CPR Saves Lives!

If someone in your family was in need of CPR, would you know what to do? What if your child was experiencing heat exhaustion or was choking? Would you know how to help them, or would you waste precious time waiting for someone who could help? Over 70% of adults say they don’t feel comfortable administering CPR, but that can change with you.

 

ACLS National, a medical certification company, is promoting a free CPR campaign to improve awareness and knowledge of general lifesaving skills like rescue breathing and chest compressions. Through just six easy steps you can learn how to provide CPR to an adult, child, and infant. Even better, for promoting this CPR refresher on your blog you can earn $25. Please contact Patrick Knauer at patrick@aclsnational.com to setup the $25 promotion bonus. Click here to get started! What you learn may save a life.

Fun Times at Virginia Beach

 Have you ever been water parachuting or jet skiing on the beach? Put this on your list of fun activities to do on your next beach vacation. Although there are a lot of water sports to choose from, I remember trying to jet ski one year while vacationing on Virginia Beach.  It's not as easy as it appears on television. It was very difficult for me to stay on once I got the motor started and as soon as I rode a couple of yards I would slip off the seat. Finally I did get to a slightly professional level, and it proved to be exciting and exhilarating.

Water Parachuting, Jet skiing, mini golfing and bike riding, are only a few of the fun physical activities that can be done on Virginia Beach.


If you are going to stay in a beach front hotel, you will find all the popular ones such as the Hilton, Ramada and Best Western to name a few, and it is one of the best places to dine for sea food. Visit any of the seafood Restaurants along the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, you can find and eat any seafood imaginable. Just choose a restaurant that serves buffet style, then rent a bike and ride off all those calories, and if you have a friend or two you can also find a tandem bike which is a pretty common thing on the boardwalk.

Virginia Beach is also known for having great museums and other fun and educational institutions. You will find the Military Aviation Museum an exciting place to discover vintage planes in mint condition, and if you have children they will love visiting and learning about world war aircrafts and experiencing a taste of history. You can even schedule your visit to see an air show which gives an opportunity to see some of the aircrafts at large, and flying in action. The museum is located near to the Virginia Beach airport.

Another great place to visit is the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum; it is hosted in the last original oceanfront cottage on the boardwalk. It's an interesting, curious place to visit along the boardwalk, and from here you can experience your passion for bird watching, see the carved wooden birds and wildfowl that are on display. This is an aboriginal art form (carved ducks).  This museum is free and is located on Atlantic Avenue right along the boardwalk.

Online websites also have a great deal of information about planning your Virginia Beach vacation, a good place to start would be at the Visit Virginia Beach website at http://visitvirginiabeach.com/ and if you scroll down to the like button below, you can find more information on their facebook page.  I hope you enjoy Virginia Beach. It's a wonderful place to have a vacation.






“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Virginia Beach blogging program to earn My SocialMoms Rewards points. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on the topic, click here.”

A Funny Thing Happened at the Clorox Lounge!

One would have thought that Clorox was just a name that was synonymous with a brand of cleaning products that we have all known and loved for so long. Who doesn't know the word Clorox. But quite recently they have been featuring some very funny stuff on a particular website called The Clorox Lounge. Some very funny men and women are featured in comedy to give Clorox fans a great laugh with their "Ode to the Comode" theme. Horay for Clorox! I love comedy, and I was literally in stitches voting every week for my favorite comedian.

At my home in the old days, every brand of bleach was called Clorox even if it was the grocery store brand. Back then my parents were not brand conscious, but as I got to be an adult I realized not every brand worked as effectively as Clorox did. Trust me when I tell you that you do not want to go cheap on the bleach. And speaking of cutting corners, a very funny story happened to me on my journey to learning that sometimes frugality cheapness just does not pay.

My son's 5th birthday was approaching and Spider Man was the "in" thing. Every one was going to see Spider man and Dr. Octopus, so the choice theme for this party was Spider Man. Piece of cake! Spider Man Cake, Spider Man cups and plates, ice cream, and of course good old Spidey himself. I was already  referred by a number of my neighbors to use a particular entertainment company. It was a bit pricey, but  birthdays only come once a year, so I was willing to dole out the extra cash. Here comes my brother telling me about a friend who just started his company." Give him a chance, I heard he's good!"
"Is he really?" I said. Plus he was $100 cheaper, and who would pass up on a chance to save 100 dollars.

Party day arrives, the kids are all present and Spidey appears.
Suddenly there was a SILENCE.
A Short and round character appeared.
All the kids started saying, "Where's Spider Man? Is this Mrs. Spider Man?"
"Mommy does Spider Man have a wife?"
"We want Spider Man!, We want Spider Man!" the kids were shouting repeatedly. My head began to throb. I quickly hustled Spidey out and moved on to balloon animals and face painting.

In retrospect, the party was hilarious, and I did get a refund from my brother but imagine he had the nerve to say to me, "Marguerite, I don't think I should be the one to refund you. I didn't know he was going to send his Grandmomma!"

