February 21, 2015
Creating Your Own Destiny with Netflix #StreamTeam
Brrrrr it is cold out there!! With these bone chilling temperatures lately we have been spending more time inside catching up on our favourite Netflix shows.
This month, Netflix is bringing back all of our favourite childhood characters but taking it to a new level. Now we get to find out what happened to all our favourite characters – turns out they became parents and had their own children!
In Ever After High, premiering this month on Netflix, the famous fairy tale character’s children are at a boarding school for teens destined to follow in their parent’s footsteps. Ever After High celebrates the idea that our lives are not predetermined for us and only we have the power to change our destiny.
Also premiering this month is Richie Rich (a brand new version of the old favourite!) and Season 2 of Mako Mermaid.
Our favourite show this month? The Mind of a Chef! This show is all about what it is like to think, cook, live, create in a food obsessed world of the mind of a chef. Yum yum! I love to cook so this was perfect for me.
Getting our children to think of the future (so hard to think of my babies all grown up!) and challenging them to set a path for themselves to create their own destiny is important. They need to know and understand that only they have the power to control their future and what happens to them.
So with some inspiration from Meet the Dupiens, we helped our children Reach for the Stars with their own destiny banner.
We asked our boys: What and where do you see yourselves in the future? What do you want to be when you grow up?
Their answers:
- Power Ranger or Batman
- Soccer Player
- FIFA World Cup Player
- NHL hockey player
- professional gamer
- Live somewhere where it is always hot!
Oh to be young again!
Pull out the magazines and pencil crayons and get colouring and cutting! Have your child put together photos of their dream destiny to put on a banner. This banner can be hung up in their room or on their door to be a constant reminder to always aim high.
It is so important for our children (and us too!) to remember to follow our dreams and work hard to achieve our goals.
Catch up with all your favourites this month on Netflix and new shows that teach us to always reach for the stars and that anything is possible.
What are you looking forward to watching on Netflix this month?
Disclosure: I am a member of the Netflix StreamTeam and receive perks with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 16, 2015
Baby Comes Home: A Parent’s Guide
Baby Comes Home by Dr. Paul Roumeliotis is the ultimate parenting resource guide to ensure your baby is happy, healthy and feels loved.
About Baby Comes Home
In Baby Comes Home, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, an expert pediatrician takes a unique approach to baby care by emphasizing what scientific approach already has proven – that what happens early on in a child’s life will affect their overall health later down the road.
Baby Comes Home communicates the latest science that explores how positive or negative early childhood experiences can have lifelong consequences. The book begins by describing the vital changes that occur in a child’s brain in the first eighteen months of life. The book then goes on to explain the Science of TLC – that shows that tender, loving and caring relationships will help to positively shape a child’s brain. The book then presents more practical information on safety, baby patterns, immunizations, injury prevention and more. Dr. Paul also describes common illnesses in the first few years of life.
My Thoughts:
Bringing a new child home is hard whether or not you are a new parent or a seasoned parent. Each child is unique and different and you face new challenges with changing opinions and differences in parenting styles.
What I like the most of Baby Comes Home is that Dr. Paul presents child care in an open way with no links to certain parenting styles or condemns certain styles. His basis is on loving and caring for your child. That is what counts the most – our children need to know they are loved and cared for. This will help them to become stronger and independent adults.
Dr. Paul breaks down each section and highlights the important parts. The information is useful for not only baby but also for older children as well making this a book you will cherish for years to come and not just for the first twelve months of life (ex. pool safety, petting zoo safety,etc.). Dr. Paul also adds practical points that are easily appreciated by many parents to give you real life examples (how to mix cereals and introduce solid foods).
One of the biggest concerns I have as a parent is questioning whether or not my child is meeting important developmental milestones. The sooner this is recognized (if they are not achieving these milestones) the sooner you can help your child. Dr. Paul breaks these milestones down and gives you clear developmental milestones by age. Remember if you have a concern to openly speak to your family doctor – they are so important for caring for your child!.
Baby Comes Home will be one of the best investments you make in a parenting resource. A perfect guide for parents and grandparents alike this book will last long into their childhood. You can find the book on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author:
Dr. Paul is an expert of early child health and wellness and a health communications pioneer. His education content has reached millions online as well as being featured on television and radio. Dr. Paul believes that the future of health care is in communication of health information in a variety of media formats. This vision inspired him to become a writer/publisher/publisher of multi format health and wellness resources.
You can connect with Dr. Paul online, on Twitter and on Facebook.
The Giveaway!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 13, 2015
Homemade Vapour Rub
Homemade vapour rubs are the perfect solution for the many colds and infections we pick up during the long winter months.
For myself, I suffer with chronic sinus infections and this is the only thing that keeps me going during the day (especially since I do not want to reply on antibiotics all the time!). I have one jar at home and another at my desk at work.
The eucalyptus oil works well in opening up the nasal passages allowing you to breathe that much easier. The natural ingredients (two only!) gives you the confidence to use not only on yourself but your children as well.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp of coconut oil
- 8 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
Warm up the coconut oil for roughly 30-45 seconds depending on how solid the coconut oil was when you started. You want it to not be a liquid but still able to mix to ensure the eucalyptus oil will be evenly spread through.
Add the eight drops of eucalyptus oil to the coconut oil and stir. I like to call this part the sniff test! Smell the mixture – does it smell strong enough? No? Add a few more drops in, stir and smell again. You don’t want the vapour rub to be so strong that you would not want to put it on your skin but strong enough to give you enough relief.
