Spring Cleaning: It’s Not Just for Spring Anymore!

This post is sponsored by Mean Green cleaning products – all opinions are my own.

If you are like me you try to keep your chore list to the minimum – while still continuing to have a clean, safe home environment. You take out the trash, wipe off the counters, mop the floors – it’s what you do without even thinking.

But what about the other stuff we tend to ignore except during Spring? There are quite a few things you should be cleaning more often – it takes just a few more minutes a day, and it can help keep your family healthier (and happier)!

Door Knobs. Before kids I didn’t give much thought to door knobs. But since this is one of the most touched surfaces in your home by everyone disinfecting them should be on your to do list. Be sure to use a anti-bacterial cleaner like Mean Green Anti-Bacterial Multi-Surface cleaner and wipe down with a cloth.

Bathroom Mats. Most people just remove the mat before scrubbing down the tub; but how much effort do you put into cleaning the mat itself? Bath mats are even more likely to collect germs and bacteria than the tub since they can get stuck in creases and crevices. Use Mean Green Anti-Bacterial Multi-Surface Cleaner or Mean Green Mildew Destroyer (I use both in my bathroom!)

Trash Cans. Oui vey. Have you looked at your trash can lately??!  I cringe a little when I take a closer look – and then think I have some messy dirty kids, lol. Trash cans be one of the smelliest, dirtiest places in your home if you don’t make sure to clean, rinse and disinfect on a regular basis. I try to do mine once a month, or even twice, to keep the germs at bay.

Phones and Remotes. I know you’ve read the stories online about how your phones are probably dirtier than your toilet – and I don’t doubt it as much as we use them. I use a soft cloth with a minimum amount of anti-bacterial cleaner on it and wipe it down – then I follow-up with a wet wipe to wipe the cleaner off. It keeps my phone cleaner, and at the same time keeps my face clearer! I never realized how much holding my face to my cheek could cause breakouts. So a 2 for 1 win on this one!

Shower Curtain. I buy shower curtains I can throw in the wash – but with that being said, the more you wash the more the fibers in the material breakdown causing it to look used and old like your favorite t-shirt. I have cut down to washing my shower curtain to once a month, or every other, and using an anti-bacterial cleanser or mildew destroyer to keep them clean and looking nice. I spray on and let it sit while I clean the tub, and then wipe it down with a wet cloth – and viola! Good as new!

Light Switches. Just like door knobs, these are touched often by everyone. This cleaning task is pretty simple and one I assign to my 7 yr old – a bottle of Mean Green and a soft cloth and he’s earning money – and I’m getting things cleaned. (another win/win in my book!)

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Road Trip Diaper Bag Essentials

Last week we talked about essentials to make your road trip a bit more comfortable for adults and young kids – this week,we’re going to discuss road trip essentials for your little one or toddler. Traveling with a baby or toddler does not have to be hard. You just have to be organized, prepared – and patient. Making sure you have a well stocked and ready-for-anything diaper bag is your first step to road trip success.

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Diaper Ready. Prepare to have 1 diaper for every hour – just in case. Wet wipes, butt paste, changing pad and plastic bags to dispose of the diapers. Then hand sanitizer to wash up your hands.

Extra Outfit. One for your little one (OK maybe two) and one for yourself. Including socks!

Burp Clothes/Bibs. Plenty of both – the burp clothes help clean up all kinds of mess.

Cart/High Chair Cover. If you’ve ever looked at the high chairs or carts when you go to a restaurant – you know some kids are just messy! Having your own will protect your kiddo from all the messy germs and mess.

Bottle/Sippy Cup. Even if you are still breastfeeding, making sure you have some extra you pumped, or formula until you can pull over is a good idea. Bringing a sippy cup for your toddler (and an extra water bottle in there for Mom!)

Pacifier/Teether.

Toys.

Sunscreen.

Thermometer.

Infant Tylenol

Neosporin/Band-Aids

Extra Blankets.

Dreft Stain Remover.

Brush/Comb.

Nail Clippers.

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Pack Snacks like Gerber® Lil’ Beanies(TM). Little Beanies are the perfect mess-free snack to take on the go.  Made from the goodness of navy beans, Lil’ Beanies(TM) has 2 grams of protein (9% Daily Value) and 1 gram of fiber per serving. Also, Lil’ Beanies(TM) is baked, not made with genetically engineered (GM) ingredients, naturally flavored and has a taste toddlers love!

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You can pick up your Gerber® Lil’ Beanies(TM) at your local Kroger! 

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Baseball Mom Survival: Must Have Essentials

This is a sponsored post on behalf of BODYARMOR. All opinions are my own.

I have been on both sides of the field – literally. I was the softball player, basketball player, the one who ran track. All I had to worry about was giving my all while I was on the field or court, I never gave a second thought on what and how much my parents had to do for me in order for me to participate in all the sports – especially my Mom.

Baseball Mom Survival- Must Have Essentials

Being on the other side of the field has quite a bit more challenges than just playing it. Getting there is a feat in itself (I cannot tell you how many days I’ve literally rushed out of work to pick up my kids to rush them to their game – no time to change clothes or anything). Then theirs making sure they have everything they need, the game snacks, and so on.. it can be quite stressful at times. But I did come up with a list of baseball Mom essentials that make baseball season just a little bit easier.

