2013 was a fantastic year full of learning and sisterhood, so we want to do it all again!  This time, further west. In 2014 we’re moving to CHICAGO! Our heart is to support local speakers. If you’re in, near, or within driving distance of Chicago, we want to hear from you!

SUBMIT A SPEAKER PROPOSAL

You don’t have to be a seasoned speaker to present at 2:1. What we do want is knowledge, passion, integrity, encouragement and – most importantly -a heart for God and the will to let His wisdom lead.

We are looking specifically for breakout speakers. 2014 breakout tracks include Blogging 101, Blogging 201 and Family topics. Please, only submit if your topic aligns with one of these tracks.

Speaker proposals close May 31st so don’t delay.

cheryl

Thank you to all who made this weekend possible!  Our wonderful sponsors, dedicated attendees, and helping hands – we appreciate you all!

Link-up your recap posts below.  We want to read all about your 2:1 weekend!

cheryl

Founder’s Academy in an interactive, online resource for children ages 5 and up.  Offering classes on government and economics, students will enjoy live instruction from the comfort of their own home.  Founder and instructor Lynn Schott strives to share her passion for the United States as she educates students on constitutional liberties and free market economics.

An advocate for homeschooling and school choice, Lynn sees that online education will be the new frontier for truly ‘democratic’ learning–learning in a way that puts the individual and the family in control. She wants to be at the forefront of offering solid instruction in U.S. Government and Free Market Economics and related subjects in the online classroom.

Enrollment is easy!  Whether you’re looking for an enrichment class for you elementary student, an elective or full course for your older child, Founder’s Academy offers a variety of courses to suit your needs.  Be sure to check out the course information online.

Follow Founder’s Academy on Twitter , like them on Facebook and connect with Lynn personally at 2:1!

cheryl

I have the hardest time thinking up new dishes.  I don’t have the patience to look through recipe books to find a week’s worth of ideas.  The icing on this sad cake?  I’m down right awful at making grocery lists.  We’re at the grocery store 2-3 times per week, no joke.

When I heard about eMeals I was skeptical.  It would take a lot more than an email to help me.

When I signed up I was pleasantly surprised.  I was promised a week of recipes plus the grocery list.  All geared toward the grocery store of my choice, family size (3-6 servings), and food plan of choice: (healthy, classic, organic, clean, gourmet, paleo, low fat, low carb or gluten free)!  eMeals has to be the recipe fairy.

eMeals Review

Each week I receive an email from eMeals with a list of seven meals. SEVEN!  Main courses and side dishes. Side dishes that actually compliment the main meal!   No “dashes” nor “pinches”, but real reliable measurements.

The next page to this wonderful email is the list of ingredients broken down like a grocery list but far more organized than any list I had ever created.

The grocery list is so simple, my son can read it clearly and help while I shop!  There are no questions about my handwriting or abbreviations.  The total amount of the grocery list is already printed at the bottom, so you can easily see how this falls into your grocery budget!

As a busy homeschool mom I appreciate: no meal planning frustration. No typing up side dishes. No figuring out portions for grocery lists.  No hassle. No guess work!

You can even change your family’s meal plan once per month.  Because let’s be honest and admit picking “vegetarian” sounded smart, but when I had no idea what aisle majority of the ingredients lived at … it wasn’t my best choice.

Another benefit of eMeals? I am not crazy for recipes without pictures. Remember, I’m cooking for dummies?  Thankfully you can search your recipe on the eMeals blog.  I just have to remember to do it!

The only thing I’m not fond of … I can’t figure out how to work around when you omit one of the seven recipes. (because hubs hates meatloaf and shepherds pie – don’t judge).  You will have to find the ingredients on the grocery list and make sure you do not purchase them.  It is easy; I have just forgotten a time or five.  However, with all the benefits of eMeals - this is not a deal breaker.

Our favorite meal from emeals (so far)? Crock pot pork chops. Most tender chops I have ever had!

