Monthly Archives: September 2014

Print Money Saving Coupons & Help Believe In Heroes® Raise Funds To Support Wounded Warriors!!! #BelieveinHeroes

 

 

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My father served our country proudly in the Navy during World War II, my oldest brother was a Captain in the Army during the Vietnam War and my other 2 brothers served in the United States Coast Guard.  My uncles, cousins and other family members also served our country proudly in different branches of the military.  I have nephews who are active members of the military and have already served several tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

My friend’s husband  served several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan but has suffered terribly with PTSD.  They have 2 young children and the trials they face due to his severe PTSD are so stressful. Numerous hospitalizations, the need for help in the home to assist when her husband has an episode prevent them from doing many things families take for granted.  Seeing what she has to go through has really shown me the reality of PTSD and how it affects our veterans.  It is one of the reasons why I was happy to participate in the Believe in Heroes® Campaign.

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Believe in Heroes® was established in 2010 to bring grocery retailers, trusted brands, and shoppers together to raise funds for WWP, a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors.  Most veterans face challenges as they transition back into civilian life, and today’s wounded veterans are meeting extraordinary obstacles including, the physical injuries as well as invisible ones, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It’s time for EVERYONE to take part in ensuring our injured service members are well taken care of.  The campaign has generated $16 million for WWP to date and has helped enable the expansion of its critical veteran programs that now directly serve more than 40,000 injured service members.

Want to help?  You can easily help Believe in Heroes® raise funds to help our Wounded Warriors while doing something you do anyway, grocery shopping.  You can download over $25 in coupon savings HERE.  Coupons are available through 11/30/14 or while supplies last.  For more information on the campaign and how/where to shop click HERE

You can also show your support by purchasing Believe in Heroes® merchandise in stores or online HERE .

 

 

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I am participating in the 2014 Believe in Heroes Blogger Campaign.  Although I was compensated for this post all of my words and views are 100% my own. #BelieveInHeroes

 


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Chicken Soup for the Soul: “The Dog Did What?” Book Review & Giveaway!!!

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Are you a dog person?  Do you have one or more family members with four legs?  Do their antics and abilities amaze you?  If so you will love The Dog Did What?  This new book from Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing contains 101 Stories of Magical Moments, Miracles and Mayhem!  The book features a forward from Miranda Lambert.  You are sure to recognize your own dog(s) in this entertaining collection of stories about our best friends who save lives, help heal their human companions with an uncanny sense of intuition, goofy dogs and of course those bad, bad dogs!

CSFTS The-Dog-Did-What

The Dog Did What back cover

There is a special emphasis on the benefits and joys of adopting abandoned and rescue dogs!  The stories are sure to put a smile on your face, make you laugh out loud and even tear up a bit as you see your dog in a whole new light.  The royalties from this book support the American Humane Association.  Consider giving it as a gift to a dog lover and it truly becomes a gift that keep on giving to help dogs in need.  You can purchase on Amazon.com.

Chicken Soup for the Soul is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  Three lucky blog readers will win their own copy of The Dog Did What?  Thank you to Chicken Soup for the Soul for the review book and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, The Dog Did What? Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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An Apology

I am sorry for being absent with my posts for the last couple of days.  Things are just hugely hectic right now for me. The kids started back to school, there were and are so many things to do with that.  We even had our “Meet The Teacher” night.  On top of that I am dealing with quite a few doctor appointments for myself and a procedure on Friday with some other testing that I hope will not reveal something serious or that will require surgery.

Through it all I have been trying to go through each day pushing it to the side and just moving through the day, immersing myself in work and life.  However something small or large can propel all the pushed feelings to the surface and cause me to become emotional.  This is happening when I am alone so no one really has a clue. That’s good because I have always been a person who does not burden others with “my stuff.”

I guess what I am trying to say is that more than busy, my heart and head have not truly been in the game this week.  At times I just feel like taking a break from it all and some things I can’t but I am finding that I am pushing things I can off. Things like blogging and that has me feeling guilty and like a failure so it is a vicious cycle.

I don’t even think this post makes sense but I just want to apologize to those of you that do check in.  I thank you for your understanding and pray things will turn out well and my mind will have better things to focus on.


