February 2, 2013
Sponsored Contest at #ExtremeCouponingMom!
iPad Mini, Amazon gift cards ($200, $100, $50, $25, $10) and more! Sounds great right?
Then get ready to enter over at #ExtremeCouponingMom!
Extreme Couponing Mom, 24 sponsors and myself have come to together to bring to you this awesome giveaway! Check it out over on her site at:
Thank you so much to Extreme Couponing Mom for putting together such a great giveaway and all of the other sponsors!
Go enter and GOOD LUCK!
The giveaway runs from February 1st to April 1st, 2013 (at 12:00am EST).
February 1, 2013
Benefits of Breastfeeding You May Not Know
The decision to either breast feed or formula feed your children is such a personal decision. I have personally done both and they have both had their benefits (and cons). With my first son, I will admit I was scared- breastfeeding was so hard and I was so tired (I was also doing my undergrad degree at the same time) and I just caved in and chose to formula feed him.
When my second child came along, I was determined to make breastfeeding successful. I researched as much as I could and I learnt all of the positioning skills before hand (I know this sounds silly but after not being able to the first time – technique really does make a huge difference!).
I LOVED breastfeeding my son. It was such an incredible bonding experience with him and I am so happy that I made that choice. I also loved all the benefits that came along with breastfeeding that most of you are probably well aware of, that include:
1) Early milk (colostrum) is full of rich nutrients and antibodies.
2) Breast milk changes as your baby changes (how awesome is it that your body can pick up these changes and change to accommodate your child’s growing needs).
3) Breast milk is easier to digest.
4) Breast milk helps to fight against infections.
Some other benefits for parents are that it really helps to save money (formula is not cheap at all) and it makes life easier (no checking temperatures, no measuring and no mixing!).
I was on Facebook yesterday and saw an interesting post on using breast milk for skin care, etc..and I was quite surprised that people were not aware of all the added benefits of breastfeeding!. With my second child I learnt so much from my RN and lactation consultant and found out that breast milk can also be used for:
1) Baby acne: continue to clean with warm water but afterwards put some breast milk on the affected areas and in a couple of days it will be clear (my son had the worst acne and we tried everything the doctor said. We used my breast milk and within days it was cleared).
2) Scratches: those big, red scratches that babies are good at giving themselves – rub some breast milk on it and it will take away the redness and not leave a mark.
3) Nasal congestion: forgot trying to measure out saline and trying to drop it in their little noses – squirt a little bit of breast milk into their nasal passage and suction it out.
4) Eye infections: Put a little bit of breast milk on the affected area of the eye until cleared.
5) Ear infections: I have personally never tried this but have been told it works! Put breast milk into the ear canal that is affected until healed (I personally would still take my child to the doctor to have them evaluated especially if they have a fever as you can never be to careful in their first year of life!).
6) Eczema: My youngest suffers from eczema on his cheeks, back and stomach and a few drops of breast milk would always clear it right up.
Some people even use it on their own acne, mosquito bites, eczema, etc. Have you used your breast milk to help heal any of these common ailments?
January 31, 2013
Share Your Crazy Morning #TastetheGoodness
Most mornings are hectic with my children. Even with all the careful planning and getting up early, the time just flies and soon we have to be out the door! There are mornings when I skip breakfast all together as I can not get in the time to make a proper and nutritious meal to eat. The worst mornings are when I have no time to even make a coffee (gasp!) – can not go a full day without that initial cup of coffee!.
McDonald’s offers a great solution for busy individuals and families on the go in the morning! They have an excellent breakfast menu and have added oatmeal to this line up as well! Currently, their new promotion has them offering free oatmeal with the purchase of any speciality coffee from Jan.30 -Feb3/13!. What an excellent deal!.
If you did not get a chance to join the Twitter party earlier this week (#TastetheGoodness) you need to check out the great posts over at Montreal Mom! She also has a great giveaway running on her site as well that is well worth entering : http://montrealmom.com/blog/share-your-crazy-morning-story-you-can-win-the-basics-of-a-relaxing-one/
Don’t forget to check out McDonald’s twitter page https://twitter.com/McD_Canada! They are also running some great #TastetheGoodness giveaways!
Enjoy the great taste of the coffee and oatmeal!
January 30, 2013
Protein Smoothie with Almond Fresh Vanilla & Peanut Butter
I have tried to drink protein shakes in the past and could never get past their chalky and odd taste. I wanted to give it another try as I am trying to increase my protein intake but I had to change the way I was making them as.
I was on Facebook when I saw this awesome looking recipe from Almond Fresh (link to their original post can be found here) but I did not have fresh banana’s or their original brand in my fridge, so I made my own little twist on it and it was DIVINE! It honestly tastes like a Reese’s Pieces!. It went down so well and it filled me up for the whole morning (still had a small healthy snack before lunch).
Here is what I did:
Ingredients:
– 1 scoop of Whey Protein powder (triple chocolate)
– 1 cup of Vanilla Almond Fresh
– 1 tablespoon of peanut butter
– 3 ice cubes
Directions
1). Combine all ingredients into blender and blend on medium speed for about 5 minutes (I like my smoothies very smooth!).
2). Pour into a glass and enjoy!
So simple right?!! And absolutely delicious!
I worked out the basic nutritional facts on it and here they are:
Calories: 320
Carbs: 28g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 10.5g
January 30, 2013
Pampers GTG – 5 points *NEW*
Another code released to help celebrate the new year! Awesome!
Enter: HAPPYNEWYEAR113
It is worth 5 points and valid from Jan. 25 to Feb. 6/13.
