3/7/14

Wholesome Cravings Baking Mixes - Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
It is a never-ending struggle for me to eat healthy and still like the foods I eat. I crave breads and sweets constantly. I'm thrilled to discover Wholesome Cravings baking mixes! These baking mixes can be used to create snack cakes or muffins that are loaded with protein. Wholesome Cravings creates delicious, healthy, all-natural, gluten-free, diary-free, whole grain mixes, made of high quality ingredients without preservatives, fillers or artificial sweeteners. There are four flavors to choose from - Banana Chocolate Chip, Apple Ginger, Pumpkin Spice, and Decadent Chocolate Chip.
I first whipped up some Pumpkin Spice Snack Bars with the Pumpkin Spice Mix. Wholesome Cravings baking mixes are ultra-flexible, allowing me to use whichever sweetener I choose (honey, sugar, yacon syrup, or agave nectar) plus I can change it up by tossing in extras like shredded coconut, raisins, chopped nuts, or even diced fruit pieces. They are so moist, light, and delicious!
I love the ease of making protein goodies with Wholesome Cravings. I used the Decadent Chocolate Chip mix to make some scrumptious muffins and they came out simply perfect. No one will ever know from the taste that these are loaded with 11 grams of protein. I always thought a protein snack had to be dry and tasteless, but I was so wrong!
Visit www.wholesomecravings.com to find out more information and to place your orders. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter for recipe ideas and nutritional information. Be sure to enter to win all four of the Wholesome Cravings baking mixes!
Win all 4 Wholesome Cravings baking mixes!
To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries will increase your chance to win. Prize of 4 mixes will be shipped as 2 mixes per month for 2 months. Giveaway ends at midnight on 3/23/2014. Good luck!
Enter my other giveaways HERE.

Preventing Accidental Poisoning of Children

Do you have small children at home? Is your home REALLY safe enough? More than 2 million poisonings are reported each year, according to PosionPrevention.org, and more than 90 percent of these poisonings occur in the home with the majority of non-fatal poisonings occurring in children younger than six years old. Jennifer Hoekstra, Injury Prevention program coordinator with Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, says many people may be surprised at the household items that can poison our children.

Household dangers:

  • Make-up: rather than leave it on the counter, put it back in the make-up bag up in the cupboard, or locked in a drawer.
  • Laundry Pods: find a secure place to keep the laundry supplies so they are not accessible to children.
  • Plants: know the type of plant you have, keep it up high so the child cannot reach it.
  • Art supplies: some types of art supplies are not meant for small children, be sure to find a secure location for the toxic "adult only" art supplies.
  • Chewable Vitamins (especially those with iron): children can confuse these vitamins with candy. Be sure to teach your children that medicine or vitamins should only be taken to help you get better or stay healthy. It is important to keep the vitamins in their original container and keep them up in a high cabinet rather than on the counter where little hands can reach them.
  • Lead based paint: take a look around your house for peeling or chipping paint - this can be potentially poisonous for your children. Be sure to take great caution when scrapping or cleaning areas with peeling or chipping paint.
  • "Grandma's" purse: many times we have people come and go in our homes and they just toss their purse or bag in the corner of the room. So many American's in today's society take some type of medication and often carry it with them in their bag or purse. This presents a very surprising danger in our homes. Kids of all ages (including teens) can get into adult purses and bags and can get into medication that is very dangers. Have a designated spot up high and out of sight for guests to keep their bags and purses.
  • Carbon Monoxide: Many appliances in the home can produce an odor-less color-less gas which can be very poisonous for children. Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of poisoning for children in the home. Be sure to have your furnace checked every year and install a carbon monoxide alarm!

Jackson, Wyoming #Travel #Accommodations

#sponsored
photo courtesy of Rusty Parrot
The rooms at the Rusty Parrot are rustic with an elegant touch and each room has its own theme. There is no shortage of amenities, and every room has robes, slippers, fine linens and plush towels. In fact, the linens and robes or so popular that the lodge sells them to guests. The wireless Internet is free, and there's a flat-panel television with satellite service for those shows guests can't miss. All the rooms also have deep soaking tubs, and the beds are all handcrafted and either king or queen-sized. Each room is also supplied with a selection of shampoo, body wash and lotions. There's no need to worry about bringing along a bulky hairdryer because they are supplied in all of the rooms.