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McDonald’s Wants To Perk You Up With 2 Weeks Of Free Coffee, September 16-29th!!! #SipandTell

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Would you like free coffee?  Who wouldn’t right?  On September 16th McDonald’s USA  wants to perk you up with free coffee!  They don’t just want to perk you up for one day, they are kicking off the Second National McCafé Free Coffee Event that culminates on September 29th-National Coffee Day!

Starting September 16th through September 29th just visit any participating McDonald’s restaurant in the US and get a free small McCafé coffee during breakfast hours! This event builds on McDonald’s first-ever Free Coffee Event launched in March, when the company gave away millions of cups of free coffee during the two-week period.

“We know our guests are busy, especially during the morning, and a free cup of coffee goes a long way in helping get their days started,” said Greg Watson, senior vice president, McDonald’s US Menu Innovation.  “That’s why we want to treat customers once again so they can taste for themselves just how great their mornings can be with a cup of McCafé coffee and freshly made breakfast.”

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To celebrate two additional weeks of free coffee, McDonald’s is calling on people across the nation to “sip and tell” their embarrassing pre-coffee moments on social media with @McCafe using the hashtag #SipandTell. Select social media fans with morning mishap stories like missing the last train to work on Monday or leaving the house with mismatched shoes will be surprised by @McCafe with custom gifts and experiences to help start their morning off right.

McDonald’s first launched its McCafé line in the U.S. in 2009. The collection included McCafé signature blend coffee and quickly expanded to include iced coffees, espresso-based drinks, such as lattes and mochas, blended-ice beverages including smoothies and frappes as well as limited-time seasonal offerings.  This holiday season, customers can again enjoy the White Chocolate Mocha, in addition to the new White Chocolate Latte and Hot Chocolate, for a limited-time.

McCafé fans will soon be able to enjoy their coffee whenever they want, including at home. McDonald’s recently announced a collaboration with Kraft Foods Group, Inc. to offer a variety of McCafé ground, whole bean and single cup coffees in grocery stores and other retailers nationwide starting in early 2015.

National Coffee Day 2014


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Glazed Lime Blueberry Pound Cake!!!

First weekend after the start of school and a busy one it was!  We have so much going on, sometimes it feels like a three-ring circus!  We had a #FitMadeFun Party to kick off the launch of LeapFrogs new LeapBand Activity Tracker for kids.  It was a lot of fun and there was a huge variety of kids Cliff protein bars but more to come on that soon.

I did some baking too and I want to share with you a lime blueberry pound cake I made.  It really was supposed to be a lemon blueberry pound cake but I  found out I only had limes so I went with that.  It was really good and really tasted like lemon to me.  It must have tasted good to everyone because it did not even last 6 hours before it disappeared.

I found a recipe online that was inspired by the Starbucks’ Lemon Loaf and as I said above I made some changes.

 

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This is the recipe:

Glazed Lime Blueberry Pound Cake:

Ingredients
Cake:
  • ⅓ cup buttermilk
  • 3 tablespoons of lime juice
  • Zest of 1 lime, finely grated
  • 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoons salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup blueberries with 2 tablespoons flour

Glaze:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons of lime juice
  • milk for glaze (add enough to get it to the right consistency for glazing)
Lime

I wash my limes with a toxic free soap to get rid of the wax and any other dirt on the limes.

When grating the zest of lemons or limes just grate the colored rind and not the white pith as that is very bitter.

When grating the zest of lemons or limes just grate the colored rind and not the white pith as that is very bitter.

Lime 3
Lime 4
Love these Juicers, so great to get every drop of juice out of the limes.

Love these Juicers, so great to get every drop of juice out of the limes.

