Event Recap | Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival

My husband works out of town for weeks, sometimes months, at a time. Add three kids at home to that equation, and you can see why I don't often get to have a night out. Heck, most of the time I don't even get to use the bathroom by myself! This past weekend, however, thanks to The Network Niche and Discover Dekalb (and my awesome sister!), I had a chance to get away for the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Because my sister is so amazing, she kept all three kids and insisted the hubby and I make it a special day for just the two of us. We arrived a little early, concerned about finding parking. There were lots of places to park along Ashford Dunwoody Rd, though, and a shuttle picked us up and drove us to the park entrance. A short walk and we could already smell all the yummy festival foods!

There were, of course, some amazing food trucks like The Muenster Truck, The Pickle, and Fry Guy, but being a festival veteran, I knew it was the food stands I was after... There's nothing better than a festival funnel cake and fresh squeezed lemonade!

You can only faintly see it in the background, but there was a stage set up with live music that we enjoyed while devouring our yummy treats. My favorite of the musical performances was the School of Rock - Atlanta group. Remember the Jack Black movie, School of Rock, where he taught rock music to kids? Their group is just like that! The School of Rock - Atlanta is a performance-based music school for kids aged 8-18, located in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood. They were awesome!

Next, we moseyed over to the Classic Car Show. There were some great classic cars over there! There's just something about the deep throaty purr of a '57 Bel Air... Actually, that's the car that won, but there were a few other cars there that made my inner gearhead happy, too, like the '38 Plymouth P-6.

Beyond the Classic Car Show was the Children's Village. We spotted Spiderman dancing with Snow White and a ton of huge bounce houses. There were other activities too, like a bungee jump ride and face painting... All of it made me miss the kiddos! Why is that? We moms finally get a break that we've been begging for, and when it finally happens all we can think about is how much the 3-year-old would love the dinosaur bounce house, and how you wish the six-year-old could see Spiderman?

Anyway, I wish I would have packed them along for the trip because they would have had a blast. Next year, it's happening!

Matt and I had a great time at Brookhaven's Cherry Blossom Festival this year, and we'll definitely be visiting for years to come!

If you'd like to learn more about this, check out Brookhaven's Cherry Blossom website.

Does your town do a local festival? Let me know in the comments!

Manwich Monday: Easiest Supper Ever + Sloppy Joe Totcho Recipe

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Manwich. All opinions are 100% mine.

Mondays are always so hectic around here. Two kids come home from school grumpy and tired, there's homework to be done and a house to straighten up... The last thing on my mind is making some elaborate dinner that no one is going to eat anyway.

That's why I've replaced our "What's for supper tonight?" with Manwich Monday (and occasionally Sloppy Joe Saturday, depending on how busy the weekend is.)

Maybe it's a sneaky mom trick, but when I make Sloppy Joes, I know they take two hands to eat. That means no one is going to be checking their phones or playing with their tablets once supper starts. Manwich is the best way to go for getting everyone to the table for a simple family supper.

I used to love when my mom would make Sloppy Joes for supper. It wasn't anything special that she did to them, just a plain ol' hamburger bun with saucy ground beef. She always used Manwich though, and the sweet and tangy sauce made them the perfect supper, especially when she paired them with tater tots!

That's why I want to share my family's new favorite recipe - Sloppy Joe Totchos! They're great on their own as a snack or as a side to Sloppy Joes.

Sloppy Joe Totchos

Sloppy Joe Totchos

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can (16oz) Manwich Original Sauce
• 1 bag frozen tater tots
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Cooking Directions

1. Fry or bake your tater tots.
2. Brown ground beef, drain, and add Manwich sauce.
3. While tots are still hot, cover with cheddar cheese, and then add meat mixture.
4. Enjoy!

The best part? Manwich comes in three different varieties: Manwich Original, Manwich Bold and Manwich Thick & Chunky - no meat sauces perfect for sandwiches, pastas, and more.

Visit manwich.com to learn more about Manwich products, recipes and more and be sure to follow them on Twitter (@Manwich) for more great recipe ideas!

ALDI is Helping Parents Save with Little Journey

Having a new baby can be expensive, especially if you don't know the tips and tricks to saving as much as possible. I partnered with ALDI to show you how they're helping relieve some of that cost to make parenting a little easier.

