Uncategorized Archives • Page 10 of 55 • New Nostalgia

Morning Cranberry- Orange Creamsicle Smoothie – A Vitamin C Monster

There is something about the new year that excites me and makes me want to just do better. I love setting goals and figuring out how I can grow as a person. I am so not ok with staying ‘as is.’ Oh Heaven help us all if I were ok with that! I have so much growing to do, but do you know how thankful I am to be alive to do that growing? It is so cliché’ to say that God isn’t finished with me yet, but boy, do I rest in that truth. He allows us a brand new day, a new morning, to get back up again and start anew.

New Mornings & Morning Routines

I am discovering a key way to stay strong and be ready for whatever life brings is to have a solid morning routine. I cannot tell you the difference this is making in my life. I happened upon a life-changing podcast that introduced me to Hal Elrod and his book ‘The Miracle Morning.‘ I have been implementing his strategy the last 3 days and it is seriously blowing me away–yes, big change in just 3 days! Today I was up at 5:30 and how I spent my time during that extra hour and a half made the world of difference in my day. Life even brought me a huge bump emotionally later in the morning, and because of the prep work I did early morning with getting my thoughts where they need to be, I was able to pick myself back up, realize what is in my power to change or not change, and move on with my day. I will share my specific early morning routine in up coming posts, but for today I want to focus in on the simple routine I’ve implemented in the mornings to nourish my body.

Routine To Nourish My Body

1.before coffee.

2. Eat a nutrition-filled breakfast that includes a bit of protein.

3. Take Extra Vitamin D + Turmeric. (The rest of my supplements I take at night)

4. Early morning OR mid morning smoothie. (As breakfast or as a mid-morning snack)

Let’s talk smoothie.

It is amazing how many nutrients one can pack into a smoothie. Fruits, veggies, leafy greens, superfood, and even oats or nuts. I have been adding yogurt to my smoothies because yogurt has amazing probiotics in it. This makes me especially happy because I am on a big probiotic kick. Why? Because gut health effects brain health, and gut health starts with balanced flora which is what probiotics help do.

Although I limit dairy, I don’t hesitate to add yogurt to my day due to its amazing probiotic content. By adding it to my routine of morning smoothies, it knocks out #2 & #4 above. Another plus is it gives my body a great dose of protein! It is amazing how much longer I feel full when I have a bit of protein for breakfast.

Hello Yulu. Goodbye Greek.

My new favorite brand of yogurt is called Yulu.

I have never been a big fan of the sour taste of yogurt. I’m a bit picky with my yogurt, as I prefer it to be creamy, but not as thick as Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt tends to be an “acquired taste,” as it is quite tangy, so I have stayed away from it.

Yulu is an Aussie-style yogurt that is made here in the USA. It is double-smoothed and double-creamed, so it was a whole new yogurt experience for me. It is not too thick or not too thin. It does not have the too-sour quality that is found in Greek yogurt. I think it tastes divine.

It comes in a container that is see-thru, which I thought was pretty cool and is a clear sign of the honest company that it is. The ingredient list made me smile as they use real fruit, fruit juice and even vegetable juices for color and flavor– so no artificial colors– and it there is 9 grams of protein in each cup.

If you want to know more about Yulu, you can check out at yuluyogurt.com or follow them Facebook or Instagram. You can also check out all their Aussie style ‘pinspiration’ at their pinterest boards. Keep in mind that Yulu is a new product on the market, so check their site for locations & availability in your area.

Morning Vitamin C, Antioxidant, and Protein Monster

I must to tell you about this new smoothie creation that I have been crushing on.

I call it my Morning Cranberry -Orange Creamsicle Smoothie & it is a vitamin C, antioxidant & protein Monster!

I stock up on Cranberries when they are in season, because they are so good and so healthful. I love combining them with the flavor of orange and a hint of cinnamon. This smoothie recipe does just that and is extra creamy thanks to Yulu yogurt and the addition of a banana.

