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The Paleo Solution

2012-02-19T10:20:00.001-05:00

This year, I decided that it was my year to finally lose all of the extra weight I have been carrying around. Raileigh will be 4 in September, and I have had ample time to shed those pounds.

I have tried exercising in the past, but I haven't really seen a lot of results. Until recently, I have been fairly unwilling to change my diet. What can I say-- I like to eat! However, I have learned that when it comes to losing weight, diet is actually more important than exercising. That doesn't mean exercise isn't important. An active lifestyle is essential to staying healthy and maintaining a healthy weight and BMI.

So, what changed my mind? My friend, Heather, introduced me to Paleo. This was something I had not heard of before, so I went out and purchased a book that she recommended- The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf. This book explains all about Paleo, including a 30 day plan to help you implement it into your life.

In my own words, I will tell you about Paleo in a nutshell. However, if you would like to know more or want to learn about Paleo from someone far more versed in it than I, please check out The Paleo Solution and visit Robb Wolf's website-- http://www.robbwolf.com

Paleo takes everything that I ever thought about food and turns it completely upside down. The food guide pyramid? Yeah-- they leave that behind. When eating a Paleo diet, you essentially eliminate grains, sugar, and a lot of dairy from your diet. You are left with lean proteins, vegetables, fruits, nuts and berries. Some people are more or less strict with their Paleo diet, and I have read of some who will incorporate sugars and cheese in very small amounts.

The Paleo way of eating is based on the original human diet that the Paleolithic people ate. There were no processed foods, and they only ate things that could be hunted or gathered. You may be wondering why you would want a diet like our early ancestors. Well, there were seldom cases of cancer and other diseases that are all too familiar to us today. Plus, these people were incredibly healthy all the way around.

So, after a lot of research, I have decided that the Paleo diet is the way to go. I am going to try it for 30 days, though I am already certain this will become a lifestyle change for me. In addition to wanting to lose weight, I also have been struggling with stomach issues for years now. I completely believe that Paleo will help me to fix both of these problem areas.

Darren is completely on board with eating Paleo as well, and has been a constant source of encouragement as we begin this journey. I am thankful to have a husband that is so supportive and willing to make changes to help me better myself.

Today is my first day of eating the Paleo way. Each day, I will be eating three meals and one or two snacks. I am a frequent meal skipper, so even this is a change for me. As I looked through my recipe index, I could not find one single meal that fit within the Paleo diet. Everything either had grains or lots of cheese or both. So, I turned to Pinterest and used what I know about Paleo to search out recipes that fit within my new way of eating. I was honestly surprised at all of the tasty things I found. You can visit my Pinterest page to see all of the yummy Paleo recipes I want to make.

I will be shopping and doing real meal planning starting on Tuesday. Until then, Darren made a small trip to the grocery store and I am using things that I have on hand. Here is what today's food looks like:

Breakfast: 2 eggs, scrambled, 2 pieces of bacon, a few grapes

Lunch: salad of lettuce, tomato, cucumber (maybe I'll add some bacon crumbles) and lemon juice in place of salad dressing

Snack: handful of grapes

Dinner: Apple, something to do with chicken (perhaps lettuce wraps)

All of this actually sounds incredibly yummy to me. I think that the hardest part will be removing bread and sweets from my daily diet. I REALLY like these things. However, since learning about Paleo, I already feel guilty when eating a doughnut or cookie or big roll. So, I think that is definitely a good start!

In addition to eating differently, I will be incorporating exercise into my life. I just purchased a bike trailer last week, so I see many bike rides in our future. Additionally, we ordered a kayak carrier for our car so that we can take our boats out and enjoy family kayak trips.

I also plan on sleeping well. The average adult needs 8 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Having a rested body will definitely help to shed the weight I am looking to get rid of.

Each week, I will be tracking a few measurements so that I can see my progress. I want to end with my current measurements. They are actually quite embarrassing to me, but sharing them will help you follow along with the changes and see how eating a Paleo diet is working for me.

Current weight- 143.75
Current BMI- 28.25
Current WHR (waist to hip ratio)- .87-- anything over .8 is not so great

Now, you may think they Paleo diet is crazy and not for you. That's okay (though, I feel that if you educated yourself about it, you might definitely change your mind!). I respect different opinions and would ask that you please do the same. If you have negative feelings about what I am doing or this post, please don't sent me hate mail or comments. That never helped anyone!

Shred Chicken with your KitchenAid Stand Mixer

2012-02-19T08:50:00.000-05:00

For Christmas, Darren gave me a beautiful red KitchenAid Stand Mixer. I am absolutely smitten with this fun and versatile kitchen appliance.

Now, I am constantly looking for things that I can do with it other than make sweets and bread. I have made my fair share of cookies, cakes, and rolls since the new mixer arrived. However, I can definitely tell that all of the tasty treats are going straight to my mid-section.

Over on Pinterest-- my never-ending source of inspiration-- I saw that the KitchenAid Stand Mixer can be used to shred chicken! Now, I was a bit skeptical, but shredding meats is something I really don't enjoy doing. So, I decided to give it a whirl.

I placed some fully cooked chicken into the bowl of the stand mixer. My chicken was hot, but cold works, too.

Using the paddle attachment (the one that comes standard on the mixer), I turned it on to a level 4 for about 25-30 seconds.

What I was left with was perfectly shredded chicken!

It's such a time saver and so much easier as well. I have now shredded chicken in my KitchenAid Stand Mixer numerous times, and for me there is no other way to do it now.

