The Leaky Sippy

Finding your 'why' {guest post}

2014-03-27T14:09:00.000-05:00

Have you ever thought about working from home? There are legitimate work from home jobs + business opportunities out there. Sometimes it's just hard to find them. Direct sales + network marketing offer you a turn key business that you can truly work from home and build a stable income. This is an industry that I can see the potential and love sharing with others. Everyone has a reason they want to work from home. What's yours? Today's guest post is from Pauline. She is sharing a little more about her journey in direct sales and finding her 'why'.

I just want to give you a little glimpse into my family, because it is due to them that I am the person I am today. My mother died at the age of 28, and my father moved back home with me to be with his mom, 2 sisters and brother. It is a multifamily house in Fall River, MA, and they lived on the first floor. Two great-aunts lived on the second. I grew up in a large family home and was surrounded by more love than I could have imagined, but I digress...my grandmother was a widow. Her husband died at the age of 38 leaving her with 6 children to raise. I don't know how she did it, but her skills at budgeting still amaze me.

So, I grew up and got married and had a little girl and a little boy. We were in our first single family home, and money was a little tight. Not too bad, but going out to parties and stuff were stressful on me. I felt that the gift I was bringing wasn't good enough. At a family party for a cousin, I was sitting with my grandmother and I said I hope she likes the gift I brought her...it wasn't particularly what I wanted to bring, but it was the best I could do. She said, come over tomorrow once the kids were in school. I did, and the conversation was one of the best gifts she could have given me.

Meme (french for grandmother) told me she knew exactly how I felt. Having 6 children and no husband, on assistance, made holidays and birthdays a little stressful for her too. She went ahead to say that it was not a bad thing to bring a homemade gift (she usually did), but she understood that it was a different time... Then she said, do you know that close line tree in the back yard? I said oh course I do, I spent many a day helping to put out and take in the laundry. She said, I earned that for free. I did catalog parties for a home company. She brought her catalog to family and friends homes, and most bought what they needed from her, for they all knew her situation. Well, as she told me the story, I was amazed. It was such a leap of faith for her to do this. She couldn't leave to go to work, she made all the kids clothes from scratch and was an over all wonder woman! She went on to list other things she earned for free for the house. It was so cute, she was so proud and so was I. Then she said to me try it, maybe selling something can help you. We had tea and I went to go get my kids from school, and spoke with my husband. My journey was about to begin.

One of my neighbors was a director for Princess House, she had been dropping hints about me joining her team for a few years, but I had always politely said no. The day after my grandmother's talk, I went a few doors down to talk to her. And, that day I joined her team. I did Princess House for about a year and then it just fizzled. I did however earn some really nice gifts for the parties that year. I did Avon too...same thing...ran it's course and I enjoyed it. Our financial situation was better so I could just relax for a while.

Three years ago, I joined Scentsy. I needed help again. I was starting to get embarrassed about what I was giving away for parties. Wow...it has been great! I have been able to pay for my daughter's dance, and have nice gifts that I could actually afford. Now, my family is having trouble financially. My hubby hasn't had a raise in 3 years, and I only work part time. Our income isn't meeting our bills. So, during the last 3 months, I have ramped up my biz! I have been able to help us start to catch up! I just want to say direct sales, can help you do whatever you want it to. I just needed gifts, so that is all I did. I did the bare minimum...now I am moving right along, helping our family get into a better position. Find something you really like, and then do as much with it or as little as you need. Enjoy life...that is the most important thing of all and share your experience with others.

Have a Scentsational Day!

You can learn more about Scentsy here or contact Pauline directly at pmiranda05@yahoo.com.

Oil pulling + why this isn't a post like all the others

2014-03-13T14:01:00.000-05:00

I'm positive that at this point this week you have read or heard something about oil pulling. Honestly, this topic is on fire + I've got something to say about it.

Surprise, surprise.

I started oil pulling a few months ago. I've only tried it with coconut oil so my experiences are based solely on using that. I was apprehensive in trying it because I gag at almost everything + can hardly use mouthwash. But, after reading so many good things about it I thought I would try it. So, I took a big spoonful and headed to take a shower. Why would I do it in the shower? Well, for the most part I don't have to talk to anyone aside from a wayward child. I just figured I would be distracted enough to forget about the fact that I was swishing coconut oil in my mouth for 20 minutes.

Overall, it was really easy. I would just advise you not to look at what you are spitting out because it's pretty gross.

My friend and I were discussing my new found obsession one day when she brought up the fact that people with dental work shouldn't be doing it at all. While some people claim it can cure all sorts of diseases and ailments there are some that believe it isn't that great for someone with fillings in their teeth. WHAT?!?! Panic set in as I wondered how much damage I had been doing to my teeth. I have quite a few silver fillings in my mouth. I got on Google and did what any other rational person would do. I searched for hours for looking for more information. I needed to know more about the not-so-good side of oil pulling. Which turned out to be harder to find than I thought.

You can call this pure coincidence or bs but after a trip to the dentist for a cleaning a couple weeks ago it became apparent that many of my fillings were leaking. There were a few literally lifting off the tooth and others you could see damaged around the edges of the filling. Maybe they were just at the point were they needed to be fixed. Maybe my grinding my teeth at night had something to do with it. I don't know for sure. But, in all my life I had never had fillings basically falling out of my teeth.   Some of the fillings were only about a year old. It was like my mouth was falling apart + my teeth were crumbling just like in my nightmares. Yes, I have dreams my teeth a crumbling + falling out of my mouth when I talk. I know it's weird. I didn't tell my dentist right away what I had been doing differently since the last time I saw her. I just needed time to digest the cost estimate they handed me to fix everything. I think in the car buying arena this may be called sticker shock.

After another major repair appointment yesterday I finally asked her what she thought about oil pulling. And, her answer actually surprised me. Mostly because she was my dentist and seeing lots of teeth daily. I had just assumed that she would have been seeing some great results already since oil pulling is the next best thing. She told me that there really just isn't enough information out there on it for her to give me an honest answer. I jokingly said 'You mean you don't read blogs?' since right now that is a huge source of oil pulling advice. I knew that it wasn't a new idea and people have already been doing it for years. It's just the blogosphere is going crazy the past few weeks talking about it.  But, the reality is that there just isn't enough clinical studies for my dentist to give her honest opinion one way or another.

She is a rather conservative person so I shouldn't have been that surprised. I didn't expect her to tell me how great it was and how she was recommending it to all of her patients. I just thought maybe she had seen some great results in person. After all, she's a dentist. She is on the front lines everyday. Where are all the people with the beautiful teeth + gums hiding at?

I'm not here to tell you that oil pulling has no health benefits. I truly believe that it does.  I also know that everyone is different + will have different results. My personal results, although not 100% proven, have been that my teeth are not in the condition to be oil pulling on a daily basis. I'm thinking for now I will stick to my regular routine. Brushing, flossing + trying to use mouthwash. Maybe after my next visit in 6 months I can try it again if everything is looking ok.

Also, I'd like to point out that my oil pulling did not start before I read some books and researched what I could find about it online. There really isn't any one thing that says why it may be bad for dental work that I could find. Which I really wanted to find. For instance, I use coconut oil to make my popcorn. I'm eating the coconut oil although it's a much smaller amount touching my teeth. Is it just the amount of time it is in the mouth that matters? It is the simple act of swishing it that may be bad? I don't know. I haven't found my answers yet.