This smoothie is really special and delicious. Special enough to be served in fluted champagne glasses on Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s or Valentine’s morning. Or you could just do what I do and fill up these cute little bottles, pop on a lid, store in the refrigerator and have them ready to go for the morning. I’m not sure how long they last in the refrigerator. I have stored yogurt filled smoothies up to 3 days and they keep their deliciousness. My kids get to them so fast that they never have been around for longer than that!

Morning Cranberry Orange Creamsicle Smoothie

1 cup fresh raw cranberries

1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (or a whole orange if you have a high-powered blender)

1 banana

1/2 to 1 cup milk of your choice

1 container honey or vanilla flavoed Yulu brand yogurt

3-4 Medjool dates (or other sweetener of your choice. Only use dates if you have a high-powered blender)

1-2 tsp orange zest

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup ice

pinch salt (preferably sea salt)

Add all ingredients to blender and blend until creamy.

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What about you?

Do you do smoothies for breakfast? Do you have a morning routine? Do you wake up just in the amount of time needed to get out the door or do you give yourself extra time? Do you like the idea of a less tart, new creamy- textured yogurt?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Yulu. The opinions and text are all mine.

Counting Gifts/ FAMILY/ Featured

My New Way Of Counting Gifts

Thanks to Ann Voskamp’s book One Thousand Gifts, I have been counting gifts for years.

The most helpful time to count gifts was when I was going through cancer treatment. I know during that trying time it helped immensely to focus on the blessings in life. I even got my girls involved and we together we looked for ‘treasures’ to count. The good even in the bad.

When I become mindful of all of the wonderful things there are to discover in a day, it changes me. It changes my attitude, my heart, & my perspective. It is hard to have a bad day when you are looking for gifts to write down.

I love having and using tools to help this process. The camera in my phone is one such tool. I often take photos of things I see as blessings, big or small, and store them on Instagram. I call them ‘Captured Life Tidbits‘ –they are just all the ‘goodies’ of life that I find beautiful. I have also used the notes app in my phone to list gifts, but I found I’m more successful when they are written on paper.

I’ve been thinking a lot about listing the gifts and being faithful in keeping track of them day by day. Because it has been on the forefront of my mind, I was delighted to find the perfect tool for listing all the wonderful tidbits of life.

Enter Moleskine 2015 Weekly Diary/Planner

I am a huge Moleskine fan, and have over 10 Moleskine journals that I have written in throughout the years. They are a well-made classic. I know there are so many cute journals out there, but I’m a pretty simple girl who loves plain & classic. I picture how a journal will look lined up on a bookcase, and I always end up grabbing a simple Moleskine.

I’ve always bought the hard cover journals, but lately I’ve been crushing on their soft cover journals that come in a package of 3. I keep them in my bag. I use my phone note app for a lot of things, but for certain things (like my Christmas list) I like having a paper journal to write in.

The 2015 Moleskine Weekly Diary/Planner

It has the perfect amount of space to list gifts each day. The new 2015 journal gives you a few days before the new year to start, which I have taken full advantage of.

I will pull it out of my bag during the day when I am at home, and have it in a central location or close by to jot down a gift when I notice one. I will also take it with me in my bag for on- the- go gift listing, but if I forget to grab it, I use Siri to help me list the gifts while I’m on the car or out and about. I then grab my journal right before bed and transfer any lists of gifts that i mad during the day on my phone. It then is right there by my bed when I wake up, ready for me to find my perspective for the new day.

Can you see why I need something that is well made and durable? This book will be by my side and on the move all year!

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So there is my plan.

What do you think?

Have you ever counted and listed the amazing goodie- tidbit gifts of life?

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Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Uncategorized

How In The World Can A Weary World Rejoice?

{my sister-in-law’s beautiful home on Christmas Eve}

The title of this post comes from a brilliant spoken word that is written and performed in the video below by Amena Brown and Ann Voskamp

Have you found yourself asking this question in some form this Christmas season? Yes? Me, too. I have not felt as heart weary at any Christmas that I can remember as I have this Christmas. Around the world and at my own home and heart there is this turmoil tugging; such need for peace.

