My Fitness Pal

I have found a great FREE online tool to help me reach my healthy weight goal. I have read numerous blogs that say a food journal is a excellent weight lost tool. I tried writing everything down and that did not last more than 2 days.  The My Fitness Pal is making my Food Journal really easy - I have stayed on track for 2 weeks.

My Fitness Pal

My Fitness Pal (MFP) makes it so easy to keep track of your daily food intake - exercise - water. Very easy to sign up and log in.  You tell MFP your current weight - your goal weight - your lifestyle and how many pounds you would like to lose in one week.  MFP will then calculate your daily calorie intake to lose the weight and stay healthy.

Each meal you log in what you have eaten. MFP has a excellent listing of food items for me to pick from - Homemade, frozen, packaged, restaurants are all listed.

At the end of each day MFP will give you a breakdown of your calories & nutrients for the day and a daily projection of how much you will weigh at the end of the month if you continue to stay within your current calorie goals. This is a huge incentive for me - I like knowing if I stay on track I will meet a goal. I also like the positive comment at the end of the day if I stay within my calorie count.

MFP will even give you a warning if you failed to eat enough in a day. One day I did not eat enough and right away MFP  let me know. Offering me suggestions on how I can ensure that each day I at least eat the minimum about of calories needed to maintain a healthy weight loss.

Another feature I like is that if I forget to enter my food for a day I can go to that day and enter it.  I try to enter daily but some days I forget - I really need to be able to go back and make adjustment if needed.

To help me stay on track while working I downloaded the My Fitness Pal app to my phone. I have a Windows phone and they have a app for it! Something many companies to not offer. They have apps for iPhone, Android and Windows.

By using My Fitness Pal I am learning to keep a mental journal as well as a MFP journal of what I have eaten. By adding each item to my journal - I am more aware of what I have eaten for the day. I honestly think that MFP is helping keep me on track. Now the hard part is for me to STAY on track!

My Fitness Pal Facebook 

My Fitness Pal Blog

Have you ever heard of My Fitness Pal?

Neocell BEAUTY INFUSION - TANGERINE TWIST GIVEAWAY ~ Ends 11/6

Neocell BEAUTY INFUSION - TANGERINE TWIST GIVEAWAY

You are NEVER to YOUNG to start looking YOUNGER

Beauty Infusion is a perfect way to get all of  your beauty nutrition.  If you are like me you are aging and you do not want to look one day older than you are.  

Beauty Infusion is very easy to add to your morning routine.   Every morning before my coffee I fix myself a beauty drink ~ 8 oz of cold water and one scoop of Beauty Fusion. They recommend you take Beauty Fusion on an empty stomach for maximum absorption. Beauty Infusion taste is very light citrus - not bad at all. The taste is in the middle between orange juice and a powdered orange drink (Tang). It taste better than Tang but not quite as good as orange juice. 

It only takes one scoop a day to make a huge difference in the quality of your skin.  Easy step to take to ensure that you stay looking great.

Just one delicious scoop delivers:

- 6,000 MG of NeoCell collagen™ Type 1 & 3 for firm, smooth skin & strong hair & nails*

- 50 MG of Hyaluronic Acid for skin hydration & renewal*

- 3,000 MCG of Biotin for support of strong hair & nail growth*

- Alpha Lipoic Acid & Vitamin C for protection from free radical damage & enhancement   of collagen formation*

Neocell will send one lucky winner a 

full size jar of 

Neocell BEAUTY INFUSION - TANGERINE TWIST 

Giveaway ends November 6th at 11:59pm CST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Barking Wednesday ~ Halloween Safety Tips

This weeks Barking Wednesday is all about 

Halloween Dog Safety.

Kingers wanted me to share with you some very important Halloween Safety.

* Chocolate is poison to dogs.

*Be prepared to tell big & small people - please do not touch the dog. 

* If your dog is not friendly with strangers (human and other dogs) - no matter how cute he/she looks in their costume - please keep your dog home.

* Always keep you dog on a leash

Have a Fun Halloween!

