September 1, 2018 · 12:20 am

Vietnamese Beef Stew (Thit Bo Kho) Recipe

Vietnamese cuisine is well-known for its utilization of fresh ingredients, an emphasis on meat and vegetables, as well as its flavorful use of seasonings. You will often find herbs and seasonings such as lemongrass, cinnamon, ginger, and bay leaves in Vietnamese dishes.

For all of these reasons, Thit Bo Kho or Vietnamese Beef Stew is a perfect example of Vietnamese cuisine. Tender beef braised in cinnamon and stewed in a mix of vegetables and seasonings until it is ready to be served with a crisp toasted baguette.

The total meal prep time is roughly 30 minutes. Beyond prep, you need to account for 4 to 24 hours of marinating time, and 1.5 hours for stewing.

Our recommendation is to prep the meat mixture for marinatimg the night before you plan to cook the stew. Then let the mixture sit overnight in your refrigerator. This makes this recipe a great meal for families looking for a quick prepared fix during the week.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 4 pieces of ginger
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 whole Burma Spice Star Anise
  • 2 sticks of Burma Spice’s Ceylon Cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon of crushed lemongrass paste
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 4 cups of organic beef broth (used as needed)
  • 2 Burma Spice Mediterranean Bay Leaves
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 4 carrots, sliced ½-inch-thick
  • Chopped green onions
  • Cilantro
  • Toasted French baguette

The stars of the show

As with all Vietnamese cooking, the key to the flavors of the meal are the spices. Luckily for you, Burma Spice just happens to have the best trio to make your THIT BO KHO a smashing success.

Directions

Step 1

Add cut beef cubes, onions, ginger, garlic, oyster sauce, sugar, cinnamon, and star anise into a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly, coating the beef thoroughly with the oyster sauce.

Step 2

Place the mixture in a large sealable plastic bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for 4 to 24 hours. As previously noted, Steps 1 and 2 are perfect for meal prep the night before you plan to serve the dish.

Step 3

Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven. Toast the Burma Spice Star Anise and Burma Spice Ceylon Cinnamon sticks for about 30 seconds. Be careful not to burn these ingredients. Simply brown until that amazingly fragrant smell hits you, and take off the heat. You will add these items back into the mixture once you are ready to simmer the stew.

Step 4

Brown the marinated beef mixture in batches.  As you brown it mix in some of your crushed lemongrass paste with each batch. If you put the entire mixture into the dutch oven at one time the amount of liquid produced will keep your meat from browning. You likely want to divide your mixture into 4 batches. Put each batch into a large bowl and move to brown the next.

Step 5

Stir in tomato paste to coat your beef mixture thoroughly.

Step 6

Add beef broth to your mixture. You just want to cover your beef, so add the broth slowly. Add your bay leaves, soy sauce, toasted ceylon cinnamon sticks, and star anise into the stew.

Step 7

Bring the stew to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 1 and 1/2 hours or until beef is tender.

Step 8

Add your cut carrots during the last 15 minutes of cooking time. Simply cook until the carrots are tender.

Step 9

Top with green onions and cilantro. Toast your baguette and serve! This recipe is a great meal for any day. It is a tender, flavorful dish that will have your family asking for more.

This is a collaborative guest recipe post.

 


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August 30, 2018 · 1:47 pm

4 Questions To Help You Determine Why Your Child Is Crying

When your child is crying and won’t or can’t tell you what is wrong, it is very frustrating. Meltdowns can be difficult for even the most experienced parents to handle. When it happens, your automatic reaction might be to tell your child to stop crying. Unfortunately, that rarely works so you might want to consider these factors.

Crying is a natural reaction for kids when they are over-stimulated, over tired, or physically hurt. Figuring out which it is and meeting their needs can help you get to the root of the problem. The next time you are faced with an outburst, take a deep breath and ask yourself these 4 simple questions before reacting.

Is it something physical?

Perhaps your child refuses to put on his shoes and bursts into tears when you stand firm. Is this a battle of wills  or could it be that they are dealing with physical pain they may not be able to express? The frustration of not being able to articulate what is going on, can trigger an epic meltdown.

