Guest Post: Summer Time, The Living’s Easy?

Guest Post:

Strangely enough, when summer approaches the first emotion I feel is anxiety. Why is this? Expectations. During summer you’re expected to feel happy and free, but life doesn’t always allow for this. What if you’re broke and can’t afford new summer clothes? Gasp! Or what if it’s so hot and bright that all you want to do is stumble around looking for a sprinkler and a place that sells sunglasses? I guess worse things can happen. But come summer time, I like to set out a few achievable goals that I can accomplish by the end of August that will give some color and shape to an otherwise chaotic season. With that in mind, here are my three goals for this summer:

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Go to at least one new city.

I think this is a very modest travel itinerary. Most people plan entire nation-hopping, jet-setting global expeditions for the summer. I just want to see one new place and preferably one with some good seafood. Something about summer just screams shellfish and white wine to me.

Finish one ambitious project.

The approach of summer has a way of inciting a windfall of unrealistic goals. ‘I’m going to write that novel I’ve been putting off for five years! And I’m going to create a webpage, learn French, get an online degree, get in shape, get a tan!’ It’s too much. Summer is three months, 90 days. That’s about time to enjoy yourself, relax and leisurely complete one solid project.

Finally adhere to an exercise regimen.

Every summer I tell myself the same thing: this is the summer I’m going to work out everyday. Every year it’s a lie. This year it will be a lie again. Why? Because I’m not going to set another unrealistic expectation. I’m going to work out a lot, several times a week. But not everyday. A few runs on the beach, maybe a couple yoga classes, a jaunt at the gym. But, no, I’m going to spend the summer training for a Strongest Woman contest.

So there are my plans for the summer. They may not be the most ambitious blueprints for an easy-going three months, but I am reasonably confident that at the end of August I will feel both refreshed and productive. And that’s exactly how you want to feel when the leaves start falling in autumn. 

The Hunger Games HP Folio Winner Is

Hunger Games HP Folio 13. This isn’t just any ordinary computer. This is a quick, sleek, lightweight, fully loaded, business class PC… complete with customized lid. This is not just a decorative skin, but an actual engraving of The Hunger Games movie title and the District 12 logo. This computer is exactly what you need to boast your District pride when visiting the Capitol.

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And the Winner is!

Random Number – 1132 B. Lynn C.

The winner has been contacted.

 

 

Congrats from everyone at MomStart.

Repin it To Win It (Acer Aspire S3 laptop): Microsoft’s Mother’s Day Pinterest Sweepstakes

I just have to show of my son one more time, or however many times Microsoft chooses to use his photos on-line. Right now it’s almost like Miles has his very own Pinterest account because he’s sporting Spring Mice and Spring laptops. You can enter to win a new laptop by repinning this photo!

 

 

 

So you can win an Acer Aspire S3 laptop. Approximate Retail Value (ARV) US $ 899.99.

HOW DO YOU ENTER?

To enter, you must do all of the following during the Entry Period to be eligible: Please see the official rules before entering:

Step 1: Sign into your Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/. If you do not have a Pinterest account, visit http://www.pinterest.com/ to request an invitation to register for a free account. There may be a waiting period in between when you request membership and when you are issued an invitation.

Step 2: Visit http://pinterest.com/windows/mothers-day-contest/ and "pin" the contest announcement image, plus one additional eligible photo to your Pinterest page.

Step 3: Create a board with at least 10 pins (including the contest announcement) and then comment on the announcement image with a link to your board.

Step 4: Leave the contest announcement pinned to your Pinterest board until April 26, 2012, when winners will be selected and verified.

Limit 1 entry per person and per Pinterest account.

Guest Post: How to Improve Conception Naturally

For some couples, conception isn’t as easy as they thought it would be. As the months pass without a positive pregnancy test result, many are willing to try anything to conceive. Although medical procedures can be effective, many are expensive and some  couples aren’t able to afford them. Fortunately, there are many natural and affordable ways a couple can increase fertility:

Get Enough of the Right Nutrients

We all know how important a healthy, well-balanced diet is. What you might not know is that getting enough of the right nutrients can play a huge part in a man’s reproductive health. In addition toother benefits, the foods he eats can help to regulate his hormones, which will have an impact onhis fertility.

