See if you qualify for a clinical research study on diabetes. If you qualify, you may receive monetary compensation, free medication and doctors care and more
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Health
Today was my son’s first day of preschool. Getting back on a schedule and consistent routine may be difficult at first but in the long run, it makes for an easier and healthier lifestyle. Kids thrive on routines and and I find that my kids are happier when we lead a consistent schedule. Part of our morning routine includes making healthy choices. 
We allow them to pick from a few different options at breakfast such as yogurt (extra calcium and Vitamin D!), oatmeal and somewhat healthy cereal with a serving of fruit on the side. We do indulge our children with what they call “weekend cereal” once in awhile but try to stick to healthier varieties during the week. While we usually serve milk with breakfast, we do occasionally offer 100% fruit juice. My kids think juice boxes are such a treat — especially the Juicy Juice ones with Cars characters on them (we went to see Cars 2 just last week).
Just recently we added a multi-vitamin to our morning routine to help make sure our kids get the essential nutrients they need. Vitamin time is something my kids really look forward to. We’ve tried gummy vitamins in the past that tasted horrible so we were very pleasantly surprised with Cars and Disney Princess Gummie vitamins. They seriously taste delicious so I’m extra cautious to keep them out of reach though they do have a child safety cap. The kids get two gummy vitamins per day. Rather than just gobbling them down they like to check out the characters on each one before eating them.
After breakfast we brush our teeth together. We find that brushing in the kitchen is easier for us. There is a lot more room and since we are already in the kitchen, we remember to brush right away. Creating healthy habits now is something that will benefit our children for a lifetime. What healthy habits are you instilling in your own children? Please share by leaving a comment!
Disney Living has launched the D-Lightful Living campaign on their Disney Living Facebook page. Each week through the next 12 weeks they’ll post a weekly challenge for families to encourage them to live a healthy lifestyle. These challenges will feature simple tips and product suggestions to make it easy. You’ll be able to download a checklist that outlines all 12 weekly challenges to help you track your progress. You’ll also be able to participate in an online forum to share tips with one another. Last, but not least, visitors will be able to enter to win a weekly Disney-branded product prize package! Be sure to visit Disney Living on Facebook for all of the details.
Complimentary products were provided for this post and I am being compensated for my time as a Disney Brand Ambassador, however, all opinions expressed are my own. See Mommies With Cents disclosure policy for more details.
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If you’ve tried any of these programs yourself, what did you think? What did you like or dislike about them?
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Sign up for MyAlli and receive a free personalized MyAlliplan that offers advice and support to help you lose weight
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My youngest son has kidney reflux. I had never even heard of this until he was born and when he was 2 days old, I noticed he didn’t urinate for over half of a day. We found out that day that he had Kidney Reflux (Vesicouretera Reflux for the smarties). Basically, urine travels from the kidneys into the bladder. His urine has abnormal flow and travels back into his kidneys. So, as of right now, he takes an antibiotic everyday and will continue to do so for years until he either grows out of it or needs surgery. Getting him to take his medicine used to be the biggest challenge. He has gotten somewhat better, but it’s still not the easiest thing.
Enter Ava the Elephant®. Ava the Elephant® helps children take their medicine with less stress on all involved. The medicine dropper is hidden. There is a button that gets pressed and Ava will say “One, Two, Three…Open wide! GOOD JOB!” We insert the trunk of the elephant into his mouth while the counting hits three. We are able to insert the medicine then. Before we used this, all I could think about was how hard it could be to clean, BUT never fear! Ava the Elephant® is dishwasher safe! Yay! I am waiting to see how long it takes for my son to get used to Ava and it not amuse him, but hopefully not until he’s older!
You can purchase Ava the Elephant® at CVS for only $9.99!
Enter to win an Ava the Elephant by filling the form out below. Also, be sure to check out all of our other giveaways here.
This giveaway is open until December 27, 2010 at 11:59 pm CST to US residents.
Please leave your name, address, email and answers to the questions (if any) in the form below. This is required for initial entry. Extra entries are optional. For more information on how to enter our giveaways, please see our contest guidelines page. There you’ll find options for extra entries, rules, etc.
Your information is confidential and used for contacting the winner and prize fulfillment purposes only.
