Embracing a Healthy Family

Grand Giveaways: Bonus Entries w/ Box Tops for Education at Target Huge Giveaway



Anyone who follows my blog knows that my seven year old is vying for a Pepsi Grant for her Angels4Epilepsy project.  She hopes to use the money to gain incorporated/non-profit status as well as fund her project for Christmas as she plans a wonderful trip to the local children's hospital's epilepsy ward with a Santa (my future son-in-law) and herself dressed as Rudolph to deliver Christmas goodies.


Grand Giveaways:  Product Reviews & Giveaways for Moms has so wonderfully stepped in to help her achieve more votes and we couldn't be more tickled and appreciative!   What she is offering to her readers is five bonus entries to her current giveaway:





Box Tops for Education at Target HUGE Giveaway


This awesome prize pack includes:
* An Avery Binder
* Betty Crocker Fruit Gushers Variety Pack
* Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni
* Hefty CinchSak Trash Bags
* Honey Nut Cheerios
* Juicy Juice 8-Pack Juice Boxes
* Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bars
* Welch’s Concord Grape Jelly
* 25 Bonus Box Tops
* AND a $25 Target® gift card!

Please support my daughter and Grand Giveaways! 


Five Lessons Every Kid Should Learn

Every parent knows that we are the role models for our children and we really should be. It's our duty to teach them how to be good, sound citizens of this world in order for them to grow up and be successful adults. When TwitterMoms and Nanny McPhee Returns offered us bloggers this fun contest, I jumped as I always do! Who doesn't want to win a $50 Fandango gift card anyway? You can see below at the bottom of this post on how you can join in on the fun!

There are basic lessons I teach my children:
  1. Manners - it's imperative my children have manners as I have witnessed far too many rude children and it's a direct reflection on the parents in my opinion. Manners is first and foremost.
  2. Kindness is another trait that children should learn and granted, it kind of goes hand in hand with manners but kindness can take many forms. Reading the Bible and going to church also helps to instill goodness and charity.
  3. Cleanliness is really next to Godliness! A clean child will have far better success overall relative to his/her social circle and health. Every child needs to learn good hygiene habits.
  4. Paying it forward is also a huge lesson I try to instill in my children all the time. My middle one is currently up for a Pepsi Grant for her Angels4Epilepsy project where she wants to help other children with epilepsy. We are always donating things to charity and volunteering our time for good causes.
  5. Not the last in lesson's of life but another lesson is responsibility. This can take many forms whether it's financial or for their own behavior. Teaching responsibility for actings is utmost to success as a child that goes well into adulthood.
What are your lessons? Care to share or want to join in? Just click below and find out more!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Nanny McPhee Returns blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.






About Nanny McPhee Returns (In Theaters August 20, 2010):
In Nanny McPhee Returns, Oscar®-winning actress and screenwriter Emma Thompson returns to the role of the magical nanny who appears when she’s needed the most and wanted the least in the next chapter of the hilarious and heartwarming fable that has enchanted children around the world.

In the latest installment, Nanny McPhee appears at the door of a harried young mother, Mrs. Isabel Green (Maggie Gyllenhaal), who is trying to run the family farm while her husband is away at war. But once she’s arrived, Nanny McPhee discovers that Mrs. Green’s children are fighting a war of their own against two spoiled city cousins who have just moved in and refuse to leave.

Relying on everything from a flying motorcycle and a statue that comes to life to a tree-climbing piglet and a baby elephant who turns up in the oddest places, Nanny McPhee uses her magic to teach her mischievous charges five new lessons.

Watch the “Nanny McPhee Returns” Trailer: http://www.nannymcphee.com

Join Nanny McPhee Returns on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nannymcpheereturns

Day Three: Get in Shape However it Takes

Well, not really but I am working hard to lose weight and keep it off.  I started watching what I was eating, reading my Jillian Michaels' book and keeping busy.  I even started yoga for the first time in my life.  I would love to work out in a gym but with my children, it's next to impossible and hubby is all the way in Kuwait.


