Mamavation Monday

I've not been doing too well with focusing on getting healthier this past week.  My oldest and her baby left this past weekend after we made a trip down to San Antonio's Sea World.  Instead of drinking water in the very hot and humid Texas sun, I drank a lot of soda which is not normal for me.  For some reason, water was not quenching the thirst and I had that nagging sore throat feeling.  I did try to not over indulge in eating and even skipped desert at dinner both nights.  Needless to say, with all the soda drinking, I picked up a few pounds.  I can look at food and gain weight so it's not a huge deal as I know I can get rid of it pretty quickly.  


My goal is to cut out about another 10 pounds and I'd be content.  I mostly need to just eat healthier and do more exercising.  I was running four miles a day until my daughter visited and I lost the will. I think it was mostly due to the fact I have to run when I have optimal energy and as an insomniac, that is hit or miss.  I never wanted to tell her to go upstairs with my grand daughter so I could use the treadmill so I would wait and lose the will.  I struggle with the stress eating quite a bit and feel it's directly tied to the insomnia issues.  


At the end of the day, it's a new day and I have learned to not kick myself when I don't live up to my goals as at least if I retry, it's okay.  It's okay for me at least.  I used to live in that destructive cycle of eating, getting mad, eating more, getting madder and hating myself over it.  I have learned that if I fall off, I pick myself back up and retry.  Much healthier!


This week's Mamavation question was what can you do as a parent to help your child lose weight and start living healthy lifestyle?  I think it starts plain and simply as living by example.  We live a healthy life, they live a healthy life and it has to be balanced with the good, the bad and the ugly.  I see too many kids going hog wild when out of their environment whenever they are in a strict upbringing and this holds true for junk or bad food.  Moderation is the key and by offering healthy choices, empowering our kids is the key to making good choices.




ALSO ON MAMAVATION

• Check out details on the upcoming Get Sweet Domino/C&H Light Twitter Party ($500 in prizes!!!)
• Weekly Recipe Beautifully Baked Ratatouille

This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Joy Feldman. Two blogging carnival participants will each receive a book “Joyful Cooking in the Pursuit of Good Health”. To be eligible include the following disclaimer and link back to Mamavation website:

This post is sponsored by Joy Feldman and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway” at the bottom of your post.

Teleflora Big Father's Day Giveaway 6/14

Father’s Day is June 17^th. This year treat dad with gifts that are as special as he is.

Bath & Body Works® Signature Collection Men's Shower Gel Sampler

Every man needs options and this is a great option! This Shower Gel Sampler includes three full-size Signature Shower Gels in Ocean, Noir and Twilight Woods, 10 oz. each, perfectly packaged in a Dopp case. Dopp case is easily wiped clean.

Price: $5.50

Where to buy: Bath & Body Works and www.bathandbodyworks.com

C.O. Bigelow Men's Trio Gift Pack

This gift pack contains three of our hottest products for men: Bay Rum Hair & Body Wash, Bay Rum Aftershave and a 1.7 oz tube of our famous Premium Shave Cream.

Price: $35

Where to buy: C.O. Bigelow & www.bigelowchemists.com

Jeep® Wrangler King Of The Road By Teleflora

Put the petal to the metal for Dad on his special day with bright flowers in a ceramic replica of the classic Jeep® Wrangler. He’ll get a kick out of this delightful keepsake and keep it on his desk to give his spirits a lift all year long.

Price: $46.95

Where to buy: www.Teleflora.com

DISNEY•PIXAR's Brave Fun Activities

For all you Brave fans, Brave will be in theaters June 22nd and I know my girls cannot wait!  My nine year old is a red head so she's really pumped up about the movie for obvious reasons.  To get your little ones excited, here are some fun activities that they can play to get ready for the big release.


To stay up to date, check out Brave:

• Website & Mobile site: Disney.com/Brave
• Like them on Facebook: facebook.com/PixarBrave
• Follow them on Twitter: twitter.com/disneypixar

Brave Fpk Spot the Diff



Brave Fpk Wisp Maze


About Brave:

Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. From Disney and Pixar, a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida(voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition and challenges destiny to change her fate.

