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Planning a wedding takes a lot of thought, time and effort. Most times we concern ourselves with the huge decisions like the dress, venue, bridal party, cake, menu, flowers, music and forget the little things that can add a special touch and brand the day our own. Things like personalized wedding napkins may not even cross your wedding planning radar but they should. Small details like this can really show you have coordinated your day down to the smallest detail and they  are a great memory to put in a shadow box or scrapbook to remember your day.
Wedding napkins are so easy to personalize with graphics and of course your names and wedding date. There are all kinds of napkins in many color tones for beverages, luncheons, dinner and more! It really shows that you thought about everything to celebrate your wedding day. You might be surprised at all the different ways you can design them online.
With wedding season approaching I thought this was a great tidbit to share. Personalized wedding napkins are a great way to add your special touch to make the ordinary truly extraordinary!
Raising good kids who are happy, confident, and successful in life is every good parentâs intent. Without formal training or guidance, most parents raise their children in the hope that they will grow up to be more successful than them. To aid themselves in their most important job, parents seek out all kinds of advice from one end of the spectrum to the other.
One study that has failed parents most is The Psychology of Self-Esteem by Dr. Nathaniel Branden published in 1969. He concluded that âself-esteemâ is the single most important part of oneâs persona. Between 1970-2000, 15,000 scholarly articles were written that support this notion! This ushered in a cultural change that included the rise of the self-help publishing industry as well as manifold programs designed to help everyone build their self-esteem and instill the same in their children. Fostering self-esteem in every possible way was touted as the epitome of âgood parenting.â
The Self-Esteem Revolution
The âself-esteem revolutionâ was responsible for soccer coaches who didnât count goals but handed trophies out to everyone. Constructive criticism was replaced with broad, indiscriminate praise while honest competition was frowned upon, and a plethora of other changes based upon building self-esteem were implemented even though most didnât make intuitive sense to many parents. Yet, logically, who could argue with all the data to support this?
It is no surprise that in 2003 the Association of Psychological Science asked Dr. Roy Baumeister, proponent and great believer in positive self-esteem, to review the literature. His conclusion: high self-esteem didnât improve grades, career advancement, or achievement. It didnât affect the usage of alcohol and didnât reduce violence. He later stated that this was the biggest disappointment of his career!
Competence and Confidence
It is competence and confidence that help people from the youngest to the oldest become their best selves. It is empowering and encouraging positive behavior and accomplishment through trial and error that teaches children how to go through the process that makes success possible in their lives. They have to attempt a task, fail, and then try again and again to realize that this is part of life. Parents need to empower their children to do things for themselves. ThinkVirtues is here to help you do just that!
ThinkVirtues provides a comprehensive program for you and your family to help transfer your parental wisdom, knowledge, and life experiences to your children. With over 300 years of combined experience, the ThinkVirtuesâ ThinkTank is comprised of dedicated educators, counselors, and doctors who have the recipe for raising and educating resilient, happy, confident children who become successful now and later in life. This work is based on the timeless virtues responsible for developing strong character. Through ThinkVirtuesâ carefully crafted exercises and conversation starters, parents can have meaningful conversations and create a lasting bond with their children. ThinkVirtues helps parents help their children grow up to become productive adults who will make the right decisions, develop healthy relationships, and become their best selves.
After all, no one else cares for your children more than you and with the guidance provided by ThinkVirtues, you can be sure that your children have all of the tools they need to navigate through life. The practice of ThinkVirtuesâ exercises becomes a confidence-building surrogate for your maturing children when you are no longer there every minute of every day. Additionally, because of the lasting bond you will have created, your children will feel comfortable coming to you for help when unsure in a particular situation.
No class, camp, or person can provide the love and care that you have for your own children â we at ThinkVirtues know that. At times you may need help regarding the teaching of morality, resilience, and life experiences but donât always feel comfortable asking for it. ThinkVirtuesâ guided lesson plans provide assistance that is easy to follow and understand.
As a society, it is no longer possible to shelter children from the many bad examples they see outside of their homes, but with ThinkVirtuesâ help, together we can ensure that they will learn to make the right decisions even when we are not there.
