Archives for 2015

Are You Prepared for Cold & Flu Season? #ReliefisHere

February 12, 2015 By Anne

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/P&G.

It’s that time of year when the germs are floating everywhere. With two children in school someone is bound to bring home a cold and pass it around. Right before Christmas break the Flu was going around but thankfully did not hit our house. However the cold did. And yes my husband and I got it as well.

So off to Wal-Mart to get some Vicks DayQuill and NyQuill Severe. Wal-Mart always has the best prices on so many things. I had a very bad cough and the NyQuill Severe really helped me get a good nights sleep. I also slept sitting up to help with that cough. I’ve never had a cough so bad before. During the Day Vicks DayQuill really helped me get things done and stay on track although I did squeeze in some much needed rest.

During this cold and flu season I take extra care in wiping down all the door handles and making sure we all wash our hands more frequently. For me the worst thing about being sick is not being able to get done all the things I need to get done. This year my cough is the worst. It’s still lingering on even months later.

Going to Walmart to get our cold supplies is always first. They have the best prices around. Plus you can always get all the other cold essentials you need like tissues and chicken soup.

Vicks DayQuil and NyQuil Severe are available at Walmart.com and in stores. Be sure to stock up to prepare for cough, cold and flu season.

Vicks NyQuil Severe Cold & Flu – The powerful NyQuil relief you trust now with a decongestant. Plus it’s available in caplets or liquid.

Temporarily relieves common cold/flu symptoms including:

Nasal congestion
Sinus congestion and pressure
Cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation
Cough to help you sleep
Minor aches and pains
Headache
Fever
Sore throat
Runny nose and sneezing
Reduces swelling of nasal passages
Temporarily restores freer breathing through the nose
Promotes nasal and/or sinus drainage
Vicks DayQuil Severe Cold & Flu. Also available in caplets or liquid.

Temporarily relieves common cold/flu symptoms:

Nasal congestion
Sinus congestion and pressure
Cough due to minor throat and bronchial irritation
Minor aches and pains
Headache
Fever
Sore throat
Reduces swelling of nasal passages
Temporarily restores freer breathing through the nose
Promotes nasal and/or sinus drainage
Helps loosen phlegm (mucus) and thin bronchial secretions to rid the bronchial passageways of bothersome mucus and make coughs more productive

Anne

I'm a mother of 2 who likes to get involved in too much! Besides writing here I started a non-profit, I'm on the PTO board, very active in my community and volunteer in the school. I enjoy music, reading, cooking, traveling and spending time with my family. We just adopted our 3rd cat and love them all!

DIY Valentine’s Day Crayon Craft

February 9, 2015 By Anne

Last year my daughter and I made a really cute Valentine’s Day Craft that she was able to pass out to all of her friends. I love this particular Valentine as you use recycled materials and there is no candy attached. My children Do Not need any more candy throughout the year. They get enough from their daddy.

Basically you will need:

Crayons – Sharpie – Cardstock – Heart shaped silicone mold ( I found mine at Joanne’s) – Glue Dots ( I got Elmer’s medium thickness.)

Everyone has broken crayons laying around. Okay maybe not everyone. But if you have kids you most likely do. This is a great way to recycle and reuse those crayons. Just peel the paper and break into small pieces. To make it easier you can soak the crayons in water. The paper will come off easier this way.

We did use some non-broken crayons just to add some pretty colors in each mold heart. Then make sure to read the directions on your silicon mold. I put my mold on a cookie sheet and baked 15-20 minutes at 250. Let cool on rack or place in the freezer to cool. Then the hearts just pop out of the mold.

Then take the card stock and cut into squares. Write whatever saying you like. We choose “You make my world colorful” But you can also use, “You color my world” or “Happy Valentine’s Day”. Then place a glue dot in the center and place the heart on top!

It’s that easy! I’m excited to do this craft again as my daughter has different children in her class this year.

What Valentine’s Day Craft are you working on?

Anne

All About That Chocolate!

February 5, 2015 By Anne

I am working with Foodie.com on this post.

Valentine’s Day will be here soon and chocolate is a very popular present. I think most everyone likes it. I know I do! I wanted to find some fun, delicious and maybe a little healthy chocolate recipes for you. Okay there’s one or two that are not healthy at all but I couldn’t resist. I mean bacon brownies?! Sounds delicious!

