Simplistically Living

10 Things I Learned My First Week with Weight Watchers

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My husband and I decided we needed to get healthy. So, a few weeks back we started Weight Watchers. Since, I’ve been getting asked about my experience so far, I decided to share 10 Things I Learned My First Week with Weight Watchers.

10 Things I Learned My First Week with Weight Watchers #weightwatchers #weightloss #weightwatchersuccess #weightwatcherstips #dietprogram

Now, I want to mention that I am NOT a professional nor do I claim to be one. So, what I am about to tell you comes from personal experience (not a professional one).

I am just an average everyday mom, wife, and entrepreneur.

Over the years my husband and I have built multiple online businesses and were able to bring him home just over a year ago. During that time, we have become more sedentary than we both like.

Sure, it’s great working from home because hello, freedom! But, it also means that unless we are working on household chores, running errands, photographing new inventory or recipes, we are sitting in front of a computer writing and working.

All of that equals some unhealthy eating habits and of course, a less active lifestyle. In return, we gained quite a bit of weight.

With this year being the first year we felt we truly had this whole “working from home” thing down utilizing schedules, we decided it was time to focus on our health and well-being. That is where Weight Watchers has come into play.

We officially started on 2/10/18. My husband and I both hovering around 200 lbs.

As of the date of this post (3/8/18) I have lost 11 lbs. while my husband has lost 13 lbs.

It’s working!!!

It’s so exciting to see how far we have come in just over 2 weeks. Something we are planning to continue doing. But, I really wanted to share a few things I quickly learned in that first week. Things nobody tells you about.

Hopefully sharing these will give you a bit more information on what to expect during your journey with Weight Watchers!

10 Things I Learned My First Week with Weight Watchers

Sugar-free foods make you have to “go” more.

In case you didn’t know, diet drinks and sugar-free drinks contain artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame and Sucralose (there are more but these are the most popular). Consuming too much of these sweeteners, can cause you to head to the bathroom to conduct #2 way too many times. A hard lesson we learned from drinking too much sugar-free coffee creamer!

You feel more hungry (at first).

So, the hardest part of week 1 for me was that I felt like I was hungry all the time. I quickly realized that while I was eating more protein, vegetables and fruits, my body and stomach was used to the junk food and “fillers”. I used to overeat so by eating healthier, my body had to adjust. Also, I think smaller portions are part of the key to weight loss in general so you have to train your body to be full and happy with what you feed it.

It’s a real eye-opener to foods.

Part of the experience of Weight Watchers is that you get a handy app that you can download to your phone. You can then use this app to scan all sorts of products in the grocery store as you shop.

It’s an eye opener to see how many points foods are and how you really have to sacrifice one food so you can have another. Now, when I say “sacrifice” I basically mean, you can eat that Krispy Kreme donut but that is 8 points of your day taken away for 1 donut. That means, your other meals have to use less points and you are making comprises for that food choice.

Just because something seems healthy doesn’t mean it is.

It’s crazy to see what you once thought was “healthy” really isn’t. I think that is part of why so many of us try to diet on our own and fail. We are tricked with “low carb this” and “low-fat that” and in reality, sometimes those are the worst foods for us. So, taking the time to scan and research every food is super important to success with this program.

Energy increases.

With my insane schedule I am always tired. And to this day I still am. However, my husband and I used to nap, a lot! So much in fact, that my own mom would come over and say, “Are you taking your old people nap today?”.

Naps are great but think of all that time we waste napping and then sleeping. But once we started eating better and staying with the Weight Watchers program, our energy increased and our “old people naps” have been cut back drastically. What was once a daily thing, we do it 1-2 per week now.

It’s really hard if you love food.

I am a firm believer in being honest and I will tell you, this program is NOT easy. But what in life is? Besides, it’s not meant to be easy or everyone would do it. It’s going to be filled with some tears, some “why’s?”, some frustration, but most importantly, filled with happiness and goodness for you and your family.

If you love food (like me) then it’s hard not being able to grab and eat whatever you want, whenever you want. As I mentioned above, you compromise, you sacrifice, and you have to be diligent. It gets easier with time.

You have to be honest with yourself.

Remember, BE HONEST. Not just with others around you but be honest with yourself. It’s easy to talk yourself out of doing something (because there always seems to be a million reasons why not to) but you really only need 1 reason to do something. For you, maybe joining Weight Watchers means you get to chase your grandchildren around or maybe run that 5K marathon.

For me, I want to be here as long as I can for my kids and future grandkids. You have to look at your situation and be honest with everything you do. Don’t cheat on your points, don’t lie when you are having a bad day. Let it all out and be honest and free. It’s truly amazing when you do that.

It truly doesn’t cost more to eat better.

Okay, one of the common myths (I even believed) was that healthier foods are more expensive. Ugh, I bet you haven’t heard that at all, right? *eye roll*

In reality, you actually SAVE money. Let me explain…

Since I love food and all, I’d fall victim to those emailed weekly coupons from our favorite restaurants like LongHorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, etc. We’d eat out at LEAST 3x per week. Those meals for a family of 4 is average $100.00. So, we are looking at $300 per week (minimum).

Now, we go to the grocery store 1 time per week (sometimes 2 if we forget something) but we have a plan. We create meals for the week then create a grocery list and try our best to stick to it. We spend about $100-$150 per week at the grocery store feeding a family of 4. Mostly lean meats (turkey and chicken), vegetables, water, fruits, etc. Which means we’ve cut our spending in HALF!

Now, we still go out every once in a while (and we do save up our points for that) but overall, we are spending less so don’t let the fear of cost stop you from doing this.

10 Things I Learned My First Week with Weight Watchers #weightwatchers #weightloss #weightwatchersuccess #weightwatcherstips #dietprogram

You can enjoy good food despite being on a diet.

Most diets out there eliminate certain foods. Some are cutting out carbs, cutting out sugar, cutting out calories and they all have one thing in common – you miss out on all the good stuff.

