By 7:45a.m. this morning, we had experienced fun as a family - and it was only 15 degrees Fahrenheit.  We received a light dusting of snow overnight that stuck to the driveway, and the kids were excited to get out in it before school.  My husband and I told them that if they had EVERYTHING ready to go, and didn’t need to come back inside, they could have time to play.

Teamwork is the name of the game in our morning routine, and my older son was actually excited to walk the dog to start checking things off his list.  My younger son had a slower pace going, but he had at least asked to set his alarm for 6:30a.m. so that he could get ready in his own way, which worked in his favor this morning.

My boys devoted a good ten minutes to finding all their gear.  Mind you, there are designated places for their hats, gloves, coats, and boots by the door, but they don’t always leave them there.

When all the morning tasks were accomplished, they only had fifteen minutes to play, but they were determined to make the most of it.  My younger son came back in, “Mom, I want to shovel the driveway, but I need help getting the shovel down.”  I winced at the thought of leaving my coffee and putting on my boots, fleece, winter jacket, hat, and gloves, but the desire to help out a kid who was offering to shovel the driveway made me suit up and get out there.  I quickly poured my hot coffee into a travel mug to make the most of the moment for me.

I stepped outside, and my older son was already juggling his soccer ball, excited to tell me that the ball skids and spins on the snow.  When he saw his brother ready to shovel, he started to get upset at him for wanting to remove the quarter inch of snow on the ground.

“Let’s pass the ball back and forth,” I said, trying to divert his attention.  “You are enjoying the snow with your soccer ball; he wants to enjoy it by shoveling.”

Redirecting my older son to playing shifted the mood and we all started to engage in our favorite activities to enjoy the moment.  Not twenty seconds later, my husband attempted to get everyone into the car earlier than we needed to leave when he stepped outside.  All three of us shouted, “No way!”

“It’s cold!!!!” he replied.

Looking back, he looked like he was dressed for a chilly day in 50 degree weather.  While handsome in a light jacket, no hat or gloves, and with sunglasses on his head, he clearly missed the mark on dressing to play outside.  He pulled the car out of the garage and warmed up inside it while we continued to play until we had to leave.

With smiles on our faces and all ready to go, we left for school.  And, there was no last minute rushing to find their outdoor clothing.  If they go outside for recess (fingers crossed!), they’ll be ready.

Here’s to making the most of the moment, no matter the weather.

About Rebecca P. Cohen
Rebecca P. Cohen is an internationally recognized healthy living expert and the go-to spokesperson for gardening and outdoor activities any time of the year.  Rebecca is author of the new book, 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids (Sourcebooks), which was named a ‘Best New Parenting Book’ by Scholastic Parent and Child (April 2011) and host of the television series, Get Out of the House, which shows fun ideas for time outside in every season.  In addition, she appears on live morning news shows around the country on the how-to’s of gardening and outdoor lifestyle. Rebecca’s work has been featured in Better Home and Gardens, Parenting, Redbook, Working Mother, Family Circle, Backyard Solutions, and Washingtonian magazines, as well as on Rachael Ray’s website, Yum-o!, SheKnows.com, and WorkingMother.com and in countless social media outlets. Rebecca is also a proud ambassador of the Seeds of Change Sowing Millions Project and has been featured as a spokesmom for the National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There movement on PBS Wild Animal Baby.  She has inspired thousands with her public appearances and community and school events, and motivates still more to follow their dreams and passions as the host of Wish It, Dream It, Do It! radio. For more information visit RebeccaPlants.com.

Today, I noticed how when my family is in the school year routine, we crave something new.  When we’re not in our routine - or at the end of a holiday break - it seems we don’t know what to do with ourselves anymore.  And then there are the times where you have a vacation planned, but the plan doesn’t turn out to be at all what you expected, so you have to improvise.

Whether in our routine or not, the outdoors is like our magical Mary Poppins, a ‘family sitter’ of sorts, always there to infuse something new in the moment, keep us active, and bring us together.

Over our family break together, what was normally a ski vacation took an odd but welcome turn to hikes and outdoor tennis during a week of 40-degree days and no snow on the mountain.  Even when the majority of us didn’t want to leave the house, we took turns nagging the others when we were bored, begging everyone to head outside.  Within minutes we were smiling and our heart rates were up.  Even the dog took joy in running around the tennis court while we hit balls to one another.  At seven and nine, the boys are the perfect age for the hand-eye coordination required.