But how much does it cost? eMeals offers 3 different payment options: 3 months: $21 ($7 per month), 6 months: $35 ($6 per month), or 12 months: $58 ($5 per month)

Bloggers: They have a “bloggers network”, so sign up!  Follow eMeals on twitter and/or facebook!

We are thrilled eMeals is partnering with the 2:1 Conference! (attendees, look for something from eMeals in your swag bags).

*The opinions expressed are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. This is not a paid review. This is not a review in exchange for membership.  Referral links included.

Stef Layton

I love blog conferences, so much so that I host my own every year!

As a conference host I want to make sure attendees get their money’s worth when attending my event. Conferences are expensive and if your blog isn’t making significant income it can be a real step of faith to spend the money to attend one.
But you can make it worth it! No matter how great the speakers, break outs, food, hotel bed, or sponsors are it is up to you to make the conference a blog growing experience. Here are eight tips for getting the most out of your trip to the 2:1 Conference.

1. Bring your computer.

… or tablet, ipad, or smart phone. Even if you are a pen and paper take notes sort of girl (like me) you’ll want to tweet and facebook bits of wisdom from speakers, pictures of swag from sponsors, pictures of you with all your new and old blogging friends, and even write up blog posts so you don’t forget all the awesomeness you learned over the weekend.

Even if you don’t want your computer out during the sessions, you’ll probably want to brainstorm ideas with other bloggers and get advice on how to improve your site to help reach your blogging goals. It is much easier to do this when you can open your computer and get to work. I always learn about new plugins and blogging tips that I want to implement right away. Having my computer with me makes it easy to set up new accounts, download tools, and make improvements to my site immediately.

2. Bring all charging accessories and a power cord.

Even the best conferences tend to run out of outlets when a hundred people all need to recharge their devices. Want to be the most popular person at your table? Bring a power strip and remember to write your blog name on the side of it. It’s free advertising!

3. Tweet during the sessions.This is the one time it isn’t rude to be on your phone when someone is speaking.  Speakers at conferences love for attendees to tweet out soundbites during their presentations. Speakers want to grow their platform just like you do. The more social media love you show them during the event the better. It increases their following and opportunities to speak at other events and grow their businesses.

4. Being on social media during the event helps grow your following too.

For every person who attends a conference there are at least ten bloggers who could not attend and are anxiously stalking the twitter stream attending the conference virtually. Tweeting in the conference twitter stream is a great way to gain new followers and grow your own influence.

5. Take lots of pictures and put them on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook right away with the hashtag #2to1conf.

Just like Twitter there will be many bloggers at home searching Instragram for pictures of their favorite bloggers or speakers. Gain new followers by posting pictures of you and your new friends with the hashtag.

6. Support the sponsors.

Did you know that the cost of your ticket doesn’t even cover your meals? Conference sponsors makes these events possible! Blog, Tweet, Facebook, Instagram about the sponsors. They are great companies who want to support bloggers.

Remember when people thought it was silly that you spent time on a “blog?” (Or maybe they still do) The 2:1 sponsors don’t! They get bloggers and want to be a part of the community. They understand the power of social media and want to partner with bloggers. This is your opportunity to start a conversation with these companies and learn how you can work together and grow together.

7. Bring business cards, but more importantly bring your smile.

Handing out business cards is great, but make sure you connect with the people who get your card. Just handing out cards without a conversation is a waste of paper! Even if you are an introvert, this is the time to meet new friends, connect with people in real life, and grow- both your blog and your network of friends. I’d rather hand out five cards and make ten good connections than hand out one hundred cards and only connect with one person.

8. There are no celebrities.

When I started the Savvy Blogging Summit we asked financial blogger, and someone I’d admired for years from afar, J.D. Roth to give the keynote at our event. I didn’t even think he would return our email, let alone say yes. But he did.

You know what I found out after we became friends? J.D. was terrified to speak in front of people, let alone a group of women bloggers! Had I been afraid to sit next to him at dinner, because he was this huge blogger with millions of readers, we probably wouldn’t be good friends today. He’s given me tons of great business advice and I’ve been able to help him with his business too. J.D. was my “celebrity”, but in reality he’s a writer, telling his story, wanting to help others, just like me.