Check out the ASPCA Top 10 Dog Safety Tips for 

Dog Halloween Safety

Romancing My Love by Melissa Foster - Giveaway ends 11/2

NEWLY RELEASED........
Book #9 The Bradens, Love in Bloom Series #18

After months of caring for her terminally ill mother, Rebecca Rivera is left all alone in a world she doesn’t trust—but she’s determined not to let her mother’s death define her. Losing her job, having to pummel some jerk for being too handsy, and living in her car are just temporary setbacks to an otherwise solid plan in finding her footing. Full of pride and used to being in control of her life, she’s certain she can make it on her own. The last thing Rebecca needs is a man to fix her troubles—even if that man is strikingly handsome, wealthy, and charismatic Pierce Braden.

Pierce is a powerful real estate investor on the verge of a major acquisition. As the eldest of six siblings raised by a single mother, he’s spent his life protecting those he loves. He’s used to being in charge and making things right, and although he’d give his life for his family, he treats the women he dates as expendable—until he meets sexy and stubborn Rebecca Rivera, a woman who is as strong as she is vulnerable.

Passion ignites between them, and the two share their most intimate thoughts and desires. It doesn’t take long for Pierce to realize that Rebecca is as determined not to be saved as he is to find a way into her heart. As their love grows, Rebecca must face fears she didn’t even realize she had—and Pierce must learn the hard truth that sometimes less really is more. Is the power of true love enough for Rebecca and Pierce to learn to give up control and allow their hearts to take over?

THE BRADEN COUSINS are the newest addition to the LOVE IN BLOOM series, this is the third of six books.
**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Buy the book from...... 

Amazon.co.uk    Amazon.com    Barnes and Noble    KOBO 

Barking Wednesday's ~ 2014 Dog Holiday Gift Guide Event

Welcome to Barking Wednesday's Dog Holiday Gift Guide Event

I wanted to share with you great holiday gifts that I am positive your furry pooch will love.

These are items Kingers has personally enjoyed or items his furry friends love.

If you have a blog post about a great dog item 

that is perfect for a 

holiday gift ~ please add your link.

Happy Barking Holidays!!!

Fun Halloween Weekend!

Super easy Halloween Costumes to make!

TuTu Witch and Werewolf ... check out Isa and Davey!

Dawn purchased the werewolf mask - witch hat & wig - twill for tutu, black fishnet tights, and fur for werewolf.  Tie twill around a belt to make the tutu and decorate the hat - use clothes to make the costume for the witch.  For the werewolf glue fur to a old pair of pants and shirt.

Plus ..... they are carrying their Halloween Treat Bags they made at the Michael's Free Family Craft Time 

workshop on Saturday.

Thanks Michael's for offering fun free family projects.

Neocell ~ Beauty Infusion ~ Tangerine Twist

BEAUTY INFUSION - TANGERINE TWIST

Beauty Infusion is a perfect way to get all of  your beauty nutrition.  If you are like me you are aging and you do not want to look one day older than you are.  When I was asked to review Beauty Infusion for Neocell ~ I said YES.

After using Beauty Infusion for two weeks I really do think it is making a difference.  One of the reasons I was fast to say yes to Beauty Infusions is that it hydrates the skin.  Hydrated skin is younger looking skin - this is a know fact. Since I really dislike the taste of water and I choke it down daily. I was interested in finding a way to ensure that my skin is hydrated.  

Beauty Infusion is very easy to add to your morning routine.   Every morning before my coffee I fix myself a beauty drink ~ 8 oz of cold water and one scoop of Beauty Fusion. They recommend you take Beauty Fusion on an empty stomach for maximum absorption. Beauty Infusion taste is very light citrus - not bad at all. The taste is in the middle between orange juice and a powdered orange drink (Tang). It taste better than Tang but not quite as good as orange juice. 

It only takes one scoop a day to make a huge difference in the quality of your skin.  Easy step to take to ensure that you stay looking great.

One container has 30 servings - $25.57 at Amazon  You can also purchase it at GNC - using their membership plan and coupons you might be able to get a even lower price.   For less than 86 cents a day to make a huge difference in my skin is not a huge price to pay.  I know I do not look forty but few think I am 61 and counting down. :)

Just one delicious scoop delivers:

- 6,000 MG of NeoCell collagen™ Type 1 & 3 for firm, smooth skin & strong hair & nails*

- 50 MG of Hyaluronic Acid for skin hydration & renewal*

- 3,000 MCG of Biotin for support of strong hair & nail growth*

- Alpha Lipoic Acid & Vitamin C for protection from free radical damage & enhancement   of collagen formation*

Give it a try - I learned a long time ago  ......  You are never too young to start looking younger!