Everyone loves ALDI, right? I mean, according to a survey of US consumers conducted in 2016 by Market Force Information, ALDI is one of America's favorite grocery stores - and for good reason! Not only do they pride themselves on being able to provide low prices on high-quality items, they understand the joy, love, and excitement of being a parent - and how action-packed our days are with little ones. That's why they rolled out their brand-new Little Journey line - more than 50 baby items available at the grocery store you were going to stop by anyway!

The Little Journey product line features high-quality affordably-priced feeding and changing essentials parents and little ones need. ALDI is known for bringing shoppers the highest quality products at the lowest prices possible, and that holds true for their new Little Journey brand, too. Like all ALDI exclusive brands, every Little Journey product is at least the same quality as the national name brands, if not better, and the prices are usually more affordable.

We love the Little Journey diapers. They have a soft feel that is easy on baby's skin, and they stretch to make sure they fit completely. I love that they have the little wetness indicator line so you know exactly when your little one needs a new diaper just by looking.

The new Little Journey product line has all the things your little ones need – from infants to toddlers.

ALDI now offers: 

• Diaper time: The dirty truth: parenting and stinky diapers go hand in hand. ALDI has parents and little ones covered with the Little Journey full line of diapering products: from their gentle Little Journey Wipes, diapers and training pants.
• Formula: Every little tummy is different and a baby's nutritional needs evolve over time. That's why Little Journey includes four different baby powder formulas and one toddler formula to provide expert-recommended nutrition for little tummies, comparable to the big brand names.
• Toddler nummies: The Little Journey infant-to-toddler snacks make healthy eating easy with yummy foods that little ones will love, made from ingredients parents will feel good about, including infant cereals, organic puree pouches, Little Munchers® baked whole grain corn snacks, Yogurt Bites and whole grain Puffs.

(Price and availability may vary from store to store)

My bigger kiddos are 3 and 5 and they loved the Little Journey snacks. Kaya's absolute favorite was the Little Journey Organic Apple and Sweet Potato Puree Pouch. "This is my new favorite snack, mama!" she told me, as she thought she was going to sneak a second one. Because they're good for her and organic, I didn't mind letting her grab another!

We shop at ALDI for our groceries, and I can't tell you how excited I am that I don't have to make special stops anywhere else for the baby and toddler stuff that we'll need. This means more time with my little guys and less time doing the shopping. Thanks ALDI!

For more information about the complete line of Little Journey products and pricing, visit ALDI on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest or the ALDI website.

Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by ALDI via Momtrends.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of ALDI or Momtrends. 

Keep Dad Hydrated with Brita Universal Jug Filter

This post brought to you by Brita Universal Jug Cooler Filtration System. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Momma Without a Clue.

I have a hard-working man. He's a contractor/laborer that spends all day building, fixing, creating, destroying... He works hard to take care of us. I appreciate every job, every night he can't be home by 5 because he was in the middle of a project that couldn't be stopped, and even those days he clomped mud through the house - because it's that hard work that keeps food on the table and a roof over our heads.

With Father's Day coming up (June 19th!) I was happy to be able to find a product that shows him how much we care about all that he does for us. I really appreciate companies that work hard to create products that make his job easier and help take care of him, like Brita. They have a new product, the Brita Univeral Jug Filter, that filters your hard worker's water right in their water cooler!

Matt is a union painter, or as his official title claims: a hazardous material applicator. He often travels to nuclear plants for jobs that require him to strip lead paint, sandblast, and apply new paint. When he is in between jobs, he works construction. The kids look up to him just as much as I do, and nothing means more to us than keeping him safe and healthy. This means making sure he has his work boots, his safety equipment, and his water.

All that time spent in the sun and busting his butt doing physical labor, I worry about dehydration and overheating. I used to be sure he always had cases of water bottles to bring with him to work, but all that waste and bulkiness tended to cause issues.

I'm really happy we discovered the Brita Jug Filter because refilling a water cooler on a job site isn't always the best idea. Using the water hose, he's complained of his water tasting like sulfur or having dirt particles. With the Brita Universal Jug Filter, I know that his water is filtered and tastes better - meaning he's going to stay hydrated on these long jobs out in the sun.