About ThinkVirtuesâ ThinkVirtues empowers children to be happy, confident and resilient! ThinkVirtues provides a complete set of tools, endorsed by experienced educators and child development specialists, so you can establish the right foundation in your child. Created for ages 4 to forever, children whoâve used ThinkVirtues are happier, more confident and resilient individuals who excel in the classroom, family, friendships and beyond! Just a few minutes a day prepares your child for the journey ahead. Learn more at www.ThinkVirtues.com
Giveaway
ThinkVirtues is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a ThinkVirtues Gold Annual Subscription (Retail Value $179.99). Thank you to ThinkVirtues for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.
ThinkVirtues Gold Annual Subscription Includes:
-(365) daily lessons emailed directly to winner
-Exclusive access to the memberâs portal complete with courses and videos
-A copy of the fantasy-fiction book, Eutopia: The Discovery
-52-card deck of the Virtues Questions Cards
-Childrenâs workbook (printable PDF)
-15% discount on all ThinkVirtues merchandise
ThinkVirtues Gold Annual Subscription Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Â Good Luck!!!
Green tea is supposed to be good for us, right? A metabolism boosting drink filled with powerful antioxidant properties? Green tea is a good choice of beverage for those wanting to get healthier isn’t it?  Well, you might be surprised to hear that there are some very scary cases in the news recently that are shaking a lot of green tea drinkers up.
Green Tea Causing Hepatitis?
A recent case study in the British Medical Journal reports that a 16-year-old girl suffering from symptoms of nausea, joint pain, and non-specific abdominal pain visited her physician. The doctor did not feel it was serious and sent her home stating she may just have a minor infection. When she did not get better and her symptoms worsened, she went to the ER. By the time she arrived in the ER she was jaundiced as well.
The girl explained that she had recently started drinking green tea she purchased online to help her lose weight. Citing she had only lost a few pounds when she started to experience horrid pains in her joints. She also felt very dizzy and sick the study reported. The teen was admitted to the hospital and put through a battery of tests.
Test results revealed she had acute hepatitis, or an inflamed liver. She was lucky because once the cause was found, she was given intravenous fluids and medication that let her quickly recover. She also stopped drinking the tea. While the tea she purchased was not tested, doctors theorized that the tea itself could have contained the materials that affected her liver function. While doctors said for the most part green tea is predominantly very safe and healthy to drink with the benefit of antioxidant properties, the danger may be in the additives.
These additives can be chemicals or other ingredients that can cause hepatotoxicity which is chemical-driven liver damage. They said this is especially true in teas made and marketed especially for weight loss. These teas in loose and bag varieties are being sold online through major online retailers and other sources. They have become quite popular with those looking to lose weight or detox their bodies.  It actually appears a natural and safe way to slim down but as shown here, could have dire consequences. Beyond additives, pesticides used in growing the tea leaves could also be a culprit in liver disease.
Dr. Donna Seger, head of the Tennessee Poison Center in Nashville, said she’s always concerned when people buy herbal supplements or tea over the Internet without knowing much about where it came from. “I think there are still tons of people who donât realize that because itâs natural,” doesn’t mean it can’t hurt you, Seger said of unlisted herbs or other materials in products. “They can have very significant toxicity.”Seger said people often turn to herbal supplements for weight loss and body building and that the liver, used to filter out toxins, is often the first organ to signal something is wrong.
The teen said she will never buy any online tea or weight-loss pills online again.
Green Tea Extract Supplements Causing Severe Liver Damage?
A New York Times Article told the story of  17-year-old Christopher Herrera.  Christopher was using a concentrated green tea extract that he bought at a nutrition store as a “fat burning” supplement.  However the effects on Christopher were life-threatening. When he went to the ER at Texas Children’s Hospital with his chest, face and eyes bright yellow it was determined he was suffering from severe liver damage from taking the supplement. The damage was so severe he was put on the waiting list for a liver transplant.