NeoCell Facebook

The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar by Robert Alexander

For our November 6th Book Discussion Group we were to read The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar by Robert Alexander


Drawing from decades of work, travel, and research in Russia, Robert Alexander re-creates the tragic, perennially fascinating story of the final days of Nicholas and Alexandra Romanov as seen through the eyes of their young kitchen boy, Leonka. Now an ancient Russian immigrant, Leonka claims to be the last living witness to the Romanovs’ brutal murders and sets down the dark secrets of his past with the imperial family. Does he hold the key to the many questions surrounding the family’s murder? Historically vivid and compelling, The Kitchen Boy is also a touching portrait of a loving family that was in many ways similar, yet so different, from any other.

REVIEW:
The book is excellent!  I must say if it was not for the book group I really do not think I ever would of picked the book to read. But I am so glad I did! The book is one of those books I don't think I will ever forget. 

I found myself caught in the story - wanting more and more about the Tsar, his family, the Russian government and of course the Kitchen Boy.

I don't want to say much about the story line - It is so important that you experience the book - you will be amazed!

The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar by Robert Alexander is available at AMAZON 

Flavored Oyster Crackers

Dawn is a excellent cook - she is great at making her own recipes. She definitely takes after her father. He is also a excellent chef. I am a recipe cook - give me a recipe and I can make it. Ask me to invent a recipe and I am lost. I have no idea what goes with what - I do not even now what many spices taste like let alone mix them up to make a dish.

Super easy snack to make

Flavored Oyster Crackers 

I bag of Oyster Crackers

1/4 cup of vegetable oil

2 Tablespoons of Gorgonzola Olive Cheese Ball mix from Tastefully Simple

Mix together then bake for 5 minutes at 350 degrees

Only 65 calories for 36 crackers!

To make Buffalo Crackers - use Creamy Tastefully Simple Buffalo Dip mix instead of the Gorgonzola Olive Cheese Ball mix.

The Buffalo Oyster Crackers are spicy - my hubby's favorite!

Barking Wednesday ~ Fromm Family Dog Food

As you guys know I am always looking for great natural food for Kingers. Thanks to Dawn -

she introduced me to a local company that is making fantastic dog food.  Fromm Family Foods ~ The Fromm Family has been making dog food in SE Wisconsin for over 100 years. Their dog food is high quality and natural.  You could say it is a hidden gem for Wisconsin companies.   

I started Kingers on the Gold Life Stage line - made especially for adult dogs with reduced activity.  He really likes the food and I must say I do believe it is helping control his appetite. He is not as hungry between meals which tells me he must be keeping the full feeling longer. Which is a very good thing for him, since like me he could lose a few pounds.

Since I live in SE Wisconsin our local hardware store Reineman's True Value in  Burlington, Wisconsin carries Fromm's.  Which is perfect for me - the hardware store is located right on my way home from the hospital. 
If you are not in Wisconsin and Fromm's Family Food is not carried in your local stores...check out Pet Solutions. They carry quality pet products.  Their FREE SHIPPING for orders over $49 and fast shipping make feeding your dog Fromm's easy as can be - really easier than me picking it up at the local hardware store. When you place your order your dog food is delivered right to your door.

Are you wondering about price?  Fromm's is cheaper than Blue - Nitro - Call of the Wild. All great natural dog foods ~ Fromm's also contains the same ingredients ~ all natural quality products.

Kingers loves his new Fromm's and I am totally happy!  Some times I shake my head - got to wonder where I have been!  Fromm's has been around over 100 years - I only feed natural dog food and I am just learning about it. Guess I had my head in the sand since Fromm's is made within 100 miles of my house.  I am guilty of only researching name brands not local brands.  I need to make sure that does not happen again.

Greed Manifesto by John W. Mefford ~ $50 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway ~ Ends 11/16

NEW RELEASE.....
Everyone needs a guardian angel, especially children of this world who are tossed aside like yesterday's trash. But what if that angel is cloaked in vengeance, immune to human qualities of remorse or compassion, seemingly carrying a torch for justice, yet driven by a tenacious indignation.

