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Weight Loss: Focusing On The Positive

caryn — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 10:55:56 +0000

Last week, I talked about how I approach weight loss and invited readers to share ideas on what has worked well. For Louise from MomStart, “it took a lot of work,” which is something many women identify with. I really liked what she had to say about “focusing on the simple things” and “accepting that any movement is better than no movement.” What struck me about her journey was the motivation she received from her community and how she vowed to enjoy herself along the way. Ellen from Confessions of An Overworked Mom focuses on “eating smarter” rather than eating less. For her, maintaining a healthy weight “is a lifestyle choice” rather than a temporary solution. It’s the simple things like eating healthy and exercising daily that help keep weight in check. Aracely Worley from Daytripping Mom focuses on the smaller daily goals and successes, rather than the overall amount of weight she would like to lose so that she doesn’t get overwhelmed. Approaching weight loss in this way, helps her feel like it’s an attainable goal.

One week ago, I headed to The Grove in Los Angeles for stop 3 in Special K’s Gain Tour. I was retained by the company to report back on the event. Locals gathered at the luxury outdoor shopping venue to go through the Challenge which consisted of a “weigh in,” the opportunity to write the word that describes what is hoped to be gained from achieving weight loss goals, and the option of signing up and personalizing a weight loss plan.

Fortunately for many of us, stepping on the largest scale I’ve ever seen only revealed a word…for me it was oomph! Other women weighed in at pizzazz, presence, and resolve. Just the physical act of stepping on a scale in public, only to reveal an inspirational word as opposed to a number, was moving. Many in attendance did not know their weight wasn’t about to be revealed to shoppers and on-lookers…and they stepped on the scale anyway. Some were hesitant…some determined.

After stepping on the scale, I wrote down the one word that describes what I hope to gain this year by losing the last ten pounds…Confidence. I’ve been wearing Spanx since my son was born…that’s over 3 years. For me, it would be wonderful to regain that confidence in my body that I had before my son was born. One of the things I learned in college was that there is a strong connection between weight loss and emotion…and perhaps that is the most powerful aspect of this campaign. It’s about re-framing your approach to weight loss…it’s about focusing on the positive…

The Special K Challenge is a 2 week program designed to kick start weight loss. According to one of the brand representatives in attendance, it’s not designed to be a long-term plan. So how does it work? I had the same question! Here is a brief summary:

Meal 1
Start your day with Cereal, 2/3 cup skim milk and your choice of fruit, or have a Protein Shake or Protein Meal Bar.

Meal 2
Replace a second meal with either a serving of cereal, a Protein Meal Bar, or a Protein Shake

Meal 3
Eat your third meal as you normally do.

Snacks
Enjoy two snacks every day (at any time): Protein Snack Bars, Cereal, Fruit Crisps, Crackers or Cracker Chips, Protein Water Mixes

Enjoy fruits & vegetables as additional snacks.

Drink beverages as you normally do.

So what do I think of the plan? I’m not a nutritionist, but there are aspects I do like….the plan has structure…the plan encourages normal drinking of beverages and encourages eating as many fruits and vegetables as one would like…the plan is results oriented…and the plan incorporates community and support (via Facebook, emails, and a mobile application called myPlan) which are key components to the success of any weight loss program. However, I would like to do some research on the amount of protein I would get if I were to participate in the plan. I also wonder if some may tire or get bored with eating the same thing every day, since I’m one that likes to change up what I eat. If anyone has tried the plan, I’d love to hear your experience. How much did you lose? Was it difficult to stick to the plan?

If you’d like more information on the Special K Challenge, I encourage you to visit the site.

This is a compensated campaign via The Motherhood. However, all opinions expressed remain my own.

Space-Saving Entertaining With CSN Stores

caryn — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 18:45:12 +0000

This holiday season, my husband and I are planning to host at least one get-together with friends and family. From the decorations and food to the entertainment, we strive to offer our guests a lively atmosphere. One of the things we always think about is space. While we don’t have a terribly large home, our downstairs area is open and spacious. When we purchased furniture, my husband opted for a non-traditional dining room table that doesn’t accommodate as many people as I would like.When we have people over, we actually have to arrange seating in both the living and dining room areas due to space constraints.

If you’re looking to host a large holiday gathering in your home this season, you may consider CSN’s drop leaf tables, which are great for parties and get togethers. These types of tables are actually quite common in England where space is limited. When not in use, the sides fold down for storage.

CSN is a large online retailer offering products for the home and office. The site offers a wide variety of name brands at affordable prices. In the coming weeks I’ll be sharing more with you about the company.

No compensation was received for this post.

