Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Who's On First

William "Bud" Abbott and Lou Costello are known for their hilarious and classic comedy routines. Popular during the 1940's and 1950's Abbott and Costello are still well known in american households.  They stared in 36 films and made countless appearances on the radio and television.

Their most common comedy routine "Who's On First" is considered one of the greatest comedy routines of all time.  Abbott and Costello were even inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1956! In 1999 Time Magazine named "Who's on First" as the best comedy routine of the 20th Century.


This book is adorable and silly way to introduce kids to the classic routine. 

Abbott is the coach of the baseball team and Costello is just trying to find out the names of the players on the bases. Its not quite that simple though, when players are named "who, which, what" and other names that aren't usually found on the bases.

This book is great for everybody, while its written as a children's book, it would make a great gift for a baseball loving Grandparent, or a coffee table book for a baseball lover. 

I have had a lot of fun reading this book with my daughter and sharing it with my grandmother. My daughter is entertained by the cartoon illustrations by John Martz. The characters in the book are all animals making it kids want to pay attention!

The will be available on Febuary 19, 2013 and will retail for $16.95, it will be available on 
 and will also be available at the Monte Cristo Bookshop in New London CT.

I received a copy of Who's on First for this review, all opinions are 100% mine, I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review.



Thursday, December 20, 2012

Blue Shield of California

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of © Blue Shield of California. All opinions are 100% mine.

Today everybody is trying to be more concious of thier health. Taking care of our bodies of course is one of the best ways to prevent many diseases.

Doctor Jim and his sidekick Bob are out on the web to help. They scour the internet everyday looking for people that have problems, and then they post their vidos as answers to them!

Photobucket

Doctor Jim is a REAL doctor, and him and Bob, offer a humerous alternative to your regular, internet website that gives you information. They add a fun spin on health advice making it accesable and taking the intimidation factor of it down, 

Blue Shield of California is a not for profit comoany, they offer easy access to alternative care like chiropractors and acupuncturists (and beleive me peopel this stuff works) They also offer easy access to great doctors and a  wide variety of affordable health pans! 

Doctor Jim and Bob discuss common health issues such as Hiccups, Diarrhea, Insomnia, Constipation or muscle cramps. The videos offer informative information along with amusing banter between Doctor Jim and Bob,

I really enjoyed the video on Muscle Cramps, I am someone who often gets them and as a massage therapist I know that many people don't know exactly how to deal with a muscl cramp. As you can see in the video below, Doctor Jim and Bob offer some great advice.,

You can get more information on Docor Jim and Bob on thier facebook site

 Dr. Jim and Bob's Fun & Helpful Health Advice

There you can watch all the videos and even take a quiz to see if you are smarter then Doctor Jim (good luck!)

These are great videos, and its great to see a company helping out the public with free health information!

Visit Sponsor's Site

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Brazees

Have you ever had to wear and elegant dress and been stuck with a bra strap issue?

My boobs are pretty small, but I like to keep them....elevated. And I'm not really the type to go without a bra, no matter how many times people seem to tell me I could.

Which was why I was so excited to try Le Brazees, these adorable Le Brazees are simple jeweled straps that you can attach to your convertible bra. Instead of a thick bra-strap you'll see a beautiful row of beads or gems that not only look good with your outfit, they compliment it!

I love wearing  Le Brazees, they look wonderful with the modern day Off the shoulder looks and go great under a tank top for the summer.

Providing support and style Le Brazees are a great stocking stuffer and addition to a holiday outfit. 

You can get Le Brazees in almost any shade so its easy to match them to a prom or special event. A functional gift for your bridesmaids!

I love wearing my LeBrazees and I think that they are a wonderful addition to any wardrobe! 

Affordable you can get a set of Le Brazees for just $20 some even made from Swarvoski crystals!

You can find LeBrazees on their website at www.lebrazees.com 


I received a free set of Le Brazees for this review. All opinions are 100% mine I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review. 

The MILF diet

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Onion Crunch

As I sit here blogging to you, I am holding an open container of pretty much the most delicious snack I've found yet.

Its not a chip, or popcorn. And it might not be the healthiest thing for me to eat by the bagful, but on top of a cheeseburger....Oh divine! 

Onion crunch is a product that will go wonderful on top of a green bean casserole, I eat it on salads, soups, pizzas, and on top of sandwiches.

Onion crunch contains no trans-fat, it has no sodium and no cholesterol!

You can find Onion Crunch at 7-11, Whole Foods or by using the Store Locator on the Onion Crunch website.

The Onion Crunch website also has some great recipes on their website, the onion crunch really adds a some great flavor to the recipes that you've tried over and over again.

I love carrying a container of onion crunch around with me when I'm going out, its a great way to jazz up an ordinary dish!



