Fends off the Funsuckers with Cutter® and Enjoy Your Summer!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cutter® Insect Repellents.

Tracking Pixel

This summer the kids, hubs and I loaded up and trekked the 1,200 plus miles from Ohio to Maine. I consider myself a “Master Packer” and I assumed as usual, I was completely prepared for our 10 day trip. I had packed all four kids bags, my husband’s, mine, our cooler and snack bag. I was ready. Or so I thought.
I was not prepared for the massive bird-size mosquitoes (seriously – if you ask a Mainer, they will tell you that’s their state bird). Or the black fly ‘epidemic.’  Black lies are tiny about 1/4 size of a house fly, and they like to bite! My youngest daughter suffered the worst wrath of Mommy not being prepared.

(My poor girl’s black fly bites Mommy failed to prepare us for!!)

When we got home I did my research, and looked for a family friendly company who helped my kids (and myself) ‘fend off the funsucker’s during our summer. I found some great products by Cutter®They have non-greasy formulas designed to comfortably protect against mosquitoes that may carry West Nile virus. As well as repels chiggers, ticks, biting flies, no-see-ms, gnats and fleas!

I knew I needed to stock up for our trip to the beach, so we made sure we had plenty on hand!

fend-off-the-funsuckers-with-cutter

 

We stocked up on a few different Cutter® products to take with us. My son and I absolutely love the Cutter® Skinsations which have aloe & Vitamin E and has a great fresh smell. My daughter (the one who was traumatized with the black fly bites) chose the Cutter® Dry since she wanted to make sure no little buggers were going to attack her! I love the Cutter®  wipes which are really convenient to keep in my purse (or my tackle box!) 

cutter-repellents

 

Be sure to check out Cutters® Facebook page for coupons, contest, and more!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cutter® Insect Repellents

Posted in Reviews/Giveaways, Uncategorized | 34 Comments

Walt Disney Animation Studios Unleashes BIG HERO 6 Lineup!!!

Walt Disney Animation Studios officially announced the voice cast behind the new action-packed comedy-adventure “Big Hero 6,” including Maya Rudolph, James Cromwell, Damon Wayans Jr., T.J. Miller, Alan Tudyk, Jamie Chung, Genesis Rodriguez and Daniel Henney, with Ryan Potter as Hiro Hamada and Scott Adsit as Baymax. Directed by Don Hall (“Winnie the Pooh”) and Chris Williams (“Bolt”), and produced by Roy Conli (“Tangled”), “Big Hero 6” hits theaters in 3D on November 7, 2014.

image002 (3)

 

“We’re so impressed with what these performers have been able to bring to their characters,” said Hall. “The story really calls for each performer to give a wide range of emotions—from light-hearted to some seriously heavy moments—and this cast has been incredible.”

 

The voice cast and official character descriptions follow.

 