The Brita  Jug Filter comes with adapters that fit the Coleman, Igloo and Rubbermaid water jugs and the makes tap water just taste better. Filtering 5 gallons of water at a time is easy because it attaches right to the inside of the spout so you know the water coming out runs right through it. There are even reminder tags on the filters so you know to replace them every 2 months.

Brita is also running a promotion, showcasing their jug filter as an unsung Hydration Hero. While the submission period is over, you can still vote for your favorite and Be a Brita Hero! Hurry and vote for your favorite #H20Hero before May 30th!

You can find the Brita Jug Filter at Home Depot online at homedepot.com.

Who's your hero? How do you show them you care?

Reducing Spit-Up: GERD vs GER and how Enfamil A.R.™ Can Help

I received product and compensation from Mead Johnson Nutrition to create this post written by me. All experiences and opinions expressed in this post are my own and not those of Mead Johnson Nutrition. Consult your pediatrician before making changes to your baby's diet or if you have concerns related to your baby's digestive health. Please see the product label/website for acceptable use and benefits. You can contact Mead Johnson Nutrition with product related questions or comments toll free at 1-800-BABY 123 or through the Contact Us link on Enfamil A.R. or Enfamil.com

When my four year old was a newborn, he was... how should I put this? A productive burper. After a feeding, I would lay him up on my chest, pat his back a few times, and then shudder as the spit-up rolled down my shoulder. I tried several things that the pediatrician recommended: like keeping him upright after a bottle and stopping after every ounce to burp him. He still spit up. That's when we found out about Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER for short), or uncomplicated reflux.

Not to be confused with GERD or Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Acid Reflux), GER isn't usually a result of excessive acid production. Though parents often associate frequent spit-up and irritability with acid reflux, about two thirds of otherwise healthy infants may have uncomplicated reflux. It's common for babies to spit-up while their digestive system develops, and every baby has periods of fussiness and irritability.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends conservative management and lifestyle changes as first line options and advises against the overuse of medications that reduce the production of gastric (stomach) acid. One of these changes includes using thickened feedings such as Enfamil A.R.™. Enfamil A.R provides the benefits of thickened feedings with more balanced nutrition and less hassle compared to adding rice cereal to formula.

My little guy would've really benefited from using a formula like Enfamil A.R. We had the joy of adding extra rice cereal to every one of his bottles; and let me tell you­ the measuring, shaking the bottle until it all dissolved (that was a workout in itself), cleaning the dried cereal from the bottles... hassle wasn't even the word I'd use.

Enfamil A.R. is the #1selling brand of formula for spit-up and is clinically proven to reduce spit up by over 50% in infants with frequent spit up while still providing the complete nutrition your baby needs to reach key milestones.

Honest Toddler Food for My Honest Toddler with Sprout® Organics

My two year old... Oh man, is she funny!  She takes everything so literally, and doesn't miss a beat when it comes to sharing her opinion with the world.  Her most recent challenge has been potty training, and we're still working on making it a more regular thing.  Yesterday, we had this conversation:

Me:      Kaya, do you want to go poop on the potty?

Kaya:   No, Momma.  I will poop IN the potty.

I mean, seriously.  How cute is that?  She's one of those unabashedly honest, pure kids that doesn't realize how funny she is, but has me cracking up all day long.  

I'm so happy to be working with TapInfluence and Sprout® Organics to let you all in on my little secret when it comes to making sure she gets the nutrition that she needs, without all of the chemicals and preservatives.  She's my honest toddler, so I want to make sure she's eating honest foods.

Available at Publix, Sprout® Organic Baby Food offers nutritious and delicious baby and toddler foods.  USDA certified organic, it is the only baby/toddler food with no additives, fillers or flavors in any of its recipes.  Honest ingredients that match the flavors on the front of the package, Sprout® makes food that I'm happy to give my little one.

Our favorites are their Superfruit blends.  With combinations like Apple, Apricot & Strawberry; Pear, Cherry & Acai; and Plum, Apple & Blueberry, I know my Kaya is getting beneficial nutrients without any of the chemicals or preservatives.