Purchase For a Purpose…Box Tops for Education

caryn — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:05:04 +0000

Earlier this year my son started preschool a few mornings a week. Mostly it was to get him involved socially rather than pushing him academically (he’s only 2 1/2). He has really enjoyed the school setting and I’m glad we’re able to prep him for the day when he’ll be going to school regularly. I have every intention on being involved in my children’s schooling in whatever capacity I’m able. One of the easiest ways to be involved and support your children’s school and education is through Box Tops for Education.

In the summer, I had an opportunity to visit the General Mills’ Headquarters in Minneapolis, MN. While food was the main focus of the event, I spent some time speaking with one of the representatives for Box Tops for Education. The program helps raise money for local schools and all you have to do is cut those little Box Tops out from the products you already buy. Everything from food to personal care items to school supplies and more contain them, so be sure to keep your eye out.

The Box Tops Marketplace is one of the other ways the program is helping schools out. The Marketplace has partnered with many well-known, well-shopped retailers to offer 3, 6, or 12 percent for your school on your purchases. Brands include Dell, Victoria’s Secret, Target, Best Buy and Barnes & Noble. Joining is easy (and free) and once you log on, you’ll be able to choose which school to support, see your school’s earnings, print coupons for Box Tops products, and earn cash for your school.

Another way you can support your local school through Box Tops include shopping for your teachers on their “My Class Essentials” registry. Along with getting the classroom supplies that are needed, two percent of purchases go back to your school.

I shopped at their Barnes & Noble section and found a ton of bargain books for my son. You can earn up to 6% (on new products), receive free delivery on orders over $25 (eligible items), and save 5% on all pre-orders.

Be sure to check out their daily deals and discounts. You can join the Box Tops for Education Facebook fan page or follow them on Twitter for the latest deals and discounts.

Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this review. I received a gift card to Barnes & Noble, courtesy of the company in order to facilitate my review.

Repair Pal: An Auto Encyclopedia and Phonebook

caryn — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:55:15 +0000

I know absolutely nothing about my car, other than how to drive it! When I lived with my parents, my father always took care of my car and he knew just the places to go when something needed to be fixed or replaced. Then hubby and I moved to Orange County and it felt like starting over. Our usual repair shops were gone and with an SUV pushing 210,000 miles, we needed to find new repair places.

Enter Repairpal.com. They offer an online resource for finding everything from information on practically any car and its engine to finding a repair shop in your own neighborhood. Its practically an encyclopedia of cars for those of us that are mechanically challenged! How does it work? Well, they have created a website that allows you to search for all your repair questions in a format that is easy to navigate. Lets say for example: Your Toyota Corolla needs a new water pump (and that greasy tow truck driver seems a little less than trustworthy) and you want to search for “Chicago auto repair“… Simply go to repairpal.com and click on the tabs to start your search. Information is available by make and model, and a comprehensive search for shops gives you the best options in your neighborhood. You can even go back and rate your experience and track the maintenance for each car with a free account.

Disclosure: This post was made possible by Repairpal.com

Mr. Mom, Confessions of a Blogger’s Hubby

caryn — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 00:32:31 +0000

In our house, when you here the little one saying “No, no”, “Uh-oh” or “Thats Yuk!”, there’s probably a good reason. And as history would have it, there was no exception with today’s event! Since I was playing house husband today while mommy worked, I tried hard to balance the incessant requests for varying colors of Play-Doh, juice, food and TV shows (that says he wants but not really) with work calls, emails and my own need for coffee. I was doing pretty good until I let him play in his room after a bath just long enough to answer a couple emails and finally take a shower.
Having answered my emails, I heard him call out “Daddy, thats yuk!” Oh no, what now! Lets just say I could smell it down the hall… Have you ever wished your kids’ room had laminate flooring or anything that was easy to clean up? What else should I find, but my son sitting next to the gate, shorts thrown into the hall and diaper around his ankles… playing with a big handful of poo and reading a book with the other. “I thought we talked about this on the potty before your bath,” I exclaim. Of course all I get in response is a big grin… fortunately he hadn’t eaten any!
Having successfully cleaned up the boy, I moved on to the real mess at hand: Door frame, carpet, baby gate, clothes, book (ahhhh nevermind, I can buy a new one)…
And its only 6 hours into her 12 hour shift. How many naps does he take again?

Father’s Day 2009: Outdoors Dad

caryn — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:41:54 +0000

The Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox was created by Chris Hartsfield as a fun and lighthearted way to celebrate fatherhood while acknowledging the vital role they play. While the Daddy Diaper Changing Toolbox was meant to elicit laughs, it also equips new dads with tools they can actually use (even if it’s not on the baby!). Retails for $34.99.

