Perfect Catering Options for Your Dad or Grad

This post was sponsored by Bravo Restaurants.

BRAVO Cucina Italiana and BRIO Tuscan Grille are offering new catering to-go menus, just in time for party season!

From Dads to Grads and everyone in between, these catering packages can be ordered through the restaurants’ quick and simple online platform. Catering To-Go is delicious, stress-free and can be ordered in a few simple clicks! Both BRAVO and BRIO feature a number of different packages including Catering Pans, Family Bundles, Catering Bundles and Create Your Own Pasta Station. All orders come complete with serveware, utensils, and sturdy packaging.  

 For a limited time, BRAVO and BRIO will be offering 20% off Catering To-Go and Carryout. Guests may use the discount code TGO5003 at checkout or show at restaurant upon pickup. This offer is valid May 18 through June 5, 2017 and is not valid with any other offers, discounts or rewards. The discount does not apply to third party delivery services.

Check out the Bravo Catering Packages for Dad, or Brio Catering Options for your Grad. Either one is a great choice – and a great deal!

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4 Mystery Reasons Your Energy Bill Is High

Even with all the energy-saving methods available, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that electricity consumption will increase by 1.9 percent in 2018. Homeowners may be baffled by this finding, even as they make energy-reduction measures around their homes. Discover some of the reasons your electricity bill might still remain high.

You Leave the Lights On


Image via Flickr by Orange Steeler

Turning off the lights may seem like a simple solution; however, burning light bulbs is still one of the many causes for high energy bills.

The Internet of Things (IoT), an integration between computers and everyday objects, could offer some helpful solutions in and around the home. These solutions will not only improve the energy bill, but also reduce the time you spend on household chores. Further, the IoT also embraces LED lighting, which has a longer lifespan and requires less energy to operate. Moms who hope to update their homes with energy-saving solutions will appreciate this news and the stylish options available for lighting.

You Block the Flow of Air in Your Home

Regular maintenance improves an HVAC system’s performance, which includes clear vents and clean filters. This regular maintenance also reduces the service requirements of the HVAC system. In addition, proper ventilation is another important part of HVAC system maintenance.

The thermostat that controls the temperature of the home performs better when air inside the home flows freely. Proper ventilation is also great news for moms who worry about the health of their families. When the vents are clean and the air travels freely, dust particles don’t have places to build up.

You Don’t Bother Studying Your Energy Bill

 


Image via Flickr by triviaqueen

While you can easily assume that everything gets automated, many meter readings still take place by live representatives from your utility provider. But these workers could also make mistakes. You only need to take a few minutes to compare the meter reading to your statement to make sure all the figures align. With this check, moms like you will able to tell whether your household’s energy consumption is increasing or decreasing.

You’re Not Thinking About Embracing Technology

Consumers can not only change from a manual thermostat to one that has a timer, for example, but they also have their pick of more energy-efficient appliances. These appliances include refrigerators, microwaves, dryers, and televisions. Apart from the estimated savings on the energy bills, consumers should keep an eye out for government incentives as well. Switching out old appliances for new ones can mean a reduction in maintenance costs. Appliances that are not maintained or are in need of service may require more energy to run.

Investing a few dollars in a technology upgrade will do wonders for comfort levels and have a positive effect on your home energy bill. Sometimes, the investment doesn’t require more funds at all, just a little time out of a busy schedule. The extra money you save could result in a fuller pocket while allowing you and your household to make a positive impact on the environment.

 

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Embrace the Mess

Sometimes as a parent we can’t see past today – the chasing little ones around the house, constantly picking up messes,changing diapers, force feeding vegetables, trying to calm those  and of course the cost of it all. It feels like it may never end and you’re just waiting for the day when your child is independent and you can feel human again.

When my older kids were little, I didn’t really get the whole “you’re gonna’ miss this” that everyone kept saying to me. Or the “Oh just wait, this will be the good ol’ days that you look back on”, or the “one day you’ll wish that you could shrink them back down.” But with 2 teenagers and a rambunctious 8 year old who no longer likes to cuddle with his Mama – I finally get it.

I get as Mom’s with little ones we get tired – past exhausted even. From morning until dark we are putting everyone else before ourselves. But guess what Moms? They are right.

You are gonna’ miss this.

When they are older you won’t remember (well, mostly won’t remember) the sleepless nights, or constant mess; you’ll remember the cute and funny moments, the snuggles, and silly – that you wish you could have all over again.

