Summer is winding down - do you have your FALL activities planned? Check this out!

Latest and Greatest from Inspired Arts Academy in Morton, IL 

What will YOU sign up for this FALL?

I know my girls will be attending a few different classes and I personally plan to look into aa adult class or two for ME while they are in school -  here is what IAA has to offer YOUR family this FALL . . . 

What's New? Programs!

After School Program- STEAM Science -Technology -Engineering -Arts -Math Kelleen and I are so excited about our after school program that encompasses arts and sciences-right brain and left brain stimulation. Your child (K-6th) will be TRANSPORTED from his or her school to IAA by bus. At the Academy, the children will participate in homework time, STEM integrated Arts' classes , team time, and exploring the Academy. Sign up online TODAY- spaces are limited! Alternative PreK Our new Prek Alternative program has been popular! Clients are seeing the need for a prek program that is based off of the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards and taught by early childhood certified teachers. Want to try our child based program? We still have a few spots left! Sign up here!

What's New? Classes!

Pricing Cheaper Classes start at $40 a month and drop by $10 the more you take (with the exception of the 'performance classes'). This enables your child to be well rounded and you to provide an affordable arts' education that we are so dearly lacking in our schools today. Value without compromising quality... Group Piano Due to client request, we have hired 2 amazing piano teachers! These music educators are excited to teach your child piano! Read about our piano class here. Group Guitar Back by popular demand, guitar is here to stay! Join Kari as she transforms your child's guitar playing skills into beautiful music! Read about our guitar class here. Performance Groups We also have added 'Performance classes' for those students' who want to be in the limelight and have opportunities beyond the Academy (such as festivals, basketball games and non for profit events) . Broadway Entertainers (music and theatre) Dancing with the Stars (lyrical /jazz funk) Small Town Idol (singing/songwriting/instruments) Sign your child up for a performance class here. Combo Classes The Broadway Star, The Musician, The Artist, and The Dancer... These are 2-3 suggested combination of classes your child can enroll in on 1 night! Check them out here!

Birthday Box Incentive in July

Birthday Box Promo! SIGN UP IN JULY! It's my Birthday!!! When you register the month of July, your child will choose an item out of the Birthday Box- could be for ice cream, a DROP, IAA gear, or even a Birthday! SIGN UP IN JULY! http://inspiredartsacademy.com/promotions/

Back to School BASH!!! August 15th!

August 15th- Back to School Bash! From 5-7 PM, we will be hosting a Back to School Bash for you to register for classes/programs, receive giveaways, meet the teachers and have fun! Each person who brings a potential referral will receive a token of appreciation! Join us and celebrate back to school!!!

DROP on August 1st

On August 1st, we are hosting a DROP in effort of raising funds for the Morton Downtown Plaza! Theme is 'Movie Maddness!! Kids enjoy popcorn, movies, and red carpet fun while you enjoy an evening out with your loved ones... Time is 6-9pm, RSVP on facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/254289651430338/

Community Events: Auditions for The Nutcracker

Auditions: WHO: Ballet, Tap, Jazz dancers, Tumblers and Actors (Adults for party scene if interested) WHERE: Cornerstone Academy Studio, 3117 N Prospect Rd WHEN: Saturday August 23, 2014 / Sunday August 24, 2014 Ages 3-6 1:00-2:00pm Ages 7-10 2:00-3:00pm Ages 11 & up 3:00-4:00pm Please join us in our family Christmas Tradition, we have tons of fun, make new friends and create memories that will last a lifetime! Questions....send to info@cornerstoneballetpeoria.com or call 309-620-3164

Upcoming Schedule & Events

Ongoing -- REGISTRATION FOR FALL 2014 Jul 24/25 -- 101 Dalmations production in IAA THeatre! Aug 1 -- DROP, Movie Madness! Plaza Fundraiser! RSVP HERE! Aug 15 -- Back to School Bash! Aug 18 -- PreK Alternative program , STEAM program and Fall Classes begin at Inspired Arts. Limited spots available! View our full class, event and program schedule here.