While some women might have bigger platforms than others, we are all in the same boat. We’re homeschoolers who are trying to manage family, homeschooling, media, and life. While everyone has a different story we all have something to share with one another. We are in this together. We can learn from each other. Never think someone is too big to be your friend.

9. Have fun.

I said eight tips, but really this is the most important tip of all. Have a good time! This is your chance to hang around with a group of people who don’t look at you like you have three heads when you say, “I’m a blogger.”

These are your people, your tribe, your supporters, your friends, your prayer warriors. Make new friends, reconnect with old ones, tweet a lot, take pictures with everyone. Be you. Tell your story, laugh, cry, hug, and be thankful. The weekend will be over before you know it and you’ll go home with a heart full of memories, a head full of ideas, and your soul refreshed.

See you soon!

Toni Anderson is a military wife and homeschooling mom of seven. She’s the publisher of thehappyhousewife.com a web magazine that shares budgeting tips, recipes, DIY projects, and homeschool helps. She’s also the co-founder of savvyblogging.net and the Savvy Blogging Summit.

Stef Layton

The first and most important preparation for this conference is all about preparing your heart!

There is a ton of excitement around the conference. Famous speakers and writers, popular bloggers, new brands to network with, 100+ social media friends to meet, tweets and photos to share, and notebooks full of wisdom to implement.  It’s easy to get overwhelmed.  We don’t want that for you at 2:1!

Preparing Your Heart

1. First things first Christ tells, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33.
   Get right with God before you arrive.  He has a reason why you’re attending.  He has made the way.  He wants your heart more than he wants you to learn how to get a million subscribers. (disclaimer, that is not a break out session).
   Our heart behind 2:1 is that you seek Him more than blogging tutorials.  All of our keynotes are for homeschool encouragement, because a list of SEO tips will not help you homeschool for the long haul.  Ask God to show up, to give you a word, and to show you His glory. Your relationship with the Creator of the world matters far more than passing out business cards.
2. Know who you are! It is so important friends to guard your heart.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10.

   The enemy would love nothing more than to steal what God has for you by allowing you to focus on what you don’t have. Rather than compare stats, speaking invitations, behaved kids, and waist size measurements – know who you are and be content in what God has given you today.  (oh how I have struggled with this one).  Keep your eyes on His plan and His timing for you.  Don’t we fall into the trap of comparison too easily?  Guarding our hearts before we step into a room of successful women will help squash those feelings immediately.

3. Face down before the throne ~ pray for a teachable spirit and an appetite.  ”Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled”. Matthew 5:6

   We want you to leave 2:1 filled.  Not just filled with tweetable quotes, not just filled with blog tips, but filled with Christ’s love.  Come hungry He satisfies!

Stef Layton

Monetization is a buzz word today.  But what does that mean?  Where do you begin?  How do you transition from online journaling to working closely with brands you love?

It starts with relationships.

During our 2:1 Blogger-Brand Panel you’ll gain insight from bloggers who have successfully made the transition.  These women now work closely with brands on many different levels.  You’ll be encouraged to step out of the box, to think beyond affiliates and ad space, and focus on the importance of building relationships.

We’ll cover topics such as pitches, campaigns, media kits and more!

Glean wisdom and ask live questions of our Blogger-Brand Panel: Toni Anderson of The Happy Housewife, Kris Bales of Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers, Marci Goodwin of The Homeschool Scientist and Stef Layton of Educating Laytons and our conference coordinator.

Email panel questions to 2to1info@gmail.com!

cheryl

Heidi St. John is The Busy Homeschool Mom.  Her heart is to encourage all moms who struggle with day-to-day balance.  Homeschool, housekeeping, volunteering, time with your husband, and more…sometimes it’s hard to keep first things first.

Through her books, Heidi ministers to the overwhelmed mom offering encouragement, tips and tools.  Get organized with her Guide to Daylight, and rekindle the relationship with your husband using the Guide to Romance.