A complimentary product/service was provided for this review, however, all opinions expressed are our own. We were not compensated in any other way. See Mommies With Cents disclosure policy for more details.
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It can be hard to come up with healthy snacks for children especially if you are always on the go. And let’s face it- all moms are BUSY. We recently had the opportunity to review several healthy snacking options. The first, and our favorite was Sensible Portions. If you love chips, these are a great alternative. Veggie Chips, Potato Straws and Apple Straws are made from all natural ingredients and contain no preservatives or trans fat. Plus, they contain 30% less fat than leading potato chips. You and the kids can satisfy your salty craving with Veggie Chips, Rosemary Olive Oil or Lightly Salted Flavor Straws and your sweet cravings with Cinnamon Apple Straws. My kids loved the straw shape because they look like fries so they REALLY thought they were getting a treat. While called “Sensible Portions” I really didn’t feel cheated- in fact, the single serve bags seemed very generous and the kids and I often shared a bag for snack.
All of these items can be found at grocery stores, delis and warehouse clubs nationwide. For more information visit www.sensibleportions.com.
We also got to try a couple different beverages:
ZICO Pure Premium Coconut Water- I’ll admit, these sat in the fridge for while because I was scared to try them. Coconut water just didn’t sound good to me. The packaging of these drinks makes them look really appealing though. Every time I opened the fridge my three year old would ask for “pea juice” One of the flavors contained lime and the little picture of a lime on the bottle apparently looked like a pea. Took me awhile to figure out where he came up with “pea juice” and why he wanted some! I told you the bottles looked appealing! Come to find out, these beverages do actually taste okay. They wouldn’t be my first choice but my kids drank them up and that’s great because they pack a healthy punch. ZICO pure premium coconut water contains five essential electrolytes, more potassium than a banana and zero fat, zero added sugar and zero cholesterol. In addition to the high concentration of nutrients and intense hydration effect, the ZICO bottle contains added sodium to prevent dehydration and a lower calorie count. Available at Amazon, GNC and other retail stores in the following flavors: Pina Tropicale, Natural, Pomberry and Lima Citron. Our fave was the Pina Tropicale. For more information, visit www.zico.com.
Genesis Today- The juices each have extremely high ORAC counts to fight free radicals, 200% daily value of Vitamin C, 1000% daily value of Vitamin B-12, plant derived minerals and zero sugar. Can’t feel bad about giving these to your kids! And my kids were fans. Once again, not my first choice for beverage but the kids drank them up. To me, they were almost “thick” and I watered them down a little for the kids. We tried:
- Acai Berry Juice- For healthy skin, hair and nails, weight control, energy and endurance
- Goji Berry Juice- Boosts mood and memory, helps eye health and endurance
The Acai Berry had a better flavor in my opinion. I was glad to try these healthy snacks out and pleasantly surprised that my kids enjoyed all of them!
Want to win a chance to try them yourself? Enter to win by filling out the form below.
Also, be sure to check out all of our other giveaways HERE. A complimentary product/service was provided for this review, however, all opinions expressed are our own. We were not compensated in any other way for this review. See Mommies With Cents disclosure policy for more details.
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What do you think of when you hear the words, “Halls Cough Drops?” I don’t know about you, but I think cold and sore throat. yuck! My family is actually battling the yuckies as I type. Did you know that Halls can help stop allergy symptoms as well? I know I didn’t. Halls actually starts to work within 10 seconds! Wow!
I have to admit that I am not much of a Halls Cough Drop individual unless I have a sore throat. My husband likes to use them a lot though. He has allergies though, so it only makes sense that it works for him. He says they definitely work for him and will remain a trusted brand in the future. Halls Cough Drops come in many different types to suit your needs. There is a Halls Defense, Halls Breezers, Halls Naturals, Halls Refresh and Halls Plus.
Halls is giving 2 readers 10 packs of Halls Cough Drops each.Enter the contest by filling the form out below. Also, be sure to check out all of our other giveaways HERE.
A complimentary product/service was provided for this review, however, all opinions expressed are our own. We were not compensated in any other way for this review. See Mommies With Cents disclosure policy for more details.