  • Voiced by RYAN POTTER (“Supah Ninjas,” “Senior Project”), robotics prodigy HIRO HAMADA has the mind of a genius—and the heart of a 14-year-old: his state-of-the-art battle-bots dominate the underground bot fights held in the dark corners of San Fransokyo. Fortunately, big brother Tadashi redirects Hiro’s brilliance, inspiring him to put his brain to the test in a quest to gain admission to the San Fransokyo Institute of Technology. When a tragic event changes everything, Hiro turns to a robot named Baymax, and they form an unbreakable bond—and two-sixths of a band of high-tech heroes on a very important mission.
  • SCOTT ADSIT (“30 Rock,” “St. Vincent”) provides the voice of the world’s most compassionate robot. BAYMAX cares. That’s what he was designed to do. The plus-sized inflatable robot’s job title is technically Healthcare Companion: With a simple scan, Baymax can detect vital stats, and given a patient’s level of pain, can treat nearly any ailment. Conceived and built by Tadashi Hamada, Baymax just might revolutionize the healthcare industry. But to the inventor’s kid brother Hiro, the nurturing, guileless bot turns out to be more than what he was built for—he’s a hero, and quite possibly Hiro’s closest friend. And after some deft reprogramming that includes a rocket fist, super strength and rocket thrusters that allow him to fly, Baymax becomes one of the “Big Hero 6.”
  • Voiced by T.J. MILLER (HBO’s “Silicon Valley,” “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” “How to Train Your Dragon 2”), fanboy FRED comes off like a laid-back dude with no direction. But this sign-twirling, monster-loving, comic-book aficionado is sure to go places—when he’s good and ready. For example, Fred doesn’t hesitate to join “Big Hero 6,” and he has a lot of ideas for his super-hero skillset, too. His ferocious, fire-breathing alter ego comes complete with claws, integrated communications and a super bounce.  But his sign-spinning may still come in handy.
  • JAMIE CHUNG (“Sin City: A Dame to Kill For,” “Once Upon A Time,” “The Hangover Part II & Part III”) steps up as the voice of the aptly named GO GO TOMAGO, who knows what it takes to be fast. She’s tough, athletic and loyal to the bone, but not much of a conversationalist. Popping bubble gum and delivering well-placed sarcasm are totally her speed. The daredevil adrenaline junkie is at her best on wheels, and when Go Go joins forces with “Big Hero 6,” she rolls like never before, using maglev discs as wheels, shields and throwing weapons.
  • DAMON WAYANS JR. (“Let’s Be Cops,” “Happy Endings”) provides the voice of WASABI, who’s committed to precision. He’s super smart andjust a touch neurotic, but the big and burly neatnik can’t help but join the cause when Hiro needs him most. As part of “Big Hero 6,” Wasabi amplifies his martial arts skills with jaw-dropping plasma blade weaponry. Sharp doesn’t even begin to describe this guy.
  • GENESIS RODRIGUEZ (“Tusk” and “Run All Night”) was called on to help bring Honey Lemon to life. It’s elemental when it comes to chemistry whiz HONEY LEMON. Don’t let her glasses and funky fashion fool you: Honey may be as sweet as her namesake, but she has a fire in her belly and a can-do attitude that make her pretty much unstoppable. Her knowledge of alchemy proves powerful, too, when the effusive brainiac becomes part of the “Big Hero 6” and creates clever concoctions that when thrown, can get her team out of nearly any jam.
  • DANIEL HENNEY (“X-Men Origins: Wolverine”) was called on to give voice to TADASHI HAMADA. Tadashi is a good guy. He just is. He actually developed, built and programmed a state-of-the-art nursebot—a Healthcare Companion named Baymax that will likely help millions worldwide. But it’s his role as big brother that makes Tadashi truly special.  Every kid needs a guy like Tadashi looking out for him, and Hiro knows just how lucky he is to have him in his life.
  • MAYA RUDOLPH (TV’s “Saturday Night Live,” “Maya Rudolph Variety Show,” Bridesmaids”) provides the voice of AUNT CASS, who’s the overworked but always-supportive guardian of brothers Hiro and Tadashi.  The owner of a popular San Fransokyo bakery and coffee shop, Aunt Cass is proud, ebullient and thinks the world of her two genius nephews.  She’s always good for a laugh and ready with a hug, tirelessly there for support and a great home-cooked meal.
  • Voiced by JAMES CROMWELL (“Murder in the First,” “L.A. Confidential”), PROFESSOR ROBERT CALLAGHAN heads up the robotics program at the prestigious San Fransokyo Institute of Technology and is Tadashi’s professor and mentor. When Hiro visits the university for the first time, he is star-struck by the world-renowned roboticist—while Callaghan immediately sees the potential in the 14-year-old prodigy, encouraging him to put his brain to better use.
  • Pioneer entrepreneur and tech guru ALISTAIR KREI is voiced by ALAN TUDYK (“Tell,” “Welcome to Me,” “42”). San Fransokyo Institute of Technology’s most illustrious alum and owner of the biggest technology company in the world, Krei Tech, is always on the hunt for the next big thing. Krei attends the showcase at San Fransokyo Tech and is overwhelmingly impressed by Hiro’s ingenuity.
  • YOKAI is the silent masked man behind the terrible tragedy that strikes San Fransokyo, turning Hiro’s world upside down. As a result, Hiro transforms a group of nerds into a team of high-tech crime fighters—“Big Hero 6”—with one mission: Track down Yokai and bring him to justice.

image011 image013 image007 image009 image003 (1) image005

 

ABOUT THE MOVIE

With all the heart and humor audiences expect from Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Big Hero 6” is an action-packed comedy-adventure about robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, who learns to harness his genius—thanks to his brilliant brother Tadashi and their like-minded friends: adrenaline junkie Go Go Tomago, neatnik Wasabi, chemistry whiz Honey Lemon and fanboy Fred. When a devastating turn of events catapults them into the midst of a dangerous plot unfolding in the streets of San Fransokyo, Hiro turns to his closest companion—a robot named Baymax—and transforms the group into a band of high-tech heroes determined to solve the mystery.