Sprout® Organic Food  provide a balance of wholesome and organic vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and proteins to encourage a love of healthy foods right from the start. Their foods are also less acidic, since they don't use harsh acid preservatives, like citric or malic acid, in their purees. And they honestly name our recipes, so we know exactly what we're feeding their children.

real.honest.pure.  That's what my daughter is, and that's what I want to give her to eat.

Do you have an honest toddler?  Tell me one of your favorite stories in the comments below!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Sprout® Organic Baby and Toddler Foods. The opinions and text are all mine.

Help Wipe Out #DiaperNeed

Having a new baby is one of the biggest transitions your life can take.  Emotionally, physically... and especially financially.  A newborn goes through approximately ten diapers a day for their first month of life.  That's 300 diapers!  It adds up quick, and with all the other expenses you already have, plus the other expenses that come with having a new baby, it's easy to see why some parents struggle to afford to keep their little one's bottom covered.  That's why I'm working with AWHONN (Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nurses) and Mom It Forward for this sponsored post to drive awareness to diaper need and how you can help.

When my son was first born, my fiance was the only one working.  After rent, bills, formula... the essentials... we were completely broke.  I remember counting pennies a couple of times to make sure that my baby would have a dry bottom, but then sometimes that wasn't even enough.  It's heart-wrenching, embarrassing, and terrifying to be in that situation.  Luckily, one day I found a food bank that provided diapers to moms in need, and I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I was to not have to worry that week about diapers.  It was a complete blessing.

My story isn't an original one.  1 in 3 moms report experiencing diaper need - the lack of an adequate supply of diapers to keep a baby clean, dry and healthy.   5.3 million babies and toddlers living in low-income families are affected by diaper need.  Without clean diapers, babies are more prone to rashes, infections, extra visits to the pediatrician’s office, and in the most extreme cases, hospitalization.  Healthy Mom&Baby magazine, the nurses of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, Kimberly-Clark, and the National Diaper Bank Network are partnering for Diaper Need Awareness Week and asking that you donate diapers to families in need in your community from now through October 4.

Now that we're financially better off than we were those almost 5 years ago, I pay it forward by donating diapers to help another mom who may be in that situation.  You can donate diapers too, by visiting DiaperDrive.org.

What are the health risks of diaper need?

• Not having enough clean diapers means parents may change their baby’s diapers less frequently than needed or worse, dry out diapers for reuse.
• Health experts recommend that parents use disposable diapers. They can better protect baby’s skin by wicking away moisture.
• Children can’t attend childcare without a sufficient supply of disposable diapers. (Most childcare facilities and laundromats won’t accept cloth diapers.)
• Without enough diapers to enter childcare, parents may be forced to leave work and forgo paycheck to care for their baby.
• Diaper need affects not only a child’s health, but the overall well-being of the entire family.

Please make a difference and go to DiaperDrive.org to donate TODAY.

This post was made possible through a partnership with Mom It Forward and AWHONN.

Get Peace of Mind with Amwell

I participated in the Amwell blog program as a member of One2One Network. I received compensation but all opinions are my own.

How many of you have time to go to the doctor when you're sick? Even better question, how many of you can afford it? I know when we go for my husband, it's an all day affair. With no exaggeration, a 2 hour and 15 min drive there, usual double booking, another 2 hour drive home. The expense aside from the doctor visit itself is absurd: gas, lunch, snacks; then the priceless stuff: irritation, road rage, and extreme patience.

The most awesome thing ever came to my attention the other day. Although I can't avoid the hubby's doctor visits because it is a specialist, I have found a way to get a doctor visit for myself with nearly no hassle. So can you! Here is how:

American Well (Amwell) is the nation’s largest telehealth company, connecting people with board certified, licensed doctors for live online visits, immediately – day or night.  They're available on both mobile or desktop. Perfect for minor illnesses and injuries, general health and wellness concerns, prescription refills, and chronic condition management, Amwell employs primary care and specialist physicians, as well as licensed behavioral therapists and registered dietitians, to meet patients’ health and wellness needs. Amwell doctors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are dedicated to keeping you healthy – all from the comfort of your home.



It is so easy to get set up. I used my laptop to set up. It has an awesome testing system to make sure your device is compatible. This is a great site. It is so easy! You pick an actual doctor that you see and talk to.