“Brave” follows the heroic journey of Merida, a skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the unruly and uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to harness all of her skills and resources – including her clever and mischievous triplet brothers – to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late, discovering the meaning of true bravery.

Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, “Brave” is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor that audiences of all ages around the world have come to eagerly expect. The film takes aim at theaters on June 22, 2012, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

Next Giveaway: You Decide

I'm planning our next giveaway but wanted to poll everyone what you wanted to see for a giveaway:

1.  A fitness prize pack worth over $300

2.  A $50 Amazon gift card

3.  A $50 Outback Steakhouse gift card

4.  $50 PayPal cash

Please leave a comment or e-mail me at youthfultips@yahoo.com on your preference. 

As I prepare the html code for the blogger event in promoting this event, please take a moment to help out two mompreneurs win a $250k grant!  Thanks!

_______________________________________________

Please take a second and vote for a great mompreneur win a $250,000 business grant.  Just click on the link and type in FICKLETS! She needs as many votes as she can get 6/30 and voting is FREE! Please share! Thanks!


Ficklets was started by mompreneur, Ros, to help her special needs daughter like her eyeglasses a little bit more.


https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com/


Adorable Baby Clothing is also running for the same grant.  Cynthia is also a mompreneur and could use your vote.


You can use the same link as above but just type in Adorable Baby Clothing and vote after you vote for Ficklets.  


It's one vote per Facebook account and voting ends 6/30.




Please note that voting is not expected rather just a request from my readers to help out a couple of friends.  

Free $30 Target Gift Card With Purchase of Sonos Play:3 System or $40 GC with Sonos Play:5 System

Have you heard of the Sonos Wireless HiFi System?  I hadn't either but after learning about the special at Target and watching the video below, it looks really cool.  I definitely need a sound system at home and will be checking into this.  The Sonos Wireless HiFi System lets you stream all the music on earth in every room.  You can start with one room and then expand anywhere to fill your home with wall-to-wall sound.  Control all your music with free apps for your Android™ smartphone, iPhone® or iPad®.  Other nice features:

• Play any music stored on your computer
• Free internet radio - listen to millions of radio stations
• Online music services - no computer needed
• Play a different song in each room
• Search for songs, browse music and control the volume anywhere in your home

Now Through June 16th at Target, you can get a free $30 Target gift card with purchase of Play:3 unit or a free $40 Target gift card with the purchase of a Play:5 unit.

Check out Sonos on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and their blog.

*Disclosure:  I participated in this campaign as a member of One2One Network and I'm eligible for a prize drawing.  All opinions stated in the post are my own.

Father's Day Backyard BBQ & Picnic Ideas

Looking for the perfect gift for the father figure in your life this Father´s Day?  Instead of shopping for an expensive gadget or another necktie, give him something he´ll really enjoy as I know my dad would prefer some good food over anything else!  This year, celebrate Father´s Day by spending quality time together while making long lasting memories.

Here are a few ideas from UnitedHealthcare on how you can make this Father´s Day really special for your favorite guy.

Host a Backyard BBQ

For the grill master in your life, a BBQ is a fun way to celebrate Father's Day and prepare a nutritious meal. Invite family and friends over to try some of these recipes:

Citrus Pasta Salad Grilled Cheesy Garlic Potato Packet Mediterranean Grilled Snapper Grilled Italian Turkey Burgers Fruit Salad with Strawberry-Poppy Seed Vinaigrette Grilled Portabella Mushrooms with Herbs Chicken Salad Pita Sandwiches Fresh Tomato and Cucumber Salad

Pack a Picnic

Enjoy the beautiful June weather with a relaxing picnic! Pack a basket full of some favorite treats and new options.  We love picnics in our house and this list will get your mouth watering:

Grilled Pesto Chicken Packs Mediterranean Turkey Bagelwiches Caesar Chicken with Orzo Barbecued Pork Sandwiches with Slaw Angel-Fruit Parfaits Grilled Chicken Breasts with Cucumber-Peach Salsa Chicken Fruit Salad

Stock the Fridge

Can't forget to stock the fridge either!  Make his day complete by making sure you have a supply of healthy staples combined with his favorite snacks.  Clean out his fridge with help from this Refrigerator Audit, and while you're there use this Kitchen Safety list to re-arrange the kitchen so it's safer and more accessible.