Take a look at their physical condition. Could it be a toothache? According to Lane Family Dental, “Your tooth may not bother you at all until that moment you bite into a decadent slice of chocolate cake. The shock from coming in contact with sugar is a pretty sure sign that your tooth has a cavity.”

Or could it be a headache? Mayo Clinic states that headaches in children can be difficult to diagnose, but they may cry and hold their head to indicate pain. Lastly, it may be the most common physical reason of them all: your child may just need a nap.

Is your child feeling stressed?

This one is more common among older children. You may wonder what could cause a child to be stressed. Actually, any situation that is new to a child can cause their body to release the stress hormone, cortisol.

Dealing with after school activities where a certain level of performance is expected, can add stress to an already-full school day. Tears could also result from a frustrating classroom situation. It could even be  something they have heard that they don’t know how to handle. Consider that their tears may not really be about having to clean their room or do a chore. In reality that outburst may be an expression of accumulated stress.

Is your child hungry?

It happens to everyone. So much so that a new term has cropped up to describe it; Hungry + angry = “hangry.” Hangry describes how attitudes go south when our bodies are lacking fuel. Even if your child ate a good lunch, by the time they get home from school, they could be famished. If they don’t have a healthy snack, they could be heading for an emotional outburst. So, while you do not want to use food as a bribe to stop their tears, their hunger is likely what is causing them to be so cranky.

Give them a hug and  go to the kitchen and fix both of you a healthy snack. Turn it into an activity so that the association becomes one of doing something together, versus using food for emotional relief.

Is Your Child Overstimulated?

Have you ever wondered why so many meltdowns happen when shopping, on vacation or in the aisles of grocery stores? Chances are high that it’s the environment that is over stimulating your child. Places that are noisy, have crowds of people and multiple things to see can be overwhelming for kids.

With so much for a little brain to process, kids turn to the one thing they know will bring relief. Their tears will bring mommy or daddy running to fix everything. Consider a quick exit from the store or environment to get your child to a calmer place instead of demanding or pleading with them to stop crying.

Lastly, if you are always telling your child to stop crying, it could convey a message to them that negative emotions should stay bottled up. This can lead to difficulties with opening up in later years and stunted emotional growth. Studies tell us that our tears serve a good purpose. Tears and crying can reduce the body’s stress hormone and bring calm back to our physical state.

So, instead of feeling harried when your child breaks down in tears, realize that the tears are one way your child is communicating with you. That crying is their body’s way of calming down.

This is a collaborative guest post. The views and ideals expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.

 


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August 27, 2018 · 2:45 am

12 Ways to Earn Gift Cards Online Fast

No one minds getting gift cards for Christmas, birthdays or for any other occassion. That’s because gift cards really rock! Gift cards give you the freedom to buy what you want, so you get exactly what you need. It’s fun when you narrow a choice down to a certain store, but then have the opportunity to get whatever you want in that store.

Waiting for someone to give you your next gift card for a special occasion? Don’t wait until someone buys you one. You can take control and grab gift cards all on your own. No need to wait all year to check your Christmas stocking to see if you get one. Earn your own gift cards quickly by checking out these 12 ways to earn gift cards online fast.

1. Use Swagbucks

Swagbucks is one of the ultimate ways you can earn gift cards – and fast.

This app makes it easy for you to earn points that go toward gift cards you can use to shop your favorite brands. Swagbucks lets you watch videos, shop, and surf the web while getting paid to do it. This task-based gift card reward program is one of the easiest ways to earn virtually free gift cards without going to a regular job.

Swagbucks has apparently paid their members almost 300 million dollars, which is pretty nuts. You can use these gift cards for yourself, or save them for great stocking stuffers for friends and family during the holiday season! Swagbucks has been seen on sites like BuzzFeed and ABC, so you know it’s legit.

2. Sign up with instaGC

Next on our list is instaGC, a website that allows you to earn gift cards online fast with little effort needed.Earn points towards your gift cards at a quick pace by doing the activities you usually do online anyway. Fill out surveys, watch entertaining videos, shop your usual brands, and spend time researching on the internet – only now, do it and get paid with gift cards!

You can choose from 350 different gift cards from Flowers.com to Abercrombie & Fitch to AMC Theaters. There’s all different types of stores, depending on what you got your eye on at the moment.Over a million gift cards have been redeemed at instaGC, so it’s time for you to sign up and earn!

