Juicy Insider for Tropicana

So, I got this new gig.  I’m a Juicy Insider for Tropicana because I’m a huge fan of Tropicana.  I like Tropicana because it tastes great and  it’s good for my family and now I REALLY like Tropicana because they are offering these really cool Tropicana Rewards that you can redeem for really cool discounts!

With every purchase of Tropicana you get a code that will save you money.  For example, one carton saves you up to $15, three can save you up to $45!  You can use these rewards to save money at local Museums, Zoo, Theme Parks and Waterparks.  They will also save you money on Athletic Equipment, Workout Gear, Travel, Spa Treatments, and even Home Improvement Services.   You can even donate your points in an effort to Rescue the Rainforest!

Sign up to start earning Juicy Rewards (here).

Use the following code immediately after registering to receive 1 free point right from the start!   MOMCE-NTRAL

I wrote this review while participating in the Tropicana Juicy Insiders Ambassador program by Mom Central on behalf of Tropicana. I received 12 free Juicy Rewards points and a $50 Visa gift card to use in redemption of the points and to facilitate my review.

What Birth Control Do YOU Use?

During the pregnancy with my first child, I was diagnosed with Factor V Leiden Deficiency which meant I had to give myself shots every day during the duration of my pregnancy to make sure my body did not form a blood clot.  I had to do this during 3 pregnancies every-single-day.  It was tough, but I got through it.

Because I have Factor V Leiden Deficiency, I cannot take birth control pills that contain estrogen, so that meant I had to find other forms of birth control to make sure I did not get pregnant again.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  I love my children and count my blessings every day, but I do not want to overextend myself and my family financially and right now getting pregnant would not be good for any of us.

I do feel like there is a plan and I do believe in God and all that he does, but I feel that if he wanted me to have more children, then no birth control will stop that from happening.  My third daughter was not planned and we still scratch our heads wondering how that happened, but she is a blessing and we are happy about our “surprise”.

After our third daughter was born, I decided that we needed to find a really good form of birth control that didn’t involve getting my tubes tied.  Just in case we do decide to try for that boy, i didn’t want something so permanent, so my doctor at the time suggested I get the Mirena and I was gung ho about it…until…I found out that our insurance would not pay anything!  This procedure is not cheap at all, so I hung my head low and opted to go the condom route.

My husband later changed jobs, so I decided to go back to another doctor and see if the current insurance would cover the procedure.  Sure enough it did, but another obstacle jumped in my path.  I found out that they had to order the device and I had to be on my period when it was time to insert the device to be sure I wasn’t pregnant.  That sounded easy enough, but my husband had decided to change jobs which meant that we would not have the same insurance when it was time to do the procedure.  Instead of scheduling the appointment, I decided to just wait till I had our new insurance in hand and then after finding out the cost, schedule the appointment.

I was pretty bummed because the insurance we carried covered almost all of the cost of getting the Mirena and was only going to cost us around $60 out of pocket.  There was nothing I could do but wait and hope for the best.

Then good, no great news arrived!  Our new insurance not only covered the ENTIRE procedure, but it also waved a co-pay.  We had to pay NOTHING!!!!

I scheduled the appointment.

Long story short…I got the Mirena yesterday and couldn’t be happier!  They told me to expect cramping…no cramps!  They mentioned pain during the procedure… no pain and little discomfort.

I feel fine, the procedure took maybe 30 minutes and I’m covered for birth control for 5 years!!!  Also, if we change our minds, the device can be removed and we can try and get pregnant again.

I’m happy with my choice.

So, what are your feelings on birth control and what forms do YOU use?

There are Major Consequences to Sexting

Today on The View, the hot topic was “sexting” and the consequences that go along with the popular teen pastime.  Sexting is where sexually explicit images and/or sexual verbiage are exchanged via text messages using cell phones.

Teens don’t realize that there are severe consequences to this behavior that can ultimately alter ones life forever.  The View had two teens that told their story about what happened after they participated in “sexting”.

One teen is now a registered sex offender because of a picture he distributed of an ex girlfriend that was under age.  Distributing the picture was considered, by the law, to be the same as distributing child pornography!  I feel that the judgment was too harsh, but also feel that he should be punished somehow.  The guy can’t get a job and has that persona to have to deal with for the rest of his life.  Truly sad.

The other teen was a female that sent a male ex boyfriend a picture of her chest standing between to of her fully clothed friends because he told her if she did that he would get back together with her.  Now, she is harassed on a daily basis because of her mistake.

The message here…educate your tweens, teens and even children on the dangers of sending nude pictures of themselves at all.  It’s important that we build self confidence in our children and give them attention.  It’s also important that we are aware of what are children are doing, who they are doing it with and where they are.  They also need to be taught that their bodies are sacred things that shouldn’t be exploited.

I have 3 girls and would be very upset if I found out they were involved in something like this.  That’s why it is important that I am on top of things with them as a parent and why I need to open the gateways of conversation often.

I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.

I’m a View Brand Ambassador!

A couple of weeks ago, I filled out an application to become one of The View Brand Ambassadors.  I felt like I was the perfect candidate for this project because I have watched The View from day one and have accepted the changes that have taken place since the show first aired.  When I say changes…I’m speaking about the “cast” of the show.