A quick word of caution. You need to kind of watch the chicken while it is shredding. It really only takes 25-30 seconds to shred. If you walk away and leave it going for a minute or so, you might have chicken dust left in the bowl... not that I would know from experience or anything...

I'd love to know of any interesting, fun, or unusual ways that you use your KitchenAid Stand Mixer!

I am a Step2 Test Drive Mom!

2012-02-18T08:45:00.000-05:00

You may have noticed that cute little Step2 button that's been hanging around the top of my blog for a few weeks now.

Well, I am excited to officially announce that I am a 2012 Step2 Test Drive Mom!

Step2 is one of our favorite children's brands, and I could not be happier to represent this fantastic company.

Step2 let me know that I had been chosen as a Test Drive Mom in a really fun way. They sent a GIANT fortune cookie (about 6 inches in diameter) right to my door. I was out of town, but Darren opened the surprise for me. It had gotten a bit broken in the mail, but that definitely didn't effect the taste! Inside the fortune cookie, was my fortune-- a message from Step2. Step2 let me know that I had been chosen to work with them throughout 2012 as a Test Drive Mom.

So, what does this mean, really? Several review products are already on their way to me. I'm not going to tell you what they are just yet-- that element of surprise is always fun! However, I can tell you that these will be some really amazing items! There's more to come, including sneak peeks at exciting new products, possibly before you see them in stores!

I am looking forward to a wonderful year sharing Step2 products with all of you!

Grandma's Trunk Alphabet Game {Review + Giveaway}

2012-02-18T08:18:00.000-05:00

My little girl is growing up so fast. Raileigh may only be three years old, but she already knows all of her letters, what sounds they make, and can even identify quite a few sight words.

That is why I was so excited to check out a fun game from Educational Insights called Grandma's Trunk. This alphabet game is actually 5 games in 1!

Since the games included in Grandma's Trunk are intended for children in grades Kindergarten and up, I knew there was a possibility that Raileigh would not understand every aspect of each of the games. However, I knew that there were many things she would comprehend. Plus, the things she had not previously learned were simply opportunities to grow and expand her knowledge.

I could not wait to check out each of the 5 game play options. The unique ways to play include:

1. What Comes Next? Take turns placing the letter cards in the trunk in alphabetical order.

2. Memory Time Take turns repeating the sequence of cards already in the trunk, then adding one of your own and challenging other players to remember them all, in order.

3. Grandma’s Riddles Deal the cards, then read a riddle and race to see who has the letter card that answers it!

4. Letter Sequence Memory Deal the cards and take turns putting them in the trunk in alphabetical order, repeating the items already in the trunk and challenging other players to remember them all, in alphabetical order.

5. Grandma’s Adventures Place the letter cards in the trunk and take turns pulling them out to create a cooperative story: “Once upon a time there was a grandma. She saw an iguana.”

We have had some absolutely BEAUTIFUL weather here in South Carolina, so Raileigh and I headed outside to give Grandma's Trunk a whirl. We tried each of the five versions of game play and she understood and enjoyed each and every one of them. I really should be used to Raileigh surprising me with her knowledge by now, but every time she shows me new things that she knows, it continues to amaze me!

I think the game that we had the most fun with was Grandma's Riddles. We have actually never really done any riddles before, and this was the perfect opportunity to do so. As I read the clues, it was almost as if I could see the wheels turning in Raileigh's brain.

We also really enjoyed Letter Sequence Memory. I have to admit-- Raileigh did better with this game than I did. We had added "jeans" to the suitcase and I kept forgetting about them. It's a good thing that I had Raileigh there to remind me about them!

Each day since our fun game outing into the yard, Raileigh has asked to play grandma's Trunk once again. I can't help but smile, knowing that this educational game is teaching her and entertaining her simultaneously.

Does Grandma's Trunk sound like something that your little one would enjoy as well? Educational Insights has agreed to send one lucky reader a copy of this fun game!

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Give FREE Valentine's Day Cards from ZhuZhu Pets & DaGeDar

2012-02-13T06:51:00.000-05:00

Raileigh loves her ZhuZhu Pets. She enjoys watching the latest ZhuZhu Pets movie, as well as playing with all the fun ZhuZhu Pets friends and toys.

Naturally, I was thrilled to learn that Cepia, LLC (the parent company of ZhuZhu Pets and DaGeDar) has released some special Valentine's Day cards to help us celebrate. The best part is that these cards are completely free and be printed out right at home.

The ZhuZhu Pets cards display the loveable "Fab Four" ZhuZhu Pets, Pipsqueak, Chunk, Mr. Squiggles, and Num Nums.

DaGeDar's Valentine's Day cards have awesome graphics of some of Dimension 33's hottest racers.

Here is how you can gain access to these FREE printable Valentine's Day cards:

Visit: Go to www.zhuniverse.com or www.dagedar.com
Download and print: Click on the Valentine's Day promotion, and print your Valentine's Day cards
Decorate: Have your kids decorate their Valentine's Day cards
Deliver!

Raileigh has been really excited about Valentine's Day this year and wants to give cards to everyone she knows. So, these free cards were the perfect way to make that happen for her. We started by visiting the ZhuZhu Pets website. Watch for the changing images to scroll through to the Valentine's Day one that says "Will Zhu Be Mine?". We clicked on this and a full-color PDF featuring 6 lovely cards popped up.

We printed the Valentine's Day cards on cardstock for a little added durability. After cutting them apart (Raileigh needed just a bit of help with this), it was time to write who the cards were "To" and "From". This didn't take long, as Raileigh had already decided who each card was before they were even done printing!