Looking back at this it was all funny but not back then for me. Anyway, for serious laughs vist The Clorox Lounge. It's hosted by Sherri Shepherd, a person we all know as a serious comedian.Vote for your favorite comedian and also enter to win the Grand Sweepstake Prize for $10000. Winning that kind of money we won't have to be frugal.

Don't forget to "like" Clorox. You are likely to forget once you start laughing.



“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Clorox® blogging program, to earn My SocialMoms Rewards Points. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.” (make sure you link to http://thecloroxlounge.socialmoms.com)

Tropicana offers Health, Memories, and a Trip to Florida!

 When I was teenager, I was a stranger in the USA and had just started going to college.
 Living in Brooklyn was a challenge, juggling my studies and finances, but some of my fondest memories were of Tropicana Orange Juice. The other was of Honey Buns. I am not going to tell you what the honey buns did to my hips, but on the healthy side Tropicana Orange Juice always gave me a feeling of home where I grew up in the West Indies.  

 It was a common thing to have orange juice at our breakfast table while growing up. Almost every weekend my Dad would go to the countryside where he grew up and bring home a huge sack of oranges, and then he would sometimes squeeze a huge jug of fresh, sweet orange juice for us kids to drink. I found out later on that those were Valencia Oranges. No wonder Tropicana Oranges always gave me that feeling of comfort and home."Delicious!"  Even though Tropicana Pure Premium is 100% Florida Orange Juice, Valencia Oranges are included to give it that wonderful taste that I can still appreciate today.


Valencia Oranges and Hamlin Oranges are the main types of Oranges used in Tropicana Pure Premium. There are others but "The two major orange types in Tropicana Pure Premium are Valencia and Hamlin. Valencias typically have more intense color and flavor, while Hamlins can be sweeter. They each add unique characteristics to the TPP* blend." as noted on http://www.tropicana.com.

If you have never tasted fresh Valencia oranges, they are sweet and delicious! Today I don't have to use one of those dinosaur instruments to squeeze my oranges, (By the way do you remember those things? See the picture below.) I just go out and buy a few bottles of Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice. My kids love it as much as I do. I usually buy two 59oz on a weekend but they don't last, so I often find myself buying an extra bottle and hiding it in a secret place. Lol!

What I like about the Tropicana is that they are an established company that has been around for what seems like forever. Not only is Tropicana the largest buyer of Florida oranges, the company also has groves situated all over Florida from way back in the 1960s, using some of the best soil to grow quality oranges.

Tropicana's facebook page has information on what's going on in the world of oranges. What's exciting right now is the Tropicana's Perfect Pick Sweepstakes. It's a lot of fun and you can enter it now. Don't forget to LIKE before you pick oranges.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Tropicana blogging program, to earn My SocialMoms Rewards Points. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.” (make sure you http://tropicanapurepremium.socialmoms.com)

The Papier Mache Pig.

I remember years ago in elementary school learning how to do Papier Mache. This was very exciting for me at this time of my life, so as all good mothers do, I tried to resurrect the past by doing it with my kids. My daughter who is still in elementary school loves playing around in the kitchen, so the paste was the ideal craft since it was an interesting recipe for her to create and play around with. Plus there are so many things that you can make with papier mache, like fruit, animals,  paintings and a myriad of other things. As you well know papier mache is extremely messy, but hey, the messier the better. Plus, cleaning up is always another fun activity to do with your kids. Right?

I always enjoyed making a piggy so this is the way I learned to make it below.

The Papier Mache Pig

Papier Mache Paste
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups cold water
3 tablespoons of sugar
a saucepan


Supplies

White paper towels/newspaper
Acrylic paint and brushe
An empty egg crate
A balloon
A few pink pipe cleaners
Glue


Mix1/2 cup all-purpose flour and 2 cups cold water in a bowl. Combine this mixture in a saucepan with 2 cups boiling water and bring it to a boil. Move the saucepan from the heat and stir in 3 tablespoons of sugar. Let it cool; it will get thick while cooling. When it does, it's ready to use.


Blow up the balloon then spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
Paint the papier mache paste all over the balloon
Put strips paper towel all over the starch - Let dry.
Repeat this procedure for about three times.
When you get the paper completely dried, pop the balloon and take it out.
You now have a balloon covered paper structure, which represents the body of the pig.

Cut out four legs and a nose (snout) using the legs of an egg crate container.
The legs of the egg container looks like a snout but can also be used for the pig's legs also.
The dried covered balloon is the round body of the pig.
Stick the four legs and the snout with glue then cover with strips of papier mache.

After your project dries after 2 days or so, paint the body, the eyes and the nostrils
Use a pipe cleaner for the tail.
Be creative, if you get the idea once and you get the basic shape, there's a lot you can do with your project.

 Don't forget to clean up the work space. My kitchen is always in a big mess after involving my kids with any type of project that involves some kind of cooking. When challenged, Clorox always has good cleaning products. The Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are my favorite. The containers always make a good template for a papier mache vase project.




