Parenthood is a messy business! I was never too tidy, but with the help of kids I have experienced the mess thing on a whole new level. However, with help from Scott Shared Values, the clean up is easy.

Food

Just another day both of my kids woke up two hours be I did. By 9 am they got hungry and went exploring the pantry. Find of the morning? Mommy’s organic dark chocolate! And since eating chocolate for breakfast is not bad enough – my younger one wrapped it in a towel for easier handling.

 Note to my son:
Pumpkin, white hand towels are not designed for chocolate handling. Despite that mommy’s chocolate should be completely out of your reach, next time you when dealing with melting food, use Scott Paper towels. It is as nice, white, and soft. However, it won’t make mommy angry (you won’t like her when she is angry).

Entertainment

Now lets talk entertainment. I remember owning the shelf that accommodated all my DVD addictions. Now the shelf is broken and I see a bunch of DVDs migrating from place to place. Covers and cases are gone and Elmo, Barney, and Thomas are scattered everywhere.

Note to my son:
Pumpkin, loving kids’ entertainment doesn’t mean that you should walk around hugging and kissing the real disks. Bad things happen to good DVDs and grandma’s backyard is becoming a cemetery of formerly really good movies. May I suggest Vudu service? You still get to enjoy the entertainment and no broken disks involved. Your movies are there and I even give you a permission to kiss the TV screen if you agree to carry those handy Scott paper towels and wipe your smudges off the screen.

Potty

And what is it about potty training that is so complicated? My kids seem smart when it comes to finding my chocolate or browsing TV programming, but when it comes to potty training – it’s a rocket science  What is so difficult to understand? Potty is for pooping (sorry for potty talk) – underwear is for wearing.

Note to my son:
Pumpkin, potty by definition is a stand alone object you should learn to appreciate.  You are almost 4 and I believe you can finally complete your year-long potty training journey. I would present you with Oscar for the acting skills, any time I see you sitting with your eyes wide open and pretending not to poop in your underpants, but I have dealt with the laundry in this house… Next time may I suggest you take a roll of Scott Bath Tissue and spend some quality time on your personal potty. I might even let you do some toilette paper crafts if you agree to keep it clean.

Conclusion

It is quite funny how little we need sometimes to be happy – a child sitting on a potty in front of the TV watching Elmo potty time seems like a huge step in the right direction.

Note to self:
Remember to buy more Scott paper towels  through their Scott Shared Values program at Walmart witha special Vudu code and use them to rent the Guild Trip with Seth Rogen and Barbra Streisand, because that would so be me at some point down the line. It’s a mom thing…

Check out my shopping trip for Scott paper on Google Plus and learn more about Scott Shared Values on their website and Facebook

The post The Messy Business and Scott Paper Towels appeared first on Way 2 Goodlife.

Jeff of Weehoo.com  (Boulder, CO):

I feel that helmets are very important.  I make my kids wear them at all times, but I rarely do:( Parents are faced with many decisions every day in regards to their children’s safety. I think helmets are just a good common sense for kids to wear. My 11 month old is now wearing a helmet every time we get on our trailer and he loves it. As far as cycling goes I think it is a good idea for children to wear helmets at all times.

Megan of MNM Special (South Dakota):

A friend of a friend lost her 9 yr old boy last year in Idaho when he fell off his bike & hit his head in their driveway. There might be some things that we go overboard on, but you can never be too safe.

Missy of Mistransformation (South Williamsport, PA):

Necessary. I hit my head bad as a kid without a helmet and I know it affected me somewhat for life

Jennifer of Comeback Mama (Boston, MS):

Necessary. My husband was in an accident where someone opened their car door right as he was coming by. He went head over heals onto the pavement. He would have been so much worse without his helmet.

Toni of Running Loving Living (Wantagh, NY):

Necessary. A helmet can mean the difference between life and death.

Francine of FrancineHaas (Chicago, IL):

(Watch it on YouTube)

The post Why Wear a Helmet? appeared first on Way 2 Goodlife.

Many of you, my great readers, love to cook. You might of even tried some of my recipes, but I have to admit – I have love-n-hate relationship with my kitchen. I do like making something delicious my whole family enjoys. But do you know what I hate? M.E.S.S. Unfortunately I am really good at getting everything messy. I might even consider myself an expert of this complicated skill. That is why when picking cooking activities I try to pick those that are not overly messy.

