May Is National Stroke Awareness Month

Did you know May was National Stroke Awareness Month?  I didn't until I had a reason to.  Recently some wonderful friends were in Florida with their family enjoying the 'happiest place on earth' when tragedy struck when father, husband, friend and half of the team behind A Savings Wow suffered a stroke at just 41 years old!  I don't know about you but this isn't something I have put much thought into needing to know the signs of when around someone that young!  

Today Jim and Maria celebrated their 15 year wedding anniversary in a hospital while Jim is doing an amazing job of fighting to get better!  He has made huge strides that I know they are attributing much to the many thoughts and prayers from so many friends and family who love them.  (Because if you know them, its EASY to love them.) And also in part to Jim's amazing attitude, strength and humor!  I'm sure it won't be long before Jim up and about with his beautiful wife and four adorable kids!

But I also know that Jim is a big sharer of knowledge.  He will be the first to go find the answer to a question that someone posts on Facebook if he doesn't' know it.  He is always willing to try and fix a problem for you if he can.  So today to honor Jim, and he and Maria's wedding anniversary.  Please take a minute to check out this information that could help you help a loved one in case of a stroke...CDC National Stroke Awareness Month.
Please do go read the entire article because Stroke is a leading cause of death in the United States but with awareness we can help stroke suffers to get help more quickly and be able to make a full recovery, just like I KNOW Jim be able to do!!!!

Who's Taking Care of Mom? #Sponsored

As a mom I am running 800 directions at a time getting my kids where they need to be from school to sports to Dr appts.  It's easy to get side tracked with all their needs and desires.  I can't count how many times if I am not making a conscious effort to do what I need to for myself, I can egt to the end of a 15 hour nonstop day and realize I have a horrible headache.  Sometimes I will be so tired I just fall into bed and wake up the next morning with that SAME headache.  If I'm lucky I wake up with enough time to realize....I have barely had a sip of water and am dehydrated.  If you aren't a water drinker, you really should try making the effort for one week to get the recommended amount of water each day just to see how you feel.  For me it makes a huge difference.  I really don't drink much other than water so it's not really hard to do if I just take the time and keep my water bottle full.

But it's amazing how worrying about everyone else around us can keep us from doing the simplest of things to take better care of ourselves.  In our family, the kids and I all take vitamins and probiotics.  I feel like it does make a difference in our health and it's so easy to do.  Yet, I have to replace their stuff two to three times as often as I do my own (I already account for there being three of them and one of me).  Part of this is because they tend to remind me if I do actually forget to have them take theirs but mostly it's because my mind is always thinking about them.  

I'm currently taking Provella for my probiotics.  I love that Provella™ is specifically designed for women to promote digestive, feminine, and immune health.*  I don't know about you but in my house, even with all boys, it's amazing how few things are totally mine that I don't have to share.  My make up and curling iron are about it really.  Skincare, hair products and even my shoes (my Crocs, not like high heels or anything) are randomly used by others.  I know, its petty but I LIKE having something that's just mine!

WHY PROVELLA?
Not all probiotics are created equal or are specifically designed for women to support their unique needs. This can pose a challenge for women to decide which one is best for them. Your health care professional may recommend probiotic options, including Provella™, a probiotic dietary supplement specifically designed for women to promote digestive, feminine and immune health.  Provella™ helps restore and maintain balance of good bacteria to support digestive and vaginal health.* Taken once daily by mouth with or without food, Provella™ tablets contain a proprietary blend of six bacteria strains that were chosen specifically for women, including several strains of
Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium bifidum. For more information about Provella™, visit www.provella.com.

If you're ready to try Provella use this coupon to get $6 off Provella™.  Provella™ is also available on the drugstore.com™ website. 

And you can enter to win one of FIVE free 30-day supply of Provella™


a Rafflecopter giveaway




If you experience any adverse effects while taking Provella™, here is a toll-free number you can call: 1-855-899-9180.