I received a free sample of Onion Crunch for this review, All opinions are my own. I did not  receive any monetary compensation for this review.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

The Night Santa Got Lost: How NORAD Saved Christmas

Santa has a tough job on his hands, flying around the entire world in the peak of winter can't be easy. We all know how hard it is for pilots to fly airplanes in that weather,  and  8 flying reindeer, well that can't be much easier.

Little did I know that NORAD had Santa on their radar each Christmas eve! Tracking Santa as he moves around the planet each year, NORAD, makes sure that Santa is out of danger on his annual toy delivery. NORAD helps to make sure that the children of the world wake up to a tree-full of gifts in the morning


But this year, despite leaving earlier then usual due to harsh storm winds... Santa gets lost from the radar!  NORAD pulls out all the stops to search for Santa, using their top of the line technology, but will they be able to find him in time to save Christmas?

This patriotic story, written in the style of "The Night Before Christmas" is a wonderful way to teach kids about the heroic jobs our military does everyday. By bringing in Santa so kids can relate. In days where the military doesn't always get the respect it deserves, this book is a great way to show kids how the military uses teamwork, and how important the men and women who are enlisted are to all of us.  

 Written by Micheal Keane, a Fellow of National Security at the Pacific Council on International Policy, and former Fellow of the U.S. Department of Defense's National Security Project, has stepped outside of his normal role,  writing adult military books and written a book that will bring your family together.

Micheal Garland's beautiful illustrations are just what's needed to go with this uplifting story. You and your child will love seeing the military in full uniform help Santa out, this year on Christmas!

I love this book especially being from somewhere that the military is such a big part of our community. This would be a wonderful gift for a child who's parents are in the service.

You can find copies of The Night Santa Got Lost:How NORAD Saved Christmas at
Monte Cristo Bookshop
13 Washington Street
New London, CT 06382

or at
  www.indiebound.org

All opinions found in this review are 100% mine, I received a copy of The Night Santa Got Lost: How NORAD Saved Christmas. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review.


Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Santa from Cincinnati

Have you or your child ever wondered where exactly Santa came from? 
Or what he was like as a little boy?



Personally, its not something that I've thought about for a long time , but the magic of Christmas returned to my house about three years ago. Around this time of year I'm back in love with the holidays watching it through my daughter's eyes,. I am always looking for great seasonal books to share with her. I love the classics but its always nice to throw in a new one. 

Santa From Cincinnati is a wonderful addition to our collection, it tells the tale of Santa Claus; where he came from and how he grew up. Santa wasn't exactly a normal kid, from his favorite toy to his favorite color, you and your child will see that not too much has changed about the jolly old man.

His parents tried hard to keep him normal, having him play baseball and deliver newspapers,but Santa was always Santa, and before being the world wide celebrity he is today, he was known all over Ohio.  Soon he was making lists and hiring elves! All the time while going to college and buying engagement rings.

From the set up all the way to his current thriving factory, you and your little one can follow the life of Santa,.Author Judi Barrett  (also the author of Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs)  does a wonderful job of keeping both kids and parents interested and entertained.

The story is accompanied by charming illustrations from Kevin Hawkes, my daughter loved all the detail. His baby book and school photos were especially interesting to us, and my daughter is now sitting in the corner pointing out all the parts of the story she remembers.

A Merry addition to your book collection, this book is unlike any other that I've read and one that I'm sure I will be reading for many years to come! 


You can pick up Santa From Cincinnati at the
Monte Cristo Bookshop
13 Washington Street
New London CT 06382

You can also find it at www.indiebound.org 


All opinions found in this review are 100% mine, I received a copy of Santa From Cincinnati. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Candles from Mrs. Meyers

I'm usually more of an incense burner then a candle person,  my mother, I'm pretty sure, still thinks that I'm smoking on that wacky tobbaccy in my room pretty much every time that I light up a stick (or five) but alas, me and Nag Champa are pretty much best friends.

But lately I've had a new obsession, now I have a rule about always getting a real Christmas tree, because I LOVE the smell of a fresh Pine tree, and not even that candler from New England could ever get that smell down into something that could burn in my house. 

Mrs. Meyer's did it,  no joke people, its amazing. I burn this candle in my room every day, it smells amazing, when I walk upstairs it smells like a Christmas tree, The scent is Iowa Pine, and though I've never had an Iowa Pine-tree in my house, I'm pretty sure that if I went to Iowa, this is what it would smell like.

The Orange Clove scent that smells just like those little art projects you would make in middle school for the family! As is typical of the two of us, my best friend uses the orange clove scent in her house and I have to agree it smells great. Mrs. Meyer's really got it down on this one as well!