Christopher was terrified, this high school student from Katy, Texas was focused on the fact he needed a new liver and the possibility of his body rejecting it. Even with the best surgeons trying to comfort him it was gut wrenching. Research is showing us that Christopher’s case is not an isolated occurrence. Nutritional supplements account for nearly 20 percent of drug related liver issues that are seen in hospitals. This is up 13% from just a decade ago. Since this study only had data from the most severe cases of liver damage, investigators believe the actual number of cases is even higher.
Middle-Aged Women At Risk?
It is not only naĂŻve teenagers who are at risk. Today, growing numbers of  middle-aged women are turning to dietary supplements that promise to speed up fat burning and help them lose weight. These supplements appear to be a good choice for them and the women consider them  a “healthy option” to stack the weight loss deck in their favor. I think these discoveries and the potential effects will have a lot of people rethinking their choices.
âItâs really the Wild West,â said Dr. Herbert L. Bonkovsky, the director of the liver, digestive and metabolic disorders laboratory at Carolinas HealthCare System in Charlotte, N.C. âWhen people buy these dietary supplements, itâs anybodyâs guess as to what theyâre getting.â
So what do you think? Have you tried the detox or weight-loss teas? What about the herbal supplements like Garincia Cambogia, Forsklin, Raspberry Ketones, Green Tea and Green Coffee Extracts? What about the increasingly popular Matcha tea from Japan? Do you really know what is in those teas and supplements? Are you willing to play Russian Roulette with your health. I would love to hear your thoughts.
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #DataAndAMovie #CollectiveBias
With a husband, 5 kids and an insanely busy life, I truly do not know how I would do all I do without technology. Our family is seriously “connected”. I love what technology has done for us, the doors it has opened, the lives we can touch and the lives that can touch us because of it. I can earn a living without leaving my home, no commute to some cubicle in corporate America. I have the ability to build my own dream and put my ideas in motion. The possibilities are truly endless. Technology not only opened those doors but it helps us all stay connected and on track. Smartphones are a given but with them we need a great data plan. What good is having a Smartphone if you are getting charged out the you-know-what whenever you use or go over you data plan.
I was at Walmart the other day and saw the newly lunched Walmart Family Mobile Plus Plan. This is a great new service plan that features Unlimited Talk, Text & Data; 10GB 4G LTE. Oh and to further sweeten the deal this new plan includes one free VUDU move per month per line.  All of that for only $49.88 a month! With a family like mine that can mean 5  free VUDU movies every month! Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to this INFORMATION or your local Walmart for current pricing.
Our son Ethan has been bugging us for a phone and frankly it is something we have been considering as he is getting more involved with extracurricular activities and playing on sports teams. As he gets older, there will be more sports and activities. It will make Mom and Dad feel better knowing we have a way to let him know if we are running late or a way he can call or text us with anything. When I was at Walmart and saw the great price they had on the Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime, I picked it up. It was an amazing deal!
The phone is great, touch screen is very responsive, call sound is clear and crisp, phone is large enough to view recipes or photos in a good resolution. Music sounds great, could not be happier with it.
With  all that data, I can do more and save more! When I am out shopping one of my favorite apps is Price Match.  That app lets me scan the UPC code of any product and in seconds tells me who has the cheapest price. Since most stores match prices, that app alone has saved me hundreds of dollars.  It really helps to have a plan like this because I use my phone so much.
I am always texting my husband a list of things to pick up at the store, texting my older kids, checking the weather when traveling, looking up  phone numbers, finding restaurants or stores when traveling and on vacation and so much more! There are so many uses for data and so a plan like this is so awesome! The free VUDU  movies, they are the icing on the data cake! A time to unwind and sit down for a family movie night is always a good plan. Oh and one rule-phones off!
We love the time to disconnect from our phones and spend that time connecting with each other and sharing a special movie together. We make a night of it with popcorn and movie theater candy. Hey I have even been checking out some great movie night treats on this Samsung Galaxy Grand via a Food App.
Let me know if you are going to check out this great plan. If you do, feel free to let me know about any great movies you watched. With 5 free movies a month I can use those recommendations!
**Warner Bros. Home Video provided me with some of the materials I used in this Blog Post/Giveaway. The opinions I share are my own.**
There are few things as important in life as your friends. No matter how old you are, your friends are there to help you when youâre down, support you when you make mistakes, and be your rock when the going gets tough.