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Provella™. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease  

Let the Sharp Plasmacluster Air Purifier Help You With Your Spring Cleaning #Sponsored

 Product provided by Best Buy as part of the Blogging Board program.

Whether it feels like it or not where you are (it's still in the 20s here) it IS spring.  For many of us, that means feeling the need to spring clean.

For me there are a list of items I rarely make the time to do that really help the house feel spring clean.  But with a house full of dirty active boys and now two cats, there are some smells that I just feel like people who love will just have to learn to accept.  For the most part I didn't feel like the air in our house was that dirty. We are good about changing our furnace filters and we don't have anyone smoking in the house.  So I never even thought about getting an air purifier.  I really didn't think it could make much difference.

But Best Buy sent us the Sharp - Plasmacluster Air Purifier with 1 Gal. Humidifier to try out.  When the box came it was HUGE.  With a tiny house full of beings, I wasn't sure where we would even find room for it.  After reading the directions its recommended to be 6 1/2" from TVs or radios but that is simply not an option in our house.  So we aren't sure where it will go long term but for now it's set up in our living room where the only open space is, right next to our TV. 

It was super easy to set up.  I really didn't think it was smelly in our house before it was turned out but within minutes it just smelled fresher.  It didn't take long for the dust indicator to go all green for us.  (I told you our air wasn't dirty.) Because its still cold here, the added humidity made it feel chillier so we turned that down low.  Over all I'm impressed. I can't wait to see if it makes a difference as the seasonal allergens start flying.  None of us have super bad allergies but we can all tell when certain things are really flying.

I was also worried about this 'library quiet' machine being even more noise in my hectic household.  With the fan turned all the way up, it is very obvious that something is running but its not any louder than a standard fan or humidifier.  But on a lower setting (and at least in our case on auto) it wasn't even noticable.

 I think the price of this unit might be a little surprising to some but I know we have paid over $100 for a decent humidifier alone.  To get air purification as well, especially if you have a need could easily be well worth it.

Sharp - Plasmacluster Air Purifier with 1 Gal. Humidifier
Keep the air in your home fresh and clean with this air purifier and humidifier that features a 3-stage filter system with a HEPA filter that removes 99.97% of pollen, mold, pet dander and dust from the air. Plasmacluster technology freshens the air.

Product Features

• 254 sq. ft. room capacity: For clean, fresh air with optimum humidity levels.
• Removes impurities from the air and adds humidity, For more comfortable air quality. 
• Plasmacluster technology: Splits water molecules into positively and negatively charged ions that spread throughout the room to refresh the air. 
• Manual operation:Lets you choose from 3 fan speeds and a Quick Clean mode. 
• Automatic operation: Uses sensors to automatically adjust fan speed for the degree of cleaning and/or humidification required. 
• True HEPA filter: Captures 99.97% of particles, including pollen, mold, pet dander and dust. Micron mesh prefilter and washable deodorizing filter help remove irritants and odors from the air. 
• Clean sign indicator: Shows the level of impurities in the air passing through the filter so you can monitor the progress as cleaner air is returned to the room. 
• Library Quiet operation: Ideal for bedrooms and living rooms. Silent mode is as quiet as 22dB. 
• Front Display: Shows Plasmacluster operation, dust monitor and humidity level. 

Regularly $399.99, on sale right now online for $324.99 or get 20% off in-store only with coupon below.

Get 20% off Air Purification products in store only through 4/15/13 with this coupon!

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Sponsored: Focusing On What Matters #BBYSpringForward

©Michelle Pendergrassof Visual Prayer

In honor of Women's History Month, Best Buy is asking what steps are you taking to make advances/leaps forward in your life (professional and/or personal)?