It’s no secret that unhealthy foods taste better (hello sugar and additives) but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them in moderation. With Weight Watchers you can eat all that good food but you pay for it in points. Sometimes a lot, sometimes a little but you are not deprived from your favorite foods.

For me, if you tell me NOT to do something (or in this case not to eat something), I’ll do it anyways. So, I no longer say “NO”, I just say,  “how much can I have?”

This truly works.

Look, I know how overwhelming it can be to just have the first thought of starting a weight-loss program. It seems like there are a billion ways to lose weight and a million options out there.

I’ll tell you that I’ve tried a lot of them. For different reasons they all failed but with Weight Watchers I truly feel like this is it. A few reasons for my conclusion:

  • Tracking points is basically like a food journal. You get to see your goals, keep track of what you eat (totally cool to see for the first time) and you basically have something to report to.
  • It’s already working. I’ve been on diets where I didn’t see results for weeks or even months and when I did see them, it was minimal. I’ve seen results already and it’s been less than a month. That is pretty incredible.
  • It’s highly recommended. I know many women (and men) that have tried the program with success. After my youngest son was born, even my OBGYN recommended Weight Watchers so I know I am in good hands.

So, I hope this helps you all learn more about the Weight Watchers program. If you do have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments below and I’ll be happy to answer them for you!

100+ Ways to Pay for College Without Taking Out a Loan

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When it comes to taking out a loan for college, you’ll want to think twice. The loan you take out now may take you years to pay off. Instead of paying thousands of dollars in interest for a degree, you can find other ways to pay for college. Here are 100 ways to pay for college without taking out a loan.

100+ Ways to Pay for College Without Taking Out a Loan #college #collegeloans #waystopayforcollege #payforcollege #collegetuition #debtfree

When you begin to think about college, it seems so normal for debt and a college degree to go hand in hand.

Personally, I think there is something wrong with that picture.

We go to college with the intention to better our education, knowledge and therefore, better our life. 

We can’t do that when we are in an insane amount of debt.

So, I decided it was time to lay it all out there and share ways to pay for college WITHOUT taking out a loan. 

100 Ways to Pay for College Without Taking Out a Loan

  1. Take advantage of the $2,500 tax credit.
  2. Start up your own lawn care business.
  3. Work on campus in the dining commons.
  4. Work as a housekeeper on campus.
  5. Work as nanny or a babysitter on the weekends.
  6. Wait tables on the evenings and weekends, when not in school.
  7. Work as a bread merchandiser.
  8. Sign up to work for Shipt.
  9. Become a professional photographer.
  10. Freelance as a writer.
  11. Find freelance jobs on Upwork.com.
  12. Find a job as a caregiver, these hours are often more flexible.
  13. Start a business selling crafts.
  14. Work part time as a waitress on the weekends or when you don’t have class.
  15. Start applying for scholarships your senior year of highschool. Look for new scholarships throughout your college years.
  16. Apply to work-study programs in college.
  17. Don’t live on campus to save money on room and board, work a part time job to cover your expenses.
  18. Go to a community college, instead of a private college.
  19. Work for a company that will pay part of your tuition.
  20. Go to school for a trade and then pay for tuition as you go.
  21. Get a full ride sports scholarship.
  22. Get a full ride academic scholarship.
  23. Apply for grants that will pay for your tuition.
  24. Find a job working from home to pay for your tuition (U-Haul, Apple, 1-800 Flowers)
  25. Start an alterations business, if you’re good at that sort of thing.
  26. Work during the summers to save up enough money to pay for that year’s tuition.
  27. Start a marketing business, pitch to local companies to do their social media at a great price.
  28. Become a dog walker.
  29. Deliver pizzas.
  30. Work for Jimmy Johns delivering sandwiches.
  31. Drive for Uber or Lyft.
  32. Work for Shipt as a grocery shopper.
  33. Look for items to buy and then sell for a profit.
  34. Open up an auction business, where you sell other people’s items for them on eBay, Facebook, but you get a small profit.
  35. Flip furniture for a living to make extra cash.
  36. Get a roommate or rent out your extra room on Airbnb.
  37. Clean other Airbnb houses for extra cash.
  38. Get a security job.
  39. Working at a daycare.
  40. Provide Nanny share for a few families. (They pay you, but the family shares a nanny, so it costs less for them).
  41. Sign up for SitterCity.com
  42. Post an ad for odd jobs on Craiglist.com
  43. Look on Craiglist.com for “gigs.” One time gigs that can help you earn extra cash.
  44. Work as a cook at a local restaurant.
  45. Teach English as a Second Language to children at local schools.
  46. Get a job with the Boys and Girls Club in your area.
  47. Call up your local churches to see if they’re hiring a janitor with flexible hours.
  48. Apply to work for VIPKid.
  49. Apply to work for Chegg.
  50. Pull weeds for cash.
  51. Start up a clothing boutique.
  52. Become a freelance proofreader.
  53. Become an ebook ghostwriter.
  54. Sign up to be a writer at Textbroker.com
  55. Advertise yourself to scoop up dog poop.
  56. Become a teacher’s assistant.
  57. Sign up to be a Resident Assistant at your college of choice.
  58. Rent out your car to people who need it.
  59. Become a driver for GoPuff.
  60. Get paid to be someone’s friend at RentaFriend.com
  61. Sign up to sell your services on Fiverr.com.
  62. Sign up to work for after school at a local school in your area.
  63. Sign up to work for before school at a local school in your area.
  64. Drive Amish people around if you live in an area this is possible.
  65. Become a handyman and help people fix stuff around their home.
  66. Work for UPS or FedEx in the early mornings, loading packages.
  67. Become a secret shopper with BestMark.
  68. Work overnight as a grocery store stocker.
  69. Become a graphic designer and work as a freelancer on the side.
  70. Find junk electronics and fix them up for a profit.
  71. Load trash for people and haul it to the dump.
  72. Sign up to take pictures with WeGoLook.
  73. Become a virtual assistant for a local company or one across the USA.
  74. Become a lifeguard at the local YMCA.
  75. Market yourself as a “mom’s helper” for moms who have just given birth, but have other kids to care for.
  76. Become a doula’s assistant.
  77. Become a caregiver for a senior.
  78. Become a painter for inside and outside jobs.
  79. Wash windows for commercial and residential homes.
  80. Clean grout for people.
  81. Power wash homes in your area. This can be very lucrative in the summertime.
  82. Run errands for people in your area. You’d be surprised how much people are willing to pay for this.
  83. Pull weeds and plant gardens for people in the summer months.
  84. Do other college student’s laundry.
  85. Offer amazing car detailing at a great price.
  86. Become a pest control specialist.
  87. Learn how to take video and edit.
  88. Work as a carnie and travel with the a company to local fairs. Help run rides and make good cash.
  89. House sit for people while they’re on vacation.
  90. Dog sit for people while they’re on vacation.
  91. Work on a farm to earn extra cash and help take care of animals.
  92. Teach music lessons to children or other adults who want to learn.
  93. Become an exercise instructor.
  94. Get paid to teach kids how to read.
  95. If you know a second language, work as a translator or teach other people your second language.
  96. Play your instrument at weddings or other venues.
  97. Work as a telemarketer.
  98. Make chairs, tables, shelves, and anything else wooden you can figure out.
  99. Do hair and makeup for people attending proms or fancy dances.
  100. Rent out your stuff to those who might want it, we’re talking kayaks, boats, snowmobiles, and so on.
  101. Become a virtual assistant for an online business.
  102. Create a GoFundMe account and ask for donations.
  103. Find resellable items at thrift stores and sell them on eBay.
  104. Collect and recycle cans/metal for cash.

