Fitness Friday

So the past couple weeks I have been reading and incorporating ideas from "Eat Your Way to Happiness" (you can see my review here).  I have for the most part been doing really well with my eating, with a couple late night snack intrusions which I am sure I will pay for.  I know it was just boredom...I really need to stick with the healthy options and not overdoing it.  I feel so much better when I am being good.  For some reason I have slacked on the exercise dept this week too...I am not sure why either.  I know I was busy with some appointments Monday and Tuesday...but could have still worked out at night, and just didnt do it.  Then Wed. I had plans to go on a long walk while Kennedy was in school...but then she didnt go to school...then Thursday was going to do it later during my tv shows...which then time got past me...so there are all my excuses that I need to quit making!  I need to get back into exercising in the morning so I am not able to make excuses as the time goes by during the day.  So while I am saying that it is time to get off the computer...off my butt and get moving...See ya!

Looking for a Christmas gift for the women in your life...how about a new fragrance

Inspired by entrepreneurial powerhouse Leslie Blodgett’s dynamic life, Leslie Blodgett Perfume Diaries is a limited edition fragrance collection, created exclusively for Sephora, that revisits and evokes pivotal moments in Leslie’s life. Having kept journals since she was a young girl, Leslie has captured the essence of every trip she has taken through the pages of her journals. With the release of its first fragrance Bare Skin on 10/08, these pages have been brought to life through scent, enabling Leslie’s ardent fans to walk a fragrant mile in her shoes.

Bare Skin, the first scent in the series, is reminiscent of an experience during a trip to Mexico, where Leslie cart-wheeled fancy-free down a sunny beach while emanating true, unbridled joy. “When I have an experience, I like to have a scent behind it. Bare Skin, which is what Mexico reminds me of, is the way you feel when the sun is beating down on you during the day, but then you go out at night and you’re still sizzling from the warmth of the day which mingles with the night air and the music.”

“Glowing, sun-kissed skin has the power to turn heads. I wanted to recreate that attractive force with notes that draw you in: creamy sensuality, caressing florals and uninhibited musk,” says Stephen Nilsen, the celebrated Givaudan perfumer who helped concoct Bare Skin. “With Bare Skin, you will find yourself basking in the sun, with your feet in the sand, after one spritz.”
 

 
Bare Skin Fragrances can be purchased at sephora.com and are offered as:
 
~Bare Skin Eau de Parfum 1.7oz ($55): With emotional undertones throughout, the scent takes you from day to night with top notes of Black Pepper, Freesia and Anise that evoke the morning breeze coming through the window and the anticipation of the day ahead. The heart notes of Iris, Vanilla Orchid, Plumeria and Patchouli conjure walking to the beach and being on hot, hot sand. While the dry down notes of Sandalwood, Labdanum and Musk tell of the soft, sexy chatter between couples and the music that surrounds. Leslie recommends spraying the fragrance on your pulse points and behind your neck – the heat from these areas will permeate the scent with every breath.
~Bare Skin Solid Perfume Compact ($35): This pocket watch captures a moment of time in Leslie’s life and interprets it into a heady scent. Dab on pulse points for the ultimate exhilaration.
~Bare Skin Perfumed Body Cream ($30): To perfectly compliment the fragrance, a luxurious body cream has been created. To extend the fragrance sensation, apply the hydrating body cream after showering and follow with a fragrance spritz near your heart.
 

After trying a complimentary sample I really like this perfume.  When I first smelled it, before putting it on, I thought it seemed kind of strong...I was completely wrong.  Its fragrance is so much nicer on your "bare skin".  It is a great strength, not too strong or light.  I can definitly be comfortable wearing this all day long.  Some perfumes have too much of a fragrance that they are more of an evening perfume...this one I can see wearing to work, for a day out, or an evening out or in with a loved one.  It has a great scent that is inviting.  I would love to try the body cream.  I think these would make wonderful gifts for the women this Christmas.  Its a new fragrance that could be a hot seller this season!

"Eat Your Way to Happiness" by Elizabeth Somer

I believe I have found the best nutrition book!  I recently have been reading, and following, Eat Your Way to Happiness by Elizabeth Somer.  Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D., author of Eat Your Way to Happiness, is a registered dietitian and author of several books, including 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman's Diet, Food & Mood and Age-Proof Your Body. She is a member of the editorial advisory board of Shape magazine and editor in chief of Nutrition Alert, a newsletter that summarizes the current research from more than 6,000 journals. She appears frequently on NBC's Today and other national television shows.

Eat Your Way to Happiness shares ten diet secrets to improve your mood, curb your cravings, and keep the pounds off.  It took me a couple weeks to fully read this book, as I was taking one chapter at a time and incorporating it into my daily life.  This has been a wonderful book.  All the information you have been searching for....ok you know you are probably like me and hear about a super food, and do a google search...well all the information I have searched for one piece at a time is right in this book, all together!  I love the layout of the book.  It takes you from when you first wake up to when you are sleeping at night.  Besides all the tips and information on nutrition, it also discusses exercise and gives you a meal plan with recipes. 