3. Discover the right credit card program

Sign up with a credit card company that rewards your favorite hobby – shopping! For example, you can earn points with Banner Bank and you can turn in those points for gift cards. Of course, you don’t want to go overboard with this option and you want to thoroughly research the bank before you choose it.

One example of a bank with a gift card benefit is Banner Bank. Join Banner Rewards’ TruRewards program (their loyalty program) and earn points that turn into gift cards.

There’s a million banks out there, why not sign up with a credit card company that will reward you for using them? Sign up with a credit card that’ll earn you points as you shop. Put your shopping trips to good use and earn gift cards as you go!

4. Take surveys

Keep it simple and fill out easy-to-follow-along surveys and earn gift cards while you do it. Amazon gift cards are available to redeem when you sign up with MySurvey and start filling out answers that’ll lead you to gift cards online fast.

MySurvey says, “Discover the power of your opinion.” You’re going to feel pretty powerful after you’ve earned yourself some free money to spend at Amazon. Fill out surveys by using basically any of your devices. It’s so easy!It’s not only Amazon gift cards that you can earn with MySurvey. Get paid through PayPal for quick cash or choose other available brand gift cards, too!

5. Keep your receipts

Ask for a receipt and get paid! With sites like Receipt Hog, you’ll be able to trade your receipt  in for gift cards.It might seem too good to be true, but it’s that simple. Shop any of your favorite go-to brands and take a photo of your receipt. Send it into Receipt Hog and earn gift cards online fast.

Receipt Hog describes their process as “feeding a hog receipts” and watching it get “fatter.” The fatter the hog gets, the fatter your wallet gets! You can also play their online game called Hog Slots and earn coins that go towards gift cards. According to Receipt Hog, they’ve paid out over 2.5 million dollars to people who’ve signed up with their website!

The reason why Receipt Hog finds the receipts you have so valuable is because they’re used in market research. Market research is a powerful tool for companies who want to better their brand and learn what consumers want. Brands will pay top dollar to get a hand on the receipts you’d normally just toss in the recycling bin!Help brands get better and earn gift cards simultaneously. It’s a win-win!

6. Test out apps

Are you into apps? Well, then you’re in luck. Sites like Feature Points will let you earn gift cards by trying out apps and testing out how they work. This is important for app companies because they can have people test out their app before they launch it to the public.

Try out free apps and see what’s new on the market. You’ll be in touch with the latest in the app world, so you’ll know what’s next in app development. Pretty cool!

Feature Points works both iPhone and Android, so there’s no excuse not to sign up and start earning points for having fun with apps. With Feature Points, you’re not limited to one type of gift card. Get plenty of choices through Feature Points and choose what works for you.

7. Join the National Consumer Panel

This next one combines market research with scanning barcodes. The National Consumer Panel (or, the NPC) is a company that makes it easy for manufacturers to know what consumers buy. In turn, consumers get better products and more accuracy in delivering exactly what they need.

The NCP rewards people that sign up with gift cards. Input on services, products, and general information on what the public wants is so valuable in today’s economy. Get paid to give your opinions. Who could say no to that?

8. Watch videos

Watching tv is probably the easiest thing on the planet to do, right? Well thanks to websites that will pay you to watch tv, it just got even sweeter. Earn points in order to get free gift cards by signing up with sites like Viggle.

Viggle has television or streaming programs waiting for you to watch that’ll earn you gift cards. Choose from more than 800 gift cards and pick the ones that work for you. You’ll earn your way towards gift cards by collecting “Perk Points” that’ll allow you to get your gift cards quickly.

Another video payment company is GrabPoints. This site offers their clients engagement, which is what you, the user, will provide for them. Get engaged, and help GrabPoints make advertisers happy by simply watching videos.

9. Work with Microsoft

If you’ve never heard of Microsoft Rewards, listen up. By earning gift cards through Microsoft, you know you’ll be getting paid by a reputable company. It’s pretty straight forward. Use the search engine called Bing and “level up” to achieve gift card rewards. You basically want to be signed into your Microsoft account while you do things you normally would on the web.

It doesn’t take a lot of brain power. Watch your rewards increase as you go and look forward to that spending spree once you’ve reached a certain amount of points.