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Lime 8

Lime 9

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Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Spray a 9″ x 5″ loaf pan with cooking spray. Line with parchment paper with the paper hanging over the sides. I sprayed my parchment paper with a bit of coconut oil.
  3. In a small bowl, pour in buttermilk, lime juice, and lime zest. Set aside.
  4. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
  5. In a large bowl, using a mixer, beat the butter and sugar.
  6. Add 1 egg at a time, mixing well in between each egg.
  7. While mixing the batter on low speed, add the flour mixture and then the buttermilk mixture until batter is smooth. Do not over mix.
  8. In a small bowl toss the blueberries with about 2 tablespoons of flour to coat them. (This prevents the blueberries from sinking to the bottom of the cake.)
  9. Stir in the flour-covered blueberries.
  10. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Using a spatula spread the batter so it is spread out evenly in the pan.
  11. Bake in a preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes. Let cool completely.
  12. Prepare the glaze by mixing 2 cups powdered sugar with 4 to 6 tablespoons of lime juice.
  13. If your glaze is too thick (mine was) add milk a tablespoon at a time until it is the desired consistency.
  14. Pour over the top and sides of the cooled cake.

Let me know if you give this recipe a try, remember if you like use lemon instead of lime.  For another great blueberry cake recipe check this one out too! Moist, Delicious Blueberry Pound Cake!


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View The New Featurette From The World of “The Boxtrolls” Opening in Theaters September 26th!!!

Enter the world of THE BOXTROLLS’ in this NEW featurette that takes you behind the scenes of the upcoming family film and gives a sneak peek of the creation of the magical sets and phenomenal backdrops!

THE BOXTROLLS releases in theaters on September 26!

Click HERE To View The Official Trailer for the Movie!!!      

Get social with the Boxtrolls on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and on their Website!!!

Story: A family event movie from the creators of “Coraline” and “ParaNorman” that introduces audiences to a new breed of family – The Boxtrolls, a community of quirky, mischievous creatures who have lovingly raised an orphaned human boy named Eggs (voiced by Isaac Hempstead-Wright) in the amazing cavernous home they’ve built beneath the streets of Cheesebridge. When the town’s villain, Archibald Snatcher (Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley), comes up with a plot to get rid of the Boxtrolls, Eggs decides to venture above ground, “into the light,” where he meets and teams up with fabulously feisty Winnifred (Elle Fanning). Together, they devise a daring plan to save Eggs’ family.

Directors: Anthony Staachi and Graham Annable

Writer: Based on the novel Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow

Voice Cast: Ben Kingsley, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Elle Fanning, Jared Harris, Toni Collette, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Richard Ayoade, Tracy Morgan

MPAA Rating: PG

Boxtrolls Theatrical Poster

 


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Save On Suave Split End Rescue Shampoo & Conditioner At Walmart Now!!!

Do you struggle with split ends?  I sure have and have ended up cutting several inches off my hair to make it look healthier.  Split ends make hair look so unhealthy and really are an eyesore.  It may seem drastic to cut several inches off but that seems to be the only way to get back to healthy looking hair.  However, it will just happen again in most cases and so the scissor may become your best friend.  There is something else you may want to try and that’s Suave Split End Rescue Shampoo and Conditioner.  Right now they are on Rollback at Walmart for only $2.50 each!

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Pre-Order Train’s “Bulletproof Picasso” Album Now & Watch Them Live Today!!!

Train is back on the music scene with a new album Bulletproof Picasso!  If you’ve missed the band that had you cranking up the volume and singing along to Drops of Jupiter and Hey Soul Sister, you won’t need to wait much longer.  Grammy Winning San Francisco Band, Train will release their 7th studio album on September 16th!!!  I had the opportunity to review the album recently my favorite song was Don’t Grow Up So Fast because as a mom I totally relate to the message of the song.  Angel In Blue Jeans the first single released can be heard now on the radio and you can view the official video below.  You can pre-order the album on iTunes and Amazon for $7.99.  Be sure to watch Train’s hour-long live performance on the QVC channel on Friday, September 5th at 5pm ET.

 

Train, Bulletproof Picasso

1. Cadillac, Cadillac
2. Bulletproof Picasso
3. Angel In Blue Jeans
4. Give It All
5. Wonder What You’re Doing For The Rest Of Your Life
6. Son Of A Prison Guard
7. Just A Memory
8. I’m Drinkin’ Tonight
9. I Will Remember
10. The Bridge
11. Baby, Happy Birthday
12. Don’t Grow Up So Fast

Official Angel In Blue Jeans Video is below:

 

I participated in the Train Bulletproof Picasso album review program as a member of One2One Network. I was provided a free album to review but all opinions are my own.