Then, I let her spend a little time decorating the back of each card so that she could add her own special touch. I am certain that I will be printing out more of these Free ZhuZhu Pets Valentine's Day Cards in the next few days as Raileigh thinks of more and more people that she needs to send cards to!

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. I may be randomly selected to win a ZhuZhu Pets or DaGeDar prize pack. All opinions are my own.

Have a Coca-Cola Family Night {Review + Giveaway}

2012-02-10T07:41:00.000-05:00

So, as you all heard recently, Raileigh had her very first sip of Coca-Cola. Now that she has discovered she enjoys this refreshing beverage, she is telling everyone she sees that she likes Coke now!

Since Raileigh has discovered a new found love for Coca-Cola and it's time for another season of American Idol... what better reason that to snuggle up indoors for family night? I have to admit-- Darren probably won't be too excited about an American Idol family night. So, I think this will be a mommy-Raileigh family night while he has to work one night!

Entrance to the World of Coca-Cola, taken on our last visit

As I am certain you all know, Coca-Cola is a sponsor of American Idol. If you happen to visit the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta (highly recommended!), then you can even sit on the iconic Coca-Cola couch from season 4 (Carrie Underwood's season).

This year, on My Coke Rewards, Coca-Cola has released a plethora of family night ideas that are all American Idol based! At MCR.com/family, you will find contests, instant wins, rewards, recipes and games-- all perfect for your next family night.

There is a mini Philly Cheese Steak recipe on there that I cannot wait to try! We might just have to cook up a batch of these, perhaps some Pringles Brownies for dessert, and have a good time listening to the music and doing our own karaoke versions of the songs during commercials.

To help kick-off Family Night, we’d like to offer you a prize pack that you and your readers a special giveaway inspired by American Idol and the Fun for Family Night games on MCR.com. The prize pack is valued at over $100 and includes:

(1) Handheld Camcorder
(1) American Idol – The Hits Volume 1 CD
(1) Coca-Cola and Pringles coupon

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Nowhere to Go Strategy Board Game {Review + Giveaway}

2012-02-09T07:22:00.000-05:00

In my household, we really like to play board games. Raileigh is at the age where she has began to enjoy playing games with us. However, it's also nice when Darren and I get to play those games that are a bit beyond her comprehension level.

Recently, we had the opportunity to check out a fun strategy game from Educational Insights.

Nowhere to Go

Includes: Unique hexagonal game board, 2 playing pieces, and 40 blockers

For 2 Players

Grades 3+

The object is to trap your opponent in this step-by-step strategy game. Here are the simple rules as to how you play:

1. Each player places his or her spy piece on the starting spaces.

2. Players take turns moving their spy piece as many spaces as they like across any bridges that are not blocked.

3. Players end their turns by placing a blocker on any bridge.

4. The first player to trap the other spy with blockers wins!

Darren and I had the opportunity to play this game together, and I have to say that we both love it! Game play is relatively quick, so we can play even when we don't have a lot of time.

Plus, Nowhere to Go really is a lot of fun. There is definitely strategy involved, and as we played the first time, I could tell that we both figured out things to help us play better during subsequent games.

I also like that the game isn't too large. It's a great size to take along on road trips, picnics, or other outings where you might enjoy a little entertainment. I am thinking that it might even be the perfect addition to our next camping trip.

We actually had a few moments to break out Nowhere to Go this morning before Darren went to work for the day. We only had time for one game, and I am sad to say that Darren beat me. I think that he was pretty proud of his victory!

Does Nowhere to Go look like a game that your family would enjoy? I can pretty much guarantee that this is one strategy game you will want to play over and over again! I am happy to announce that Educational Insights has agreed to send one lucky reader their very own Nowhere to Go Strategy game!

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Ruth and the Green Book at CPA Atlanta {Ticket Giveaway}

2012-02-08T11:40:00.000-05:00

Have you taken your child to the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta? Now is your chance! Whether you have visited numerous times or are a first time attendee, I have a special announcement for all of you.

Ruth and the Green Book will be playing at the Center for Puppetry Arts February 7- 26, 2012. This special performance is intended for ages 9+, so it's great for an afternoon or evening out with your teen. In case you are not familiar with Ruth and the Green Book, let me tell you a bit more about this fascinating tale.

Adapted and Directed by Jon Ludwig

Based on the book by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, with illustrations by Floyd Cooper

Produced by special arrangement with Lerner Publishing Group

2011-12 Teen & Adult Series

Chronicling a relatively-unknown chapter in Civil Rights history, Ruth and the Green Book follows an African American family as they travel from Chicago to Alabama in the Jim Crow South of the 1950s. After being turned away from hotels, gas stations and restaurants, 8-year-old Ruth and her parents are introduced to "The Green Book," a travel guide for black motorists conceived as a response to the humiliation and violence experienced by African Americans while traveling. Using an innovative combination of puppetry and animated projections that are inspired by the book's evocative illustrations, this collaboration between Artistic Director Jon Ludwig and author Calvin Alexander Ramsey celebrates this great guidebook that helped Ruth's family, like many others, find safe routes to welcoming places and people.

After the performance, don't forget to pick up your copy of the book at the Center's store.

Now, for the exciting news! I have two tickets to the 11am performance of Ruth and the Green Book on Saturday, February 11, 2012 for one lucky reader.

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$10 Sam’s Club® Gift Card Offer PLUS $25 Gift Card Giveaway!