This is my experience and I'm not here to rain on anyone's parade. The best advice I can give you would be to research any natural remedy before you try it.

Have you ever tried oil pulling yourself? How often are you doing it? Are you seeing the benefits?  Is there anyone else that has heard of damaged dental work due to oil pulling?

Book sale coming!

2014-03-09T11:38:00.000-05:00

Whoa, that's exactly what it looks like. Four huge totes full of books. And, there is actually more than that....

Clearly I have a problem.

I have always loved books. Spending time curled up with a good book is my version of a perfect day. As a child I always dreamed of being a teacher and reading to my classroom of dollys was just part of my day. For the past few years I have added so many books to my life that we are literally running out of room to keep them. I have a soft spot in my heart for used books because they hold so much more than what meets the eye. Sometimes it's a hand written message, a folded over page and even just the smell that a good, loved book holds. I have a really hard time leaving a good book behind. I have literally spent hours at Goodwill crawling my way through the shelves looking for all my old favorites. And, fortunately or unfortunately my local Goodwill does not disappoint.

My newest obsession is to stalk @dibbleanddash on Instagram when she is running a book sale. If you are on Instagram + love books, you seriously need to check it out. I have gotten so many great books from there and the little extras she adds to the packaging makes it even more special. She's got this book sale thing down to a science!

Molly is definitely a tough act to follow and I am definitely not trying to recreate her Instagram store. But, I decided that I would be hosting an online book sale of my own on my own Instagram. I'm still working out all the details but I will keep you all posted.

Books available will be....

cookbooks

special interest books (sewing, knitting, etc)

early readers

Step One readers

chapter books

board books

story books

classic collections

Feel free to message me any questions on my Facebook page and make sure to like it for updates!!

Charge your kids a fine? Who does that?

2014-03-05T13:23:00.000-06:00

Have you ever heard of anyone charging their kids a fine?? A fee for chores left undone or even lights left on? A picture I posted on Instagram last week prompted a lot of questions I felt deserved an answer. So, I wrote a post about it.

Welcome to my world.

I am one of those parents. The parent, that at first glance, you may think of as being mean. But, honestly I am far from mean and actually quite the opposite. I have a hard time making the rules + an even harder time enforcing them. I hate to see my kids sad and hate even more when I am the one making them feel that way. I mean, we obviously have rules but I swear each day brings a new situation that requires me to be quick on my feet. Kids are sneaky little humans and if you turn your back for more than 1/2 a second they are bound to be into something new. Which makes sense when we are thinking in terms of little kids but what about the big ones??

My big girls are 10 + 14. They are old enough to know better about almost everything but still too young to always do better. Here is where parenting gets tricky. Consequences get bigger. And, longer. It's not a clearly defined line on what exactly an appropriate consequence is all of the time. Quite often I just resort to taking the electronics. But, taking one usually isn't enough. Taking an iPod away but leaving a Kindle really isn't teaching them anything other than how to find new apps to replace the now missing ones.

Which leads me to telling you all about The Fine and how I came to the idea.

Lights, camera, ACTION!

My girls and these darn lights! I have spent much of their lives reminding them to turn off a light as they leave a room. Most of the time I would send them back to do it themselves even if I was standing right there. Why? Because I wanted them to learn how to turn it off!! Day after day it felt like I was following them around just to remind them that it costs money to have the lights on. It seems like such an easy concept that I felt like there was absolutely no reason they shouldn't just be doing it. They clearly didn't want me hounding them about it. But, they still weren't getting it.

A few years ago both girls moved into bedrooms downstairs. It seemed like almost every single night they left the lights on. After I say goodnight to them I usually don't go back down. Unless a light is on. So, here they are snuggled into bed and I have to go turn everything off because it felt too mean to make them get up to do it. It was beyond annoying and I can't tell you how many times we'd talked about it.

Then, one day it hit me. They don't like spending their money so what if their money had to go towards the electric bill? What if every time a light was left on they actually had to pay me? I let the idea float around in my head a few days so I could come up with some concrete rules. And, when I was ready I presented them with The Fine bank.

Here are the rules,

Do not leave the lights on.

If you notice you left the lights on, turn them off.

If you didn't leave the lights on, but they are on, turn them off.

If you feel the need you may require the 'offender' to turn them off.

No fighting or arguing about it at all.

If for any reason the lights are left on and we find them that way BOTH of you will put $1 in The Bank.

No fighting or arguing about it at all.

Do not leave the lights on for any reason.

Honestly, these are not hard rules to follow at all. They need to hold each other accountable which is a great lesson in responsibility. The fact that they are paying The Bank is also a great reality check. Electricity costs money. Money doesn't grow on trees. No one likes to spend money on the bills especially when it's an unreasonable amount. That's why I made the fine $1. And, it's all right there. There are no surprises here. You leave the lights on and you pay for it. Simple as that.

Surprisingly enough for me this little 'lesson' is much more profitable than I ever thought it would be. It has take awhile for them to get into the swing of things and even still there are a few times a week they are putting money into the bank. Overall, I feel like this little idea of mine if working. I am spending a lot less of my time yelling about lights & money.

If your kids are still little than I know it's hard to even think about what the future holds. Holding your tiny baby you never imagine a day when you could actually be mad at him. Little things that happen over the years are all just a drop in the bucket my friends. Teenagers are a whole new kind of human you need to try to figure out + peacefully cohabitate with. Little things are often monumentally exaggerated with tears. Questions are usually answered with body movements of which you have no idea what they mean. You will be perpetually wrong. The things you thought were impressive by normal human standards will be met with eye rolling of epic proportions. Trust me, it doesn't get any easier when they start sleeping through the night. ;)

Also, in case you're thinking I must have a horrible relationship with my kids because I am so mean I can assure you that is 100% not the case. They don't run away from me when I enter the room which I think speaks for itself. I'm not yelling at them all the time either. I don't want to yell at them at all which is the reason behind this.

As for the money in The Bank, don't tell them but I think we are going to use it for something fun to do together. I just couldn't see myself not feeling guilty about it at some point. See, I'm not so bad after all.

So, have ever done anything similar to this? Or, did your parents do this when you were young? Do you feel like it worked?

Have I been poisoning my family?

2014-02-27T15:16:00.000-06:00

I am incredibly excited to introduce you to our first featured post here on The Leaky Sippy! Coral Ryan is a independent consultant with Ava Anderson Non Toxic. Ava Anderson develops and produces cutting-edge, non toxic, safe personal + home care products. Coral has been with Ava Anderson since November 2013. She is currently offering online, Facebook, catalog parties & vendor events. However, her favorite + most impactful offering is the AvaHour, which is what she offers locally to her customers in person to share awareness and showcase the products.

When my daughter was 5, I started noticing she had body odor and was even embarrased when her babysitter was the one who brought it to my attention. I called her pediatrician and he said to take her for blood work and go see an endocrinologist. He said "this could be early puberty". At 5?!?! NO WAY! Like any other American, I took to Google and did some research. Everything I was reading was pointing the finger towards the endocrine disruptors in our personal care products and foods. I was reading things like "studies have detected 287 chemicals in babies' cord blood- 180 cause cancer in humans or animals, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests." That was from the EWG- Environmental Working Group. Is this why so many of my friends are having such a hard time getting pregnant?