Somer discusses topics like eating real foods and the importance of eating a well balanced breakfast.  I myself focused a lot on incorporating these two chapters into my daily life.  I have felt better overall and feel like I am much healthier just by these two chapters.  It doesnt stop there though...like many people we crave carbs.  Her third chapter has great information on choosing quality carbs.  I love how she discusses the importance of carbs, and not eliminating them completely!  I have made some switches myself and noticed I really enjoy these, like whole wheat pasta and english muffins.  This has really helped and the whole wheat pasta really does fill you up more than regular pasta! 

Somer's next chapter discusses what she calls the 6% solution.  She really gives a lot of information on our sugar intake and makes you see how much sugar we consume and do not even realize it.  She focuses again on our sugar intake in chapter eight, where she discusses what we are drinking.  This is a great chapter to see just how many calories we are taking in by what we drink.  She has good options on choosing the right thirst quenchers.  I myself have already cut out most sugary drinks, but with the holidays coming up I like how she discusses alcohol.  I found this really useful.  I also like the discussions on thicker drinks, juices and other drinks not only in this chapter but through out the book.  She has some great recipes for these too.  So with the holidays coming up here is a great excerpt to think about...

Who Sails Your Vessel?

You have vowed either to not drink alcohol or sugary drinks or to drink in moderation. Sometimes that is easier said than done. Most people don't like to drink alone, so the social pressure to join the crowd can be stiff. Toasting the birthday boy or ringing in the New Year doesn't have to mean drinking alcohol at all and certainly doesn't require getting drunk. Just because everyone else orders a soft drink or a martini at the restaurant, doesn't mean you should do the same. But what do you do if the only beverage offered is soda or beer?

One habit worth practicing is planning ahead of time how you will handle these key situations when the pressure or temptation to drink the wrong stuff can overwhelm your best intentions to break this habit. That plan might include:

Serve nonalcoholic and sugar-free alternatives at parties and social events. Bring your own to someone else's party.

Pace your drinking. Plan to alternate one glass of wine or soda with a glass of water, or dilute a drink with lots of water, fruit juice or ice.

Think light. Do your waistline a big favor and switch from regular beer to nonalcoholic beer. You will cut calories in half. Check labels on light beers, since they vary in calorie content, so you will save lots -- or next to no -- calories, depending on the brand.

Nix the drinks made with high-calorie mixes. Make your one alcoholic drink a day a glass of wine and you'll save a hundred or more calories.

Dress up nonalcoholic drinks. Add zest to club soda, diet ginger ale or other drinks by serving them in fancy glasses garnished with straws and fruit wedges.

Think grapes, not wine. Make nonalcoholic drinks with purple or red grape juice to get some of the health-boosting compounds found in red wine. Look for concord grape juice that has not been diluted with white grape juice. Other foods that contain heart-healthy compounds found in red wine include berries, plums, currants, all deep red-blue fruits, apples, onions, oranges and grapefruit.

Eat well. Keep healthful snacks handy so you have something else to do with your hands and mouth besides gulp down another drink.

Drink water, not soda pop, to quench your thirst. The best rule of all.

Now I jumped over a few great chapters....Chapter five I really have tried to incorporate, Super Foods!  Somer gives a list of her "Dynamic Dozen" super foods that are waist slimming and boost your mood.  I have started incorporating a few of these in my diet and the next time I go shopping I plan on incorporating a few more.  I love how she discusses these and their benefits, then along with the next chapter discusses good fats.  This is an area I need to focus more on.  The information she has provided will really help and has helped me understand the effects of good fats on our body and mind.  As many of us know it isnt always easy getting all of these good things in our diets.  So in her seventh chapter she discusses supplements.  This is a great addition, and really discusses the importance of vitamins, phytonutrients, and other supplements. 


In Chapter nine she discusses ways we can indulge!  Want to get the low down on tea, wine and yes...all our favorites...chocolate, reading this chapter will help!  She discusses working with our cravings, not against them.   Want some  ideas for those cravings ...get the book and see the great ideas she has on "30 indulgences that will soothe any craving"...they sound so great, I will definitely be indulging in some of these!

Like I said in the beginning...I love the layout of this book....starting from first thing in the morning to bedtime.  Chapter ten focuses on eatting right at night.  She discusses how the things we eat can effect our sleep and in turn effect our mood and then effect our weight and memory.  She gives great information on great dinners that will not leave you feeling it when you go to bed!  It is a great chapter if you are having trouble sleeping, or feeling groggy when you wake.

So the first ten chapters are her 10 secrets to eating your way to happiness!  That is not the end though.  She then discusses the importance of exercise and its effects not just on our waist but also on our mood and memory.  Then if that was not enough she gives you a "14 day kick start diet for good mood" with great meal plans for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack.  With these she gives some great recipes like "pumpkin pie oatmeal" which would be a great one to add some whole grains, good fats, and super foods.  One I might try soon..."Spicy Salmon Tacos"...as I need to get some of those good fats, high in omega 3, in my diet.

So overall...I am in love with this book!  Sorry friends I will not be sharing this as it will be staying with me for all the great ideas, information, and recipes!  If you would like to get one yourself you can go to
 http://eatyourwaytohappiness.com/ for more information on the book and how to purchase it


The above excerpt is from the book Eat Your Way to Happiness by Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D.. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy. 

Copyright © 2009 Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D., author of Eat Your Way to Happiness

Thank you FSB  Associates for providing this complimentary copy for me to review!  Although this book was free to me, I would purchase this anyday! 