The next time someone tells you that you cannot go to college without taking out a loan. Tell them they’re wrong, you can go to college without a loan, it just takes a little hard work and elbow grease.

100+ Ways to Pay for College Without Taking Out a Loan #college #collegeloans #waystopayforcollege #payforcollege #collegetuition #debtfree

5 Ways to Control Bladder Leakage

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I am about to get real with you guys… Being a mom is tough. If you are a mom, then you already know that. No, I am not referring to the sleepless nights, dealing with temper tantrums, or even the vacuuming of goldfish crumbs (which almost seems like it’s a daily thing now). I am talking about a real issue; the “I can’t sneeze, cough, laugh, jump, run, or play without peeing my pants” sort of thing. Oh, you know that struggle too? I knew you would which is exactly why today I am sharing 5 Ways to Control Bladder Leakage so you can say goodbye to unwanted surprise visits from the pee-pee fairy.5 Ways to Control Bladder Leakage #bladder #bladderleakage #bladdercontrol #pregnancyproblems

5 Ways to Control Bladder Leakage

  1. Drink more water – You may think that drinking more water would cause more of a problem but in fact, it can help regulate bladder activity. It’s amazing how we can change so many things in our life just by drinking water!
  2. Go when you need to go – Look I get it, being a mom also means you are busy. I can tell you I often forget to take care of myself because I am always so busy taking care of everyone else but one thing you have to do is GO. Whenever you feel the urgency to urinate, do it! Don’t wait, waiting can cause infection and many other problems. Even if you don’t feel the need to go, try to set up certain times in the day when you can at least try to empty your bladder.5 Ways to Control Bladder Leakage Featured
  3. Get those Kegel exercises in – You’ve probably heard about the girl next door that had a baby and tightened things up “down there” by doing some Kegel exercises, am I right? While you may want to roll your eyes at that thought, it’s actually good for bladder control. Doing them on a regular basis is key. You should learn to do quick squeezes for one second and squeeze and hold for ten seconds. Repeat often.
  4. Change your diet – Aside from drinking more water, the foods you eat can directly affect issues with your bladder. Foods like caffeine, peppers, citrus fruits and juices, alcohol and unfortunately even chocolate can cause leakage problems. So change up your diet and you may just have less leakage problems!
  5. Protect yourself from embarrassment – If all else fails you want to have a backup plan. Well, not even really a back-up plan but more like a brilliant plan to keep you from the embarrassment of urinating your pants in front of everyone (it’s even embarrassing to do it front of your cat). So what is the solution? A good pad!

Woah, did I just say pad? But, pads are for periods! Trust me, pads are also for bladder leakage. The alternative is adult diapers and I am sure that is out the question so believe me pads are the way to go. But not just any pads because I want you to keep something in mind: All pads are not created equal.

Some pads feel like diapers no matter what you do. Others don’t protect you like they say they will. So personally, I like to use Poise Thin Shape Moderate Pads.

 

Poise Thin Shape Moderate Pads

The reason I love these pads so much is because they are thin and flexible. I don’t want to be wearing a diaper and I don’t want it to move when I do. I just want it to stick where I put it and for it to do its job: protect me from peeing my pants in public.

Now I can sneeze, jump, laugh, cry hysterically, and even chase after my kids without worrying of a leakage. One day, my boys will hear all about how being pregnant and having them gave me this issue but for now these pads are just another fun activity. You know what I am talking about if you follow me on Instagram. But if you don’t, let me explain: I had purchased and placed this package under my bathroom sink and my 18-month old son figured out the child safety locks, tore open the package and dumped the pads out everywhere. It was too funny not to share!

tarek with package

Here’s to less bladder leakage problems and more fun! 