Set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of San Francisco and all of its fleeting secrets, Michael attempts to re-boot his life, only to see death drop inches from his feet. Awakened from a seemingly catatonic state, and emboldened by a spirited friendship from his past, the former journalist is compelled to chase down the truth behind a murder--and the natural beauty connected to it.

But what he finds isn't what it appears.

Can a price tag be associated with life? What about death…on a global scale? Robbed of his memory, beaten to an inch of his life, yet unwavering in his quest to cease an act of terror, Michael races against time to pursue an enemy bound by an unspeakable cause--or so it seems.

The fourth book in the Greed series, GREED MANIFESTO, spins a tale so wickedly conceived, you won't believe what you read. Until you do.

REVIEW:
Greed Manifesto is one of those books you read and then put it down and say to yourself "Did I just read that?" Then you pick it back up and continue.  I found myself back tracking a few times to make sure I read it correctly.  The book always seemed to be on my mind while reading it ... a sign that the story is involved and is keeping me thinking.  Very good read!  I highly recommend the book. 

Buy the book from.....

Amazon.co.uk    Amazon.com    Barnes and Noble    Kobo    Apple   

Carbon Monoxide, the Silent Cold Weather Killer

Before we know it COLD weather will be here!!

I wanted to share with you information on Carbon Monoxide, the Silent Cold Weather Killer.

Thousands of deaths each year are the result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning include:

Dizziness

Fatigue

Headache

Nausea

Irregular Breathing 

Preventive Maintenance of CO producing appliances is a MUST. Here are a few warning signs that your appliances might be an issue for CO:
* A decreasing hot water supply
* A furnace that runs constantly and is unable to heat your home
* Soot on appliances or furnace - also in your attic
* Increased condensation on the inside of your windows
* Rusting or water streaks on vents, flues, or your chimney

The best thing you can do to ensure that you are protected from Carbon Monoxide is to have a working Carbon Monoxide detector installed in your home.  

I purchased a new Carbon Monoxide tester from our local True Value Hardware store. The detector was only $14.99 - very cheap way to protect our home.

For more information on carbon monoxide you can check out the Official CO Website

Booking Friday ~ Flirting with Love by Melissa Foster ~ Giveaway Ends 12/19

NEW RELEASE........
Book #10 The Bradens, Love in Bloom Series #20

Elisabeth Nash has spent years dreaming of returning to the small town of Trusty, Colorado, where she spent summers with her favorite aunt. When she inherits her aunt’s farmette, she closes her Los Angeles pet bakery and pampering business, sure that life in Trusty will be as peaceful and as welcoming as she remembers. But being an outsider in the close-knit town proves to be very different from the happy summers she remembers from her childhood—and falling for Trusty’s hot, wealthy, and sinfully irresistible veterinarian, Ross Braden, sends the rumor mill into a frenzy.

Ross Braden learned long ago that gossip spreads faster than weeds in his small hometown, and Ross loves nothing more than his privacy. For that reason, he doesn’t date women who live in Trusty. But that was before blond, beautiful, and refreshingly honest Elisabeth Nash flew into his vet clinic seeking help for her panicked piglet and turned his comfortable life—and his heart—inside out.

Despite rumors about Elisabeth’s motives toward her aunt’s property, passion brews between Elisabeth and Ross. Every steamy kiss and every sensual touch brings the pair closer together, and when Ross helps Elisabeth try to fit into the town he adores, it makes their bond even stronger. But even Elisabeth’s efforts toward reaching the community, and the love she and Ross so desperately believe in, might not be enough for the protective small town to offer them a future.

THE BRADEN COUSINS are the newest addition to the LOVE IN BLOOM series, this is the third of six books.
**CONTENT WARNING: Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+**

Buy the book from.....

Amazon.com    Barnes and Noble   KOBO    iTunes

D's B's Honey

I wanted to share with you some info on Honey and Honey Bees. My Brother-in-law and Sister-in-Law  own and operate D's B's in Peshtigo, WI  - which is about 1 hour north of Green Bay.  

Dave & Darla are regulars at their local Farmer's Market - selling honey. We laughed because Dave says few know his name everyone calls him the Bee Man.