At the beginning of the year I decided not to make resolutions, but to make some goals for the year.  I am please with the progress I've made on some of these goals, no doubt. However, I'm not very impressed with how I am doing in one area.  Sadly, this was my #1 goal...to be a better mom.  The truth is, after almost three months, not much at all has changed.  Mornings are chaos, bedtimes is frustrating and I simply haven't focused enough on enjoying the the in between times.
I'm thinking that part of my problem is that I haven't given myself any clearly defined ways to reach my goal.  My goal is vague and immeasurable.  For goals like improving your health, you know you have to figure out the steps you want to take.  You need to eat better, you need to move more, maybe you need to make changes in your house like our recent addition of a Sharp Air Purifier (courtesy of Best Buy).

So, I need to define some steps that I think will help me reach my goal of being a better, more patient mother.  

• The first, which I know sounds sort of counter productive but I really believe it is important, is to be more willing to ask for and accept help.  A huge part of my problem is my own stress level.  When I feel like I've done nothing but run all week, and they seem unappreciative, I lose my cool.  But it would help if I didn't always insist on doing it all myself.  I have amazing friends who are more than willing to help, if I just let them.
• Second, I want to take time with each of the boys every week. Even if its only an hour a week and even if we don't leave the house, but just to do something where I only focus on them for awhile.
• I also need to continue to improve our organization and routines. I HAVE made some good strides on getting better places for things but with limited space and too much stuff it's an ongoing battle.  Our routines are fairly consistent but we still struggle, so I know there is some improvement to be made there.
• I need to continue to learn about ADHD, and ways to help us all cope with what ADHD means to our family.  For me the constant noise and movement that comes from having multiple boys with ADHD is a HUGE stressor for me. I grew up in a very quiet house so the chaos is often overwhelming to me.  I need to find ways for the boys to move and make noise that doesn't feel like such a sensory assault.
• And lastly, to help me regularly focus on the amazing joy and blessing that being the mother of MY boys is, I want to reflect on that more often. One way I plan to do that is by joining a group of fellow bloggers who are already writing "Letters to Our Sons" once a month.

I know there are MANY other things I could work on but this is where I will start. But I'd love to hear what you do to make yourself a better parent!

Join the conversation and share what steps YOU are taking to make advances/leaps forward in your life (professional and/or personal) on Twitter using hashtag #BBYSpringForward!

Get 20% off Air Purification products in store only through 4/15/13 with this coupon!

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I have been compensated for this post, however all opinions expressed are my own.
 


 

Colorblindness in Children

Parents will usually suspect that their child has a color vision defect, commonly known as colorblindness, when they start teaching the colors. This generally occurs at about four years old.

A child will usually know four colors between the ages of four and five. If a child doesn’t know the difference between colors at this age, color blindness may the problem, although there are a variety of issues that can be causing the delay.

There are a few questions parents can consider when determining what the problem might be.

·         Can the child distinguish between the primary colors?

·         Does the child recognize pictures in a book?

·         Can the child spell his name?

·         Can the child count to five?

·         Is there a history of problems with color vision in the family?

If the child is having difficulty learning any of these skills, there may be a developmental delay. If he has mastered these skills, color blindness may be an issue.

If there doesn’t appear to be an obvious developmental delay, and colorblindness is suspected, there are some tests that a parent can administer.

There are different forms of color vision defects, but the most common is a difficulty distinguishing reds and greens. In this test, the child is asked to pick out a red crayon from a group that includes green, yellow and orange. Then the child attempts to pick out the green crayon in a group that includes brown, gray and white.

There are also online tests that are designed to screen for colorblindness. Many of them are free, and they offer explanations about what the results indicate.

When all simple possibilities have been ruled out, the child should be taken to an ophthalmologist or optometrist to help determine the exact problem. The specialist will be able to rule out any damage to the eyes and give a definitive diagnosis. If the problem is a color vision defect, there is no cure, but the child can be taught how to live with the condition.

All teachers will need to be informed about the issue because many use colors, especially in the lower grades, to help children learn.

This is a sponsored post from ColorBlindnessFacts.com, the web’s leading resource for anything related to color blindness!