Now that you're feeling inspired for Father's Day, visit the Solutions for Caregivers website to download these recipes, find more tips, and learn about providing care for a loved one.

*Disclosure:  The information in this post was provided by UnitedHealth as part of my participation with My Blog Spark.

Free Blogger Opportunity: Booty Firm Giveaway

Sponsored by Mom Blog Society and ProForm

This giveaway will be open to the US and will run from

6/25 12:01 est - 7/11 12:01 est

Dance your way to a new you! Three Dance Workout DVDs will help you slim down and reshape your booty! Featuring the hottest, fat-burning cardio dance moves and exclusive muscle-toning resistance exercises—the Booty Firm™ delivers body-shaping results!

Free Blogger Event! 


Details of the Giveaway: One winner will receive a Booty Firm machine with 3 dance DVD's and the blog!


Free link choice is Facebook after positing a promotional post.


Co Host Spot Available.


By completing this form, you are agreeing to have your giveaway post provided to you posted in full with links intact. You are agree to have your post live on time! There will be no exceptions to this rule. We will check all links within 8 hrs of the event start time. Those not having their post up and live will be removed without warning.
To join this Free Event Sign Up Here!

Please Vote for Ficklets: Mompreneur Needs Votes!

Please take a second and vote for a great mompreneur win a $250,000 business grant.  Just click on the link and type in FICKLETS! She needs as many votes as she can get 6/30 and voting is FREE! Please share! Thanks!

Ficklets was started by mompreneur, Ros, to help her special needs daughter like her eyeglasses a little bit more.

https://www.missionsmallbusiness.com/

Dad Needs His Sweepstakes Giveaway 6/16

We always say a woman's work is never done and we always need a day dedicated to us. Spa days, mani-pedi, bubble baths .. you know what I mean!  But what about dad?  He works hard too and needs to be pampered.   The yard work, wrestling with the kids...his job.  Ah, go ahead and spoil him this once.  Coupons and Friends is going to help do just that.  A few very happy and lucky winners will walk away with gifts for Dad! The Giveaway will run from 6/10 12:01 AM EST to 6/16 12:01 AM EST. The Prizes include: 4 Pack Sampler pack of Dale and Thomas Popcorn.




 Check out my review HERE!

 A Corset priced at $30 or less from Corset Chick. Check out my review HERE!

 And a $25 gift certificate to Viovio. Check out my review HERE!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Green Works® Reverse Graffiti Gallery

When you think of graffiti, you don't always have pleasant connections with it.  However, when done right, "graffiti" can be art.  Green Works® Reverse Graffiti Gallery knows that cleaning can be beautiful especially when it's natural.  Transforming urban spaces into works of art is an example of how a simple decision can provide a green solution.  Drawing inspiration from nature, artist Mr. Kiji used Green Works cleaners as the medium to create murals in a mundane underpass in Silver Lake, with the hope that the unexpected art exhibit illustrates that cleaning can be beautiful and inspires viewers to do their part. 

"Like" Green Works on Facebook:

Simply by watching the time-lapse video of the transformation at Facebook.com/GreenWorks, $1 will be donated to the Environmental Media Association, promoting more green works.

*Disclosure:  I received a free product in exchange for this post from Green Works.

Victoria’s Secret Flash Giveaway 6/11 (US)

Welcome to the $50 Victoria's Secret Gift Card Flash Giveaway hosted by Giveaway Promote!

We've joined a fantastic group of bloggers to give away a $50 Victoria's Secret Gift Card to one lucky person. Complete the tasks below to earn entries into this giveaway. One winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries.   Do you love entering giveaways, sweepstakes and contests? You'll find the latest and greatest listed at Giveaway Promote. You can submit your giveaways and upcoming giveaway events for free today!  