10. Buy pre-owned gift cards

As the old saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Your journey to discounted gift cards starts with someone who wants to get rid of their gift card. Believe it or not, some people choose to get rid of their valuable gift cards. Maybe they got it as a gift. Maybe they aren’t into the brand anymore. Whatever the reasoning is, you’ll get to benefit on their decision to let that precious gift card go.

Their gift cards turn into discounted gift cards sold on sites that offer to buy them. That site then turns around and sells it to customers waiting to get their hands on a new gift card. Buying discounted gift cards is definitely an interesting way to earn gift cards online fast.

Gift Card Granny is a place where you can buy discount gift cards and totally score on stores you love. Gift Card Granny makes sure the gift cards they sell are verified and guaranteed to work. After the verification process, it’s sold to customers like you who are hunting for a serious deal.

Cardpool is another company that lets people buy previously owned gift cards for a fraction of the price it’s worth. You can buy gift cards for up to 35% off!

These companies probably sound too awesome to work, but they really do! Cardpool has been featured on trusted network programs like Rachel Ray, CNN, NPR, and even The New York Times. How’s that for proof?

11. Get a free $10 gift card by joining Ebates

Ebates is a popular cash back focused discount opportunity website that lets you earn money while you shop. Brands pay Ebate to feature them on the Ebates website. That money goes straight to you. It’s a pretty beneficial business model for the shopper!

Join Ebates and get a free $10 gift card instantly. This is a one-time-only thing, but you’ll get your gift card quick by barely doing anything.There’s not much thinking that goes into this. Join Ebates and grab a free $10 gift card. It’s that simple!

12. Share deals with others who want to save big

Our final option is the ability to earn gift cards by sharing the coupons and promo codes you come across every day with the online deal hunting community at Dealstpor.

Dealspotr is a coupon and promo code website that’s known for offering codes that actually work. There are a lot of coupon sites out there, and they’re not all made equally. Dealspotr’s main focus is not only to bring you good coupon promo codes, but to make sure that they work at checkout.

Now for the gift cards! Join the community at Dealspotr and you’ll be surrounded by people who are just like you — people who love a good discount. These deal hunters play a major role at Dealspotr and help the promo code database grow by sharing deals they’ve found on the web. You probably have some pretty great deals sitting in your email inbox right now that you aren’t planning on using. Why not share the wealth?

When you create an account with Dealspotr, you’ll then have the ability to add deals to the thousands of other fantastic saving opportunities available on Dealspotr already. The interface is user-friendly, so posting a deal is a no-brainer. When you’re logged in, simply find the bright green “Add a new deal” button on the top left side of the page. You can’t miss it!

After you click on that, you’ll be taken to a screen that looks like the one below:

Start typing the store name that your deal is for and it’ll ask you what type of deal you’re posting for. You’ll be asked a few more questions before you post in minutes. Easy-peasy.

Post your findings on Dealspotr and you’ll not only help out your fellow bargain lovers, but you’ll get paid for it in gift cards! Plus, just by signing up you’ll get a 500 point head start.

Try It For Yourself

There’s no right way to earn gift cards online fast. As you can see, there are more ways than one! Fill out surveys, help market research, watch videos, and shop. There are so many activities you can do and they’re all available in the palm of your hand.

Pick the gift card acquiring strategy that best fits your lifestyle and go for it. With so many gift cards to gain and nothing to lose, there’s no reason not to try it out.

 

This is a collaborative guest post. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of Mommy Ramblings.


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August 22, 2018 · 10:42 am

“Homespun” Blog Book Tour- Amish & Mennonite Women in Their Own Words

I love learning about different cultures and religions. The most profound thing I have learned, is that when we really take the time to learn about others, we usually discover we are more alike than different. I think our world could benefit greatly if we all took the time to learn about others.

Given my feelings, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review a new book edited by Lorilee Craker. The book, Homespun: Amish and Mennonite Women in Their Own Words,

 

Is there a better way to connect and get to know someone than over a cup of coffee or tea? That is exactly how it feels reading the stories of the Amish and Plain Mennonite women in this book. Editor Lorilee Craker, bestselling author of Money Secrets of the Amish, collects these personal writings about hospitality, home, grief, joy, and walks with God.