Million Step Challenge with @BestBuyWOLF #MillionSteps

This month I recommitted to my journey to get healthier.  I lost 50 pounds in 2012 and felt great.  Then I fell of the wagon so to speak.  It's really hard to explain how or why I let it happen.  With knowing that it's really not that hard and  feel great when I eat well and move more you'd think I wouldn't let it get so out of control.  But I do, I did.  I gained over 15 pounds back in the same time it took me to lose 50.  I guess the upside is I'm still ahead of the game!  

So I know, it's cliche to vow to get healthy in January.  But that's exactly what I've done and thanks to Best Buy and their challenge to the Best Buy Blogging Board I've had the chance to try a few new tools.

Recently I spent an entire day playing with the Cusinart: Compact Juice Extractor.  I think I bought more fruit and vegetables than I ever have in a single shopping trip.  I think I also  cleaned and peeled and sliced more than I ever have before too.

I'm not sure we're going to be juicing on a regular basis because it really is a lot of work.  But the Cusinart Compact Juice Extractor was beyond easy to use.  It made zero mess (outside the machine) and I really thought cleaning the machine was easy. 

Because we've never done anything like this and we are all fairly picky eaters I thought many of the 'recipes' sounded risky.  So we experimented by juicing each item individually. We tasted each one and then each of us mixed up our own creations.

My personal favorite was just the straight orange juice.  We got about 32 ounces from a full bag of oranges but it was the best (pulpfree) OJ I've ever had.  Thirty two ounces was simply not enough to go around.

And for dessert (because we didn't want anything to go to waste, right?) we made smoothies.  Or something sort of like smoothies because I don't ever actually have ice in the house.

Stawberry banana....yum!

Like I said I'm not sure we'll be juicing regularly anytime soon, but it was a great reminder of how delicious simple, clean eating can be!!  

And don't forget to follow @BestBuyWolf or #MillionSteps on Twitter to see how the Blogging Board is doing on the Million Step Challenge!!

If getting healthier is on your list of things to do this year, check out these great Best Buy coupons for savings on tools to help YOU reach your goal!

I have been compensated for this post, however all opinions expressed are my own.
 


 

Getting Healthier in 2013 Can Be Easier with Best Buy

This January Best Buy is excited to have the nine members of our Blogging Board participating in a Million Steps Challenge.  I'm afraid I have to admit that so far I haven't done too well in contributing.  Between fighting a sinus infection and the boys being sick, I haven't moved much at ALL!   Some of the other ladies are doing great though and seeing their first week reports is motivating me to stop making excuses!  
In addition to tracking our steps with our FitBit Ultra's, we're also tracking either with the FitBit Aria.  I'm sad to say I've gained back entirely too much of the weight I lost in the first part of 2012.  It isn't really fair how much thought it takes to lose it and how mindlessly you can put it back on.
We're also trying Juicing this month so look for posts on update on ALL of these healthy help products you can find at Best Buy this month!



I have been compensated for this post, however all opinions expressed are my own.

Let's Fight Holiday Fat Together

In the holiday season it's easy to fall off the weight loss wagon.  It is so hard to resist many holiday treats.  From homemade cookies to eggnog, Christmas is not exactly a low fat holiday.  If you're like so many people, you're already thinking about how you'll resolve to be healthier in the new year.   But that doesn't mean you should just throw all sensibility to the wind.  But you can enjoy your holiday as long as you're mindful of your eating and continue to exercise you'll be ahead of the game come January 1!


I've found some great helpful tips, recipes and exercises online at Let's Fight Holiday Fat.  Here are some of my favorites:

Don’t attend a party starving (from Heathy Tips for Staying Lean During the Holidays)

If your calendar tends to fill-up with holiday parties during the month of December and you are worried about sticking to your healthy eating routine, don’t go to the parties when you haven’t eaten anything for hours.  If you are really hungry, you will tend to eat anything you can get your hands on, which will leave you overeating in no time!  Instead, have a small healthy snack before you go, such as an apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter, yogurt with some fruit, or a quarter cup of almonds. When you arrive at the party, practice portion control, choosing a small (handful) size of your favorite foods, or if you must, of all the menu items, so you get a little taste of everything. By practicing proper portion control, you will be able to enjoy your favorite foods, without depriving yourself. 