Cancer statistics are now up to 1 in 3 men and women and diseases like autism and alzheimers scare the heck out of me and are all being linked to these toxic chemicals. It's safer to eat these products than put them on our skin because 60% of what we put on our skin hits our blood stream in as little as 26 seconds! Our liver helps fight the junk we eat but our skin has no filter. 100% of the products that we put on our scalp, armpit and groin go into our blood. These toxic chemicals are cheaper so the well known companies are using them and us Americans are just trusting their fancy marketing tactics. Europe bans 1,342 toxic chemicals from their personal care products and the US bans only NINE. I gathered a list of ingredients that were toxic and realized everything in my household contained at least several of each! What I used in the shower, what I used to clean the house & laundry, my make up, my candles....everything!

I went to Target to replace everything. Thought it would be easy to find "clean" products...wrong! So many of the well known companies- California Baby, Burt's Bees, Tom's, Seventh Generation- have all changed their formulas since being bought by the bigger companies like Clorox and Colgate-Palmolive. At this moment I realized, I had to become my own "ingredients detective". Most physicians today are still hopelessly ignorant in these areas. They were simply never taught about nutrition and detoxification in medical school.

I took to the internet again and found a one-stop shop in Ava Anderson Non Toxic . They're a Rhode Island based company (Made in the USA!) that make safe, organic, gluten free NON TOXIC personal care products for my whole family (including pets!) as well as household products. Not only are the products safe but they work and they work great! My biggest selling product has been our diaper cream aka the Miracle Cream. I've had so many friends who themselves or their children have had skin problems with eczema, acne breakouts, cradle cap, psoriasis, rosacea, chapped winter skin and they've all found relief with our diaper cream... in just days! No more steroids or pricey prescriptions! Ava Anderson has put my mind at ease in my own home, enabled me to help so many other customers, and introduced me to so many great people. The support they offer is amazing!

'We do not share this message about harmful and toxic chemicals to sell products, we created these products to share the message.' -Ava Anderson

Ava's List of Ingredients to avoid: fragrance, parabens, triclosan, oxybenzone & octinoxate, petrolatum, PEG's (polyethylene glycol), sodium lauryl sulfate, ingredients that end in -eth, retinyl palmitate, nanoparticles, aluminum, diethanolomine (DEA), cocomide DEA, lauramide DEA, formaldehyde releasers like diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, quaternium, mineral oil, talc, synthetic color/dyes, propylene and glycol.

Visit Coral's website to learn more and shop online.

Follow her on Facebook for updates, sales and more!

Want to learn more about toxic chemicals?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfq000AF1i8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVB6XSyBTVE

My review of the NutriBullet

2014-02-24T13:28:00.000-06:00

Please allow me to introduce you to my new best friend........the NutriBullet.

The Magic Bullet NutriBullet is not a juicer. It's not a blender. It's a superfood nutrition extractor! You can create NutriBlasts, or delicious, nutrient-extracted beverages, in seconds. Simply add fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs and water to extract the ingredients into a smooth, tasty drink. It also makes delectable nutrient-extracted soups, dressings, desserts, all-natural ice creams, dips and more.

Unlike a juicer the NutriBullet breaks down stems, seeds, and skins where some of the essential nutrition lies. You're not juicing the produce. The blades actually pulverize the whole thing so there is no waste and more healthy benefits for you!

My hubby + I had been researching juicers and blenders for quite awhile when I saw the NutriBullet being advertised on tv. I'm not usually too happy with 'As Seen on TV' products because they never do exactly what they claim to. We read the reviews & watched YouTube videos anyway. Despite my skepticism we decided to give it a try. The NutriBullet retails for $99 and I've seen it on sale for less. You can find it online and at most major retailers.

Our NutriBullet came with a Natural Healing Foods book full of delicious recipes and a bag of SuperFood SuperBoost. We picked a few recipes to try and made up our grocery list. My husband jumped in with both feet and whipped up his first green smoothie. Personally, while I don't want to eat or drink anything that tastes like freshly cut grass, he didn't seem to mind and was quite happy with it. I decided that in order for me to really experience the NutriBullet, I had to take a walk on the wild side.

I made myself a smoothie and I didn't use a recipe.

And, I liked it.

Why did mine taste a little better? Well, I just added a little less spinach, a spoonful of plain greek yogurt, a banana and raw almonds. Yes, you can add whole nuts to your smoothies and it still comes out creamy. The almonds give it an amazing flavor, make it more filling and now I pretty much add them to it everyday. Isn't that cool?!

Some of my other favorite ingredients are,

carrots

celery

cherries

apples

berries

hemp seeds

chia seeds

ground flax seeds

coconut milk

coconut oil

These are just some of my favorites. I do use these ingredients pretty regularly but we are always trying out new things. For instance, did you know that the pineapple core is the healthiest part of the fruit? We had a freshly cut pineapple with a core just about ready for the trash when I decided to add it to my smoothie. The core is abundant in the enzyme bromelain, which is a natural anti-inflammatory. Vitamin C, manganese and copper are all present in the core as well. Why toss it in the trash when you can reap all the health benefits it offers?

If you follow me on Instagram you already know that I am in love with my NutriBullet. I don't keep it a secret. It is hands down my FAVORITE kitchen appliance!! It is incredibly easy to use. Even myy 14 year old daughter even makes her own smoothies before school. It's a breeze to clean up which is great. You can store your drink right in the cup with one of the resealable lids for transport. There's also a lid with a spout for those of you that drink your smoothies on the go. The blades are stainless steel and never need sharpening. Believe me when I tell you that these blades can cut through pretty much anything with ease unlike my old Cuisinart blender. Ours also came with a milling blade. What can I do with that? Well, it means I can now mill grains, grind fresh herbs, chop nuts, mill brown rice into brown rice flour, almonds into almond butter, wheat berries into all-natural wheat flour and more. Seriously, this is hands down the BEST purchase I have made in a long time! If my NutriBullet broke today, I would be at the store today to replace it. It is that important to me! We have been drinking our smoothies everyday since December and I can't imagine going a day without one. If you are trying to decide if you should purchase a blender or a juicer, I highly recommend you take a closer look at the NutriBullet. It's a great price for something that can do so much!

[caption id="attachment_1738" align="aligncenter" width="640"] One of my favorite recipes so far![/caption]

{The NutriBullet was purchased by me. This is NOT a sponsored review. All thoughts + opinions are mine.}

Setting myself up

2014-02-20T17:02:00.000-06:00

I think that throughout my life I've learned a lot more than I often give myself credit for. As a teenager, I always told people that 'I have to learn things the hard way'. Which was mostly true at the time. But, now as a mature 29 year old woman I can't have that as my excuse anymore. I've often brought myself to the edge of a success only to purposefully allow myself to fail. I'm not really sure why. My attitude was that failure was not an option. Yet, here I was allowing myself to do just that.

I've always wanted my kids to see that I can set my mind to anything and make it happen. I want them to grow up knowing that anything is possible. And, failure is in fact part of the process. It's not all or nothing.

It's everything in between the all and the nothing that really counts.

Weight loss. Learning to crochet. Finishing a book. It's easy for me to say I want to do something. It's also usually pretty easy for me to give up. It's even easier for me to just chalk it up to being just one more thing I've failed at. Will not finishing a book affect my life? Not today. Will stuffing my face with carbs kill me? Not today. Will not posting on my blog ruin my life? Absolutely not.

