How to Get Your Kids to Eat Their Veggies #BEFlavorFull

Getting the kids to eat their veggies can be quite a  challenge – I remember myself as a kid sitting at the table “until I finished my vegetables” and my stubborn self sitting there until bedtime. Unfortunately this is yet another trait of mine that I wish my kids didn’t inherit – but did. Their pure stubbornness, along with my busy schedule has always kept their meals lacking veggies -and me patience.

We all have to agree that plain veggies can be bland and boring  – which would explain both mine and my kids unwillingness to empty our plates, until recently – which is why we love Birds Eye® Flavor Fulls

birds_eye_broccoli

Birds Eye® Flavor Full helps turn your family into veggie lovers by transforming vegetables with bold, unexpected flavors. There are eight different varieties and with the steam fresh packaging it’s so easy to make, you can serve a fresh veggie everyday this week!

The bold unique flavors include:  buffalo califlower, ranch broccoli, sour cream & onion potatoes, teriyaki broccoli, barbecue sweet corn, sweet chili carrots, wasabi peas and fiest lime corn. Seriously a unique delicious flavor for even the pickiest eater in your household!

birds_eye_corn

Get your $1.00 off coupon here.  (Once it is downloaded it is good for 30 days and can’t be used any later than 12/31/2015).

birds_eye_coupon

Harvested and flash-frozen at their peak freshness, Birds Eye® uses only the highest quality vegetables for all its products. From pure and simple vegetables, to mixed medleys, to easy-to-prepare vegetables in sauce, any cook can have a host of nutritious menu options just minutes away. With so many choices, it’s no wonder Birds Eye® is America’s first choice in frozen vegetables, and has been for generations.

 

Posted in Deals, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Homework Help on the Go with Mentored

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Mentored.com 

I would say that most of you that have been following me for awhile probably are well aware that reading and writing classes were my favorite when I was in school. I have no problems helping my kids learn to read, write an essay or report, or even with spelling. Now Math and Science on the other hand – not my forte. Once they hit, I don’t know 6th grade, I’m pretty much no use to them when it comes to those subjects. So with a daughter heading into middle school, and another into high school, you can imagine how helpless I feel when they come to me with homework questions pertaining to either of those subjects!

That’s why I was thrilled to discover the Mentored app. Mentored is a safe,easy and affordable way to access an expert in Math, Science, Literature and more.

mentored_app

Mentored is an app that will give you student (or yourself!) 1 on 1 support with homework – anytime, anywhere. Sessions are $5 and can last up to 20 minutes  – plenty of time to answer your questions with homework, a project, or just help you understand something you weren’t grasping in class.

Mentored_choose_a_subject

It’s pretty simple – you sign up for an account via the app store, (or if you don’t have an iPhone, you can check it out on mentored.com). Then you pick the subject that you need mentored in – and they will connect you into a session with a ‘pro’.
My daughter is currently working on a very important Science Fair Project, and again,not quite the subject I’m well versed in. So she decided to connect with a Science Mentor on the app on her phone.

mentored_waiting_on_mentorOnce they assign you a mentor, you have the option of choosing to ‘talk’ to them via your phones microphone, or text on the app. If your kids are like mine (you know that awkward, teenage, I -don’t -talk -to- anyone- on- the- phone-or -in -public- unless-its-through-text-or-the-internet type of kid). So she denied the microphone access, and decided to type out her questions.

mentored_access_microphone

She didn’t want to share her conversation with her Mentor (it is a competitive Science Fair after all). But he helped her answer a few questions, and gave some suggestions for her project.

mentor_david

Since then she’s used the Mentored app twice to help with Math homework, and one more time for an additional question on her Science fair project. She absolutely loves being able to get her homework done when and where she needs to, without having to wait to ask someone who knows – who might be at work, or busy.