It's not like sitting in a waiting room. Being in the comfort of your own home is so awesome. There is a time duration of 10-15 minutes for a doctors visit, 30 minutes for a dietitian, 45 minutes for a therapist. How awesome is that?! It's only $49 for the first visit!

You can get your first visit free!  Use code "MOMSLOVEAMWELL"

It doesn't matter when you need a doctor, they are there for you. I don't know anyone with that kind of accessibility even with a regular office to visit. That is so great because sometimes I just don't feel good enough to drive. That's why I need a doctor

It's so great to not have to wait a week to be seen, I know there has been instances that by the time my doctor appointment came along, I wan't sick anymore. It's also a great thing to have if you're on vacation, out of town, or any other reason you might not be home. The doctors can call in prescriptions that you need so they can be filled right away.

It is so nice to be able to have the peace of mind of a real diagnosis instead of just guessing what might be going on.

Remove Wrinkles with Juvederm

We have never been so concerned about the way we look. Nowadays, people are proactive about everything and they are trying to eat healthier, protect their environment and their physical appearance. Individuals are constantly striving to improve quality of their life and change everything that can be changed. This is precisely why there are so many cosmetic procedures available to us meant to refresh our looks and eliminate all the flaws that we might have. Among various cosmetic procedures, medical fillers stand out as the most advanced and at the same time, least harmful.

Unlike other treatments such as plastic surgery or botox, by injecting medical filler, you are able to improve your looks without subjecting yourself to invasive procedure or toxin. Furthermore, medical fillers are only using natural substances that are otherwise produced within our body. Until recently, fillers based on collagen were the most common. Having in mind that medical and pharmaceutical industry is always progressing experts have found a better way to treat folds and wrinkles. Today, drugs such as Juvederm that are based on hyaluronic acid are the best solution to our problem.

Experts from DoctorMedica.co emphasize importance of hyaluronan for our skin. This substance has various roles within the body from cell migration, to hydration and repairing lost tissue. From this, it is obvious that this substance is crucial for youthful looks. This is precisely how Juvederm works in our skin: by hydrating and filling it up. By using this medicine, we are able to remove nasolabial folds, wrinkles that appear in the corner of the mouth, mimic wrinkles, jaw, neck and cleavage wrinkles. Also, medical fillers are great for face lifting. Some doctors use it to plump up the lips. An important thing about medical fillers is that it is completely safe. Furthermore, you are able to combine this procedure with other type of cosmetic treatments in order to remove other imperfections.

As previously mentioned, Juvederm is based on hyaluronan that comes in a form of gel. After injecting it into the skin, you will not be able to tell the difference compared to your natural tissue. Acid holds water and works as a cushion. Treatment itself is very fast and painless. Doctor will prick your skin a couple of times, in precise spots where you need correction. Drug lasts for 9 months up to a year. After that, acid will be absorbed. Another positive thing about medical fillers is that each subsequent treatment will prolong expected duration of Juvederm within your skin. So, if you take additional shot as soon as therapy fades, you are able to have even longer results the next time.

Have in mind that Juvederm is based on a natural substance. In that regard, body will see it as a normal substance that should be present within the skin. It won’t be rejected and it will not cause any side effects. The worst problem is reaction of the skin to needle. Because of that, you can expect various skin irritations in the following week after administering the drug.

Baby Shower Gifts that Last a Lifetime

Anyone can buy diapers and outfits as a baby shower gift, but what about those gifts that last forever? The ones that have real meaning behind them?  I want to share with you all a few ideas for gifts that will last baby a lifetime.

The Gift of Knowledge

Books of all shapes, sizes, and topics make the perfect gift to encourage a lifelong love affair with the written word. The joy of reading is learned early. When you read to your child regularly, you nurture a love of books. There is no better time to begin, than when your baby is born. Story time with your newborn is more about sharing a special bond than reading, but this positive early experience may help your child develop a thirst for knowledge and a healthy attitude toward learning.

The Gift of Music

From gentle lullabies to classical compositions, early exposure to music may become another gift of a lifetime. When you play music for your baby, he learns the beauty of sound. Variety is important here. The more types of music your child hears, the more he learns to enjoy. Vocal and instrumental selections expose your baby to different qualities of music, as does playing a variety of musical genres – classical to calm, jazz to uplift, and so on. Who knows, your baby may even grow up to be a famous singer or musician someday.