Rolled Canvas giveaway from LargeFormatPosters.com

Oh my next giveaway reminds me I need to make an appointment for my kids to get their portraits done.  Sharing portraits makes such a great Christmas gift for family and friends. In preparation for the Holiday season LargeFormatPosters.com is rolling out a great giveaway – 16x20 rolled Canvas. Rolled canvas prints are perfect for home decor, photo prints and signage.  I would love to have one of these hanging in my house.  I love using portraits for my home decor.  LargeFormatPosters.com has great large sized format printing options. As an affiliate of Uprinting.com, if you would like to see some reviews you can check them out on Yelp.  So what would you do with your rolled canvas if you won? 

Giveaway Prize: (1) Rolled Canvas for One Lucky Winner
Shipping: FREE UPS Ground Shipping in the US
Eligibility: Limited to US Residents

To enter: Tell me what you would do with the rolled canvas if you won.

Extra entries:
~follow my blog
~subscribe to my blog
~go to http://www.largeformatposters.com/ and tell me another item you would like to have.
~follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway.


Instructions on how to claim the prize will be sent to the winner’s registered email on December 5, 2009...so be sure to leave your email address!  The giveaway will end on Nov. 29 and the winner will be chosen by random.org.  Please leave a seperate comment for each entry. 


~disclosure~I will also receive a free rolled canvas for hosting this giveaway.

Need help Going Green

Top 3 Green Living Tips...Well mine are simple tips, as I need to learn more about going green.  The top things we do is 1. We buy energystar appliances ...We have bought some new appliances for our kitchen and wanted energy saving appliances. 2.  We buy the energy saving lightbulbs.  I think we have replaced almost all our lightbulbs with these flourescent energy saving lightbulbs.  3.  I try to use reusable shopping bags or use the paper/plastic shopping bags for other things after bringing home groceries.  So as you see...no huge creative tips...but would love to learn more.  ...Maybe the book "Smart Mama's Green Guide" that I have waiting to review will help give me some idea.   Get more tips from Beth Aldrich on going green.
You can even turn your eye wear greener, check out airwear at  LighterSaferGreener.com

Widget

"What three favorite family Thanksgiving traditions have you passed or will pass on to your children?"

This was what twittermoms and Target are asking....well we have a few around here.

1.  I love my moms stuffing....I have started making her simple stuffing every year now, seeing we typically can not be together for thanksgiving.  It is so yummy...I will definitly pass it on to my kiddos.  Zach is so funny right now as he has been watching Nick Jr. and Max and Ruby...and goes around the house saying "stuffing" cause Max eats so much stuffing he is stuffed.  Guess we will see if Zach will eat the stuffing this year.

2.  We always watch football.  We have a quiet thanksgiving, as the last few years it just been us and a couple of our friends.  We will eat dinner and then have dessert while watching football.  Even if we have had the big get togethers home, out east, then we still end up watching football...isnt that just part of thanksgiving?  I really miss the big get togethers with my family and God family on Thanksgiving ...even back then I can remember watching football.

3.  This is something I really want to pass on to my kids.  The last few years  I have been very thankful to have so many great therapists and teachers working with my children.  I now try to give them Thanksgiving gifts instead of Christmas.  I think it is more meaningful...and I really want my kids to show how thankful they are of everyone they care about/care about them.

and to go along with the thanksgiving theme...here is one little cutie you just want to gobble up!

Want a chance to win a $50 target card.......click here

Mommy Madness Monday

A typical busy Monday here!  Kennedy had an ortho appointment to check her scoliosis.  She is doing good...the scoliosis has not progressed, so they have said not to worry about this.  She will go back in 6 months to recheck.  She then missed school...we were running late from the appointment and ran into a friend at the hospital.  Her friend Lydia is in the hospital from having a surgery...hopefully they are home now, as she was hoping to get home tonight or tomorrow.  Seeing we were running so late we stopped off and did a little Christmas shopping.  It felt good to get out with Kennedy...I dont take her shopping much anymore as it is hard to push the wheelchair and a cart.  Somehow last year I managed a busy day at toysRus with both kids.  Dont think I will try that this year.  I even remember taking Kennedy when she was a baby black friday shopping.  I took Zach shopping last night with me...we were buying a dvd player and stopped off at the candle section...oddly enough he enjoyed shopping for a new candle.  He was helping pick out a scent.  I dont have a lot going on this week...and I am hoping to keep it that way.  I have a lot of books to review...so I should relax and read some books.

I also have winners!!!  I just pulled the winners for the contests that ended last night...so here is the goods:

"Hope for Animals and their World" audio book- Jingle, roxxyroller, and FDP 4 Life!

"Say You're the One" audio book- Sweeter the berry, Shawn, and Candie L!

Uprinting custom thank you cards- Shelly!

RelishRelish- Gianna!

Sending emails very soon!  Congrats to the winners and thanks for all the entries!  There are other giveaways going on now and I will be adding more ...so keep entering! 