This morning, the kids headed back to school, and of course, they didn’t want to go back.  But with warm muffins made and a few minutes to spare, even in 30-degree temperatures they headed outside to play ball for a few minutes before it was time to leave.

After I dropped the kids off at school, I took myself and the dog for an hour-long adventure, walking briskly on a trail and then heading off trail a bit (Winter is a great time for this as you’ll read in 15 Minutes Outside).  At first, I thought about new and exciting plans for February, March, and June.  But then, my energy and thoughts shifted directly to the moment - the ‘new’ that was right before my eyes in the details of nature: the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet, the warm sun on my face, the silhouettes of the bare trees.

I reminded myself that by stepping outside, nature can bring something new to any moment.  Catch the sunrise or sunset; watch the stars together.  Count the nests high in trees in your neighborhood; listen for the song of birds.  Now that we’re back in our routine and at the start of a New Year, it is possible to use the time between our busy schedules to make the most of every day through time outside.

Happy New Year!

About Rebecca P. Cohen
Rebecca P. Cohen is an internationally recognized healthy living expert and the go-to spokesperson for gardening and outdoor activities any time of the year.  Rebecca is author of the new book, 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids (Sourcebooks), which was named a ‘Best New Parenting Book’ by Scholastic Parent and Child (April 2011) and host of the television series, Get Out of the House, which shows fun ideas for time outside in every season.  In addition, she appears on live morning news shows around the country on the how-to’s of gardening and outdoor lifestyle. Rebecca’s work has been featured in Better Home and Gardens, Parenting, Redbook, Working Mother, Family Circle, Backyard Solutions, and Washingtonian magazines, as well as on Rachael Ray’s website, Yum-o!, SheKnows.com, and WorkingMother.com and in countless social media outlets. Rebecca is also a proud ambassador of the Seeds of Change Sowing Millions Project and has been featured as a spokesmom for the National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There movement on PBS Wild Animal Baby.  She has inspired thousands with her public appearances and community and school events, and motivates still more to follow their dreams and passions as the host of Wish It, Dream It, Do It! radio. For more information visit RebeccaPlants.com.

Where I live in Virginia, the gray days of early winter were starting to bum me out! Getting up each day reminded me of the movie Groundhog Day - I needed to figure out how to change my mind set.

On a call with my Big Fish business and life coach, she asked me how I could stay in a mindset of gratitude for the blessings in my life and those showing up daily, small to big.  I mentioned starting and ending my day with a pause to acknowledge them - “I’m thinking you need to remind yourself more frequently,” she replied.

“A daily one hour walk,” I said.  “This morning, I took the dog on my favorite path; it had been a long time and I want that every day. Outside, my mind automatically opens up to possibilities and I can be thankful for the beauty around me.”

Lunchtime or family time, a walk among the trees - even if few and far between - automatically lifts our spirits and brings joy in the moment.

Three days into my walk every day, I can’t help but notice how much lighter I feel and aware that every interaction with others has an open feeling to it, from my increased level of calm with my kids to business conversations effortlessly creating opportunities in the moment.

And, yes, by the way.  It is colder this time of year where I am.  But, bundled up, I’m warm within minutes. By the time I get home, I’m peeling off a layer or two and I’ve also had some great exercise.

The eBook and hard copy sales of my book, 15 Minutes Outside, are up this time of year.  Each season brings a new beginning to ways to bring more joy into our every day life.  15 Minutes Outside actually starts in January - the result of my one and only ever New Year’s resolution - wondering ‘what if’ I got outside every day with my family.

I’m glad we’re starting 2012 in step, together with 15 Minutes Outside. And, you can continue your work to make 2012 your turning point.  Join me in January for Wish It, Dream It, Do It! radio so I can support you in your pursuit of your passions and dreams in life.

About Rebecca P. Cohen
Rebecca P. Cohen is an internationally recognized healthy living expert and the go-to spokesperson for gardening and outdoor activities any time of the year.  Rebecca is author of the new book, 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids (Sourcebooks), which was named a ‘Best New Parenting Book’ by Scholastic Parent and Child (April 2011) and host of the television series, Get Out of the House, which shows fun ideas for time outside in every season.  In addition, she appears on live morning news shows around the country on the how-to’s of gardening and outdoor lifestyle. Rebecca’s work has been featured in Better Home and Gardens, Parenting, Redbook, Working Mother, Family Circle, Backyard Solutions, and Washingtonian magazines, as well as on Rachael Ray’s website, Yum-o!, SheKnows.com, and WorkingMother.com and in countless social media outlets. Rebecca is also a proud ambassador of the Seeds of Change Sowing Millions Project and has been featured as a spokesmom for the National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There movement on PBS Wild Animal Baby.  She has inspired thousands with her public appearances and community and school events, and motivates still more to follow their dreams and passions as the host of Wish It, Dream It, Do It! radio. For more information visit RebeccaPlants.com.