So embrace the mess; and Huggies is encouraging parents to do just that – and offering big savings on diapers and wipes at Family Dollar!

We know that one of the biggest concerns with little ones is finances – and Huggies & Family Dollar wants to help. Sign-up for Family Dollars Digital Coupons and save $2 on Huggies Diapers, and 50 cents on wipes!

So stop and smell the roses – laugh and enjoy the mess. Spend more time enjoying and less time worrying – and save money while doing it with Huggies! Find a Family Dollar near you now!

 

 

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Don’t Let These Common Skin Conditions Grind You Down

Having any kind of injury or health issue can be a challenging time. Catching a virus or just feeling generally under the weather doesn’t just affect our physical health. It can also throw our mental state into disarray, and you could end up feeling self-conscious or embarrassed about whatever it is that’s ailing you. No situation is more relevant to this as when you have a clearly visible condition; specifically, one that is one your face. Most of us experience a rash or other form of skin condition at least once in our lives – usually something like chicken pox when we are a child, despite the many vaccinations that are now available. But there are some facial skin conditions that as well as being pretty painful, can also cause you a lot of emotional distress. After all, a rash on your arms, back or even neck can be fairly easy to hide. A sore or rash on your face, less so. However, staying cooped up inside for the duration of your illness or infection isn’t always very nice, and if you are actually well enough to leave the house, your skin condition shouldn’t stop you. To get you feeling less self-conscious, here are a few tips on managing some of the most common skin ailments, and how to get your skin back to its normal healthy self.

Acne

You may think that acne is something that just affects hormonal teenagers. But in reality, it is something that can follow adults around for many years as well. Chronic acne can be incredibly distressing, and it can completely destroy a person’s self-confidence. Additionally, depending on the severity of the acne, it can also be quite a painful condition. If this sounds like the level that your acne is at, ditch the drugstore products and seek help from a professional doctor. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is also vital for helping to combat acne.


Image source

Cold sores

Cold sores/fever blisters are painful red sores that can appear anywhere on the face, but most commonly on the lips. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus which is highly contagious, and they can be very painful as well as unsightly. Unfortunately, there is no miracle cure, but they usually go away within a week or so. But, if you think you have a fever blister, there are various things you can do to calm the inflammation at home. Be mindful that cold sores are often mistaken for canker sores, so if you are unsure always seek help from a professional.

Dermatitis

There’s nothing that’s more annoying than itchy skin, and if you live with dermatitis, you will know this only too well. This is a condition that is often mistaken for psoriasis, due to its similar-looking symptoms of scaly, flaky skin. Many people find that their dermatitis makes them quite self-conscious, but there are ways to ease its impact on your life. Use gentle bathing products and always protect your skin from the sun. Using prescribed anti-fungal products is also said to help lessen the appearance of dermatitis in many patients.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales – GO SEE IT!

If you love the Pirates of the Caribbean adventures as much as I do you can NOT miss this movie. Disney knows how to bring the pirate life alive! I’ve been waiting for this movie for years. Whatever happened to Will Turner and the Flying Dutchman? What about the last time we saw Elizabeth Swann with their son what’s happened to them? I guess you will have to watch and see 🙂

Everyone’s favorite pirate, Captain Jack Sparrow returns in this non-stop epic adventure to find the legendary Trident of Poseidon, with deadly ghost sailors hot on his trail.

Captain Jack Sparrow never ceases to amaze me. He always finds his way into some type of rum induced trouble. Always taking you on an amazing pirate adventure with plenty of laughs along the way.  

This time he finds himself being chased by his old archenemy the ghostly Captain Salazar and his crew of ghostly sailors that have escaped from the Devil’s Triangle. Captain Salazar has a strong hatred towards our beloved Jack Sparrow and wishes to seek revenge for himself and his whole crew. In order to survive this tragic situation he must find the Trident of Poseidon, that has been said to not exist. To do this Jack Sparrow must make some rattled alliances, a beautiful and smart astronomer and a strong willed young man from the British Navy.  We also get to see some old friends in this film including the ferocious Captain Hector Barbossa and the ever loyal Joshamee Gibbs.

The real-life action can be a little scary if you have tiny ones but I think this is still a great family film. Join Captain Jack Sparrow on this ghostly pirate adventure this weekend. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales opens in Theaters this Friday May 26th. Make sure you stay after the credits 😉

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