different outcomes. Please see disclosure policy below for more information pertaining to this site.

Wordless Wednesday: The First Signs of Spring

 

  Disclosure: Images in this post are personal photos from blog owner. Please contact blog owner with any inquiries. Please do not download, use or redistribute without blog owner consent. Please see disclosure policy below for more information pertaining to this site.

Destined by Jessie Harrell * eBook Review

When I was in high school (many moons ago), I fell in love. Not with anyone in particular. I fell in love with the topic of Greek mythology that was taught in reading class. One of the most romantic stories throughout my learning of mythology was the ancient myth surrounding Eros (aka Cupid) and Psyche.
You may recall my review of the eBook, In His Eyes, which is a Valentine's themed anthology featuring short stories from 16 talented authors. One particular piece from that collection really caught my attention. It was the piece titled Before by Jessie Harrell. That piece tells the story of young Eros before he met Psyche. After conversations with the author, Jessie Harrell, I was presented with the opportunity to read her novel, Destined. Being the big mythology fan I am and loving the short story Before, I just couldn't turn that opportunity down!

Destined is a romantic retelling of the Eros and Psyche myth. It is told with a modern-day twist while still being set in ancient times. Psyche learns of her prophecy which claims she will "fall in love with the one creature even the gods fear." As she feels the prophecy fulfilling more every day, Psyche must choose whether to resist the terrifying yet loving touch or to accept that "you cannot escape what is destined."

Jessie Harrell has written a fabulous story! For me, reading Destined was like being on a thrilling roller coaster ride. It is filled with so many emotions that intertwine with a story of love, loss and redemption. It takes romance to a whole new level. It's written in a way that grabs your attention from the beginning and  keeps you in suspense until the end. The scenes and characters are described in such vivid detail that it makes you want to keep reading to learn more. Read the following small quote from the book and you may get a better understanding of why I say it's cleverly written:

"As he approached, I heard the flapping of wings, like an overgrown eagle. The sound dissolved when he landed at the edge of the open window. A rush of wind flew past me and extinguished the flames in the fireplace. Stars glimmered behind him but his body was encircled in black."  

 Awesome, isn't it? Wanna read more? Find more information about Destined at Amazon (paperback $9.99) and Smashwords (eBook $2.99).

If you have ever read the ancient myth of this popular literary couple, I highly recommend you read this creative version. Even if you haven't read any of the myth or don't recall it, but are a fan of young adult romance novels, I still highly recommend it!

Find out more about the author, Jessie Harrell, and her books by visiting her website and blog, following on Twitter and liking on Facebook.

Disclosure: The product(s) in this review was provided to me free of cost for the purpose of conducting this review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are not influenced by monetary compensation. Different people may have different outcomes. Please see disclosure policy below for more information pertaining to this site.

Please help me out by taking this quick survey

Hello, blog readers! First, let me thank you all for reading my blog posts. When I first started this blog, it's primary purpose was to gain extra entries into online giveaways by sharing links to giveaways I came across and entered. Over the years, it transformed into a review and giveaway blog due to my increased readership and connections with companies.I have recently been debating with the decision to give up blogging. The ultimate decision is made up of a lot of smaller decisions. I have settled a few of those smaller decisions and am now asking for YOUR help in one of the smaller decisions which pertains to giveaways. I would deeply appreciate it if you could find a few minutes in your day to fill out my 4 question survey below. Thank you!  

Clean+Green all-natural pet odor and stain remover #Review #Giveaway

 When you have a household filled with pets, you know how hard it can be to clean and keep things clean and odor free. My household occupancy includes three dogs (of varying sizes) and a hamster so there is always a lot of cleaning and odor elimination going on in our house.
Clean+Green is a company that I recommend every loving and caring pet owner to check out. They offer a line of eco friendly, green cleaning products made from organic and biodegradable ingredients and packaged so you can recycle the container! Clean+Green products are easy to use and specifically designed to tackle stains and odors on a variety of surfaces including wood, tile, carpets, upholstery, concrete and even litter boxes, by naturally biodegrading the stain and odor source. 

 Thanks to Family Review Network, I was happy to have the opportunity to try out three Clean+Green products. 

 Our three dogs each have their own relaxing area in the house. They are very good at sharing their space (when they aren't occupying it themselves) so the pet bed, kennel and even our sofa get plenty of pet traffic which leaves behind stains and not so pleasant smells. Clean+Green Furniture Refresher is ideal for cleaning and permanently removing stains and odors on fabric, upholstery, leather and beds. It is made entirely from non-toxic botanicals, that is safe for pets, people and the environment. I love this effective, fragrance free odor eliminator, cleaner and stain remover that comes in a 14 oz eco-friendly continuous mist spray can! Not only is it powerful, safe and effective, it's also quick and easy to use. It works on contact so you just spray. There's no need to soak, scrub or rinse! 

Having three dogs that are loved family members, we often take them places like the park, vet or pet store. Living in a rural area, the only option for getting to those places is by vehicle. This means our automobile becomes subject to pet stains and odors. Even though we had interior protection applied in our new SUV, I wanted to give the Clean+Green Auto odor eliminator, cleaner and stain remover a try. Like all of the Clean+Green products, this 14 oz eco-friendly continuous mist spray can is made entirely from non-toxic botanicals, safe for pets, people and the environment, and works on contact. I love that this product can be sprayed into the intake vents to eliminate odors that are detected throughout the vehicle interior. I also love that it can be used to remove more than just pet odors It can also permanently remove cigarette, mildew, gasoline and food odors in upholstery, leather, vinyl and the air. 

 Having a hamster is fun, until it comes to cleaning up after them. Even being a small animal, hamsters are experts at creating big stinky messes. Clean+Green Small Animal All Purpose cleaner, odor eliminator and stain remover is highly recommended for any owners of hamsters, rabbits, ferrets and other small animals. It's powerful, effective formula is fantastic at cleaning and permanently removing odors from cages, litter boxes and shavings. Made entirely from non-toxic botanicals, this 16 oz eco-friendly continuous mist spray can is safe to use everyone and everything. You can even spray it directly on your small pet (being sure not to spray directly in your pet's face or ears)!
If you are a pet owner and are looking for easy to use, powerful, effective and eco-friendly cleaning products, give Clean+Green a try. Clean+Green® products can be purchased online and found in numerous pet stores nationwide. Be sure to also check them out on Twitter, like on Facebook and join the Eco-Friendly Pet Owners group on Facebook!  

 
One lucky winner will receive one Clean+Green item (winner's choice).
To Enter:

Get quick and easy entries using the Rafflecopter form below.

Giveaway ends Tuesday March 13, 2012 at 11:01PM CT. Open to US residents.