EatSmartâ„¢ Precision Digital Bathroom Scale w/ Extra Large Backlit 3.5" Display and "Step-On" Technology


This morning when I stepped on my EatSmart™ Precision Digital Bathroom Scale w/ Extra Large Backlit 3.5" Display and "Step-On" Technology, I weighed in three pounds less and was so happy!  I am documenting my weight loss as the folks at Eat Smart provided this very nice precision weight scale for my review.


I have an older scale but I love this quick read, easy stand on display.  No waiting long seconds to see that dastardly number appear and it's precise to the tenth.  When you are watching your weight, you'll take all the weight loss numbers you can get.


My routine is: 

  • Wake up and weigh in - same time every day for consistency
  • Healthy breakfast
  • Snack
  • Yoga
  • Lunch
  • Snack
  • Quick bicycling 
  • Dinner
  • Snack

So, as I am busy trying to get votes for my daughter's Angels4Epilepsy program for Pepsi, I find that I don't snack either so that's proof that staying busy helps!


Stay tuned for more!

NEW $50 You-Name-It GC: Vote for Angels4Epilepsy Giveaway 8/31 - Closed Winner

CONGRATULATIONS TO ...


amandawk 


An e-mail has been sent and she has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen by random.org.


Thanks to all those who entered and voted!




VOTING ENDS AT 11:59 PM (EST) - THIS GIVEAWAY ENDS AT 11:45 PM (EST)


I'm really, really wanting my daughter to win this Pepsi Grant so I'm hoping that another giveaway will spark interests in helping her win.


In addition to my other giveaway of a $100 GC, Zhu Zhu Pets and more and a giveaway for two $50 GCs at Parker PR Onlineyou have a chance to also win a $50 Gift Card wherever you want (as long as I can purchase it online)!


To enter:


Just vote for my daughter by clicking the link below that reads "Vote for this Idea."   Once you click on the button, you have to either sign in via Pepsi or Facebook and then click on "Vote" once again if you don't see a thank you pop up.  You will receive a "thank you" upon a successful vote.


After you successfully voted, leave a comment on this post to be entered.


Extra Entries:

  • Vote every day and leave the day you voted for three extra entries. <- this one I would really appreciate!
  • Tweet "Please vote to give this idea 5K: 7 year old's Angels4Epilepsy project for children with epilepsy  #pepsirefresh http://pep.si/dCLJiA" and leave your Tweet url - worth two entries - can be done daily
  • Blog about this giveaway noting the place specific to vote for her and her cause (worth five entries) - post url
  • Post on your Facebook page either by url from the Pepsi page or via the upload application on the Pepsi page after you vote for her - three entries - can be done daily
  • Follow my blog (two entries)
  • Just added:  You can also get five extra entries for voting for Healthy Habits by clicking here and/or texting 100214 to 73774 (Pepsi) each day.



VOTING ENDS AT 11:59 PM (EST) - THIS GIVEAWAY ENDS AT 11:45 PM (EST)


Winner will be chosen via random.org.  Open to both US and Canada.

Supergirl Jam All Girls Action Sport Competition: August 22 in Venice Beach



The Supergirl Jam is the action sports industry’s only large-scale, all-girls action sports competition and is designed to celebrate female strength, independence and empowerment.  This year’s fourth annual Supergirl Jam takes place on August 22 in Venice Beach, CA with snowboarding, skateboarding and inline skating events. 




Just click here for more information about the Jam.


You can also follow Supergirl on Twitter (@wbsupergirl) and Facebook (http://facebook.com/dcsupergirl) for live updates from the main event and the event will be live-streaming at http://bit.ly/b9kJy3.




I have been hired by Warner Bros WBWord division to raise awareness for the Supergirl Jam. For exclusive coverage of the Supergirl Jam, please visit: http://bit.ly/b9kJy3

Elle's Law: Serious Physical Harm to Another While Driving



I had to post this about Elle's Law with school back in session as well as the end of summer since there are still so many pediatricians out there.  I had no idea that all states did not have a reckless law for those who harm others while driving and not under the influence of alcohol.
Please read this story about this little girl named Elle and what her mom has done to help encourage safety with our little ones and school.  Watching how my daughter's school is upon release, it definitely has opened my eyes.