The room that is perfect for a honeymoon couple has a king-sized bed, a fireplace and a whirlpool for two. Like all the other rooms in the lodge, it has European-style sheets, towels and robes. There are also smaller rooms that have king-sized beds and fireplaces and are located either on the garden or upper levels of the lodge. Rooms without fireplaces are also available on the same levels.

For families traveling with children there are two options. A superior room on the garden or upper level has two comfortable queen sized-beds and one rollaway bed can be added to the room as well. The Owner's Suite is also a great place for families to stay, because it has a living area that is separate from the bedroom. This room has all the amenities of the other rooms and a few extras. There is a large walk-in closet, whirlpool tub for two and a walk-in shower. There is also a safe and a dry bar and refrigerator. The adjoining bedroom has two queen-sized beds, and there's plenty of space for a rollaway bed and the couch in the living area can also be used as a bed.

There are room packages that cater to families and couples on romantic getaways that are tied to the season. Some of them include day trips to the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone National Park or skiing. Room reservations can be made online or by directly calling the lodge.

6 Tips for Spring Organizing with Zebra Sarasa RDI Gel Pens

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
Zebra Pen Corp. just announced its newest innovation - the Sarasa gel pen with evolutionary Rapid Dry Ink (RDI) technology. This RDI technology gives writers and drawers an ultra-glide performance with a choice of 14 vibrant colors. These new Zebra Pens are also perfect for left-handers who would prefer to keep the ink on the paper and not on their hands. The ink dries in less than a second!
I've discovered that these fabulous quick-dry gel pens are excellent companions for my spring home organization projects. Since spring is just around the corner, many of us are starting on spring cleaning, purging old unused items, and organizing those items worth keeping. These easy-glide, vibrant pens and these handy tips will help you get started on your spring organizing!
Tips for using Zebra Sarasa RDI Gel Pens for Spring Organizing:
1. Organize your important papers by choosing different colors of ink to sort your bills, coupons, tax documents, etc.
2. When writing down individual activities on your family calender, assign each family member a different color ink so you know who is where and on which days.
3. Keep your budget simple and organized by tracking income and expenses in different color Zebra pens.
4. Plan your weekly meal menus using different color pens for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Or use a different color pen for each food group to ensure your family never misses out on balanced nutrition.
5. Share them with your kids to keep them busy making creative pictures for refrigerator art while you weed out old toys from the playroom.
6. Create a family chore chart using a different color pen for each family member.
Visit www.zebrapen.com or visit your local Staples, Office Max, Office Depot, Walmart, K-Mart, and other retailers to get started on your spring organizing. Be sure to follow them on Facebook and Twitter too. I love these pens!!!

Helping Your Teen Cope With Stress

I wouldn't want to be a teenager in these times. I thought life was challenging in the 70s and 80s when I grew up, but today's teens have much more to worry about. As a parent who recently survived raising 3 teenagers, I know that parents of teens are always looking for great advice.

A recent study by the APA found that teens are more stressed than adults and their levels of stress tend to peak during the school year. Of the teens surveyed, 42% feel that they are not doing enough to manage their stress. Mandy Ginsberg, CEO of Tutor.com has tips to help teens experience less stress at school and during homework time after school.

Schedule homework time. Just like you schedule time for soccer practice or dance lessons, schedule in homework time for your child every night to form a routine. It should be at a time that fits both of your schedules. The best time is right before or after dinner—early enough to stay focused on tackling tough subjects like algebra or chemistry.

Create a homework zone. Set aside a space in your home where your child can work on homework without major distractions (i.e. TV, video games and siblings who may already be done with their homework.) A comfortable spot for both of you is best, that way you can catch up on your own reading or work and still be available to answer questions your child may have.

Set goals and prioritize. Your child probably has assignments in different subjects from different teachers each night. Have your son or daughter review their list of assignments (if they don’t usually write them down, now is a good time to start) and estimate how long each will take. Then, help them prioritize which ones to do first. There’s no right or wrong order to completing homework assignments, but having an action plan can help your child stay focused.

Know when to get help. If your child is taking longer than expected to finish one problem or is getting frustrated, encourage them to take a break by working on something else for a while. If they come back to the problem and still can’t figure things out, don’t stay confused-Tutor.com can help get them back on track in just a few minutes.

Wrap things up each night. At the end of each homework session, have your child walk you through their completed assignments. Acknowledge the small accomplishments they made to keep them motivated.