Disclosure: This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Poise, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #poiseatkroger http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

5 Ways to Control Bladder Leakage #bladder #bladderleakage #bladdercontrol #pregnancyproblems

10 Ways to Improve Your Photography Skills

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Over the last year I have worked to improve my photography skills and through that I’ve learned at least 10 Ways to Improve Your Photography Skills which I am going to share with you today.10 Ways to Improve Your Photography Skills #photography #photographytips #photos #photo

10 Ways to Improve Your Photography Skills

  1. Invest in good lighting. Natural light is the best possible source of light you can get for great photographs but not all of us are fortunate enough to have that in our homes so I recommend investing in good lighting. Our home doesn’t have a whole lot of natural light so I invested in 2 large photography lights that have been amazing for taking photos.
  2. Obtain Backdrops. Backdrops are everywhere but you want them to be appealing in photos. Old wood blocks, tables, and fabric make good choices. My personal favorite is scrapbooking pages because there are so many options and they are very inexpensive.
  3. Invest in a good camera. It’s never necessary to invest thousands of dollars into a camera from the beginning but you still need a good camera. I have heard the iPhones these days take amazing images. Even a click and shoot camera that is under $200 can do the trick. If you are really serious, I highly recommend a DSLR camera. Nikon just happens to be my favorite. The point is to have something that will take clear photos.
  4. A tripod is your friend. You can have a great camera but if you have a shaky hand then your photos won’t turn out as well. I love tripods because they free up your hands for taking photos and help keep everything sturdy while shooting. You can find tripods relatively inexpensive on Amazon.
  5. Practice. Practice. Practice. When you are little you are taught that practice makes perfect and in the world of photography that still applies. Start by taking a walk and taking pictures of small things. Try different angles, different lighting, etc. Eventually taking photos will be a natural thing for you.
  6. Research it all. I am a person that likes to read and research everything so naturally I did that when I purchased my first DSLR camera. I would watch YouTube videos while I breastfed my son, read articles online during nap time, and asked around to other’s I knew that were familiar with photography. The more you learn, the better you will be so research is such a great (free) resource.
  7. Recreate beautiful images. Sometimes the best way to learn is to try to duplicate something someone else does. I am not saying copying word for word or stealing someone’s idea. I am saying that you can go online and search for an image you love. Then test yourself by trying to recreate that image. Continue doing this until you are satisfied with the image you produce. Then you can build on those acquired skills to create your own beautifully captured images.
  8. Take a class. Some people learn better when they can actually do it in front of someone else. A photography class is a great way to learn hands on and get instant feedback from the instructor. You can find classes at your local college or even find some online that are taught via Skype. It is initially an investment but can really save you the headache of doing it on your own.
  9. Keep composition in mind. When you take a photo you want to pay attention to what is actually going to be captured in the image. Everything from the angle you choose to the focal point is important. I highly recommend reading up on the “rule of thirds” because that can truly help your images!
  10. Adobe Creative Cloud is EVERYTHING. You know how sometimes people mention that if they could recommend one thing is would be this? Well, this is the one thing I would recommend above all. Adobe Creative Cloud includes Photoshop and Lightroom which are 2 programs that can take your pictures from okay to over the top amazing. I’ll explain more on that below.

Take your photos to the next level with Adobe

The Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan is one that will transfer your photos from ordinary to extraordinary. You capture the moment. Then make it your own with the combined power of Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Adobe Creative Cloud and helpful mobile apps.

adobe creative cloud

I can tell you that without my Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, my photos would not be what they are today. One of my most recent posts is this Apple Crisp Cake in a Mug and it has done amazing. So well in fact, that I am being featured on several other blogs for this recipe. Sure, I know how to use my camera but I also know how to edit my images. Want to see a before and after? Check this out!

before and after Adobe Creative Cloud

So tell me which one is more appetizing to you? For me, the one on the right for sure. It has better lighting, more color, and that caramel just really stands out and makes me drool! The only difference in these photos it the editing I did. The one on the left is my raw photo shot outside in natural lighting. The one on the right is the same image but I brightened it up, straightened it, and used more contrast. I don’t think this recipe would be doing as well if I hadn’t made the photo the best is could be.

With Adobe Creative Cloud you can: 

  • Perfect your Photography: From everyday edits to total transformations, the Creative Cloud plan lets you retouch and manipulate images in just about any way you can imagine.
  • Organize, Edit & Share images from Anywhere: On your computer, on the web, on your iPad and on your iPhone or Android device. And when you make an editor flag a favorite in one place, it’s automatically updated everywhere else through Adobe CreativeSync technology.
  • Showcase your Work: Organize images in web galleries or share them on your favorite social sites. Then use the Adobe Slate mobile app to craft visual stories and animated videos and the Adobe Voice mobile app to add your own voice for narration.

By now you should be convinced that you need Adobe Creative Cloud in your life. I promise it will be worth the investment and worth your time! 

7 Ways to Make Reading Fun

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Reading should be one of those things that kids look forward to. Unfortunately, sometimes is seems more of a chore to learn to read rather than just enjoying to read. After all, reading is one of the biggest and most rewarding aspects to learn in life. Can you imagine not knowing how to read? So as parents we naturally encourage reading at a young age but it doesn’t have to be boring. Today I am sharing 7 Ways to Make Reading Fun and enjoyable for anyone. 

7 Ways to Make Reading Fun

When I was a kid, my parents always found ways to make reading enjoyable. I try to make reading fun for my kids as well. After all, books are what brings imagination to life. Books help to make a childhood memorable and in my opinion, I also think books bring out creativity and imagination throughout your life. So while you are actively reading to your kids, here are some things to keep in mind to help make reading fun!

Introduce new books often.

One of the best things I have found that works for our boys is having a variety of books on a variety of subjects. It keeps things fun when there is a new adventure to be explored! My oldest tends to get bored with the same book over and over again so by introducing new books into our weekly reading routine, it keeps things fun and engaging. It’s basically like Christmas every time we get a new book.

Use a fun voice when reading.

I remember my parents reading to me in fun voices. I love this because it really makes the books come alive. When you hear a gruffly voice for a bear or a high-pitched voice for a little girl, it changes your reading perspective so much. Incorporate various voices whenever you’re reading to your children, it makes reading fun.

Make reading a bonding experience.

Kids love spending time with their parents (more so when they are little), which is why reading makes the perfect bonding experience. Every family has their idea of fun and my family thinks reading is fun because we make it that way. I love to sit down, cuddle up, and read a book with my kids. It is just something that we look forward to each day and it can be that way with your family too with a little encouragement.