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The mad dash of holidays are about to ensue. Often times we all start out with “I’m going to stay in control this time!” Oh, we have the best intentions, don’t we?
Marlise Karlin may be the solution for those that are looking for some peace in their life.
7 Steps to Stillness is a FREE eCourse program that has been developed to help people re-connect with their inner-self at their core, so that they can regain focus and bring balance and peace back into their lives.
Over the course of the 7 day program participants will be emailed an audio link to listen to and contemplate, as well as a specific ‘daily practice’ to help open to a new level of awareness. Also included is a ‘mini’ Stillness Session that is infused with words and music to bring you into Stillness, where you can release old patterns and regain focus and control.
7 Steps to Stillness (a $37.00 value) can be practiced anywhere, at any time, and only takes minutes a day.
By participating in the 7 Steps to Stillness eCourse, you will learn:
- How to allow Stillness into your life so you can refocus on who you are, and what you want out of life
- How to forgive yourself, as well as others, so you can experience an ongoing sense of peace and balance
- How to give appreciation for all life experiences, and recognize the gifts in the challenges, as well as the blessings
To learn more about the Free eCourse, take a listen to audio portion, or to sign up for your eCourse, please go HERE.
Marlise Karlin’s Story:
On the night my father put his fist through the only locked door in the house to punish me for not having obeyed him – I knew. I knew I had no choice but to go. I didn’t know where or even how – just that I had to go. I was 16 years old. I crept out my window and climbed down the big oak tree, believing, all those years ago, this was my only hope to find freedom.
Words can cause hurt that runs even deeper than burning wounds from a well-placed belt. And somewhere between the drinking, the whippings and the pain the words made as they chilled my heart, my search to find out who I was beyond what I’d been told – began. Although my journey lead to many professional and personal triumphs later in life, as a youth, it was filled with an inordinate amount of challenges – being a runaway, in drug rehab, a single mother, and taking jobs I don’t even want to speak of today.
On the morning of November 11th 2001 I awoke with a paralyzing sadness that seemed to penetrate every part of my mind and body. The thoughts I kept hearing in my head were… I’m not worthy of forgiveness… I’ll never know the freedom I want… I’m not worthy… Everything I had wanted and dreamed of for so long, the freedom that no one can take from you, now seemed impossible. The hopelessness was overwhelming.
I was crying intensely, feeling the weight of the sadness in my heart. All that I had done to feel the pain of unworthiness was playing across the screen of my mind, causing my heartache to build even more. The drugs, the sexual escapades, the work I had taken when trying to support my son, the judgments I had of others, the cruel remarks I had made, the hatred I had carried of my father, not being the mother I had wanted to be… on and on.
I wanted to melt into the floor, just disappear, when a powerful energy began to course through my body. The sensation was different than anything I’d ever felt. In the midst of despair, suddenly I felt all that negativity… leaving me. It seemed to just walk right out the door.
Light began streaming in – to the room and into me. I could feel it in my eyes – it was as though I had suddenly been given a pair of glasses that allowed me to see what I couldn’t before. There was a luminous light surrounding everything. I experienced absolute peace beyond anything I’d known. It was like the boundless freedom an eagle must feel as he soars through the sky. There sensations of love streaming through my body felt silken water, as though I was swimming in a shimmering iridescent sea.
In that moment, I knew, I got everything I’d ever asked for.
In 2004, after a series of synchronistic events, I knew it was time to share what this experience had revealed to me, with the world.
About Marlise Karlin:
Marlise Karlin is an internationally renowned teacher and founder of The Simplicity of Stillness a simple and unique method for connecting people to their own personal truth.
Marlise’s own journey was fueled by the limitations of her dramatic childhood circumstances – growing up with an alcoholic parent, becoming a teenage runaway, substance abuser and then a young single mother.
She later transformed herself into a successful entrepreneur and award-winning film producer.
In the midst of all her newfound success, a debilitating injury moved Marlise to once again delve into what she had always been searching for: a deeper understanding of the love and inner freedom that has existed throughout time.
In 2001, a series of profound experiences completely shifted Marlise’s perception of life forever.
After a period of integration, Marlise was then guided to start sharing this new method of teaching called The Simplicity of Stillness with the world.
