review

  • Say Goodbye to Survival Mode.

    A couple months ago I was selected to be part of the new book review by Money Saving mom, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore Your Passion for Life. This was perfect solution for my life, and so far I have read 1 chapter. I love the book, but life sent me a few emotional curve balls and I had to put things on a back burner.

    Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore Your Passion for Life

     

    All of my life I have been an overachiever, someone who would just jump in to help out with everything. I tend to take on to much responsibility and never ask for help. When I graduated from high school 20 years ago, I worked 2 jobs and went to college full time. Now, I have 3 part time work from home jobs, home-school 3 of my 4 kids, one who was diagnosed with PDD-NOS two years ago, suffer with my own health issues, and still don’t ask for help. I could relate to her about having a near breakdown because you have to much going on. I experienced that when I was 22, single divorced working mom, whose 17 month old needed surgery. Life can become overwhelming and sometimes you have to step back and breathe.

    When I read Chapter one of the book, it suggested that I should write down my to do list, and mark off 3 things. I thought yeah right-what things do I have an option of writing off. The kids attend an online school, have meetings daily with teachers. Their school is also   So I put down the book and gave some thought to the suggestions it had. I needed to learn to say no, ask for help and not run to the aide of everyone. While I am still not marking 3 tasks off, I did place a deadline for my day. What I hadn’t finished by 11 PM can wait to the next day. The thing about that is that our Christmas tree is still up because it has been a low priority. Now I will need to be better about organizing my time. I can’t have our tree up all year long, even thought it would make our 4 year old very happy.

    I am also getting better about saying no to people. Other than my kids to many people have taken advantage of my help. It isn’t appreciated and a waste of my valuable time. I am sure that some will be upset about it, but it is something that I need to do for myself and family.

    The final thing I did was share with my husband that if my business is to be successful by the time he retires in a couple years, I will need a lot more help here at home. I am not super mom nor do I need to be. Life is to short to be stressed and always doing things others are able to do themselves.

    I am really looking forward to finishing this book, and highly recommend it to anyone who feels like they are always in survival mode. It is available for pre-order on Amazon. Say Goodbye to Survival Mode: 9 Simple Strategies to Stress Less, Sleep More, and Restore Your Passion for Life

     

  • Frank’s RedHot Review

    I am a member of Smiley360.com and recently received Frank’s RedHot Sauce from them to review. Our family was impressed that this was a perfect blend of sweet, tangy, and spicy.

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    We received two bottles of Frank’s RedHot sauce, and an apron that my oldest fell in love with.

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    Here is my oldest making the Buffalo wings- they turned out delicious!

    With the Holiday’s and so much going on we haven’t had the chance to make the Frank’s RedHot Sweet Chili Cream Cheese Dip. Since it has been so cold outside this will be a great recipe to try tonight when everyone is home.

    FRANK’s RedHot Sweet Chili® Cream Cheese Dip

    INGREDIENTS:

    • 1 cup FRANK’s RedHot Sweet Chili® Sauce
    • 8 oz. pkg. Philadelphia® cream Cheese
    • 2 cups Mixed cut raw vegetables (crudites) to dip

     

    DIRECTIONS:Frank's RedHot

    PUT Philadelphia® cream cheese in shallow soup bowl.

    POUR FRANK’s RedHot Sweet Chili® Sauce over.

    ARRANGE crudites around.

     

  • Fresh Baby Review

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    I was recently selected to be part of the Fresh Baby review: What’s the Right Amount of Food for My Family’s Plate? One of the most important things to me is to provide the best nutritional needs for my children. I received my box a couple weeks ago with all these goodies.

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    Let’s Move Foam Puzzle  What does being active mean to your family?  Your children?  This fun foam puzzle will keep your little ones busy (while you wash the dishes) and give your ideas on how you can keep you family moving.

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    Kid’s 4-section Plate   This colorful plate, perfectly sized for little people is filled with bright images of healthy food and fun activities.  Involve your children in the meal time process by allow them to fill their plate with healthy choices from each of the four food groups.

    Here are my youngest 3 wearing the apron and holding the plates.

