I not only get the terrible headaches others have mentioned, but I had horrible hair loss, resulting in a bald patch in front of my head. If I consumed very large amounts, the left side of my face and hand goes numb, my speech becomes slurred and my thought processes become all jumbled. I have nothing to prove it's the aspartame, but tons of research on the web led me to look that direction, and oddly enough when I'm off the stuff my symptoms clear up completely. I am still waiting for my hair to grow back, but it has stopped falling out and I do see some new growth. I recommend the Netflix movie Sweet Poison and Sweet Remedy. On those they will mention web links or books to lead you to more information. Have your daughter research the whole process to get aspartame approved by the FDA. Lots of big name there involved in the process. It infuriated me to learn about it all. Regardless of what their "official" statements are and their own self promoting websites say, they knew/know the stuff is a poison. It's all about money. I drank diet coke, then diet energy drinks for years and didn't have symptoms, or didn't realize I did. Some people are so sensitive one exposure will bring on symptoms, others are okay with certain amounts but larger amounts will bring on symptoms, and for others like me, it seems it has to build up in toxic levels in your system before those symptoms appear. My son is the same way, but with MSG. He can eat a small amount of his favorite hot and spicy chips, but large amounts have recently started resulting in swollen tongue and trouble breathing. When we started tracking his food intake in relation to the symptoms we think we've narrowed it down to food items with high MSG content. That seems to be the only common thread in the foods he's reacted to. Our food supply is so tainted these days it's frightening. Between these toxic chemicals and now GMO's, little we eat, if it comes from the center aisles of a grocery store is "natural" anymore. I am no expert on such things and don't claim to be. I only know what my personal experience has been. We now eat as much as possible an all natural, un-processed diet. It isn't always easy, but it sure beats having MS type symptoms and not being able to think clearly. Friends of mine that do suffer from diagnosed MS have told me that their symptoms go through the roof when consuming Aspartame and MSG. Tara B

Thanks for sharing! Tara B

I wouldn't recommend the Muscle and Fitness OR the Mens Health. While the Mens Health has some informative articles, BOTH have borderline soft porn type ads and pictures. I am not a prude by any means, and am in the fitness industry so I am use to posing suits, and lots of skin, but the ads and photos in these two caused me to cancel my subscriptions recently! The Muscle and Fitness in particular is heavy on the advertising. Nearly every other page, and they are for supplements you probably would rather not have pushed on your child. The magazine I DO recommend is ON Fitness The subscription is rather pricey, but it is an excellent magazine in my opinion! The articles are very scientific and informative, there are very, very few ads at all and those are usually for a fitness or nutrition school, class, etc.. The magazine is actually geared towards the fitness professional, but anyone would benefit from the information in there. I use to subscribe to several fitness magazines and this is the ONLY one I renewed this year(oh, I did renew my Yoga Journal). I can't sing its praises enough. I have no affiliation with this publication at all, I am just one very happy customer! Having four sons and a husband in the home, I use to hide my magazines(even though most were meant for men!) because of the pics, I don't have to do that with this one! Tara B

Just looked at your child's age. I'd go with the second DVD or the Decks over the phonics one. It's cute, but for the very young! Tara B

My five year old loves this one: Yoga With Phonics While not a video or DVD, he also LOVES the Yoga Decks. And Yoga Pretzels Deck HERE are come cute Yoga mats too. They are a bit smaller than an adult mat, perfect for most children under 12 or so. THIS is my top pick, because it is meant to do WITH mom or a partner. I thought it was fun back when I did it with my now 12 year old. I lost it and have yet to replace it though I plan on it soon! Tara B