Disclosure: Mom Loves 2 Read is a business partner with Inspired Arts Academy.  This is not a paid advertisement, simply an update for local families and friends of Mom Loves 2 Read and IAA. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Renewal "Anytime" 10 Day Detox by Lisa Consiglio Ryan ~ Book Tour, Guest Post, #Review

Genre: Health/Wellness/Cookbook

Format: Kindle

Purchase at AMAZON

Lose
weight, energize, and glow with over 50 recipes and complete 10 day detox plan.
This whole foods cleanse includes detailed menu plan, shopping list, and bonus
recipes to make after your cleanse. Renewal "Anytime" also includes
pre-detox plan, daily instructions, FAQ's, and post-

detox next steps.

(from the book)

Questions about detox…

Detox can be an amazing experience, but knowing the
ins and outs of the process is so beneficial to a successful cleanse.

These questions have been compiled during my work
with thousands of clients. You might be asking yourself some of these questions
as you embark on this clean living adventure. Make sure to refer to this
section before you start your detox - and during - if concerns come up.

AUTHOR GUEST POST

Top 5 Energy Boosters To Add
Into Your Life

"I don't have enough energy to get through my
day."
"I crash around
3:00 every
afternoon."
" By the time I get home from work, there is
NO way I have energy left to exercise."
"I wish I could keep
up with the kids. I just don't have the energy to play with
them."

It seems that lack of energy is an epidemic in North
America. We have so much on our plates, and it is overwhelming
even to think of getting it all done.

Overwhelm has taken over!

Most likely you know that your calendar is never going to be
empty, and your to-do lists will never be short. You may want to
make a few simple changes to boost your energy so you can everything done and
more.

Think of your body as an automobile. You need to fuel
up your car by using premium gas just like you need to fuel your body with whole
foods. You can wait until the gas gauge is on empty before going
to the gas station to refill... but your car won't run as efficiently.


Your body is the same way. It is very resilient. It will work for you
unconditionally. But after a certain point, the gas tank hits
empty. Your body becomes exhausted.

Here are the top 5 ways to
get more energy and keep your tank full:

1. Drink water
throughout the day. The first sign of dehydration is
fatigue. Try beginning your day with a glass of water and take sips throughout
the day to stay hydrated. Anytime you crave sweets, try having a
glass of water instead. If you're thirsty, that means you're already dehydrated.


2. Eat a healthy carbohydrate/protein based snack about
half hour before you tend to start losing steam. This will help get rid
of the 3pm slump. Try lentil soup with rice crackers, salsa,
celery and hummus, apples and almond butter, or trail mix with lots of seeds and
nuts. Build your snacks with a good fat (ex. avocado), good carb
(ex. veggies and fruit), and good protein ( ex. nuts, quinoa).

3.
Increase your iron intake. Iron is a trace element which gives
you energy and helps your immune system function. You'll get iron from nuts,
sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, brown rice, millet, and those dark leafy greens
like kale and spinach.

4. Eat foods
that are ALIVE. Try replacing your crackers and chips
with vegetables and fruits. Their energy levels will give YOU energy. Pick the
foods that look most alive and fresh in the grocery store. Try carrots, snap
peas, celery, juicy tomatoes, spinach salad, strawberries, broccoli, oranges, or
squash. These veggies and fruits have all the vitamins and minerals your body
needs for energy.

9. Get more rest and relax.
Stress makes us tired. Very tired. So does lack of
sleep. You have to make sure to get some downtime in order to give your body a
chance to rejuvenate. Instead of pushing your body past its
breaking point each day, why not listen to it and give in every once in a while?
Try taking a nap (my favorite), taking a walk, reading a book, sleeping in late,
getting a massage... these will all increase your energy. AND they
are fun, too. J


All of these strategies can be practiced while doing a 10 day
detox. As you clear toxins from your body, you will be able to
energize as well as form new habits with your food and managing stress.
Ready to try a detox and feel amazing?