For six months, I had a week blocked off on my calendar for a trip to South Africa.  I knew it was going to be amazing. Thanks to the Mars Ambassador Program, I would get to spend a week doing what I loved: teaching others to grow food from seed, teaching them to teach others (in particular kids!), and then go out into the community and put it all into action.  Heaven!

The week was even more extraordinary than I imagined. How is that possible?! How can you amplify something that starts as amazing on Day 1 and continues for five days?

Video used with permission from Mars Incorporated

Since the day that I registered my LLC in 2007, my life has been a series of extraordinary coincidences.  As a practitioner now of the extraordinary, the constant in me is the learning and practice to work toward a defining thread in what allows amazing things to happen:  the more I clear the clutter and worry of my brain to focus on what is truly, truly important to me, the more the extraordinary comes into my life. But the extraordinary is not something you *control*, it’s quite the opposite.  You have to uncover what YOU want, be prepared for it, and then get out of your way to let it happen.

I dissected the experience to understand even more what made it extraordinary:

+ The people around me were extraordinary. Every person I met in South Africa and every person on the team from around the world made a positive impact on me.  They wanted to be there; they were ready for a new experience and to make a difference in during the week and at home.

+ We started with authentic connection. We learned in our introductions what what was important to everyone else.  Instead of asking, “Describe what you do,” I asked, “Tell us about your passions and interests in life.”  In that instant, we became a group of lifelong friends, ready to support one another with what was most important to each of us.

+ We got out into the community. Travel and beautiful sites are fabulous.  But interacting with and connecting with people about what is important in their work and their community is everlasting and creates a spark that resonated with every person.  How each person chooses to act on that spark will be different.  But, each person’s ‘ah ha’ moment will likely impact their company and community for the better for years to come.

+ Teamwork and co-creation were king. In a team of committed individuals, there isn’t anything that can’t be solved.  Even better, Mars employees are phenomenal.  At an intuitive level, they were consistently going above and beyond.  As a leader of the group, my job was to display the flexibility to allow the group to lift themselves up to their fullest potential.

+ The potential of a seed is extraordinary.

Before last week, I knew that there was extraordinary potential in every seed.  And now that knowing is somehow amplified. In dozens of planting events over the last year and a half, I practiced my passion for teaching schools to grow food from seed, sometimes 1,000 children at a time, from 2 to 13 year olds.  Their excitement was always extraordinary and infectious: the teachers became excited, and then their parents, and so on.  Something as simple as planting a seed is a life skill.  When spread to the world, planting a seed is a concept that can change the world. When every child knows how to grow food, we provide access to food AND nutrients that help young minds and bodies not only grow, but also thrive.

The extraordinary is the reward for preparation: the meaningful and sometimes extremely difficult work of self reflection, forward action, and continuous improvement. As a dear friend and successful business woman said to me on this week:  “You can’t always travel on sunny days.”  There is so much to my learning that has resulted in extraordinary over the last five years that I think I’m ready to write my next book.

So what’s next for me?  If I could do what I did last week for every week for the rest of my life, my life would be overflowing with joy and impact. You can bet I am working to make that happen.

So what’s next for you? Get a packet of seeds (you can even grow things like lettuce and cilantro on your sunny windowsill).  Get in the game of writing down what you want and watching it show up.  Or simply stay connected and I’ll send you monthly inspiration with my newsletter, Learn Outside.  See more inspirational stories of people making a difference for the health and well being of all on Everyday Health TV.

About Rebecca P. Cohen

Rebecca P. Cohen is an internationally recognized healthy living expert and the go-to spokesperson for gardening and outdoor activities any time of the year.  Rebecca is author of the new book, 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids (Sourcebooks), which was named a ‘Best New Parenting Book’ by Scholastic Parent and Child (April 2011) and host of the television series, Get Out of the House, which shows fun ideas for time outside in every season.  In addition, she appears on live morning news shows around the country on the how-to’s of gardening and outdoor lifestyle. Rebecca’s work has been featured in Better Home and Gardens, Parenting, Redbook, Working Mother, Family Circle, Backyard Solutions, and Washingtonian magazines, as well as on Rachael Ray’s website, Yum-o!, SheKnows,com , and WorkingMother.com and in countless social media outlets.

