Tag Archives: Mommy Ramblings

Great Ways to Entertain Your Creative Child. #Giveaway

Coloring books are in like never before which is why I am so excited to share these coloring books with you. They are very different because they have a very creative aspect that is perfect to give kids something different to really let them get their creative juices flowing.

Fill Me In by Moose Allain  is an original fill-me-in journal from the World of Moose, packed with ideas and complex illustrations to spark the creative imagination. Playful drawings and simple prompts invite creators of all ages to not only color but to sketch, imagine, and finish his dense line drawings. Complete your own city, fill it with people, write a comic, and more. The ultimate rainy-day book, sure to keep budding artists busy for hours!

fill me in coloring book

The next 2 are both from Rebecca Jones and they are just beautiful.

The Coloring Book of Cards and Envelopes: Flowers and Butterflies and The Coloring Book of Cards and Envelopes: Nature let kids get creative with these amazingly innovative coloring books, full of beautifully designed cards and envelopes to tear out and color.

coloring bookd flowers butterflies

coloring book Nature
Each book features twenty four designs that are perfect for all ages to decorate and send to family and friends. Take inspiration from real life, or get experimental – try unusual colors and different materials to make each card truly unique! With enough blank space inside for a message, envelopes to customize and cute stickers to seal your card – this is the complete creative package!

coloring book flowers and butterflies

Coloring book nature cards

Want to see more? Check out our video review below:

 

Would you like to win all 3 coloring books? I thought you would. Then scroll on down to our giveaway below and good luck!

Giveaway:

Candlewick Press is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win al three of these coloring books. Thank you to Candlewick Press for the review books and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Coloring Book Creative Bundle Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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

Continue reading


10 Comments

Filed under Books, Creative Activities, Giveaway, Review

Top Sports Essentials For Your Little Athlete

With 5 kids who all play sports and a husband who is a world champion power lifter, it goes without saying we are an active family. We love that our kids are not couch potatoes. They literally spend every waking moment in some type of action. Our sons Ethan and Luke are finishing the baseball season and living on a lake we are always swimming during the summer as well as biking and hiking. My oldest is training for the New York Marathon!

As we wind down baseball season I thought I would talk about some essential things to help kids get the most they can out of the sport and also be safe.

Body ARmor

Top Little League Baseball Essentials:

Glove- A good baseball glove is essential. I know as the mom of 3 left-handed kids how hard it can be to find mitts for them. Start early in the season when you are buying one or you might be running everywhere trying to find one. Take your child with you and let them try it on. You never want to buy a glove that is too big. If the glove is too big it will make trying to catch balls awkward and will discourage them. The glove should fit snug without feeling tight. Remember too, gloves will loosen up naturally so size it carefully.

Batting gloves are also nice to have and help your child with gripping the bat. Again choose batting gloves that are sized correctly and are made well.

Batting Helmet- We buy our own batting helmets for our kids because we don’t like kids sharing helmets. First off by buying our own we know our kids have helmets that fit them properly and are offering them the best protection. Second sharing hats or helmets could put your child at risk in contracting head lice, no one wants that. Make sure the batting helmet meets the industry standards and is accepted by your child’s league.

Bat- Choose a bat that fits your child, nothing is worse than having your child get up to bat and hastily choosing a bat that is too big, too heavy or uncomfortable and trying to make the best of it. Your child will not do well and get discouraged. They should also be practicing between games with the bat so they are confident when they are up at the plate.

Take your child with you and choose a bat that is correct for their age and height. This list of the best baseball bats can help in your decision making process. Some kids like heavier bats and some lighter, if you let your child try a few, they can see which they prefer.

Body Armor 2

Baseball Cleats-It goes without saying that proper footwear is necessary to play any sport but with baseball you want cleats that fit well and will increase their performance and traction during the game and during drills at practice.

There are many other things you can get like a bat bag, special eye wear, jock straps, baseball socks and so much more! However, I think one of the most important things and one not to be overlooked is something to keep your child hydrated. A good sports drink is absolutely essential! As a mom I don’t like giving my kids sports drinks that are full of sugar, artificial flavors and colors. I want a healthier sports drink for my kids. I found it in BODYARMOR, the #1 Natural Sports Drink!

bodyarmor bottles

BODYARMOR is a premium sports drink with potassium-packed electrolytes, coconut water and vitamins and contains natural flavors, natural sweeteners and no artificial colors, unlike traditional sports drinks.