My first tip before you begin to collect all your essentials is to be organized. Baseball season is a fun, yet stressful season that keeps you on your toes. If you are not organized and ready for it – it’s just going to add to the stress of it all. You can get baseball bags at baseballmonkey.com to ensure that all of your player’s gear is in one place and ready to be transported to the field.Plan a day that you do laundry catch-up, have meals that can be prepared in less than 15 minutes (less if possible – nothing is worse than hungry tired baseball players waiting on dinner!) I am not a very patient mama after being at the (hot) ball fields all evening or all day, and then coming home to a mess of laundry and still not knowing what to make for dinner as all the kids complain about how hungry they are – it’s no bueno. So make sure to be organized: this will make ball season so much more enjoyable.

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Comfy Seat. You can spend hours and hours sitting at the ball field – in the hot sun (or cold wind and rain). Having a comfy, waterproof seat (and a canopy if possible) is completely essential. I like the ones with the cup holders, and even the ones that have the foot rest (I can get an even tan that way). Be sure it has a easy way to carry it too – like a bag, or strap so you can throw it across your shoulder when you are making the trek from field to field.

Baseball Bag of Must Haves. Kind of like your purse that you use for all things that we think our kids might need – think of this bag as the same; but baseball version. Carry sunscreen, bug spray, wet wipes, hand sanitizer, band-aids, Neosporin, tissues, a blanket and a hoodie, an umbrella, tylenol/ibuprofen (for the kids and for you), sunglasses, ponytail holder, and cash for the concession stand (trust me, if you rush to baseball right after work, you are going to need some popcorn, or a hot dog to hold you over!)

BODYARMOR Sports DrinkBODYARMOR is a premium sports drink with more potassium packed electrolytes, coconut water and vitamins. It’s a delicious natural drink that quenches your thirst as you sit in the sun during all the ball games – it helps keep me from dehydrating; I don’t feel like I need to drink a gallon of water when I get home! BODYARMOR has natural flavors, natural sweeteners and no artificial colors, unlike traditional sports drinks. It’s a GREAT choice for young athletes too,  who don’t need all the extra sodium in their diets or the artificial ingredients that come from drinking other sports drinks on the market.

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You can pick up yours at your local Kroger, Meijer or Target – and we even have this great coupon for you to download and save (you can print 2!)

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Virtual Reality at Your Fingertips with Samsung Mobile Gear

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Venture where you’ve only dreamed of with the new Samsung Gear VRIn case you weren’t sure about what the Gear VR is all about let me tell you – epic awesomeness. The gear VR acts as a controller which contains a high field of view, rotational tracking, and it all connects to the smartphone via micro-USB.

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With the Oculus Video app, you can customize trailers, clips and even your own movie files. Customize your virtual environment — choose from a home theater, big-screen cinema or even the surface of the moon. Plus you can buy hundreds of full-length Hollywood movies and TV shows.

Live stream your favorite games, short films and video clips in a virtual theater setting. With full access to more than 1 million Vimeo videos and Twitch, a leading video platform and community for gamers, there’s always something new to experience.

 

Free Samsung Gear VR, plus $50 of Virtual Reality content with purchase, or lease, and activation of select Samsung Smartphone

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Jeep Off-Roading 101

If you own a Jeep – or are thinking of buying one – it’s hard to resist the urge to take your Jeep off-roading The nice thing about Jeeps is you can go places that paved roads can’t take you – there’s tons of challenging obstacles, and they can be a ton of fun if done right – and you stay safe.

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Learning your way to safely and effectively get through the mud and the muck is the most important step in becoming an off-roader.  You want to stay safe, and keep your Jeep from getting any damages. Here are the rules of the no-road so to speak.

Crossing water and driving through streams can be a lot of fun. Though the first thought is to hit the gas and go – that’s not always the smartest things to do. Especially if you’ve never been through it before. Before you go ‘running’ through the water, check your owner’s manual to determine your vehicle’s capabilities – like the maximum water fording depth. Most Jeeps vary between 15 and 30 inches, and they all recommend going under 5 mph. If you don’t have a manual the general rule is water up to the bumper is acceptable; but I wouldn’t risk anything past that. Water too deep can ruin or cause damage to your engine, transmission, and electrical outlets. Put your vehicle in low, drive slow, and turn around if you think the water is going to get too deep. Watch for rocks or holes – and always keep moving. Be sure that you or someone around is there to help with recovery equipment (this seems to be needed more than not in my experience!)

Where there is water, there is mud. Mud can be fun – but it can also be dangerous. Sometimes its hard to judge how deep the mud is, or what other debris it might be hiding. Again, make sure you or someone has recovery equipment readily available. Try to not spin your tires too much (literally you are just digging yourself into a deeper hole) , and beware of deep ruts. IF you start to get bogged down turn your steering wheel from side to side to gain traction. When you are done playing in the mud make sure to get the hose out (or head to the car wash) and get all that mud rinsed off before it dries – it can really bog down your Jeep, and even cause corrosion.

Just like any other type of driving there is always the risk of damage – make sure that your insurance company covers off-roading excursions, and check to see if all the upgrades you make to your Jeep for your off-roading pleasure are covered as well. Some insurance companies have capped limits, and you may need to purchase additional coverages to make sure your assets are covered.

 

This post is sponsored in part by Three Rivers Chrysler Jeep Dodge LLC

 

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