However, if you are not that great in the kitchen, try imagining cooking in the hotel. That is where I currently reside with my family. Kids love it, because it is like living on vacation, but the things get a bit more complicated when it comes to cooking. Don’t know about you, but I get tired very quickly from eating out and I start craving home cooked food rather quickly.

What comes to my rescue today?

PerfectChop Board

($19.99 sold at PerfectChop.Com)

PerfectChop was created to keep at-home cooks countertops clean. The Stay-Clean microtexture guides water and other liquids off the board into a basin, holding over two cups of liquid, allowing cooks to save the good juices to make delicious, homemade gravy, sauces and more. The four-side drain channels provide easy drainage, making the PerfectChop ideal for cutting juicy fruits such as watermelon, oranges or pineapple.

Since my kitchenette has very limited countertop space, I’d like for my cutting board to stay in one place and not slip around splashing watermelon juices. PerfectChop has a perfectly working non-slip slide. But my favorite feature is obviously is the secret compartment that collects all the juices and makes it easier to pour it out without any mess. If I need the other side of the board, it is ready for use, since it never touches the countertop. Unlike the wooden boards, this one doesn’t stain or retains odor. Big help? Definitely!

Don’t take me wrong, I love the room service, but I have no desire of leaving the messy kitchen for the cleaning ladies, do you?

The post PerfectChop – The Hotel Style appeared first on Way 2 Goodlife.

Cat vs Dog. Which one would you pick? Most of us can say for certain if we like cats or dogs, but shouldn’t we ask the animals themselves on the topic?

Meet Fildo. He is a hilarious Dogswell Jerky Bars dog and he has a lot to say.

What is Dogswell? A brand of pet food and treats is launching improved recipes and fresh, vibrant packaging for their complete line of Jerky Bars. The new product contains more protein than before and features real food ingredients that pet parents can see.  The breakdown is simple: 85% protein, 15% fruits & veggies and 0% bad stuff.

(Watch it on YouTube)

Temptations Treats is a brand that makes a variety of cat treats – crunchy on the outside with a soft meaty center. These treats are about two calories each, and are recommended feeding up to 15 treats per 10 pounds of your cat’s body weight. Like anything else, it’s all about portion control and using your best judgment. 

(Watch it on YouTube)

And there are also moments when our friends question our level of intellect? Here is how cats do it (in a case you think the cats have a high opinion of you).

The Shelter Pet Project is a public service ad campaign focused on spreading the word that pets in shelters are wonderful and lovable, and encouraging potential adopters to consider the shelter as the first place to find a new best friend.

(Watch it on YouTube)
And here is the path the dogs take (just when you thought you had your four-legged friend completely on your site).

(Watch it on YouTube)

The post Who Has Your Back: Cats or Dogs appeared first on Way 2 Goodlife.

With summer upon us, we usually travel a lot. And that means a lot of driving in a our mighty minivan. We actually already started the season by taking a trip to Bentonville, AR. Mommy went to the conference and the family committed to the 12 hour ride just for the pure fun of it. I have to tell you that I didn’t have some of the items listed below, but I sure wish I did, because this was not a short trip. So getting ready to spend some serious quality time in car as a family, do some homework ahead of time.

FOR KIDS

Old iPhone or iPod (FREE – if you already have one)

When we upgraded to new iPhones last fall, our old ones were two years and still kicking. This is an ultimate toy, because any time kiddos get sick of one game, the other one is only a few clicks away. And the games on iTunes cost a lot less than games for Leap Frogs and Innotabs.

Fisher Price iPhone Case ($15)

You might think that your Outterbox case would do a good job of protecting “THEIR” phone, but you will be better off with Kid-Tough Apptivity Case by Fisher Price. I can’t even tell you how many times these phones got dropped, eaten with, and dropped some more. The only inconvenience I found is that you have to open the case any time you charge it and you have to make sure to put it back in a case before giving it to the kids.

Power Inverter ($26)

Your phones will not survive 10 our car drive, but a power inverter provides the convenience of the 110 Volt outlet on the road.

Comfortable kids headrest

EVOLUTION MICRO JR™  ($20) is an excellent option. It is 15 steps above the traditional headrests and has great kids option. It’s made with safe and certified food grade microbeads, has raised side supports helping to create 360° comfort, designed with a flat rear cushion that won’t push your child’s head forward, has a front closure and covered in breathable Lycra.

Travel Blanket

BLANKID BUDDY®  ($20) – is a kid-friendly 4-In-1 blanket, backpack, travel pillow, & plush animal. It converts from pillow to blanket in 3 easy steps, includes an extra water-repellent bag inside, and offers 4 characters that kids love.