Do activities to go along with the book.

If you have a creative bone in your body, you can easily do activities with your kids. Activities help take the book a little further and allow kids to use their imagination. After reading a book about cooking, you might hop into the kitchen and make a special dessert or dish together. Maybe you read one about a pirate finding treasure, make a treasure map with your kids and go exploring your home or even neighborhood. Kids have creative minds and books can really bring that creativity out. 

Create a reading area just for the kids.

What’s more fun than reading a book? A special place to read a book, of course. Setting up a reading area in your home is something that will make reading fun. Kids need a place to unwind and settle down into a good book. By creating a reading area just for the kids, you are making reading FUN! Our personal favorite is building a pillow fort and using flashlights to read. In the summer, we love to camp out in our  backyard with books being read by the fire. 

Encourage reading alone.

While reading together as a family is always fun, sometimes allowing your child to immerse themselves in a book all by themselves is a good thing. Even if they are just examining the illustrations, it is still allowing them time to themselves to learn and use their imagination. It’s also a great way to get them away from electronic devices. The more they read, the better. When your child says they’re bored, recommend a good book. In my opinion, finding books your child is interested in is a solid path to helping them love reading and making it fun.

Don’t use reading as a punishment.

Reading should be fun for a child, so don’t use it as a punishment. You don’t want your child to grow up hating reading for that reason. If your child is naughty or gets into trouble, find a different way to handle their actions.

Be Armed and Ready with Great Books from Bookroo

Now that you’ve got some tips on how to make reading fun, you might be asking yourself how you can keep a good variety of books at all times. Sure, the library is always an option but you have a time limit with those books and, what happens if your child falls in love with a book and wants to read it over and over again?

That is where Bookroo comes in handy!

Bookroo is a family-founded and oriented company. They were started by a family – three sisters-in-laws who not only share a love of their husbands, but also a LOVE of reading. They are passionate about building libraries and helping others foster children’s love of reading. It is a monthly subscription service that delivers new books right to your door. Each box contains either 3 board books or 2 picture books. The combined retail value of the books always exceeds the subscription price!

Bookroo looks for hidden gems to send in their boxes, rather than the classics you may already know about or can easily discover. Their books are extensively reviewed by a panel of 12 families attending Stanford University and their combined 22 kids. They rate each book on a 7 point scale and on its re-readability. Books that emerge as clear winners are sent out in Bookroo boxes.

Right now they are offering 20% off 1 or 3 month subscriptions to help you get new books in your home, for less! You can learn more about Bookroo here.

We received our first 2 books from Bookroo last week and my oldest son really loved them. We received the titles you see above and both were so fun to read. The books chosen were perfect for our boys (we have a 2 and 6 year old). Not only are these perfect, every day books but they would make amazing gifts too! 

So what are you waiting for? Sign-up for Bookroo today and begin reading and teaching your little ones to read! 

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. The opinions expressed remain my own.

Professional Tips & Tricks for Getting Picky Eaters To Eat

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Having a picky eater can be so frustrating. My youngest son who is now almost 2, was the BEST eater as a baby. However, a 3-month series of ear infections changed everything. I don’t know if it was truly those that caused his pickiness or something else, but getting him to eat a solid meal or really anything is a daily struggle. After fighting a battle I simply could not win, I decided to enlist in professional help to get my picky eater back on track. I’ve partnered with Amwell to share Professional Tips & Tricks for Getting Picky Eaters To Eat!

Professional Tips & Tricks for Getting Picky Eaters To Eat

Professional Tips & Tricks for Getting Picky Eaters To Eat

The first thing that I want to share that I’ve learned is that it is not our faults as parents. Kids become picky sometimes due to age or just for no apparent reason at all. I know what it’s like to make a home cooked meal and have your children take 1 bite and be done. As parents we also start to worry our kids are not eating enough or not getting the proper nutrition. Personally, that has been my constant fear. My son is growing and gaining weight but I guess I have a hard time understanding how when I feel like he never eats.

So as I mentioned, I enlisted a professional to help answer some of my questions and provide suggestions on how to get picky eaters to eat. Here are a few things I learned from Cristina Cavanaugh, Nutritionist.

  1. Snack at the same time. Children need consistency and that holds true for snack time as well. Try to stick with a consistent schedule where breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack time are at the same time. This can become hard when traveling or running errands but trying to stick to a schedule will your allow your kids to become familiar with a routine and know when to expect food.
  2. Seek a hunger pattern. If your child isn’t verbal enough to tell you they are hungry (or doesn’t want to) then you need to try to find a hunger pattern. Is your child waking up during the night hungry? Does your child reach for the snack drawer at a certain time? Keep a close eye to try to determine when to offer food to your child.
  3. Avoid juices. Juices are loaded with sugar and empty calories. These can make your child feel full when they truly aren’t. Offer juice sparingly and even try to offer any sort of drink after they have begun to eat.
  4. Don’t push it. Okay, I’ll admit this is where I was shocked because Cristina mentioned that you should not push foods onto kids. To quote her she said “It is your job to feed your kids, it’s their job to determine how much they eat”. Of course, I feel the 2 small bites of a grape isn’t enough so naturally I want to push more food onto my son. However, that makes children more resistant to eating so encourage them but don’t push it. She also mentioned that about 10 minutes is all you are going to get with a toddler sitting at a table eating and you shouldn’t make them stay any longer.Professional Tips & Tricks for Getting Picky Eaters To Eat Featured
  5. Be repetitive. The first few times you offer broccoli to your kids they will more than likely whine, cry, and fight you until you dismiss them from the table due to a raging headache. Don’t let it get that way again. Instead, continue to offer new and a variety of foods to your kids. It may take 10 times of offering it to them for them to eat and like it. So be repetitive and understanding that trying anything new takes time.