During our visit Dave & Darla were telling us some amazing facts about bees.   
DID YOU KNOW - 
* 1/3 of the US diets is derived from insect-pollinated plants 

* Honey Bees are responsible for 80% of all insect-pollination

* Without Honey Bees - crops would be reduced and some crops would not yield at all.

* Honey bees visit millions of blossoms in their lifetime

* California, Florida, Minnesota, Montana and North & South Dakota are the leading honey producing states.

* Bee keepers often migrate their bee hives to provide pollination services to farmers across the USA.

* Honey Bees are the only insect that produces a food consumed by humans.

* Honey is considered one of the most versatile ingredient on the market today.

* Honey is a humectant (it attracts and retains moisture) - You can add a little honey to your normal moisturizing routine  - natural moisturizer

* Honey is slightly sweeter than sugar - so less can be used in recipes - natural sweetener

* Honey acts a binder and thickener for sauces, marinades, dips & dressing - natural thickener

* Honey has it's own unique flavor it also balances and enhances the flavor profiles of other ingredients in a recipe

* Honey has 17 grams of carbohydrates and 64 calories a teaspoon - the all natural energy booster

* Honey has been used for years as a cough suppressant - one to two teaspoons of honey will soothe and relieve the irritation of a cough - natural medicine

* Honey is a natural product for adults and children - however it is NOT recommended for infants under one year of age

Darla gave me a very useful conversion chart for using honey instead of sugar - check out how easy it is to use natural honey instead of sugar:

For sauces, marinades and salad dressings, substitute pure honey for up to half the granulated sweetener in a recipe.

To Bake with honey - use pure honey for up to half the granulated sweetener in a recipe:  

For Each 1 Cup of Honey Used:

* Reduce any liquid by 1/4 cup

* Add 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

* Reduce Oven temp by 25 degrees

If you are interested in purchasing D's B's Natural Raw & Unfiltered Honey give them a call at 715-596-0024 ~ the Bee Man will gladly ship his tasty natural honey to all locations in the USA.

Amazing benefits of using honey.  Make sure to check out the National Honey Board website for more amazing info on honey.

#deliacolvin The Mists of Time by Delia Colvin Giveaway ~ Win $20 Amazon.com GC or Paypal Cash ~ Ends 11/2

In anticipation of her newest book - 

Book Four of The Oracles: The Mists of Time, 

author Delia Colvin is offering a preview and a giveaway! 

It's the perfect time to get the rest of the previous books just before Book 4 is released,
check them out here. 

 "An edge of the seat read," Beck Valley Books 

"Love, love, love this series!" 

Barking Wednesday ~ Dogs Breath

This week on Barking Wednesday I wanted to share some info on your Dogs Breath.  Daily bad breath could be caused by dental problems or dog food. 

• Tartar buildup can cause bad breath
• Hard to digest foods can cause bad breath
• Gum disease 

But if you notice a change in your dogs breath - it could mean serious issues.
  
Here are a few warning breath smells:

• If you dogs breath starts smelling sweet or fruity - this could be the sign on diabetes. 
• Breath that smells like urine could mean Kidney problems
• A really stinky breath - plus vomiting could be a sign of liver problems.

The best advice I can give dog owners is to make sure to tell your vet about your dogs bad breath. Your vet can run test and find out what is the underlying cause for the bad breath.

The vet always tells me that Kingers has excellent teeth and gums for his age. My secret is raw bones.  I buy him a new bone each week from the butcher.  The chewing on the bone is a great natural way to keep his teeth and gums in good shape.

IMPORTANT!!  ~ Make sure to pick up the bones off the floor.  Stepping on a bone can really cause problems. They have been known to break a adult ankle!

As always check with your vet to make sure raw bones are right for your dog. 

Talk to Santa

Hi….I wanted to make sure to tell you upfront that the products mentioned in this post have been received for free for evaluation purposes. The link is not a affiliate link. With that being said rest assure that I only give honest opinions. The opinions are my own and always will be.  Thanks for visiting.  

This year we are going to surprise Davey with a conference call with Santa.  Santa is just got back from vacation ~ 
I want to call as early as I can to make sure we get a good call day and time. 

Schedule a live conference call with Santa Claus! You, your family and friends in up to four other locations will experience the magic of talking live to Santa Claus! After your video conference with Santa you can share the recorded call with your other friends and relatives!

or you can

Get a personalized video from Santa Claus!
Share it with your friends on the internet!