Camping Survival Kit: Camping is an affordable vacation option for family bonding. For as little as $10 a night, a family can camp out at one of several National Parks. To help that dad in your life get started, he’ll need a portable cooler to keep snacks cold in the summer heat, a water bottle to quench his thirst, a compass to keep his family on the right track, and a lantern flashlight to help light the way. Approx Retail Value $50.

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!

caryn — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:48:35 +0000

By now you know that I let my son watch TV. Now that I’ve been sick for a week he’s probably watching more TV then I’m comfortable with. But when hubby has to work…it’s me flying solo, taking care of my son while I’m sick. It goes without saying that’ we’ve been watching Noggin…I mean..It’s like preschool…on TV! Now children learn through a variety of avenues. Some of the things my son and I do together include reading (which he LOVES), going to playgroup, going on playdates with other moms and their toddlers, playing together, and yes…television! We watch select TV shows together and I talk to him about them while we’re watching. It’s very interactive.

We’ve recently been introduced to a show that doesn’t involved singing purple dinosaurs (whew!). It’s called Wow! Wow! Wubbzy and it’s actually a really fun show with some great educational messages. This Emmy award-winning children’s television series was created by Bob Boyle who had originally formed the idea behind Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! for a children’s book. His primary goal is to entertain children and make them laugh. Here is a little more about Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! from the site:

Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! provides kids with a positive model to teach skills such as honesty, cooperation, and fairness while having fun. Wubbzy is all about teaching by example which is one of the most important ways our kids learn.

We were given an opportunity to review the latest DVD release entitled A Little Help From My Friends courtesy of Mom Central (which is fab btw and you should definitely sign up). The characters are cute, the music is upbeat, and the show helps kids find the humor in life’s problems (we should all make a mental note to do this). A Little Help From My Friends features six episodes whose focus is on the value of friendship. Here is a little more about the DVD from the site:

Wubzy, a fun, lovable, curious little guy and his Wuzzleburg pals search for a lost Wiggle Wrench, escape a runaway Doodleberry Cake, build a Super Robot, teach Walden to boogie, and work hard for Wuzzleburg trophies. Together they discover the importance of positive values like confidence, cooperation, teamwork, and the meaning of friendship.

The bottom line is that Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! is a lighthearted, humorous show with a positive take-home message. Head on over to the site to join the Wubb Club, sign up for their newsletter, read the Wubbzy Blog, and listen to Wubbzy podcasts. There you’ll find fun activities, recipes, printable coloring pages, and more.

www.momcentral.com

Smart Solutions for Everyday Moms

Holiday Shopping at Shop.com

caryn — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:44:01 +0000

I have to admit that I LOVE to shop! Now that my son is a toddler it isn’t so easy to take him to the mall. He’d much rather go to the park and play! Gone are the days of leisurely browsing for that perfect gift at just the right price. We were in Nashville over the weekend and it was the first time I had stepped inside a mall in months! Between the craziness of Black Friday at Toys R Us and the mall, I have decided that shopping online is so much more convenient. The ability to research products and pricing is priceless. Having products shipped to my house (for free!) makes shopping stress-free!

Shop.com is a comparison shopping site with over 2,000 stores on one site. There are tons of ways to save including hot deals (daily and weekly) and coupons, free shipping deals, sale pages and more. Surprisingly, the site is easy to search. The layout is very user-friendly and one click gives you access to over 20 million products! Wow! You never have to visit another site again. What’s nice about the site is that you can either buy everything at once with their universal shopping cart or you can click over to partner stores to make purchases.

Shop.com has a variety of shopping tools that will help you pick out that perfect gift including buying guides, best holiday gadget gifts, and 50 Holiday Home Gifts under $50. My favorite aspect of the site is their Green Shop. Not only will you find the latest in ec0-friendly products like this energy-saving Whirpool Front Loading Washer or a super luxe organic cotton crib mattress, you’ll get tips for saving and living green.

This holiday season, check out Shop.com. Thanks Mom Central for giving us 411!

Wreaths Direct Blog Tour

caryn — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:47:50 +0000

Christmas is my favorite holiday. Now that we’re in our own home, I can finally get excited about decorating! I’m dreaming of a real Christmas tree, but with a toddler in the house I’m not sure that is a good idea. So while I won’t be smelling the fresh, evergreen scent of a live Christmas tree, I’m hoping some of that lovely smell wafts in through my front door! Why you ask? I have my very first fresh, evergreen, holiday wreath thanks to Grandma D’s Tree & Wreath Farm.