What is your favorite chocolate treat?

Anne

Foodies Predict Popular Food Health Trends in 2015

February 5, 2015 By Anne

When it comes to popular food trends, no one knows more about the subject than foodies, or people who take a special interest in the food industry. Foodies not only love food; they love keeping up with every aspect of it. This is why many foodies start up their own blogs, such as the Maxim Gorin blog, to share their opinion on a subject they hold near and dear. As such, foodies are the best people to ask about which foods are going to be popular in 2015.

The Return of Whole Milk

Without a doubt, 2014 was the year of milk alternatives, such as rice, coconut and almond milk. However, this trend is about to lose a little ground, and whole milk is going to make a return. Foodies say that, while dairy products are often the cause of congestion for many people, whole milk contains a lot of vitamin K and D, as well as omega 3 fatty acids. These are things that most people simply don’t get enough of in their daily diets. While it’s true that whole milk is a good deal more fattening than 2 percent or skim milk, the extra fat is what helps the body properly absorb all the nutrients. So put down the glass of almond milk and pick up a glass of whole milk.

Pickled Vegetables

If you see a lot more pickled vegetables on store shelves in 2015, don’t be shocked. This was a trend that started to take off at the end of 2014 and will continue into 2015 and beyond. While pickles, which are just pickled cucumbers, have always been popular, other vegetables such as cauliflower, onions, radishes and beets have also been gaining in popularity. So why is this a health trend in food? It has to do with the healthy bacteria that ferments the vegetables. This bacteria is helpful to your overall immune system. Pickled vegetables also have anti-bacteria properties for bad bacteria and are higher in vitamins.

Photo credit http://goo.gl/tZUcse

Cold-Pressed Juice

Cold-pressed juice caught on in 2012, but it’s a trend that will shine big time in 2015. Many towns already have juice bars popping up all over the place. So why are so many people jumping on the juice bandwagon? First of all, it’s an easy and quick way to get some much-needed nutrition. Also, it tastes great and comes in a lot of different flavors. You can mix and match vegetables and fruit for endless possibilities. In some cases, people like having their vegetables cold-pressed more than the like eating them raw.

These are just a few examples of some of the popular health trends that will be making their way into people’s diets in 2015. Some foodies also agree that these trends may be around for a long time, rather than be big hits for just one year. For those of you who are looking to get a little extra vitamins in your diet and live healthier lives in 2015, consider these existing and upcoming food trends.

Anne

CINDERELLA – Walt Disney World Sweepstakes

February 3, 2015 By Anne

In honor of Disney’s CINDERELLA, opening in theaters everywhere on March 13th, enter today for your chance to win a 5-day, 4-night enchanting vacation for four to the Walt Disney World® Resort including one special night in the Cinderella Castle Suite!!!

Enter here.

The sweepstakes ends 3/27/15 and to enter you must be 13+ and a resident of US or CA (excluding Quebec). Limit one (1) Entry per day, per person. There is only one (1) prize available to be won. Entry/Full Official Rules: http://di.sn/6009IaAB. Void where prohibited.

The story of “Cinderella” follows the fortunes of young Ella (Lily James) whose merchant father remarries following the death of her mother. Eager to support her loving father, Ella welcomes her new stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and her daughters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drisella (Sophie McShera) into the family home. But, when Ella’s father unexpectedly passes away, she finds herself at the mercy of a jealous and cruel new family. Finally relegated to nothing more than a servant girl covered in ashes, and spitefully renamed Cinderella, Ella could easily begin to lose hope. Yet, despite the cruelty inflicted upon her, Ella is determined to honor her mother’s dying words and to “have courage and be kind.” She will not give in to despair nor despise those who mistreat her. And then there is the dashing stranger she meets in the woods. Unaware that he is really a prince, not merely an apprentice at the Palace, Ella finally feels she has met a kindred soul. It appears her fortunes may be about to change when the Palace sends out an open invitation for all maidens to attend a ball, raising Ella’s hopes of once again encountering the charming Kit (Richard Madden). Alas, her stepmother forbids her to attend and callously rips apart her dress. But, as in all good fairy tales, help is at hand, and a kindly beggar woman (Helena Bonham-Carter) steps forward and – armed with a pumpkin and a few mice – changes Cinderella’s life forever.