Body Armor 5

Many of the top professional athletes have chosen BODYARMOR over all other sports drinks, including Andrew Luck, Richard Sherman, Mike Trout and James Harden. BODYARMOR is a  GREAT choice for young athletes who don’t need all the extra sodium in their diets or the artificial ingredients that come from drinking other sports drinks on the market.

Body Armor 1

BODYARMOR Is Available in 8 Delicious Flavors:

Fruit Punch

Orange Mango

Strawberry Banana

Tropical Punch

Lemon Lime

Mixed Berry

Grape

Blackout Berry

body armor 4

BODYARMOR is available at Stop & Shop, Target, 7-Eleven and WaWa among others. You can visit the BODYARMOR website to learn more and stay in the loop with them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  If you think you would like to give BODYARMOR a try, I have good news! Now you can save when you try it with this downloadable coupon. Click HERE to get your coupon. Please let me know if the comments what you think after you try it.

This post was sponsored by BODYARMOR. As always my words and opinions are my own.

8 Comments

Filed under Coupon, Health, Review, Sports

Restoring Gut Health With #NuCulture

NuCulture-Logo-v0.3

Let’s talk about health, after all, what is more important than good? Did you know that bacteria can hold the key to good health? You may think of bacteria as bad, germy or something to clean out of our body but there are good bacteria that help us. Probiotics are good bacteria and they are normally found in our gastrointestinal tract. They work to overpower the bad bacteria in our intestines and reduce infection and other disease. They also keep our immune system functioning at its best and help reduce inflammation. Probiotics help our intestinal lining to function at its optimal level to enhance our health and protect us from the effects of harmful bacteria.

nuculture good bad

When our balance of good and bad bacteria in our intestinal track gets out of wack all kinds of unpleasant conditions and symptoms can arise. Inflammatory bowel syndrome, cancer, heart disease and metabolic syndrome are just some of the diseases associated with intestinal imbalance. You might be surprised to know that there may also be a link to asthma, obesity and even certain allergic conditions.

More than 100 million Americans are suffering from digestive issues. Several factors can affect the balance of good and bad bacteria in our gut. Overuse of antibiotics, eating processed foods, lack of sleep, aging, stress and even environmental factors like pollution can have negative effects and be detrimental to the good bacteria our bodies need. The good news is that we can help to restore balance with probiotics. When we have a healthy balance we can see big changes in our overall health. A balanced gut can help with issues like lactose intolerance, gas, bloating, constipation, bad breath, body odor, colitis, IBS and more!

So you might think it’s as simple as going to the store and grabbing a bottle of probiotics off the shelf but it’s not that simple. Not all probiotics are the same! Most probiotics available use strains that are not clinically studied, not patented, not stable, not formulated in doses that are clinically proven to be effective, and not even delivered alive. Most probiotics are nothing but a bottle of hype.

nuculture-bottle-w333x333

AlternaScript wanted to change this, so, they teamed up with 3 of the industry’s powerhouses and developed NuCulture. NuCulture has 5 clinically studied live probiotic strains for digestive and gut health in 1 capsule. NuCulture contains 15 Billion CFU high-potency probiotics and helps promote good bacteria with PreforPro® Prebiotic.

15 Billion CFU High-Potency Probiotics:
  • DE111® Bacillus subtilis
  • Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07™
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®
  • Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04™
  • Lactobacillus paracasei Lpc-37™
Benefits:
  •    Better Health
  •    Reduce bloating
  •    Support digestion
I have been a big proponent of taking probiotics for several years now. I understand that not all probiotics are created equal. Taking probiotics have helped me feel better and look better. I was excited to try NuCulture and I can say they are a great choice when choosing a US manufactured probiotic that is clinically studied and formulated with live probiotic strains. Some issues  I experienced before using probiotics were bloating and digestive issues after eating. NuCulture is effective in keeping these issues at bay. There is also a reduction in my cravings for sugar. If you would like to try NuCulture for yourself, there is a free 7 day trial including free shipping. To get your free trial click HERE! You can also stay in the loop with AlternaScript on Facebook.
Let me know if you try NuCulture and what you think in the comments.