“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Clorox Clean-Up Recipes for Fun blogging program, for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on this program, click here and see the Terms link.” (make sure you link to http://recipesforfun.socialmoms.com)

TILEX SWEEPSTAKES: "Cancel the Moldshow in Your Bathroom"

 I remember growing up at home as teenagers. There were times when everyone had to do their fair share of chores and responsibilities around the house. With five of siblings, from time to time it revolved to my turn for bathroom cleaning. I shared a bathroom with two brothers, the cat, and a few other occupants that had been around since the beginning of civilization. So with humans, animals,  fungi and bacteria, we all figured out a way to live together; and at least once a week I would have to scrub or evict colonies of mold, bacteria and other mysterious entities, so that we could live under sanitary conditions (or so exclaimed my mother.)

 Now, a couple years into the bathroom cleaning adventures, I use a few strategies of prevention to keep the bathroom environment mold free and my bathroom fresh and constantly clean.


1. We all know that moisture is the main reason for a mold growing in the environment so try to keep the bathroom ventilated every day. Open the bathroom window so that the air can circulate and dry the moisture, and if there are no windows in the bathroom, make sure to keep the ventilation fan on at least a few minutes after showering.

2. Keep a cleaning wash rag or sponge in the bathroom so at night after everyone takes a shower the last person can use a spray bottle with part water, lemon and baking soda to wipe off excess water on the shower tiles. Use this spray formula on the wall before removing the excess water. The walls will dry quickly and mold will cease growing overnight.


3. It is important always to mop and remove excess water from the bathroom floor and especially the corners where water can get trapped sometimes. Remember, less moisture will prevent mold growth.


4. Every now and then, carefully place some scented candles in the bathroom. The scented candles in a bottle are safe. Nothing keeps the moisture out like the good old fashion warmth from the scented candle. Plus it keeps your bathroom smelling fresh and clean.


Remember that once you keep the moisture out, mold is likely to take up residence elsewhere.


The professionals in removing mold Tilex  has introduced it's new mold fighter, Mold Stain & Mildew Stain Remover .  Visit the Tilex "Cancel the Mold Show In Your Bathroom" Sweepstakes on Facebook  and enter to win for  cool prizes such as flat screen TV's and Netflix subscriptions.
Deadline Date:  03/16/2012.

Tilex on facebook.


“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Tilex blogging program, for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://tilex.socialmoms.com/)

Ben's Beginner's: Have a Heathy Bed of Rice!

Having to spend time in the kitchen everyday can be a pretty challenging experience. In other words, to me it's a big job while to others it's just plain love and fun. My son and daughter, after watching zillions of episodes of cooking shows on the Food Network when they were younger, swear that they want to be chefs. So for their sakes, I have spent a great deal of extra time in the kitchen preparing healthy, tasty, cute and architectural culinary masterpieces. Keeping it healthy is quite a task as there are so many additives and preservatives that may cause allergies or have negative reactions. All in all, it has proven to be very exciting and entertaining. If you are wondering how to avoid any kitchen conflicts, here are my tips for healthy cooking and eating with kids.

1. Start while they are small. Eating habits are learned from very young. Start by cooking and offering healthy options from the very beginning or as early as possible- preferably before they start calling ketchup a vegetable.

2. Set a good example. It's no use trying to get your kids to eat their vegetables if you're having coffee and donuts for breakfast lunch and dinner. If you eat your veggies, it's likely that the kids will do the same.

3.  Take them food shopping. As you choose the items you want from grocery store shelves, make it a habit to point out the labels and discuss which items are good choices. Look at sodium, fiber and sugar content so your kids start making the connection between healthy choices and not so good ones.

4. Provide more fresh fruit, vegetables and multi-grains. Try to eliminate some of your regular canned food choices so that your kids get better quality foods.

5.  Let them help. Allow them to help with meal planning and execution. Get them involved in the preparation so they feel more connected to their meals. When all the fun is done and the mess is made, they will enjoy eating their meals much more since they played a part in the creation.

Now that you've implemented these handy tips, how about a fun contest with great prizes? Uncle Ben's has a new contest that is designed to get parents and kids cooking together and healthier. Check out their Facebook page more details on how to enter. All you have to do is to create a short video of you and your 5-12 year old, cooking a rice based dish. Upload the video on the contest page and wait for the winning email or phone call. You have a chance to win $20,000, plus a spot on the Rachael Ray Show and a school cafeteria makeover for your child's school valued at $50,000. Hurry, contest submission ends 2/26/2012.

Like Uncle Ben

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Uncle Ben’s blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” ( http://BensBeginners.socialmoms.com/about)

Tips for Safe Winter Driving

I don't know how the weather is in your neck of the woods but here in New York, it's not that great, unless you like the cold and the freezing rain and the slushy ice. Give me summer any day. I'll never forget one January about 15 years ago when my sister and I were driving over the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, laughing and talking as we drove merrily along, when suddenly we skidded over an icy patch on the road and our car crashed into some huge yellow sand barrels. Those were the only things that stood between us and a hundred foot drop over the ramp and onto the traffic below. Next thing you know the police and the fire department showed up but fortunately we were unharmed- not even a scratch. So at this time of year, with the situation on the roads being as unpredictable as they are, it's best to follow some basic guide lines to help you navigate the roads and keep you and your family safe during the winter season.