The scents also come in a dish soap, hand soap and countertop spray. I liked them so much my best friend and I also bought in our new favorite scents last time we went to the store. And I plan to get the rest when I go to Target!

The candles cost less then $3 and are available at Target stores. 

I really like how the tins are reusable! A great way to store buttons, beads, hooks, extra Christmas lights, or ornaments! 

Light up a few of these and leave them around at your next holiday gathering and you are sure to have everyone in the Christmas Spirit!


I received a free pair of Mrs. Meyer's Candles for this review. All opinions are 100% mine, I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review.


Healthy Snacks at your doorstep

Did u know that snacking is one of the leading causes of childhood obesity?

Its not something that we often think about, because of course a snack is... well just a snack to many of us, but the truth is we need to be thinking about what we are eating, even when its just a snack. Sometimes it can be hard to find something to snack on that is exciting and new, we get bored of the same healthy snacks of hummus and carrots, or celery and peanut butter.

Introducing NatureBox, a box of wholesome  minimally processed snacks, that are delivered right to your doorstep. Don't get tired of the same old snacks anymore. Each NatureBox comes with 15-20 servings across 4-6 packages of snacks. A great alternative to grabbing that same bag of chips at the store, try a new snack each month!



Each NatureBox costs $19.95, you subscribe monthly and you can pause or stop your subscription at anytime!  I can't tell you exactly what will be IN each NatureBox but I can tell you what will NOT be in them!


  • No Trans-Fats
  • No Partially Hydrogenated Oils
  • No High-Fructose Corn Syrup
  • No Artificial Flavors
  • No Artificial Colors
  • No Artificial Sweeteners

So what did I find in my  November Nature Box?

  •  Carrot Chips
  •  Roasted Garlic Pumpkin Seeds
  •  Chipotle Maple Almonds
  •  Country Ranch Peas
  •   Cinnamon Spiced Granola.

Yes I really did approve of ALL the items in this box, the Granola was my favorite by far, second followed by the Maple Chipotle Almonds (oh man do I love me some almonds!)



I was very surprised by the Carrot Chips, something that I had never tried before, but I REALLY loved eating! I'm looking forward to trying more snacks from the NatureBox.

Nature Box is a great gift idea for the person who has everything, why not get them a few months of NatureBox

So go ahead try a NatureBox!


I received a free NatureBox for this review, all opinions are 100% mine, I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review.

Winter wandering



A fun winter day with some of the best people I know, started out with some yummy Bailey's mocha drinks (the joys of friends with espresso machines!)



Next we found this adorable spring! The water was crystal clear and so fresh! Next week time I'm bringing a few gallon jugs to fill, and I found two goldfish living in it!

Then to a craft fair with yummy local crafts, local maple cream and candies and even a glass blowing shop where we got some great Christmas gifts at a fair price! All this in western Massachusetts.

Reminding me why I love new England!









Saturday, December 1, 2012

World Vision Gifts + Eco Cold Cup giveaway!

You may remember my post from last year about World Vision Gifts.

World Vision gifts is a catalog that allows people to give charitable donations that will be used in other countries, instead of donating a certain amount of money to an organization, you choose what your money is spent on.


Some examples of gifts you can buy for families are

A goat and two chickens; which will provide milk, eggs and cheese to families,, this only costs  $100!

Buy a girl a bicycle for just $85 and help her get around!

You can also choose a donation and help girls who have been sexually exploited, get back on the right track

So I ask you in this season, where we are supposed to give to others, why not choose one of these beautiful gifts to share with someone less fortunate. You can even choose to give a gift to family in the United States! 



Buy a family two chickens  and they will send you a plush chick toy! What a great way to teach little ones about the importance of giving!
.
I received this beautiful World Vision Eco Cold Cup which comes with a donation of $50 to the World Vision Maximum Impact Fund.. I love this cup for my morning smoothies on the go and its even BPA free!! 



World Vision also has stuffed animals, jewelry and other great gift ideas for family, I love how when choosing from World Vision Gifts, I can choose a gift for someone in my family, and the money that I spend goes to someone who needs it!!

WIN!!
Wear your heart on your sleeve, one lucky Mommypants reader will receive an Eco Cold Cup from World Vision Gifts!

To Enter:
LIKE World Vision Gifts on Facebook
Look through the World Vision Catalog and tell me which item you would purchase for a family in need!

please leave your email address in the comment so I can reach you.  
contest ends December 20, 2012


I received a free Eco Cold Cup from World Vision Gifts, all opinions in this review are mine. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this review. 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Wow! Has it really been 16 days since my last post? Oh geeze, so sorry to my wonderful readers, life has been crazy the last few weeks, between a trip to the West Coast to bring Bella to visit her father and my crazy new work schedule,  its been rough keeping up! I have some GREAT reviews and giveaways coming up for you this week, including some food boxes, some bra straps, gift ideas and a GREAT alternative to those hydrogenated fried onions!
Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday, and I will be updating soon!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

What's Your 'Lie-Q'

What’s Your ‘Lie-Q’?
Take the Test to See if ‘Self Lies’ are Holding You Back

Prophets and philosophers throughout history have spoken of the potential calamities embedded within lies.