 

nuculture-bottle-500x300

This post was made possible through iConnect and AlternaScript. I received compensation for my participation in this campaign. As always my words and opinions are 100% my own. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.Results may vary. Although this product helped me with the issues I mentioned, it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

3 Comments

Filed under Fitness, Health, Life Stages, Review

Save Money While Cleaning Your Air! #HimalayanSalt

I like to keep things natural as possible in my home. Did you know that Himalayan Salt Lamps  are all-natural air purifiers? These pristine pink Himalayan salt crystal lamps clean the air in your home while providing a warm, stunning glow that enhances any decor.

himalayansalthero

These unique health and wellness lamps are available from the Himalayan Salt Shop.  Himalayan Salt Lamps have been popular in Europe for decades, but have only recently become known in the United States.  Visit www.HimalayanSaltshop.com to learn more. If you decide to order one of these unique, natural lamps use code USFAMILY for 20% off.

himalayan

 

 

I will receive a complimentary Himalayan Salt Lamp for review. All opinions are my own.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Art, Discount Code, Health, Home, Home & Garden, Natural, USFG

Get A Free Vigoroom Membership & Enter To Win an iPad Mini

 

I have some awesome news to share with all of you today! Vigoroom is a free membership site that has everything you need to help you be happy, healthy  & Fit! There are free programs to lose weight, reduce and manage stress, help you sleep better, improve your finances and so much more!

CelebrityTrainers

 

You can sign up for a free membership now by clicking HERE!

NewMindset

Want more good news? I knew you would say yes! There is a special giveaway you can enter below with a grand prize of an iPad mini and a one-on-one Skype session with your choice of any of Vigoroom’s experts below. There are 10 other incredible consolation prizes so there will be 11 winners! The giveaway ends on July 13th so enter now!

Vigoroom image

Available experts for the grand prize winner:

 

  • “America’s Trainer” Kathy Smith has helped millions of women get in shape and is ready to help you find your inner fitness enthusiast.
  • “Your Financial Lifeguard” Christine Luken gives you her special formula to reduce debt, increase savings and lower your stress.
  • Kent Burden has trained celebs like Julia Roberts and can guide you to a healthier way of eating and more positive mindset.
  • Professor and clinical psychologist Christine Hatchard offers a roadmap for dealing with issues like emotional eating, depression and anxiety.
  • Attorney Laura Fredricks provides you with amazing insights into how you handle money so you can get more of what you want in life.
  • Therapist Shawn Quinlivan is a master of guided imagery and hypnotherapy and can change your world with just one conversation.

vigoroom graphic

This giveaway is open for US residents only, 18 years or older, void where prohibited! Just enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Good Luck!!!

 

Continue reading


Leave a Comment

Filed under Giveaway, Health

#ESVFamilyDevotionalBible- Share God’s Word As A Family -#Giveaway

The say that family that prays together stays together, in fact my priest just told me that the other day! If you are looking for a way to help your family read and apply God’s Word together, I have good news. The ESV FAMILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE is a hardbound colorful Bible that retells 130 key stories from the Bible. The stories feature full color illustrations as well as a key verse and are placed within the Bible text where it is found.  The stories are simplified and easy for children of all ages to understand.

family devotional Bible

I was happy to see that this Bible provided a way to share stories whenever with our children. They are the perfect length for reading in addition to a traditional bedtime story. There are questions that you can use with your children to spur discussion of the story. There is also a key verse for the story that I really liked.

The ESV Family Devotional Bible is designed to help families read and apply God’s Word together. This full-color edition features the complete ESV text interspersed with engaging illustrations and gospel-centered devotions related to key Bible stories—guiding families through the entirety of God’s Word over the course of a year. Each devotion also includes discussion questions and suggestions for additional reading, helping families develop a habit of reading the Bible together and applying its truth to all of life. You can find this Bible on Amazon.