Hear from one woman who struggles with feeling inferior to her sister, from another about her longing for a baby, and from a third who accidentally bought stretchy material to sew her husband’s pants. tEach woman’s story is a testament to the grace of God and the blessings of community.

This book is such a great read, one to savor while laying back and enjoying the end of summer. Homespun is such a comfortable read, it is so hard to put down. As I read the stories of the women on the pages, I found there was much more I had in common with them than not. The stories draw you in and make you laugh, cry and connect. You will love this book.

Learn more in my video below:

Behind Amish romance novels and tourist spots and television shows stand real people, with longings and loves just like the rest of us. Every Amish and Mennonite woman has a story. In Homespun, you get to hear some of them.

About the editor:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lorilee Craker is the author of thirteen books, including Money Secrets of the Amish; Anne of Green Gables, My Daughter, and Me; My Journey to Heaven with Marv Besteman; and the New York Times bestseller Through the Story with Lynne Spears. Connect with Lorilee on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


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August 20, 2018 · 10:45 am

3 Easy Ways To Repair Summer Sun Damaged Skin

After a summer of fun in the sun, your skin probably needs some TLC. If you are looking for ways to pamper your complexion and undo damage from spending too much time in the sun, you are not alone. Many are looking for ways to rejuvenate, deep clean and rehydrate their skin. The products below can help give you back the healthy, glowing skin you love.

Peels

Peels are one of the easiest ways to rid your skin of dead cells and sun damage. When shopping for a peel, look for ones that contain alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic and lactic acids, and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) like salicylic acid. Together these acids will help unclog your pores, reduce breakouts, exfoliate and brighten your skin.

The Microdelivery Triple-Acid Brightening Peel from philosophy is a good choice. This set contains 12 pre-saturated chemical peel pads to deliver advanced skin-brightening and anti-aging benefits. This peel conveniently delivers superior results in one easy step you can do at home.

Research showed that after just 2 uses, individuals saw a 96% improvement in skin smoothness with no irritation. After just 4 uses, there was a 96% improvement in brightening as well as an 81% decrease in fine lines and 90% enhanced clarity.

Masks

Masks are effective at helping to remove dark spots and clogged pores which go hand in hand with sun and sweat. You can use a brightening mask with vitamin C to kick your dull complexion to the curb while it fades facial discoloration.

GlamGlow, FlashMud Brightening Treatment is available at Sephora or Amazon, and is good for normal, oily, dry or combination skin. This multi-targeted, multi-sensorial brightening treatment for radiant, youthful-looking skin brings fast results. Use to lighten dark spots and correct uneven skin tone, uneven skin texture and banish dullness.

The Body Shop’s Himalayan Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask is 100% Vegan beautifying mud-textured exfoliating mask that deeply cleanses and purifies the skin by cleaning out clogged pores and releasing impurities and toxins to reveal a healthy-looking youthful glow.

Boosters

Like their name implies, Boosters give your skin care routine an extra push. As the seasons change, most skin types can benefit from increased hydration and plumping. A booster that contains hyaluronic acid attracts moisture from the air and pulls it into the skin.

Paula’s Choice-BOOST C15 Super Booster with 15% Vitamins C & E and Ferulic Acid can give you visibly brighter skin thanks to the replenishing antioxidants and skin smooth peptides. This product works to provide exceptional results; improving the appearance of uneven skin tone, lessening environmental stress and brightening dull complexions.

Taking some time to pamper your skin is well worth it. Your skin says so much about you and if you are like me, you want it to look the best it can be. What are some of your go-to products or routines to repair summer sun damage?

 


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August 10, 2018 · 1:26 pm

Safety First: Find Out Who Has Your Number

In today’s world, you need to be extra careful with your phone. When you start receiving many calls from unknown phone numbers, it is natural to be concerned. This is even more of an issue when your children have their own phones. You want to make sure your kids are safe and not approached by strangers, even on the phone.

You may notice many different numbers calling or just one or two. If you have a pre owned phone, you might get calls from people who think you are someone else. This can make it difficult to know when to answer.

When you are teaching your kids to be safe on their phone, here are a few helpful tips for dealing with unknown phone numbers.