“Relationships are ruined every day because of lies,” says former IBM executive Cathy Holloway Hill, a life improvement consultant and author of “Lies, Love & Life,” (www.chollowayhill.com). “Think about the collapse of our economy starting in 2008 – it didn’t happen because bankers and other key players were honest and acted with integrity. It happened because of lies. But the most damaging lies are the ones we tell ourselves.”

“Self lies” cause us to perpetuate a cycle of failure, she says, and the first step in reversing the pattern is recognizing them.

Hill has developed three questions – a Lie-Q test – for people who can’t seem to find success, whether it’s in romance, weight loss, finances or just general contentment.

• Have you ever told yourself, “I’m too old for that”? That’s just one of the many common self lies. Others include, “I will never find true love;” “I’ll never get out of debt;” “I can’t change who I am.” While the briefest of analyses demonstrates how illogical these lies are – people find true love, get out of debt and change every day – we persist in believing them. If you tell yourself you can’t, you won’t make the real effort required to succeed.

• Do you pretend to be happy when you’re not? Many of us have pretended to be happy on the job or at home when, in truth, we’re very unhappy. Sometimes we pretend for the sake of others; sometimes because we worry about the consequences of expressing our true feelings. And sometimes, we do it to convince ourselves that we’re happy. Are you happy? If you’re not sure, or if you’re sure you’re unhappy, Hill recommends getting into “self-discovery” mode. Take a close look at the hobbies, relationships, activities and work you enjoy. Determining what they are and working them into your life starts the process of feeling more content, she says.

• Do you think you can’t find a more satisfying job? It’s important to find satisfaction and gratification in our work lives, Hill says. “We spend most of our waking hours on the job so if yours feels tedious, meaningless and dead end, you will be happier if you’re at least working on a Plan B,” she says. Since the economic downturn and soaring jobless rates, the mantra has been, “Be grateful if you have any job at all.” That’s the wrong attitude. “If you have an exceptional skill and are willing to work hard, chances are you can find something that makes you happier. If it’s not a paying job, perhaps some volunteer work on the side,” Hill says. Make a list of your skills and the things you enjoy. Do any of these match job descriptions in the real world? You may be surprised to find that your dream job – or something close to it --is out there. “Why wouldn’t you go for it?” she asks.

About Cathy Holloway Hill

Cathy Holloway Hill is founder of C. Holloway Hill Enterprises, an international consulting, training and professional speaking firm focusing on personal and professional growth and effectiveness. Her guidance is sought by Fortune 100 companies, youth organizations and individuals who want to transform their lives. Hill has a bachelor’s in computer science, a master’s in psychology and numerous life coaching certifications. After 25 years in the corporate world, she walked away from her successful career at IBM in order to pursue her passion – helping people live happier lives. She is a winner of Indiana’s Torchbearer Award for contributions to her state.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Navitas Naturals Organic Coconut Powder

Found inside fresh young coconuts, Coconut water is an ancient hydration tool that has been found used for thousands of years. in one 35 calorie serving, you not only get essential vitamins and minerals, it provides more potassium then a banana, and it provides the liquids that your body needs for proper hydration.

I first learned about coconut water in massage school, I went to massage school in Northern California so its safe to say that many of my classmates were VERY into healthy living, green lifestyle, and coconut water.  At first I brushed it off as a fad, but after trying it for myself and learning about it I was very impressed and added it into my daily smoothie as well as mixing it into other drinks that I had through my day.

I was very impressed to see coconut water available at the Napa Valley Marathon, where I worked as a sports massage therapist for runners after they finished the race. I saw coconut water being used for the runners instead of the usual high fructose sugary sports drink that is so often dumped onto the heads of coaches after football games. I was so excited, it made so much more sense to give athletes something natural from the earth to repair and hydrate their bodies!


And now an amazing product has come onto the market!


Navitas Naturals Organic Coconut Water Powder

As I go through my mind I can think of so many wonderful benefits for this product, because like powdered milk, you don't have to refrigerate it! It also weighs less then what a container of coconut water.

I can bring it camping and have the convenience of coconut water without having to have it take up space in my cooler.

On a marathon (not that I run marathons) its a great option so you can not only get hydrated, but build up the electrolytes in your body and get some calories in there! It has five key electrolytes for hydration : Sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus.