If you or someone you know struggles in school and can’t afford a one-on-one tutoring session, be sure to pass on the information for Mentoredan affordable way to connect.

mentored_help

Posted in Reviews/Giveaways, Techy | 18 Comments

A Woman’s Guide to Getting Your Groove Back

If you would of told me 10 years ago that I would actually have to work at getting in the mood and keeping the spark alive in the bedroom, I probably would of laughed at you. A lack of a sex drive can be caused by many different things – medical issues, medications you may be taking, hormonal changes, fatigue, anxiety and stress – all of these things can lead to having a low sex drive, or having a hard time getting in the mood. (I will tell you that stress and anxiety part is my issue!)

fiera1
But even with any of the problems that can cause you to have a lower libido, there are some things you can do to increase it, and keep the spark alive in the bedroom.

Get a Libido Lift in Your Diet. A healthy diet can actually increase your libido. Eating foods rich in omega fatty acids have actually been said to overall improve your mood.

Get Rid of the Stress. Stress and anxiety can completely diminish your sex drive. Getting rid, or at least putting away those issues until later, will help you relax and enjoy the time together with your spouse. Shut it out, relax, and worry about it later. Orgasms have actually been said to lead to creativity actually helping you better solve the issues that caused your stress to begin with.

Get Enough Sleep. Lack of sleep can cause a lot of issues – weight gain, stress, exhaustion, inability to concentrate, and a decrease in your libido. Get  the recommended amount of sleep for your age, and take naps if you start to feel too tired. You would be amazed how quickly you start to feel frisky!

Take the T.V. out of the Bedroom.  ..and the laptop, the tablet, and your cell phone. Not only do these distractions ‘distract’ your sex drive, but it also effects your sleeping patterns as well (which can also effect your libido ad I mentioned above). So turn off Netflix, and spend some time just talking to , cuddling with, and loving on your significant other.

Work Out. Hate to break it to ya’ ladies. But working out is a great way to get your groove back; I can tell you when I start to not feel in the mood – it’s usually because I haven’t been to the gym in a week or so. A few times a week will give you the boost you need  – and give  you the extra benefits of more energy, a bit healthier,  and maybe even drop a few pounds.

Try Fiera. Fiera®  is a small hands-free product that is designed to get the blood and lubrication flowing, warming up a woman’s body for ‘before-play’ – preparing your mind and your body for an intimate experience with your spouse.

fiera2

Fiera® is a product that gives you that extra touch using a unique combination of soft suction and stimulating vibrations to get you in the mood.

Fiera3

The Fiera device only needs to be worn a few minutes to get the blood – and mood – flowing. This is one of the easiest, most convenient, and fun ways to get you in the mood for that special time with your spouse.  I find that getting ready for bed, jumping under the covers and reading a book for a few minutes while using my Fiera, that once my husband comes to bed, I am ready and waiting for our intimate time together. Not only has Fiera helped improve our sex life, but our relationship as well.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Posted in Beauty | Leave a comment

Financial Prudence Will Prevent Retirement Misery

People don’t enjoy making sacrifices. If they work hard they feel they have the right to play hard. It is a matter of striking a balance. Some enjoy the trappings of their money and want others to see how successful they are. That may be in the form of a large house, regular new car and fashionable clothes. Exotic holiday are fun but they can also engender envy amongst friends and secretly that can become part of the pleasure in taking them. It is clear that in the USA people live quite comfortably with debt yet little research has been done over a long period to see whether those happy with their level of debt were still happy when retirement came. It is likely that it will not have been as comfortable as they would have liked.

Common Sense

It is possible to save while spending sufficient to enjoy the good things in life. If you become used to the good things in life then there could be a shock in retirement. Certainly building up credit card debt that seems to be so widespread in the Country is not clever. Month end balances incur a high rate of interest, far higher than personal loans for example. The first thing that anyone should do is to stop using their cards for anything other than convenience. If you have a regular income you should get a consolidation loan to get rid of expensive debt. As long as you then exercise self-discipline not to build up balances again, you are on the right track.