3/6/14

Epiphanie Camera Bags Giveaway #MagicalMarch

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
Welcome to the
Magical March Giveaway Hop Event

From March 7-17, 2014, you can visit each of the blogs below 
and enter to win great prizes to help you march into a magical spring!
My giveaway prize is winner's choice of any camera bag from
I can't even remember how long I've wanted to get my hands on an Epiphanie Bag. They are the most beautiful and most versatile bags! There are over 60 styles for women and men, designed to make carrying your camera (and much more) simple and fashionable.
Epiphanie Bags are more than just another camera bag. This Teal Clover bag is designed to also carry a laptop too, with plenty of room left over for all the other stuff I carry around! It even comes with a detachable, adjustable, padded shoulder strap if I want to carry it crossbody.
There are two outside pockets, one open and one zippered, plus the inside of the Clover has tons of protective padding and even more pockets. The interior of the bag also zips closed, ensuring none of my precious belongings disappear.
The exterior is constructed with water-resistant, high-quality synthetic leather and has super soft, comfortable braided shoulder straps. The Teal Clover measures 18"L x 6.25"W x 13"H and weighs only 3 pounds. I simply adore the style and the color, and it's very comfortable to carry. If I'm traveling without camera and laptop, the padded inserts are removable, so I can use it as an overnight bag too.
I was able to pack all this into my bag: a laptop, a camera, a camera lens, my wallet, a water bottle, my sunglasses, and my keys, with room leftover! Since I'll be traveling next month on the Brandcation cruise, my Clover from Epiphanie Bags will definitely be going with me. It's the perfect carry-on so I can keep all my necessities nearby.
Visit www.epiphaniebags.com to see all their fabulous bags in lots of styles, sizes, and colors. Which one would you choose? Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram, then enter below to win your choice of any bag from Epiphanie Bags!
Win your favorite camera bag from Epiphanie Bags!
To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory, but bonus entries greatly increase your chance to win. Giveaway ends at midnight on 3/17/2014. Good luck!
Enter my other giveaways HERE!

3/5/14

Win Sandgrens Clogs - Spring #FashionistaEvents Giveaway

The SPRING Fashionista Giveaway Event is hosted by The Chief Blonde at Still Blonde After All These Years and Katy from Modly Chic. All Fashion! Only FASHION event! Largest Fashion Giveaway event on the internet with $26,000+ in prizes, 100+ participating blogs and 3/4 million entries. Each individual blog has a minimum of $125 prize!
Covered Perfectly is providing Spring Fashionista Events Grand Prizes. Enter the Grand Prize HERE. For every Giveaway in the Spring Fashionista Event that you Enter, you gain one entry toward the Spring Fashionista Grand Prize. 2 Grand Prize winners will receive 12 tops, 1/month over the course of a year, valued at approx. $600/winner! Isn’t that stunning? Covered Perfectly makes flattering tops (misses and plus sizes) comprised of a full collection of super-soft MicroModal tops in a variety of colors and the cute patterns. www.coveredperfectlyplus.com US Shipping is FREE and they also now ship worldwide.
Monroe and Main is providing our first and 2nd place prizes. Enter the 1st and 2nd Place HERE. $200 and $100 shopping spree to their site, Monroe and Main. You will find fashion that is FIT FOR YOU with both Misses and Plus sizes. They also carry shoes, jewelry and other accessories.

My prize is winner's choice of
Sandgrens Clogs!
Yes, I own four pair and I simply love them. You can read my most recent review HERE.
on Facebook ~~~ on Twitter ~~~ on Pinterest

One winner may choose any pair of Clogs from Sandgrens, up to $169. To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries increase your chance to win. Giveaway ends at midnight on 3/14/2014. Good luck! After you enter my giveaway, visit the other blogs listed below to enter their giveaways too.
Enter my other giveaways HERE.

Simmering Samurai Frozen Japanese Entrees - Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
I love Japanese food and now I can have it at home! Simmering Samurai is a line of frozen Japanese entrees. There are five great Simmering Samurai meals - Chicken Fried Rice, General Tso's Chicken Fried Rice, Vegetable Chow Mein, Broccoli Beef Fried Rice, and Orange Chicken Fried Rice.
Japanese meals can be challenging but Simmering Samurai takes all the work out of preparing meals. Each of these meals is ready to serve after just a few minutes in the microwave. All I had to do was poke a few holes in the cooking bag and flip over the bag halfway through heating.
There are four serving sizes in each package and best of all, the food is delicious and tastes just like restaurant-quality food. I even had some leftovers that I saved for the next day's lunch and it reheated perfectly. I'm very impressed and will definitely be purchasing more of these meals.
Visit www.ajifrozenusa.com for more information about Simmering Samurai and other Asian food products in their line. Find them in the freezer aisle at Walmart. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Then enter below to win 5 Free Product Coupons so you can try the entire line of Simmering Samurai.