The new movie, LEGOÂŽ FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE, is all about friendship, trusting yourself and standing up for whatâs right no matter what the cost. All set to an awesome rock soundtrack youâre going to love! Join Olivia, Stephanie, Emma, Mia and Andrea as they learn that fame isnât important, itâs your friends that count!
LEGOÂŽ FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE brings to life (in animated form) the LEGO construction based toy LEGOÂŽ Friends. LEGO ÂŽ Friends invites girls into a universe, Heartlake city, and inspires them to use their imagination to build and role play their own stories with fun-loving relatable characters.
True Friendship in the Glamorous World of Pop!
Join Olivia, Stephanie, Emma, Mia and Andrea, as they learn about friendship, fame and pop star fun in Heartlake City.
The girlsâ friendships are tested when mega pop star Livi comes to Heartlake City. When our friendsâ hit song âGirlzâ is stolen by Liviâs manager, itâs time for a cunning plan.
As the girls try to tell Livi the truth about her latest hit single, they all learn that fame isnât everything and sometimes friendship is the most precious thing in the world.
Own LEGOÂŽ FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE on digital HD 1/19 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD 2/2
Also be sure to visit the official L2M website to stay updated with all things L2M!
Giveaway
LEGOÂŽ FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE Blu-ray Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings:
Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!! Please read the rules in the giveaway widget before entering.
Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KYTrySomethingNew #CollectiveBias
As we head straight into the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year” it can often feel like the most stressful time of the year. Most of us already lead incredibly busy lives so throwing the holidays and all the expectations they bring on our already overflowing plate can seem like a recipe for disaster. I think stress is something most would say definitely rises during the holiday season.
The holidays seem to exacerbate so many issues for couples like family tensions, finances, and not having time together. This can all lead to arguments and hurt feelings. I think it is best to get an action plan and go on the offense before we make the most wonderful time of the year feel like the most horrible time of the year.
Couples tend to put their relationships on the back burner this time of year. It is so important to remember that you and your partner need to make time for each other. You might think that while that sounds nice it’s just not possible when you have so much to do. You can barely get through each day as it is and you only sleep 4-5 hours.
Well, time to make a plan. Everyone has the same 24 hours. Your relationship matters and fighting and arguing can zap your energy. So make some small changes and see how you feel. Commit to 12 days of passion with your partner this holiday season.
Sit down with your partner over dinner or coffee and dessert and get out your calendars. Calendar in 12 special times for you and him alone. They don’t have to be elaborate and they don’t have to cost a lot of money either. Just get out your calendars and take a look at some of the suggestions below and you can add your own.
Notes of Passion– Pick a day and agree to leave each other passionate notes throughout the day. Of course you can include texts, but mix it up. It would be fun to stick a note for him to find in his briefcase or coat pocket as well. Speak from the heart and let your partner know why you are thankful he is your soulmate. Just doing this throughout the day can brighten both your spirits and make you feel adored.
2. Unplugged Game Night– for just the two of you- Family game nights are nice, but this is just for you and your partner. Pick a favorite game and spend the time together when the kids are in bed to play together. You can make a favorite dessert, hot cider or cocoa to serve while you play and extra points for playing in front of a cozy fire.
3. Dinner and a Movie– Always a great one, and it does not mean going out. Chances are you have a DVD you still have not had the time to watch and cooking even the simplest dinner together can be fun. Don’t make it hard, even homemade pizza with your favorite toppings works. Heck, even frozen pizza will work, it is about the two of you spending quality time together. It does not have to be expensive or mean slaving over a hot stove all day. Use fun printables and of course some movie theater candy and popcorn containers make it super fun!
4. Couples Massage– I was in Walmart recently and I saw K-YÂŽ TOUCHÂŽ. K-YÂŽ TOUCHÂŽ is a product that is a 2 in 1 Massage Creme and Pleasure Gel that can be found down the Family Planning aisle. What better way to work out that stress than from a loving massage from your life partner? This cream feels like soft cashmere and creates a feeling like warm cashmere wherever you massage it into. It is touch activated and will have you slowing down together to enjoy the splendor of the feelings it evokes as you lovingly massage one another. Trust me you will not need board games after this to pass your time.