Now all of those tips and tricks were pretty brilliant. During our conversation I started to ask some suggestions on foods to give picky eaters. My biggest issue is my son refuses to eat meat and most vegetables. So here is a list of items she suggested:

  • Hard boiled eggs (great source of protein)
  • Raw green beans
  • Nuts (my son is allergic so she suggest sunflower seeds)
  • Yogurt dips (greek yogurt) with Sliced Cucumbers instead of chips
  • String cheese

She also said you can make a fun rainbow chart where you give your kids one serving of a food item pertaining to each color. For example, for red use a strawberry, orange use an orange, etc. Then if your kids eat the entire rainbow in a day, they get a sticker or a small reward.

How I got Professional Advice Without Leaving My Home

I talked with Cristina Cavanaugh, Nutritionist directly but I didn’t even leave my home. No, nutritionists do not make house calls unless you refer to that as having someone call you while you are in your home via the live web. What am I talking about? Well, I went onto Amwell which is the nation’s largest telehealth company, connecting users with board-certified, licensed doctors, dietitians and psychologists for immediate and live, online visits—day or night, on either mobile or desktop.

I created an account, typed in the information I was seeking and I was connected with Cristina. We got to talk right over the web using the webcam from my iMac. I couldn’t figure out how to turn on my camera but she had hers on and I was able to see and hear her just like if we were in an in-person visit. She was so patience and knowledgeable and did not leave until she had answered all of my questions.

Professional Tips & Tricks for Getting Picky Eaters To Eat interview

Want to know the best part? Other than getting the answers I needed, it only cost me $1 for the visit since it was my first time using Amwell. It was amazing especially since my husband quit his full-time job to be home with me a few weeks ago. Since then we have switched insurances but have a probation period where we don’t technically have insurance so seeing a doctor in-office would have cost us hundreds (possibly thousands) of dollars so this service was amazing!

Amwell doctors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are dedicated to keeping you healthy – all from the comfort of your home right on your iPhone or iPad. You have the ability to save money, save time, and even save yourself from illness.

Just choose the type of visit you are looking for and select a provider. Depending on the issue at hand, the doctor can diagnose, suggest follow up, and prescribe, when appropriate. Amwell takes your privacy very seriously. Your visit with the doctor is secure and HIPAA compliant. Amwell is accepted by many major insurers, with more added every day.  Enter your health insurance information for a lower cost visit. Amwell doctor visits are now available in 46 states.

And if you are in between insurances (like we are) or just need a quick visit, Amell is the best option. They offer $49 doctor visits but you can get your first one for $1. Just sign-up and use promo code TELEVISIT33 and your first visit is $1, no matter the reason for your visit with a healthcare professional.480x320_Amwell_MomKid_v1_061716

As parents we don’t have the time to be sick, so don’t wait! Head to Amwell and have your first visit now!

Pokemon Go Safety Tips for Users

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If you’ve even spent 2 minutes on Facebook over the last few days then you know Pokemon Go has hit phones everywhere! This highly anticipated game was released for iOS and Android Platforms for FREE. Now people everywhere are walking around to find Pokemon and because of that, I thought it’d be a good time to discuss some Pokemon Go Safety Tips for Users!

Pokemon Go Safety Tips for Users

Pokemon Go Safety Tips for Users

If you haven’t done it or seen it yet you should know that people wondering your neighborhood in the middle of the night with their phones glowing in the dark, are mostly likely chasing down Pokemon.

For the last few days people have been posting all over social media their finds and catches. Pokemon Masters are sharing their favorite tips and tricks for using the app but now is a great time to remind everyone to be safe when using the mobile game.

About the app

Pokemon Go is a free mobile game download that you can find in the iOs App Store and Android App Store. It is meant to get users walking and moving. You walk to find loot and Pokemon and it uses the GPS connection within your phone to connect with satellites to pull real world surroundings. You can read all about how to use the Pokemon Go App Here.

Because everything is happening in real time and with real world surroundings, Pokemon can appear in random and odd places.

With that being said, here are some safety tips for Pokemon Go Users:

  1. Respect places of business – Pokemon can spawn within businesses and even government buildings such as police departments. Please be respectful of these places. Some police stations have even taken to social media to ask patrons to remain outside to catch their Pokemon. A reasonable request considering this is still a game (a very cool one). Speaking of police stations, if a cop approaches you for whatever reason, respectfully explain what you are doing and if asked to leave, do it. No need to argue with authority, you can take your Poke battle elsewhere.
  2. Be aware of intersections and busy roads – I am sure we will hear of an unfortunate accident involving a pedestrian walking into traffic to catch a Pokemon. I don’t wish it to happen but sometimes the excitement of the game takes over the common sense of our brains. Please look both ways before crossing and avoid standing in the middle of busy roads. That Pokemon (even if it’s rare) isn’t worth it.
  3. Be mindful of neighbors – If you plan to roam your neighborhood during the day or even at night, it’s a good reminder that you should not pass on private property. Keep in mind not everyone knows what you are doing so they may see you as a threat and we live in a time where people feel the need to defend their families. Avoid jumping fences, knocking on doors, or even entering yards without prior permission.
  4. Travel in groups – If you are allowing your children to roam your area and have fun with friends that is great. However, we still live in a scary world so I suggest having your children roam in groups to ensure their safety from predators lurking around. You can even set limitations on how far you allow them to travel. Better safe than sorry.
  5. Keep your phone available – It’s tempting to want to put your phone into airplane mode or do not disturb mode when trying to catch Pokemon but don’t do it. What if a family member needed to reach you for an emergency? Keep your phone on and volume turned high just in case.

Pokemon Go Safety Tips for Users2

Now you know how to be safe when using the Pokemon Go App. So get out there, get some exercise, and become a Pokemon Master!

If you want to know more about Pokemon Go, check out this totally cool post on Tips & Tricks for Pokemon Go!

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My Experience Potty Training with Pull-Ups

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This post is sponsored by Pull-Ups® Training Pants.