 

Inspired by the Marvel comics of the same name, and featuring comic-book style action, “Big Hero 6” is directed by Don Hall (“Winnie the Pooh”) and Chris Williams (“Bolt”), and produced by Roy Conli (“Tangled”). The film hits theaters in 3D on November 7, 2014.

 

Posted in Entertainment | Leave a comment

Eating Healthy on a Budget

I used to be like a lot of you – saying the only way I could afford to feed my family was to feed them the cheap, processed foods that unfortunately are always cheaper than fresh fruits, veggies, and lean meats. I still complain that it’s ridiculous that a double cheeseburger at the local burger joint is $1, yet a salad is $5. When you have 4-6 people to feed, you are most likely going to opt for the cheaper option (I am guilty as well!)
I started to do some research, and I have found some great ways to eat healthy on a budget. I am not going to tell you it’s cheaper than eating the processed, canned, frozen stuff. However, I have found ways to keep my cost down, and keep their bellies filled – on a budget.

eating-healthy-on-a-budget

  1. Buy from Local Farmer’s Market – Though They aren’t always cheaper, (but I have noticed most of the time they are) you get tastier & better quality food and they often give you free stuff when you buy a lot. Also, if you set up a weekly or monthly order, most farmer’s will give you a discount. Get to know your local markets, and form a relationship! You’d be surprised what they’ll do for their ‘regular’ customers.
  2. Buy Discounted Meat. Grocery stores often discount meats by up to 70% as they approach expiration date (I have noticed that Thursday/Friday evenings seem to be the favorite ‘mark down’ evenings). Buy several pounds and store in your freezer – or cook them up and make freezer meals (these work great for freezer crockpot meals!)
  3. Buy In Season Fruits & Veggies. Food grown in season tastes better and is cheaper. Root vegetables in the Winter. Apples & squash in the Fall. Broccoli & berries in the Summer. You get the picture. When you find a good deal – stock up. Can or freeze what you can for later, when the produce is more expensive because it’s not in  season.
  4. Buy in Bulk. Especially when things are on sale!  Foods like pasta, rice and oats are easy to stockpile. If they’re on sale, buy as much as you can afford & store to last you until the next sale. (Even if you aren’t much of a ‘couponer’ check for coupons when you see these types of items on sale – you can buy more to stockpile!)
  5. Buy Generic Items. Especially store brands. Raw foods like rice, pasta, eggs, milk, cottage cheese, frozen fruits/veggies taste like brand name foods (and some actually are the same as ‘named brand foods, they just switch the packaging!).
  6. Grow What You Can. Growing some basics like lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, even watermelon, grapes, etc. Seeds and a little tender loving care will save you quite a bit in the long run!
  7. Shop Aldi. I will confess, when I was a kid I wasn’t a big fan of Aldi.  I always thought it was generic, processed no good stuff. (Hey, I was a teenager!) As I got older and started buying my own groceries I realized how awesome Aldi was, and how much the store helped me stay on budget!  Over the years Aldi has actually became my go to store for organic and ‘healthy’ foods. I can get a cart full of groceries (see picture above) for under $100. Recently I purchased bottled water for $1.99 for a case, and 99 cents for a carton of strawberries!”. 
  8. Avoid Impulse Buying. “Failing to plan is planning to fail” – I use that quote when talking to my clients about life insurance. It applies to a lot of different aspects in life.  The best way to avoid impulse buying is to prepare yourself before you do the grocery. Make a list, and STICK to it.  Plan your meals ahead, including portion size. List all foods you need for the next 7 to 14 days. Go the grocery store, get what’s on your list and get out. Always make sure you eat before you go to the grocery, this prevents buying foods not on your list because you’re hungry. Leave your kids (or your husband) at home whenever possible. Kids & husbands have a tendency to throw a lot of extra unneeded items in the grocery cart that wasn’t on the list – or in your budget!
  9. Check the Unit Price. But also how the big the servings are. Big packages are often, but not always cheaper than small ones. Sometimes 2 small boxes are cheaper than 1 big one although there’s more packaging.