I love that I can store these and that way I can have coconut water on hand in case we get snowed in, or can't get to the store for some reason.

I love being able to customize how my coconut water will taste. Simply stir 11 grams into a glass of water and you can have a hydrating sports drink, sometimes I add a bit more when I make it for my morning smoothie, that way I can add more or less depending on the flavor that I'm looking for that morning.

I feel that I have only begun to discover the possibilities of this product, there are so many benefits having coconut water powdered. 

Navitas Naturals is a company who's mission is to provide the best organic superfoods, to increase energy and enhance health. If you are new to superfoods, then this is defiantly a company and a website to check out.

Superfoods really do add a lot to a diet, I started with adding different ones to my smoothies in the morning, but have been adding them to my diet and find myself turning to Navitas naturals for the highest quality.

You can find Navitas Naturals Organic Coconut Water Powder at stores through North America including; Whole Foods Markets, Wegmans, Sprouts, and HEB. You can also find it online at Navita's Naturals Online, as well as Amazon.

I was provided a sample of Navitas Naturals Organic Coconut Water Powder for this review, all opinions are my own, I did not receive monetary compensation for this review 




WINNER!

We have a winner of the Topricin "Care and Share" Package!!

USA is the winner!

USA October 15, 2012 9:31 AM
I read that Topricin provides pain relief by improving circulation which would improve quality-of-life. My mother lhas pain in her hips and shoulders this would be a product she could try without having to take any medication.


Thanks USA, send me an email with your address and contact info and I'll have the folks over at Topricin send out your stuff!

Thanks so much for entering

And don't forget to enter the

Kimco Wine bottle cover giveaway

and the

Curamin giveaway

Friday, November 9, 2012

An experiment in Positivity

So since November 1st this year I have been adding a daily facebook post, with something that I'm grateful for, sometimes its meaningful like family, or flexibility, other times its something simple like cheese or music..... but today is the first time I really sat back and looked at my experiment and realized that after nine days of naming the things I'm grateful for, I'm actually doing this more often then thinking about the negative things.

An example, the other day when I blew a tire at dunkin donuts...in the drive-thru, then changed my tire in the parking lot, then drove across the street to put air in it, where the spare tire came of the tire trek  then when it started snowing I called AAA, where they towed my car, and I had to buy a new tire....

Now normally, I would have been in full break down mode fort that, but I remained oddly calm during the whole thing, I knew it would work out, and it did it wasn't nearly as bad as I could have made it.

Also when driving in the car, I have a tendency to think about whats going on in my life, both the good and the bad. More often then not, the thoughts would turn to negative, but recently when I have started to have those negative thoughts, a little voice in my head has been reminding me to turn them into positive thoughts!

Now this could just be something in me that's been coming to surface, but I doubt it, I believe that my conscious effort to bring more positivity my life has been working!

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

A cold winters day

Well here we are November 7 and already it's snowing, sleeting, a nor'easter.

Boots, hats, winter coats. Here we go...

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Curamin Review and Giveaway!

Most over the counter pain medication can't exactly use the word 'natural' and until I was introduced to Curamin, I didn't think that there was a natural pain reliever that could compare to the results that are commonly achieved with a product like aspirin or ibuprofen.

I first heard of Curamin in 2011 when I was approached to review it for my blog (you can find the old review here), I was VERY impressed, not only did it help take away the lower back pain and headaches that I was suffering, but there wasn't a scary warning label on it warning me of liver damage, and my midwife had told me it was okay to use while breastfeeding!

These days I have less low back pain, and less headaches (and I certainly don't have to worry about breastfeeding anymore) But I try to continue living a holistic and natural life, which can be tough now that I live out on the east coast. Products like Curamin make it easy to stay on the right track.


Curamin is not only approved by me, it has won LOTS of awards. 

Best of Supplements Awards Winner, 2012
Better Nutrition magazine, 5th consecutive year (2008-2012)
• Pain and Inflammation Category

Essential Supplement Award, 2012
Taste for Life magazine
• Pain Relief Category

Vity Awards Winner, 2011
Vitamin Retailer magazine, in 3 categories:
• Best Herbal Supplement
• Best New Herbal Supplement
• Best New Natural Remedy

Natural Choice Award Winner, 2011
Wholefoods magazine

That's pretty impressive list. The people over at Curamin certainly know what they are doing when it comes to helping relieve pain, but how does it work exactly?

Well Curamin is all-natural supplement that enhances the body's natural defense mechanism for the relief of pain due to exercise and overuse. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps get the cells in your inflammation pathways working, with the added BCM-95 Curamin has found a way to make standard curcumin (found in turmeric)  more easily absorbed into the system! The formula used in Curamin has been found to be 10 times more effective then standard curcamin extracts!