The Gift of Touch

Infant massage and baby yoga classes give the gifts of healthy touch and movement. The classes provide a superb bonding opportunity for you and your baby, but they may also do a lot more. What people experience as young children goes a long way toward establishing who they become as adults. Infant massage may help babies learn about their bodies and healthy touch. It also facilitates a strong parent-child bond, which may improve your ability to maintain open communication with your child as he grows.

The Gift of Health

Perhaps a gift that you may not have ever thought about, what about the gift of health?  Cord blood banking is one of the newest technologies that can ensure that baby is protected throughout their entire lives.  Did you know that cord blood could literally save your child’s life?  I didn’t realize this until I saw this video:

Why Stem Cells?

Medical professionals are learning more each day about fighting against disease using our own body’s natural resources.  A stem cell is a single cell that can replicate itself or differentiate into many different types of cells. Our bodies are made up of hundreds of specialized cells that develop into specific organs, tissues, neurons… everything!  Stem cells are the raw material that everything in your body starts out as.

There’s three different ways to harvest stem cells: bone marrow, which can be painful for the donor; embryonic stem cells, which has a lot of controversy around it; and cord blood stem cells.  Cord blood stem cells can be harvested quickly and painlessly right after birth, processed in a lab, and then cryogenically frozen.

CariCord offers cord blood banking at the Stem Cell Bank at the University of Colorado, an FDA-Licensed Cord Blood Manufacturer. You don’t have to worry about whether or not your baby’s cord blood will be available when they need it with CariCord because they’re located in Anschutz Medical Center at the University of Colorado.

Think Cord Blood Banking is unaffordable?  CariCord offers personalized payment options that are interest free, no administrative fees or credit approval needed. You can save thousands by banking with CariCord.

Join us in the conversation about cord blood banking on Twitter -

July 30th at 7pm CST using the hashtag #CariCord

CariCord is also offering an opportunity to win $2,000 worth of baby gear!  Visit their site to get your free cord blood banking information kit and to enter.  Click the picture below to check it out:

Learn more about cord blood banking at the CariCord.com. You can also find more information about CariCord by calling: 844-227-4267

National Ice Cream Day with Mars Ice Cream #IceCreamMonth

Happy National Ice Cream Day! 

I remember going to the local ice cream shop with my great grandma and getting a cherry dipped vanilla ice cream in a waffle cone to celebrate National Ice Cream Day when I was just a girl. Hot summer days are the foundation of so many amazing memories in my life. I do my best to relive those memories, and make new ones with my girls and their cousins as much as I can.

Now my girls get to experience the same thing. I love it when special days like Ice Cream Day are just as important to them as the big holidays. When we celebrate, we like to get our favorite ice cream and tell our favorite ice cream stories.

This year, thanks to Mars Ice Cream, we're starting a new tradition with Snickers Ice Cream Bars, Starbursts Sorbets, and Twix Ice Cream Bars.

Snickers has been a family favorite for years, and what better way to share generations of love than enjoying a Snickers Ice Cream Bar on a hot day? My mom, my sister, and 2 of our daughters got to enjoy something that means a lot to all of us. This is going to be a lifetime memory for the whole family.

Snickers has this oh so delicious creamy and smooth peanut butter ice cream, amazing caramel, roasted peanuts and a chocolate coating that is the perfect crisp to bite into. It reminds me of that dipped ice cream I got with my grandma so many years ago. 

The Strawberry Sorbet Bar is so creamy, light, and good.  They seriously taste just like Starbust candy! The delicious fruity desert is a great treat for all of us. 

Then the Twix... Oh man it is so GOOOOD!!!  The awesome vanilla ice cream, gooey caramel, and layer of cookie makes the Twix Bar a party must have. 

Are you a chocolate lover? Or do you prefer fruit-flavored treats? This summer Mars is providing summer sweets for both kinds of taste buds with its chocolate-covered ice creams and its fruity STARBURST™ Brand Sorbet Bars.