Getting foods that are rich in calcium and vitamin D every day can markedly increase a man’s fertility. To prevent sperm defects, a man should consume plenty of vitamin C as well as foods rich in antioxidants. Taking zinc supplements may help give semen levels a boost.

Cut Down On Caffeine

According to the Society for Reproductive Medicine, women who drink too much caffeine can experience impaired fertility. How much is too much? If a woman consumes 500 milligrams of caffeine or more per day, she is more likely to experience problems with fertility.

The solution to this problem is simple. Drink less caffeine. Try to decrease the number of caffeinated beverages you drink every day. This doesn’t mean you can’t drink caffeinated coffee, tea or soda ever again. But try to limit yourself to just 1 to 3 caffeinated beverages per day.

Try Herbal Remedies

Many believe that certain herbs can increase a couple’s chances of getting pregnant. Chasteberry is an herb commonly used to naturally increase fertility. Among other things, chasteberry is thought to restore a woman’s hormonal balance. It also stimulates the production of hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, which helps to increase ovulation.

Green tea, a more common herbal remedy, is also used to increase fertility. According to the American Journal of Public Health, drinking green tea every day can increase a woman’s chance of getting pregnant by 100%.

If you still find that conception isn’t easy, even after giving yourself time and trying out a few natural fertility tips, consider visiting a reproductive specialists.  Those donating eggs and sperm have made it much easier for couples to succeed who are struggling with conception. Who knows?  With one easy visit you may find the solution you are seeking, and be on your way to being a parent in no time.

 

Note from MomStart: I am no medical expert and we are in no way giving medical advice. See your own doctor before making any decisions that can affect your own health. Your experiences may be different. This is a guest post.

HOP into spring at Easter Eggs-travaganza at Northgate Mall!

· Kidgits Club Easter Celebration

 

Meet the Easter Bunny and Make a Memory

From March 23rd – April 7th the Easter Bunny will be at Northgate Mall, ready to make every child’s Easter photos special. Hours are posted on Northgate Mall’s Facebook page

however please note that Bunny break times may vary.

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On Saturday, March 24, 2012, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.  at the North Entrance, Kidgits Club members are invited to come celebrate the release of Universal’s comedy “HOP” by making their own drums just like E.B. in the movie! Members will also receive their very own pair of bunny ears, enjoy face painting, crafts and snacks, plus take part in an Easter Egg Hunt with a bunch of prizes. Enjoy an Eggs-cellent Easter Egg Hunt and take home some Terrific Treats!  "HOP" to see you there! Hop comes out on DVD/Blu-Ray March 23.

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 Caring Bunny Event

On April 1st, from 9:00 – 11:00am, there will be a Caring Bunny Event taking place in the mall. Caring Bunny is an opportunity for children with special needs to visit with the Easter Bunny in a controlled and welcoming environment before the mall opens. Coloring activities and refreshments will be provided.

Not a Kidgits member yet?  Join the club and join the fun for only a $5 annual membership fee at the event, or at Simon Guest Services near JCPenney.

Holland House Meal Makeover Moms Sweepstakes

Ever get into the kitchen at night ready to make dinner and find that you’re not at all ready. I do almost every night. I used to be really good at making a meal plan, going to the grocery store and having things planned out and ready to go. I cooked at least four nights a week and we had left overs on the other nights. Now it seems that I just look into my pantry and stare at it wondering what should I make.

Talking to other parents I see that most of us are in the same boat. We just don’t know what to make once it’s dinner time. By the time we come up with something we want it to be a meal that takes less than 10 minutes. The Meal Makeover Moms are registered dietitians on a mission to help busy families eat better. Janice Newell Bissex and Liz Weiss have a simple food philosophy that kids will eat nutritious food without complaint as long as it looks and tastes great. image

As a Mizkan Blog Ambassador I work with Holland House and they keep me informed of what they are up to. They are currently offering a sweepstake on the Holland House Facebook page offering up a Meal Makeover with the Meal Makeover Moms, Janice Newell Bissex and Liz Weiss. They are calling it the Meal Makeover Moms Sweepstakes.

What can you win?

Holland House will be selecting three winners to win a Meal Makeover.