Rebecca is also a proud ambassador of the Seeds of Change Sowing Millions Project and has been featured as a spokesmom for the National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There movement on PBS Wild Animal Baby.  She has inspired thousands with her public appearances and community and school events, and motivates still more to follow their dreams and passions as the host of Wish It, Dream It, Do It! radio. For more information visit RebeccaPlants.com.

Healthy living expert to host series of educational events and demonstrations for local community and Associates from North America, Europe, and South America

WASHINGTON, DC AND NEW YORK, NY (September 13, 2011) — Gardening and outdoor lifestyle expert Rebecca P. Cohen, today announced that she will host the 2011 Mars Ambassador Program (MAP) this September in South Africa.

As part of the program, Cohen will be travelling to South Africa to host a series of events and training sessions on gardening, nutrition, and wellness. An advocate of incorporating healthy living and outdoor activities into an everyday lifestyle, Cohen has made it her mission to inspire others to leave the couch, and live active, healthy lives. In addition to running the Rebecca Plants brand of gardening and outdoor living products, she has inspired healthier families as a spokesmom for the National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There ^TM program and in how-to demonstrations across the United States.

The Mars Ambassador Program was created in 2008 with a mission to provide meaningful engagement opportunities for Associates in line with the company’s core business objectives, corporate responsibility priorities and commitment to putting its principles of Quality, Responsibility Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom into action to make a difference in communities throughout the world.

As part of the 2011 Mars Ambassador Program visit to South Africa, Cohen will train Mars Associates from UK, Belgium, Brazil, US and South Africa on backyard gardening and creation of health and nutrition materials, allowing them to return to their home countries and create similar programs.

“I am honored to have been approached by Mars to lead their Mars Ambassador Program in South Africa,” said Rebecca P. Cohen. “I’ve made it my personal mission to increase awareness about living a healthy, active lifestyle. I look forward to working hands on with this community to equip them with tools to lead a better life that Mars Associates and I will continue in communities around the globe.”

For more information on Rebecca P. Cohen and to follow her as she embarks on the Mars Ambassador Program, please visit: http://www.rebeccaplants.com/

About Rebecca P. Cohen

Rebecca P. Cohen is a nationally recognized gardening and outdoor lifestyle expert and the go-to spokesperson for outdoor activities any time of the year.  Rebecca is author of the new book, 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids (Sourcebooks), which was named a ‘Best New Parenting Book’ by Scholastic Parent and Child (April 2011) and host of the television series, Get Out of the House, which shows fun ideas for time outside in every season.  In addition, she appears on live morning news shows around the country on the how-to’s of gardening and outdoor lifestyle. Rebecca’s work has been featured in Better Home and Gardens, Parenting, Redbook, Working Mother, Family Circle, Backyard Solutions, and Washingtonian magazines, as well as on Rachael Ray’s website, Yum-o!, SheKnows,com , and WorkingMother.com and in countless social media outlets.

Rebecca is also a proud ambassador of the Seeds of Change Sowing Millions Project and has been featured as a spokesmom for the National Wildlife Federation’s Be Out There movement on PBS Wild Animal Baby.  She has inspired thousands with her public appearances and community and school events, and motivates still more to follow their dreams and passions as the host of Wish It, Dream It, Do It! radio. For more information visit RebeccaPlants.com.

About Mars, Incorporated:

In 1911, Frank C. Mars made the first Mars candies in his Tacoma, Washington kitchen and established Mars’ first roots as a confectionery company.  In the 1920s, Forrest E. Mars, Sr. joined his father in business and together they launched the MILKY WAY® bar.  In 1932, Forrest, Sr. moved to the United Kingdom with a dream of  building a business based on the philosophy of a “mutuality of benefits” for all stakeholders – this vision serves as the foundation of the Mars, Incorporated we are today. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience.  More than 65,000 Associates worldwide are putting our Mars Principles in action every day to make a difference for people and the planet through our performance.