Win 5 Free Simmering Samurai Coupons!
Three winners!
To enter just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries increase your chance to win. Giveaway ends at midnight on 3/30/2014. Good luck!
Enter my other giveaways HERE.

Wednesday Wealth Giveaway Link Up (Mar 5-11)

Bloggers! Link up your giveaways!
Prize lovers! Enter to win!

KitchenAid Mixer Does More Than Mix

Every kitchen needs a mixer and KitchenAid Mixers are the most popular brand. It's been at the top of my wish list for years. Your KitchenAid Mixer can do many more tasks than just mix and this handy infographic is a fabulous resource for ways you can expand your mixer use. Visit KitchenAid today!

Win a $25 Gift Card to American Frame

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
Frame your art with beautiful custom frames from American Frame. Since 1973, American Frame has been one of the country’s leading suppliers of custom picture frames, as well as mat boards, DIY picture framing supplies, and fine art printing. This family-owned business prides itself on excellent customer service, high quality products, and providing expertise through their three blogs:

A Good Frame of Mind - the company blog focused on DIY custom picture framing design.
Ask Mike - the place for you to find answers to all your technical questions on DIY picture framing.
At Your Service - answers to your website and customer service-related questions.

At AmericanFrame.com, you can find wood frames and metal frames, plus ready-made frame kits and picture frame accessories. They also provide printing services for your art and photos. Check out all their fabulous products and services today! You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, then enter below to win a $25 Gift Card to shop their site!

Win a $25 American Frame Gift Card!
To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries increase your chance to win. Giveaway ends at midnight on 3/20/2014. Good luck!
Enter my other giveaways HERE.

3/4/14

3/3/14

Island Fever Salsa - Caribbean Trading Company - Review

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
Here at my house, salsa is a staple food. We probably add salsa to about half the foods we eat. I received a 9oz. jar of Island Fever Salsa from Caribbean Trading Company for review and when my husband suggested quesadillas, I knew it was the perfect way to sample the salsa. I now have a new favorite salsa. This stuff is amazing!
Island Fever Salsa is unlike any other salsa I've ever tasted. It's chock-full of mango, pineapple, papaya, and tomatoes blended with onion and habanero pepper. It's sweet and fruity, with the perfect amount of spicy heat. You absolutely must try it (and I must order more).
Visit www.caribbeantrading.com to get this amazingly delicious Island Fever Salsa, as well as many other unique products that will make your tongue dance! Their website also features wonderful gifts, games, decor and much more. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest too!

Vitalicious Chocolate Chip VitaTops - Review and Giveaway

Disclosure: I received product at no charge in exchange for my honest review.
If you've ever eaten a muffin, you know the best part is always the muffin top. Vitalicious has recreated muffin tops with their scrumptious new Chocolate Chip VitaTops. These new 100-calorie, all-natural VitaTops are chock full of delicious chocolate chips surrounded by a light, fluffy, cakey muffin. Each 2oz. Chocolate Chip VitaTop has 8g of fiber, 4g of protein, 15 vitamins and minerals, and only 1.5g of fat. Chocolate Chip VitaTops are made from all-natural ingredients without any artificial coloring or preservatives of any kind.
These yummy treats are the perfect breakfast or snack. I found them to be very filling and one is always enough. My sweet tooth acts up on a regular basis, so VitaTops are a great way for me to have something sweet without overdoing the calories. Plus, knowing each Chocolate Chip VitaTop is packed with fiber and protein makes this a healthy snack and guilt-free food.
Check out www.vitalicious.com for more information about these delectable Chocolate Chip VitaTops, as well as dozens of other products that are good AND good for you. Be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, then enter below to win a case of 24 Chocolate Chip VitaTops!

Enter to win!
To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and reside in the USA. Only the first entry is mandatory; bonus entries increase your chance to win. Come back daily and grab the tweet entry every single day. Giveaway ends at midnight on 3/15/2014. While you're here, don't forget to enter my other giveaways HERE. Good luck!