All posts by superexhausted

3D Coin Art and Giveaway

Disclosure: I was asked to review this puzzle as compensation and sponsored review

coin art

Getting the kids to put down the tech.  Try a 3d coin puzzle filled with money.  What teen would not love it.  That It’s a puzzle! It’s a bank!   It’s a model that you build with spare change! Introducing 3D Coin Art™ by New York City-based NSI International Inc. – an innovative way to create amazing 3D works of art out of coins.

3d coin puzzle

We took it out of box,  all the parts are well labeled and easy  to use.  The Hardest part was taking apart the cover which holds the coins in the puzzle.  The coins are encased in plastic. Creating the 3d puzzle takes time to line up the coins.  Which is great when you are entertaining  busy kids. I also think if you washed the penny of coins it would really sparkle.

Also the kids have to make decisions tails or heads up my son was getting really creative by alternation the dimes.

3d coin puzzle

New York City-based NSI International Inc.  Has a variety of different Coin Art they offer also a empire state building.   Which makes great gifts for everyone,  if you know someone who likes to show there American Pride – like a veteran or solder 3d coin United States flag puzzle would be a great present. because who does not love coins and money.

 

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So how would you like to win one?  Be sure to enter on the rafflecopter form below.  for your chance for your family to enjoy.

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Back to School with Giant

School is almost here for us in PA while many states go back to school in August our summer lasts till after labor day.  I have to say I really enjoyed the lazy summer.  The though of getting back to making lunches and rush of morning does not thrill me. I often think my son and daughter are always rushing to have a healthy lunch.  Both of my kids have told me they really do not enjoy the school lunches and the wait in lines and have enough time to eat and get to go outside for free time with friends. Giant school lunch ideas

This year I have paired up with Giant for a back to school reminder of lunch.  Giant reminded me to include at least 3 of the 5 food groups into the kids lunch every day.   Which variety is very important to my daughter who loves veggies and dipping,  But I also try to incorporate whole grains and dairy.   My daughter is not a sandwich kid and more of a grazer.

Giant

I love the Natures Promise brand at Giant.   Not only does it make packing a lunch easy but healthy organic real fruit options.   Try freezing apple sauce my daughter likes it chilled and by lunch it is the correct cool temperature for her.

Giant

The organic Boxofjuice is just what the kids need for back to school.

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Or try a great start in the morning with great Granola and Cranberries.

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New this fall Giant has a great line of honey Crisp apples products.  The have Granola, barque sauce, juice and apple chicken meatballs.

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Giveaway $25 Giant Gift Card

 

 

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KidPik Kids Subscription Box Review

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kidpik Review kids Girls clothes back to school kids subscription box

KidPik Kids Subscription Box Review : Recently I was asked to check out the KidPik subscription box.  It was a fun experience you log into  set up a profile for you kid.  Tell the KidPik stylist  about  daughter , size, color preference and style choice.   They they do the work picking out the perfect box  of outfits for your child.  When the box comes it has a great selection that was perfect for my daughter.   Shirts, shirts and dresses.   You go through the box and determine what you would like to keep and what you would would like to return.    The items you keep are at a discount.  The box also comes with a great little goodies if you don’t keep the box.  More about them in our video at the end of the post.

 

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This was my daughter favorites in the box.  She loved the tank and skirt she felt it was perfect for her style.  She loved the painted print skirts she has already worn it twice since she received the KidPik subscription box.

kidpik Review kids Girls clothes back to school kids subscription box

This skirt was a a great choice also perfect for church and other activities .