The thing is, all the little seemingly insignificant things I do today would eventually add up. Good or bad. That's how people gain weight. That's why businesses fail. All the little things that don't seem to matter compounded. So, if I eat a healthy breakfast and lunch but eat 6 slices of pizza for dinner, that doesn't mean I should eat a hot fudge sundae for dessert? Probably not.I just need to pick myself up and keep going. Putting one foot in front of the other.

My kids are watching me. They are learning how to live life through me.Giving up isn't an option anymore. I want to do better and I know I can.

Here is a quote that speaks right to me today.

The formula for success is quite simple: double your rate of failure.
-Thomas J. Watson, Sr.(founder of IBM)

Tomorrow, I will fail. I will learn from it. I will grow from it. And, I will be happy.

No more resolutions

2014-02-05T14:59:00.000-06:00

During the last couple months of 2013 there was a lot of talk of resolutions. People standing on their soapbox, if just for a minute, to tell us all how 2014 would be different for them. I love that! It makes me take time to think about things I want to change. Personally and within my family. Should we paint the kitchen? We need a new couch. What kind of couch? Trying a new consequences on the rule breakers? It's all motivating & inspiring but years ago I chose to never make another resolution again.

res·o·lu·tion

/ˌrezəˈlo͞oSHən/
noun: resolution; plural noun: resolutions

1. a firm decision to do or not to do something.
"she kept her resolution not to see Anne any more"

2. the action of solving a problem, dispute, or contentious matter.
"the peaceful resolution of all disputes"

The absolute of the word resolution for a person like me is paralyzing. My anxiety goes into overdrive.  The thought of it hangs over me like a dark cloud just waiting to scream 'YOU BLEW IT! YOU SUCK! Now, go and do that one thing again since you already FAILED'.

Obviously, I don't necessarily do great under pressure. :p So, a few years ago I just decided that I wasn't going to do it anymore. No more resolutions for me! Instead, this year I decided to just make changes. I guess it doesn't matter what I call it but I like making changes better! Just doing things that have needed to be done for a long time.  But, things I still procrastinate doing because.....well, I just don't do them.

One of the things I promised myself to do this year was get my whole family eating healthier. Not just me on a diet eating carrot sticks in the corner wanting to stab the next person that breathed on me. I just wanted all of us to make the change together. Less processed foods, more water, more fruits + veggies. You get the idea. Switching to all organic is a little tricky just because we have a large family to feed + our local stores are not cheap. Another problem is our local stores have little selection. While researching recipes and ideas I came across Wildtree. I started to read some reviews about the products and then I started to get REALLY excited. This was a company that was GMO free, organic and all natural! Everything could be delivered right to my front door!  All of the recipes looked delicious and easy!! That's a HUGE plus in my book! I'm not exactly what you may call an enthusiastic chef.

Wildtree is sold through independent reps throughout the United States so I knew that I needed to find my own FAST! I wanted to be able to ask some more questions and learn a little more about the company itself. Honestly, it took me about 30 seconds into looking at the catalog and talking to my new friend Lisa, to decide that I wanted to be a part of this company!! There is literally nothing like it on the market and NOTHING like it in my local stores!! Plus, I would get a discount for my personal orders!! How much better can it get than that?!?!?

Having the option to work Wildtree as a business is an added perk I wasn't sure I really wanted. I mean, I was in this for me. That's what I had already decided. I wanted MY family to be eating better! But, a strange thing happened after I started cooking with my products. I found myself wanting to talk about organic foods. I wanted to show my friends how easy it was to get dinner on the table. I wanted to tell people about GMO's and how to avoid them. It started to not be just about me. I felt like I could help others learn how to eat better just by sharing Wildtree with them. I can help people get their Wildtree free and start showing them how to use it. Freezer meal cooking, menu planning, how to read product labels. It's all a part of it! I don't think there could be a more perfect place for me right now!

If you're interested, I'd love to chat all things Wildtree with you. You can jump on my Facebook page and join the conversation there too!

If you'd like to host an online party just let me know. I can mail you some samples + catalogs to get started.

I'm thrilled to be doing this for my family! I can already see that my kids are making better choices. Partially because their are more good choices than bad but also because they are learning why it's important.

I feel like the hashtag #winning applies here. ;)

Sold

2013-10-14T13:18:00.000-05:00

It feels like my heart just got ripped out of my chest.

Sold.

That word makes most people so happy. Selling a house. Selling a car. You want it gone and someone else pays you to take it out of your life. It sounds like an incredibly great way to clean out your house. Getting rid of things you aren't using and making a little money while you're at it. Isn't that why so many people have garage sales? Or, sell on eBay?

Unfortunately, my mind doesn't work like that. I feel like if there is a chance we might need it someday we better just keep it. Except, by the looks of my garage and downstairs there is a lot of extra stuff we have never needed. Decorations, baby stuff, kitchen items, toys, purses, books. It's all here. Just in case.

Yesterday I sold one of my strollers. I can already feel you rolling your eyes. I know it sounds pretty stupid. It's possible even to say I may be a little dramatic.  Just telling my husband how sad I was about it made me feel like an idiot. It just seemed so childish when I actually said it. I sold my stoller and now I want to curl up in a ball to cry for a few hours.

I was originally going to meet the buyer on Friday but things didn't quite work out. Possibly a small language barrier coupled with us both having 4 kids in the background had something to do with it. Maybe it was fate. I ended up felling pretty stressed and anxious all day Saturday waiting until our afternoon meet up. My mind was just racing. I tend to replay things over and over in my head.

"What if we need it?' was on repeat.

I was contemplating just calling the whole thing off. The store was 30 minutes away so I had plenty of time to play every scenario over and over in my head. Maybe she wouldn't show up anyway. What if she didn't take care of it as good as I did?  I felt myself starting to get sweaty. I kept thinking of just turning my van around and going home. What did I care if she didn't get the stroller? I could just ignore any texts from her. I could just go home and put the stroller back on my shelf. Right?

I sat in the parking lot watching the clock get closer and closer to 4. I didn't see anyone that looked like they were waiting for me. After a few minutes I pulled a little further ahead and closer to another car. Trying to hide myself a little. It was finally 4 and I still didn't see anyone that seemed to be waiting for someone. I pulled ahead again to another parking space that was next to a big truck. I was just hoping that if she came she wouldn't see me.  Yet, I stayed.

'Running 4 minutes behind. I'm in a Silver Tahoe.'

The text came and I immediately felt a sense of relief. I could just leave and it wasn't even my fault. She was late. It was totally on her. I wouldn't have to feel guilty about going home. Not my problem. But, I stayed.

Just a few minutes later a beautiful silver Tahoe pulled in right next to me. I jumped out at the same time she did and we met behind my van. I pulled out the stroller, showed her how it worked and just like that it was over.

Sold.

I'm not going lie. I struggled a bit with that word yesterday. Even this morning while we were going through the corn maze I kept thinking about it. What if it could have been easier pushing that stroller out in the field? But, it really doesn't matter because that stroller is gone.

I know that this probably isn't normal. This seemingly strong attachment to material things. It may even be just too weird for some of you to understand. I kind of don't get it myself. I just have a hard time getting rid of things. Not in a hoarding way. I am not a hoarder. Just in a sentimental, sappy love song kind of way. Play me a little 'Love Hurts' while I go through some boxes. I will look so pathetic you might just offer to store some of my things for me. ;)

I'm working on it.