Grandma D’s Tree and Wreath Farm is a fifth generation, family-owned business located in the Silverton Hills of southeast Salem Oregon. What began as strawberry fields has evolved into a picturesque scene of Christmas Trees outlining the landscape. The company is known for their fragrant evergreen wreaths and centerpieces.

When I opened the box, I was greeted with the lovely scent of evergreen boughs, juniper berries and pinecones. I just love the smell of evergreen and when I had it hanging in my kitchen before placing it on my front door, the smell just brightened up the entire room! I have never purchased a live (or a fake for that matter) wreath so while I don’t have anything to compare it to, I was very impressed with the quality and the craftmanship. Caring for it is very easy and simply involves a spray of water every couple of days. I was surprised that this is all it needs to last the entire season.

Right now you will receive free UPS shipping in the United States by simply entering the code w0834.

Purchase a lovely evergreen wreath directly from the Wreath’s Direct for $29.95 (a very reasonable price in my opinon!)

Please stop by the remaining blogs on this tour!

11/27/08- Sunshine is Free

11/27/08- Blessings Abound

11/27/08- MellysPix

11/27/08- Wish List Worthy

11/27/08- Mommy Blog Reviews

11/27/08- All Because Two People Fell in Love

11/28/08- Melissa’s Cozy Teacup

11/28/08- The Dirty Shirt

11/28/08- Three P’s Mama Says

11/28/08- Reviews from my Laptop

11/28/08- An Island Review

11/28/08- Tara’s View of the World

11/28/08- Blissfully Domestic

11/28/08- Princess Time Toys

11/28/08- MommyDaddyBlog

11/29/08- Feels Like Home

11/29/08- Type A Mom

11/29/08- Scrappy D

11/29/08- The Dabbling Mum

11/29/08- Thoughts from the Mrs

11/29/08- What’s That Smell?

11/30/08-MoomettesGramsMusings

11/30/08- A Cowboy’s Wife

11/30/08- Mamalicious Finds

11/30/08- Here’s What I Think

12/1/08- Mom’s Monologue

12/1/08-MomStart

12/1/08- Kristen McClane

12/1/08- A Mama’s Rant

12/1/08- Lisa Reviews

12/1/08- All Things Girl

12/1/08- Knack Parenting

12/1/08- Examiner

12/1/08- Atlanta Parent

12/2/08- Shopping Gems

12/2/08- Rockin’ Mama

12/2/08- Maria’s Space

12/2/08- Sweetie’s Sweeps

12/3/08- The Way I See It

12/3/08- Sheltered Not Shattered

12/4/08- Brain Foggles

12/4/08- From Melissa’s Desk

12/4/08- Genesis Moments

12/5/08- Take Root and Write

12/5/08- Valerie Gray

12/5/08- Life is Like Champagne

12/5/08-Wrestling Addicted Mommy

12/7/08- Advocate Mom

12/10/08- North Texas Natural Family

Profuse thanks to the Family Review Network for this review opportunity!

Film Review: The Librarian

caryn — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 03:45:40 +0000

Music and movies oh my! Here is another one you’re going to love. On December 7 TNT will premiere The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice starring Noah Wyle. Thanks to Beth at Role Mommy my husband and I had the opportunity to take a “first look.” I only wish I had seen the first two installments, The Librarian: Quest for the Spear and The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines.

About the film:

The world is in danger of being overrun by vampires, and the only person who can prevent it from happening is Flynn Carsen in the third installment of TNT’s hugely successful Librarian franchise, starring Noah Wyle (ER). THE LIBRARIAN: CURSE OF THE JUDAS CHALICE, co-starring Bob Newhart (Elf, The Bob Newhart Show) and Jane Curtin (Our Town, 3rd Rock from the Sun), sends the bookish hero Flynn to New Orleans, where he tries to undo a nefarious vampire plot and rescue a kidnapped professor (Bruce Davison – X-Men, Knight Rider) with the help of a beautiful chanteuse (Stana Katic – Feast of Love).

This action-filled adventure follows Noah Wyle as Flynn, the increasingly reluctant treasure hunter, on his quest in locating the Library’s latest relic. His journey this time is even more important: understanding his important role and calling as the Library’s chosen one; it’s key to finding the world’s most important artifacts and in turn saving the world from certain doom and disaster.

This is a great movie for the treasure hunter in all of us. If you’re a fan of the National Treasure movies (Nicholas Cage), then this is definitely a film for you. The plot has a few great twists and turns that leave you wondering what will happen next.

You can catch The Librarian: Curse of The Judas Chalice, Sunday, December 7, at 8pm (ET/PT) on TNT.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUt_7sI7Tx0&hl=en&fs=1]