Winterize your car. Check the tires. Make sure they are properly inflated and that the tire threads are good and deep. Make sure your spare is good and think about investing in a new set of tires if you are due a change. Check the fluids and antifreeze. Ensure that the heating system is working. Don't forget the windshield wipers. It may be wise to have a spare set handy. Keep an ice scraper and some work gloves handy too. Also check to see that your jumper cables are in the trunk and that you know how to use them.

Drive slowly; especially in inclement weather. When it's snowy outside and visibility is low, maintain a safe distance, even more than you usually would in good weather, behind the car in front of you in case they skid on some black ice or have to stop suddenly.

Keep your lights turned on even in the daytime when the weather is bad and visibility is poor. This also keeps you visible to the other drivers on the road.

Brake carefully and gently on slippery ice or snow. Keep the wheels of your vehicle rolling and f your brakes threaten to lock up, ease your foot gently off the brakes and slow down so you can shift to a lower gear.

Pull over. If you cannot see properly because of low visibility due to freezing rain or hail or snow, consider pulling over and waiting until the situation improves enough for you to drive. If you are in the city like me, consider leaving the car at home altogether and taking mass transit.

Most importantly, don't forget to buckle up and keep your cellphone charged and ready in case of an emergency.



“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Esurance blogging program for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://esurance.socialmoms.com/about)

Healthy Snack Tips & A Pretzel Recipe

I try to eat healthy, exercise regularly but there is one area that seems to be eluding me; snacking! I confess, I'm a sucker for snacks and it doesn't matter whether they're sweet or salty or a combination of both, I love them all! Chips, cookies, chocolates and candy- you name it, I'll eat it! For 2012, though, I've resolved to be more conscientious about my snacking and encourage you to join me if snacks are your Achilles heel, or your kryptonite or just the one habit you can't seem to control. Here are my best tips for healthy snacking.

1. Swap out sugary, high fat treat for fresh fruit or veggies with a low fat dip.
2. Keep just a handful of nuts or low fat granola or trail mix handy for when you get the urge to snack. This will help you to maintain steady blood sugar levels and reduce your cravings.
3. Drink more water to keep you full and to reduce the need for snacking.
4. Reduce snack portions- read labels carefully. You would be surprised at how small the portions are in some of the snacks you eat.
5. Don't deny yourself, just don't overdo it. Buy the 100 calorie packs of your favorite snacks to help you control yourself. Once that tiny bag is done, that's it!

Pretzels are a healthy snack alterative and can be used in many ways for your snacking enjoyment. Here is a cute recipe for you to try:

Chocolate Coated Pretzel Strawberry Pops

Ingredients:

Snyder's Dipping Sticks
Chocolate chips- 12 oz
Strawberries

Place chocolate chips in a microwave bowl and microwave on high for about 1 minute. Remove and stir with a rubber spatula. Mix until melted- you can always pop it back in the microwave if chocolate is not completely melted.
Dip one end of the pretzel sticks into the chocolate, twirling it around to completely cover the one half of the pretzel stick
Allow chocolate to dry. Stick a large, ripe but firm strawberry on the plain end of the chocolate covered pretzel stick. You can dip or drizzle more chocolate on the strawberry if you desire. Enjoy!

You can also make Chocolate Covered Pretzel Berry Kabobs using jumbo pretzel sticks and an assortment of berries. Just cover the entire length of the pretzel stick in chocolate, using the same method above and add the berries once the chocolate is dry.

Give it a try and let me know how you like them.




“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Snyder’s of Hanover blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://snyders.socialmoms.com/about

Real Moms Love to Eat - Food for thought.

Who ever thought that eating was a  guilt filled occasion, think again. Have you ever been to a social event and at the end of it all you felt that you were caught up in the moment and becomes so guilty for eating so many calories that you could not enjoy the rest of the night because you felt that no sooner a day or so, that the scale would go soaring.

Now you can be pro active in the quest for healthy eating and living. Next time you have guest over to visit instead of wrecking your brain or waiting for the next best thing on the food chanels, check out  Real Moms Love to Eat: How To Conduct a Love Affair with Food, Lose Weight and Feel Fabulous written by Beth Eldrich. Beth is a Certified Health Counselor, decided to share her knowledge for healthy cooking with the rest of us. She also has a great story that motivated her to write her book.

Real Moms Love to Eat

Beth Eldrich

Your guest will thank you for serving up a guilt free menu and you will have lots of family fun in the kitchen cooking up healthy and creative recipes. Here are a few that the author shares with us,

No Bake Lasagna

No Bake Brownies

Press Release

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Beth Aldrich - Real Moms Love to Eat blogging program, for a chance to get 3,000 My SocialMoms Rewards points. For more information on how you can participate,click here.” (make sure you link to http://www.socialmoms.net/forum/topics/blogging-contest-real-moms-l...)