FOR ADULTS

A Good Coffee Mug

Coffee to Go

CoffeeKitchen Pronto ($5.99) by Barnie’s is a new line of amazing coffees designed to satisfy the taste of even the most demanding coffee connoisseur. Add one brewstick to 10 ounces of hot or cold water and unsweetened Pronto! brews instantly; just stir and enjoy—anytime, anywhere.

For the Whole Family

Fun ‘on the go’ food storage

Prêt à Paquet ($30) is stylish and easy to use, these products feature insulated, leak-proof kits that store a full lunch, salad, snacks and sandwiches on the go. Additionally, they are designed to fit the ideal food portion recommended by a nutritionist, keeping users smart and healthy about their food choices. Can be found at Target.

EZ- Freeze Collapsible Salad container includes a collapsible bowl that compresses for easy storage, lid with snap tight tabs, dressing container with leak proof cap, non-toxic gel filled freezer tray keeps food cold & fresh

Snacktime containers for kids ($5.99). This twist-off cookie container has two containers in one - flip-top sipper on top and a snack containe ron the bottom. Non-toxic gel will keep snacks fresh and drink cold.

Lil’ Spike kids water bottle is equipped with pull-top sipper cap with carry strap and non-toxic gel filled freezer stick keeps drinks cold. Top shelf dishwasher safe.

Ez-Freeze Pure Filtration Water Bottle – 64 oz ($17.99) has a built in filtration system and filters water through the inside channel. Each filter filters as much as far as 100 gallons of water (approximately 4+ months depending on usage). Freezer stick will make sure that your water stays cold.

The post Family Friendly Car Travel Guide 2013 appeared first on Way 2 Goodlife.

Makobi Scribe and Sason and Pobi are bringing you this Amazon Facebook blast. The winner will receive an Amazon gift card for $100. The giveaway is open to Everyone Good Luck!

The post $100 Amazon Facebook Blast 5/28 appeared first on Way 2 Goodlife.

I am working on a new series of articles that will describe a life of an average family in the hotel. Yes, you heard it right – we now live in the hotel. The kids are super excited, because it is like we live on vacation. However, there are few adjustments and concerns that come with a hotel life – starting from the reasons why we are doing and to the question of how to watch Netflix in the hotel room.

We face it – we talk about it!

However, I struggle to find the best name for the series and that where I need your help

The post Need Your Help Poll appeared first on Way 2 Goodlife.

Any time I need another water bottle or a travel coffee mug, I get lost. How difficult is it really to buy a bottle? Isn’t it easier to go to a dollar store and grab one from a shelf. Whenever this one goes bad, just get another one, right?

The answer is both – YES and NO.

Would you like BPA in your water? Are you planning to hand wash it? Are you interested bottles that randomly open? LOL – I know those are some tough questions, but your choice of bottles depends on it.

Whenever you do pay a higher price tag, does it mean quality? I spent countless hours on Amazon.com trying to find a sport bottle that deserves my attention and still got it wrong few times. I think that is when brand loyalty might help a little.

Contigo Bottle

Back in March, I stopped by the booth of Contigo at the Housewares Show in Chicago and got a tour of their products. There are so many Contigo bottles out there, you have no idea! But what surprised me the most – this company actually listens to their customers (believe it or not!). I mean, if you ever thought of something like

“I wish there was a way to attach my driver license and credit card to my bottle when I go to work out, so I don’t have to take my purse with…”

They are actually interested in this kind of feedback, and guess what they have now - AUTOSEAL^® Kangaroo Water Bottle with Compartment

Sad personal story – I cherish my lunchtime walks, but I have to remember to take a key pass along to insure that I can get back into the office building. Since the key pass is quite tiny, it helps to have it on a Keychain, right? Wrong! One day it must of fell out of my pocket. Result: I had to stay at work till 6 pm waiting for my husband to rescue me with the spare set of keys, I didn’t take the kids to the swimming lesson, and went the same damn road 3 times looking for my keys as it was getting dark.

Secret compartment is not the only good thing about this bottle. For special people like myself, it is spill-proof and can be operated with one-hand - press to sip and release to automatically seal. And it is pretty cool looking too! By the way, Contigo posts about their sales in promotions on Facebook, so connect with them to get your own cool bottle.

One thing it doesn’t do – it doesn’t fit in my bicycle bottle holder, and that’s an excuse to check out another bottle.