2012-02-07T08:48:00.002-05:00

For a limited time, from February 1–29, 2012, you can get a $10 Sam’s Club Gift Card when you purchase any two of the following baby items at Sam’s Club:

• Pampers® Swaddlers® or Pampers Cruisers® Diapers
• Pampers SoftCare Scented Baby Wipes
• Similac® Advance® Powder or Similac Sensitive® Powder
• Dreft® Liquid Laundry Detergent

With this offer, you can stock up on items that you use every day for your baby AND get $10 to spend on your next purchase of diapers or formula. By buying in bulk, you save time shopping, and with this offer, you save money. That means you can afford to give your baby quality products and a little more mommy time.

For more offer details, visit SamsClub.com/giftcardoffer. The purchase must be made in one visit, and online request must be submitted by March 14, 2012.

$25 Gift Card Giveaway

In addition to the great savings at Sam’s Club, I have a giveaway just for you! One lucky blog follower will win $25 in Sam’s Club Gift Cards.

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Raileigh's First Sip of Coca-Cola & The Coca-Cola Dress

2012-02-06T08:18:00.000-05:00

Last night, Raileigh had her first sip of Coca-Cola.

We have offered it to her before, but she has always insisted that she doesn't like it-- even though she's never tried it. I don't drink caffeinated beverages, so therefore I don't drink Coke. I think this is why Raileigh thought she doesn't like it. She tends to enjoys drinks that I do- Strawberry Lemonade, Orange Gatorade, and Chocolate Milk. So, since I don't like Coca-Cola, it seems that she assumed she didn't as well.

She wanted to drink it through a straw because she said the Coke smelled funny. I have to say that I agree, but perhaps that is because I don't drink it. After the first sip, she kind of wrinkled up her nose and made a funny face. But, she kept drinking it. After 5 or 6 sips, Raileigh declared that she did like "Daddy's Coke", which is how she always refers to Coca-Cola.

All of this reminded me of a dress that I made a few months ago. It's a t-shirt dress, constructed from the Sienna Dress pattern, by Lil Blue Boo. I did make a few changes, but the overall idea is the same.

This dress is made from three t-shirts. All have been picked up thrift shopping at some point. The white Coca-Cola shirt was originally intended to be a shirt for me, but it was definitely too small. However, it made the perfect shirt to cut up and use in a dress for Raileigh!

All of these pictures were taken a few days before Thanksgiving. It is amazing to me how much she has grown since then. It's a great reminder to relish each and every day, because they really do pass us by so quickly.

Discover Your Winter Cocktail {+ Win $20 to Crate & Barrel}

2012-02-04T08:28:00.000-05:00

I have to tell you-- I am not one to enjoy a cocktail. In fact, neither Darren nor I have ever had a single drop of alcohol.

However, I know we are definitely in the minority. That is why I happy to share the above app with you-- Discover Your Winter Cocktail. Here is what all this app has to offer:

Discover Your Winter Cocktail. Answer a few questions to see what winter cocktail suits you best!

Little Known Liquor Facts! This fun guide will give you little known facts about liquor you may not have known!

Give a Winter Twist to Four Classic Cocktails! Everyone has their favorite drink and most of the time they are the tried and true classics. Now you can spice up your classic cocktail with a fun holiday twist! Great to share with friends or become the hit of your holiday party!

Additionally, I have a winter cocktail recipe to share with all of you.

Chocolate Snowball
Ingredients:

2 oz coconut rum
2 oz Irish cream
1 oz hazelnut liqueur
3 1/2 oz melted chocolate
3 1/2 oz cream
1 dash chocolate syrup

Preparation: Place the chocolate syrup around the glass then place the other ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into glass.

To further encourage you to check out this all new app, I have an exciting giveaway for you. One lucky reader is going to receive a Hendrick’s Gin Golf Umbrella and a $20.00 Crate & Barrel Gift Card.

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Picnik is Closing-- What Will You Do?

2012-02-03T09:05:00.000-05:00

I am quite sad. My favorite free place to edit photos, Picnik, is officially closing. Their last day is April 19, 2012.

In 2010, Picnik was acquired by Google. Recently, Google decided to shut down Picnik. Now, when you log onto Picnik, it states that

Picnik is moving its easy yet powerful photo editing tools to Google+

I have to say that part of me feels like this is just a ploy by Google to get more people to join Google+ (which I did recently, by the way... I am just not sold on it at all). I also know that while they will move some of the photo editing tools over, it's not going to be what I think of as Picnik.

So, here's my question for all of you who love Picnik as much as I do. What are you going to do now? Here are some options I have thought about:

Use whatever they offer on Google+ (I don't like this option because I feel like I am giving in to the Google ploy... and I think I will just be a little disappointed)
Go back to a photo editing website I have used before- Photobucket (also don't like this option because I was never happy with the services here)
Purchase Photoshop

The third option, purchasing Photoshop, is the one I am currently leaning towards. I have wanted it for a while now. I am just a bit scared of the learning curve. However, I know that there are many blogs with a lot of tutorials to help make the process easier. There are also quite a few different versions of Photoshop out there and I have been attempting to research which would be best. It's also a bit pricey, but it would just be a one time investment.

I'd love to not have to spend the money on it, though. So, I'd like to know what you're going to do. If you've never used Picnik and use another method or service to edit your photos, let me know, too! I just want to get the most bang for my buck and be able to create the photos I want with relative ease.

Raileigh and the Pineapple Fountain

2012-02-02T07:55:00.000-05:00

Today, our family headed to downtown Charleston to enjoy this absolutely gorgeous weather. It's only February 1, and we enjoyed a beautiful day in the low 70's. Pure bliss.