Ten Tips for Preparing Your Home for Your new Baby’s Arrival!

How important is it to prepare for a baby? Just so you know, don't wait until a week before your due date to start preparing. Knowing from experience, your baby may arrive well before the due date, and you may be taken by surprise, ending up being unprepared, in total dismay or confusion, without anything in which to bring your baby home. So preparation is crucial.

Consider the following tips for the good of your newborn:

1. Do a little shopping and get some clothes and supplies for when the baby arrives. A baby blanket, socks and maybe a few newborn diapers. Newborn baby clothes should be soft non irritant and nonflammable but easy to put on and off. Clothes made from organic cotton will not irritate baby's sensitive skin. In addition, have you considered using eco-friendly products that are safe for the baby, and biodegradable products that are safe for the environment? Now is a good time to invest in green products for the health of your baby. They may be a little more expensive but in the long run they are better for you and your baby.
2. Buying a bassinet or a crib for your baby may require a little thought. Consider safety precautions, safety nets and positioning of baby for protection. This is a good time to sign up for recall updates and information. listserve@cpsc.gov is an excellent resource for finding out about the latest recalls to help protect you and your baby.
3. Car seats and baby carriers that follow safety regulations are important. You may also want to visit your local fire department to get help with proper installation techniques.
4. Don't forget bottle warmers, baby bottles, diaper warmers, sterilizers and a good breast pump for your feeding station. These all help make caring for your baby a little easier.
5. Baby medication and diaper rash ointment are must-haves. Make a list so you can pick these up ahead of time so that your medicine cabinet is well stocked.
6. Are your other children mentally prepared for the readjustment, you may not have time after the baby is born to secure them emotionally and to explain important issues to them.
7. Have you prepared your pets for your new baby's arrival? Sometimes pets need to be kept away from the baby and introduced at a suitable time so they can adjustment to the new arrival.
8. Find out about recommended pediatricians for your new baby.
9. Have your baby book with important information and telephone numbers on hand.
10. Last but not least, did you think of names for the baby? Discuss before hand with the Dad.

When buying for baby, consider Seventh Generation Free and Clear Chlorine free disposable diapers and baby wipes. They are good for your baby and the environment.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://seventhgeneration.socialmoms.com/about)

#SeventhGeneration

The Best Days Playing Outdoors!

Playing outdoors is always a great way to get in some family time and fun, especially if the weather is good and there’s a lot going on. I have always had a lot of fun playing outside with my daughter and son. We live near the beach which gives us countless opportunities to play from sun up to sundown, especially in summer when the days are long and we are looking for things to do. Sometimes there are special events on the beach, which makes playing there even more fun.

Being outdoors is also an excellent way for the kids to stay healthy; after all, there is nothing like playing outside in the fresh sea breeze. One of the places we love to visit most is the water park on the beach. It has the most fantastic water slide, a mountain climbing rock wall, and some awesome monkey bars. The kids can play there for hours and never get bored. This is also a place where my kids meet their friends from around the neighborhood. The moms would pack picnic lunches and be out there all day long with the kids running in and out the sprinklers with the dusty sand between their toes and the moms taking pictures and shooting videos. Also, while the kids are doing their thing, the moms get a chance to relax and enjoy each others company knowing that all the kids are happy and safe. What wonderful memories we have!

Every year there is a sandcastle building contest. Everyone always tries to compete to see who could build the best sandcastle and win all the fun prizes. It never ceases to amaze us how someone who doesn't live near the beach wins the contest every year. Go figure!

Giving children access to sunlight and fresh air can only do the world of good, for their health and for their motivation. They are always more pleasant and even tempered, they even listen more, which makes parenting a more tolerable challenge. Playing outside always creates good memories that you remember for years to come.

Every now and then it brings a smile to my face when one of my kids says, "Mom, remember the time when we went to the beach and we had so much fun? We should do that again. These are really the best of times- for kids and parents alike. Did you take your kids outside to play today?


 If you love to play just click on the link below:


Take the  Clorox2® Play 2Day pledge to play outside!





“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Clorox2® blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://clorox2.socialmoms.com

Supporting and Protecting Your Family !

Family financial planning and protection can be one of the most daunting situations that a family or an adult has to come to terms with at some point in their adult life. A common fear for a family is being unable to deal with low or no finances or the absence of a loved one, but if we look at it with an optimistic attitude, step by step planning and a good financial plan can offer a family a certain peace of mind.

 The best investment you can make is to have some knowledge about your own affairs. Do not depend solely on a financial advisor. If you take the time to learn about money matters, you will receive a rich reward— you will be control of your family’s financial situation and the health and in charge of the well being of your family.