My Review:

Although I did not do the full detox in the book, I did take many of these tips and implement them in my daily routine.  I traded some of my "go to" snacks for healthier alternatives and my favorite soda for water or sugar-free tea.  I have already lost 4 pounds in the past few days just by replacing some of the bad for me quick grabs for healthier and more nutritious options.  I do feel a bit better and seem to have a little more energy than usual.  I plan to continue this and after the kids go back to school, I plan to try the detox as well when I have less distractions around daily.

I like the practical advice and step by step instructions in the book.  Lisa's Renewal guide shows how to live a healthy life by taking care of yourself first.  Using Step by step processes from detox to easing back into a regular eating routine. A good book to have on hand to give weight loss and healthy eating a kick start.

About the Author

Lisa Consiglio Ryan is the founder of Whole Health Designs, juicy clean
living advocate and mama of two. She loves her yoga practice, running, and has
a mission to spread the word, "Food is love." She provides detox programs and private coaching for women who
desire to embrace clean living.

As a Certified Health and Nutrition Coach, Lisa has worked with
thousands in her Renewal 10Day Detox programs. Her work has been featured in Fitness Magazine,
TinyBuddha, Elephant Journal, Kris Carr’s Crazy Sexy Life, The Daily Meal, and
Mind Body Green. You can also check out Lisa's new membership program, Clean + Sexy 2014
(year-long detox + community) Kickin’ ItClean  gluten-free meal plans for plant lovers and Juice Shop. Lisa is leading
a wellness retreat in Costa
Rica this July:  Clean + SexyWellness Retreat. 

Her latest book is the health/wellness/cookbook, Renewal“Anytime” 10 Day Detox.

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Penny Wise ~ Windy City Neighbors series by Neta & Dave Jackson ~ #review

About the book: Penny Wise introduces us to
yet another family in "the neighborhood"---the Jaspers, busy with demanding
jobs, busy with church, busy volunteering, parents of three active teenagers,
juggling sometimes crazy schedules. All good things. Until all those "good
things" feed into a series of crises

that affects the whole family. Something's
gotta change!



The third in the Windy City Neighbors series, Penny
Wise is a contemporary peek at an urban family wrestling with the spiritual
and practical challenges of real life. The series employs the innovating
storytelling technique of "parallel novels," each with its own drama and story
arc, but whose characters' lives become intertwined with their neighbors and
affect one another. Welcome to Beecham Street---a typical, isolated American
neighborhood that is beginning to come out of its shell . . . for better or
worse.

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/yLCKz

About the authors: Dave and Neta Jackson are
award-winning authors living in the Chicago area where their parallel novels
from the Yada Yada House of Hope and Harry Bentley series are set. As a
husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books,
kids, walking with God, gospel music, and each other! Together they are the
authors or coauthors of over 100 books.

Find Neta and Dave
online: website

My Review:

This is the first book I have read in this series and I can honestly say it can be read as a stand alone story.  It was quite slow in the first several chapters and took me quite a while to really get into the story.  The setting is great - it is set in a Chicago neighborhood where most of the families are mixed races and barely acknowledge each other.  Once the Bentley's move in, they work hard to change the way neighbors view each other, striving to bring them together and get involved in praying for each other.



What a wonderful way to show Christ's love and His desire for us to "love our neighbor as ourselves."  The story is well written, though the flow could be better, especially in the first several chapters.  I love that the main characters are Christian parents trying to raise their children to Love the Lord.  That the main family have real life issues yet are a devoted and faithful family.



The characters are engaging and once into the story, they keep the reader wanting more. The ending was ok, but left me wishing it was a bit different.  Overall a good read and one that did leave me wanting to read more books by Neta and Dave Jackson.

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Yankee in Atlanta by Jocelyn Green ~ Clean Fun Fiction ~ Book Spotlight

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Yankee in Atlanta

River North(June 1, 2014)

by

Jocelyn Green




ABOUT THE BOOK

When soldier Caitlin McKae woke up in Atlanta after being wounded in battle, the Georgian doctor who treated her believed Caitlin's only secret was that she had been fighting for the Confederacy disguised as a man. In order to avoid arrest or worse,

Caitlin hides her true identity and makes a new life for herself in Atlanta.