Click Here to check out 
Talk to Santa
A great location to check out fun activities for the holiday season.
*** Live Reindeer Cam Watch the Live Elves Feed The Reindeer -Live!
*** Santa’s workshop LIVE! Watch the elves help Santa get 
ready for Christmas
*** Fun Christmas Games Check our some of Santa’s Great Games
*** Track Santa! Find out where Santa is on Christmas Eve
*** Mrs. Claus Webpage See what Santa’s wife is doing!

Renaissance of the Heart by Lori M Jones ~ Giveaway ends 11/2

After her husband of fifteen years comes out of the closet, a blindsided, forty-year-old Amanda Lewis is forced to salvage what remains of her shattered heart and navigate a new life for herself and her teenage daughter. But will a sizzling secret romance with a famous young NFL quarterback lead her to winning the life she deserves or set her up for her biggest loss yet?

As she embarks on the journey of rebuilding her home, Amanda discovers that finding forgiveness and repairing her damaged self-worth are her biggest challenges of all. While searching her soul–and even searching inside her city's history–she finds answers. But will answers come too late and can a broken heart ever be truly fixed?

REVIEW:
Such a great read - I could not put it down once I started reading about Amanda and her life. Her ups and downs as she started her new journeys.  Lori M. Jones did a fantastic job expressing Amanda's emotions and her struggle to overcome the many obstacles in her way.  EXCELLENT READ! I give it a 10 STAR Review...in fact I think I just might read it again.  

This is the BEST book I've read in 2014 - once I started reading Lori M. Jones had me! EXCELLENT READ!!

"Renaissance of the Heart is a light-hearted yet soul-filling story of what true love looks like" - review from Amazon

"This is the best book I have read in years! Lori Jones is an amazing author and needs to get more books out there! It's so hard to put this book down!" - review from Amazon

"This is a great book and you can't wait to get to the next chapter! The author draws you in right away with this story. The characters are amazing!" - review from Goodreads

Buy the book from....
Amazon.co.uk       Amazon.com

After the Fog by Kathleen Shoop - Giveaway Ends 11/9

A Nurse’s Obligation
A Town’s Demise
A Mother’s Regret
A Son’s Calling
A Daughter’s Mistake
A Time to Forgive

For every woman who thinks she left her past behind…Historic, environmental drama wrapped in a love story...

It's 1948 in the steel town of Donora, Pennsylvania, site of the infamous “killing smog.” Public health nurse, Rose Pavlesic, has risen above her orphaned upbringing and created a life that reflects everything she missed as a child. She’s even managed to keep her painful secrets hidden from her doting husband, loving children, and large extended family.

When a stagnant weather pattern traps poisonous mill gasses in the valley, neighbors grow sicker and Rose’s nursing obligations thrust her into conflict she never could have fathomed. Consequences from her past collide with her present life, making her once clear decisions as gray as the suffocating smog. As pressure mounts, Rose finds she’s not the only one harboring lies. When the deadly fog finally clears, the loss of trust and faith leaves the Pavlesic family—and the whole town—splintered and shocked. With her new perspective, can Rose finally forgive herself and let her family’s healing begin?

Review:
After the Fog was a very good read.  The book made me really think about me and my life. Rose works to care for everyone and them totally has no clue what is happening around her. Her family is drifting away and she does not even see it. A really good story about a woman devoted to caring for everyone while being unable to let go of her past.  Very Good Read!

***2013 Eric Hoffer Award Finalist*** 

***Independent Publisher Awards: 2012 Silver, Best Regional Fiction–Mid-Atlantic*** 

***National Indie Excellence Awards: 2012 WINNER-- Literary Fiction***

Buy the book from.......

Amazon.com    Amazon.co.uk    Barnes and Noble

Long Nights Short Years by Julie Carlyle

Lately I have been waking up so early - today it was 4 am.  I decided to read a book I received to review Long Nights Short Years by Julie Carlyle. Oh my gosh I am so glad I took the time to read the book ~ the book totally made my weekend!

Julie is a stay-at-home mother of three who wanted to share with the world her Do's & Don'ts of motherhood.  She lives in Alabama with her husband of 20 years and her family.