Anyway, selling the stroller brings me one step closer to being able to pursue my newest adventure. And, that is going to be amazing!

Stay tuned.

Starting over

2013-10-13T15:47:00.000-05:00

Friends, can I be honest with you about something? This is extremely hard for me to actually say but I feel like I need to. I have been struggling with my weight for many years. I hate even admitting that. I can say it to myself all day long but the minute I say it to someone else it's like it becomes real. Why is that? As if saying the words 'I'm fat.' suddenly make people look at you in a different way. Ultimately, hoping and believing they were blind to the muffin top hanging over my pants or the extra baggy clothes getting just a little too tight.

That my friends is a symptom of denial. My inability to speak the truth. Even to myself.

I'm fat.

As a teen I always thought I was really fat. Compared to the other girls I hung around with I think I was the biggest. Looking back at that time in my life I think I was probably about 120 lbs maybe wearing a size 2. But, still likely the biggest of the group. I have bounced all around the scale for years. Really high highs and really low lows. I've tried to starve the pounds off, Weight Watchers, and started at least 10 different 'diets' that looked promising. I ultimately gave up just as easily as I started and went back to eating those extra calories that my poor body had been deprived of for that short time.

I fail. I suck at this. This is just who I am.

Except, it's not.

I am more than this. I am better than this. I know that I can do this. I just have to DO it. No more excuses. No more just finishing off the pack and then starting. No more.

I'm done.

I'm in the middle of reading a few books about being gluten-free. I became interested in this after learning more about the Paleo lifestyle. The symptoms that people have resolved just by changing the way they eat amazes me. I'm currently in pain everyday in my joints, hands, and back. I know some of it is just from carrying the extra weight but I've been wondering if there was more to it. I've also suffered from frequent headaches, sinus infections and a myriad of other dumb ailments for years. I just have come to terms with them as being a part of me. But, then I started reading more about Paleo and gluten-free living. I feel like I may be onto something here.

Let me be clear, I am not looking for a quick fix, fad diet. I'm just not. I'm realistic and I know this is going to be hard for me. But, I want the lifestyle change that comes along with the dietary changes. I'm not sure what would be right for me yet. I just know I want to feel like I'm just a tad over 30. ;) I want to be able to run & play with my kids again.

I want me back.

I used to be an athlete. I used to be outgoing. I used to be fun.

Where did I go?

Now, I'm just that mom with a bottle of ibuprofen in her hand sitting on the park bench. Running after my kids takes every ounce of energy I have which isn't much. I don't feel like I am living a life that represents the me I want to be.

I'm fat.

But, that's not really me. I'm not supposed to be sloppy yoga pants mom. Although, I won't deny the comfort they bring I can assure you that I'm wearing them because I refuse to buy bigger jeans. I'm too stubborn & cheap to spend money on something I wouldn't need for long. <<<--------DENIAL

I am entering into this lifestyle change with an open mind. I can do this. I just want to live again. I owe it to myself and my family to get healthy. I won't allow one wrong action to screw up an entire day. Or, week. I can do this.

Coming here, admitting this to you that I need to do this is really scary for me. I've tried not to blog anything too personal for quite awhile. There are a lot of reasons for that. But, this is my community. You are my people. Supportive, kind and generous hearted people.

So, please be kind.

Photo credit: Whatsername? / Foter / CC BY-SA

Children's Claritin Back to School tips

2013-10-11T18:32:00.002-05:00

My Claritin Back to School Survival kit!

For most of us our kids have been back to school for at least a few weeks now. And, it also means there are plenty of germs coming home with them now too. For my kids, they were both sick within the first week of school. The summer was especially hard on us with the allergies but I expected that to be the least of our problems mid-October. I wish I was right. :/

Something you may not know about me is that I am a firm believer in hand sanitizer. I never leave home without it! I know some people don't agree and truly think just good hand washing is enough. But, my number one rule for the school year is that when they get home, they wash their hands then sanitize them. Yep, I make them do both just to cover all the bases. It takes a couple weeks to make it a habit but after that I don't have to remind them often. I also stash a bottle in their desk & locker since they may not always get a chance to wash their hands.

I'm crossing my fingers that this year we can avoid Influenza and if possible anything involving the doctor's office all together. Is it weird to hope for a simple cold for your kids?

Children's Claritin has some back to school tips for you too!

1. Be sure to have Children’s Claritin, the #1 pediatrician-recommended non-drowsy allergy brand, on hand!

2. Multi-vitamins are building blocks to having a strong immune system. Make taking a multi-vitamin part of your

child’s daily routine.

3. Let there be light! Mold doesn't like sunlight, so try to keep your curtains open during the day. Should be easy

during the summer months!

4. Did you know that most pillows trap allergens, dust mites, and bacteria? Monitor the cleanliness of the pillow

your child with allergies sleeps on and replace if necessary.

5. Back to school season means lots of laundry for many moms. Be sure to remove laundry from the washing

machine promptly. Allowing wet clothes to sit in the washer means mold can quickly grow there.

6. Monitor pollen counts and adjust outdoor before and after school activities accordingly. Dry, windy days

can be particularly high in pollen.

7. Showering or bathing at the end of the day as opposed to the morning can be helpful in removing allergens

from body surfaces and hair.

8. Stay hydrated! Always send your child to school with a bottle of water. Drinking lots of clear fluids through the

day can help get rid of toxins and flush out body.

9. Peak pollen production typically occurs in early morning, so try to plan outside activities at other times of the

day.

So, whether you're just starting out or half way through your homeschool school year, make sure to be prepared and have your *sick supplies on hand. Because, despite our best efforts and hopes, germs always seem to find the way into your home.

*Sick supplies are tissues, cough drops, disinfectant wipes or spray, chicken noodle soup, crackers, Gatorade, 7-up, cough medicine, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, allergy medicine, color books, vapor bath, Jell-O, carpet stain remover and coffee. ;)

As a member of the Children’s Claritin Mom Crew, I receive product samples and promotional items to share and use as I see fit. No monetary compensation has taken place and any opinions expressed by me are honest and reflect my actual experience.

Naptime shmaptime

2013-09-30T14:32:00.002-05:00

Naps are sacred in my house.

Which I think is pretty true for every house with littles. I don't think I need to explain why they are so ever loving necessary. I personally look forward to them everyday if only for the simple fact that I won't be answering any questions(I've got a talker!) , wiping any butts(just my own!) and/or not distributing snacks for at least 30 minutes. Except to myself. Hello, Chili Cheese Fritos.

Honestly, their naps are usually closer to 2 hours but in my 13.6 years as a mother I've learned not to get my hopes up.

My girls went back to school a few weeks ago. Hello, slightly easier days. Ever since, I've been trying to get the littles on more of a schedule. We've always just kind of been Fly by the Seat of Your Pants people. It's worked for us but I'm just trying to carve out more time for structured activities. You know, like things that involve scissors and glue. Fun.

I was certain that my almost 4 year old son would be the hardest to get on schedule. And, yes he does still nap and I know just how lucky I am. My older girls took naps until about halfway through kindergarten and I just think if you want to sleep then you should sleep. Simple, right?