 

kidpik Review kids Girls clothes back to school kids subscription box kidpik Review kids Girls clothes back to school kids subscription box

Great clothes kids back to school a fun  kidpik kids subscription box.

kidpik Review kids Girls clothes back to school kids subscription box

kidpik Review kids Girls clothes back to school kids subscription box

The box also contained an accessory, which comes in this bag.  Check out this super cute head band that matched the skirt.  We can purchase it for $1.00

kidpik Review kids Girls clothes back to school kids subscription box

This was also the perfect dress. It was blue my daughters favorite color and flowing.  It is a great dress for the summer.

kidpik Review kids Girls clothes back to school kids subscription box kidpik Review kids Girls clothes back to school kids subscription box

This a fun sport dress in the KidPik subscription box.

kidpik Review kids Girls clothes back to school kids subscription box kidpik Review kids Girls clothes back to school kids subscription box

I love the idea of getting a box of fun clothes from my daughter to check out and we can buy at a discount rate.  I love the idea if you are not a shopper it come right to your house custom picked out and ready for you to buy for your little girl.  Be sure to check out my video which details our KidPik box.

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Menu Planning with Teens

Meal Planning on Budget with Teenagers

Meal Planning with teens : This week has been a long week I have been going back and forth to NYC because of family health concern.  So meal planning has become important. Since I have been back at work my son has been making dinner on some nights. He has been great asking how he can help.

Monday : Chicken Pot Pie cupcakes

Tuesday  Shrimp Enchiladas with Creamy Poblano Sauce from little spice jar

Wednesday : Tornadoes Hot Dog  from TasteMade on Instagram

Thursday: Burger and fries one pot From Betty Crocker

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Having my son help with dinner is amazing, not only is he learning to follow recipes and instruction but he is learning a skill.  So he wont only eat junk food his life he will learn cooking is fun.  I know he will make about 2 of these meals, anything helps.    I sent my husband the shopping list for the week since I am out of town he can shop for the ingredients.

I am linking up Organizing Junkie and Motivation Monday

What are you cooking with your kids or how do they help with dinner?

Be sure to check out last weeks post on getting your kids eat veggies.

13 Great Ideas to get kids to eat Their Veggies #seethelite

Also love to save check out  My top 10 Favorite Things to buy at Aldi and Save

My top 10 Favorite Things to buy at Aldi and Save

Have a great Week!

 

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13 Great Ideas to Getting kids eating Veggies #SeetheLite

13 Great Ideas to getting kids eating Veggies #seethelite

13 Great Ideas to get your kids eating veggies #See the Lite with LiteHouse Dressings:   Recently I was invited to dinner with Litehouse Foods to learn about the befits of using a fresh Litehouse dressing in your menu plan.   The dinner was held at ELA in Philly, It is hosted by a local dietitian Dr Janet Brill  with live cooking demo’s and recipes using Litehouse Food products.  I really enjoyed the evening, our discussion on health ideas for kids was my favorite part of the evening so I have to share:

13 Great Ideas to getting kids eating veggies:

 

  1. Have kids go to the store with you and identify the produce,  let then touch and smell.
  2. While at the store tell the child to pick something (choose by color) to try when they get home-then cook with them
  3. Make food fun-  great shapes use a cookie cutter or pairing knife to cut cool shapes –  I like a cucumber cupsradish rose  or carrots into a heart  
  4. Kale chips turning veggies into a crunch snack
  5. Try fun size veggies lite the little pepper sweet, fingerling potatoes, or purple broccoli
  6. Have kids cook with you.
  7. Try roasting veggies it tends to soften strong flavor, or combined with a honey or maple flavors (works great with Brussels sprouts)
  8. Come up with fun clever names Broccoli are “Trees”  you eat like a Dinosaur or Eat “Alien Brains (Brussels sprouts) or “Spears”of asparagus
  9. Lead by example if you eat veggies the children will too
  10. Institute a 3 bite rule  1- try, 1 bite to taste, 1 to decide (this is a stable in our home)
  11. Grow your own veggies and fruit- nothing is better then picking a grape or cherry tomato fresh of the vine
  12. Try offering a dip for your kids to dip in like fresh Litehouse ranch
  13. Teach them also that veggies can also create color like a beet, spinach,  or a watermelon, or a potato stamp, corn art in the fall..Art projects with food the more they play with food the more likely they are to try them.