Mars offers so many amazing flavors of ice cream. Twix Bars, Dove Bars, Starbursts Sorbets, Milky Way Bars, and M&M Cookie Sandwiches. There are all great ways to enjoy National Ice Cream Month and Day. 

This was a conversation sponsored by Mars Ice Cream.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

How are you celebrating National Ice Cream Day?

My Accident-Prone Kid

My poor little guy.  He definitely inherited my grace - or should I say lack thereof?  While I'm constantly walking into things and tripping over my own two feet, he's a bit more rambunctious and so his injuries are always a little more adventurous.

Accidents happen.  You can't predict them, nor can you always prevent them.  A couple of months ago, for example, we were all outside playing - Kaya on her scooter and Sammy on his balance bike. Just up and down the sidewalk, with me standing right there with them.

Kaya decides she wants to be a big girl and started running toward the road.  Scared to death, I ran and scooped her up - only to be startled by a scream from Sammy.  I turned around as fast as I could but didn't see him anywhere.  Running toward the driveway, I realized he had ridden his bike off of the hill and over the wall and landed in the driveway.

Now, the fall could've been a lot more damaging.  The injuries could have been a lot more substantial than just a few scrapes and bruises.  My poor baby was hurt, but it could've been worse.  He walked away with a few scratches on his face and noggin.  We still made a trip to the emergency room to have him checked out for a concussion, but they just cleaned his boo-boos and sent us on our way.

When I asked him how he fell, he said he was trying to pet the cat with his bike.  Boys, amiright?

Keep Your Kids Safe this Summer with these Simple Tips:

One thing all parents have in common is the goal of keeping their kids safe – especially over the summer when they’re constantly outdoors, playing summer sports and more. Here are a few summer safety tips from Jennie Finch, USA Olympic gold and silver softball team member, to help make sure your kids aren’t sidelined by injuries this summer:

• TIP 1: Use appropriate gear. For parents who have young children playing, the most important thing to have is the proper equipment. Some equipment may look “optional,” but it is important to wear all necessary pads and safety gear each time you play a physical sport.

• TIP 2: Preparation is important. Kids should be adequately prepared with warmups and training sessions before practices and before games. They may want to go 100 percent as soon as they step onto the field, but they need to remember to progress up to their top speed. This will help ensure that they have fun and reduce the chances of an injury. They also should drink plenty of fluids and be allowed periods of rest during practices and games.

• TIP 3: Listen to your body. Teach your children that if at any point they feel pain or discomfort while playing, they should notify their coach and get out of the game. While sitting on the sidelines is one of the most difficult situations a player can face, pushing through injuries increases their severity and keeps you out of action longer.

• TIP 4: Make sure your family is covered. It’s a parent’s job to make sure their family is protected. That’s where my friends at Aflac come in: If an athlete with their supplemental accident insurance plan experiences a serious injury, Aflac can help provide peace of mind and cash benefits to help you and your family get back in the game fast. With Aflac’s new One Day PaySM promise, accident claims can even be processed in just ONE DAY.

Accidents happen. When unexpected injuries happen, make sure you’re prepared with supplemental insurance like Aflac’s accident policy to help cover out-of-pocket expenses. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 2.6 million children 0-19 years old are treated in the emergency department each year for sports and recreation-related injuries.

Active families should consider learning more about accident insurance. 
Aflac’s accident insurance is offered through a direct basis and through company benefits programs.
While families usually cannot purchase accident insurance until their company offers open enrollment each fall, it is important to understand what accident insurance is and how it can help keep your family’s finances protected prior to selecting next year’s benefits.

Accident insurance helps families stay ahead of the medical and out-of-pocket expenses that add up quickly after an injury, so they can focus on recovery – not finances.

Cash benefits can be used to help cover emergency treatment, hospital stays and medical exams but also for other expenses families may face, such as transportation costs, lodging needs and daily living expenses like groceries or monthly bills.

Accident insurance may be particularly important to families who generally do not meet their major medical deductibles since benefits can be used to help pay out-of-pocket medical costs, including deductibles and copayments.

Aflac will be introducing a new accident plan that includes a benefit for injuries sustained while playing an organized sport. This summer, in advance of open enrollment, take some time to look at what insurance is offered by your employer to be sure you have the right coverage for your family. 