Mars brands include: Petcare – PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, KITEKAT®, BANFIELD® PET HOSPITAL CESAR® and SHEBA®; Chocolate – M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, DOVE®, GALAXY®, MARS®, MILKY WAY® and TWIX®; Wrigley – EXTRA®, ORBIT®, DOUBLEMINT®, STARBURST® and SKITTLES®; Food – UNCLE BEN’S®, DOLMIO®, MASTERFOODS® and SEEDS OF CHANGE®; Drinks – ALTERRA COFFEE ROASTERS™, THE BRIGHT TEA CO.™, KLIX® and FLAVIA®; Symbioscience –COCOAVIA™, WISDOM PANEL® and SERAMIS®.

For more information, please visit www.mars.com.

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Media Contact:

Matt Rizzetta

North 6th Agency

212-334-9754

mrizzetta@n6a.com

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and with the recent study on the health benefits of 15 minutes of activity every day, parents and schools are seeking the book, 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids by Rebecca P. Cohen for ideas to leverage the free outdoors in little ways every day to get and keep kids active and healthy.  Oprah’s favorite guest of all time, Dr. Tererai Trent, writes the heart-felt forward of the importance of getting active with our kids outside.

Here are three things you can do right now to engage your kids in healthy choices:

1) Plant sugar snap peas. They are easy to grow, love cooler fall temperatures, teach children the plant life cycle first hand, and offer a sweet result to taste.  The pea plant vines its way up a stick you plant in the ground (or in a container with drainage) - you can even make a tee pee trellis or grow them on your windowsill in newspaper instead of soil.  Keep moist and in the sun.  In seven days you’ll have a sprout, in two weeks an even taller plant, a flower in eight weeks, and the pod will grow straight from the flower!

2) Play 15 Minutes Outside Before School. It sounds crazy, but Rebecca’s kids will get ready faster in the morning - dressed, breakfast, and lunches made - with the promise of play time outside before they leave.  Your kids will get ready so quickly that you’ll have time to play with them!

3) Pack a picnic dinner for the playground. Grab some sandwiches, water bottles, and a blanket from home, then do homework and reading outside and let the kids run around to get their wiggles out before bed while watching the sun set.  The kids will be exhausted at bedtime and you’ll be happy.

Here’s what health professionals have to say about 15 Minutes Outside:

“Every parent wants to keep their kids healthy, but it often feels like a struggle. Rebecca’s imaginative and fun ideas help even city dwellers like me take the 15-minutes a day challenge.” Frances Largeman-Roth, RD, senior editor at Health magazine and author of Feed the Belly: The Pregnant Mom’s Healthy Eating Guide

“Research now supports what our grandmothers already knew to be true: time spent outdoors is good for our health. In this book, Rebecca Cohen offers 365 prescriptions for healthier kids and healthier families.” Daphne Miller, MD, author of The Jungle Effect: Healthiest Diets from Around the World–Why They Work and How to Make Them Work for You

“This is a lifetime habit your children will thank you for starting - today!” Martha Sears, RN and co-author of The Baby Book

For significant school and group discounts on orders of 10 or more, contact Rebecca.

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Rebecca P. Cohen is a gardening and outdoor lifestyle expert and author of the new book, 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids (Sourcebooks).  The daughter of educators, Rebecca left the corporate world after 15 years to teach families gardening and equip them with fun outdoor ideas that keep them healthy and connected year-round. Rebecca’s website and products have been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Parenting, Redbook, Working Mother and Family Circle magazines. Rebecca is a proud ambassador of the Sowing Millions Project as part of her community and school events. Subscribe to Rebecca Plants and receive Learn Outside, Rebecca’s free monthly newsletter for parents and educators.  Contact Rebecca to broadcast Get Out of the House.  Got a dream? Rebecca is also the host of Wish it, Dream it, Do it! radio.  For more information, visit RebeccaPlants.com.

Pick a fresh peach

It’s August 5th - happy 11th anniversary to my wonderful husband! - I hear the kids giggling and thumping around in the ‘up up stairs’ with a soft soccer ball because outside they kept stepping in wild animal poop (ah nature).  Because my children gave me a nice gift of playing nicely together (which of course started outside), I’m on my little porch in a rocking chair, sipping coffee and watching finches gather at the bird feeder.  I just finished a 15 minute meditation outside about Abundance thanks to the Chopra Center, and I want to share with you simple ideas available to you right now that can make August amazing:

1) ‘Freestyle yoga’ with your kids. During my practice this morning in my living room, my curious seven year old stopped in and I invited him to join me for “my last five poses.”  He proceeded to follow me, then gently adjusted my positions to lightly straighten my arms and balance my legs (I didn’t know he knew how to do this; he just did!).  Then, he not only informed me that I finished with seven poses (”I was counting Mom”), he also started leading me in poses he was making up with such grace and interest; we had a very fun and unexpected half hour of quality time together.