The Simplicity of Stillness is a teaching method that contains elements that are both ‘practical’ and ‘profound’. The method can be used by people everywhere, regardless of culture, race or religion, to bring greater awareness into their daily lives.
The Method incorporates three unique tools: The 3 Breath Awareness, Stillness Sessions and The Practices and has been designed to help people connect and align with their own personal truth.
The 3 Breath Awareness is a special tool that allows you to access that infinite well of peace, love and wisdom that exists inside of you… within moments.
Stillness Sessions offer people a uniquely different form of meditation where people discover how to release old patterns and experience the essential aspect of their human nature. This experiential form of teaching is designed to move people beyond the limitations of the mind and into their natural state of being.
The Sessions can be accompanied by music and words that are infused with the profound energy and vibration of Stillness. They are delivered in live events and are also available for purchase as CDs and MP3 Downloads.
The Practices are an applied form of teaching designed to help people practically integrate higher states of conscious into their daily lives.
Identified by SheKnows.com as an inner-peace expert, Marlise Karlin is also an ongoing contributor to The Huffington Post and Malika Chopra’s Intent.com Wellness blog.
Click HERE to view other products for purchase.
Follow Marlise Karlin’s Facebook page.
One reader will win a Sea of Tranquility: Experience the Simplicity of Stillness CD. Also, be sure to check out all of our other giveaways HERE.
A complimentary product/service was provided for this review; however, all opinions expressed are our own. We were not compensated in any other way for this review. See Mommies With Cents disclosure policy for more details.
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Most parents have no idea where to begin with weaning; Starting Solids tells you everything you need to know — what to buy, when to begin, and how to do it.
Starting Solids is packed with simple, practical advice for the initial stages of weaning. It is the perfect introductory book to first foods and gives parents all the information they need. Acclaimed children’s nutritionist Annabel Karmel offers more than 50 delicious recipes, from purees to family meals, to jumpstart parents into cooking healthy, nutritious food for their babies and three menu planners give extra guidance to parents. Starting Solids also features first-month menu planners, tips to help parents to encourage their babies to explore new tastes and textures, and answers questions about key feeding problems, such as allergies, fussy eating, weight concerns, and messy eaters.
Bestselling children’s food author, Annabel Karmel, steers you through the confusion, covering all the crucial details, from the very first spoonful and essential nutrition information to key concerns and issues and the latest allergy advice. Annabel Karmel shows you how to establish good eating habits that will stay with your child for life.
Book: Starting Solids: What to Feed, When to Feed, and How to Feed Your Baby
Author: Annabel Karmel
ISBN: 0756662141
ISBN-13: 9780756662141, 978-0756662141
Publishing Date: Jul 2010
Publisher: Dk Publishing (Dorling Kindersley)
Number of Pages: 128
Retail: $16.00
I also received a cute set of stackable food containers (Stackable Weaning Pots) that are perfect for storing fresh baby food. The containers clip together for easy storage and they are see-through so you can tell what food is inside – something I always find to be quite helpful! They are suitable for the freezer and microwave and are dishwasher safe. The portion sizes are perfect for your infant and can be used easily at home or while traveling. They are also BPA free.
They sell for $5.99 and can be found at a variety of locations.
Here are some yummy and super simple smoothie recipes from Annabel Karmel:
Blackberry and Blueberry Smoothie-
1/2 Cup blackberries
1/2 Cup sliced strawberries
1/2 Cup blueberries
1/4 Banana
1/4 Cup blueberry yogurt
2 Tsp honey
Put the berries and banana in a blender with the yogurt and honey. Blend until all the lumps have gone and it’s a pretty deep purple color.
Banana Caramel Smoothie-
2 1/2 Tbsp caramel sauce
1/2 Cup milk
1 Large banana
1/2 Greek yogurt
Put 1 tsp of the caramel into a small bowl and mix with 1 tsp of the milk. Set aside while you make the smoothie.
Put the remaining caramel, banana, and yogurt in a blender and blend it all together. Add the rest of the milk and blend again. Drizzle over the thinned caramel before serving.