Storytime Sunday: Mommy Draw Stars on My Tummy

Mommy Draw Stars on My Tummy

By Martine Groeneveld

About the book:

You will also learn some basic information in regards to nurturing touch for children.  The book consists of pictures with stories, songs, games, and rhymes that come with instructions/suggestions on using these with nurturing touch. Read more here

About the Author:

A native of Holland, Martine has over 12 years of experience in traditional and alternative health care, with five years teaching baby and child massage. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters, where she runs her company My Mini Massage.  Read more here

My Review:
This is a delightful book to help you connect with your children.  This would be a great book to get you started with infant massage.  Not having an infant I actually used this book with my disabled daughter.  She loved it.  All the suggestions are great, and she gives you ideas to use with a little older or those not liking as much touch, as you might use with infants.  The songs and games are fun, and really put both mom and child in a good mood.  I highly recommend this book.  I think it would make a great gift for a new mom or baby.

disclosure~I received this book from the author for review.

Sign the pledge

Take the pledge to stop texting while driving and you can be entered to win a mini laptop computer!  So why not help promote safe driving...who needs to be texting while they are driving anyways?!!!  So go take the pledge today...they are trying to get as many pledges as possible before the holidays!  You can take the pledge by clicking Here then if you blog about it you can find more info by going to Robyns Online World for an extra entry.

Oral Health products by Quantum

Do you need relief from sores in your mouth, or dry mouth?  Quantum Health can help!  They offer three products for dry mouth, cold sores and canker sores. 



Lip Clear Lysine+ Cold Sore Treatment is an all natural treatment that has clinically shown to cut the healing time of cold sores by 50%.  Cold sores can last for up to two weeks, are very contagious, and can be embarrassing and painful. 

While there is no cure, the best solution is to heal them quickly.  Cold sores treated with Lip Clean Lysine+ healed faster than with leading OTC or prescription brands costing three to five times more.

Lysine+ has a non-chemical flavor, goes on clear, can be worn under lipstick and doesn't burn on application.  It provides an immediate soothing relief of burning and itching.

The suggested retail price is $6.99 and is available at drug stores, supermarkets, and health food stores nationwide, and online at http://www.lipclear.com/

(I have not used this item, so can not give a review at this time)



OraMoist Dry Moth Patch is a patch specially developed to increase mouth moisture and works for hours to restore healthy oral environment.
Dry mouth can have a severe effect of oral health, causing tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath due to lack of oral moisture. 

OraMoist is a time released, muco-adhesive patch powered by edible natural ingrediants that adheres to the roof of the mouth or inside the cheek.  As the patch dissolves over two to four hours, it releases ingrediants that help increase saliva production alleviating parched, dry mouth. 

The suggested retail price is $9.99 and is available at Rite Aid, Albertson's LLC and Raley's and online at http://www.oramoist.com/

A couple weeks ago I had a cold that was leaving my mouth and throat very dry, so I decided to try this.  It worked pretty well.  It was easy to apply, by placing on the roof of my mouth.  I was able to eat and drink, and it stayed applied.  It did feel a little odd, having this on the roof of my mouth, but seeing it worked I would use it again.  It had a pleasant and refreshing flavor.  I put it on late in the afternoon, went to bed with it still not completely dissolved, but woke up with it dissolved.





Canker Cover is a unique oral patch clinically proven to treat most canker sores in 24 hours.  It provides pain relief and total protection from irritants for 8-12 hours.

Canker sores are painful blisters that form on the inside of the mouth, cheeks, and inner lips and tongue.  These can cause pain every time you eat, drink, or move your mouth. 

Canker cover is the only over the counter canker sore treatment shown in clinical studies to significantly speed treatment.  The pill shaped patch adheres to the sore and forms a gel patch that protects the sore, relieves the pain, and speeds treatment.



The suggested retail price is $9.99 and is available at drug stores, supermarkets, and health food stores, and online at http://www.cankercover.com/. 

My thoughts:  I used this having a canker sore on my lower inner lip.  It did relieve the pain from the canker sore and actually it was mostly healed the next day.  Unfortunatly it was kind of irritating to me, as the patch itself ended up rubbing against my teeth because of the position.  I was constantly rubbing my tongue on it because it felt ackward, this made it very gummy.  It kind of had a mediciney taste also.  I may use this again, if I have a canker sore in a different position or a more painful canker sore. 

I received all these as complimentary products to review/or provide information from Robin & Leedy Associates.  They have been generous enough to also offer these to one lucky reader.

You can enter to win one tube of Lysine+, one box of OraMoist, and one box of CankerCover here. To enter: Follow my blog and tell which of these products you most need.

Extra entries:
~subscribe to my blog
~follow me on twitter
~tweet this giveaway
~add me to your blogroll

Please leave a seperate comment for each entry and leave a valid email address.  This is open to US residents only.  The giveaway will end on Nov. 29 and the winner will be chosen by random.org

photohunt: music

Bella Sara giveaway

Last week I was lucky enough to review the new Bella Sara(Bellas Ball) trading cards.  These were really great.  Zach is still playing online and really enjoying the games and taking care of his horse. 

These trading cards would make great stocking stuffers this Christmas or for St. Nicks Day!  I could really see this being a great inexpensive way for your daughter to do gift exchange with her friends.  Besides the card packs, you can get other Bella Sara gifts also.  They have some really nice ones on sale right now at bellasara.com.  They have a great Bellas Jewelry Kit, and a pretty Bella Glitter and Glow in the Dark Puzzle, which would make great gifts this holiday season.   

Bella Sara has been really generous and one lucky reader can win 2 Bella's Ball trading card packs and one velvety miniature.  Wouldnt this be a great addition to your little girls...or even little boys stocking this year! 