I find myself aching for time with this God who came as babe, the proclaimed Prince of Peace. My Prince of Peace.

I want a piece of the Prince of Peace. I want to lay my weary head and snuggle in close. I cannot stop in the hustle and bustle, the busy movement of my head, heart and feet, so God grabs me a hard gentle grasp & puts words right in front of my eyes. A heart friend and I exchange gifts, I open her card and a piece of paper with these typed words fell before me.

From Reflections for Ragamuffins by Brennan Manning

Christmas is the promise that the God who came in history and comes daily in mystery will come in glory. God is saying in Jesus that in the end everything will be all right. Nothing can harm you permanently, no suffering is irrevocable, no loss is laying , no death is more that transitory, no disappointment is conclusive. Jesus did not deny the reality of suffering, discouragement, disappointment, frustration, and death; he simply stated that the Kingdom of God would conquer all of these horrors, that the Father’s love is so prodigal that no evil could possibly resist it.

I read it 3 times, each time the ‘EVERYTHING WILL BE ALL RIGHT’ seemed to be in all caps although it was not.

In the end, He makes everything right.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelations 21:4

And then this video, in my inbox the day before Christmas. I’ve watched it 4 times.

Advent Lament, Brave Merry Christmas

Written & Performed by Amena Brown: and Ann Voskamp

So for us weary? How do we rejoice?

Remember He IS peace, and we can lean into that peace because ‘it is finished’. There can be and will be peace on earth.

Listen. Be still. Remember you are complete. Remember that a Prince delights in you! He does not point fingers at faults. He whispers ‘I know you are weary. Come close’ then grasps hard & gentle. He reminds in the end that nothing can separate us from his love. This love sent a baby Prince who grew up and said the words ‘It Is Finished’ that made it ALL all-right.

It is finished. It is complete. Everything is going to be all right.

Lift your weary head. Sing & celebrate with the angels….rejoice!

Beauty/ Christmas/ FUN/DIY/ Holidays/Parties/ Uncategorized

10 Ways To Sparkle & Shine This Holiday Season

1. Crest 3D White Luxe Supreme FlexFit Whitestrips

I cannot tell you how impressed I am with Crest 3D White Luxe Supreme FlexFit Whitestrips. They WORK! You wear a strip everyday for 2 weeks, an hour a day. These strips stick and stay in place–you can even drink water while you are wearing them.

I am about 12 days in and I can’t tell you the difference in my smile. It is pretty amazing. I drink a lot of coffee and tea so I was due for some whitening. My brother-in-law is a dentist and approves of Crest Whitestrips. He even had my husband use Crest Whitestrips before fixing a front tooth veneer. He wanted my husbands teeth to be as white as possible before color matching the veneer. My husband and I were amazed by the results! Nothing like having a professional recommend Crest Whitestrips for a professional result!

I had some sensitivity to the strips, so I used them every other day instead of everyday, and bought some toothpaste for sensitive teeth. I had a cleaning in the middle of my whitening experience, and my dental hygenist approved and reassured me that the sensitivity would go away. It has.

“Get $7 off your purchase of Crest 3D White Luxe Supreme FlexFit Whitestrips at Target.com: http://clvr.li/1vwTKSS”

2. Nails That Shine

One thing I love to do around the holidays, especially Christmas and New Year’s Eve, is wear a glittery, shimmery or sparkly nail polish. It looks so great & festive to have a little sparkle at the fingertips. If every nail is too much for you, you could polish all of your nails a color of choice and put a coat of sparkle over the polish on ring fingers only. It’s a ‘thing’ right now…ya know?

I was just recently introduced to the world of gel nail polish and WOW! I sure didn’t know what I was missing. It has been 3 weeks since my manicure and the polish still has not chipped! I have stayed away from gel manicures as I like to keep things pretty natural and only used nail polish with less chemicals from my local health food store, but now that I know what I’m missing it will be hard to not do it again!