I've found this to be a huge help in my own weight loss journey.  It's surprising how many times you can arrive at a party truly hungry.  It makes it so  hard to resist often high calorie appetizers.  If you're not feeling deprived it's much easier to just give the special treats a little taste rather than over indulging in unhealthy choices. 

 Another great idea is to make a dish of your own to share.  This way you know what you're eating and can count on having at least one healthy option.  If you could use some inspiration, check out the recipes here.

Stress Relief (from How to Have a Healthy Holiday)

Eating right and exercising will play a big part in keeping holiday stress at bay. Keeping stress levels low  also helps prevent weight gain. However, if the stress creeps in, there are several strategies you can use to relax. 

Say No: Don’t feel pressured to say yes to every invitation. Or, make a brief appearance at a celebration and then go home to relax. Your friends and family will appreciate having a happier, more relaxed you, even if that means skipping a party or two. 

Time vs Money:  If a lack of time is a stressor during the holidays, fork over a bit of extra cash to have someone wrap gifts for you or clean the house before guests arrive. If money is tight, get creative and make homemade gifts or send a thoughtful, handwritten card. 

Remember Your Values: Find ways to remind yourself what the holiday season is really about – giving and enjoying others’ company. Volunteer at a homeless shelter with your family. Take a minute to thank someone for their help. Pause to take a few deep breaths and know the stress will pass. 

I don't know about you, but I'm a big stress eater.  This is something I've been working hard at changing.  If you're a stress eater you'll want to find a stress reducer that works for you.  I find exercising a great stress relief but sometimes when you're feeling down its hard to get motivated to move.  Try finding a partner to help support you in your journey.  I've found that a little kick in the pants from a friend telling me "you'll feel better if you just do it" really can make the difference some days.  If you really can't find it in yourself to shake the stress for a workout, you might try something else that relaxes you.  For me this can be anything from a long hot shower to reading or watching mindless TV.  But controlling stress with the tips above will go a long way in helping you feel better this season.

When it comes to exercise you'll want to find something that you truly enjoy doing.  For some people that's running, many love Zumba, but I love a great strength workout.  I found some great ones at Let's Fight Holiday Fat.

If you could use some help staying on track sign up for Let's Fight Holiday Fat for great exercises, recipes and other tips.

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for alli. I received a promotional item as a thank-you for participating.

Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips Review

 If you're not whitening, you're yellowing.  That's a sobering statement but its true, when it comes to your teeth, you can take precautions to avoid a yellow smile, but over time, your smile can yellow from everyday activities such as drinking coffee or indulging in your favorite meal. I haven't smoked in over 10 years and I have never drank coffee or wine (I have been hugely addicted to Pepsi in the past though) but a year or two ago I noticed that my teeth didn't look so white anymore.  I have tried multiple whitening toothpastes in hopes of getting my pearly whites back but saw minimal improvement.

I always thought about using whitening strips but I worried about tooth sensitivity, how long it would take, how complicated it was or if it would even really work.  When I was offered the chance to try out Crest 3D White Professional Effects I jumped at it.  Now was my chance to see if whitening strips really could improve my smile.


Before the first use, I read the instructions thoroughly (something I don't admittedly do most of the time) because I was still nervous about tooth sensitivity.  The directions were pretty short and sweet.  Seemed simple enough so I jumped right in.  Oh but not before I took a before photo.  You'll have to forgive the cleanliness of my teeth in the before photo as the directions clearly said not to brush prior to use.  Once I had my embarrassingly extreme close up photo, I applied my Crest 3D strips for 30 minutes.  I was surprised that there wasn't much taste to the strips and they weren't unpleasant to wear for the 30 minutes at all.  With Crest 3D Whitestrips advanced seal no-slip technology that help them conform to your teeth they really do stay on easily with no mess.  I have been using the Whitestrips for over a week and haven't had the slightest bit of tooth sensitivity (sensitivity will vary this is simply MY personally experience visit 3dwhite.com for full details) thanks to the same enamel-safe ingredient that dentist use.  The instructions state 'notable results in 3 days, full results in 20 days' but at first I didn't see any whitening results though I did think my teeth felt cleaner.  But after a week when I still didn't really see the difference, I decided it was time for a side by side comparison so I took a new photo.