A few weeks ago I shared 5 Signs of Potty Training Readiness since we are currently going through the potty training journey with our youngest son. Now that some time has passed I thought I would share My Experience Potty Training with Pull-Ups® Training Pants and the Pull-Ups® Potty Partnership . If you are unsure what I am talking about, continue on my friend…

My Experience Potty Training with Pull-Ups

My Experience Potty Training with Pull-Ups

Look, I’ll admit, I might just be a little biased when it comes to Huggies/Pull-Ups products. I have used their products with my oldest son and loved them so I continued that on with my second child. Yes, I have given other brands a try but always came right back to my true love of baby products (I’ve even written many blog posts about them, you can read one here). With that being said, that still doesn’t change the fact that I give my honest thoughts and opinions when it comes to trying products so know that everything I say is truly coming from my heart!

Now that we have that out in the open, let’s talk about my experience using the Pull-Ups Potty Partnership.

I think we can all agree while our children share similarities, each of our children is still very different. Different in the way they learn, different in the way they see and handle the world, and different in the way they understand things. So doesn’t it make sense to have programs specifically designed to handle those differences? I think so, and so does Pull-Ups.

What It Is

The Pull-Ups Potty Partnership is an entirely new way to potty train. It is a personalized and comprehensive program that allows you to partner with your child through the potty training journey. It’s specifically designed to work on with your child’s unique personality, on their schedule, and cater to how they learn. They also walk you through using various Pull-Ups products to help make than transition from diapers to training pants easier.

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My Experience

I don’t know about you but I already feel in love with the description of the program. Simply because I know that just because I have experience with potty training from my oldest son, doesn’t mean it will be the same the second time around. To be honest, it hasn’t been.

Both of my boys are very smart and my youngest son Tarek (who is currently being potty trained now) took an interest at a very young age much like his older brother. When we started Pull-Ups he loved them. In fact, he actually just likes running around outside in just those and nothing else (yup, he’s all boy- HA).

My Experience Potty Training with Pull-Ups2

Also much like his older brother, Tarek has done great at telling us when he needs to go pee on the potty. However, telling us when he needs to go #2 is a different story. We are trying to teach him the concept that going poo in his Pull-Ups is an accident (we say uh-oh) so he realizes that we go elsewhere.

Truthfully, I’ve been worried that all of our progress so far would resort in us having to go back to diapers and that’s a common concern of parents. In fact, many parents ask “Should I be Worried About Regression?”. You can watch a video (like I did) created by renowned child development/potty training expert Dr. Heather Wittenberg below. It truly made me feel better about my concern!

I want to point out that I am naturally a parent that is over concerned and over worried about everything. I Google and study everything and anything I can and I’ve found myself using the Pull-Ups Potty Partnership tools more and more. Their site is filled with common questions answered from expert Dr. Heather Whittenberg such as, “Should my little guy stand while peeing?” (you can watch this video below) and answers too. They also have loads of information from potty training experts, product information, tools like calendars and games you can play, seriously, if you need something to help you along with potty training – they have it! It’s literally all in one place so I’m not having to constantly search for the answers I need elsewhere. Here’s the video I was referring to that answered one of my pressing questions: Should my little guy stand while peeing?

Overall, I’ve enjoyed the potty training experience this far. I’ve loved using Pull-Ups in conjunction with the Pull-Ups Potty Partnership. I’ve been able to build a bond with my son on the last potty journey experience I may ever take (we think we are done having children). I will say that you should pay attention to cues from your child to know if they are really ready. While training pants are great for helping that transition from diapers to the toilet, they are not as absorbent as diapers. Therefore, don’t force your child into them until you know they are ready.

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If you are on your way to potty training I encourage you to check out the Pull-Ups Potty Partnership and learn all you can. Build that wonderful bond and enjoy the experience because truly, it only comes around once with each child and each experience will be its own.

I want to hear about your experience potty training! Did you use Pull-Ups during the journey?

Pull-Ups® Training Pants are designed specifically to help teach potty training skills. Try them now at your local retailer and visit the Pull-Ups.com to learn more about the Pull-Ups® Potty Partnership and discover your child’s potty personality.

Milk vs Water: What’s The Best Summer Nutrition for Kids?

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We all know water is great and we know that it is needed to keep us hydrated and healthy. That’s why it’s a no-brainer that hot summer days have us reaching for water more than ever. However, it’s hard not to wonder if that is truly the best option when it comes to providing nutrition to our kids. Well, stop wondering because today we are partnering with Milk Life to answer the ultimate question: Milk vs Water: What’s The Best Summer Nutrition for Kids?

Milk vs Water What's The Best Summer Nutrition for Kids

Milk vs Water: What’s The Best Summer Nutrition for Kids?

There is no doubting the fact that water is great for the body during the summer months. Water helps keep you hydrated and gives you the resources to keep moving. I want to challenge your thought for a moment though because although your body needs water, there is something else your body needs more during those summer months: Milk! Before you think that might be wrong, hear me out…Here are some reasons milk may be exactly the nutrition your kids need this summer!

Milk Has Natural Protein

Each 8 ounce serving of milk provides 8 grams of natural protein. Your body needs protein to survive. In fact, milk is a complete protein, which means every 8-ounce glass contains the 9 essential amino acids that your body needs. Let’s not forget that getting enough protein also helps kids feel fuller longer, which is why it is such a vital component in your child’s morning breakfast.

Milk Has Essential Nutrients

You already know that milk provides essential protein, but it also provides other essential nutrients. These essential nutrients include calcium, Vitamin D, and potassium. All three are actually something most Americans are missing in their diet, surprising right?

Milk is One of the Safest Foods You Can Buy

This is something I wholeheartedly agree with; milk is one of the safest foods you can buy. Every gallon of milk goes through a rigorous testing to make sure it is safe when you buy it. I think it’s pretty cool that something like milk is available to provide wholesome nutrition to our families and I personally think it tastes great!