2) An inflatable pool ring and ball. At the pool the other day, we spent four hours making up one game after the next, just with a ring and a ball.  Each set of 10 games, we advanced to another level of increasing difficulty, and my son was more entertained making up ways to get the ball through the hole than I had ever seen him with a video game.  We were engaged, giggling, and happy together.

3) A place to sit outside in the shade. August is the time for sales on outdoor furniture.  Of course, you can find a special spot on a park bench or on a rock by a stream - which costs nothing - or right now is a great time to look for sales on patio furniture in big box stores.  Last summer, I bought the exact outdoor patio set I had been wanting for about 50% off at Lowes.  Two days ago, I picked up some really pretty outdoor pillows for that set from Lowes for, you guessed it, 50% off.  I bought my favorite Adirondack chairs three years ago - on sale, in August.

4) A bird feeder. For under $20, you can pick up a beautiful feeder and a bag of seed to hang from a tree that is within view.  Live in an apartment?  You can get one that suctions to the outside of your window.  When it may feel too hot to run around, sitting in a shady spot to watch the birds or even looking out your window to see what bit of nature comes to your feeder can lift your spirits.  This week, when my son went to NYC with his grandma, his instructions were, “Mom, call me when you see a bird come to the feeder - or if you see a bald eagle.”  How cute is that?!

5) Monarch caterpillars. Looking for monarch caterpillars (yellow, white, and black-striped) on the underside of milkweed plants is such a fun way to pass the time.  I even planted milkweed in my yard in August three years ago when I first moved into my home.  Turned out, we had monarch caterpillar eggs all over the milkweed plants and our whole family got to experience the monarch life cycle first hand, which now happens every year thanks to milkweed attracting monarchs to our garden.

Want more ideas? All of these activities and more - one for every day of the year to be exact - are in my book, 15 Minutes Outside.  And now, my Curiosity Cards - 50 open ended questions for family time outside together - are available on Amazon.com so you can buy the book and Curiosity Cards together.

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Don’t forget about my Summer Giveaway!: Post in the comments below how 15 Minutes Outside has impacted you and you’ll be entered in the weekly contest to win a set of Curiosity Cards through August. Congratulations Jill, the latest winner of Curiosity Cards!  Jill, contact me with your address.

Here’s what Jill had to say:

15 Minutes Outside has improved the way my family looks at our downtime….About ready to pull out my hair with everyone asking me for everything - RIGHT NOW? I herd everyone outside with me while I pull weeds. They can join me or not, it doesn’t matter, but I’ve learned that getting outside changes my insides. I am a more patient person when I’ve had some sun and earth on my skin - even for just 15 minutes. Thanks, Rebecca. It’s been a blessing.

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Rebecca P. Cohen is a gardening and outdoor lifestyle expert and author of the new book, 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids (Sourcebooks).  The daughter of educators, Rebecca left the corporate world after 15 years to teach families gardening and equip them with fun outdoor ideas that keep them healthy and connected year-round. Rebecca’s website and products have been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Parenting, Redbook, Working Mother and Family Circle magazines. Rebecca is a proud ambassador of the Sowing Millions Project as part of her community and school events. Subscribe to Rebecca Plants and receive Learn Outside, Rebecca’s free monthly newsletter for parents and educators.  Got a dream? Rebecca is also the host of Wish it, Dream it, Do it! radio.  For more information, visit RebeccaPlants.com.

More inspiration: the Holstee manifesto

Last week’s guest on Wish it, Dream it, Do it! radio, sponsored by fabulous Big Fish Nation, was Michelle Candland, author of Common Threads: How Women Weave Tribulation into Triumph.  Here are some key takeaways:

1) Give yourself permission to be happy. That is the first step in moving toward the life of your dreams.  You deserve it, and you have gifts the world needs you to share!

2) In writing down what you want your life to be like, let your imagination welcome in all the possibilities; think BIG and play with the exercise! Listen to your heart. It’s okay and completely expected that you will tweak it as you become more clear along the way.