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     Adult 4-section Plate  This 8” plate with dividers marking the normal portion size for each food group is the perfect way to set an example for healthy eating at the dinner table.

    Kid’s Portion Tip Card (Also available for download here) How much you feed your children is as important as what you feed them.  The Kid’s Portion Tip Card allows you to quickly view common foods by food group for children ages 2-8.

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    Adult Water Bottle Drinking plenty of water is essential to good health. Fresh Baby’s collapsible water bottle lets you stay hydrated anytime, anywhere.  We will also be sending you our Mom’s Water Bottle. This is another great way to be a role model of healthy eating (and drinking) to your children, by avoiding sugary drinks and encouraging more water.

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    Kid’s Water Bottle Drinking plenty of water is essential to active children.  Fresh Baby’s waterfall design let’s children see the water in the bottle and makes drinking water fun!

    Kid’s Apron  It’s important to enjoy your food and one way to do that is to prepare it.  So let your child slip on this bright new apron and lend a hand preparing a meal.  A sense of pride in what goes on the table may even mean that he or she tries something new at dinner tonight.

    I enjoyed reading their articles their websites including How to Eat Healthy on a Budget, Eat Right When Money’s Tight, and Ten Tips for Building a Healthy Meal.

    How do you build a healthier plate? Like the visual on the Adult My Plate or Kids My Plate that my kids are holding above. Here are some tips to get you started:

    • Make half your plate with Fruits & Vegetables
    • Switch to Fat-Free or Low-Fat (1%) Milk
    • Make at least half your Grains Whole
    • Compare sodium, sugars, and saturated fats in the foods you eat and choose the right ones.

     

     

  • Shutterfly Holiday Card Giveaway.

    I am honored to be part of this years Shutterfly Holiday Card Giveaway. I had a lot of fun with last years Giveaway, and am can’t wait for one of my readers to win $50.00 worth of Shutterfly Holiday Cards. There are so many new designs for this 2013 Holiday Season.

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    The new card design styles for 2013 include 5×7 folded tri fold & back of card designs

    o   Classic: These are traditional colors, iconic illustrations, aspirational sentiments, snowflakes, monogram

    o   Contemporary: trend forward colors, texture and layering, water color techniques, shine, glitter, Instagram pictures are perfect for this style

    o   Whimsy: humor and nostalgia meet, fun sentiments

    o   Merry and Bright: all about color and having fun

    o   Religious: metallic type treatments, incorporated story ideas

    o   Photo Basics: multiple colors, vertical type, family name highlights

    There are so many new designs that I love, and here are my top 5.

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    I really enjoy giving photo gifts for the Holidays, I usually send my Mother in Law, photo mugs of the kids. They are personal and my family really enjoys them..  Some of my favorites that I have given to family in the past are photo books, photo mugs, and calendars. These are gifts that are used every day!

    Make sure you are part of the fun Pinning Party ™  on October 16 at 8 PM EST. You will have a lot of fun and can win lots of beautiful prizes!

    I have a $50 gift card to give to 1 of my wonderful readers. You should be able to get your photo cards or a few personalized gifts. (The voucher also includes free shipping!) The giveaway is available from 10/14 to 10/21!

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

  • Mindfulness Workbook For Dummies- Review

    I have been selected by Global Influence to review Mindfulness Workbook  for Dummies by Shamash Alidina and Joelle Jane Marshall. I have enjoyed all of the for Dummies books that I have read in the past and figured that with my busy life this would be perfect.  As a busy work at home mom and home schooling, these techniques are going to help me tremendously to bring calm to our days. I have a 7 yr old son who has mild autism, and many of the techniques I have seen his therapist use, are in this book.

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    The  Mindfulness Workbook For Dummies  is over 297 pages, and is filled with practical exercises that help you learn about mindfulness. There are sections for parents and children, calming stress, anger and tiredness. A section to find ways to make time for mindfulness, and a download of audio files to listen to. This book is going to be great for our family.

     

     

  • TruMoo Review

    As a BzzAgent, I get many products to try out. Last week BzzAgent sent me a coupon for a free gallon of TruMoo Chocolate Milk or Vanilla Milk. I got the Gallon free and used a coupon to buy the Vanilla. Both have been a complete success in our house. Not to sweet, and not weird tasting. They also provided two recipes that we plan to try, if I can keep the kids from drinking it all.