Except, surprisingly my almost 2 year old daughter can't seem to get with the program. She has been down to one nap a day for quite awhile now so I figured this would work out fine. And, it does. If you don't mind the crying, kicking the walls, throwing her Violet or the constant need to go back in for a reset.

No, I don't mind at all.

It's been taking close to an hour to get her to sleep. The monitor is turned down just low enough that I can only hear the constant thumping and a certain tone of her whining. Yes, she has tones. I mean, trying to ignore that is it's own kind of torture.

There are days I can only try for a bit and then just decide to wait until later. But, then there are the days like today. I got my hopes up today. I was thinking how amazing it would be clean the kitchen, bathroom and do laundry for at least an hour by myself. I mean, isn't that what every mother dreams of?

No, you say? Well, then you may just need to start dreaming a little bigger? ;)

Anyway, after about an hour of NoNapNancy's nonsense she's asleep. Finally.

And, I am clearly not doing anything on my to-do list.

The good & the bad

2013-09-25T08:26:00.002-05:00

The past month absolutely flew by. I felt like Dorthy when she is trapped in the tornado and everyone keeps going past the window waving. Except there wasn't anyone waving.

I feel like I'm stuck. Every proverbial ball is in the air and I just have to wait to catch them as they come down. Do you ever feel like that? I have little control over when one is going to drop and I just have to wait.

The real problem is that I'm not good at waiting. Or, the not knowing part. I want answers and I want them like yesterday. I feel this constant flow of the same thoughts with no resolution in sight. It's frustrating and I just don't feel like I can take much more.

But, I do feel like I am finally able to grasp some sense of a schedule around here. I feel like each day has a goal in mind. I stay focused, keep the little ones busy and at the end of the day I feel so much more accomplished.

Things aren't all flowers & sausages around here but I am finding little glimmers of sunshine.

Which is hope making a path for me towards my future.

Minnesota State Fair: Free Doctor's Visit Voucher from BCBS

2013-08-22T13:27:00.001-05:00

What would you rather be doing instead of sitting in a doctor’s waiting room? What if giving the question some thought earned you the most valuable Minnesota State Fair freebie this year?

Minnesota State Fair goers will be asking themselves that very question at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota booth. Visitors to the booth will be invited to take their photo in front of a green screen, which will allow them to show where they’d rather be instead of wasting time in a doctor’s waiting room. In return, participants will receive a voucher for one free doctor visit with an Online Care Anywhere physician – a $45 value. Of course, there is a limit of one picture and voucher per adult. The booth is located at Underwood and Johnson Streets, and the voucher can be used until November 30, 2013.

Online Care Anywhere is a service of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota that allows patients – not just members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield – to visit with a doctor via live web cam. Through this superior online care experience, users will see and interact with a real doctor – typically an internist, family physician or emergency room doctor – who has the expertise, resources and tools to diagnose and prescribe medication, if necessary. The 24-hour service offers very short wait times, which average about three minutes. The fee for an Online Care Anywhere visit is never more than $45, regardless of your insurance status.

Here’s a rundown of what’s happening at the booth:

-Visitors can take their photo in front of a green screen, which will allow them to show where they’d rather be instead of sitting in a doctor’s waiting room – a beach, at the lake, on the golf course or skiing.

-For taking their picture, visitors will receive a voucher for one free doctor visit with an Online Care Anywhere physician – a $45 value!

-Visitors can register for Online Care Anywhere on-site.

-Visitors can use the hashtag #IdRatherBe to talk about their experience on social media.

-They will also be giving out “Future Doctor” sweatbands that even feature a doctor's mirror.

Stop by for your free $45 voucher and start dreaming where you'd rather be!

Baby Cool and Calm review

2013-07-31T19:26:00.005-05:00

I was first introduced to the Baby Cool and Calm through an Instagram post. On that day in particular this caught my eye because only an hour before we had been traveling in my very HOT minivan. In case you're wondering, I do have a/c but on this 97* day it sure didn't seem like it. The kids were all miserable and I was at the end of my rope. I was done with Summer and with ever leaving my house again.

So, when I saw the post I frantically asked what it was. I started Googling(isn't that what you'd do?) and came upon the Facebook page. I briefly read through some posts and was SOLD! We had to have this thing! I could already see peaceful car trips in my future!

Here's a little description directly from Baby Cool and Calm:

The Baby Cool and Calm is a 10x6 inch cool pack made from soft flannel, organically grown rice and organically grown dried lavender. Store the Baby Cool and Calm in your freezer or ice chest. The rice becomes cool, but not too cold to place directly on the skin, and the scent from the lavender is calming.

The first time we used it I had stuck it in a PackIt lunch bag to use for our drive home when my car would inevitably be much hotter. At this point in the day in Minnesota that means like 100* plus. I buckled Baby Girl in and stuck the pack behind her neck. First, I was surprised she left it there but she must have already been really hot. Also, I was really jealous because I hate being so hot I feel like I am melting. Anyway, within minutes Baby Girl was asleep. ASLEEP! My kids never sleep in the car. Never. If you know me in real life you've probably heard me agonize over any car trip further than 30 miles. Which is basically everywhere I go. None of my kids have ever been car sleepers. They just prefer to cry & scream all the way home. And, it's just as fun as it sounds.

So, I have been packing our Baby Cool & Calm for every trip since. I even have used it when I had a terrible headache starting which is miserable but also the perfect excuse to lay down. It really holds the cold well and the lavender smells amazing!

These packs come in so many adorable colors and prints, and you can even have a name monogrammed onto it! This would make an excellent baby shower gift!! I mean seriously how cool(no pun intended!) would you look giving the new mommy to be a monogrammed sanity saver?! You will quickly become their hero!

You can find out more here and be sure to follow along on Facebook for updates on sales & giveaways!

Finding my voice again

2013-07-19T21:47:00.000-05:00

I know I haven't been posting hardly at all the past year. Adding an extra person to my life has me pulled in every direction possible. In a good way of course but it's still hard. There was also the unfortunate photo theft which left me all kinds of weirded out. It was just such a feeling of violation to have pictures of MY babies taken. I felt like I wasn't protecting them by posting things here about them. Does that make sense?

Then for months I went back & forth about whether to just delete this blog and be done with everything. I was so mad about it all. But, then I'd find myself sitting at my computer feeling that urge that only another blogger could understand. I had to write. There was too much on my mind. I came here and I wrote. For me. I never hit publish. I now have an archive of the past year of posts that looking through brings tears to my eyes.

Things haven't been easy. The constant struggle of raising my kids and being a good wife has been really hard this past year. I've shed lots of tears. I can look back at it now and see that we are moving forward. Things are starting to get better.

Growing up is hard.

Remember when someone would say that and you'd just roll your eyes at their old people wisdom? Every time we whined or complained there was always an adult there to remind you things only could get worse. Can you tell I was surrounded by optimism as a child? But, then you start having a family of your own and people stop saying things like that. Suddenly, it seems you are just supposed to be done growing up and have it all together. It's hard to find people to say, 'Hey, being a mom/wife kind of sucks today.' to without them thinking I have lost my marbles.

What I've realized is that I am still growing up. I'm still learning. I make mistakes. My life wasn't designed with a cookie cutter. All of the bumps & bruises along the way have just taught me more. More about myself, more about people and more about life.. Sure, I may be a smidge over 29 but I'm just gently tap dancing my way into my thirties. ;) I don't think I will ever have it all together like I thought but I do want things to get better.