Curamin is made by Europharma, a company that provides clinically proven effective nutritional supplements and natural remedies. The president and founder of Europharma, Terry Lemerond, has a newsletter that you can subscribe to for natural health updates. You can subscribe to his newsletter at
 http://www.terrytalksnutrition.com/sign-up/

Give Curamin a try for yourself, a 60 count bottle sells for $34.95. You can find it at Whole Foods and other natural health stores. Just visit the "Where to Buy" tab on the top of the website, type in your zip code, and a store near you will come up!



WIN!!

Win a 60 count bottle of Curamin! (retails for $34.95)

To Enter
Subscribe to the Terry Talks Newsletter
Folow Curamin on Facebook
After you have done these two things, come back here and leave your email address!
That's it!!

Contest ends December 7,  2012 at midnight; I will pick the winner and post it the next day!



Monday, November 5, 2012

Health Warrior Chia Bars

Health Warrior Chia Bars

Chia seeds are known to be amazing, they are tiny seeds; less then 1/4 the size of a grain of rice; Chia seeds are filled with protein, omega 3's, dietary fibers, calcium, magnesium, and Antioxidants. 

The Health Warrior Chia bars are a delicious alternative to candy, with only 100 calories and 5 grams of sugar. They not only have less calories and sugar then a candy bar, they also actually have health benefits to them. Chia seeds provide nine times the amount of Omega 3's of salmon! Its a snack that I feel good about Bella eating.

The Health Warrior Chia Bars come in three flavor; Peanut Butter Chocolate, Coconut, and Acai Berry.  My favorite was the Coconut, It was packed with Chia seeds and I really enjoyed the real coconut flavor, rather then the fake or sugary taste that you get with the coconut in a candy bar. My second favorite was the Peanut Butter Chocolate (this happened to be Bella's favorite flavor) The chocolate peanut butter flavor makes the bars taste like a treat, while still packing in all the benefits of  chia seeds.


I really enjoy the Health Warrior Chia Bars, I like that I can pack them in my daughter's lunch for a treat that will help her stay energized for the rest of the day! They are all-natural, vegan, dairy and soy free!

GIve them a try! Health Warrior Chia Bars are available at Whole Food's Market, and retail for about  $1.89 per bar or $29.99 per box




Thursday, November 1, 2012

Kimco Wine Bottle Covers

Wine bottles are beautiful.. most of the time

But sometimes its nice to give them an extra bit of beauty (or hide that cheap bottle that you love so much that tastes amazing.... we all have that one)

So when I was introduced to the Kimco wine bottle covers, I was very excited to give them a try!


I was a bit worried that the covers wouldn't fit the bottles, but it was easy to fit them over, they are stretchy materials and they have elastic on the bottom making it easy to slip the covers over the top of the bottles; and slide them to the bottom. The bottles are then sleek, and easy to pour, and can even match the decor of the party or event you are attending!

How nice to have a wine bottle on every table at your next party, that not only tastes great but matches whatever decorations you have at the party!


The bottle covers retail for $2.99 a piece, not only do you receive the wine bottle cover, but a gift tag and a bag making it easy to have a personalized gift on hand! Grab a few and always have a gift on hand that will impress.

The bottle covers are reusable and washable! So your friends can use them again and again!

Get yourself some of the wine bottle covers here

Or visit www.booksox.com and see all the great products they offer!

WIN!!

Kimco has offered to give three wine bottle covers away to Mommypants readers!

To enter let me know your favorite wine, and which wine bottle cover you like the best!
I'll choose three random winners on November 30 2012
 Contest Ends November 29 2012 at midnight

please include your email address in your comment so that I can be sure to get in touch with you!



Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Continuing my Education

So I've decided on continuing my education.
Not that I don't love the wonderful world of massage therapy.
(Note still working on getting up the cash to get my licnese)

Since I graduated from massage school I wanted to continue my education to a further massage career. 
Unfortuntely my daughter's father made that almost impossible with his refusal to watch my daughter over the summer while I went to school because he wanted to pursue other things

So now I'm left with the prediciment of how to pay for school when my job hardly pays and I can't get financial aid for the program that I am looking into.

The program that I am looking into is for Oncology massage, which is basically massage for cancer patients.

Oncology massage is a hard job, you loose a lot of clients because you are giving them caring touch on thier death beds. Or you are helping them recover from a very tough time in thier lives.

I first learned about oncology massage from one of my teachers at the National Holistic Institute, She was one of the most motivational people at the school and I would be happy to accomplish only a third of what she accomplished in her life.

I want to be able to help people going through cancer, my teacher explained to me that when she had cancer only her massage therapist touched her and didn't cause pain. I want to be able to help people that are going through a life where pain is the only thing they feel, until they see a therapist. 