Avex Sport Bottle

Avex bottle is a perfect fit for the bike cage and comes with a spill-proof valve – squeeze-n-drink kind of a bottle.

Sporty look, and one-hand operation – it just screams take me out for a bike ride. Checking out Avex Sport website I discovered many more tempting bottles – they have them even sorted for different kind of fitness activities and there are also bottles there for the kids. And how about bottle for winter sports? I know, that is pretty cool.

Check them out on Facebook, I found some pretty cool comments by their happy customers.

The post Lifestyle Hydration: Active Style Bottles appeared first on Way 2 Goodlife.

“You have an accent. Where are you from?” I was so sick and tired of this question after a couple of years of living in the States. Now 15 years later I just answer “Chicago”. I know exactly what they want to hear, but I am not giving it up easy – maybe they will just go away.

I guess, the right answer would be “Russian”, but is it really? I am sure you think that all people who came from the former Soviet Union are Russians, except they are not… and growing up there, I knew I was different. I wanted so bad to have blonde hair and blue eyes just so I could fit in. Is it really that big of deal to be different? Yes, it is, if you are surrounded by kids with light skin, blond hair, and blue/green/gray eyes. I went to the same school for 10 years, spent 10 years with the same 30 kids (our school system was very different), and even now 20 years later I want nothing to do with most of them. I wasn’t Russian and I didn’t fit in.

I wasn’t very smart, but I was determined to have a better life. I felt like everything I’ve ever achieved was by bashing my head against a brick wall. I started working at the newspaper when I turned 13. I went to a school of journalism. I’ve worked at television studios from my freshman year and until I graduated.  5 years in television and I felt that I became something. Except I was tired of it all. I was 22. I was working for criminal news programs and had seen way too many dead bodies. I was harassed way too many times, because the old country had no harassment laws and being a young journalist came with many strings. I dated and married a VP of the television studio to avoid further harassment and it helped a bit.

My family left the country a few months after my graduation looking for a better life for me and my 11-year old sister. My dreams of being a journalist vanished, when a relative told me that I will be lucky to bag groceries at a store (and I believed it!). I worked in a Mailroom of a small manufacturing company. I spent 10 years of my life in a dark hole of a company that treated its employees horribly. However, in the same 10 years I made my way from a mail clerk to a graphic design coordinator, divorced the VP, fell madly in love with a boy who was “so not right for me”, got married, enjoyed the simple life we had, had two miscarriages before getting help from the fertility center, finally had my daughter and two years later – a son.

11 years later after I started a new job, I re-discovered my ambitions and started blogging – it gave me a second wing.  I made a huge effort in becoming an optimistic person I was once. I love what I do, but since I work full-time, I do it any time I can – it is my hobby and my business (I guess the journalist in me still has a voice). Except, I’m not sure if what I do is any good and has any value, if my English-as-a-second-language writing makes me sound language impaired, and what I do really matters… Why am I so unsure of anything I do?

The post Like it or Not – #ThisIsMe appeared first on Way 2 Goodlife.

5 points to embed into your brain today to keep you going through temptations and help you become a healthier person. And today let’s talk about something very important

Plan to succeed

Stinkin Thinking SUCKS! I’m sure you all know plenty of people who always complain and seem unhappy. The same people most of the time seem not to be able to catch a break and many other areas of their lives. As diifcult as it is sometimes to break the losing streak, PLAN to be a success. Don’t just be positive for a day and complain the next day that your positiviity ended up with a flat tire – change your thinking.

Succeed in 5 step

Make the plan – follow the plan.

Don’t think about it. Just do it. Any time you want to think about it – don’t!

Set the alarm to go for a walk when you planned to do so.

When the alarm goes, DON’T give yourself another 5 minutes – DO get up and do what you scheduled to do like it’s a doctor appointment (it is in a way)

Prepare your food before you get hungry.

Consider it your homework for sucess. Make the healthy food you enjoy.

Infuse your water with a fruit.

Grow up – find something better than coke or pepsi  Infuse your water with natural flavors (from actual fruits). If you crave bubbles, get yourself Seltzer Water. If you need caffeine - have some tea or coffee

Walk, run, keep moving

Rain or snow is not an excuse for vegetating on a couch. Get an app like a SworKit for a smart phone (they have free and paid version). This program can help you with a quick 5 minute workout of your choice.

The post Weight loss: Plan to Succeed appeared first on Way 2 Goodlife.