5. Couples Playlist–You and your partner each put together 6 songs that remind you of each other, your relationship or the love you share. Then get together and listen to them. It is amazing the feelings that music can stir up.
6.How Do I Love Thee–Write down 6 things about your partner that you love and cherish and then read them aloud to each other. Too many times we don’t feel appreciated or adored. This will give you the time not to remind each other of your shortcomings as we so often do in our day to day lives but to celebrate what you love about each other.
7.Make Something Special For Each Other– Don’t worry if you are not crafty, it could be a coupon book for special things, a poem, a song if you are musically gifted, etc. Just make something from your heart and share an early gift with the one you love.
8. Take A Walk Together–Even a short one holding hands and unplugged. Just spend some time in nature and with each other, you will be surprised how good you feel when you take the time to connect with nature and each other.
9. Sweets For Your Sweetheart–Pick out a special dessert recipe you have never made and make it together. Taking the time to find something you both think is pure decadence and then making it together may turn out just as sweet as the end result.
10. Share A Favorite Holiday Movie Together–Pick a holiday classic you both love and watch it together. Add cocoa and cookies for extra points.
11. Help Each Other– Help your partner with one of the chores they need to do. Maybe he helps you to wrap presents or you help him paint the guest room. Just pick something that either of you would normally do alone and help the other with it. An extra set of hands makes the load lighter and brings you together doing something that is necessary.
12. Sit Back And Just Talk–Maybe in front of the tree in the quiet evening over some coffee or cocoa, take the time to just talk about what is on your mind. This is a time to connect with conversation and really communicate. You never know what you might learn or where it might lead.
Do you have any special ways that you want to share about how you keep your relationship paramount during the holiday season? If so, please share in the comments, I would love to read your ideas.
You might think of someone with anemia being pale, lethargic, sleepy and weak. I know I did, but anemia can be very severe without those symptoms. Anemia can be caused by many things, but in women it is very often caused by heavy periods. Maybe you have always had heavy periods and so you think they are normal. Perhaps you feel since you have not been anemic in the past with them, there is no reason for it to happen in the future.
I am here to shed some light on dangerously low anemia, the kind of anemia where you are just a point or less away from needing a blood transfusion. It is a personal story, it is my story. I am a person that never stops, I go-go-go all the time, I sleep very little and I work a lot. Not the kind of person who would be the poster child for anemia.
For about a year I was noticing after climbing more than one flight of stairs I was winded. I am in shape, I can easily swim and I mean swim for 7 hours straight pulling my 2 youngest children around our lake on a floating mat. I thought it was heart related, it scared me. I started feeling in the last couple of months weird sensation by my sternum. Thought it was breast related, had a mamo, sono and physical exam and my doctor told me all was good. Went back to the doctor thinking it was my heart as I was feeling more tightness in my chest. Sometimes I seemed to feel like I could not get a deep breath. I went for fasting blood work and then a full physical.
The doctor told me that my blood work was always good, but it was exceptionally good this time. I told him about the feeling in my chest, he told me it was probably a strained muscle. I agreed as I was literally throwing logs a few days earlier. He said he would do an EKG to just make sure. EKG was normal. He said he did not feel it was anything heart related but said if I wanted to go to one of the cardiologists in the practice he would take care of it. I said okay as I feel better safe than sorry. Then I asked what my thyroid levels were. I was diagnosed with being hypo thyroid in 2008, right before getting pregnant with my son Luke. He then noticed he had forgotten to send that blood test through. He said he would have the nurse draw it too along with a CBC that was forgotten.
The next evening, he called me at home around 7 pm. He told me I was severely anemic and that would explain all the symptoms I was having in my chest. He said I was close to needing a transfusion. I explained I have heavy periods but that has always been the case. He had me schedule with my OB/GYN and immediately had me take 2 times the iron dosage. I have been taking a very good total health supplement that consists of patented multivitamins and all kinds of supplements but I had not been taking any additional iron. I had also been drinking Matcha Tea which can slow or interfere with the bodies absorption of iron. I stopped that right away.