The following are a few plans that we can set in place for family finances and well being for the future.
Get a good Life Insurance Plan because the purpose of life insurance is to offer financial protection to your loved ones in the event that the adult or caregiver is not around. The benefit it provides is that it is usually a liquid and readily available form of cash to beneficiaries and in most states exempt from the claims of creditors.

An investment in gold silver or diamonds can also be a very lucrative financial move, even if it’s just a gold coin once a month; whatever suits your financial situation.
There are other financial strategies you can put in place but which may not be as liquid as the above like stock bonds or notes, but this may be a bit more complex. 

In terms of family emotional support, it is important to have a family support network in place, In the event that there is a family emergency, always familiarize with people who your children can look up to and trust in case you are unavailable. This may be another family member or a close family friend with whom your child is familiar and comfortable.

The severity of the impact of a family crisis or emergency can be lessened with preparation. Do your homework. Find out which insurance policy best suits the needs of your family. Do your research about investments so you’ll know which works best for you. Take control of as many variables as you can so that you and your children are well taken care of.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Allstate blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://allstate.socialmoms.com/about)

Squirmy Baby Pamper Changing Time!

Was your baby happy and active as mine was? She would babble and bubble, and kick her feet up, peddling away as though she was upside down, riding her cycle in preparation for the Olympics.

This same baby girl was also quite a challenge at changing time. Aren't they all? Grabbing on to her slippery oily smooth baby skin in her middle of her infant Olympic training was a whoa moment; legs moving about a hundred miles an hour, with babbles and goo goo.

Somehow, I managed to embrace the experience and eventually became an expert at baby changing squirmy time. Here are some good tactics and pointers to use. They worked for me and my little button, (that's what I used to call her).

Always ask your husband first. That way you won't have to do it, and just in case he does it without his own version of a temper tantrum, give him a spray bottle of water, a pair of goggles and an air mask to make it fun. This was the case with my son. LOL! (Luckily those days were over with button.)

Here's another good tip. Before starting, make sure you sprinkle a dusting of cornstarch baby powder on your hands to decrease the slipping and sliding.  Then make sure all your baby tools are next to you. Always be prepared. Talk to baby continuously in a soft soothing tone. Have a conversation with your baby and try to engage them in order to distract them and also to give them a jump start for preschool. Remember that babies are always learning!
Of course you must not forget the mystifying hand distract toy. I had one of those tweeting bird mobile bouncing thingies, tweeting and twirling in the air above the crib. This definitely engaged her.
I also remember creating and singing some award winning songs that I'm proud to say I composed myself to my daughter. Of course I wouldn't ever sing them in public but those little ditties sure did hold her attention.

How exciting that Huggies has a new product to help new moms! What a great innovation- diapers that easily slip on an off. WOW! You have to love it. I told my next door neighbor about them. She just had a baby girl and of course I interrupted her just as she was changing the baby. This was one time she didn't mind the interruption. Phew! I remember those days. I tried to tell her about my blog post. I don't believe she heard me though. She was too busy with her squirmy baby.

Nevertheless I will catch her at nap time.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Huggies blogging program, for a gift card worth $35. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://huggies.socialmoms.com/about)

10 Healthy Tips For Our Back to School Kids.

Its that time of year when in great anticipation we plan in our heads what is to be done concerning our kids going back to school. It's a bitter sweet occasion for kids and parents alike.
Moms dread the escalating costs of school clothes and supplies for yet another year. Kids anticipate having to wake up again at that sound of the alarm early in the morning with total harassment from of their parents.


However, despite all the excitement and drama that is associated with going back to school, the most important thing to consider is the health of our kids, so they can follow through successfully throughout the school year.

The following are some healthy tips and advice to get them through:


1. Enhance you kids immune system by choosing effective vitamins for immune boosting. Don't forget the omega 3's either. A teaspoon of fish oil daily or a capsule will go a long way in ensure that your kids' brains are functioning optimally.
2. Have kids get enough sleep so their bodies get to rejuvenate for the next day. Be warned- you may have to cut out some TV time or game time with much protest but after a while the kids will get used to the new routine.
3. Lots of water is important. Survey says that kids aren't hydrated enough- so drink up!.
4. A healthy breakfast and dinner rich in minerals, antioxidants and vitamins will keep your kids satisfied and well nourished so that their bodies and minds are healthy.
5. Maintain a peaceful and positive environment in your home. After all, there is nothing worse than a distressed child!  Good psychology helps to maintain good health and ensures that your child can focus in school instead of worrying about negative situations at home.
6. Exercise is important for healthy bone structure and weight management. It also helps kids focus and concentrate better.
7. Fresh air is very important. If you live in a congested and polluted neighborhood, encourage kids to do deep breathing exercises early in the morning before traffic begins.
8. Take time to show kids love and attention. Surveys say that if a child feels loved it helps boost immunity and helps them feel secure which in turn boosts self esteem.
9. Speaking positive phrases to your children is just as important as a healthy diet and enough rest. Positive phrases help motivate children to do their best and helps shield them from disappointments or negative situations.
10. Make sure your take your children to the doctor for annual check ups even if they appear to be healthy. Doctors are trained to look for disease and maladies that we as parents might overlook; but don't discredit the importance of a mother's intuition either.