Enter The Giveaway:

Propeller / FlyBy Promotions is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win their own ESV Family Devotional Bible. Thank you to  Propeller / FlyBy Promotions for the review Bible and for sponsoring this inspirational  giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

ESV Family Devotional Bible Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”

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

Continue reading


4 Comments

Filed under Family, Giveaway, kids, Spiritual

Share Your Smile & You Could Win A Trip To Walt Disney World

This is a Chiquita sponsored post and I am being compensated for my participation in this campaign as part of the Mom It Forward Blogger Network. As always my words and opinions are 100% my own.share your chiquita smile image

 

Eating healthy is important to us. We lead very busy lives and it can be hard when you are going all the time to make good food choices. One food that is the perfect on the go is the Chiquita banana. Packaged in its own biodegradable wrapper that keeps the fruit clean, no washing needed, just peel and enjoy. The banana is a great source of potassium, vitamin C, B and magnesium, it’s cholesterol free, high in antioxidants and delicious. Bananas are great on their own but are perfect for adding to cereal, yogurt, smoothies and much more. You can find a bunch of banana inspired recipes on the Chiquita banana site.

Chiquita Banana Collage

Do you love Chiquita bananas? If you are like our family, we love them so much, they naturally make us smile. This is a very good thing because Chiquita has a contest where sharing your Chiquita Smile can win you a trip to Disney World.! You can enter to win a trip to Disney World by heading over to  the “Share your Chiquita Smile” contest. You can enter now until 11:59 pm ET on June 19, 2016. Voting on the contest will run until 11:59 pm ET on June 26, 2016.

CB photo-examples

I am sharing my son Luke’s Chiquita Smile for my contest entry.

chiquita smile

Enter Now To Win A Chiquita Prize Pack:

  • Just Smile Breakfast Bowl
  • Just Smile Magnets
  • Chiquita Pens
  • Chiquita Aprons
  • Chiquita Short Sleeve T-Shirt

 

Do you want a chance to win something else? I thought so, you can enter our giveaway below to win a Chiquita Prize Pack (ARV-$50). Just enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. Entry Requirement will be to participate in the Chiquita Smile Contest. No Purchase Necessary, Must be 18 or older to enter, Open to  Continental US/DC/CAN (excl Quebec). Good Luck!!!  After you enter, click HERE for great Disney Resort Banana recipes, Disney Fun Facts and Fun Disney Printables

Chiquita Prize Pack Giveaway On Mommy Ramblings:

Continue reading


8 Comments

Filed under Attractions, Entertainment, Family Fun, Giveaway, Health, Travel

Win An Orkin, Summer Scientist Kit #Giveaway #LearnWithOrkin

There are some downsides to the very mild winter we had. The May bugs and Mosquitos are already out in full force. They just seem to put the biggest damper on being outside. With baseball practice, getting the garden started, yard work, BBQs and more these pests are a nuisece but more than that they can pose a serious health risk. Fortunately, the experts at Orkin study the science of mosquitoes and other pests closely in order to better tailor plans that help keep them out of your home this summer.

Are you prepared for mosquito season this year?

At Orkin, they use the latest technology and unparalleled training to develop an effective treatment that’s right for your needs. To learn more about our pest control based in science or to schedule an inspection, visit Orkin or call 1-800-800-ORKIN.  You can also find Orkin on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

To help you better prepare yourself and your family to fight the bite, Orkin presents the “Buzzer Beater” app, which features its deep scientific knowledge of mosquitoes.

Are you prepared for mosquito season this year? Take the quiz to see if you’re ready to earn your badge in Mosquito Season Prep.

 

Watch the “How to Deal With Mosquitoes” & “Do Mosquitoes Prefer Adults over Children” videos, as well as the rest of Orkin’s How-To video series, to get the most up-to-date knowledge on dealing with pesky home invaders.

Download Orkin’s yearly “Mosquito Cities” list and find out if your city made it!

Now Enter to Win An Orkin Summer Scientist Bug Catching Kit in our giveaway below!!! 

Orkin, Summer Scientist Bug Catching Kit, #Giveaway, Mommy Ramblings

The Orkin Summer Scientist Bug Catching Kits are fun for the whole family! Each pack includes:

2 Bug Catcher Craft Kits: These awesome DIY bug catcher kits will let your family’s personality shine through while also learning about nature and the world around us. The kits include a variety of foam ladybugs, dragonflies and more!

2 Bug Nets: Explore the great outdoors with these fun mesh insect nets. They can be used to collect and study butterflies, ladybugs, caterpillars and many other backyard creatures.