Life is just one giant lesson. It's full of laughter and tears. I'm not perfect. Not even close. But, if I keep trying to just be better everyday and not focus so much on everything that is wrong, many more days of happiness await me. I'm so ready for them.

I'm not really sure how to jump back into blogging but here I am. Finding my voice again.

Forever Too Far review

2013-07-16T15:28:00.001-05:00

Forever Too Far by Abbi Glines is the third and final book in the Forever series. I really loved the first one. The story was one that I've seen used a lot in the Contemporary Romance genre. Bad boy meets good girl and they live happily ever after. But, this had something that just drew me in. When I finished the first book I had to know what happened to Blaire and Rush. So, I bought book two and then book three.

Forever Too Far is the third book in the series. It starts with a pregnant Blaire getting ready to marry Rush. All of the family drama is still surrounding them. They seem to be able to have a fairly drama free life together considering the messy people that surround them. I think that the author's choice to give a direct voice to Grant and Harlow seemed misplaced. I think if all the books had been written with more attention to them then it would have worked. Also, the attention to Woods' relationship seemed out of place to this story. I know that this is the final book to the series but it just kind of falls apart. Too much of everything just thrown in to digest in under 300 pages.

The last half of the book just felt completely off. Like all of the characters voices had changed. People who didn't seem to swear much were cussing like sailors. None of it fit. Although Rush was very vocal throughout the entire series about his sexual desires they started to feel wrong. He became too vulgar and aggressive. Not the caring, loving Rush I had grown to love. It was just.........weird. To me, it felt like the author got tired of the whole Blair/Rush story and wanted to quickly wrap things up. I also noticed some errors any editor that cared would catch. I was very disappointed to have come this far and then the story just plopped.

Boo to that.

I would give this 2 stars out of 5. It's not worth the time it takes to read it. Just take a guess how things turn out and it will likely play out better in your mind than in the book.

This book was purchased by me. All opinions are mine.

The TMI review

2013-06-22T18:37:00.004-05:00

Warning: This review is for ladies only! I will be sharing my thoughts on The Diva Cup and if you don't care to hear the nitty gritty details please stop here.

I bought and purchased my own Diva Cup from drugstore.com and got a pretty good deal on it going through my Ebates account. I won't get into how Ebates works but I think that if you shop online, even just a little, you should sign up for an account for yourself.

It has been about 3 years since I first heard of people using a menstrual cup. I will admit that to me it sounded gross and I didn't want people to think I was trying to be a hippie. Don't ask me why I would have even cared but at the time I did. This was, of course, a totally uneducated assumption. A menstrual cup is a soft silicone cup that can be inserted into your vagina and worn for up to 12 hours. Comparatively, a tampon is recommended to be changed at least every 4 hours. There is nothing hippie about it. It takes something that completely sucks into something that honestly hardly sucks at all.

I'm sure most of you can relate to having an entourage of kids with you when you go to the bathroom.

I am rarely alone in there.

And, while that is annoying in it's own everyday ways it becomes even more so during my period. I have always tried, period or not, to keep people....ahem, out of my business. But, having a 3 year old full of questions and a curious toddler grabbing everything has taught me incredible skills. I've become the ninja of potty time. I can sneak away for about 23 seconds before they notice I am missing. And, I can pee/wipe/flush all while holding one kid on my lap and explaining the mysteries of life to the other.

Which brings me to my new found enthusiasm for menstrual cups. I started researching them and asking my Twitter peeps for advice. It seemed that no matter what I chose they all were very similar. I ended up deciding to give the Diva Cup a try because of the simple sizing method. You're either a Size 1 or a Size 2. You've either had a baby or not. It's that simple.

I read the directions over a few times and with some advice from my friend(via text), I tried it. First time, not so bad. But, after a few hours I wanted to empty it. You know, for practice. Removal process the first time, not so easy. I could not get a hold of it. Of course I started panicking and thinking of my inevitable trip to the hospital to have it removed surgically.

Really, this is so unlike me.

After a few deeps breaths I calmed down and tried again. This time I pushed a little. That worked for me. I got it out. No humiliating operation required. I was sold!

I have used my cup for 2 months now. I am very happy I tried it! There is so much freedom in not having to change your pad or tampon every couple hours. I have had no leaks which is HUGE for me! Everyone is different but I have learned that on Day 2 of my cycle I need to change it about every 3 hours. Any other day I can easily make it 10 hours with no problems.

10 HOURS LADIES!

What does that mean? That means that I may have my period but I don't have to plan my bathroom breaks when I'm away from home. (Don't get me started on public restroom use with small children.) Using the cup means that I can sleep through the night without having to wake up to change anything multiple times. Did you hear that ladies? SLEEP. It means that I can go to the bathroom with my entourage and not have to worry about what they see. Even though I would rather not have them in there but again don't get me started. I've had my period for a long time. My life has always been completely disrupted in the past by it. An entire week I can just cross out doing anything fun. I honestly feel like a brand new woman now! I still don't like getting my period for many reasons but I don't feel burdened by it anymore. If you are considering trying a menstrual cup and are reading reviews, I say go for it. Trust me when I tell you I am the queen of researching before I buy. I would not steer you wrong! Imagine yourself feeling period free while having your period. Because that's how I look at it. You kind of forget you have your period and just go about your life. It's kind of amazing! Consider this advice from a friend you just haven't met yet. Friends always tell each other about great things and that's what I'm telling you! This is great!

I just keep thinking how awesome it would have been 20 years ago. Ugh. Middle school period trauma anyone?

The Diva Cup was purchased by me. This is not a sponsored review. It is my honest opinion about my experience with the Diva Cup.

Cascade Platinum

2013-06-14T09:35:00.000-05:00

Do you love washing dishes? Yeah, me either. It's a task that, in this house, goes on multiple times and never seems to end. We do have a dishwasher but my rule is that you must completely rinse your dishes before they go in the dishwasher. Are you wondering why I would pretty much wash them by hand then put them in the dishwasher? Well, the answer is simple. My store brand dishwasher detergent couldn't clean them if we didn't. Seriously.

So, when Mom Central put out the call for help with the Cascade Platinum program I literally jumped at the chance! I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Cascade. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Cascade Platinum helps keep your dishes in one simple step. It's the ultimate clean for dishes, with the added power to help prevent hard water filming inside your machine. It powers away stuck on foods, while the built in rinse aid action plus the grease fighting power of Dawn work together to keep your dishes dazzling. Simply pop in an actionpac and reveal dishes with a platinum sparkle!

My dishes were clean! Without the extra work!! It's a miracle!

What's even better though is that the streaks and film that was on so many of my dishes is GONE. Now I don't have to be embarassed to invite people over because my dishes are sparkling! People eat with their eyes and I want every aspect of my meals to be appealing!

With that in mind, Top Chef judge & editor of Food + Wine magazine, Gail Simmons has partnered with Cascade to talk about why presentation is so important. She believes sparkling dishes allow you to offer the best presentation making your culinary creations pop. I have to agree! Learn more about Cascade’s partnership with Gail Simmons by viewing videos available on the Cascade Facebook page & YouTube page.

Cascade Platinum has something for you too! The Cascade “My Platinum” contest is an Instagram contest encouraging you to upload photos related to the weekly contest themes. Show off how sparkly Cascade makes all your pots, pan and plates! Visit the contest page for more information on how to enter and submit your images. Each week, two contestants will be selected to receive a brand new Whirlpool dishwasher. Additionally, one lucky grand prize winner will receive a Platinum kitchen.