Trained as a teacher, she accepts a job as a governess to the daughter of Noah Becker, a German immigrant lawyer, who is about to enlist with the Rebel army. Then in the spring of 1864, Sherman's troops edge closer to Atlanta.



Caitlin tries to escape north with the girl, but is arrested on charges of being a spy. Will honor dictate that Caitlin follow the rules, or love demand that she break them?



Id you would like to read the first chapter of Yankee in Atlanta, go HERE.





*No review - but this is one I'll add to my TBR!



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jocelyn
Green is a child of God, wife and mom living in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She
is also an award-winning journalist, author, editor and blogger. Though
she has written nonfiction on a variety of topics, her name is most
widely recognized for her ministry to military wives: Faith Deployed.
Her passion for the military family was fueled by her own experience as a
military wife, and by the dozens of interviews she has conducted with
members of the military for her articles and books, Faith Deployed:
Daily Encouragement for Military Wives and its sequel, Faith
Deployed...Again: More Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. She is
also co-author of both Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq
& Afghanistan and Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home
Front (forthcoming, May 2012). Her Faith Deployed Web site and Facebook
page continue to provide ongoing support, encouragement and resources
for military wives worldwide.

Disclosure: I am posting about this book because it sounds intriguing and I feel some of my readers might enjoy it. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

Firewall by DiAnn Mills ~ Mystery, Suspense, Good Clean Romance

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Firewall

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (July 1, 2014)

by

DiAnn Mills






ABOUT THE BOOK

After a whirlwind romance, Taryn Young is preparing to board a plane at Houston International Airport, bound for a dream honeymoon, when a bomb decimates the terminal. Injured but still alive, she awakens to discover her husband is missing and they’re both considered prime suspects in the attack. Further, the FBI is convinced her husband isn’t who he appears to be.




Agent Grayson Hall’s number-one priority is to

catch those responsible for the day’s act of terror. All evidence is pointing to Taryn and her new husband. But his instinct tells him her pleas of innocence are genuine. Is her naiveté just for show, or could she truly be another victim of a master scheme, possibly linked to the software she recently developed for her company?




With both their lives and reputations on the line, and the media outcry for justice increasing with each passing minute, Taryn and Grayson have no choice but to trust one another . . . and pray they can uncover the truth before they become two more casualties.




If you would like to read the first chapter of Firewall, go HERE.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

DiAnn
Mills believes her readers should “Expect an Adventure.” She is a
fiction writer who combines an adventuresome spirit with unforgettable
characters to create action-packed novels. Her books have won many
awards through American Christian Fiction Writers, and she is the
recipient of the Inspirational Reader’s Choice award for 2005, 2007, and
2010. She was a Christy Award finalist in 2008 and a Christy winner in
2010.



DiAnn is a founding board member for American
Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Inspirational Writers Alive,
Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and is the Craftsman Mentor
for the Christian Writer’s Guild. She speaks to various groups and
teaches writing workshops.



DiAnn and her husband live in Houston, Texas. Visit her website or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/diannmills

Disclosure: I did not receive any compensation for posting about this book.  I am a CFBA partner and post books that sound interesting to me and my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.

RingStix Pro ~ Fun for everyone ~ #Giveaway ends 8/3

Susan has searched the globe (actually my inbox) to find another fun giveaway to share with you here on Mom Loves 2 Read.  My blogger friend over at The Stuff of Success has a wonderful toy, game? gadget? that she has reviewed and is offering a giveaway! Check it out!

 

 

RingStix strives to capture the spirit of play and creativity innate to all of us. They want to see people of all age’s young and old interacting and having fun together. They provide a high quality and extremely fun product, to further this goal.

 

Check out RingStix in action...