Change is inevitable for succession in today’s world and in today’s world, change comes fast.  I will be an ambassador for The View for about four weeks and have agreed to share with you my feelings about the show.

There is also an exciting sweepstakes going on!  One lucky winner will be randomly selected to receive a trip to New York City to watch a taping of The View!  The sweepstakes is open until February 28th.  Here is the link to sign up for the sweepstakes: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22A5X7KF2CZ

I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for ABC Daytime and will receive a tote bag or other The View branded items to facilitate my review.

Payless Goes Designer for Spring 2010

Get Ready for Superbowl Sunday: healthy snack ideas

This Sunday is the big day… the Saints vs Colts.  I really don’t care who wins, but I do care that my hubby will be glued to the couch on Sunday with the only exercise being trips to the bathroom and the hand-to-mouth gesture.

With that said, I will try and have healthy, yet tasty snacks on hand for him to enjoy during Superbowl Sunday.

Target sent me some snacks to try that will be perfect for game day!  They sent me Archer Farms Organic Mango Salsa and Archer Farms Blue Corn chips.  They also sent me Archer Farms Simply Balanced crackers, but they came completely broken in little pieces, so I won’t be serving them with cheese slices for my hubby as planned.  They are however very tasty and whole wheat, so I put them in a baggy for my 13 month old and gave her the little pieces for a snack.

Back to the Archer Farms Organic Mango Salsa and Archer Farms Blue Corn chips.  Talk about y-u-m-m-y!  Very tasty!  Actually, you might find me digging in with a spoon…the salsa is that yummy!  I looked for it at my local Target last night and couldn’t find it.  Not sure if it isn’t out yet, sold out or what, but I couldn’t find it.

Anyway, salsa and chips are so much better for the “hubster” than a sour cream dip and I rest assured he is eating healthy.

Super Bowl Snacks from Target’s Nutritionist Dr. Susan Mitchell:

• Pizza Bites: Take an Archer Farms Simply Balanced pizza, such as Mediterranean Style Vegetable, bake as directed and then cut pizza into snackable, bite-sized pieces.  A great way to get an easy serving of nutrient-packed vegetables.
• Garlic or Red Pepper Hummus: Simply serve with whole grain crackers, such as Archer Farms Simply Balanced whole grain eight grain crackers and veggie sticks.  Hummus is packed with great flavor and health benefits, with chickpeas being an excellent source of fiber.
• Chips and Dip: Offer Archer Farms organic blue corn tortilla chips and organic mango peach salsa for a snack with a little kick.  As an added health benefit, all products in the Archer Farms collection have zero grams of added trans fats.
• Fruit: Nothing is easier – or healthier – then serving a variety of fruit.  Arrange the fruit in a festive Super Bowl-style bowl with low fat yogurt and honey for a dip and watch it disappear!  Yogurt contains active live cultures and probiotics which promote digestive health and boost the immune system.

Disclosure: Archer Farms products  from Target were provided for review.  The opinions expressed in this post are mine and mine alone and are not influenced in any way by anyone.

Macomb County offers 15th Annual Parenting Conference

Macomb County’s 15th Annual Parenting Conference, Parenting Unplugged, will be held from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, March 6 at the Macomb Intermediate School District’s conference center. Pre-registration is required.

Keynote speaker Bob Howe will present “‘Yes Is a Two-Letter Word’ The Power of Saying No” and will focus on how parents can build self-motivation, confidence and responsibility in the fast-paced, high-tech and instant-gratification world their children live in.

The conference also features speakers on 15 different parenting topics and information on how to access local parenting resources.

The cost of the conference is $35 per person and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. SB-CEU credits are pending. Registration will be accepted until Feb. 24, 2010 or while tickets are available.

For more information, visit the CARE of Macomb Web site or call (586) 541-0033.

The Detroit Area Diaper Bank

Imagine only being able to change your baby’s diaper once a day in order to make them last til your next paycheck…

For an average infant, a healthy change of diapers is up to 12 times per day, and 8 for a toddler. For low income families, a baby can be in a single diaper all day, or longer. This increases the risk of skin infections and worse. A baby crying non-stop from being in a dirty diaper for a long period is more susceptible to abuse, especially in an already stressed household. Currently there is No “safety net” (WIC, Food Stamps,Medicare (except hospice)) that pays for, or provide diapers.

These are all facts that Marybeth Levine realized were present in our community and across the country. That is when she decided to form The Detroit Area Diaper Bank. Their mission is to collect diapers and donations for our community’s most vulnerable populations — babies from low-income households, the elderly, and people with disabilities. In turn, they then distribute them to partnering non-profit agencies in the area that work with families in need.