Happy dance :)

2013-05-09T14:27:00.004-05:00

So happy to be a part of the Claritin Mom Crew!

We have lots of allergies. All 6 of us. From Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter something finds it's way into our bodies and sets us off. Sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, and eczema. We have it all. Which is in this case is not a good thing. ;) Thankfully we have a way to fight back! Claritin has always been my number 1 choice for everyone in my house.

So, bring it on Summer!

A Good American (review}

2013-02-20T10:31:00.002-06:00

I just finished A Good American by Alex George. It was gripping from page one and draws you right in. The characters are loveable and I'm sure the story narrated by their grandson would be similar to many families at the turn of the century.

The story starts with the main characters, Frederick and Jette, fleeing Germany. Their journey across the ocean is anything but easy. Months of travel and through circumstances somewhat beyond their control they end up in Missouri. Their lives are full of hardships, success, joy and heartaches. You are drawn deeper into their lives with each turn of the page. I'm going to be honest with you. I'm having a hard time writing this review. I don't like to give away too much of the story and this one is just so complex. The characters. The setting. It's all so beautifully woven together I can't break it apart in my mind.

This book is paced so that you don't find yourself losing interest. Not always an easy task for me. When I had to take a break I couldn't wait to get back to it. It has it's highs and lows but I do think this is one I will be passing around with my friends. Easy read. Great characters. Exceptional plot line.

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

Here I Go Again {review}

2013-01-30T14:31:00.004-06:00

Honestly, I devoured this in less than 24 hours. I felt so drawn into the story that I just couldn't stop turning the pages. Although extremely tired the following day I was no less thrilled at having finished the book. It was totally worth it!

Here I Go Again by Jen Lancaster is unique. I was thinking I was in for a light, fluffy read. But, I was surprised to find that although I was able to read it all in one day it had quite a bit of depth to it. Life lesson:Do not judge a book by it's cover!

The characters are well developed but not always likeable. The plot was quite different but full of twists and turns. I was on the edge of my seat at the end and may have shed a few tears. Maybe.

Lissy Ryder is your typical mean, highschool girl. And, when she grows up not much has changed. Until it all does. Her husband leaves her, she loses her job and moves back home. She's not the prom queen anymore. She's not 'the' Lissy Ryder head of the Belles. She's just a sad, depressed 37 year old woman trying to claw her way back to the top. This book makes you think, if you had the chance to change your past in order to better your future, would you take it?

This is a fun, thought provoking read. And, it make you think about how your life affects others.

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

Wet Ones Sticky Situations Contest

2012-12-15T11:43:00.004-06:00

Ever walk in on your children playing only to realize they have decorated the wall (and themselves) with something only meant to be used in the kitchen? With 4 kids, this is a Sticky Situation I have walked in on more times than I care to admit. While my first instinct is to run away and hide , I have learned I just need to laugh at the situation, knowing it will be a great story down the line to tell their friends! Oh, and keeping my cabinets locked while I take a shower doesn’t hurt either.

Wet Ones is giving us the opportunity to share all of the Sticky Situations we have found ourselves in and tips on how to deal with them through their Facebook Contest! Simply log on and share your story and tips, and you can be entered to win an iPad Mini or Six Flags Tickets! I just entered, it doesn’t take long at all, here’s the link to enter: https://www.facebook.com/momcentral/app_248884015238315

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Wet Ones. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.

eMeals- The ALDI meal plan

2012-11-13T13:45:00.000-06:00

Raise your hand if you are one of the thousands of people that hate to grocery shop.

I will fully admit to being among that group. I hate trying to organize a list. I don't particularly care to be in the store shopping. I don't like loading and unloading my car. I just flat out don't like it.

We recently started trying to shop at ALDI and only ALDI. In the past, we would get what we could there and head over to the big box store for the rest. I started to notice a terrible trend in our weekly grocery budget. The costs kept rising and the receipts getting longer. I made the decision to try just one week of ALDI exclusive shopping. When comparing the receipt to the 2 weeks prior I ended up saving us $71. The next week I brought our ALDI bill down another $30. Of course, weeks vary depending on what exactly we are needing but I am 100% satisfied with all of the products at ALDI. We have purchased our paper items there, meat, and dairy. We were able to make our weekly menu taylored to ALDI and in doing so saved ourselves well over $100 in one month!

Now, comparing the way we menu planned in the past shopping ALDI exclusively is a bit of a challenge for us. We always needed just a few ingredients from the other stores. We'd run in and quickly have another cart full. It just wasn't working. I started researching the internet looking for some recipes that only used products from ALDI. Naturally, I ended up on Pinterest. From there I stumbled upon eMeals.

Wow.

At first I was just looking through all the meal plans and couldn't believe they actually had a shopping list with them. You literally just pick the plan that is right for you. It is based on your eating and store preference with your family size added into the equation. You have a main entree and 2 sides for each day. For $4 more a month you can add lunches to your menus. Each week eMeals sends you a new menu along with the shopping list you'll need. It's so easy and affordable! Just think of all the money you could save! I didn't think saving money was possible without using coupons but I was proven wrong by shopping ALDI and using eMeals.

I selected the Classic Family plan with ALDI as my store. I immediately was emailed the previous weeks menu and the current. It was so easy to sign up that I called my mom and told her she better check it out for herself before she went shopping again. She was able to select the low fat menu plan for 2 and head to the store. So easy!

So far all of the ALDI meals have been a hit with my family! Some of them we were surprised the kids like so much. Baked Parmesan fish has been their favorite so far but mine was the Best Sloppy Joes recipe. They were super easy and so much better than any of the premade sauces we have used. Simple but good! That is the kind of menu we like!

Best Sloppy Joes

1 lbs ground beef, cooked & drained

1/2 c chili sauce

1/2 c ketchup
2 T sugar,

2 T vinegar
2 T mustard,

Combine cooked meat with chili sauce, ketchup, sugar, vinegar and mustard and heat. Serve on

sandwich buns.

Be sure to follow eMeals on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

This is not a paid review. I received one month of eMeals for review purposes. All opinions expressed are mine.

Reflected in You {review}

2012-11-07T09:22:00.001-06:00

WARNING: This book is not for anyone who is sensitive to language and heavy sexual content. This is an adult book and as such, deals with adult themes. If you may be easily offended by either of these things this book & this review are not for you.

I just finished reading Reflected in You by Sylvia Day. First of all, I think this book was much better than the first. Characters are already well developed coming into it and the story line is much deeper than in the first book. Second, I would highly recommend reading the first book before this one. As I said, the story line is much deeper and since I already 'knew' the characters so well I could really get into this book.

It came as no surprise that the sex scenes are very steamy. I can honestly say that they had me even blushing a bit. Again, this book is not intended for people who would take offense to 'adult' language or situations.

The story line of this book goes way beyond naughty romps. There were times that I couldn't put it down because I just had to know Eva and Gideon were okay. I was shocked at the turn this story took. It definitely wasn't what I was expecting at all.

Having never read '50' or any other book from this genre I was greatly surprised at just how much I liked it. I truly loved this book! It is one I could see myself reading again. But, I am eagerly awaiting the third book in the series!

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.