  

 See my full review at The Stuff of Success

Each RingStix Pro game contains a full set for two players:

4 Stix with red Over-molded grips for extra comfort.

1 Red Ring

1 Glow-in-the-Dark Ring

1 Carry Bag

 

 

And GREAT NEWS!!! You can win your own RingStix Pro outdoor game by entering the Giveaway Tool below. Must be 18 or older to win.

 

Entry-Form

 
Disclosure: The prize sponsor will send prize to the winner. The Stuff of Success is not responsible for prize. If you have any question please send an email to thestuffofsuccess@gmail.com. All entries are optional, if you do any of the tasks you can collect the entries.

Shenandoah Dreams by Lisa Belcastro ~ #Review

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Shenandoah Dreams

OakTara Publishers (July 1, 2014)

by

Lisa Belcastro


ABOUT THE BOOK

What if she met the man of her dreams...in another century?



It s just a dream, Melissa Smith whispers as she stares into the intense eyes of a man dressed in Colonial clothes, as though stepping out of an American Revolution movie set.



A school chaperone with

Holmes Hole Elementary, she'd boarded the old schooner Shenandoah for a week long educational sail. But they are not visiting Plymoth Plantation, the Boston Tea Party Museum, or the Concord Bridge reenactment.



They're sailing the waters around the island of Martha's Vineyard. Yet, when she awakes in Cabin 8, the captain claims to be Isaiah Reed, who sailed the original Shenandoah in the eighteenth century. He cannot possibly be real, Melissa thinks. And traveling back in time is impossible. But days pass, and she's still in 1770.



What if Isaiah, who is simply too handsome to be real, is real? What if the fire he ignites in her from barely a touch isn't in her imagination? Can a dream last for weeks on end? If so, how will she find her way home...to the twenty-first century? And can she bear to leave the one man who has captured her heart, when everything in her longs to stay?



A Vineyard Romance Romance, history, adventure. Get swept into the exciting Winds of Change series.




If you liked to read the first chapter of Shenandoah Dreams, go HERE.






My Review:

I absolutely loved this story.  I am a
fan of paranormal fiction when it merges well with reality and keeps my
interest, and Shenandoah Dreams did more than that.  It also kept me up
late reading so I could finish the story and left me wanting more.  I
had to go online right away and find that this wonderfully talented
author does have mores stories in this series. 



The story is well
written, the characters are engaging and although I was sad at those
Melissa leaves behind in the present when she travels to the past.  Her
determination to figure out what is going on as well as try to survive
in her circumstances kept me interested.  Then, to have a budding
romance in the past that makes her choice to try to return to the
present just that much harder.



Melissa keeps her faith even when
things are confusing and difficult for her.  What a wonderful mix of
clean fiction, christian faith with a little paranormal twist. I loved
this story from start to finish and can't wait to grab and read more by
author Lisa Belcastro.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lisa
Belcastro lives with her family on Martha’s Vineyard. She loves
chocolate, gardening, outdoor activities, cooking, laughing, reading,
traveling, a healthy dose of adventure, and her cat Ben, who keeps her
company while she spends hours working at the computer.




She was inspired to write Shenandoah Nights, the first
book in the Winds of Change trilogy, while chaperoning two Tisbury
School summer sails with her daughter, Kayla, aboard the schooner
Shenandoah. The week long adventure, sans electricity, Game Boys, iPods
and modern conveniences, kindled her imagination to dream of an
altogether different voyage.




In addition to writing romance novels, Lisa currently
pens the cuisine column for Vineyard Style magazine. She has worked as a
staff and freelance reporter and photographer for The Chronicle of the
Horse and as assistant editor at The Blue Ridge Leader. She has written
articles for USA Today, Dressage (London), USA WEEKEND Magazine, The
Blue Ridge Leader and Sidelines.




When she’s not at her desk, Lisa is living in
paradise, volunteering at her daughter’s school, serving in her church
community, planting and weeding her numerous gardens, trying to run a
marathon a month, or walking the beach looking for sea glass.

Disclosure: I received free the item(s) mentioned in this post in exchange for my honest review. Regardless ~ All my reviews are my honest and personal opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”.