3. Red Lips & Fun Lashes

I don’t wear red lipstick very often, come think about it, it really is only during the Christmas season that I do wear it. I love how a simple red lip can make me feel festive, even if I’m wearing all black! Hint: If wearing a red lip, keep eye makeup natural and toned down. It usually takes a professional to balance made-up eyes with a red lip. It is best to keep shadow neutral and light, with just a bit of natural brown eyeliner and mascara. Choose to either make the eyes pop or make the lips pop, but not both.

A great way to make eyes sparkle is with false eyelashes. I am wearing them in the picture below. That photo was taken last year when my man took me out of my birthday. I don’t wear false eyelashes often. Really just for very special occasions — like a birthday date, anniversary date or a fancy party.

4. Shine Spray for Hair

Shine spray is my secret weapon against flyaway, winter static, and frayed ends. I love it, and most brands work well. The key is to not overdo it, or you will end up with greasy looking hair. A little goes a long way. Want a more natural approach to shine hair? Do my coconut oil moisturizer treatment & then put a tiny bit of coconut oil on the ends of your dry hair to smooth dry ends.

5. Sparkly Headbands

I love that headbands are an option no matter what length your hair is. I do feel like I’m getting close to the age where headbands might start looking a bit too juvenile, but I will keep wearing them, as long as I can get away with it, especially the more fancy ones with a bit of sparkle!

6. Necklace, Bracelets, Earrings

I have a pretty tame, some would say ‘plain’ wardrobe. I buy a lot of black, grey & neutrals. I buy classic. To give my outfits some personality, I rely on accessories. A necklace, bracelet or earrings are a great way to add a bit of specialness and sparkle to any outfit.

7. Shine From The Inside-Get Your Greens & Turmeric & Fluids

You all know how much I love drinking lemon water, as I talk about it all the time. It is another great way to shine from the inside out. When you are dehydrated, it shows. Being hydrated plumps skin up and helps it glow!

When I am drinking green smoothies, there is a noticeable difference in my skin tone. When I stop, I look pale and drab. The dark leafy greens in smoothies really do help give some color to skin, as does a carrot thrown into those smoothies.

Good fats like nuts and avocados are a great way to make the skin glow, too. I love adding both to my smoothies. I am sipping on a smoothie as I type this that is my Velvet Elvis smoothie but with 1/2 an avocado added. Yum!

Another way to give yourself a bit of color from the inside out is taking Turmeric supplements or drinking delicious Turmeric Chai Tea. Turmeric is an amazing root with tons of health benefits. The reason I take it nightly is because it is a natural anti-inflammatory and helps bring relief to joint pain that I experience as side effect from my cancer meds. It is a supplement that I will take the rest of my life due to the health benefits.

8. Statement Shoes

My birthday at the end of November, which I love. My Todd and I do not exchange gifts. Instead, we give each other the gift of experience and memory by going out on a hot date! I love that my birthday falls right as the holiday season starts. Everything always feels so festive and fun. The one draw back is dressing up while it is cold outside! I hate being cold, so I have found a lot of ways to make a pair of black slacks, leggings, or a great pair of jeans look less than ordinary. The best way I’ve found to do this is by adding a statement shoe. High heel is a must, and a shiny red high heel is my favorite around the holidays. I also love a great shoe in glittery gold or silver.

9. A Sparkly Scarf

I often fall back on this one. I love showing up to a nice Christmas party or dinner with a warm scarf, and I especially love adding a bit of fun to my bland grey coat with a sparkly scarf. Look for scarves with silver or gold thread or material running through it.

10. A New Do’

I’ve been crushing on Taylor Swifts bangs & had to copy! I was looking through my instagram feed and a couple of selfies that I took seemed to be all forehead! I decided I needed to soften it up a bit so I got my ends trimmed just yesterday and asked my stylist to give me the swoopy- side- Taylor Swift bangs. She did it and I love it! Follow my Instagram feed–I will post a picture of how I look with bangs soon!

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What are ways you add some sparkle and shine to your holiday look?

Do any of these stand out to you?