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“NEST” By Esther Ehrlich–Book Giveaway!!!

                                                                             Pen ran

NEST by Esther Ehrlich

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Debut author Esther Ehrlich delivers a poignant and genuine middle-grade novel NEST (Wendy Lamb Books / On sale September 9, 2014 / $16.99 US / Ages 8–12), a memorable story about a girl, a tragic change, and the healing power of love and friendship.

 

It is 1972. Home is a cozy nest on Cape Cod for eleven-year-old Naomi “Chirp” Orenstein; her older sister, Rachel; her psychiatrist father; and her dancer mother. But then Chirp’s mom develops symptoms of a serious disease, and everything changes. Chirp finds comfort in watching her beloved wild birds. She also finds a true friend in Joey, the mysterious boy who lives across the street. Together they create their own private world and come up with the perfect plan: Escape. Adventure. Discovery.

 

Esther Ehrlich’s lyrical writing is honest, humorous, and deeply affecting. Chirp and Joey will steal your heart. Long after you finish NEST, the spirit of Chirp and her loving family will stay with you.  READ The first 59 pages of the book HERE by clicking Look Inside.image003

 

«A stunning debut, with lyrical prose and superbly developed characters, this novel is an emotional roller coaster that effectively conveys a family’s visceral tragedy.” —School Library Journal, Starred

 

«Ehrlich’s novel beautifully captures the fragile bond shared by Chirp and Joey and their growing trust for each other in a world filled with disappointments and misunderstandings.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred

 

«A poignant, insightful story of family crisis and the healing power of friendship.”Kirkus Reviews, Starred

 

Ehrlich writes beautifully, constructing scenes with grace and layers of telling detail and insight.”The Horn Book

Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a copy of NEST!  Thank you to Penguin Random House for the review book and for sponsoring this great giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

NEST by Esther Ehrlich Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Time Is No Match For Any of Us!!!

The school supplies are labeled, the backpacks are packed and the lunch boxes are full of healthy lunch snacks.  Yet, as the kids lay nestled all snug in their beds, I am begging and pleading for time to slow down.  You see this mom is not ready for summer to end, seems it just started and now it’s the end!  It doesn’t seem fair, how could it be over?  We didn’t even do most of the things on our list, I feel full of mommy guilt and I’m shaking my fist!

This thing we call time is spinning too fast, in the blink of an eye, our kids grow right up.  The time we thought we had passes us by, before we know it they’ll be moving on and saying goodbye.  Childhood is far too fleeting and bittersweet for my taste.   You see,  I know how quickly it passes, this is my second time through it and so I know how it goes.  First time parents think they have years and years and the time will go slow and not disappear.  However, those of us who have been here before, know all too well, how quickly time goes.

We moms who were young enough to start over again with a new set of babes share a secret between us.  We will tell you don’t blink because if you do, a lifetime will pass and you won’t believe it’s true.  It’s scary and real, but we have to accept it, life is too short and over too quickly.  We try to hold on kicking and screaming to push back the hours, days and the months. We want to just slow it all down but we know it’s futile, we don’t stand a chance but we try nonetheless in our warrior stance.

So, I’m not thrilled that another school year is thrust upon us. Unless some magical power comes over me tonight and somehow I am able to win the fight and turn back the time and start summer again, I will have to grin and rejoice at the dawn of the day and send my children along to start a new year.  It’s harder than hard since my baby starts school and I just want to hold him and not let him go, but I know that he has much to learn and explore.  The best thing comes at the end of the day, I can hold him as he shares all he did that first day.   I will hold him and smile and laugh as he does. He will not see the tears fall from my eyes, instead I will secretly  wipe them and treasure the moment and everything in it.

I urge you my friends to understand that no matter your age or the stage you are in, it will pass all too quickly without warning and leave you wondering just where the years went.  You won’t have an answer, you will not even believe how fast time can fly.  It’s then you will understand all too well that we’re not in control. We live a life, then it’s over and hope those left behind are filled with great memories of love from that sweet time we did share.   So love on your family and friends while you can because time, is not something that can be bought, stopped or stalled.  Time is the constant we know will keep moving, so live every day to the fullest you can because time waits for no one and isn’t your friend.


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