What are some of your tips to get the kids to eat Veggies?

It was a great evening.  I loved learning about healthy eating and Litehouse Family owned bussiness.  They Litehouse taught us tips and tricks like cutting down on your calorie intake by mixing Olive Oil with a salad Litehouse fresh dressing to use less dressing and also get the benefits of olive oil a good cholesterol in your diet.  All great things to pass on to our children.

 

Seet the Lite 12 ways to get kids to eaat their veggies.

I love Litehouse the fresh dressing that needs to be refrigerated before and after opening , lets me know Litehouse is a great health dressing with less preservatives.   If I am taking the time to cook with the freshest ingredients shouldn’t’ my dressing be as fresh as the other ingredients I am feeding my family?

Check out this Kale salad  the Litehouse site has amazing fresh recipes for your entire family.

 

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Thank you to Litehouse it was a fun evening Disclosure : I received dinner and gift-bag/gift card in exchange for this post.

To check out my post on cucumber cups :

cucumber cups

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How to Wash your Window Blinds

How to wash blinds sleaning clean blinds

How to Wash your Window Blinds: We are in the process of redoing my daughter bed room.  Which include repainting, re-carpeting, and all new to us furniture.  The one thing that we did keep in her room was the white blinds.  I need them to match all the freshly painted and new items. I do dust them or I tell her to dust them .. but they never look great.  So a friend suggested washing them.

My blinds are 2″ wide composite blinds not wood.   Our binds are not going get distorted by water.

Disclosure: If you have wood blinds I would proceed with caution (make sure it is a hot day so they dry quickly and will not warp.  Because wood if it is wet too long will absorb water and warp.  I am not responsible if you destroy your blinds.

If you have older blinds why not give washing them a try because they might come out fantastic like mine.

How to Wash your Window Blinds:

 

  1. Dust blinds
  2. Choose a hot day with the sun-shinning let the outdoors do the work  -AKA summer project
  3. Place sturdy patio chairs or a 2 ladder in the sun to place the blinds onHow to wash blinds sleaning clean blinds
  4. Fill a clean bucket with hot soapy water (dish washing detergent)  and a large clean/new sponge
  5. Take down blinds from window bring out side placing top over back of chair
  6. Make sure blinds are full extended (you will need 2 people) one to hold one to lower the binds, so you can get to every blind while washing them- allows them to dry and dirt to not pool under them
  7. With a hose spray down the blinds with waterHow to wash blinds sleaning clean blinds
  8. Then wash each blind by hand with the soapy water & spongeHow to wash blinds sleaning clean blinds
  9. Rinse and repeat if necessary
  10. Allow to dry in sun (towel dry first if you are worried about hard water spots)
  11. Be sure to tilt the top of the Blind at an angle so the water can drain out as it drys
  12. When blinds are complete dry rehang blinds..How to wash blinds sleaning clean blinds
  13. Admire your work.

Have fun cleaning them I found it is the best way to make the blinds look new.

Check out my post on  How to Fix Fitted sheets to stay in place DIY

How to Fix Fitted sheets to stay in place DIY

Also check out My top 10 Favorite Things to buy at Aldi and Save

My top 10 Favorite Things to buy at Aldi and Save

 

 

 

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5 Disaster Tips for Pet Owners

5 Disaster Tips for Pet Owners

Anyone who knows me knows I adore my dogs they are family to us.   Both Lloyd my Doberman and Grundy my bulldog are a huge part of our house hold.  They determine many things from weekend get-aways length we stay because they might destroy my home. Whom will be able to stay with my babies when we are gone,  also the fact I only own leather furniture because I like them to join me sitting on the couch.  The thought of a natural disaster displacing part of my family away from us makes me very anxious.  Purina asked me to participate in a goggle talk recently which I was compensated for in exchange for this post .  The purpose of the talk was to learn more about  Disaster Tips for Pet Owners.