I would love to open up a center for affordable massage care, a place that not only has places for massage but has healthy food and snacks that help the body heal. Of course this would not be limited to cancer patients, but also for any person who needs a bit of love and healing in thier lives.

My first step to reaching this goal is to continue my schooling at the Oncology Program.

I have opened up a paypal account so that I can pay for this school, I really hope that you will consider donating to my cause so that I can meet my goal of  $800 ($700 for the school and $100 for books and materials)







Thursday, October 11, 2012

Topricin... it works


When it comes to anything in my home, I try to go the natural route, there are so many problems that we know about (and of course there are the ones that we don't know yet about... scary)

Topricin is a medication that does just that. Introduced to the world in 1995, Lou Paradise, created a homeopathic pain relief and healing cream that is safe for the entire family. Because I now have a toddler, I am much more aware of the products that I put on my body, also since I went through massage school, I have learned that much of the products that we use contain preservatives or chemicals that if not harmful for us, are mostly useless so we are paying for product that isn't really doing anything except taking up space.

With ingredients like Arnica, Calendula, and Belladonna; the healing properties of Topricin are easy to see, these are all herbs and plants that I use and recommend separately to my clients when they are injured, so I have faith that they work well in a combination. Topricin has  11 homeopathic medicines, compare that to the five inactive ingredients, Topricin obviously gives you you're money's worth.

Topricin Kids features 14 homeopatic medications!

Topricin works with your body to help it heal the problems; it helps to balance your healing chemicals, and get them to work on you body! Its fast, lasting, and its not going to have harsh or strange side effects.

Topricin is regulated by the FDA and was recently recognized for treatment of pain associated with Fibromyalgia!

Topricin Junior, has received the Parent Tested Parent Seal of Approval, so its recognized as a great product for kids!

So now that we know Topricin really cares about the world and its obviously a great product to put your money into, lets talk about how it works.

Lou Paradise suffered from bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, due to injuries that he suffered while serving as a Marine. While Lou had been in the Military he had gained knowledge from British and Traditonal MD's trained in the fields of traditional natural medicines. He experimented and eventually came up with the formula for Topricin! In 1994 Topricin was introduced to the world and in 2009 Topricin introduced the foot and children's formulas!

To use Topricin you simply rub it on to the area where you are having pain. Then you  will start to experience some pain relief in 15-20 minutes. The cream should be reapplied three to four times a day especially before bed and first thing in the morning. You can also rub it on every half hour for severe pain until it goes away. I found that it helps a lot with my back pains that I get during my period.

Topricin is safe for everyone, Diabetics, Children (although most pediatricians recommend the Junior formula for children) seniors, and it doesn't have any reactions to other medications!
Always check with a doctor before trying new self treatments when on medications or pregnant

Since I first started using Topricin about a year ago, you can always find it in my purse, from my experience it works, I use it before and after I start typing at a computer for a day, and I use it whenever my daughter complains of a pain that I attribute to a bruise or growing pain.

Topricin doesn't require a prescription (although your doctor may recommend it)

Topricin is a great treatment and it is proven to work, its a wonderful addition to any homeopathic first-aide kit, and will be on hand for my kids bumps and bruises that are sure to occur as school kicks into full gear!

For a limited time you can try Topricin and share it with friends for just one penny (plus $5.95 shipping and handling) you can get a Topricin Kids "Care and Share" package! Which includes a 1.5oz tube of Topricin as well as 15 sample size packets to share with friends. A regular tube retails for $12.99, this is a great opportunity to try out Topricin.  To find out more or get this deal for yourself check out http://www.topricin.com/product/kidscareandshare/h

Check out Topricin at their website

And follow them on facebook


WIN!
You can win yourself a Topricin Kids "Care and Share" package!
To win simply visit the Topricin Website and leave a comment below telling me something you learned about Topricin or about a Topricin product you'd like to try!

Contest ends November 11 2012 midnight
One entry per reader
please include your email with your entry
winner will be emailed and given 48 hours to respond, if the winner does not respond within 48 hours a new winner will be chosen


I received a free Topricin "Share and Care" package for this review. I did not receive any cash payment for this review, all opinions are my own

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Monday, October 1, 2012

Talking politics with kids

Talking Politics....With Kids

While you may want to avoid talking politics in social settings, the same is not true at home.  In fact, children are witnesses to our most honest opinions on most matters, including politics.   As parents, you are responsible for introducing the idea of politics and debate to your children, and launching their personal journey toward being part of the democratic process.  No small task.

How can parents help their children to understand the importance of politics and debate while reassuring them that they're safe?