Back to school time is always exciting and hectic but not always safe – last September, a little girl named Elle was on her way to preschool when she was hit by a driver who had illegally back through an intersection in search of a parking space. Elle spent weeks in a coma, had a stroke and lost most of the left side of her brain. The driver only received a slap on the wrist - a minor traffic ticket. Elle was three and a half at the time and doctors prepared her mother for the worst.
Fortunately, Elle has made a miraculous recovery and will be returning to school this fall, but many children have not been as lucky. The summer is long and drivers often forget that come fall, the streets will once again swarm with children heading to and from school. When a traffic accident involves a child, it is a tragedy that affects the entire family and its community. Unfortunately, in the majority of states in the US, there are no laws in place to deal with reckless drivers who are not under the influence of alcohol who harm pedestriansNew York, where Elle was struck, is one of those states. Because the driver who hit Elle was not drunk, he would not be punished beyond a minor traffic ticket. Elle’s mother was told that the only thing she could do is sue him.
Elle’s mother, Heather Vandenberghe, took a different approach.   Instead of suing that one driver and receiving only limited compensation for a life that is priceless, Heather decided to take action to protect other children from being the victims of careless drivers and pushed through legislation that would create harsher penalties for reckless driving.
Last Friday, on August 13th, Governor Paterson signed “Elle’s Law” into law. Under Elle’s Law, any driver who causes serious physical harm to another person will committing a traffic violation will receive license suspension of up to a year.
You can also sign up to stay up to date on the latest with their Facebook page.


Thanks CeCe from DKC News for the information.

Crane Humidifier Review and Giveaway 9/3: WINNER CLOSED


CONGRATULATIONS TO....


mrssquigg @ comcast.net

Winner was chosen by random.org and an e-mail was just sent whereas she has 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.  

I always recontact when I don't have a response due to mail going to the spam box. 


Sadly, summer is departing its beautiful ways and gone are the days of soothing sunshine, warmth rays, cooling breezes and the laugher of being outside in all the fun.  Well, it's not quite over but when school hits, it certainly feels like the end to me!  With the onset of schools is yet another season of fear for me as I have two children with chronic medical conditions.  My youngest, three years old, has never been fully diagnosed other than they think she has a severe form of asthma and allergies and is on two daily medications a day.  It would be four if I gave her the other two over the counter ones but I don't want to bombard her system unnecessarily.  As school means germs, colds can be deadly around here as two year's ago, she nearly died and was intubated for two weeks at a children's hospital.  Last year, we only had to go twice to the ER so that's progress.  



We try many things to prevent the germs and spread of colds such as avid washers of hands, users of sanitizers and I can officially proclaim that I'm a hand sanitizer pusher!  Yes, that's me!  Enter my house and be prepared to sanitize!  Sneeze, you guessed it! Either wash your hands or sanitize.  Outside of those two key tasks, we also use humidifiers.   They seem to work and do the trick as last year, I used Crane cool red Dragon Cool Mist Humidifier and it worked like a charm and not to mention, it's adorable for kids!

My pediatrician, among many others, strongly recommended the use of cool mist humidifiers during my children's bouts with colds.


Unfortunately, we have a large house so having another humidifier was needed.  When I contacted Crane about a review, they offered me our choice among so many different styles so it was hard to choose.   One of my kids is a Hello Kitty huge fan so that was our choice.  If you aren't familiar with Crane, they have humidifiers available in:
They also have air purifiers, tower fans, heaters and accessories.


   
The Review

The great thing about Crane is the kids love them so they ensure you are filling it back up and running it.  The Hello Kitty Cool Mist Humidifier has many great features such as a built in night light, a one gallon tank to reduce the refill times, very quiet, an auto off function when the tank is empty, removable tank that eases refills under almost any sink, energy efficient and FDA registered.

The size is perfect for small areas and I like that I don't have to keep refilling it.  It really is very quiet and is a nice distraction for when they are under the weather.  My Crane humidifier I used last year is still going strong so I know that I can count on the durability of their humidifiers.  It has been dropped a couple of times and it's still working.  There are no filters either which I love!

Crane also provides online cleaning and product videos which for us online parents, it's a way to learn we prefer.  It seems to me that Crane tries to provide the resources parents need to do the best for their children.