That very night I started on the iron which I took with additional vitamin C and orange juice to increase absorption. I added a lot of iron rich foods and my OB started me on Progesterone to try to hold off my cycle so we could build up my iron. We also did an endometrial biopsy to make sure that there were no other issues for the bleeding. That came back good and he found nothing out of the ordinary, he said my endometrium was normal for someone who would be ready to ovulate. I continued on the progesterone and on day 31 of my normal 28 day cycles after calling the office and them agreeing it had worked to hold off my cycle, they told me to stop it  and then start it again on what would have been the 15th day of my cycle. Within a day of stopping, my cycle returned. I was crushed, how would I build my iron levels. I did not want to go for a hormonal IUD to stop them or anything more drastic. I hoped they would at least be lighter, I was wrong. They were heavier. I immediately had a return to the crushing chest pain that had left me a few weeks prior.
My blood test prior to this showed my iron levels were still very low but slowly rising. Now I am pretty certain I am extremely low. I feel so helpless in a way. I mean, I pray the iron that I have been taking will keep it above transfusion level, but not sure. I am scared and feel I am in a place where my options are many and I am not ready for something radical. I was hoping this regime would work.
I am writing this as I know it is common in women but not many talk about it, not many know that anemia can present itself in an energetic, on-the-go woman who has symptoms of what one might associate with heart issues. If you are feeling like this, make sure you have a CBC to check your iron levels.
If you have experience with this, feel free to share your story.
If you are trying to conceive you might know what it’s like to find out you were not successful. You may even know what that feeling is like month after month. Can you imagine if you found out what you had going against you was your brand of personal lubricant? You may be surprised to know that many lubricants contain a spermicide, not exactly the best thing for couples trying to conceive! I have good news, Conceive PlusÂŽ fertility lubricant can help increase your chances of getting pregnant naturally! Conceive PlusÂŽ is a trusted brand recommended by hospital, doctors and fertility clinics globally since 2008 in over 60 countries! Considered one of the World Leading Fertility Lubricants Conceive PlusÂŽ is FDA cleared and now available in the United States! from just $14.90, click HERE to see where you can purchase it.
This over-the-counter lubricant is not just for couples struggling to conceive but for all couples tying to get pregnant. Conceive PlusÂŽ is available in both convenient pre-filled applicators and also in a multi-use tube bottle. The pre-filled applicators can be used up to 15 minutes discreetly before then use the multi-use tube together with your partner. Conceive Plus is different than other sperm friendly lubricants because it contains Calcium and Magnesium ions, these are essential for the process of fertilization and actually help increase the chances of getting pregnant, naturally. This fertility friendly lubricant is isotonic and has a controlled pH that is safe for sperm, embryos and the entire fertilization process.
Click HERE to read the Success Stories of couples who used Conceive PlusÂŽ. For more information on the product you can visit the manufacturers website. This lubricant is a great value with a price of about $14.90! To find out where you can purchase Conceive PlusÂŽ click HERE. You can follow Conceive PlusÂŽ on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and YouTube.
If you have just started trying or have been trying for a while, Conceive PlusÂŽ fertility lubricant can help increase your chances of getting pregnant naturally! Now available from selected online retailers from just $14.99.
SASMAR Conceive PlusÂŽ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine.
This past weekend we went up to Binghamton, NY. My little guys wanted to see daddy’s college. We took a drive through the University of Binghamton where my husband graduated with his Bachelors and  Masters. I couldn’t help but notice all the kids who were new to the college campus transitioning into a new lifestyle. That transition is hard on parents too! We know just how hard with our older kids!  I imagine many parents are worried about  if their kids have everything they need and if they are okay.
After taking a peek around the campus we went to Barnes & Noble. Predictably it was filled with UOB students.  I recently learned that Barnes & Noble offers the Barnes & Noble MasterCardŽ.  This is the best credit card for parents and college students who are purchasing textbooks, books and school supplies during the busy back-to-school season and beyond.  Card holders earn 5% back when they use the card to purchase school supplies and textbooks at any Barnes & Noble store or at BN.com.  This offer even applies to campus Barnes & Noble bookstores.