How about those pearly whites? Do they need a bit of Crest Whitestrips this holiday season? They would make a great stocking stuffer, especially if you have teenager girls like I do! Shop at Target and pick them up in time for Christmas.

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

Healthy Eating/ How-Tos/ Nutrition/ RECIPES

How To Fill Up With Nutrition To Leave Less Room For Junk

“This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Aloha, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #myAloha and #AlohaMoment http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

Do you feel it? Do you feel the New Year coming?

Our Christmas celebrations just started this evening, and let me tell you…my family can COOK! We celebrated with my Mom’s side of the family & we partied pot-luck style. I am sitting here feeling full and happy—and ready for the New Year.

I’m ready for the fresh start that the New Year brings–especially in the area of health.

You all know I live a pretty healthy lifestyle, but every year without fail, by the end of the year and all the holiday celebrations, I have let my MOST healthy habits slip a bit. I still am eating pretty clean and healthy, but I feel off-balance. I am not paying as much attention as I typically would to getting the nutrients I need and making sure my diet is balanced. There are days when I have too many carbs, other days I wonder if I had enough protein, & getting those superfood and greens in happen some days, but some days not.

Usually I would wait until the New Year to evaluate where I am at and be more mindful of my health, but not this year! I’m starting NOW! This does not mean I can’t enjoy the holidays and all the great food it brings, but it does mean that I want to be purposeful about getting all the good, nutritional stuff in my body FIRST so that the not-so-good-for-me stuff does not affect me as much. If I am full of nutrition, I have less room for the junk.

Here are some of the best ways I have found to fill up with nutrition:

1. Start with a smoothie.

I know, I know. You have heard it a million times…but there is a reason why smoothies are so popular. They are so versatile and such an easy way to get fiber, protein, superfood, greens, veggies & fruits into the body. They are also really appealing to eat in the morning or as a snack, which are 2 times of the day that it really counts to fill yourself full of nutrition. I am excited to share with you a new favorite product calledthat I have been using in my smoothies…keep reading!

2. Make SURE you are getting enough protein.

We eat a lot of plants in our family, and even did quite a long stint with going vegetarian as a family. We have recently added a bit of animal protein back into our diet, as I found it pretty hard to get my kids to eat enough plant protein, but it is only a couple of times a week and I am very picky about where the meat comes from. I have made friends with our local farmers to get that good, grass-fed, organic meat. BUT plant protein is still my first choice, so we still eat lots of beans, quinoa, greens and use plant protein powder in our smoothies.

That new favorite product I mentioned above? It is called and I am super excited about it. I was instantly drown to this product when I read that one of the main ingredients is plant protein from pumpkin seeds! I am familiar with whey protein, soy protein & pea protein–but this was the first time I have heard of pumpkin seed protein in a protein shake product. It made me excited because I know how stinkin’ healthy pumpkin seeds are for you, and I have been trying to find ways to incorporate their goodness into our diet.

I will tell you more about below.

3. Make carbs count.

If you are going to eat carbs, make sure they count by being whole grains & full of fiber. The fiber will slow down the digestions of the carbs, which in turn keeps the blood sugar stable. Carbs are needed for fuel and energy, but they should not make up the bulk of your meals. If the majority of your plate is white or yellow with pasta, bread, mac n cheese, white rice; then some changes need to happen. This is what was happening in my family when we ate vegetarian. I found that we were unbalanced and eating too many carbs. Some carbs are good and needed, but make them count by making sure they contain fiber.

4. Drink your fill of water before indulging in other drinks.

Lets face it. The holidays are full of calories, so a great way to cut empty calories is by being mindful of your liquids. Holidays bring egg nog, amaretto coffee, hot cider, hot cocoa, and all kinds of fun, festive drinks. Go ahead and indulge, but drink a nice big glass of water before you do. The water will fill you up and you will be satisfied with sipping more slowly on all those empty calorie drinks, and you will go for refills a bit less often.

5. Eat breakfast

It’s a given. If you eat a good balance breakfast, you will not be as hungry and over indulge the rest of the day. You will find that your concentration will be so much better if you start out the day with good nutrition.