The mixture will form into a harder solid after you make it and is easy to apply. It also can turn into a liquid easily because of the coconut oil! You just need a small amount each time you put on an application so you can either chill the vapour rub to return it to a solid state or use it in it’s liquid form.
Do you make your own homemade vapour rub?
February 13, 2015
Return to Exile by Lynne Gentry
How far would you go to save the ones you love? In Return to Exile by Lynne Gentry, Lisbeth would cross centuries.
About Return to Exile
Six years ago, impossible circumstances found Dr. Lisbeth Hastings leaving behind the love of her life, not just in another country but in another time period. Her work as an epidemiologist and single Mother help alleviate some of her pain but at night she misses her Cyprian and it haunts her.
Cyprian Thascius returns from exile a broken man. He has lost his faith, the love of his life and his purpose. He attempts to move on, to face the danger that is looming over Carthage but when the love of his life returns his heart becomes as imperiled as the Church he seeks to save.
Have the years that kept apart Lisbeth and Cyprian created too wide of chasm to bridge? In the midst of disease and oppression will their love be the most costly fatality?
My Thoughts
An exciting novel full of time travel, love and history! All of my favourite subjects wrapped up in one well written novel.
The story line in Return to Exile is fantastic and kept me guessing through out the novel. I was heartbroken for Lisbeth at times (which also made me wish I had read the first in this series!). She literally crosses time to return to the man she loves with his child he never knew he had. He never thought she was coming back so he moved on with his life still loving her. With her she brings life saving medical knowledge and vaccines. The world she returns is not even close to the one she left leaving me heartbroken for her. I can’t even begin to imagine her pain on her return. Her only comfort in this world is her Mother who is being kept as a slave.
The novel finishes off with just enough to leave you hanging and just enough to make you ready to read the next novel in this series (honestly can not wait for the next book!).
You can find more reviews of Return to Exile on the Lifuse blog tour page here. You can purchase a copy of the book here.
Rating: 5/5
About the Author
Lynne Gentry has written for several publications. She is a professional acting coach, theater director and playwright. Lynne is also inspirational speaker. You can connect with her online on Facebook and Twitter.
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 13, 2015
Zax’s All Natural Health Care Products #giveaway
Dark spots, under eye circles, facial redness and bruises. All of these conditions draw attention to the areas we want to hide. There are so many products out on the market that say they will treat these conditions but some may work and others are full of ingredients that we may not want to even put on our body. I know I prefer to use as many natural products as possible.
For the last two months I have been using Zax’s all natural Darkspot cream, Dark Circle Cream and Facial Redness Cream. As many of my friends and family know, I suffer with dark eye circles (it has been a constant almost my whole life) and it has always bothered me. No amount of makeup ever seems like it can cover the darkness properly. To match those lovely shiners, my cheeks tend to go red depending on the foods I have eaten. Gluten is the worst culprit for causing this reaction. If I have too much gluten my skin reacts with red bumps on my cheeks (not to mention my arms!).
Zax’s Dark Circle Cream
Zax’s Dark Circle eye cream is designed to reduce puffiness and minimize dark circles to leave your under eyes looking fresh. The cream includes witch hazel (natural astringent), cucumber extract (to soothe and moisturize) and caffeine (anti inflammatory). You should use the cream for four weeks to ensure an adequate amount of time has passed to achieve results.
The cream was easy to apply and only a small amount is needed. I liked the soothing effect it had on my under eyes without a burning sensation. I noticed no strong smell to the cream either which is perfect considering you are applying it on your face close to your nose. I applied this cream twice a day because I loved the way it made my eyes appear less puffy.
Zax’s Darkspot Cream
As we age we tend to develop dark spots, some individuals are luckier than others but I have noticed some areas on my face have developed dark spots (especially along the jaw line!). Zax’s dark spot cream is a chemical free skin brightening cream that removes dead skin cells, reduces the appearance of dark skin and moisturizes. The five natural ingredients include: citrus ushiu peel extract (skin lightening effect), licorice extract (UVA and UVB absorption), Aloe (skin lightening effect), vitamin E (anti-oxidant) and niacinamide (unique form of Vitamin B3).
I love using this cream! I have done waxing and electrolysis on my face in the past and I began to notice that the skin on my chin and jaw line is always slightly darker than the rest of my face. Applying this cream to this area over the last two months I have noticed a slight improvement in this area with a brighter look to my face. The cream also has a pleasant citrus smell to it and leaves a nice fresh feeling.
Zax’s Facial Redness
Facial redness can occur for a variety of reasons: rosacea, windburn or even dehydrated skin. This cream works to reduce the redness, improve moisture and improve the tone and texture of your skin. The formula includes: pine bark extract (anti inflammatory), aloe (skin soothing properties) and Vitamin E (to treat skin conditions).
There is nothing fun about facial redness. It feels like your face is a beacon to the world and at times makes me very self-conscious. Using the facial redness cream during these times (I did not use it consistently during the two months just when the redness started until it finished) had an almost immediate effect lessening the severity of the redness.
All of these creams are recommended for individuals twelve years of age and older. The best part is that a small amount is required for application allowing the creams to last that much longer!
Zax’s is giving you the chance to win your own collection of creams!
This prize pack includes:
- Zax’s Original heelspur cream
- Zax’s Facial Redness cream
- Zax’s Original Bruise cream
- Zax’s Original Darkspot cream
- Zax’s Original Dark Eye circle cream
The Giveaway!
Make sure to follow Zax’s on Twitter and Facebook for new updates and information.
Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products free of charge in order to complete this review. All opinions expressed are my own.