Currently The Detroit Area Diaper Bank is partners with 30 agencies in the Metro area. From family services centers, food pantries, child development and senior centers, there is a never ending need. Levine gets calls daily from agencies and individuals looking for assistance. (Agencies looking for assistance are encouraged to fill out their application form found on their website. Individuals seeking assistance should visit the how do I get diapers page. )

Just 9 months after it’s first delivery in April 2009, The Detroit Area Diaper Bank delivered it’s 100,000 diaper. Levine is very grateful to the community for all their support and donations in this short amount of time. This is testament that diapers are a never-ending need, especially in the tough times our economy is facing. The Detroit Area Diaper Bank relies on donations, diaper drives and fundraisers to continue to support it’s partnering agencies. For more ways that you can get involved, please visit their site.

Open Adoption: Not as Scary as it Seems

“Aren’t you worried about having the birth parents in your son’s life?”

“Are you scared that they’ll try to take him back?”

“I could never do that.”

No. No. And, maybe you couldn’t…but maybe you could if you wanted to. My husband Tim and I are, and it’s working out beautifully.

I’m talking about domestic open adoption. I’m a mother thanks to  adoption, which brought Elliot into our lives 4-1/2 months ago when he was just five hours old.  Throughout my open adoption journey, I’ve been asked the same questions over and over again.  And, I’ve come to realize that open adoption is a mysterious and scary topic for many people. I’ll admit – it was daunting for Tim and me before we learned about  how it works and how it benefits the adopted child. So, I thought I’d talk a little bit about my situation and try to clear up some of the misconceptions:

Misconception #1: All birth mothers are teenagers. Birth fathers are never in the picture. While this might be a fairly typical situation, it doesn’t describe our reality at all. Elliot’s birth parents are together and in their 20s. They are stable, educated and intelligent. Despite what our agency told us to expect, their decision wasn’t precipitated by chaos — drugs, jail, under-age pregnancy, unknown birth father, etc. Elliot’s biological parents simply don’t want to be parents…and wanted to give Elliot a life with someone who did. How lucky that they chose us!

Misconception #2: The child will be confused. We already read Elliot a book that I wrote called  “How You Came to Be our Son.” So, he’ll always know that Mommy and Daddy adopted him, and he’ll know who his biological parents are. It’s a true open adoption, so his birth parents will be always be part of his life, in roles they’ve described as akin to “aunt and uncle.” We see them about once a month, and it’s always a nice visit…which people find odd. But, it works for us, and Elliot will never have to wonder where he came from, why his birth parents “gave him away” or even about his medical history. We can just ask.

Misconception #3: The birth parents will try to take him away. Once the birth parents terminate their parental rights, this can’t happen, despite what you may have seen on a TV movie. In our case, this monumental milestone came about six weeks after birth…later than we would have liked. I’ll admit: we were somewhat nervous during this time period. However, we’d already gotten to know the birth parents during the pregnancy, and saw them after we had temporary custody of Elliot, so we knew that there were comfortable with their decision.

Misconception #4: You can’t love an adopted child as much as a biological one. Of course, nobody’s come out and said this to me, and maybe nobody even thinks it. But, I’m here to tell you that I absolutely couldn’t love Elliot — or being his mother — any more than I do.

Elliot is not my adopted son. He’s my son who came to us through adoption. And for that, I am forever grateful.

Veggie Chili A La Mommy X

Cooking and baking has become such a passion for me.  As a busy working mom, it is also about simplicity.  I like to throw 3 or 4 meals on every Sunday to prepare us for the coming week or two.  It makes me feel good to still nurture my family like this even though I don’t have time to make meals during the week as I’d like to.  I typically cut each meal in half to freeze and this is one of them.  I’m usually a wing-it kind of lady when it comes to cooking, therefore I had to sit down and really calculate exactly how much of each ingredient to use for this recipe.  Here is one of my very famous recipes on which I’ve had numerous compliments.  This one honestly just takes a few minutes to put together.  Seriously.  I am not kidding.  Like I said, simplicity is my middle name.

Veggie Chili A La Mommy X

1 package of Boca meatless crumbles

32 oz of diced or crushed tomatoes (use diced if you prefer a chunkier chili)  – optional – add more or less tomatoes depending on your taste.  (can you tell that I don’t usually use recipes?)

1 cup of canned (drained) or frozen corn

1, 12 oz can of pinto beans (drained)

1, 12 oz can of kidney beans (drained)

1 large, chopped yellow onion

2 tsp olive or canola oil

Mix them all together in a crock pot.

Now add the spices..

2Tbsp Chili Powder

1 Tbsp Ground Cumin

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp cayenne pepper (this will make it moderately spicy but you can add more or less depending on how spicy you like it)

2 tsp salt

2 tsp pepper

Optional – add 1 Tbsp of Chiptle powder (to make it a little Tex-Mex)

You can basically just mix all of this stuff together at once and throw it in the crock pot on high for about 3-4 hours (or low for about 6 hours) or you can do this on the stove top.  I prefer the crock pot myself because it is way easy to just throw it all in there and go.

Hope you enjoy.  I also suggest that you add Jalapeno peppers, either canned or fresh, if you like those.  Lots you can do to play around with it.  Makes about 8 servings.  For those of you on Weight Watchers (like me after overindulging during the holidays,) this is only a mere 3 points.  So CHOW DOWN!  (Great for Super Bowl Sunday….don’t even tell them it is meatless and they will never know!)

Next Page »