I am trying to plan for next year and I have to admit even though it will be our 15th year homeschooling I am REALLY struggling deciding on curriculum. I have mostly used Sonlight, but this next year I really had my heart set on MFW for the 9th grader. I like that it's all already laid out for me for the next four years. IT looks like a GREAT program. So what's my problem? My 9th grader! He wants to use ACE Paces. We used them once a few years back when my mother was dying and he really liked them. He says that he likes that he can work totally independently. I think that it's that they're rather easy for him and while he is probably the brightest of all my children, he is also the least motivated! He already worked his way through all levels of Word Building YEARS ago! He already tested(According to their placement tests) out of all levels but Math. So, it clearly is too easy a program for him. But, he really, really wants to use them. I may compromise a bit and get MFW and let him do the Paces for Science(not my first choice, but as a compromise.) Anyway, all that to ask, what would YOU do? How much choice do you give your kids in deciding curriculum. It certainly is advantageous to have them LIKE what they're doing and nothing is worse than drudging through a year in a program they hate, BUT...at the same time I know how bright this boy is and I want to see him pushed a bit out of his comfort zone. In the end, it's my decision, I am mom, but just curious how you'd all handle such a situation. With my oldest son who graduated two years ago, we jumped around so much and each year picked a new program(we stuck with Sonlight for our History, but switched Math, English, Science yearly) and I just really am attracted to MFW that the whole four years are laid out nicely and line up with what I already had in mind content wise... For those that may use MFW...how independently can it be used? I do prefer myself that he can be more independent as I have a special needs preschooler I need more time with. Right now I feel like he is neglected 5 or so hours a day while I tend to the other two with school time. So in that sense ACE isn't a bad idea. But again, I am just not sure it is challenging enough for the 9th grader. Thanks for any thoughts or words of wisdom you may have! Tara B

From what I understand, with a certain amount of college credits, homeschool, highschool, GED doesn't matter.... LOL on your son and HSLDA, my son was the SAME way. In our case, my son wouldn't be in without their help. In the end, after several other more cautious steps were taken, it took a letter written by me, to the Department of Defense being hand delivered by HSLDA to get our case resolved, but we had a call of apology and him ready to process within 24 hours of that happening! BUT...when he was processing through MEPS some of the men processing him asked if he was ----whatever term they used to classify him, and commented "Man, your parents are persistent aren't' they" My son said he blushed and started to apologize and they guy told him no, he's lucky we were willing to go through so much and he wouldn't have gotten in otherwise.. Let your son know though, HSLDA will only advise, they wont step in until and unless it is necessary, which in your case it sounds like it wont be needed, you will just need advice on how to word your transcript. It REALLY frustrates me when these kids with "real" diploma's are struggling so to pass the ASVAB and we have homeschoolers scoring in the 80's that we are still having these struggles...ugh!! What do they want, and accreditation that obviously means nothing or a well educated recruit??? Tara B

Have you heard back from HSLDA yet? I don't know how to advise you at all in regards to the credits and transcript issue, but just wanted to reassure you that it should all work out fine in the end. HSLDA will advise you best how to proceed. We hit a brick wall trying to get our son in. The recruiter and everyone else in that office had no idea how to enlist a homeschooler. They wanted to give him tier 2 status(Which is what they give GED holders) and in the current economy they aren't enlisting any but tier 1's. The odd thing is, while my son was a homeschool graduate, and not "accredited" he ACED the ASVAB with flying colors, no studying at all. Meanwhile we watched several high school graduates from "real" and "accredited" schools struggle and several not even get the minimum to get in. It was a VERY frustrating ordeal. It took SEVERAL contacts with HSLDA and several months to get him finally in and processed. In the end, he got in, and has been serving for over a year happily. Mostly, these sorts of things are just lack of knowledge of homeschooling on the recruiters behalf and even their educational "specialists." HSLDA can help set them straight. As someone else pointed out too, there were a great many who didn't graduate highschool and tried claiming "homeschooling" as a way to enlist, so once the recruiter and educational specialist is set straight, they still want lot's more info to verify that he was indeed truly homeschooled. Hang in there, it will all work out! Thank you to your son for his willingness to serve! Tara B

I typically workout only once a day, but most days have two dvd's back to back. Even with P90X or Insanity somedays are your main workout followed by an abs workout, which is similar to what I am doing. A typical week is close to this: M-P90X Chest and Back & CE Extreme Abs T-Insanity Max Cardio & 40 minutes of Yoga W-P90X Arms and Shoulders&Insane Abs Th- Insanity Max Plyo& 40 minutes Yoga F- P90X Legs and Back& CE Extreme Abs S- Insanity upper Body workout& 40 minutes Yoga S-either off or Yoga