Given the average price of books and supplies at public colleges last year was $1,225 and private colleges coming in at $1,244, that 5% back adds up fast! There is even an immediate savings of $60 available when you use your Barnes & Noble MasterCard for those purchases at campus Barnes & Noble bookstores or at BN.com. Cardholders receive a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card after their first purchase using the card. Every time cardholders reach 2500 points they receive a $25 gift card. The Barnes & Noble MasterCard has no annual fee.
If you are ready to take advantage of all the great perks being a Barnes & Noble MasterCard holder can bring you, just apply HERE. You can also visit the same link for more information. To find your local Barnes & Noble store or to shop online visit BN.com.
We had a great time looking around at everything. After a stop at the in store Starbucks we set off to explore. The kids were amazed looking at all the great books, toys, games, kits and more! We saw coloring books for adults which were really cute.
I liked this book of wisdom from Mr. Rogers!
Just in case you were wondering-It is not a good idea to bring an Alligator to school!!!
Classics for Kids!!!
Who had this as a child? I Did!
The boys finally made their selections, they chose a Magic Set and a Planetarium. We tried out the magic set today and are mastering a few of the tricks! Â It is so much fun! The Planetarium will be opened and set up tomorrow. We really can’t wait for that. We will be sure and give you an update!
I will leave you with a littler more information on the Barnes & Noble MasterCard I told you about earlier in the post.
Card benefits exclusive to the Barnes & Noble MasterCard
Get 5% back at Barnes & Noble when you use your card at any Barnes & Noble store or online at BN.com
Earn a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card after your first purchase
Automatically receive a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card every time you reach 2,500 points
Earn 1 reward point for every $1 spent on all other purchases (excluding Barnes and & Noble purchases), even for everyday purchases like gas and groceries
No annual fee
Complimentary FICOÂŽ Credit Score
Use your Barnes & Noble MasterCard to purchase any of the following
Books
NOOK & NOOK Books
Toys & Games
Home & Gifts
Movies & TV
Textbooks
Gift Cards
Newspapers & Magazines
This post is sponsored by the Barnes & Noble MasterCard, powered by Barclaycard. All opinions are my own.
Are you trying to conceive? You want to make sure you are in optimal health before trying to conceive a baby. Getting a physical, health screenings, taking care of weight issues, making diet changes and more can stack the odds in your favor for conception. Read on to find out what you should take care of before trying to get pregnant.
Schedule A Pre-Conception Visit With Your OB/GYN:
See your OB/GYN for a pre-conception visit to get an evaluation of your overall health prior to conceiving. This visit should include STI screening and frank discussion of genetic disorders, problems with previous pregnancies, chronic health conditions and hereditary factors that may cause pregnancy complications. You should also discuss any birth control you have been using and the discontinuation of it.
Make sure to go over all medications you are taking and the safety of them with your doctor. Go over even over the counter medications and herbal supplements to see if they are safe. Ask your doctor about your weight. Being underweight or overweight can affect your chances of conceiving and also lead to pregnancy and childbirth complications. It is best to achieve a healthy weight prior to conception. Have your doctor recommend an exercise and diet plan to help you achieve your target weight.
Visit The Dentist:
Get your teeth cleaned and take care of any pressing dental issues. Pregnancy is no time to be sidelined by toothaches and dental problems. Prevention is key. Have cavities filled and take care of any other procedures you need to. You also want to have a thorough cleaning. Did you know that women with gum disease are four to seven times more likely to have an underweight or premature baby, according to a study in the Journal of the American Dental Association? So get those pearly whites and gums in top condition before conception.
Evaluate Your Diet:
Clean up your diet and eliminate soda, sugary snacks and other empty calories. Start eating fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins and dairy. Be sure to review with your doctor the list of foods women should steer clear of during pregnancy. Fish is good but some fish like swordfish, shark, king mackerel and tilefish should be avoided during pregnancy and conception due to high levels of mercury. Fish with low mercury levels like canned tuna, catfish, shrimp and salmon should be limited to 12 oz. a week.