What are some of your Eating Healthy on a Budget Tips?

Posted in Fitness/Health, Money Matters | 2 Comments

Ritz Bits Snack For Your Champion Program

This is a sponsored post on behalf of  Global Influence, but all opinions are my own.

I grew up as softball/basketball jock,  but my two youngest fell in love with soccer. Though I didn’t know much about the sport when we first started, I have learned a lot – and one of those things is soccer players rock. They play in the heat, the cold, the rain. They run and then they run some more. They never stop. I give any one who plays soccer major props.

soccer collage

I know how hard the soccer plays work to get to their tournaments and championships, and that’s why I am so excited to introduce the Ritz Bits Snack For Your Champion Program and PearUp.com . It works by using social network actions to help teams raise funds!  You can create your own Pear for your child’s soccer team, for either a uniform or team/league fees fundraiser.


Here’s how it works:

  • Pear is a social engagement platform that helps groups earn sponsorships from brands – for free.
  • Pear matches up sponsors with groups and organizations within the community.
  • The mission is to make sponsorship simple and easy for both parties.
  • Ritz Bits is offering more than $100,000 to sponsor to youth soccer teams across the country by providing team apparel or providing a donation for team/league fees.
  • There is no catch – Ritz Bits simply wants to generate goodwill in the youth soccer community.

 

  • Sponsors have money to donate, but they don’t always know how or where to donate it.
  • Pear works as the middleman to help connect sponsors and groups in need.
  • Pear helps the group leader create a Pear, and the group leader invites others to join.
  • A dedicated community manager at Pear will help groups get the most money from their Pear.
  • Groups earn sponsorship money by creating a Pear for their group and sharing with others who complete digital incentives to earn more money.
  • Each group can earn up to $1,000 within a 10-day time frame.
  • That $1,000 can be used toward team apparel or can simply be a donation to the soccer team for team/league fees.
  • Each team member completes digital steps on behalf of Ritz Bits to earn dollars – things like liking Ritz Bits on Facebook, following Ritz Bits on Instagram or signing up for an email.
  • For every step team members complete, they’ll get dollars towards their goal.
  • The more tasks you complete, the more dollars you earn for your sponsorship.
  • At the end of the 10-day period, group leaders claim an online certificate for the amount earned redeemable at any Pear printer or a check will be made out to the individual responsible for handing financials for the soccer team or organization.
  • You get to keep whatever amount you earn.
  • It’s completely free to participate.
  • It’s zero cost to you, and no are donations required.
  • So far, there are more than 1,700 participants and more than 250 Pears

 

Don’t have a team to support? Go help support the Ritz Bitz Pear Up for the Ramer Team!

 

Posted in Reviews/Giveaways | 8 Comments

The Voice & Rite Aid Partner to give you FREE MUSIC!

This post is sponsored by Global Influence, but all opinions are my own.

There are a ton of  ‘star’ reality shows that have some great talent, but The Voice takes the cake.  The kids and I always make sure chores and dinner is cleaned up in time to watch The Voice on Monday & Tuesday nights.  I am a big Blake Shelton fan, so I love that he’s a judge. I also think Adam Levine is pretty awesome, so I love watching them both and now Gwen and Pharrell are joining them – what a rockin’ team! They have had some great performers over the past few seasons, and I can’t wait for season 7!

SEASON 7 PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 22ND!

Get ready as Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams join Adam Levine and Blake Shelton for the most competitive season ever, starting September 22 at 8/7c.

Hit a high note and let your hair shine! CLEAR SCALP & HAIR THERAPY™ will give you the confidences you need to feel, look and perform at your best! CLEAR SCALP & HAIR THERAPY™ makes your hair beautiful and resilient by deeply nourishing your scalp. So head into Rite Aid and find the CLEAR SCALP & HAIR THERAPY™ product that is right for you.

And now in partnership with The Voice, get 2 free song downloads from your favorite The Voice performers, when you purchase any CLEAR SCALP & HAIR THERAPY™ product at Rite Aid from 7/1/14–7/31/14.

UNI_RA_-ClearTheVoice_Asset1B[1][3][1]

Posted in Beauty | 1 Comment