The talk was fascinating because as a pet owner I never think about “A Plan” for my pets. Think about it??  What would you do if something major happens? You worry and know what you will do with your children.  What about your furry babies?  Purina helps respond to natural disasters in the United States that seriously disrupt the functioning of communities causing animals harm and distress. In the United States in 2015 Purina donated $31.5 million worth of pet food, pet supplies and monetary contributions to pet-related charities and other community organizations across the country.  For more information please visit purina.com

What did I learn from the Disaster Pet  talk ?

Dr. Kurt Venator, Purina Veterinarian was the leader of the talk answering  all our questions.

1st Basic things,  I would not think about like that wet pet food is better then dry to keep in a pet disaster kit because it is more stable and not subjected going spoiled if the can gets wet.  He also informed us that you should have an extra collar and leash, just in case.   It is imported to  keep an extra set of the animals records in the pet disaster kit and in your important papers.

Do you know what local hotels with in a 2 hour radius would take your animal, how about if local shelters can they help you if your dog was not able to come with.. good questions I never thought about.

I loved the idea that I don’t know if many people with cats think of:  Try leaving your cat carrier out so that your cats get use to going in the Cat carrier on a regularly basis.. My old cat hated the carrier and cried every-time he went it to the vet.  Having a cat use to the carrier daily can cut down on the animals anxiety about being transported.

The Dr also addressed my concern with a bulldog.  Most can’t swim English Bulldogs are top heavy so a life jacket for your dog can also be important if you are in a flood prone or water area.

 

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5 Disaster Tips for Pet Owners

  1. Know the common natural disasters that can occur: Though pet owners should try to be prepared for all types of emergencies if possible, depending on which U.S. region you reside in, there are certain natural disasters that are more common than others. For example, hurricanes and cyclones are more likely to occur if you live near the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Coast, and tornadoes mainly hit areas like Kansas or Iowa in the Midwest. The West coast typically experiences wildfires and flash flooding can take place in certain areas across the U.S. – such as the Southwest – after large storms. If you live in a region where hurricanes are common, it’s important to understand the elevation level of your property and whether it is prone to floods. This will help you understand how your property will be affected when a hurricane hits and can help you prepare a plan in advance for your pets.
  2. Prep your home and pet: The first step to preparing your pet for a natural disaster is to make sure that he or she is wearing a securely fastened collar with up-to-date identification in case you become separated during a natural disaster. Pet owners can consider having their pet microchipped to assure that the pet can be identified and found via an electronic device as well. To prepare your home for natural disasters, talk to your local veterinarian who can provide waterproof, “Pets Inside” stickers that you can place on the front and back door of your house to alert rescuers that there are pets inside your home. In the case of a hurricane, try to cover all of your windows with permanent storm shutters or marine plywood and keep your pet away from them while the hurricane is passing through.
  3. Prepare a disaster kit: Your pet disaster kit should include basic pet essentials such as bottled water, cans of wet food, blankets, collapsible bowls, cat litter and pan, and a leash and collar. A one-to-two-week supply of food that your pet usually eats is an ideal amount to include in your disaster kit, however make sure to replace the food according to the expiration dates. Have photos of your pet on-hand in case you need to distribute pictures if your pet gets lost and make sure to include any important paperwork pertaining to your pet (e.g. vaccine records/medical history, veterinary contact information, medications list and emergency contacts). Finally, be sure to include a basic pet first-aid kit in your disaster kit.
  4. Develop an evacuation plan: Do your research and save precious evacuation time by identifying possible locations where you can take your animals should you have to evacuate. These locations can include animal shelters, veterinary clinics or even pet-friendly hotels where you and your pet can find relief until the disaster passes. Keeping your dog’s medical records on-hand is vital since some pet-friendly emergency relief centers require proof of vaccinations in order for your pet to stay there.
  5. Recruit friends and neighbors: It’s also important to consider creating a buddy system with your neighbor, family or friend who can look out for your pet in case you are not home when a disaster strikes. Add this person to your veterinarian’s emergency contact list of people who have authority to approve necessary emergency treatments if you can’t be reached. Also, identify places where you can leave your pet while you are out of town to avoid leaving your pet alone. Always let your pet sitter and back-up person know where your pet’s disaster kit is stored in case of an emergency.