Double Strawberry Smoothie-
1 Cup sliced strawberries
1/4 Banana
1/3 Cup strawberry yogurt
2 Tsp honey
Put the strawberries, banana, yogurt, and honey in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. If you have any strawberries left, just dip them in and eat them!
Annabel Karmel is the UK’s best-selling author of twenty-two books on baby and children’s food and nutrition. She is an expert in devising tasty and nutritious meals for children without the need for parents to spend hours in the kitchen
A mother of three, Annabel Karmel has become a cookbook phenomenon. Her series of home-made recipes for babies and toddlers have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Her Complete Baby and Toddler Meal Planner has become the authoritative guide on feeding babies and children and is regularly in the top five cookery titles. Three new titles have launched this year including You Can Cook, Top 100 Pasta Dishes and Weaning..
Annabel Karmel has also recognized that children love to cook & cooking is one of the most important life skills that a child can learn. She is motivating children to cook through nationwide children’s “how to cook-it” courses at Britain’s leading holiday centres, developing a range of branded kids cooking sets including the fabulous Princess baking set, launching a cake mix product as well as her kids cooking books which focus on children cooking up tasty things that they can make and bake.
Books are not the only string to Annabel Karmel’s bow; she now has ranges for feeding babies and toddlers, food preparation equipment, children’s food, baking and party ware. They can be found on the shelf in supermarkets, pharmacy and specialist baby shops in the UK and Ireland. Her healthy and nutritious chilled ready meal range ‘Eat Fussy’ for 1 to 4 year olds has quickly become the UK’s favourite with children.
Her first food range for babies of sauces and pastas combines fresh with convenience – providing parents with a time saving way to prepare baby food at home with a clever storage system of food cube trays and containers for freezing food for baby.
She is also aiming to revolutionise the way children eat in pubs and restaurants and her menus can be found in popular attractions such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Legoland, Chessington World of Adventure, Warwick Castle and Sea Life theme parks as well the UK’s largest Holiday Park group – Haven Holidays and Butlins.
And if that’s not enough she has several children’s food lines in development, due to launch this year.
Her popular web-site has more than 70,000 members.
Annabel Karmel writes regularly for national newspapers and magazines and also appears frequently on radio and television as the expert on child nutritional issues. She’s worked on a number of series for national TV including the popular “Foodie Godmother” on Channel 4′s Richard and Judy Show, this year’s “Annabel’s Kitchen” on GMTV, Mummy that’s Yummy on Sky and was voted as one of the eight iconic chefs of her generation recently for ITV’s This Morning.
Annabel Karmel was awarded an MBE in June 2006 in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for her outstanding work in the field of child nutrition.
Make sure to head over to Annabel Karmel’s Blog! I really enjoy it! Stay up-to-date by reading Annabel Karmel’s News section. Follow Annabel Karmel on Facebook. You can also keep up to speed with Annabel Karmel on Twitter too. Here’s a great Forum to look to for helpful information!
Here is a great place for Halloween recipes!
One lucky reader will receive Starting Solids: What to Feed, When to Feed, and How to Feed Your Baby! Also, be sure to check out all of our other giveaways HERE.
A complimentary product/service was provided for this review; however, all opinions expressed are our own. We were not compensated in any other way for this review. See Mommies With Cents disclosure policy for more details.
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Lifestyles new THYN condoms:
21% thinner than Lifestyles standard condom!
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Specially-lubricated for maximum pleasure
Reservoir tip offers extra safety and comfort
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Clinically proven to enhance sensation.
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Delivers ultimate sensitivity in a breakthrough polyisophrene non-latex material.
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The new Lifestyles KYNG condoms:
For the man who needs a larger, comfort fit
Larger than standard condoms – extra long and extra wide in Lifestyles most popular flared shape.
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Reservoir tip offers extra safety and comfort
Learn more about Lifestyles‘ other Pleasure Products.
Condom Facts, Tips, and Advice from Lifestyles.
Follow Lifestyles‘ Twitter or Facebook pages.
Nine readers will win a random box of either KYNG, THYN, or SKYN Lifestyles Condoms. Also, be sure to check out all of our other giveaways HERE.
A complimentary product/service was provided for this review; however, all opinions expressed are our own. We were not compensated in any other way for this review. See Mommies With Cents disclosure policy for more details.
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