One of our very first stops was Waterfront Park. In case you aren't familiar with this lovely little spot, it's home to many wonderful things, including the iconic Pineapple Fountain. The pineapple is a symbol of hospitality, and one that has long been associated with Charleston.

The Pineapple Fountain is one of two fountains in Waterfront Park that can be classified as "splash fountains". This means that you are welcome to take off your shoes and dip the toes in the water to cool off for a bit. There is no lifeguard on duty, so it's all at your own risk.

Today, as we approached the fountain, Raileigh asked if she could touch the water. When we asked if she'd like to take her shoes off and touch the water with her toes, she was delighted! Though the day was beautiful, there was really no one else around.

We spent the good part of an hour watching as Raileigh enjoyed the nice, cool water at Pineapple Fountain. At first, she somewhat timidly dipped her toes and fingers in. By the time we left, she was completely sitting in the water, drenched. She splashed, made water hand and feet prints on the sidewalk, and had an overall amazing time.

I see many return trips in our future. However, I will definitely be sure to come more prepared since I know Raileigh will most likely be completely wet from head to toe.

I'll leave you with some pictures of Raileigh enjoying herself on this beautiful February afternoon.

Raileigh, just before touching the water for the first time

She started by somewhat timidly touching the water with her fingers and toes

That quickly turned to all out splashing

She also enjoyed walking along the perimeter of the fountain

She is practically sitting in the water at this point

Completely drenched and completely happy!

Understanding Your Vision with Zeiss

2012-02-01T09:02:00.000-05:00

I have always been lucky in that I have not suffered from any problems with my vision. However, I cannot say the same for Darren. He began wearing glasses in 5th grade, and added contacts to the list during middle school.

Darren is nearsighted, meaning that he has trouble seeing objects that are far away. To be quite honest, I have never been quite versed in what all of this means. I tend to get the names of different vision issues mixed up. I also have no idea what vision correction options there are and which tends to be best in certain situations.

Thankfully, Zeiss Vision, a global leader in precision optics, has created some educational tools to enable eyeglass wearers to better understand their vision correction needs, ensure they get the most out of their next eye exam, and receive the best lenses to regain sharp vision.

I browsed through the educational tools to find out some information that will help me understand Darren's vision problems a bit better. Since we recently moved, I was really interested in finding what to look for in an eye doctor. Previously, he visited a large chain vision store. However, I have always felt as if it was a bit impersonal. Additionally, it also seems as if we are just being fed a lot of information in a very lopsided, one-way conversation.

Thanks to the educational tools provided by Zeiss, I now know some important things to look for as we choose an eye doctor. Yes, WE. Even adults with no previously diagnosed vision problems, should have their eyes checked out every 2 years. I have also gained a wealth of knowledge. I will feel confident in actually corresponding with the eye doctor and will understand more of what they are saying to us!

Whether you suffer from a vision problem, have a family member who does, or just want to be informed about issues that begin to effect almost every adult of a certain age, then I highly recommend that you check out these educational vision tools from Zeiss.

In case you're wondering what makes Zeiss qualified to share all of these helpful tips with you, let me share a bit of interesting background about this fabulous company with you:

Astronauts relied on ZEISS quality lenses to take pictures of the first moon landing.

Google Earth cameras are equipped with ZEISS precision lenses.

Nobel Prize winners have relied on ZEISS microscopes for their award-winning research.

ZEISS camera lenses have been used to film unforgettable movies such as The Lord of the
Rings, Slumdog Millionaire and The King’s Speech.

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a gift card as a thank you for sharing this with you. All opinions are my own.

Win BIG with Mueller's Pasta Moments Photo Contest

2012-02-01T08:59:00.001-05:00

If you cook pasta in your home, then I am sure that you know all pasta is not created equal.

My favorite go-to pasta is Mueller's Pasta. It cooks good and even, and always delivers a fabulous taste. I know that when I pick up a box of Mueller's pasta (usually rotini or bowties-- Raileigh's favorite) I can count on quality.

Recently, I learned about a fun new promotion that Mueller's is offering. It centers around "home" and what this word means to you.

With our big move to South Carolina several months ago, I have actually spent a lot of time thinking about what exactly home is. To me, home is simply where my family is. Since we moved, I have spent some time away from Darren, visiting our extended family back in Georgia. When I speak of Georgia, I usually dub it "home". However, I have recently learned that home is where you find Darren, Raileigh, and I together.

Mueller's wants to know home and all the comforts of it mean to you. They invite you to stop by their Facebook page and participate in the Pasta Moments Photo Contest. All you have to do is submit your favorite photo with pasta, including a caption that fills in the blank, “Somewhere in America, home is…”

There will be weekly winners chosen, as well as a grand prize winner. The grand prize winner is going to take home a Kindle Fire!

Before you head over to the Mueller's Facebook page to enter, I would love to know-- What does "home" mean to you?

Disclosure: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive a gift card as a thank you for my time. All opinions are my own.

My Girl is Growing Up

2012-02-01T08:58:00.000-05:00

It amazes me how fast time flies, especially when you have a little one.

Lately, it seems that Raileigh is growing faster than ever. She is learning to add and on the cusp of beginning to read- she amazes me with her wealth of knowledge daily.

She is also growing out of the toddler phase and is becoming quite the little lady. I've even had to start shopping in the little girl's section. It's exciting and a bit sad at the same time.