2 See-Through Bug Jars: Reveal the wonders of your backyard with these clear bug jars. Each transparent plastic box has a magnifying lid for better insect viewing. Young explorers love discovering worms, butterflies, ants and insects. These containers allow them to make homes for their new discoveries.

2 Magic Color Scratch Little Garden Critters: Scratch faces, designs and more on these Magic Color Scratch Little Garden Critters! A perfect kids’ activity for critter lovers, simply scratch away the black coating to reveal vibrant rainbow colors. Includes butterflies, frogs, turtles and more.

Glow-in-the-Dark Creepy Crawlers: Turn off the lights and let them glow! These vinyl glow-in-the-dark bugs are lots of fun for all ages.

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

Rules: Each household is only eligible to win 1 Summer Scientist Bug Catching Kit via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. Giveaway is open to US residents. Winner will not be able to us a PO Box for delivery.

 

Continue reading


11 Comments

Filed under Giveaway, Home & Garden, Outdoor Fun

Do You Have a Very Good, Very Bad Cat? #Giveaway

Do you have a cat or know someone who does? Chances are you said yes to one or two of those questions. Whether it is yourself or someone else, truth is many people share their homes and lives with a cat. Maybe your cat is an angel or maybe you swear you have the worst cat on the planet. More than likely you will say your cat can be so good and then at times be so very bad. In Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Very Good, Very Bad Cat , you will find 101 funny, heartwarming, and sometimes mind-boggling stories all about all the very good, very bad, simply amazing things our cats do.

my verygood very bad cat

They come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. From silly to sophisticated, from impish to affectionate, and everywhere in between, our cats are important and beloved members of our families. Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Very Good, Very Bad Cat will have readers of all breeds laughing, commiserating, and maybe even shedding a tear. These 101 heartwarming, humorous and completely true stories about our feline friends are sure to touch every cat lover’s soul. Perfect for every cat’s person.

 

my very bad cat

 

 

Chicken Soup For The Soul is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  Three lucky Mommy Ramblings’ blog readers will win their own copy of My Very Good, Very Bad Cat. Thank you to Chicken Soup For The Soul Publishing for the review book and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Very Good, Very Bad Cat Book Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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

Continue reading


7 Comments

Filed under Books, Giveaway, Pets

Do You Use Cloth Diapers? #Giveaway-$30 GC to Snuggy Baby

I am not a cloth diapering mama and I make no excuses. It is nothing that every appealed to me. Sure the prints are cute and they look sweet but when reality hits, those adorable diapers…well, let’s just say…not for me. However, as a blogger, one focused on bringing you great products, I go outside my comfort zone to showcase products you might love. So if you are a cloth diapering mama, you just want to keep reading.

Recently I was contacted by Snuggy Baby to see if I wanted to review one of their All In 2 diapers. Again, with my audience in mind, I said sure. I have to say the diapers are very cute. I chose one with adorable owls and woodland animals on the fabric. I also pick a hemp insert. These diapers are designed to fit babies from 8-35 lbs. There are 4 rise settings, cross over snaps the cinch and crotch and bottom snaps.

snuggy baby diaper 5

snuggy baby diaper 4

snuggy baby diaper details

The hemp insert has a removable infant insert is inserted in the diaper alone when using for a newborn. It can then be added back to the middle of the inserts as an extra soaker pad for larger babies. It took a little time for me to get the liner in the diaper but I am sure it was because it was my first time doing anything like that. You are supposed to wash the inserts several times before use for maximum absorbancy.

snuggy baby diaper snap in inserts

If you want to see my video review of the diaper, you can check it out below. I apologize as it is not the best and I fumbled a bit but it is what it is.

 

Snuggy Baby also has baby wraps, wet bags, doll slings and more. If you want to win a $30 Gift Certificate to Snuggy Baby then just enter the giveaway below. If you use Snuggy Baby diapers feel free to tell us what you think in the comments.

snuggy baby diaper inside

snuggy baby diaper

 

Snuggy Baby is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win a $30 Snuggy Baby Gift Certificate. Thank you  for the review product and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Snuggy Baby $30 Gift Certificate Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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

Continue reading


9 Comments

Filed under Baby, Baby Gear, Giveaway, Review