This giveaway is open in the United States. It will end at 11:59pm EST on June 11th, 2012.

Have to Try Quaker Soft Baked Bars

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Quaker Oats for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

 

I'm always on the hunt for something good and not full of calories.  I want something to kick off my day or give a nice breakfast snack that won't weigh me down.  I have not tried them yet but the Quaker Soft Baked Bar looks absolutely amazing.  I'm not sure which one I would prefer, Cinnamon Pecan Bread or Banana Nut Bread because I love the sound of both.  What is also appealing is they are only 140 calories while providing 5 grams of fiber and 6 grams of protein.  I also like they are a good source of five B-Vitamins.  These bars are made from real fruits and nuts and can be served on-the-go or warmed to provide a nice wholesome food choice.

 

As I stated, I have not tried them but if you check out my pantry, you will find other Quaker brand products and given my brand loyalty to oatmeal, I suspect that I'll love these bars too.  I'll definitely point my mom to my blog as even though she's in her 70's, she still works and could use something to take on the go for her busy mornings.

 

 

 

I think as I look at the packaging, I'd go first for the Cinnamon Pecan Bread for the frosting effect!  My youngest would probably go along with me on that one!  How about you?  Have you heard or tried Quaker Soft Baked Bars yet?  

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island DVD Giveaway 6/19

Dwayne Johnson or Vanessa Hudgens fan?  Then you will want to enter to win the release from Warner Brothers for Journey 2:  The Mysterious Island that was released June 5th on DVD and Blu-Ray.  This is the follow up to the 2008 hit.  This time, the new journey begins when the brave young adventurer Sean, played by Josh Hutcherson, receives a coded distress signal from an island that shouldn't even exist.  This mysterious island houses strange life forms, heaps of gold, deadly volcanoes and an astonishing secret.  Sean's new stepfather, played by no other than Dwayne Johnson, joins Sean on his quest.  Along with a pilot, Luis Guzman and his daughter played by Vanessa Hudgens, they are determined to find the island, rescue the sole inhabitant and escape the dangers of the seismic shockwaves before the island is buried under the sea.


You can also have a little fun with this app to choose your adventure and see if you would survive.  Check out the trailer as well or download the activities to have some fun.

To enter to win a copy of Journey 2:  The Mysterious Island on DVD, please use the Rafflecopter form below.


US only and no PO Boxes please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

$100 Omaha Steaks Giveaway 6/14

Father's Day is just around the corner! Since it's barbecue season and we'd like to help you enjoy your Father's Day cookout even more, we're giving you this great giveaway! Get a chance to win 1 of two $100 gift certificates to Omaha Steaks! The prize was made possible by American Family, Bay Area Mommy and some awesome bloggers!

 
What's more, American Family is offering a new recipe ebook for barbecues! Download it to get 25 entries to the giveaway. PLUS an additional 25 bonus entries for it, giving you a total of 50 entries for just downloading!


Giveaway runs from June 1, 12am EST to June 14, 11:59pm EST. Open to US residents only. Must be 18 years or older to be eligible to win. Please read the Terms and Conditions of this giveaway at the very end of the Rafflecopter form. Good luck!

Carmex 75 Years with 750,000 Fan Celebration with Prizes

Are you a Carmex fan?  I am and have many of their products to protect my lips and my children's.  As summer is approaching, it's also another great reason to protect your lips with one of the many products Carmex offers.  Now after 75 years and 750,000 Carmex Facebook fans, you can take part in their celebration with a chance to win some great prizes!  Entering is easy as you just have to visit and like Carmex's Facebook page!


Share with your friends and family because once they hit 500,000 and 750,000 fans, they will start giving away cash and Carmex products!  I just entered and it was easy so why not since it's free!


You can also tweet:  Help @Carmex celebrate 75 Years! More entrants = more cash and prizes! Spread the word! http://on.fb.me/hDUsFl