I'd thought that I would share some recent pictures of Raileigh so that you can see how fast she is growing and changing. All of these pictures were taken about a week ago at Stone Mountain Park. It rained almost the entire week we were in Georgia, so we took advantage of the one beautiful day to get some fresh air.

Welcome My Newest Niece-- Amelia Claire Gain

2012-01-31T09:22:00.000-05:00

The big reason for my trip home last week was...

I have a new niece!

Amelia Claire Gain

Born: January 17, 2011

7 lbs. 1 oz.

19 inches

5:42 pm

Amelia was born to my middle sister, Lindsey, and her husband, Justin.

She is an amazing baby. Amelia is beautiful, with absolutely perfect tiny little features. She eats well and only wakes up once per night. She rarely cries- usually only when she is hungry, cold, or needs a diaper change.

Amelia and Me

I had the opportunity to spend lots of time snuggling this precious bundle of joy. If I was around, there was a good chance that no one else could get their hands on Amelia.

I am so proud of my sister and her lovely family of 4. I can't wait to watch Amelia grow alongside her big sister, Marlee!

Now, enjoy some pictures of Amelia Claire.

Marlee and Amelia, soon after the birth

Lindsey and her precious new baby

Amelia taking a nap on her pillow

Amelia and her Daddy

Gorgeous Sisters

Amelia in a headband, handmade by my talented sister

Animal ABC Flash Cards with the Cricut {With Tutorial}

2012-01-31T08:53:00.000-05:00

Recently, I made Raileigh a fun new set of flash cards.

These cards measure approximately 5" x 5" each and feature one animal for each letter of the alphabet. On one side of the card, you'll find the silhouette and name of an animal. On the reverse side of the flash card, there is the corresponding upper and lowercase letter.

Though the cards were not necessarily difficult to make, there was some trial and error as I tried to figure out the best size to cut each piece. So, I have put together a short tutorial just in case any of you would like to to make your very own set of Animal ABC Flash Cards.

If you don't have a little one, still take a look. These cards would make a great gift for nieces and nephews or any other special kids in your life.

Supplies:
Cricut and cutting mat
Cricut Classic Font Cartridge
Zoo Day Lite Cartridge
black, white, and pink cardstock
assorted green scrapbook paper
adhesive
optional: YourStory Machine and laminating pouches

Instructions:
1- We'll cut the cards first. Insert the Cricut Classic Font Cartridge and cut waytogo1 (p. 72) in italic shadow out of black cardstock at 5 inches. You'll need 26 of these.

2- Now, cut waytogo1 (p. 72) in italic out of white cardstock at 5 inches. You will need 26 of these.

3- Repeat step 2 with the green scrapbook paper.

4- Now, we'll make the letters that go on the green scrapbook paper for each card. You will need to cut one uppercase and one lowercase of each letter using the Cricut Classic Font Cartridge out of black cardstock. All letters need to be cut at 2.5 inches, with the following exceptions:
M and m- 2 inches
W and w- 2.25 inches

5- Now, you'll need to cut out the letters for each animal name out of black cardstock. Use the Cricut Classic Font Cartridge and cut at 1 inch for all animal names. Exception would be umbrellabird, which needs to be cut at 3/4 inches. Here is a list of the animals I used, since I know some are hard to identify:
alligator, bear, coyote, duck, elephant, frog, gorilla, hippo, iguana, jackal, kangaroo, lion, moose, narwhal, opossum, penguin, quail, rhino, squirrel, turtle, umbrellabird, vulture, whale, xolo dog, yak, zebra

6- Now, let's cut out the animals. Insert the Zoo Day Lite Cartridge and use pink cardstock. Each animal will be cut at 3 inches, with the following exceptions:
Bear- 3.25 inches
Moose- 3.25 inches
Rhino- 2.75 inches

7- Now, for the next step you have two options. You can either cut out a blackout of each animal in step 6 OR you can use black cardstock scraps to make the letter cut out in each animal black. I chose to use scraps because I had a lot lying around from earlier cuts in this project!

8- Now, it's time to glue everything together.

9- Optional step- I chose to laminate my flash cards using the YourStory for added durability.

Enjoy your new flash cards. I know that you will enjoy making them as much as your little one enjoys playing with them.

Whole Grain First {General Mills Cereal Review + Giveaway}

2012-01-30T07:45:00.000-05:00

This year, I have made it my mission to get my body back into shape. My daughter will be FOUR this September, and I have been carrying around these extra pounds for long enough. In addition to being more diligent about exercising regularly, I am also trying to do what I can to eat better.

I know that I am not alone. Ringing in the new year also means a host of new eating habits for many people. Did you know that the Dietary Guidelines recommend choosing products with whole grain listed as the first ingredient? The thing is, it can often be difficult to identify those items that have more whole grain than any other ingredient.

Thanks to a new initiative from General Mills, it is now easy to identify which of their cereals contains whole grain as the first ingredient-- meaning, the cereal has more whole grain than any other ingredient. All you have to do is keep your eyes open for that handy white check mark. That check mark will let you know that whole grain is first.

Let me say that just because these cereals contain whole grain first does not mean you're going to experience a bland flavor that can sometimes be associated with eating whole grains. In my opinion, these cereals are tasty and delicious! Everyone in my family has been able to find a General Mills cereal they love that contains whole grain as the first ingredient.