To enter:  Follow my blog and go to bellasara.com shop and look around and come back and tell me what else you would like from there.

Extra entries:
~Follow me on twitter
~Subscribe to my blog
~Tweet this giveaway
~Blog about this giveaway

Please leave a seperate comment for each entry and leave your email.  The giveaway will end on Nov 22 and the winner will be chosen by random.org.

Fitness Friday: talking cereals again

ok so a couple weeks ago I did some reviews of some new cereals I had been trying.  The past week I have been reading a book called "Eat Your Way to Happiness" by Elizabeth Somer.  I have not finished the book, so I will not give a review yet...but have been trying to follow it some as it has lots of good info on diet/nutrition.  I have been trying to follow her 123 breakfast....and have found that the cereals I am eating are not as great as I thought.  I have been limitting them to one serving and adding other things for breakfast, as before I was just eating 2-3 servings cereal and nothing else.

Her thoughts on cereals are to check the nutrition panel on box and try to stick with cereals that are no more than 5g sugar and at least 5g fiber.  I have found there are not many cereals that fit into this category...and none of the ones I have in my cupboard do.  I found my favorite cereals, the Special K fruit and yogurt/cinnamon pecan are not so great at all.  I thought seeing they have the whole special K diet and all these would be great...and I love the flavors...but they each only have 1g of fiber per serving and 7-12 g sugar per serving.  The following cereals in my cupboard have the fiber, but have more sugar than suggested: Raisin Bran extra (7F13S), Frosted Mini Wheat(6F12S), Quaker Oatmeal Squares(5F13S), and Kashi Go Lean crunch almond(8F12S).

The Chia Goodness Cereal comes the closest to recommendations with 4g fiber and 4g sugar....so this is a good one to continue eating.  The others I will probably still keep eating, as most cereals that do fit into the recommendations I would end up adding sugar to anyways as they are very plain...these being: Plain shredded wheat(6F0S), grape nuts(7F4S) and Kashi flakes(6F4S).  One I am going to try that fits into the recommendations perfectly is Kashi heart to heart warm cinnamon oat(5F5S)...these look like a cheerios type cereal, which I was suprised at the nutritional content of cheerios.  Regular cheerios has 3g fiber and 1g sugar, while multigrain cheerios has the same in fiber and more sugar(6S)...I had always thought I was doing better by eating the multigrain cheerios...guess not.

One other surprising thing is oatmeal.  You definitely want to stick with the old fashioned oats vs instant...and just flavor it up with some fruits or cinnamon.  Instant oatmeal has only 3g fiber and anywhere between 12-16 g sugar for the flavored types...again if you are going to go with instant stick with the plain. 

So to sum it up....I am going to continue to eat a more well balanced breakfast...I am trying a fruit, protein, and fiber....today I had one serving raisin bran extra cereal w/ 1% milk(which I drank when I was done), one small orange, 1/2 slice wheat toast with peanut butter.  I think that is a pretty good breakfast to keep me energized and feeling full.  As for my Special K yumminess....looks like this will be very limited from now on! 

Now that we are home I think Kennedy has a cold!

She sounded like she was breathingly loudly last night...well this morning she is very stuffy and congested.  Glad I brought the nasal aspirator that hooks up to her suction home from the hospital...looks like we will need to be using it.  Hopefully it clears up quick and we dont need to go to the doctors. 

Educational Toys from Growing Tree Toys

As a new member of the Growing Tree Toys blog sponsorship program we received a fun, educational toy.  We got to choose between some of their many great choices.  I let Zach look through a few toys and he chose the Transparent marble run.  This toy is for ages 4 and up, seeing it consists of small marbles. 

Build a wacky, weird, wonderful maze for marbles to travel and traverse with the Transparent Marble Run from Quercetti Toys! The Transparent Marble Run is a 44-piece set that includes transparent, colored tubes for building exciting maze creations. With this marble run set, kids can simply create any unique marble run, place one of the colorful marbles up top, and watch the journey begin! Race marbles or make complicated mazes – anything is possible with Transparent Marble Run! Can be used with the Marble Run Vortex Set.

Both of my children have used an item similar to this one during their therapy sessions.  They are great, and am not surprised this is what Zach chose.  Both of my children always loved playing with the one at the clinic.  What I like about the marble run from Growing Tree Toys(vs the one we used in therapy) is that one it is transparent. This gives the added ability to see the marble the whole time and where it is going.  Secondly I like that it has moveable bases.  You can set it up with 4 different sections, so you can change the shape of the marble run, or you can set it up as two different runs.  The one we used in therapy just had two stable sections so it just went right to left.  This one you could set up in a u shape, V shape, Z shape and so forth.  There is so many fun ways you can set up the marble maze.  It really gets the children thinking creatively.  As a therapeutic tool it is a great for promoting fine motor skills. 

If you are looking for some different Christmas gift ideas, this would be a great one.  I think the parents have as much fun playing with this as the kids.  Zach loved it.  He really liked that you could put several marbles in the top and then just push the button to let them down one after the other.  He had a lot of fun and played with it for a long time.

If you are looking for some great Christmas ideas, go check out http://www.growingtreetoys.com/ They have a great selection of fun learning toys, games and puzzles.  You can check out their "Deal of the Day"....which features one toy that day at a great deal, until it is sold out! 

