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Healthy To Go Brands – Green Tea Energy Fusion Packets {Review}

PhotobucketI love convenience. I actually need things to be convenient to get through a typical day. Keeping up with my sons doesn’t leave much ‘me’ time. I don’t always get time to finish a meal, drink enough water, or assure what I am snacking on (or drinking) is healthy. I normally don’t get enough sleep as I should and I tend to be running low on energy most days. When I found out about To Go Brands and got the opportunity to try their products, I couldn’t wait.

Green Tea Energy Fusion Packets

To Go Brands specializes in drink mixes and products that are all-natural, healthy, great-tasting and convenient. Some of their products they offer include VitaRocks, Trim Energy, Omega To Go, Smoothie Complete and Go Greens. I decided to try Green Tea Energy Fusion which are single-serving packets that you simply add to a water bottle. It is a fusion of all-natural, healthy teas, herbs and extracts to help support metabolism and provide energy.

The health promoting benefits of green tea have been known in Asia for centuries. New scientific reports of its benefits as an antioxidant & metabolism booster are reported almost weekly in the Western press.

I have never tried a tea that wasn’t hot or mixed with lots of ice (my personal preference). I tend to favor hot tea over cold tea, but I first tried a packet in a bottle of water. The flavor was alright, but I am use to having a lot of ice in my tea. I waited a few days and tried it mixed with hot water and I do prefer it hot. Drinking it hot takes away from the convenience aspect though.  However, the more I drink it cold, the better it gets. For the best results, it states to drink it one to two times daily. I try to drink one every morning while the kids are eating breakfast. After a week or so, I started feeling less exhausted with a boast in my energy! Also, if you are dieting, it is best to drink one thirty minutes before meals to help curb your appetite.

I think I am going to be trying the Trim Energy product line next to help finish losing the baby weight!

To learn more about other To Go Brands product, visit them online (also offers Healthy To Go recipes ideas), become a fan on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

 

I received the named product at no cost to conduct this review and was in no other way compensated. All opinions expressed are 100% mine. This review is brought to you by Karma Media.

Fab Five Friday – Top 5+ Chores for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Chores for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Trying to get household chores done everyday can sometimes be a difficult task with toddlers and preschoolers. We all know there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done on our ‘To-Do’ lists. I enlist the help of my sons (ages 2 & 3) to help out with household chores sometimes. I try make it a game and add some learning activities in. It never gets old seeing the excitement of a 2 year old when you ask him if he wants to do laundry or vacuum. Kids love to help no matter what it is. Sometimes it takes longer to get things done, but the kids are happy! Here are some of their favorite ways to help.Toddler Preschooler Chores

  1. Laundry
    1. Sort the laundry before (dark, whites, kids/baby clothes) and after (who it belongs to)
    2. Have them put the clothes in the washer and/or dryer. We create an assembly line since I have two little helpers. And while we do it they call out what article of clothing it is, the color, and/or who it belongs to.
    3. My sons fight over who gets to push the laundry basket. This is one of my 2yo’s favorite things to do. Lucky for them we normally have at least two a day for them to push around!Toddler Preschooler Chores
  2. Dusting/Wiping
    1. I have three Swiffer dusters. I know, seems crazy. But I give one (new/clean) to my sons while I am doing various cleaning and they dust just about everything: fireplace, walls, bookshelves, etc. Sometimes they want to get the dusters out even when I am not cleaning!
    2. When I am wiping down the counters, tables, windows or glass, they like to take a baby wipe or paper towel and do the same. I let them wipe a window I haven’t cleaned yet or the chairs or the floor around where I am cleaning.Preschooler Toddler Chores
  3. Sweeping
    1. I have to sweep at least twice a day. These kids can get messy! I picked up a small handheld broom/dustpan from the dollar spot at Target and it is great for my 3 year old. This is great for coordination skills.
    2. They also like to push the broom around so I let them take turns after I get done and it allows me a few minutes to put some dishes away or clean the counters.
    3. You can also buy a kids-size broom on Amazon.com.Preschooler Toddler Chores
  4. Vacuuming
    1. My sons have always loved the vacuum. I don’t know why, but it gets them all hyper and they run in circles the whole time I am vacuuming.
    2. I let my sons hold the attachment and get around the edges and corners of rooms.
    3. You could get a handheld vacuum as well for older preschoolers to use.
    4. I have been thinking about get a working Dyson Toy Vacuum that actually has suction from Amazon.com.Toddler Preschooler Chores
  5. Picking Up Toys
    1. Just telling my sons it is time to vacuum is enough motivation for them to pick up toys in that room.
    2. Sometimes we play ‘Find the…’ game. I name a toy (I.E. white Hot Wheel, blue ball) that needs to be put away and they find it to put it away. Or I describe a toy kind of like ‘I Spy‘ (I.E. color, texture, size) and have them find it and put it back where it goes.
    3. I have a crate we fill at least once a week with toys that need to go back upstairs or in a different room. I let them sort through the toys as we are picking up and choose which box it needs to be in. You can have a box for each child’s room. Sometimes we count similar toys as we pick them up (blocks, Hot Wheels, books).

A few other ways they like to help out: Watering the plants, handing me groceries to put away (I put breakables on the counter so they can’t reach those), refilling the diaper drawer, putting their cups away and throwing away the junk mail. I could only get lucky that they help out so much when they are teenagers ;)

Are there any other household chores your toddler or preschooler like to do?