Dr. Travis Stork has put together a handy little tip sheet that can help you learn how to identify how much whole grain is in other products at your grocery store:

Dr. Stork has some additional recommendations to help you include whole grain easily into your diet. They include:

Start Early! The Dietary Guidelines recommend people get at least 48 grams of whole grain in their daily diets. Get a jump-start on the day´s nutrition by incorporating whole grain into your morning routine. For instance, when choosing cereal make sure whole grain is listed as the first ingredient. One easy choice is cereal with the white check, which have more whole grain than any other single ingredient.

Make Simple Swaps. Choose whole grain versions of the foods you love. Great options include whole wheat pasta and whole wheat bread or even whole grain crackers. Also, try different types of whole grain. Use brown rice instead of white rice as a side dish at dinner or popcorn, which is a whole grain, for a snack.

Don´t Judge a Food by Its Cover. The front of food packages provide good nutritional cues, but don´t forget to read the ingredients and check the nutrition label and side labels for additional health information. Cereals with the white check even include the amount of whole grain per serving on packaging.

To help with choosing products with whole grain, General Mills developed "Fast Lane for Whole Grain," an online educational game. Consumers can navigate virtual grocery store aisles and identify products that have whole grain as the first ingredient, with the option to enter a sweepstakes to win one of each of the 50 cereals with the white check. Make a commitment to add more whole grain to your diet by simply pouring a bowl of cereal with the white check including Cheerios^®, Lucky Charms^®, Cinnamon Toast Crunch^®, Honey Nut Cheerios^® and Total^®.

After playing the game at Whole Grain Nation, make sure and enter for your chance to win a package containing all of the Big G cereals from General Mills.

How would you like to try these cereals for yourself? Thanks to MyBlogSpark and General Mills, one lucky reader is going to win a General Mills Cereal Prize pack, containing 5 boxes on General Mills Cereal with the white check.

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Free Printable Valentine's Day Subway Art

2012-01-30T07:43:00.000-05:00

I have always been really bad about decorating for the holidays. Well, other than Christmas-- I do decorate for that!

However, one thing that I want to do better at is getting in the holiday spirit during Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, etc.

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I have been searching the web for the best Free Printable Valentine's Day Subway Art. It's really easy to hang a frame in your house and switch out the print inside to fit whichever holiday or season you're celebrating.

I'd thought I'd share my findings with you. There really is some great free printable subway art out there for you to choose from. To be taken to the host site where you can access the full-size printables, just click the text below each picture.

Printable Valentine Subway Art by Today's Fabulous Finds

Valentine Subway Art by eighteen25

Valentine Subway Art by Funky Polkadot Giraffe

Valentines Subway Art by Bunch of Craft

Valentines Day Printables by The Crafty Scientist

12 x 12 Valentines Day Subway Art by Our Thrifty Ideas

Valentine Subway Art by Therapeutic Crafting

Valentine's Day Subway Art by Thrifty Finn

Free Valentine's Day Subway Art Printable by Craftily Ever After

Valentine's Subway Art by The Girl Creative

Valentine's Day Printable from The Idea Room

Valentine's Day Subway Art Printable by Morgan Made It

Valentine Printable by Blooming Homestead

Valentine Printables by Not Just a Housewife

Valentine's Day Subway Art Printable by the audzipan anthology

Valentine Subway Art by The Daily Dye

Valentine's Day Subway Art by Social Salutations

Learn All About the Gerber Life College Plan... + Enter to Win $25 to Snapfish!

2012-01-29T08:44:00.000-05:00

Cable or Dish Television is not a luxury that my family enjoys. Sure, there are definitely some shows we love, but we just cannot justify spending the money it costs to watch them.

However, I spent the past week at my mom's house and I must admit that I indulged in quite a few hours of TV. The channels that were available were astounding. There were 4 or 5 different versions of the Disney Channel!

Raileigh has always been accustomed to watching Netflix shows and movies that we stream, so she had no idea what the commercials that kept interrupting things were. It was fun to try and explain this to her.

One commercial that we saw numerous times was for the Gerber Life College Plan. Now, Raileigh is only three years old, but I have actually spent some time thinking lately about how we will afford college when she is ready to go. I was fortunate enough to receive a full scholarship thanks to good grades and a lottery funded scholarship program in the state where I lived. However, I doubt that programs like this will exist when Raileigh enters college.

That's the beauty of the Gerber Life College Plan. It is designed to help busy parents like you and I save for tomorrow – safely and easily. With guaranteed growth, life insurance protection, flexibility, and fixed monthly premiums payments, this program is the smart choice for your child’s future.

Right now, the Gerber Life College Plan is hosting a fun initiative that you can be a part of. Head over to the Gerber Life Insurance Company Facebook page now for your chance to contribute your baby’s photos to the Project Open Book picture mosaic. It's easy to add your favorite picture of your little one to this growing photo project. Plus, for every picture that is added, Gerber Life will donate $1 (up to $10,000 total for the project) to Reading is Fundamental to help promote a love of reading.

I haven't even mentioned that you could also win a prize for participating! That's right. If you add a photo to the mosaic on the Gerber Life Facebook Page, you might just be the lucky one that wins $10,000 or a variety of other prizes.

Today, you also have the chance to win a fabulous prize right here at Wee Share. One lucky reader is going to win a $25 Gift Certificate to Snapfish. This will go a long way in helping you to preserve those special memories and moments with your friends and family.

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Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing

2012-01-29T08:34:00.002-05:00

Recently, I have been really enjoying creating some of the delicious recipes that are accumulating on my Pinterest boards. It's fun to actually step away from the computer and make something. This is in no way helping me to shed those extra pounds. However, my family and I are thoroughly enjoying finding tasty new things to eat!