Thank you Growing Tree Toys for the complimentary toy to review.

"Kick Block Punch" ~ Pretty Please Press giveaway

Written and illustrated by Jacquie Hann

About the book:
Sam arrives at his first karate class all ready to receive his black belt. To his surprise, he has a lot to learn about karate, and there are many other belts to earn before he attains the rank of black belt. With the help of his patient instructor, he learns how to work hard toward his goal and to master this new skill. This story shows that patience and practice are important when we are approaching a new challenge.
 
About the author:
Jacquie Hann, author and illustrator of Kick Block Punch, has written and illustrated many children's books, including the critically acclaimed That Man Is Talking To His Toes and Up Day Down Day (a Junior Literary Guild Selection). She teaches children's book illustration and writing at The New School, holds private workshops, and has lectured extensively throughout the country on the subject of writing and illustrating children's books. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. Jacquie is a third degree black belt in tae kwon do, and teaches karate to children. She has a son, Adam, and a daughter, Maya, and lives in New York City with her husband. Everyone in her family has attained the rank of black belt. You can visit Jacquie's website at http://www.jacquiehann.com/.
 
My review:
This book, while teaching a little about karate, is a great story to teach children about working hard.  It is about being responsible and taking things more serious.  In the beginning the character, Sam, isnt responsible and ends up hurting others and himself.  As he follows his role models guidance, he works harder and becomes a responsible child.  He realizes that his responsibility and hard work lead to those he cares about being proud of him.   
 
You can find some great  flashcards and lesson plans to download for this book at http://www.prettypleasepress.com/
 
Pretty Please press is now offering a 20% discount off the list price for books purchased through their site and also have a "buy 3 get 1 free" deal until Dec. 31! 

One reader can win not only Kick Block Punch, but also Pynx (which I will review at a later time).  These would make great Christmas gifts for your son, grandson, friend or classroom. 

To enter:  Tell me who these would be for.

Extra entries:
~follow my blog
~follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway
~subscribe to my blog
~blog about this giveaway
~enter any of my other giveaways, and leave a comment for each one entered. 

This giveaway is open to US residents only.  Please leave a seperate comment for each entry.  Please leave your email so I can contact the winner.  The giveaway will end on Nov. 22 and the winner will be chosen by random.org.

Thank you to Pretty Please Press for the complimentary books for review and giveaway!

Onionhead Feeling Pack for Children

Receiving the Onionhead's Feeling Pack for Children couldnt have came at a better time in our home.  My son Zach, who is autistic, has recently started to express some of his emotions with words.  With in the last couple months we have heard him say "it makes me mad" , "I sad",and "I scared".  His communication has been coming along really nicely lately, but we were surprised to hear him expressing emotions.  He really learns these things through visual cues.  We have used social stories and picture/word cards with him over the last couple years to help him with everyday things. 

Onionhead "peeling feelings....teaching us what to do with what we feel". 

The Feeling Pack for Children is a special combination of two products by Onionhead.  SAVE $2.00!!! (A $29.76 value if purchased separately) This special package includes both the Onionhead® A-Z Deck of 52 Feeling Cards for Children PLUS Onionhead® Children’s A-Z Dictionary of 52 Emotions.

The deck of cards includes 52 emotions, 26 light emotions and their 26 opposite heavy emotions, with 5 fun and creative exercises. The dictionary of 52 emotions makes it simple for children to know what to do with what they feel as Onionhead® teaches life’s lessons by sharing his own funny, difficult and meaningful experiences.

All products made and printed in the U.S.A. on 100% recycled paper with non toxic ink.

In the book, A-Z Dictionary of 52 Emotions and Their Stories the characters are heads shaped like an onion, and are full of facial expressions to show the many emotions.  In this book the feelings are presented alphabetically...there is an emotion that starts with A and then that page also has the opposite emotion presented.  For example: K is for Kind (light feeling) and the opposite(the heavy feeling) would be Mean.  In the book each letter/emotion has 2 pages.  On the left page you have the pictures of the onionhead expressing the light feeling and the heavy feeling. Then on the right page it has the letter in the top corner, with the word that corresponds, which would be the light feeling.  Then it gives the description of that feeling and also the heavy feeling/opposite with its description.  It then tells a cute story teaching about these emotions. 

The book is great to teach the children about the emotions, their meaning, their opposites and what someone feeling these emotions might look like.  The card deck, 52 feeling cards with 5 Games, is a great item to go along with the book.  They give you 5 different games that you can play using these cards to help learn these emotions.  The cards would be a great way to teach the emotions, and also for a child like my son, to be able to look through those to express his emotions.  With these cards Onionhead is helping teach the children their 4 step program: 1. name it...name the emotion, 2. claim it..."I feel" 3.  Tame it...look for a solution to the problem/how they are feeling 4.  Aim it...conflict resolution, communicate  The games are great ways to learn the emotions, communcate their feelings, and work through their feelings.

Onionhead has a great line of products...I think their A-Z magnet set would be a great item to go along with these.  For us we have done a lot of picture symbols on magnets hanging on our fridge...this way Zach can can go up to it and bring us one he wants or needs...for example "eat", "bathroom", "go outside" etc.  He has finally been able to communicate these wants/needs, but the emotion magnets would be great.  If he is feeling scared, and cant find the words to express it, he could bring us the magnet. 