Milk is an Awesome Source of Calcium

You may have already realized this, but milk is an awesome source of calcium. Calcium is the one nutrient that can help your bones become really strong and healthy. Calcium also encourages other parts of your body, like your teeth, to remain strong and healthy. Something our kids need when they are running around, jumping, and having a grand old time during the summer.Milk vs Water What's The Best Summer Nutrition for Kids2

Milk Helps to Rehydrate Your Body

I talked about how water helps to rehydrate your body, but so does milk. In the summer months, it can be incredibly hot, which depletes your body of the nutrients and liquids it needs to stay healthy. Milk can help rehydrate and replenish your body. In fact, milk provides fluids to rehydrate and electrolytes including calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium to help replenish what’s lost in sweat. So really, you are still getting your water intake in but lots of other good things water cannot provide.

So if you ask me, choosing between milk and water is a no brainer. Milk gives us the water intake we need along with so much more. MILK FOR THE WIN!

The Hard Truth is, Kids Are Missing Out

Sadly, there are at least 22 million children that may miss out on milk’s amazing nutrition this summer. A lot of families depend on food banks to help supply their food in the summer, but most food banks are not able to hand out milk. When I was a kid, I didn’t even think about others going without milk during the summer months and now it’s something that makes me incredibly sad.

While it’s hard to imagine that kids have to go without basic things, like milk. I think it’s important that we all realize this and help take action. Guess what? We can all take action and do something about it and here’s how you and I can both help!

Introducing The Great American Milk Drive

Join in on the effort and help to deliver fresh milk to children in need this summer. You can give a small donation through milklife.com/give. Feeding a child is only a donation away! Support The Great American Milk Drive and help to deliver milk to the Feeding America food bank that serves your community when you enter your zip code.

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The Great American Milk Drive is a collaboration between Feeding America, America’s dairy farmers and milk companies, turns online donations into gallons of milk for families in local communities. To date, the program has provided more than 12 million servings of milk to families across the country.

I love the mission of Milk Life! It’s a breath of fresh air to see people in the world care about each other. Something I am proud to take part in!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

An Open Letter to Helicopter Parents Everywhere

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If you are reading this you should know, I am a what many refer to as a “helicopter parent”. For those of you that don’t know, a helicopter parent is one that pays extremely close attention to their child’s experiences and problems. Think of it as “hovering” over their every move.

Yup, that’s me. I am extremely overprotective and analyze every situation before we do anything involving our children. Does it make me a perfect parent? By all means, no, no it does not. So now seemed like a good time to write An Open Letter to Helicopter Parents EverywhereAn Open Letter to Helicopter Parents Everywhere.

An Open Letter to Helicopter Parents Everywhere

An Open Letter to Helicopter Parents Everywhere

Fellow helicopter parents,

I see you. I see how you look at your children. You love them with all of your heart. Some might argue even a little too much (if that is even possible). You are the type of parent that wants the best for your child even if that means they miss out on an expedition with their fellow classmates.

I get it, the time we live in is crazy. Between mass shootings, freak accidents, and unforeseen situations it’s tougher than ever letting our kids go out into the world without us holding their hand or being right by their side. As parents we have a responsibility to our children to keep them safe and sometimes that means at all costs. But what happens when we can’t? What happens when we allow our children to grow and blossom, and something happens that is far beyond our reach? We fail, right?

Wrong!

Look, I am going to admit something that I may get some backlash for… The first time I heard about the tragedy that involved a little boy and an alligator while he was vacationing with his family at Disney resort in Florida, I was unfair. Of course, it entirely broke my heart and I felt so bad for that little boy and his family. Considering I have son just about his age, (Tarek is almost 2) I just couldn’t help but hold my baby the entire night after the news broke. But, I was unfair because I allowed myself to think I would have done things different and that if we were in that situation, that wouldn’t have happened to us.

Let me be clear, I wasn’t judging the parents actions or lack of caring for their child. The first time I heard about it little details were released and they were still searching for answers. However, I did think to myself well I would have noticed the sign or I would have known Florida had gators. Common sense, right?

An Open Letter to Helicopter Parents Everywhere2

Well, common sense or not – things happen. ACCIDENTS happen. I for one know because my oldest son (he is 6 now) has a nice scar to remind me of it. Right in front me he slipped on a rug and hit the corner of a glass table when he was 4. His forehead was slashed open, blood was everywhere, and I blamed myself. After calming down and about 6 stitches later, I had to remind myself that unless I had seen into the future and was able to wrap that table in bubble wrap, I couldn’t have prevented it or known he’d fall right into that corner and hit his head just right. I’m telling you this because my kids have been hurt on my watch and yes, I’M EXTREMELY OVERPROTECTIVE. I’m so overprotective sometimes that my husband has to remind me to loosen the reins every now and again and allow them just to be kids.

So why is this an open letter to helicopter parents everywhere? Because, I’ve read some of the mean, hateful, and judgmental comments from some helicopter parents on threads of the alligator attack story. Parents who think because they are overprotective (like I am), they would have done things different and that it wouldn’t have been their child. Parents who think they know it all and do everything perfectly by the book. Well guess what? There is no magical parenting book. No fairy is going to come out and give you some magical parenting dust that will make you invincible but none of us. It’s not how it works.

Now, I’m not saying every helicopter parent has this way of thinking but I know in sort of the beginning I did. I was upset and hurt. I hurt for that poor little boy taken by a predator. I hurt for his family and I was hurt at just the thought that could have been my son. I was naive and unfair to think that it wouldn’t have or couldn’t have been us and for that, I sincerely apologize.

These parents need support. They need love and guidance. Not hate, not judgement, and certainly not some parent claiming they are better and more protective so therefore, they would never have this happen to their kids.

We have to remember that accidents happen and that is why they are called accidents. Some hurt far more than others and that is when us parents need to be there for one another rather than bringing each other down. With technology these days I think people feel less of a need to be censored as they hide behind a keyboard. I urge you, if you ever feel the need to get online and make your voice heard, I encourage you to stop for a minute and ask yourself “Would I say this to this person right to their face, right now, if I had the chance?”.

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