No More New Printable Archiver’s Coupons

Archivers New Coupon Policy

Today I got my normal Archiver’s email and coupon with a little surprise… They have decided to change their coupons. Instead of having a uniform coupon with a coupon code, each coupon send out has a unique barcode and can only be used once. This means will no longer be able to provide you with the lastest Archiver’s coupon :(

If you don’t receive the emails containing the coupons, sign up for their mailing list next time you are in their store. Or sign up on their website here. (thanks Laura for the link)



Fab Five Friday – Top 5 First Day of School Photo Ideas

1st Day of School Picture Ideas

Welcome to my first addition of Fab Five Friday! Each week I plan on bringing you a new top five list. Since it is back to school time, I want to share my favorite first day of school photo ideas I have can across on Pinterest!

1. OUTSIDE CHALK – Becca at Blue Cricket Design used chalk to write her daughter’s grade on the concrete and took pictures with her posing around it. Super cute!!

First Day of School Photo Ideas
Photo from BlueCricketDesign.net

2. PRINTABLES – Take a picture with your child right before school holding a sign stating the current grade. Create your own or choose from some printables available:

First Day of School Photo Ideas
Photo from HowDoesShe.com

3. CHALKBOARD SIGN – Mandy over at Sugar Bee Crafts made a chalkboard sign for her daughter’s first day of school pictures. She even includes a tutorial on how she made it! Awesome!!

First Day of School Photo Ideas
Photo from SugarBeeCrafts.com

4. CREATE A BACKGROUND – Rachel from Smile and Wave used chalkboards on the wall as a great background for her son’s first day of school. You can also use poster board to create something fun.

1st Day of School Pics
Photo from smileandwave.typepad.com

5. FIRST DAY / LAST DAY PICTURES – I love Alicia’s idea over on Call Me Crafty Al to take a picture on the last day of school holding the picture from the first day of school to show how much they have grown through the school year.

First Day of School Photos
Photo from callmecraftyal.blogspot.com

 

A Baby Must Have – Kidsme Silicone Food Feeder {Review}

Kidsme Logo
My youngest is almost seven months old and each little milestone he reaches is exciting but also a reminder of how fast our little ones grow up. I have waited longer to start solids with him than I did with his older brothers because I was still exclusively breastfeeding, and furthermore because I am having a difficult time coping with him growing up so fast. I want my little guy to stay a baby forever (don’t we all?). ‘Baby C’ has been very eager to eat solids and try new foods, as I frequently notice him staring eagerly at his older brothers as they eat. It was time. I  have started very slowly introducing solid foods into his daily diet the last couple of weeks. He has been doing extremely well being spoon fed and even reaches towards the spoon for more. Right as I was starting the transition, I was introduced to what is now one of my favorite baby products: Kidsme Food Feeder.

Kidsme Food Feeder Combo SetWhen I received the Food Feeder Weaning Set, which included two food feeders (one small and one large), a 6oz anti-colic bottle and a Multi-purpose brush, I couldn’t wait to use them.  I started with a small piece of banana in the small feeder. The feeder is simple to use, as you just put the food in the silicone sac and snap it closed. ‘Little C’ had no troubles holding it. After staring at it trying to figure out what it was, he started chewing and wouldn’t take it out of his mouth. He loved it! When he was ready for a refill,  he was pretty upset that I had to take it away from him to add more food.

Silicone Baby Food Feeder

I actually have a bigger love for the feeders. My poor little guy is currently cutting six teeth. I put frozen fruit pieces or fruit bars in the food feeders for him to chew on. The coldness makes his gums feel better while he is getting some nutrition at the same time. I think this is his favorite. But really it doesn’t matter what I put in it. When he sees me get the feeder out, he gets excited.

Silicone Infant Food Feeder

Clean up is easy with the feeders because they are top rack dishwasher safe. The food sac is silicone, removable and easy to hand-wash as well. The brush that comes with the set works great to clean the feeders. Replacement sacs in the different sizes (for different ages) can also be purchased on Amazon.com if needed. It is also convenient to keep one in my purse for when we are on the go.

The bottle that comes with the set is a 6oz anti-colic bottle that is specially designed to reduce colic by keeping air out. It has a silicone nipple with sensitive response to the baby’s pressure and will respond with the right amount of liquid. I have only used it once so far since I am slowly transitioning to formula, but I love the bottle and he had no problems using it. I think it really will help the transition to formula.

To learn more about Kidsme and BabySquare, visit them on their website and become a fan of Kidsme on Facebook.

BUY IT – You can purchase Kidsme Food Feeders and other feeding products on the Kidsme site or on Amazon.com.

 

Disclosure – I received the named product at no cost to conduct this review and was in no other way compensated. All opinions expressed are 100% mine.

August 11 & 12 Lowes Free Kids Workshop – Shrek Dragon

Lowes Free Build and Grow Clinic August

Lowe’s offers a great ‘Build and Grow’ Clinic for kids. This weekend they are offering the same clinic at two different times: Saturday, August 11th at 10am and Sunday, August 12th at 2pm. The kids will be building a Shrek Dragon Ride.

The first 50 to register and be present at the store will receive the kit, an apron, and goggles. the recommended ages is 1st-5th grade.

For more information, store locations, and preregistration visit Lowe’s Build And Grow here. They recently re-did their site and some new things including buying Kids Kits and family projects.