Don’t Answer

When an odd number shows up on the caller ID, it is often best to simply let the phone ring or decline the call.  Have your child show you the phone number on the caller ID so you can initiate a reverse phone lookup. When a child answers the phone, they may give out information they shouldn’t. Not answering means they won’t get confused by a strange caller and give out personal information.

Keep It Private

Kids often put down phone numbers on school forms and social media. You should talk to your child about not giving out their phone number, except to close friends and family. If your kids are asked to fill out any papers at their school or for sports, tell them to put down a parent’s number instead.

If you have teenagers that like to be on social media, make sure they do not put any of their contact information on their accounts. They should also keep all of their settings on private. Otherwise, strangers may be able to get their phone number off of their social media pages and call your child.

Keep the Phone Close

Kids often set things down and forget where they put them. Talk to your child about keeping their phone nearby, in their bag, or in their pocket. If the phone is out where it can be seen, someone may pick it up or see their personal information. Your child is likely to have pictures on their phone that could end up in the wrong hands. Be sure to use the reverse phone lookup anytime you want to know who is calling your child’s phone.

There are times when you just do not feel right about a phone number that shows up on your caller ID. You can easily find out who the caller is by checking with a reverse phone number service. Strange numbers can be especially concerning when the call is going to your child’s phone. Talk to your children about what to do if a strange number shows up. Make sure they save the number so you can find out what is going on. Safety is key when it comes to unknown numbers.

This is a collaborative guest post. The ideas and views do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.


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August 8, 2018 · 10:13 pm

Chrissy’s Knee High Socks

Several weeks ago I was sent a few pairs of socks from Chrissy’s Knee High Socks. As it is summer, I am not wearing knee socks, but I do like wearing socks in the fall and winter. I thought I was being sent knee socks, but the socks I received were extremely long, they went way past my knees, and looking at their site, it looks like I was sent thigh high socks.

Frankly, I would have preferred to select the kind and style of socks that I will actually wear. The socks are colorful and seem well made. They have socks for men and women on their site.

You can find socks for all kinds holidays as well. They even have custom socks you can order, like socks for your roller derby or sports team.

 

If you want to check them out, they are having a sale now. Let me know what you think.


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· 2:24 pm

4 Helpful House Cleaning Tips for Working Mothers

Having a clean home when you work can be a real struggle. Seventy percent of mothers with children under 18 participate in the labor force, with over 75 percent employed full-time. Whether you work full-time or part-time,  juggling your job, kids, cooking and cleaning is not easy. When you are off from work, it can still be difficult to find the time to clean your home thoroughly.

You can find some relief when you change the way you work to keep your home spotless. Here are a few tips that will help you make the most of the time you have to clean and organize your home.

1. Set A Timer

Cleaning shouldn’t consume your whole day. You can make your home look clean in just 20 minutes. You would be surprised at what you can accomplish in just 20 minutes if you don’t get distracted by phone calls, emails, visitors ,etc.

Start with the easiest task and set a timer. Using a timer will help you understand exactly how much time you have left and helps keep you from getting sidetracked.

2. Do Dishes After Every Meal

Cleaning the dishes after meals helps you stay on top of your kitchen. Don’t let dishes pile up, because it will become overwhelming, and cause you to procrastinate. Get into a routine which includes doing dishes after each meal. Stop throwing the dirty utensils in your sink and leaving them for later.

If you are having trouble getting your dishes under control, try the “One Cup Method.” Assign one plate, glass, other utensils to everyone and avoid using other utensils. Doing so will significantly cut down on the amount of dirty dishes, and make clean-up after each meal quick and easy.

Use a similar approach for taking out the trash. Every evening before going to bed, place your full trash bag by the front door. In the morning, grab it and place in your outdoor trash can or receptacle. If you do this, you won’t come home to foul odors or overflowing trash bins after working a long day.

3. Assign Tasks

You shouldn’t have to pick up after everyone. You are not the only person living in your home, and it doesn’t state anywhere, that you are the only person responsible for cleaning it. Make others contribute, especially when you can’t handle the load alone. Follow this plan:

Assign Laundry to Teens

Laundry can clutter your whole house, especially if everyone keeps throwing their dirty laundry wherever they want. Your teens are only a few years away from college where they will have to look after themselves. Prepare them for this change by making them do the laundry for the whole family.