Zach has liked looking through the pictures and making faces to try to show these emotions.  It is really funny and cute to see. I am hoping to incorporate the cards more into ways of helping him overcome an emotion...like when he is mad show him the happy card and talk about ways that he can be happy instead of being mad.

I can really see these being very beneficial to any children learning emotions, not just those with social delays.  They would be great for parents to help teach their kids how to communicate and work through those heavy feelings.  They are also fun...who doesnt like a fun game of charades and making funny faces!

Thank you Onionhead and Momfluence for the complimentary feeling pack!

Going home!

yeah we are going home...Kennedys MRI didnt show any changes so that is great!  We are going to see how the up in her seizure meds effects her tremors before discussing botox.  We will see all her docs in 1-2 months! 

Kennedys in MRI now

well I am just waiting for Kennedy to come back from MRI...shes been there quite a while, so I would think she should be back soon.  Then we have to wait for results...hopefully nothing new shows up!  I am not sure if we will get out of here today now or not.  Physical medicine didnt get to see her yet, and with the sedation from MRI they might not get a clear look at her neck muscles condition...so we might have to wait to see them.  I guess I have to wait to see what the doctors say.  Maybe we can do it as outpatient appointment. 

The FLOH Club (giveaway)

Here’s the story, of a lovely lady…who is now bringing together something very new and exciting, and very different from The Brady Bunch. Florence Henderson is launching THE FLOH CLUB, a telephone-based technical support service aimed to empower older adults.

“Its like roadside assistance, but for your computer,” said Florence Henderson.

The inspiration and face of THE FLOH CLUB is “America's Favorite Mom,” Florence Henderson, best-known as the matriarch, Carol Brady, on the classic hit TV series “The Brady Bunch,” which originally ran from 1969-74 and still airs in syndication in 122 countries worldwide, while never having been off the air in the U.S. Acknowledged as one of the top leading spokespersons in the U.S., Florence has been a celebrity spokeswoman for numerous products. In fact, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, based on consumer appeal, rated her #5 out of the 10 top television endorsers. So, it was no surprise when she was approached as a spokeswoman to help viewers get ready for the Analog-to-Digital TV Conversion in 2009.

Just in time for holiday gift giving to parents, grandparents and friends, THE FLOH CLUB, www.flohclub.com, enables members to stay connected with family and friends and tackle technology that they may find a bit overwhelming on their own. It offers affordable subscription plans and the comfort of North American-based experts available by phone to support them. THE FLOH CLUB is powered by Support.com, a leading provider of technology support services.
For young people, computers are fun and entertaining, a central and important part of their everyday lives. But for older adults, who didn’t grow up with computers, they can be intimidating and frustrating. And older adults often hesitate to ask for help because they don’t want to be a bother.

“I know how overwhelming technology can be. Only recently have I learned to share photos, video conference and send emails,” Henderson said. “I’m genuinely excited to help make technology easier for people like me through THE FLOH CLUB,” she added.
With THE FLOH CLUB, technology experts can guide members through the process of setting up, configuring and using hardware, and deal with a broad range of different software issues. Experts can either direct members or can safely and securely take control of the members’ computers remotely. Available seven days a week between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, the service offers a broad range of services including:
 Stay Connected –Understand how to use video conferencing, instant messenger, and the power of social networks to connect with your kids and grandkids
 Education – Learn how to get the most from your PC, from simple tasks like email to making purchases online safely


 PC Support – Issues such as slow/poor system performance, networking, error messages, virus/spyware removal, security and data backup
 Support for Connected Devices – Includes wireless networks, printers, video conferencing and other peripherals
 Setup and Training for New Devices – Printers, digital cameras, MP3 players and other peripherals



On THE FLOH CLUB website, select adult focused products are also for sale including:

• Digital picture keychain – 1.1 inch picture frame allows you to bring over 100 photos with you anywhere you take your keys. 8MB memory - $29.99
• Digital picture frames – 2.4 inch bright screen fits easily in purses or pockets and carries over 300 pictures to brag about. Also offers clock and calendar functions. 16 MB memory - $69.99

THE FLOH CLUB offers multiple options with satisfaction guaranteed: annual subscription ($250/year), three-month subscription ($75/month), one-time empowerment service ($50 flat, covering e-mail, video conferencing, digital photography, Facebook, etc.). Additional FLOH CLUB products include tune-up and protect which includes anti-virus ($60 flat). Covering one computer per subscription, each plan also includes a monthly newsletter from Florence Henderson discussing technology for older adults.


More information about THE FLOH CLUB can be found on the website, www.flohclub.com. After the official launch in October, potential members will be able to purchase the service online for themselves or as gifts for others, read Frequently Asked Questions, and read a technology blog written by Henderson with technology partner Max Drucker. The website will evolve into a resource for tech issues, articles by experts, weekly tips and video tutorials by Florence Henderson, and branded and recommended products.


One lucky reader can win a three month complimentary membership, valued at $75. (It does not expire, but the three months must be used consecutively once the winner signs up on the site.)

To enter: Tell me who you think would benefit from this.