6. Eat plants. Vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.

Plant food is full of phytonutrients & antioxidants–all those amazing things that snuff out inflammation in our bodies and protect us from disease. Plant food is filling, so if you are getting your share of plants, you will be full and less likely to overindulge. That fried onion topped green bean casserole? It does not count! Watch for those recipes that add junk on top of your veggies & avoid them or take a smaller serving. If there is a raw vegetable platter and dip at those holiday parties, have some dip–but dip dainty–don’t scoop!

A quick nut tip: Did you know that if you have a palm-full of almonds 20 minutes before a meal, that it will curb your appetite and you will in turn eat much less? It is a great trick. I often grab a handful while I am making dinner.

7. Take a Multi-Vitamin.

I know little pills can in no way do what plant food can do, but I do believe they are a great ‘fall-back’ or a ‘just -in- case’ you didn’t get all of the vitamins and minerals you might need through food during the day. I am learning more and more just how important certain minerals are for digestion & brain health & energy & clear skin & shiny hair &…well…the list goes on and on! Just one deficiency in one type of vitamin or mineral can really throw one’s health off.

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Aloha Protein Powder

A protein smoothie is a great way to accomplish a lot of the tips above, all in one swoop.

I have tried many, many types of protein powders and have even reviewed some here on the blog, and let me just say, they keep getting better and better! has for sure given protein powder a powerful improvement, and after using it for the last couple of weeks, I personally won’t have to look any further for a protein powder. It is by far my favorite. It tastes amazing.

It is a plant-based protein and uses superfood components. It is made with organically grown and wild-harvested ingredients and is tested far beyond government regulations. It made responsibly both socially and ecologically.

The nutrients in the powder are made with whole foods, and has a complete amino acid profile, with no added chemical amino acids, vitamins or minerals. Each serving provides 18 grams of plant-based protein! It has no sugars & no fillers which is super important to me, especially the filler part. I cannot stand buying a protein powder and later learning that most of my money went towards fillers!

The plant protein comes from Sacha Inchi Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds & Peas. I like that!

Let me just list the ingredients for the Vanilla Protein Powder and see if you are as impressed as I am:

Ingredients:

Sacha Inchi Seed Protein, Pumpkin Seed Protein, Pea Protein, Coconut Water, Coconut Cream, Coconut Sugar, Apple Juice, Wild-Harvested Vanilla, Madagascar Cinnamon, Sunflower Lecithin, Xanthan Gum, Hawaiian Pink Salt, Monk Fruit Extract

That ingredient list makes me very happy. Short, sweet, recognizable & quality ingredients.

The Chocolate Protein Powder ingredients are just as impressive, and uses fair-trade cacao. The chocolate is my favorite. When I tasted the powder for the first time, what hit me what that it did not have an after-taste or a weird texture. I am hooked.

My favorite flavor is the chocolate. My favorite way to use it is by blending it with almond milk & adding a spoonful of peanut butter. OH. MY. YUM.

The Aloha website has a ton of recipe ideas if you want to get more creative with the powder.

Would you like to try it out for yourself? Do what I did and . The trial is 14 days with the benefits of becoming auto-enrolled into the monthly subscription –while supplies last. You will pay a small bit for shipping, but I am telling you…it is well worth it!

You can also follow Aloha on:

Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram // Google+ //

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Are you in the habit of drinking smoothies?

What time of day do you drink yours?

FAMILY/ Kids/Family/ Spiritual/ Sponsored

Save A Life With A Quarter

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Vitamin Angels for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

There is just something about watching a young child play.

The constant motion. They can’t help themselves. Have you noticed? A child rarely just stands still. They are either swinging their arms around or dancing from side to side, walking on their tip toes or running when they should be walking.

I have a niece whose default mode of transportation is twirling. She just twirls and twirls until she gets to her destination! It is a beautiful, uninhibited sight to behold. She is carefree, full of life, &full of joy–just as young kids should be.