Yes, there are three volumes of the One on One's. I like certain ones in each, then there are some in each that I am not overly impressed with. In volume three, my favorites so far are: AB RipperX 2, and the yoga(the best of ALL of his yoga routines IMHO). Volume 2 I like: Patience Humming Bird(did this one this morning!) Cardio Intervals Butt and Belly Volume 1: Fountain of Youth Yoga One on One Leg(this is a VERY favorite of mine. Upper body workout all done on one leg, alternating legs! AWESOME!) Bun Shaper Medicine Ball Core Cardio Watch that ankle! I know what you mean, it is taking me working twice as hard at more intensity to get any results compared to my younger days, as far as the fat burning goes, but it seems my muscle size for some reason is coming along quicker than in my younger years...odd..but I LIKE it! I've always wanted biceps and nice shoulders, and I am getting them! Tara B

I have found the fat burning of Insanity, gave me the best abs I've ever had! I suspect though that I built my abs up a bit with P90X and the One on One ab routines I did, but it wasn't until I did a complete round of Insanity that they actually showed. The secret to great abs is diet and fat burning. You can build a six pack, but it will never show until you burn the fat covering them, and I believe Insanity is the best way to do that! So, you are on the right path, just stick with it. It's a tough program, but if you follow it, the results will come, and they are SO worth it!! Tara B

Asylum is the follow up to Insanity. I too am overly excited about MC2, have you been getting the MC2 One on One discs? I love the Yoga and stretch one, and shoulders and arms, and the ab one is GREAT. Good stuff! I am not a huge cardio fan, and didn't think Insanity would be my cup of tea, but what sold me is the results. P90X gave me the muscle I want, but Insanity has given me the definition I want and for the first time in my life ABS!! I suspect P90X and the One on One ab routines gave me the six pack, but Insanity burned the fat layer to make them show. Still not perfect, but it's the closest I've gotten. I am hoping the hybrid will give me the best of both worlds. Tara B

Three rounds of P90X here, as well as one of Insanity and a short stint with Chalene Extreme. Currently doing a P90X/Insanity Hybrid. I do the P90X weight training days, and the alternating three I do the Max Insanity workouts. LOVING IT!! I also do 30-40 minutes of yoga most days following my workouts. Anxiously awaiting for the release of Asylum. Can't wait! Tara B

That's my husbands FIRST choice for a workout! He does it because we only have wood for heat, but he swears he loves it and it's the best workout there is. Me...I'll just stick with my Insanity and P90X. Glad you like it. I am intimidated by it to be honest, so you have my respect! Tara B

There are three volumes of them, each with 12 or so workouts/discs. The first two volumes are basically you working out one on one with Tony, following along on one of his home workouts. The third volume is kind of like a trial run of P90X MC2(the sequel to P90X, available, I think next year) Same set up with just Tony, one camera man and YOU! The first two volumes are done, so you can order the whole set all at once(very pricey!) or pick and choose the ones that appeal to you the most and order just those. They run about 19.99 each at Beachbody. The third volume you can order one at a time, or sign up for the monthly mailing. They send you the new one each month as it's released. You also will get 50% off the new P90X when it is released if you bought all the shipments in the plan. I think volume two over all has been my favorite. I really like the Yoga and Ab Ripper X in the third volume, the arm routine was okay, and I haven't been thrilled with the other two. A little too much for me. Push ups balancing on three balls and such! They are a nice change of pace though once you've gone through P90X a couple of times and are wanting variety. They usually(though not always) are shorter, 30-40 minutes each so they are good to have on hand for those days you are short on time. Usually people want to buy P90X PLUS after P90X which is what I did, but I wish I would have looked into the one on one's first, I think they are much better! So, are you on your recovery week this week or is that next week? I lent my P90X to my brother and I can't remember if the recovery weeks are every 3 or 4 weeks. Congratulations for sticking it out this far! Many give up by now, you are on the road to success! Tara B