Make Everyone Pick Up After Themselves

It may be harder to get very young children to clean up after themselves, but it is easier to implement with older children. Lead by example, you are teaching your children about personal responsibility when you make them clean up after themselves. You won’t need to remind them of their chores, if they take pride in keeping their house clean. Teaching your children the value of being responsible. will serve them well in life.

4. Find Pockets of Time Every Day

If you can’t afford a top-end NYC Maid Service, you need to find pockets of time in-between different tasks. Use your time wisely and knock off cleaning tasks. For example:

  • Unload the dishwasher while you wait for your kids to get ready for school
  • Do some laundry during a commercial break
  • Pre-treat the laundry items for your next load when waiting for the washing machine to finish
  • Clean the bathroom while taking a shower

Implementing these helpful tips can make keeping up with your home while working easier. Juggling a career, family and managing a home is stressful, that stress can make day-to-day life hard and chaotic. If you stick with the new routines, it won’t be long before you see big changes.

This is a collaborative guest post, the views and ideas expressed do not necessarily represent those of Mommy Ramblings.

 


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· 3:54 am

“Dog Days” Unleashed In Theaters Today & Dog Days Gift Pack Giveaway

Unleash the love! DOG DAYS hits theaters everywhere Wednesday, August 8th!

Dog Days is a hilarious and heartfelt ensemble comedy that follows the lives of multiple dog owners and their beloved fluffy pals.

Check out the official trailer below:

Dog Days is  directed by Ken Marino, stars Nina Dobrev, Vanessa Hudgens, Adam Pally, Eva Longoria, Finn Wolfahard and more!

Giveaway:

Enter below for your chance to win a Dog Days Gift Pack. 

Dog Days Giveaway includes:

  • Collapsible Dog Bowl (color may vary)
  • Doggy Bag Dispenser (color may vary)
  • Dog Bandana (color may vary) 
  • Adopt Love T-Shirt (size & color may vary)
  • $50 Fandango Gift Card to take your family to see DOG DAYS in theaters

 

I am working with a PR company representing LD Entertainment and they are sponsoring this giveaway on Mommy Ramblings. As always my words and views are 100% my own.


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August 7, 2018 · 10:16 pm

“How To Be A Lion” Book Giveaway

I want to introduce you to a new picture book by the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator of Max the Brave comes an inspiring and adorable picture book about a pair of unlikely friends who face down a pack of bullies, Ed Vere. How To Be A Lion shows kids that you don’t have to roar to be heard.

Leonard is a lion who has a duck named Marianne, as his best friend. One day the lion bullies come around, and tell Leonard they understand he is different, he likes writing poetry and being gentle, but not chomping a duck is going too far.

Leonard and Marianne find a way to show the lion bullies that there is more than one way to be a lion. In the end, the words Marianne and Leonard put together, show the bullies that they should worry about being themselves and let Leonard be who he is. 

The story reinforces the importance of accepting people for who they are and to stop using stereotypes of the way they should act. It is an important lesson that is conveyed beautifully on the pages.

Ed Vere’s new book is part of trend in children’s literature – books meant to empower boys to think independently, engage with their emotions, and not conform to traditional gender roles.

In a recent interview about the topic, Vere said: “Too often strength and sensitivity are presented as mutually exclusive. We need to teach compassion, respect and empathy at an early, foundational age. If we can teach this to boys at around five, and demonstrate that being gentle, sensitive or emotionally engaged isn’t a weakness, but part of being a fully rounded grown up man, then we’re getting the message through to them before toxic attitudes have a chance to solidify.”

Ed’s book, HOW TO BE A LION, is being praised for successfully conveying this important message.

  • “Positive role models showing boys how to be a whole person are few and far between these days. This marvelous book triumphs in that essential job.” – Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
  • “Vere’s fable makes a watertight—and charming—case for ignoring the pressures of conformity.” – Publishers Weekly
  • “Children will feel empowered after reading such a deliberate story of unyielding strength and self-awareness. Thoughtful and provocative words to live by.” – School Library Journal

Listen as I read the book in the video below:

Giveaway

Penguin Random House is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win their own hardcover copy of How To Be A Lion! Thank you to Penguin Random House for  review book and this king of a giveaway. Open to U.S. Residents.

How To Be A Lion Hardcover Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

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