According to Claire Haas, vice president of education, Kiddie Academy (www.kiddieacademy.com), "The key to making sense of the election is explaining politics in a way that a child can understand and digest.  In fact, parents shouldn't miss this great opportunity to teach their families about expressing and respecting differing opinions."

Claire offers the following tips and election-related activities for children:

Have a Party: Encourage your child to create their own mock political party. They can decide on their platform, create a symbol and even debate siblings or friends on the merits of their party.  Perhaps the winner gets to choose the next movie to see or meals for a week.

Vote on it: Macaroni & cheese or tacos for dinner? Create a mock voting booth and ballots for each member of the family. When all the votes have been cast, tally the results and talk about the process and how it relates to choosing a president. 

Dinnertime Debate:  Give each member of the family 2 minutes over dinner to discuss why they prefer one candidate over the other.  Be sure to include younger children - it may result in some unique perspectives.  Children can practice important life skills, including active listening,  respect for others and taking turns.  

Provide Age-Appropriate Answers:  Younger children may simply want to know what an election means, in the most basic terms.  Older kids will likely want more details.  

Explain Yourself:  Particularly if you are passionate about the candidate you prefer, take the time to explain why.   Defend your position, and what you like or don't like about each candidate.  Encourage your kids to ask questions or choose a candidate they prefer, even if it's not the same as your own choice.

Write a Letter:  Whether electronic or old-school ink and paper, writing a letter to a politician is a great way to demonstrate the democratic process, and the importance of sharing opinions.  In an election year, it's likely your child will get a response.  

Here are the addresses:

President Barack Obama, The White House,1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500  (Link to email form:http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/submit-questions-and-comments)

Romney for President, PO Box 149756, Boston, MA 02114-9756 (LInk to email form:http://www.mittromney.com/forms/suggestions)

You can also find your local representatives by starting at www.(your state).gov.

To download more tips and ideas for introducing politics to children, parents can visit the Kiddie Academy Family Essentials blog at www.kafamilyessentials.com-----------------------------------------------------------------

Morning Rambling

Last night I rearranged my room, following some Feung Shui advice I had received in the past, I face my bed do that my feet were no longer facing the door, I made the 'poison corners' less cornerish and at the advice of a past doctor, I hung prayer flags at on any window facing a road (every side of my room) there is now not only more space but there is a 'flow' to the room; it's hard to say exactly how the flow is better, or why it's like that, but I felt inspired this morning to do things.

I'm struggling a bit right now, it's no fun when your three year old asks you to go get money, especially when you have none. Yet, I feel happier now, I feel better then I did living out West with ample money and time. Here I feel needed, I feel I have things to do I feel like a normal person.

A lot of my time is spent in my head, tryin to figure out what I'm supposed to be doing, my life is a big mix of my daughter, music, massage, work, and trying to find work. As well as trying to keep food on the shelves of my house.

But I'm confident it will all work out, in the end I believe that everything happens for a reason, sometimes the reasons aren't so easy to see.

I've been considering putting my little one into modeling, she doesn't take a ba picture and with ky current finances, I'm not else how else we'll get her ini college. It's a scary thought I don't want a little Lindsey Lohan on my hands; but this face she's got had potential and I don't want to waste it!

Friday, September 28, 2012

Keep yourself Well

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of My Well-Being Powered by Humana for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I'm all about health and wellness, since becoming a massage therapist it has taken a major roll in my life. And I find that I am always trying to spread the word to people that I meet. 

Its always nice to find a website that is well rounded and has resources for wellness, but isn't so overbearing with adds that I feel like I'm walking around a wellness add campaign

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My Well-Being is a site that does just that, not only have I found great information about health such as the nutritional value of mushrooms, and suggestions on how to eat healthy now that school is back in full gear, the ideas for snacks were simple but some that I could really use!

 In the money section of the site, I feel excited knowing that my outlet shopping addiction is acctually saving me money! 

The people section has some great ideas on keeping the family together and organized, while the play section has some great ideas for parties and wine making! 

Be sure to play some of the brain games, I'm super ready to get my brain working with the memory games, word bubbles and a whole list of other games that are lots of fun and acctually get my brain working for the day!

This is a site that could benefit everyone, and I have found so much useful information, if you want to stay up to date with the latest information coming out regarding health and wellness then My Well-Being is the site for you, its a great way to learn new things and get some great ideas that you may have never thought of before! 

Now if you join My Well-Being you can get a FREE Dummies book!! We all know how much I love the Dummies books! They are packed with information that is easy to read, and useable in my day to day life! 

So sign up for the Well-Being Program, get your dummies book, and keep yourself in the know about health and wellness its something that will help you stay up to date, as well as stay healthy!

About MyWell-Being from mywell-being on Vimeo.

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