One of yummy things that we have discovered is Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing. I have previously been known to purchase those pre-fab cans of cinnamon rolls at the grocery store. That will happen no more! Now that I have discovered how easy it is to create my own, there is no turning back.

The recipe I used can be found at Iowa Girl Eats. It's really simple and easy to follow. There are only 4 ingredients in the cinnamon rolls and 3 in the icing.

I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical before I made these Mini Cinnamon Rolls. I actually don't like syrup. I just eat my pancakes and waffles with a bit of butter-- no syrup in sight. Strange, I know. Since the icing calls for maple syrup, I wasn't sure if it was something that I would enjoy.

I made them anyhow, knowing that my husband wouldn't mind eating every last one of the cinnamon rolls if I didn't enjoy them. It turns out that I DO like them. Okay... I kind of love them! The maple flavor is perfect. It isn't overpowering at all- it's just right.

And, the mini size? Adorable! Plus, just a couple of these cinnamon rolls can easily satisfy your sweet tooth.

If you're looking for something warm and delicious to kick start your morning, then I definitely recommend giving these Mini Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing a try.

If you'd like to see all of the Pinterest recipes I have tried, please visit my Pinterest Recipes I Have Tried board.

Jesse & The Sadie Hawkins Dance

2012-01-28T08:39:00.000-05:00

This past weekend, while we were in Georgia, my little sister went to the Sadie Hawkins Dance. I say little, but she'll actually be 15 next week. FIFTEEN! This means a learners permit and lots of new exciting adventures for her. When Darren and I began dating, she was still eating baby food. Where has the time gone?

Anyhow, she got dressed up and looked really beautiful as always, so I couldn't help but take a few pictures of her. It has been raining all day for several days, so the ground was mushy and it was just plain yucky outside. However, she indulged me and I got a few shots of her, as well as some with Raileigh.

When her longtime boyfriend, Austin, arrived to pick her up, I even got a few of them together.

She said the dance was a lot of fun-- much better than she had expected! I am glad that I got to be there and see her all dressed up for the dance.

Taboo-- The Game of Forbidden Words {Review + Giveaway}

2012-01-28T08:36:00.000-05:00

My family is infatuated with board games. Before Darren and I were even married, we had quite a collection of board games. From vintage, out-of-print games that we pick up at the thrift store to hot, new games that are flying off the shelf, we are willing to give any game a try.

One of the newest additions to our growing board game collection is Taboo. I am certain that many of you have heard of this fun game of forbidden words before. However, what you may not know is that Taboo got a makeover in late 2011. What you'll notice:

A new, sleek look
Game changing die
Fun "Uh-oh" Buzzer Sounds

Just in case you aren't familiar with how Taboo is played, let me break it down for you.

Each player helps the team guess a specific word on a card without using the words that are off limits. For example, you might have to get your team to say the word "heart throb" without using the words teenage, movies, star, or idol.

Be careful. Opponents will be listening for these Taboo words that can’t be used in game play. Each time a team hears a Taboo word they can sound the new “Uh-Oh!” buzzer, signaling that the opposing team’s turn is up! However, if team members guess the word before the buzzer sounds, a point is won.

The new game changing die adds even more excitement to the game, forcing players to do things like not speak or use their hands on their turn!

This all-new Taboo really is a lot of fun. It's designed to be played in teams, so you'll need 4 or more players. It's perfect for an at-home game night, a get together with friends, or any party or event you might be attending.

Want to see for yourself just how fun and addicting Taboo can be? One lucky reader is going to win their very own Taboo game!

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Dark Chocolate Kreme Filled Doughnuts at Krispy Kreme

2012-01-27T08:46:00.002-05:00

Let me just start by saying that my family loves Krispy Kreme. With a last name like "Glaze", how could we not? In fact, Darren uses a Krispy Kreme Hot Light app, so we always know when the Hot Light is on at our nearest Krispy Kreme. When we're on the road, this app also makes it easy to find a nearby Hot Light as well.

Our favorite variety tends to be a dozen of the Original Glazed. You just can't go wrong with the classic. However, I occasionally find myself enjoying a Chocolate Iced Doughnut with Sprinkles alongside my daughter.

This time of year, though, I am drawn to another doughnut at Krispy Kreme-- the Dark Chocolate Kreme Filled Doughnut. I first discovered this incredible treat last year. After one bite, I thought I had died and gone to doughnut Heaven. However, this treat for chocolate lovers is a limited time deal, and unfortunately I discovered it near the end of the promotion.

The Dark Chocolate Kreme Filled Doughnut I enjoyed this past week

Imagine my delight when I received an email that this amazing doughnut was returning this year! I made plans on my birthday to head to our local Krispy Kreme and get one (okay... several). I was crushed when I found out that my Krispy Kreme is not participating in the Chocolate Lovers promotion.

So, when I went home to Georgia this past week, stopping by the Krispy Kreme there was at the top of my list. This was where I had first experienced the Dark Chocolate Kreme Filled Doughnut, so I was certain I could find what I ~~needed~~ wanted there.

We picked up some of my favorite doughnuts (and a few others for everyone else as well) and headed to a local park to enjoy our treats. It was just as good as I remembered, perhaps even better. Maybe that's because I have been dreaming about them every since I enjoyed that first Dark Chocolate Kreme Filled delight last year.

If you haven't tried this delicious doughnut, please do so! It's only available at Krispy Kreme through March 31 and I don't want you to miss out on something this good.

Disclosure: I received no compensation at all for this post. I just wanted to share something that I love with all of you.