How do you Enter?

on the Holland House Facebook page

 

 

This post is a sponsored post as part of my relationship with Mizkan and Holland House.

Olympic Paint Twitter Party #SpringColor

Join us Thursday for another twitter party. This week it’s with the Motherhood and Olympic Paint. Here are the details:

 

WHAT: A Twitter party with Olympic Paint (@InspiredColor) and The Motherhood (@theMotherhood)!  We will discuss hot spring color trends and design tips with the experts.  Bring your questions, advice, thoughts and ideas to share with the group!

WHEN: Thursday, March 15, at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT).  The party will last one hour.

WHERE:

The party will take place on Twitter.  Follow the #SpringColor hashtag

GIVEAWAYS: Five giveaways will be awarded throughout the hour of the Twitter party, based on correct responses to trivia questions.  (Correct answers will be collected, and a winner will be randomly chosen for each prize.)  Each winner will receive a free can of Olympic paint in the color of their choice.  Contest entrants must follow @InspiredColor and @theMotherhood to be eligible to win.

BONUS: Follow Olympic Paint & Stain on Facebook and Pinterest

Co-hosts:

@freckleberrymom  
@mamabmy
@CreativelyB  
@debthompson  
@gograhamgo  
@JoyCharde  
@ centsiblelife  
@ momstart  
@ RobynsWorld  
@ sarann  
@ SimpleStephD  
@ GooberMonkey78  
@ andtwinsmake5  
@ TonyaStaab  
@ MyFamilyTable

 

Join all of us for a really great time and chat about painting.

Hormel Flatscreen HDTV Facebook Giveaway Ends 3/19 #HormelFamily

HURRY hurry hurry. The contest has less than one week left. On March 19th your chances to win a Flatscreen HDTV end. You can win this TV just in time to watch all the basketball excitement with the “Hoops Hysteria” Sweepstakes sponsored by Hormel Foods.

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TO ENTER:

This promotion is on the Hormel Foods Recipes Facebook page. To Enter you’ll have to fill out the entry form on the Facebook page.

 

 

This post is an entry as a blog ambassador for the Hormel Family Bloggers Contest

Tom’s of Maine Silly Strawberry Pajama Twitter Party #SillyStrawberry 8 pm EST 3/7

It’s a busy Twitter week for me. Today I participating in two twitter chats and tomorrow I’m co-hosting the Tom’s of Maine Silly Strawberry twitter Party.  My kids favorite toothpaste is Tom’s of Maine Silly Strawberry. When we recently ran out and they had to use mom and dad’s they grumbled quite a bit. Tom’s of Maine is great because it’s natural comes in fluoride and no-fluoride for the little ones. Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry

Join Me @MomStart and @TomsofMaine for the #SillyStrawberry Twitter party.

We’re going to be chatting about healthy bedtime routines and reading to your kids. There is a rumor that there will be prizes but I can’t verity what they will be and if there really are some. But I get the feeling there will be and most importantly that it’s going to be a fun and informative chat.

DETAILS:

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 7 from 8pm – 9pm ET

Hosts: @TomsOfMaine

Co-Host: @MomStart

Promotion: Silly Strawberry Pajama Party

Hashtag: #SillyStrawberry

And Next week there will be a live story hour with @KristiYamaguchi

Join Us For the OREO Cookies 100th Birthday Twitter Party #OREOMoment

I’m so excited to be a twitter party panelist for one of my favorite cookie brands OREO. I LOVE OREO cookies. Yesterday at church when the parents were preparing the snack they put an OREO cookie with the fishy crackers they gave the kids and when I saw the cookies I wanted to be a kid. I really wanted one of those OREO cookies.

 

OREO Cookies 100th Birthday Twitter Party  #OREOMoment

Date:  Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Time:  10-11am PT / 11-12am MT / 1-2pm ET

Promotion: OREO 100th Birthday

Hashtag: #OREOMoment

Client Participants: @OREO

Host Twitter Handle: @theblogfrog

Twitter Panelists: @momstart, @Jennyonthespot, @ShibleySmiles, @Quirkymommasite

We’ll be asking 10 questions with 10 prizes.

PRIZES

Looks like a prize for every question, Amazon and Target Gift Cards. Join us!