The Busy Homeschool Mom also offers a wonderful family Bible study, Firmly Planted.  Each book is a 10 week study which will engage your family as you explore God’s word together.

More about The Busy Homeschool Mom: Heidi is a favorite speaker at conferences across America, and has been married to Jay since 1989.  Together they have seven children, whom they homeschool.  They are the founders of First Class Homeschool Ministries, an organization dedicated to helping churches start homeschool cooperatives.  You can find Heidi at her blog, on Facebook and Twitter.

Register today for the Titus 2:1 Conference.

cheryl

How’s that going?

Are you on your way to the goal?

If not, don’t give up yet! There still a few weeks left.

You can make some great changes in just a few weeks. You really can.

Today I want to share five of my best tips for getting in shape and losing weight.

1. Let go of the all-or-nothing mentality

Do you ever plan to exercise, but something gets in the way? Perhaps you  want to do a workout DVD, but the DVD player won’t work. Or, maybe you  planned to go for a run and it’s pouring with rain.

One of the most common things to do in this situation is to say, “forget it,” and give up.

Let me encourage you to be flexible. Life is always going to throw obstacles in our way and we need to adapt. Yes, it is frustrating when our plans to pan out, but let’s not allow these obstacles to defeat us.

You can do jumping jacks and push ups just about anywhere. Be creative.

If you need ideas, check out the Workout Wednesday posts at Real Fit Moms.

2. Cut out sugar and cut back on grains

The truth of the matter is, you can’t out-exercise a poor diet. No mater  how much you workout, if you are not eating well, you will not see the  changes you want.

Yes, this is seriously difficult. But you know what, the difficulty passes and then you feel fantastic!

Many Americans are addicted to sugar. I know, I was one of them. Chances are, you are addicted to too.

If you are trying to lose weight, stay away from sugar. (Even if you are not trying to lose weight you should stay away from  sugar for the most part. It doesn’t do your body any good.)

Grains are a complicated topic, but let’s just say, if you want to lose  weight, eat them earlier in the day. Don’t have bread rolls with dinner.

3. Eat lots of protein and veggies

My best advice when it comes to preparing meals, is to serve yourself a  palm sized portion of protein (beef, chicken, fish, eggs, etc) and fill  the rest of the plate with vegetables. Add some good quality fat and you have a wonderful meal. Even if you still plan to eat grains, eat the  protein and veggies first, then you will consume far less carbs, or more of the stuff that will nourish you.

4. Set and eating curfew

One of the best things you can do to lose weight is to stop eating a few  hours before bedtime. I’m sure most of you already know this, but isn’t  it just so easy to nibble on a little snack while watching your favorite show?

Get serious about this and you will wake up feeling lighter and see a few pounds falling off your frame in no time.

5. Get moving

Even though you can’t out-exercise a poor diet, exercise is important for  weight-loss, muscle tone, and overall health. Not to mention the mental  boost it provides.
Don’t try to figure out the perfect exercise plan, just move.

There are tons of ways to be active: take walks, swim, go for a run, do workout DVDs, dance around the living room with your kids. Don’t over think, just move more and sit less, consistently.

Bonus tip: Incorporate HIIT into your workouts.

HIIT stands for High Intensity Interval Training and it has been proven to burn more fat that regular, steady-state workouts. Find out  more about how to do a HIIT workout here.

Stacy blogs at ADelightfulHome and RealFitMoms, where she strives to encourage moms to live a healthy lifestyle and cultivate a happy home. She is also the co-author of 42 Days to Fit, a realistic diet and exercise program to help you get fit and stay fit, for life.

cheryl

If you missed Baltimore, sign up today for Atlanta which will be held March 22-23.  To help you get there, we’re offering $35 off your registration!  When you register, choose the “Previous Attendee Rate” option (even if you’ve never been before) and enter “2:1 Conference” in the special needs field.  We want you to experience

Refreshment

Friendship

Stef and speaker Heidi St. John

Encouragement

Sisterhood

Speaker Zan Tyler

Sign up today for Real Refreshment in Atlanta and save $35 by using the code “2:1 Conference” in the special needs field.

cheryl