Sickly or unhappy kids make for distressful family situations, so attempting to keep our kids healthy is our number one priority after ourselves.



“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Transitions Lenses blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” to http://transitionslenses.socialmoms.com/about

Receipt

Receipt

Every Child Has Their Own Individual Sense of Style! Does Yours?

Almost every day my 8 year old daughter says to me "Mom, what am I going to wear today?" And with that I usually choose something out of her closet or chest of drawers and lay it on her bed.
Half an hour later, to my exasperation she is wearing something totally different or has modified what I had chosen for her just a moment before.

Usually it's some combination that I don't agree with. She'll choose something like pink socks, orange top, and pair it with some strange patterned skirt or bottom. After a moment of thought and heated verbal battles, we finally come to an agreement where I at least get her to match the top with the socks.

She definitely has her own sense of style and I am sure-read "hope"- it will certainly get better with age.


My son who is fifteen, never had that problem when he was that age. Whatever I gave him to wear he wore, until he reached the age of 14; then everything had to match; the hat, the shirt, the pants, the socks and the sneakers.
Of course I had a problem with that too. I simply said to him "Why does everything have to match?"
At least he was on the right track, but of course as he got older he realized this was a bit unrealistic and balanced it off by trying to coordinate his clothes, and of course it goes without saying that he just had to have the most recent style in Jeans THE SKINNY JEANS! Well you could imagine my shock and horror! But like every teenage style I know that this too shall pass. Again, I live in "hope".
Surprisingly he does like to wear a lot of tee shirts, and amazingly his favorite place to buy tees is JC Penny-click here to see his receipts.  He bought some this week. "Ma!" he said, "There is sale on tees this week at JC Penney- you should go!"
Gasp! A couple more tees on the floor of his room adding to the chaos.
What I realize is that my kids each have their own unique style. I see it in the choices they make on a daily basis when it's time to go to school. They're always adding some little accessory to their clothes, just to "jazz it up a bit" as my daughter likes to say!

They are young and they like to be in style. What mother can complain about that!




“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and jcpenney blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Are Your Kids Eating Their Vegetables? 10 Tips and Tricks to Get Your Kids to Eat More Veggies.

Have you ever discovered your broccoli disguised as a plant in your flower pot, while you desperately go around the house asking, "Who didn't eat their vegetables?"
Getting kids to eat their vegetables can be a difficult  task. Hopefully the following ten tips and tricks can get them eating their veggies without the tantrums and meltdowns that can ruin dinnertime for everybody.

1. Incorporate pureed vegetables into dishes like mash potatoes, rice or dumplings. Pasta sauce is another good place to hide vegetables. trust me, your kids will never know.
2. Create vegetable smoothies and add apples to disguise its taste. A great combination is apples, beets and carrots. The sweetness of the apples and carrots help to distract from the beets which may be strange to kids sensitive taste buds.
3. Grow a vegetable garden with your kids. This makes vegetables fun and more interesting, which may give your kids motivation to eat them. Your kids will feel good when they see the vegetables sprout, grow up and land on the dinner table. Don't worry if you live in an apartment or don't have enough space. You can start with a few potted vegetables.
4.Offer a nice reward at the end of the week for the amount of vegetables eaten. Using a chart and sticker rewards works especially well with young children.
5.Keep vegetables in the refrigerator in handy cute containers. Never underestimate the power of cute!
6.Arrange the vegetables on cute designs on the plate, for example use the broccoli as a forest, with round slices of carrots and peas to decorate. Have a contest and let the kids create their own designs. Give prizes to keep kids motivated.
7. If the kids are very hungry, put vegetables as your first course of the meal option. They are more likely to eat it if they are famished. And don't forget the salad dressing. Ranch is a huge favorite at my house.
8. Always try to have a dinner or snack that you know your kids will love. My kids love pizza, so in addition to the pizza, I add some interesting tiny vegetable pieces on top like red, yellow and green bell peppers.
9. Give your kid muffins or cakes with the veggies disguised in them. My kids love squash muffins and everyone loves a carrot cake. You can use other vegetables as well.
10. Explain to them the health benefits of vegetables and what could happen if they don't eat their vegetables. This may work better with the older ones who are better able to reason things out.

Give these tips a try and I guarantee that at least one of them will work. Of course, setting a good example by eating vegetables yourself is the best way for your kids to eat their vegetables.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Peas and Thank You blogging program for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Make Life Easy When You're On the Go!

Health and happiness as someone with a hectic and busy life style depends on your choice of actions throughout the day. Instead of being overwhelmed by your hectic lifestyle, consider some handy life tactics and strategies for easier living.

Eliminate the early morning process by doing most of your chores the day or night before. Plan your breakfast the night before and put out pre-made choices in a large handy Tupperware container. Avail yourself of meal planning services or websites that coordinate shopping lists and meal plans so you don't have to worry about what to cook for dinner.