What do YOU think?  I think I definitely have a ways to go (which I do!) but I am happy with how its going since I'm just over a third of the way there.  I plan to keep using them for the full 20 days and will update with a photo of my final results.  

 

Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips remove over 10 years of set-in stains and whiten 25X better than the leading toothpaste.

I participated in this campaign for One2One Network. I received product to facilitate my review and by posting, I am eligible for incentives. All opinions stated are my own.

Making Confident Little Leaders out of your Children

Photo source

This day and age poses many challenges for children to develop into healthy, confident people. What with the cultural obsession of the video gaming world, both parents having to work jobs in a downed economy, school bullying at all new highs, and the rising rate of childhood obesity, your child is either a statistic in one of these categories, or goes to school with other children who face some of these challenges. So what is a parent to do? After all, you have a job to go to, and your child’s school doesn’t have the funds to invest in programs to address these growing concerns. One of the best investments you can make in your child’s life is to enroll them in gymnastics classes for kids where trained professionals not only address these concerns, but also help your child grow as a strong, confident and healthy leader in a fun and safe environment.

Confident and Positive Little People

The best children’s gyms out there offer a wide variety of activities to keep your little one active and entertained. The benefits to such places are becoming highlighted in parenting publications, and are gaining more attention in the news. In an article published by The Huffington Post, the author writes how movement-based science is implemented in a way that fosters self-expression, playfulness, and good health for growing bodies. The author also addresses how many of the activities, such as martial arts and dancing, arm children with self-esteem and skills that they can carry over into adulthood.

4 Considerations for Parents

As adolescent health and fitness is a growing concern, kid’s gyms are popping up in almost every city, and as a parent you have many to choose from. Here is some advice to help you make the right choice for your child. (1) Look for a gym that offers a free introductory class. Any gym that tries to lock you into a contract or take your money before actually EARNING your business should raise concerns. A good quality gym that has nothing to hide should always have open doors and welcome kids to try it out and test the water. (2) What is the gym’s mission statement? Too many times a gym will sprout up and boast, “We take the wimp factor out of any kid”. Although these gyms have good intentions, they will sometimes encourage the belief that if you aren’t number one, you aren’t a winner. They focus on making little mini Chuck Norris or Lara Crofts out of kids. The better alternative is to find a gym that uses multiple approaches to building skill, character, and health development in a way that brings out the star in each and every individual child, and celebrates those differences. Some gyms even use holistic methods into their structure. But a good gym will always promote the children as a valuable team unit, while celebrating their unique differences. (3) Diversity. Look for a gym that has multiple activities and programs that are geared towards numerous age groups, and that fit the needs of specific developmental stages. After all, a 4 year-old can’t do the same activities a 10 year-old can. (4) Instructors. Experienced instructors who have the proper training to oversee the physical and emotional health of your children, while nurturing them along the way, are vital in order for your child to have the best experience. Entrusting your child to a former personal trainer from Gold’s Gym, or some surf instructor who digs little kids, is not a wise decision, even if the individuals have the best intentions and mean well. When you prospect kid’s gyms, be sure to ask what qualifications and training the staff members have.

Your Child’s Adventure

When following the tips listed above, you will have a better idea as to what gym will best be able to work with your child in providing him/her with an exciting outlet to be creative, embrace good health, gain confidence and leadership skills, and make new friends. An interactive gym for kids is a wonderful resource, especially given today’s social challenges that were not as common as when we ourselves were children. Take your child to the gym for a visit, and take some time to ask other parents on site for their opinions. In no time you will see that such an establishment will arm your child with the skills to make them successful, confident, creative and happy people.