Long Nights Short Years  is one of the cutest books I have read in a long time. It is a short read - only 75 pages.  It made me laugh out loud numerous time. The "I have been there done that feeling" was in every chapter. 

One of the best sections in the book for me was how she explained motherhood like being a boat on the waves of the ocean, sometimes calm and sometimes a torrent of winds and waves.  Oh my this is so true. 

Plus, how as a Mom our normal changes!  What was normal is never really normal again!  To this day as a grandmother - normal with my grandchildren continues to change!  Makes me smile - reading it!

I am sharing my copy of the book with my daughter. She has three children 13, 10, and 5. I am positive she will laugh her way through the book like I did.

I am also purchasing Long Nights Short Years  for two very good friends Baby Showers.  I think the book will be a perfect addition to my gifts.  Julie did a excellent job of showing that being a Mom is the most important job in the work. Kinds come in all models and have no instructions - it is a adventure of LOVE that will last a life time!

Long Nights Short Years by Julie Carlyle is available at Amazon for $12.95.  A perfect gift to give a Mom!

Barking Wednesday - IBUPROFEN can kill a dog

This week on Barking Wednesday I wanted to let everyone know how dangerous IBUPROFEN is for dogs. 

The ASPCA Poison Control Center rates Ibuprofen the number one reason for dog poisoning.

This information is from the ASPCA database:

• 25-125mg per kg of body weight – symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, stomach ulcers;
• more than 175mg per kg of body weight – the above symptoms plus blood in the stools, acute kidney failure;
• more than 400mg per kg of body weight – the above symptoms plus seizures, coma, disorientation;
• more than 600mg per kg of body weight – death.

The ASPCA has reported a case where 3mg per kg of body weight given every other day for six weeks proved fatal.

Ibuprofen sold over the counter contains anywhere from 50mg to 200mg per tablet; each prescription tablet may contain 800mg of Ibuprofen. Given a dog’s propensity to eat everything in front of their noses, a packet of Ibuprofen tablets left within their reach can do a lot of damage.

Symptoms can take anywhere from 12 hours to several days to show. However, if you suspect your dog has ingested Ibuprofen take him to the vet immediately. Any tablets consumed must be flushed out of your dog’s system as quickly as possible to improve his chances of a full recovery.

Always contact your vet before giving your dog any over the counter medication. Giving your dog the wrong medication could kill him.

Natural Valentia Even Glow Serum

Hi….I wanted to make sure to tell you upfront that the products mentioned in this post have been received for free for evaluation purposes.  With that being said rest assure that I only give honest opinions. The opinions are my own and always will be.  Thanks for visiting.  

You guys all know I am a natural nut.  Yep...only natural products for my skin. After years of using just any products I finally seen the light and it is amazing how much better my skin is with me only using natural products.    

I was asked to review natural Valentia Even Glow Serum. It is a Vitamin C Serum that evens out your skin tone and increase glow and radiance.  

What those words mean is that ....I look fresh and ready to go - all day long! 

Right away I noticed a difference.  I was even asked at work - What I was doing different to make me look so energized!  I told her the only thing was I added Even Glow to my morning routine.

As I age the hardest thing for me is the dull skin look I have. Even Glow is giving my skin back the energy aging has removed. I know that sounds crazy - energy in my skin - but to me that is what I miss the most about being young. When I was young my skin looked alive - ready to tackle the world. As I aged my skin got less energy - no longer looking like it was capable of doing it all!  I know crazy huh!  

Even Glow has given me back the look of energy and I love having it back. I look and feel younger.  Again - how the heck can I feel younger!! Well I do - guess looking younger makes me feel younger! Silly Huh!

Valentia Even Glow Serum is all natural. Check out the ingredients: Organic Rosehip Oil, Organic Sea Buckthorn Oil, Green Tea Extract, Botanical Hyaluronic Acid, and Resistem (Plant Stem Cells) ....... ORGANIC VITAMIN C

Simple to use - each morning I wash my face then apply a small amount of Even Glow.  I allow the Even Glow to dry completely before I add my moisturizer. Then I finish my makeup routine!  

I highly recommend giving Even Glow Serum a try if you want

Even Skin Tone

Your skin to glow

Reduced wrinkles and fine lines 

Now is the perfect time to give it a try.

Great Sale price on Amazon $35 plus FREE Shipping and they will