3) Don’t be discouraged if a step doesn’t work out exactly as you wrote it down. Chances are, the way it ends up may be better than expected. There is a lesson in every step.  Most importantly, find ways to enjoy the journey of achieving your vision.

4) Share your vision aloud with a supportive friend. This can be a scary step! But once you do, even more support floods in.

Big Fish Nation has been my gateway to envisioning, writing down, and creating the life that I previously only imagined.  Three years ago, the Big Fish Yearlong Adventure helped me create my 10-year vision for my life, focused on living every day from what I enjoy doing and want to share with the world.   As soon as I read my vision aloud, amazing changes for the better started happening in my life. My vision statement is my compass, and update it about every quarter if needed.

Last month, the Big Fish Starfish Retreat marked an important step up in my entrepreneurial journey.  I had never relaxed at a retreat while working on my business with others - was it possible to achieve results while being relaxed and making new friends?  The answer is undoubtedly, yes!

Starting Wednesday evening with cocktails at cabins on a lake in the Adirondacks, Big Fish CEO Lorin Beller Blake led us from one rejuvenating surprise to another (private chef, hiking, kayaking, and hour-long massages anyone?).  When it was time for business reflection, each participant easily flowed into the task and all eight, successful female entrepreneurs were also ready to offer help to one another.  Each of the women came to the retreat needing something different, and Lorin has a gift for leading a group so that each woman walks away with what she is looking to accomplish.

As a result of Big Fish, I’ve had an amazing support network and business and life coaching available to me at any time.  The Yearlong Adventure started my business and the Starfish Retreat jump-started the next chapter.  Both Big Fish experiences have not only helped me get clear on what I want for my life, but also stay focused on the actions that get me there, living life without regret along the way.

Are you ready to be a Big Fish?  Contact Lorin Beller Blake, and mention you heard about Big Fish through me and Wish it, Dream it, Do it! for discounts on select programs.

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Don’t forget about my Summer Giveaway!: Post in the comments below how 15 Minutes Outside has impacted you and you’ll be entered in the weekly contest to win a set of Curiosity Cards, all summer long! Congratulations to Kristen, J. Marie, and Kerri, the latest winners of Curiosity Cards (ladies, contact me with your address).

Here’s what our first winner had to say:

“This book has taught me so much more than just ’stuff to do outside’; it has me shutting off the tv, connecting with my children, and seeing what they’re really excited about!”- Jennifer, Missouri

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Rebecca P. Cohen is a gardening and outdoor lifestyle expert and author of the new book, 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids (Sourcebooks).  The daughter of educators, Rebecca left the corporate world after 15 years to teach families gardening and equip them with fun outdoor ideas that keep them healthy and connected year-round. Rebecca’s website and products have been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Parenting, Redbook, Working Mother and Family Circle magazines. Rebecca is a proud ambassador of the Sowing Millions Project as part of her community and school events. Subscribe to Rebecca Plants and receive Learn Outside, Rebecca’s free monthly newsletter for parents and educators.  Got a dream? Rebecca is also the host of Wish it, Dream it, Do it! radio.  For more information, visit RebeccaPlants.com.

Pause…be still for a moment.

Take a deep breath. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Before I rush off and do the next thing, make sure the next person or next task is ok.  Let me STOP.

For me. No one else.

Look out the window…watch the gentle breeze…take this meal or cup of coffee or ice water I’m normally with at my desk and sit outside.

That’s better.

The last 30 days have taken me to Napa, Chicago, the Adirondacks, Baltimore, Cancun, Columbus, Indianapolis, Decatur, Springfield, Cincinnati, Orlando, and Williamsburg (tomorrow) for work and for play. My family has been with me in most places, which is a wonderful thing.

What have I learned?

The power of noticing (impressions, details, feelings, sights, sounds). Family time is best when we are all engaged in an activity together (e.g. soccer, kickball, follow the leader or tag anyone?).  Spending a lot of money doesn’t mean we are having an equally meaningful experience. Yoga and meditation can start your day off right no matter where you are. There is perfection in every bad experience; something better is waiting for you just around the corner. Kids are *in tune* with what makes a fun vacation, and it’s all about simple engagement with one another. 15 Minutes Outside is about quality time; when my nine year old asks me to shoot some hoops, something else can wait for fifteen minutes.

Summer is tough to juggle when you want to have fun with your kids and work is calling, but it is possible.  How do I do it? I not only have a 10 year vision for my life, but I even made one for this summer and what I want it to be like (similar to how I describe the Summer chapter in my book).  My vision for what I want is how I can guide and gauge the quality of my every day.