Be sure to pin this post  to Pinterest so you can refer to it when you build your Pet Disaster kit!

 

5 Disaster Tips for Pet Owners

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post by Purina. My opinion are my own and I am sharing information that I feel is important.

 

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Menu Planning Monday

mushrooms

This past week I realized old habits come back easy.  After several years of lean budgets which became a strong family bond of at home meals. Since I went back, my old going out to eat habit is back,  So I need to get back to meal planing.  when I come home with no meal plan it is easy to say lets go out.  Which adds up to $$$ and a tough hit to our wallet.  So I meal planed for this entire week.  My key is for me to be excited about the yummy goodness of what I am making.  Then I also like finding get deals on the ingredients, so I scoured the supermarket fliers to complied the shopping list. So I spent $58 on the meals below plus snacks.   I am excited to be back planning.

With the heat I am also using my crock pot to avoid the heat in the kitchen and dinner is done when I get home.

Meal Planing Monday

Monday Crock pot Pierogies and Kielbasa from DailyDIYLife.com

Tuesday Crock pot Crispy Pork Carnitas Tacos from GiveMeSomeOven.com

Wednesday Crock pot Wild Rice soup from RachelCooks.com

Thursday: Hot Digs and Tator Tots

Friday : Homemade pizza Trader Joes Crust

Saturday Family day

Linking up with an Organizing Junkie

 

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Discover The Forest

June 11th was National Get Outdoors Day!  Remember how easy it was to spend time in nature growing up? Today it can seem hard to break free and get out there to share that same experience with your kids. But it’s worth it — and nature is closer than you think.

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Every neighborhood has a #Naturehood. To find a neighborhood park or green space near you, visit t.org.  These “naturehoods” are just a short-drive away, making it easy for families to unplug from the daily routine and reconnect with nature.

Populations have shifted away from rural settings to metropolitan areas, with over 80% of Americans living in cities, and with fewer connections than ever to natural areas. DiscoverTheForest.org highlights that urban forests offer many of the same benefits as national forests, but they’re right in the neighborhood. Beyond the swings, slides and clearings, there are trails, trees, wildlife and water just waiting for the urban dweller.
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Research has shown that children who play outside have lower stress levels and more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems and are more likely to become environmentally conscious in the future. According to campaign research done by Euro RSCG, 88 percent of children today say they like being in nature, and 79 percent wish they could spend more time there.

DiscoverTheForest.org features an interactive map tool that enables users to search for nearby forests and parks, and filter by zip code and desired activities. Free outdoor activities are also available for download and printing, which you can take the next time you visit.

So, what are you waiting for?  Get up and get out to Discover the Forest for yourself!  #ForestFotog

Element Associates in behalf of the AdCouncil and U.S. Forest Service

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Perfect for Dad Samsung Gear VR

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free

Fathers day is here and there is still time to get day the perfect gift for his special day.  Mobile virtual reality has finally arrived. Be at the center of exciting games, watch the best of Hollywood in your own private cinema, socialize with friends, and so much more. The Samsung Gear VR drops you right in the action — and it’s only from Samsung and Oculus.Gear VR.

Samsung Mobile June

Father’s Day Gifting.  Perfect Timing, Great Gift!  Check out these great offers.

a.       Free Samsung Gear VR, plus $50 of Virtual Reality content with purchase, or lease, and activation of select Samsung Smartphones

b.      Offer is good 6/5-6/18 online or in Best Buy stores

Samsung Mobile Gear VR

I cant wait to get my husbands one of the Samsung Mobile Gear VR  he would love playing in his world with it.