Once you are in control of your expenditure you have a chance to save. There is no chance of early retirement unless you are in control and spend wisely. The Social Security System allows people to draw benefit at 62. Some draw out of desperation with benefits nowhere near the level they would be by waiting even as long as 8 more years. Some who retire at 62 do so because of how well they have handled their financial affairs and they are likely to resist drawing their benefits then because there is guaranteed growth for eight more years.

Control With Online Loans

Everyone should be in control. They should look at their income and expenditure in two columns and think about the way ahead. If they are already on the right lines then it is just a matter of continuing. If they have expensive debt then a no credit check loan can solve that. It should be done as a matter of urgency. After that a few lessons should be taken on board.

In terms of expenditure, if finance is tight then perhaps social spending should be examined? Is it necessary to eat out so frequently for example when you can eat well at home inviting friends into an equally pleasant environment as any restaurant? Likewise there are plenty of leisure time activities that cost nothing. A walk in the park enjoying the environment and fresh air is something even the poorest of people can do. You can get all the exercise you need for free without paying a monthly membership subscription to a health and fitness club. There are other areas where savings can usually be made. Utilities, insurance and telephone charges are all worth examining. There are comparison websites that will do a good deal of the research for you. As the savings build up the money should actually be saved rather than earmarked on spending elsewhere.

If the money is earmarked for retirement, then a 401K is a minimum that you need. Investment in the S&P 500 should also ensure growth at a reasonable level, below double figures but still fairly good. Saving is only possible if you are in control. It is stressful to live with financial worries and stress is not good for anyone’s health. Just think about your health in later years if you have not planned for your needs. You can live well without living beyond your means if you are sensible. One thing is certain. Your means will rapidly reduce in your later years if you fail to act responsibly while you are in full time employment. The word ‘sacrifice’ doesn’t come into it.

 

Posted in Money Matters | Leave a comment

Enjoy the Freedom to Laugh, Run and Be with Impressa

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Poise Impressa. Though I have been compensated for my time, all opinions are my own.

The first time I had problems with urinary incontinence was about a year after my oldest daughter was born – I was running on the treadmill (thankfully at home) after I had put my daughter to bed, trying to get my workout in. I was pushing myself more and more trying to get myself back into the ‘before baby’ body. I increased the speed on my treadmill to the max and was pushing my body to my limit, when suddenly I felt a warm, wet sensation running down my leg -I hadn’t even realized what had happened, but I had experienced my first ‘issue’ with urinary incontinence!

poise_impressa

After the initial shock, and then the laughter (hey, you have to learn to laugh at yourself!) I was thankful I wasn’t at the gym when this happened (imagine how I would of felt then? I really doubt I would of been able to laugh at myself!)

I thought it was something I had done, I started doing kegal exercises, not ‘holding’ it as long putting more stress on my bladder, but despite my attempts it happened again  (though not as much) when I started laughing at something funny my kids had done. Fortunately again, I was at home, and the embarrassment was minimal. But what if I had been out in public? At work? What would help me “control” something in essence that was out of control?

poise_impressa_sizing_kit

That’s when I was introduced to Poise Impressa.
Designed for the temporary management of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) in women, Impressa Bladder Supports are a non-absorbent, removable product that helps stop bladder leaks before they happen. Available over the counter, Impressa Bladder Supports are inserted into the vagina like a tampon to gently lift and give support to the urethra. This added support to the urethra helps prevent urine from leaking.

I picked up my sizing kit at Walmart, to figure out which one works best for me – Impressa doesn’t fit like jeans or undies, so you start with size 1 and if you  still experience leakage,  you move up to 2, and then to 3.

Poise Impressa gives me the freedom – and confidence – to carry on with my life without worry of having another incident. I can run on the treadmill at the gym, or laugh along with family and friends without worrying, or feeling embarrassed.

Nearly 50% of women suffer from some form of UI during their lifetime*.  Don’t let it stop you – try Poise impressa  for bladder support!

poise_impressa_kit

Posted in Reviews/Giveaways | Leave a comment