Kids are in awe of the world around them and want to experience it to the fullest. They notice things we adults are to distracted and busy to see. They walk around with their chins raised up, curiosity getting the best of them, exploring eyes & hands that are just itching to touch everything–especially the things they are told not to!

Children walk around with a spark in their eye & a face as bright as the sun.

But not all children.

There are children around the world whose spark is literally gone from their eyes. Replaced by dullness. Lethargy. A weakened immune system that causes bugs to get into digestive systems which cause infections that take away precious lives. Lives that can be saved by something so small that it would cost one only a quarter. Yes, Even the smallest gift can change a child’s life

What can a quarter buy?

VITAMIN A.

And Vitamin A Saves Lives. I know this because I know about Vitamin Angels.

Vitamin Angels helps at-risk populations in need–specifically pregnant women, new mothers, and children under five–gain access to lifesaving and life changing vitamins and minerals.

That quarter we use to flip? It can reduce mortality in at-risk children by up to 24% by providing one dose of vitamin A, twice a year. Vitamin A supplements are the least expensive solution to addressing preventable child deaths.

Even the smallest gift can change a child’s life

I don’t know about you, but my head can barely wrap around that! That simple coin that we flip to determine which of my kids has to do the dishes that night — that very coin can save a life! What? Who knew? Awesome!

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Get involved. Donate now.

Want to help? Yes, so do I. So here is an idea.

How about this Christmas, in lieu of giving a gift, you donate to Vitamin Angels in honor of whoever is on your list that you know would get it. Someone who will understand how this would be a gift that lasts beyond the holidays and someone who would even want to continue the legacy of giving.

When you make a donation you will receive a downloadable or sharable card that shows the donation to Vitamin Angels. That. Is. Cool.

Just last night I unpacked our Christmas decorations and found 3 mini stockings with each of my girls initials on them. I now know what I will do with these adorable stockings. I will make a donation for each of my 3 girls, and put the card in the stocking for them to open on Christmas morning. After all, this season is all about giving. It will be the perfect way to get minds onto what really matters on Christmas morning; remembering how precious life is. So precious that the MOST precious life was given, which is the very reason why we celebrate Christmas in our family.

If you want to do the same, Vitamin Angels is having and end of the year giving campaign–which runs now through midnight December 31, 2014.

Visit their website: http://www.vitaminangels.org

Make a donation: www.vitaminangels.org/gift

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You can also find Vitamin Angels on Facebook

www.facebook.com/vitaminangels

& Twitter

@vitaminangels

Uncategorized

How To Prepare For Black Friday

I never used to participate in Black Friday, and honestly had a bit of attitude about it. I think my bad attitude came from extreme images that were shown in the media of pushing, greedy people. I wanted nothing to do with it.

Then, my daughter became a teenager, and asked if we could participate in Black Friday shopping. She is my saver girl, who is very thrifty with her money and loves a good deal. She could not imagine passing up some of the deals she saw advertised, and I could not resist the question and excitement in her eyes. I said “yes.”

I braced myself for an absolute disaster, but instead, was pleasantly surprised by the fun of Black Friday Shopping!

We started out around one in the morning, which quite honestly made it fun. Just my girl and I, sneaking around in the dark while the rest of the house slept. We bundled up, as it was freezing outside and we knew we would be standing in lines that could run out the door. That is exactly where we found ourselves 15 minutes later. We were so bundled up that no one would recognize us, standing in a line that circled the huge building of one of out favorite stores.

The atmosphere surprised me. There was a festive excitement in the air. People had their lists, and were checking them twice. They also had their ads, starred and circled with wishes. I saw couples, mothers & daughters, groups of sisters and sister-in-laws. I saw family. I saw relationships. I saw people working together to find deals for their loved ones, doing their best to stay under budget but still get gifts of great value for those they loved.

Even the workers had amazing attitudes. A couple of them expressed that they were thankful for the overtime hours and paid time -and- a- half. This, too, surprised me.