If you want to learn more about how to create a vision for your life or summer, join me Thursday, July 21st from 10:30-11:00a.m. ET, for Wish it, Dream it, Do it! radio, with guest Michelle Candland, author of Common Threads: How Women Weave Tribulation into Triumph.  Michelle inspires and motivates any person to find their passion and their place in the world.

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Summer Giveaway: Post in the comments below how 15 Minutes Outside has impacted you and you’ll be entered in the weekly contest to win a set of Curiosity Cards, all summer long! Congratulations to Kristen, J. Marie, and Kerri, the latest winners of Curiosity Cards (ladies, contact me with your address).

Here’s what our first winner had to say:

“This book has taught me so much more than just ’stuff to do outside’; it has me shutting off the tv, connecting with my children, and seeing what they’re really excited about!”- Jennifer, Missouri

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Rebecca P. Cohen is a gardening and outdoor lifestyle expert and author of the new book, 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids (Sourcebooks).  The daughter of educators, Rebecca left the corporate world after 15 years to teach families gardening and equip them with fun outdoor ideas that keep them healthy and connected year-round. Rebecca’s website and products have been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Parenting, Redbook, Working Mother and Family Circle magazines. Rebecca is a proud ambassador of the Sowing Millions Project as part of her community and school events. Subscribe to Rebecca Plants and receive Learn Outside, Rebecca’s free monthly newsletter for parents and educators.  Got a dream? Rebecca is also the host of Wish it, Dream it, Do it! radio.  For more information, visit RebeccaPlants.com.

I was so inspired last weekend at my book signings at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, IL and Printers Row Literary Festival in Chicago.  Dads everywhere connecting outside with their kids. Saturday was 90 degrees and humid; Sunday was 85 and perfect.  Two different days, different weather.  But, it didn’t matter.  Everyone was having fun:  water play; seed planting; blowing bubbles; finding a shady spot to toss a ball.  Even the books I signed reflected a salute to dad:

- “To Tom, the Outdoor Dad”

- “For Elijah, Theo, and their Dad”

After the book signing in downtown Chicago, I walked on the path along Lake Michigan with my sister, watching the people and sailboats and was inspired again.  I saw a dad on a tandem bike with his older daughter, towing two toddlers riding in a trailer.  The four of them were riding one bike!

Seeing the dads and kids having fun outside no matter the weather reminded me of the stifling Memorial Day weekend soccer tournament for my older son: two days, four games, in 90+ degree heat.  Hand-held spray fans filled with ice water and wet wash cloths kept on ice helped with plenty of water to drink.  Portable tents or umbrellas lowered the temperature for spectators with shade.  And a friend’s dad made a long tournament weekend fun for his younger sons and mine by taking the three boys fishing at a nearby pond in between games.  Genius!

So this summer, let’s give a shout out to dads who are making a difference in their kids lives with family time outside.  And thank you to Dads of Divas for one of my first ‘thumbs up’ on 15 Minutes Outside and bringing its adventures for any day to families across the country:

“If you are looking for a book that will open your eyes and will encourage you and your family to get outside and engaged with one another, this is the book to do it!” - Dads of Divas

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Don’t forget to post in the comments below how 15 Minutes Outside has impacted you and you’ll be entered in the weekly contest to win a set of Curiosity Cards, all summer long!  Here’s what our first winner had to say:

“This book has taught me so much more than just ’stuff to do outside’; it has me shutting off the tv, connecting with my children, and seeing what they’re really excited about!”- Jennifer, Missouri

Congratulations to Heather, who won last week!  Heather, contact me with your address to get your set!

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Rebecca P. Cohen is a gardening and outdoor lifestyle expert and author of the new book, 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids (Sourcebooks).  The daughter of educators, Rebecca left the corporate world after 15 years to teach families gardening and equip them with fun outdoor ideas that keep them healthy and connected year-round. Rebecca’s website and products have been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Parenting, Redbook, Working Mother and Family Circle magazines and on Rachael Ray’s website, Yum-o!, for her events with schools. Subscribe to Rebecca Plants and receive Learn Outside, Rebecca’s free monthly newsletter for parents and educators.  Got a dream? Rebecca is also the host of Wish it, Dream it, Do it! radio.  For more information, visit RebeccaPlants.com.