 

Get Unleashed ! #milkunleashed

As a full time working mom of three kids, I have to prioritize.  It's simply impossible to do and be EVERYTHING with just 24 hours a day.  When three days a week starting with THREE stops to drop each of the kids at a different location all before 8 am and multiple nights of activities, we don't have a lot of down time.  So I have to decide that it's OK to let some things slide.  So yes there's often laundry on my couch. Hey, most of the time its folded. And if you're lucky I'll remember to put away the underwear before you come over, I'm totally not afraid to admit that.  What I DO hate to admit is when our hectic schedule affects how I take care of my family.  Sometimes the nonstop running ends up meaning that I'm not feeding the kids the things their little bodies need everyday.  And if you're a mom, you KNOW what kind of torture mom guilt can be. So whenever I find something new that helps me easily do better in taking care of my family's health, I get excited.  This year I have worked hard to do better about eating better even on the run.  We take stuff with us more so that we aren't stuck in the fast food trap as often.  But it can be hard to travel with some of the healthiest options.  Some of our favorite fruits and veggies aren't super travel friendly but we do our best to work with what we can.  But the hardest thing for me is getting our daily doses of dairy while we're on the go.  Sometimes it's just not possible to travel with a cooler, at least until I grow those extra arms I've been dreaming about, I can only carry so much.  And honestly even with a cooler toting around milk or yogurt makes me a little nervous.  That's why when I recently learned of shelf safe milk, I may have been a little giddy!

I'm really not sure how I'd never heard of this since I'm told its been around longer than I have. One carton of shelf safe milk has eight grams of protein and nine essential nutrients – calcium, A, D and B12, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, riboflavin, niacin and zinc.  Ultra pasteurization and special Tetra Pak eco-friendly cartons keep the milk safe for families to enjoy anytime, anywhere. 

Being able to have shelf safe milk on hand means not having to panic when I realize that the milk in the fridge has expired and the boys REALLY want a bowl of cereal.  It also means I can always grab more milk while we're at the store...just in case and not have to worry about whether it will actually fit in the refrigerator.

But it wasn't until I visited Milk Unleashed to find out where to buy shelf safe milk that my new love fully blossomed.  You see, I can buy milk, even Hershey's Chocolate (as well as white and strawberry) at my most absolute favoritest place to shop...ever...Amazon.com.  Yup, I can now stock up on chocolate milk anytime, anywhere and my kids can enjoy it anytime, anywhere without worry of keeping it refrigerated (until it's been opened).



How could shelf safe milk help make your life easier?

Be sure to check out  Milk Unleashed  on Twitter and Facebook!

This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Milk Unleashed blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. 

My Two Weeks with @MyTrainerBob #BobHarperLIVE and #Mamavation Challenge

This was me and Bob Harper in August 2011.  This is when I ate ice cream while I watched Bob help people lose miraculous amounts of weight.  I LOVE Bob. I've actually gone so far as to start filling out the application to be on the Biggest Loser.  But then I panic, imagine being away from my kids that long and scrap the idea.

But when I heard that the latest Mamavation challenge was going to include Bob's workout, I was psyched. Then I looked at the first  workout.  I think I might have skipped the whole thing if it weren't for the fact that I had friends who were also signed up and following along on Facebook to see how everyone was doing.  I don't think there was a workout that first week of the two week challenge that I didn't have to modify in some way.  As I got to week two, life started to get to me.  I wanted to make excuses and let my emotions take control.  But thanks to some great friends, I pushed through and stuck to it.  I didn't do the best with my diet the last two days or I probably would have had even better results.  But in two weeks, working out 5 days a week for about 20-30 minutes each of those days and sticking (mostly) to my Weight Watchers plan, I lost 9 pounds and 6 1/2 inches.