My girl and I had much fun, and thought it was hilarious to be inside of a shopping mall at 3:00 a.m. It was an adventure, and boy- oh- boy did we get some fun deals. My little ones’ stocking was filled with earrings that were only a buck, but should have been 10 times that price. We still use the fire pit I grabbed at 1/4 of the normal price–a pit that I had been eyeing for over 2 years. We stocked up on school supplies. I was ecstatic!

We did learn somethings being the rookies that we were.. We found ourselves at a grocery store looking for snack food, as we were famished halfway through the night. We also showed up with a low phone battery, which was a bummer when looking up what stores were open at what time and taking fun pictures of our adventures.

I will prepare a bit better this year, but my style of Black Friday shopping will still be pretty laid back.

Here are a few of my own tips for those who also approach Black Friday shopping in a more relaxed way:

Laid Back Black Friday Shopping Tips:

1. Enjoy looking through the ads with family during after-turkey chill time.

My sister is known for getting out the ads and getting all her nieces and nephews excited to show her what they might like for Christmas. It gives her some direction to what will delight them on Christmas morning. Now we all get involved and it is a fun, great start to preparing for Black Friday shopping.

2. Bundle up.

There is nothing worse than standing in line in the freezing cold without the right winter gear. If you live someplace chilly, bundle up!

3. Have a plan to fill your belly.

You WILL get hungry. Yes, even after a big Turkey dinner you will get hungry. Take some snacks in the car & even a thermos of coffee or hot chocolate!

4. Figure out a plan

Decided which stores are your priority and what deals you want the most. Start at those stores. List the times that each store opens & take it from there.

5. Know when to quit.

It is freeing to be more laid back about Black Friday shopping. Really for me, it is about time with my sisters and daughters. If we miss out on a deal, oh well. If we get too tired, then we quit. If it stops being fun, we quit.

6. Use an app.

I’ve never used an app specifically for Black Friday, but this one looks interesting!

7. Remember Black Friday is not an emergency.

Life is not an emergency, and neither is Black Friday shopping. Slow down. Don’t be frantic and join the frenzy. Avoid being one of those grabby people. Be polite to the workers.Be present in the moments. Enjoy your shopping mates. Use team-work. Shrug it off if the shopping time does not go perfectly. Remember what truly matters, and it is NOT material things.

8. Know that there is always online Black Friday shopping.

I know I will take advantage of online shopping deals. There are already a ton of deals happening right now! Knowing you can get online when you get home and grab up some deals makes physically shopping much more enjoyable and relaxed.

9. Charge Your Phone Before You Go!

I learned the hard way. You will want a charged phone, to do fun things like Elfing Yourself!?!

Hard Core Black Friday Shopping Tips:

Are you more hard-core about your Black Friday shopping? Then the Office Depot/Office Max Infographic below is for you & has amazing tips to keep you on track and make the most of your shopping time. I hear Office Depot/Office Max is having incredible deals this year, with their lowest prices ever. Looking for a great deal on a new computer? How about just the keyboard? A desk chair? There are tons of good deals that you can preview here at their deal center.

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{My siblings & I a couple years ago}

Every time I think of Office Max/Office Depot, I can’t help but think of their fun Elf Yourself app. I have 4 siblings–3 sisters and one brother. A couple of years ago my sister used the app and made all 5 of us into dancing Elfs, then sent the results to each of us. I laughed so hard! My brother lives far away in Montana, so it was fun to see us all dancing as elfs together–it gave me a feeling of being close and together even though we were miles away! Who knew a silly little app could do that?

Elf Tod & Amy

Elffamily

ElfColsie {This years ElfYourself app is awesome. For our family video, see my Instagram feed at Amy_NewNostalgia}

Have you used the app? It is super easy to use and so funny to put your face and the face of your loved ones on dancing elfs! This would be a great way to pass the time of standing in lines during Black Friday. Elf yourself, elf your dog, elf your boss, & elf your grumpy Uncle Fred. Here is the link of the Elf Yourself App for your smart phone.

Happy Shopping!

Office Depot - Black Friday Preparation

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

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