How are you preparing for accidents this summer?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Trying to Conceive: 7 Tips for Getting Pregnant

This conversation is sponsored  by Astroglide TTC.  All words and opinions are 100% my own.

So you’ve decided you want to start a family, or perhaps you’re wanting to add an addition to the family you’ve already started.  Pregnancy doesn’t just happen to every woman on their first try though.  If you’re trying to conceive, here are a few tips that may help increase your chances.

Know your body. 
It’s helpful to track your monthly cycle so you can note any fluctuations in your periods, and so you can figure out which days you will be ovulating.  Pregnancy is most likely to occur with intercourse within the three days before ovulation.  Check out this free period tracker printable to help get you organized!


Quit smoking.
If you smoke cigarettes, now is the time to quit.  Smoking affects how receptive the uterus is to the egg. And in men, smoking can reduce sperm production and damage DNA. Experts also strongly suggest quitting smoking before you’re pregnant. Smoking while pregnant boosts the risk of miscarriage.

Watch your weight.
Studies have confirmed that women who are obese or overweight can take twice as long to get pregnant.  Similarly, underweight women may have an even harder time with fertility.  Optimal BMI for conception ranges from 19-25, or what is considered a normal weight.


Eat Well.
Make sure to include enough protein, iron, zinc, vitamin C, and vitamin D in your diet, because deficiencies in these nutrients have been linked to lengthened menstrual cycles (and therefore less frequent ovulation) and a higher risk of early miscarriage. Ask your doctor if you should take a daily multivitamin supplement.

Relax.
Stress has a way of wreaking havoc on everything, including your fertility.  An American study that followed 401 couples who were trying to get pregnant found that women with the highest levels of alpha-amylase, a stress biomarker, had a 29 percent lower probability of pregnancy than did women with the lowest levels of the stress biomarker.  Too much stress on your body, and your mind, can disrupt hormones, causing menstrual cycles to change and making ovulation less reliable.

Have intercourse more often.

If you want to increase your chances of getting pregnant, it stands to reason that you would need to start having sex more often.  Research suggests that women who engage in regular (at least weekly) intercourse are more likely to have predictable menstrual cycles and normal ovulation than women who have sporadic sex.  According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, having sex every one to two days during your fertile window is associated with the best chance of pregnancy.

Be smart with lubrication.

When trying to conceive, it is vital to provide an environment where sperm has a chance of survival. Environmental conditions are affected by pH levels, osmolality (the concentration of substances like sodium and potassium) and the consistency of egg white cervical mucus. While traditional lubricants may affect these conditions and inhibit sperm motility, studies have shown that Astroglide TTC is compatible with sperm, oocytes and embryos and allows sperm to move freely.

Astroglide TTC™ is a specially formulated for couples who are trying to conceive.  Astroglide TTC supports fertility with adjusted pH levels, compatible osmolality and a consistency similar to your body’s cervical mucus. Each package contains 8 pre-filled disposable applicators that make it easy to coat the inside of the vagina, supplementing natural fluids and enhancing comfort. 

For more information regarding Astroglide TTC™, fertility support, and where to buy please visit the TTC homepage.

Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine

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Berry Lemon Yogurt Pops

It's been unbearably hot around here lately, and trying to keep the kids cool while still making sure they're eating healthier can be somewhat of a challenge.  That's why I'm happy to be working with Yoplait® to share with you one of my favorite wholesome summer snacks!

By using Yoplait® yogurt, you get a creamy consistency, so you'll have a rich mouthful without the guilt of a heavy (and fattening) cream!  

These are so simple to make too.   Just grab a carton of Yoplait® Original Strawberry yogurt, mix in some lemon juice and zest, and spoon into your popsicle molds.  The hardest part about this quick and easy summer snack is waiting for it to freeze!

These are so simple to make that my littlest one jumped right in and started doing it herself!  

Berry Lemon Yogurt Pops

yields 1 popsicle

Ingredients

• 1 container of Yoplait Stawberry Original Yogurt
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons lemon zest

Instructions

1. Combine yogurt, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl
2. Place mixture into popsicle molds
3. Freeze for 4-6 hours
4. Enjoy!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Yoplait®. The opinions and text are all mine.