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