     

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    Ingredients

    4 cups TruMoo Lowfat Chocolate Milk

    10 Chocolate Wafer cookies, coasely broken

    1/2 cup frozen non-dairy whipped topping

    8 mini chocolate chips or mini chocolate candies(orange/brown recommended)

     

    Directions

    In a blender, combine TruMoo and chocolate wafer cookies. Blend until smooth. Heat mixture in a saucepan or microwave until just heated through* or enjoy a cold mudslide.

    To Serve, pour Chocolate milk mixture into 4 glasses. For each serving, spoon a large, upright dollop of whipped topping to resemble a ghost.  Insert chocolate chips or candies for eyes.

    Spookie Moothie

    Ingredients

    3 cups Limited Edition TruMoo Vanilla Milk

    1 1/2 cups lowfat vanilla Greek Yogark

    5 cups Ice cubes

    1/4 cup fat-free whipped cream

    candy corn for garnish(optional)

    Directions

    In blender, combine TruMoo, yogart, and ice cubes. Blend o high speed until smooth and creamy.

    Pour into 4 glasses. Top with whipped cream and candy corn.

     

    TruMoo is also having a contest, enter over on the TruMoo® Facebook page to the instant Goosebumps DVD coupon they’ll get just for signing up, there’s no harm in entering (aside from the frights they’re sure to encounter on the all-expenses-paid trip).

     

  • Fysiko Lash Growth Serum Review 4

    It has been 4 months of using the Fysiko Lash Growth Serum, and I am still using it. I love the thicker longer lashes, and my 17 yr old son even tried it on his mustache that wasn’t growing much until he tried the Fysiko Lash Growth Serum. He now loves it. I recommend using Fysiko Lash Growth Serum if you want to see results.

    Final side view.

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    Here is my sons mustache.

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    @Fysiko Lash Growth Serum

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  • Fysiko Eyelash Growth Serum Review 3

    I have been using Fysiko Eyelash Growth Serum for more than 3 months now. I have a week left on this review and am completely pleased with the results of the length and fullness of my lashes. I haven’t worn Mascara in a month and still have enough to use for a few more months.

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    @FysikoLashes & @InfluensterVox with the hashtag #LongLashes.

  • Pinecone Research

    I have been working with Pinecone Research for over a year now. It is one of the best survey sites, and pays per survey 3.00. Occasionally you will receive products that have not been released to review.

    PineCone Research conducts on-line interviews with consumers from all walks of life to obtain their opinions about new products. To become a panel member, all you need to do is complete the simple form above. This will only take a few minutes of your time.

    It’s easy and fun to see and evaluate new product ideas in the comfort of your own home. You will earn points for each completed product survey, which can be exchanged for cash and other rewards. PLUS you will be automatically entered into a bi-weekly Sweepstakes to win additional cash prizes for your time. Each interview usually takes 15-20 minutes of your time. Plus, you are free to leave the panel at any time should you choose to do so.

    Registrants who complete the signup form online and align with the recruit target(s) and are eligible for membership consideration will immediately receive an email invitation containing a link, ID and password to complete the full registration process. The link takes them to a brief “staging” survey (6 minutes or less) to gather some further information about that registrant and their household, and to gain agreement to the terms and conditions for panel membership.

  • Fysiko Eyelash Growth Serum Review Month 2

    I started this Fysiko Eyelash Serum Review in May, and am still very pleased with the results of the Fysiko Eyelash Serum 8 weeks later. The first 4 weeks I could feel the lashes becoming thicker, and slightly longer. Then Influenster sent an email saying we could use it on eyebrows. So my 17-year-old son asked if he could use it to grow a mustache. He has been working on growing one for 2 years now. We gave it a try for one 1, just a little application. A few days later we could actually see a little more hair on his upper lip.

    My eyelashes are a lot thicker now than they were when I began this 4 month review. I no longer have lashes falling out as they did before and I no longer feel the need to wear mascara when I go out. I am really loving these thicker and #LongerLashes.

    Front View

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    Side View

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