Extra entries:
~follow my blog
~subscribe to my blog
~follow me on twitter
~tweet this giveaway



Please leave a seperate comment for each entry. Please leave a valid email so I can contact the winner. The giveaway will end on Nov. 22 and the winner will be chosen by random.org.

Monday Mommy Madness!

So Kennedy is still in the hospital.  We are waiting today for them to do an MRI.  They have upped her seizure meds.  The type of movements she has do not show up on the EEG but they are pretty sure they are a type of partial seizure called EPC.  One of the meds she is on is the best for this type, so that is what they have increased.  She is doing better.  The movements are still there, but are weaker and she is much less stiff.  They are talking about possibly doing botox to help the stiffness and possibly the tremor(although it will not stop the misfiring in the brain).  This should make her more comfortable.  They are trying to get the physical medicine doctor to come down and see her today to make suggestions.  They want to do the MRI to make sure there has been no changes, before they go ahead with the different treatment and send her home.  She has had issues of stroke like episodes and damage in the past, so they want to make sure with new/increased activity that there is no new damage that they need to figure out.  So we are hoping for a stable MRI and that we should be home tonight.

I have had my laptop with me, which has been nice.  At times when Kennedy cant see the tv because her head has been turned to much I have been able to pull up a "watch now" movie from netflix and put the laptop in front of her.  I have also been able to keep up with my blog and have pulled the winners for a few contests this morning.

Winners!!!

Prehistin-  congratulations Sher!

Certain Dri- congratulations Miranda!

Anti-Monkey butt powder-  Congratulations kcatlin!

100 brochures from uprinting.com- congratulations Heather!

I will be emailing all of you in just a moment.  If you didnt win...keep coming back, there are many more giveaways going on now and will be posting a few more this week!  Thanks for all the followers! 

The Gate House by Nelson DeMille (giveaway)

#1 New York Times bestselling author Nelson DeMille delivers the long-awaited follow-up to his classic novel The Gold Coast.


When John Sutter's aristocratic wife killed her mafia don lover, John left America and set out in his sailboat on a three-year journey around the world, eventually settling in London. Now, ten years later, he has come home to the Gold Coast, that stretch of land on the North Shore of Long Island that once held the greatest concentration of wealth and power in America, to attend the imminent funeral of an old family servant. Taking up temporary residence in the gatehouse of Stanhope Hall, John finds himself living only a quarter of a mile from Susan who has also returned to Long Island. But Susan isn't the only person from John's past who has reemerged: Though Frank Bellarosa, infamous Mafia don and Susan's ex-lover, is long dead, his son, Anthony, is alive and well, and intent on two missions: Drawing John back into the violent world of the Bellarosa family, and exacting revenge on his father's murderer--Susan Sutter. At the same time, John and Susan's mutual attraction resurfaces and old passions begin to reignite, and John finds himself pulled deeper into a familiar web of seduction and betrayal. In THE GATE HOUSE, acclaimed author Nelson Demille brings us back to that fabled spot on the North Shore -- a place where past, present, and future collides with often unexpected results.


Thanks to Hatchette Books 5 of my readers can win a copy of this book!

To enter:  Follow my blog and tell me why you would like to win this.

Extra entries:
~subscribe to my blog
~follow me on twitter and tweet this giveaway
~grab my badge
~add me to your blogroll

This giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only and can not be mailed to PO boxes.  Please leave a seperate comment for entry.  Please leave your email.  This giveaway will end on Nov. 22 and the winners will be chosen by random.org.

November is American Diabetes Month

November is American Diabetes Month®—a time to shine a spotlight on a serious disease that leads to potentially life-threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and amputation.

Visit StopDiabetes.com starting Nov 2 to find out ways to join the Stop Diabetes movement.

Share your Story and NurtiSystem will donate $5 for every story shared, up to $100,000.

Storytime Sunday: Chris Dreams Big

If you followed professional basketball during any of Chris Dudley's 16 seasons in the NBA, you'll remember him as one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the league.  What you may not know was Chris was the first Type 1 diabetic to play professional basketball.  He is sending his message of perseverance and pasion directly to kids in his new children's book, Chris Dreams Big, co-authored with his wife, Chris Love-Dudley.  By raising awareness of diabetes, he also shows kids with challenges that anything is possible!  Dream Big!

Following Chris Dudleys retirement from the NBA, he founded the Chris Dudley Foundation, in which he is dedicated to educating and empowering kids with diabetes to live active and successful lives.  In recognition of his significant contributions both to the league and through his foundation, Chris received the NBA's J.Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 1996 and the USA Today Most Caring Athlete Award in 1997. 

About the book:
Chris loved being a kid and dreaming of one day playing professional basketball!  Life was good, but one day Chris realized he was facing the biggest challenge of his life, being diagnosed with diabetes.  Chris Dreams Big is the triumphant story of a boy who overcomes adversity.  He learns he is not the only person facing challenges, and that many others have lived out their dreams by facing those challenges.

My Review:
This is a great book for children with special needs, medical conditions, or even just your everyday sports loving child.  I loved how he wrote about overcoming his struggle and how he grew up to be big and strong.  I loved how he showed this in the book with the pages of his hand size and feet size, that was a really cute touch.  This was a great way to get the children involved.  My kids liked comparing their hands and feet size to his.  This is a great book with a great message!

You can buy the book at amazon and chrisdudley.org.


Facebook page