Set your clock 10 minutes earlier, to get a jump start. You would be surprised at how useful this is in the morning when the kids are not cooperating or there are unexpected traffic delays onthe road. 

Office friendly exercises like chair lunges and even kegels can be done at your desk so you save time at the end of a busy day. You can even keep a few light weights in your desk drawer for some bicep curls between clients and during phone calls. That way you don't have to feel guilty about spending too much time away from your family.

Download an easy computer application to remind you throughout the day of important events on your to do list. Explore all the calendar and appointment capabilities of your phone or tablet- you'll be surprised at the number and variety of apps available for free.

 When help is offered, don't refuse it. Don't try to do things all alone or try to be a superwoman. Recognize your shortcomings and face them head on and then work toward overcoming them.

Give yourself small breaks throughout the day. Sometimes it's easier to break one big task into a few smaller ones that are easy to manage.

Give social media a break, but balance and connect with other. DO search for deals online; DON'T get caught up in reading your brother's girlfriend's baby mama drama. That's just time wasting and usually energy draining.

Reward yourself for staying on task and for even minor accomplishments. I love my iced coffee, and now that its summertime, indulge in Seattle's Best Coffee. It's delicious and reasonably priced for the frugal minded. I usually grab one at the neighborhood Rite Aid right after a hectic day or in the mornings after I take the kids to school.

Most importantly, protect your health actively. Get enough rest so that you are functioning at your best.

 

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seattle’s Best Coffee blogging program for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://seattlesbestcoffee.socialmoms.com/about)

10 Reasons to Visit Virginia Beach.

Summertime and the living is easy! Fish are jumping, la da de da da! We made it through seasons of sleet, snow, rain and hail, extra-curricula activities and late nights of homework. So what's next? Part of being healthy is taking time to de-stress and get away from it all. Summertime is a great time for us Healthy Mamas to recharge our batteries and there is no better place than Virginia Beach.

Thinking of Virginia Beach brings back sweet memories of my going on spring break back in the '90's. My college crew and I had already done Daytona Beach the previous year so we figured it was time for Virginia Beach. And of course Virginia Beach did not disappoint. Now that I'm all grown up and have left my partying ways behind me, I think it's time to revisit Virginia Beach and this time I might even take the kids or maybe a group of my BFF's can do a weekend spa date at Virginia Beach if I really want to relax and de-stress.

If you're not familiar with Virginia Beach, the following are wonderful places to see and go with your family.

1. The Beautiful Beaches, of which there are miles and miles, are all open to the public. If you are looking for a peaceful beach sanctuary then just don't go during Spring Break. Virginia Beach has lots to do and see all through the year.

2. The Marine Science Museum, a popular museum in the state, is located in Virginia Beach. I personally find museums to be quite relaxing and can spend hours browsing through everything. This is a great way to lose track of time.

3.Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful place to see migrating birds and is a great place for the nature-lovers among us.

4.Boating and fishing at the marinas can be peaceful and serene if sitting quietly waiting for fish to bite is your thing. If it's not, then just being on the water and surrounded by nature can produce relaxing and calming thoughts.

5.Water sports are so much fun and you can participate at Virginia Beach. Being relaxed and de-stressing doesn't always mean peace and quiet. For the healthy mama adventure lovers and thrill seekers, Virginia Beach offers parasailing and jet skiing too. You can even go sailing and there's sport fishing for the guys so they'll be happy too. Nothing leaves you with a more relaxed feeling that doing something that you love and burning up excess energy by playing water sports is a good way to de-stress and keep yourself in balance and everything harmonious.

6. Going biking on the boardwalk at Virginia Beach is another fun thing you can do alone or with friends and family. Don't worry, you can rent bikes for the entire family while you're there. With 3 miles of boardwalk for you're biking pleasure, you can work take it all in quite easily by bike.

7.Scuba Diving is also available if you're feeling particularly adventurous and diving lessons are available. Visit the scuba park at Virginia Beach for recreational diving.

8.The Francis Land House is at Virginia Beach if you're in the mood for a little history. At this plantation manor built in the 18th century you are sure to satisfy your thirst for some back in time adventure. You will certainly feel as if you have been traveling back in time at this 200 year old mansion.

9.The Cape Henry Lighthouse is another must see attraction at Virginia Beach. Climb all the way to the top of this old lighthouse that guards the entrance of Chesapeake Bay. It is open only seasonally so you might want to plan in advance.

10.The hotels and resorts and restaurants in Virginia Beach offer some of the most comfortable accommodations of any location in the United States. Experience the fresh seafood and stay at your favorite chain hotel or motel or you can rent a vacation home here. There are bed and breakfasts to if you want something a little more homey and cozy. Virginia Beach is also a great venue for reunions if you want to reconnect with family or have a large group holiday.

I'm seriously considering a vacation to Virginia Beach. I've been away for too long!


“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Virginia Beach Tourism blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” (make sure you link to http://visitvirginiabeach.socialmoms.com/about)