Overall, I have not found a better humidifier that I like and would recommend the Crane system of humidifiers

The Giveaway


One lucky winner will receive their own Crane Humidifier which is perfect with the cold and flu season coming!



To Enter


Follow my blog and tell me which Crane Humidifier you would choose!



Bonus Entries


  • Follow me on Twitter (two entries)
  • Fan me on Facebook (two entries)
  • Subscribe to my blog (two entries)
  • Tweet about this giveaway & leave your URL link (two entries - can be done daily)
  • Blog about this giveaway (five entries)
  • Enter any of my other giveaways (five entries)
  • Vote for Angels4Epilepsy for a Pepsi Grant - (can be done daily - five entries)

Giveaway ends 9/3 at midnight (EST) - winner chosen by random.org

US only please!

Blogmania is Coming! Save the Dates: 9/15 & 9/16 Over $700 in ONE Giveaway





It's almost time for Blogmania and are  you ready?


Still don't know what Blogmania is?


BLOGMANIA is a twice-yearly blogging event to offer awesome giveaways by a host of sites with quick entries, rapid prize distribution and a great time over a two day period.  If you would like to sponsor an item to add to my theme Home for the Holidays, send me a message at staying_younger@yahoo.com.


Look at the prizes I have lined up for ONE winner next month:


Sock Monkey Hat with earflaps TODDLER sized 
Adorable Monkey Hat


Alpaca booties from my collection A little forest Elf.


Soft, Snuggly Alpaca Slippers


 Scrabble Tile Grape Vine Wreath Tree Ornaments


Scrabble Ornament


All Seasons Slippers - Pattern



Warm, Comfortable Slipper Pattern


Hot Coco Caramel Ruffle Peasant Dress--Rozzissweetpeas--girls Holiday Peasant Dress Sizes sm, med, large, 2T,3T,4,5 and 6


Adorable Little Girls Outfit


SHIPPING SALE-OOAK-Tatted 5 pointed CLOVER Flake with glass beads


Beautiful Ornament


Tan Tailored Dinner Napkins (Set of 8)


8 Glamorous Handmade Napkins





  


Boy and Girl Infant Holiday Outfits


Mug of Warmth Mini Note Cards


Crafty and Cute Notecards


My Little Pumpkin Crocheted Hat-Newborn (0-3 months)


Adorable Pumpkin Infant Hat


Reversible Bib Argyle Reversible Bib Argyle


Adoring Reversible Bib


Autumn Jasper One Minute Traffic Chaplet


Beautiful Addition from SONflower


Bag of Happy


Cute Imprinted Gift Bag





Gift Certificate!


Winterberry Necklace - garnet, rutilated quartz, oxidized sterling silver chains


Gorgeous Necklace


Frownies Face Lift in a Bag
Frownies: Defy Wrinkles!



Trendy & Fashionable Bottlecap Necklaces




SoundBeginnings: Pregnancy Innovation!

Photobucket

Cute & Trendy Eyewear Charm Huggers

Photobucket

Gift Certificate


Necklace Necessities Ensemble

Necklace Necessities Ensemble


Pink Leopard Brownie
Cutely Tots - Cutest Kids Slip On Shoes


Photobucket


Untangled Living - Stainless Steel Dishware $40 Gift Certificate



CuddleBee - Choice of Bib and Burpies


Saint Francis Couture


Saint Francis Couture


Volunteer Charity Angel Charm PIF FREE SHIPPING


Celebrate Recovery Volunteer Angel Charm & $10 Donation to Charity


Here is a list of my sponsors with pictures (above) depicting the giveaways.  Please visit each of my sponsors listed below as their store name is linked to their store site.


$700+ in prizes for ONE winner!


Would you like to have access to hundreds of prizes?
Would you like to discover new and exciting blogs?
Would you like to experience the Thrill of the hunt and the Ecstasy of winning?
Would you like to do all of this in just TWO DAYS?


SAVE THE DATES: September 15th and 16th.


Thanks and look forward to seeing you at Blogmania!

If you like the prizes, please visit each of my sponsors to thank them!