Disclosure: I did get a complimentary trial of BobHarper.com as part of the challenge.  But all opinions are my own and results were not impacted by this savings!

UNJUNK Your Halloween with UNREAL Candy #getunreal

Story behind UNREAL:
UNREAL™ exists because a thirteen year old boy asked one Halloween why candy needs to be so unhealthy. After an argument with his father, he did a bit of research only to find that candy is filled with bad things like hydrogenated oils and artificial colors and flavors. And what’s worse, he found out that those ingredients don’t make candy taste better, they simply make it cheaper to produce.
Nicky believed that candy without the junk could be made and that it would taste better. And he and his father and brother decided to prove it.
And they did.
UNREAL™ provides many of the great flavor combinations we love in our treats, but without the corn syrup, without the partially hydrogenated oils, without the GMOs, without the artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives, and with 40% less sugar per serving on average. The key ingredients are responsibly sourced, and the candy is available in the stores we all shop, at a price point we can all afford.

This weekend we'll be sharing UNREAL Candy with our friends in a Halloween inspired get together.  Our family has already tried UNREAL and learned how good candy can be when it's UNJUNKED.  Have you?

Disclosure: We've been provided with supplies and product to host a get together. All opinions are my own.

Progresso Light Creme Soup #MyBlogSpark

Craving rich and creamy flavors, but don’t want to splurge on calories? With two new creamy flavors, Progresso^® Light soups are giving those who are managing their weight a new reason to celebrate! At 100 calories per serving, now you can indulge in warm, creamy soups like Light Creamy Potato with Bacon and Cheese* and Light Chicken Pot Pie Style* without feeling guilty. Packed with indulgent, satisfying flavor, these two new Light creamy soups are the perfect way to make thoughtful eating decisions without sacrificing incredible taste.

These two new Progresso Light creamy soups are joining the lineup of more than 40 flavorful soups that are 100 calories or less per serving

These Weight Watchers^® endorsed soups have 100 calories and a 2 PointsPlus^® value per serving

The Creamy Potato with Bacon & Cheese variety boasts pieces of potato with savory bacon and rich cheese flavor

The Chicken Pot Pie Style variety exudes a home-style essence with cuts of white-meat chicken, hearty potatoes and classic vegetables

*Light Chicken Pot Pie Style:  At least 33% fewer calories than regular ready-to-serve soups.  Light Creamy Potato with Bacon & Cheese:  50% fewer calories than the leading potato, cheese, and bacon ready-to serve soup.   See nutrition information for sodium content.
In addition, visit http://goo.gl/WbbPS to download a printable coupon for $1.25 off the purchase of 4 cans of Progresso^® soup. Be sure to share this coupon with your family, friends and readers so they too can take advantage of the savings and try Progresso Light creamy soups today!

I'm usually a skeptic when it comes to 'light' or otherwise 'healthy' alternatives. But being that it was Progresso, I didn't even give a second thought to the possibility that these might not be delicious. And I was totally right.  These are both amazing.  But the Creamy Potato with Bacon and Cheese totally takes the cake for me. Chicken Pot Pie was good but not hugely different from other chicken varieties that I already enjoy for just 2 points a serving.  But a CREAMY POTATO.....with bacon AND cheese...for only 2 points a serving....? They need to just back up a truck load right to my door.  I have always loved soup but spending literally day after day outside on the football or soccer field until dark leaves me craving soup even more often lately. So I'm THRILLED to find a warm and hearty option that I don't have to feel totally guilty about!  Progresso totally wins in my book!!

Learn more at Progresso's Website or find Progresso on Facebook! 
SAVE $1.25 ON FOUR when you buy FOUR CANS any variety Progresso® Light Soup

Enter to Win!

 

Enter to win a gift pack that will contain:

(2) Cans of Progresso^® Light creamy soup
(1) Soup mug
(1) Lunch tote
(1) Water bottle

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure:  The coupons, information, and gift packs have been provided by Progresso^® through MyBlogSpark.