Start Taking a Prenatal Vitamin with Folic Acid:
Start taking a good prenatal vitamin with folic acid. Make sure your vitamin is patented to provide true cellular delivery of nutrients. If not you are wasting your money and can be hurting your health. Most vitamins do not provide cellular delivery of nutrients and essential vitamins and minerals. Do your research and make sure you are taking a vitamin that is doing more than just passing through your body. Ideally you want to begin taking a prenatal supplement at least 3 months prior to trying to conceiving.
Detox Your Body:
Stop drinking alcohol. Since we don’t actually know what a safe level of alcohol is in pregnancy or exactly when during pregnancy alcohol might have its most severe effects,” says Myra J Wick, M.D., medical co-editor of Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. “If a patient is actively trying to conceive, I recommend that she not drink at all,” she adds. The same goes for marijuana and other illicit drugs. If you wouldn’t give it directly to your baby, make sure it’s out of your system before pregnancy.
Stop smoking and this includes your spouse! Smoking cigarettes can detrimentally affect both a woman’s and a man’s fertility. Smoking can damage and lower sperm count and motility. Smoking also can cause early menopause, increase chance of miscarriage, lead to low birth weight, premature delivery and more. Second hand smoke is also detrimental so quit smoking before conception and stay away from second hand smoke.
Studies are conflicting regarding the effects of caffeine on fertility and pregnancy. It has been linked by some studies to miscarriage. If you want to be safe, you should try to limit your caffeine intake to no more than 200 milligrams a day. Remember caffeine is found in more than coffee or tea. It is found in soda, energy drinks, some medications, chocolate and other foods.
Detox Your Home:
Get rid of toxic chemicals in your home. There are many everyday products that people use every day that contain hormone disrupting chemicals. Chemicals that can cause infertility, miscarriage and birth defects. Remember these chemicals cross the placenta and it is best to rid your home of them before you try to conceive. You will want them out of your house after baby, so just get them out now!
Almost all antibacterial soaps contain Triclosan- a hormone disrupting chemical. Dishwasher detergents, laundry soaps, all purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, bleach, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, sunscreen, make up, first aid products and more contain toxic chemicals and carcinogens. Do some research and find out what you have in your home that is not safe. Replace these products with safe and healthy solutions.
Get Familiar With Your Body:
Start charting your cycle, you can do this with several online sites that make charting your cycle very easy. I used one with my last pregnancy and took my temperature every morning with a basal thermometer. I also used an ovulation predictor and both were on target and we conceived that month. It is best to know your cycle so you know the optimal time for conception. The better you know your body will make your chances of uniting that egg and sperm more favorable.
Eliminate Stress:
Relax-do not stress about getting pregnant. I know this is easier said than done especially if you are having a difficult time. Try to relax using whatever means works best for you because it will help your mind, body and spirit be at their peak for conception to occur.
If you suffer from anxiety, adhd, depression or other issues you should see a health care professional if you do not already. Pregnancy can make these conditions worse and having professional support is important. Also as I mentioned above you will want to discuss any medication you are taking and the safety of continuation during pregnancy.
Don’t sabotage your chances of conceiving by using a lubricant that can harm or hinder sperm. When choosing a lubricant, choose wisely. Many lubricants on the market can impede sperm and contain spermicides. Using a sperm friendly lubricant like Astroglide TTC⢠that is specially formulated for couples trying to conceive. Astroglide TTC⢠supports fertility with adjusted pH levels, compatible osmolality and a consistency similar to your own egg white cervical mucus.
Each package has 8 pre filled disposable applicators making supplementing your natural fluids and enhancing your comfort easy. Astroglide TTC⢠also contains galactose, which is found naturally in semen, as well as fructose, the main source of energy for sperm. . Astroglide TTC⢠is the best value compared to any other competitor on the market with a retail price of $12.99!
Going through the list above will give you the best chance for achieving pregnancy. Do you have any tips to share? Is there anything you did that helped you conceive? I would love to hear them in the comments.
Astroglide TTC⢠sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine
Hello, Iâm Carolyn! I am a PR Savvy, WAH Mom to 5! I love Photography, Baking, DIY Projects, Crafts, Cooking and making memories with my family. I love sharing reviews and giveaways too!
