Technology Tips

My favorite things to purchase at Staples are the fun little gifts - perfect for stocking stuffers. I love buying beautiful journals and fun colored pens, along with post it notes of all shapes, colors and sizes. Some other items that are fun for kids are the calculators that clip onto a back pack or keychain, and the fun paper clips and thumb tacks. There are so many fun small items to choose from, you can't go wrong!

In addition to all these fun items, they have more electronic gifts than I can even think of like laptops, printers, cam corders, digital cameras, memory cards, USB cards and more.

Here are most helpful tips for holiday tech shopping:

1. Check for the best prices. It may be easiest to go to one store and buy everything you want for the holidays, but it may not be best for your wallet. I love the site froogle.com where you can type in any item and it will list out the price of the item and where to find it. You can search by price. It's wonderful!

2. Another site I live by is retailmenot.com. On this site other shoppers can list coupon codes, printable coupons, freebies and great deals. I use this at least once a month. My favorite coupon codes from this site are for Victoria Secret, Charlotte Russe and Wet Seal, but there are so many more sites on here!

3. Rebates - check for mail in or instant rebates for technology items. So many electronics offer rebates which make the prices more affordable. Take the time to look up the flyers for each store, and compare rebates when considering the final prices.

4. Read Reviews - If an item has 25 bad reviews and 1 good review, then it probably is not the best choice. I find reviews very helpful. They tell you if a product is reliable or a piece of junk and will break right away.

5. Read the fine print - check what the item is compatible with, the warrenty, the return policy. These are all very important when buying technology.

On my holiday list are the following items that can all be found at Staples - mini laptop/netbook, camcorder, and a new digital camera. We have a digital camera that is wonderful for outdoor photos, but awful for low light locations. It would be so nice to have a camera that took decent photos indoors, so we could capture our date nights, and weddings, as well as holiday parties. Maybe someday Santa will bring them to our house, if not this year. :)

Happy Holidays!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Staples blogging program, making me eligible for a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here - http://staplesholiday.twittermoms.com/about

Staples Holiday GuideHoliday Tech Gifts

10 TIPS TO MAKE LIFE EASIER

Life can be so much easier than it is. How? There are many things that can be done to simplify your life. I know this may sound like an inspirational speech in the making, but it's true. Life is sometimes harder than it has to be.

Tip 1: Cleaning the toilet a pain? Use 1 can of coke, pour around the bowl and leave overnight. Flush in the morning and job done! If only all cleaning tasks were this easy!

Tip 2: I originally found this tip online, but I use it all the time, as I love to bake for my friends. How to Expand Frosting. . . When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving

Tip 3: I also found this one online about a month ago, but it's so helpful! Unsticky Measuring Cups . . . Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don’t dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Tip 4: For making pie crusts this holiday season, it's best to use cold butter for making the crust. Don't melt the butter or "soften" it. It's best when the butter is cut into cubes and kneeded in. The layers of butter between the dough make for a very flaky pie crust. Try it!

Tip 5: If you are making deviled eggs or boiled eggs, here is my tip. As soon as you are done boiling the eggs, rinse them in cool water. This prevents the yokes from turning green around the edges as they cool, and you can also work with them sooner!

Tip 6: I found this product online and think it's wonderful, it's the OK to Wake clock. My coworkers keep complaining about how their kids think as soon as the sun's up that it's time toget up, so they make a product called the "ok to wake" clock that tells kids when they can get up, even if it's already light outside.

Tip 7: Thanksgiving is just around the corner . . . we all love turkey, but what do you do with the leftovers. Every year my family makes turkey noodle soup. You boil the turkey carcas, and that makes a tasty broth, then add in some carrots, noodles, celery and corn and you have soup (of course, take the carcas out before you eat or serve the soup)

Tip 8: For those of you with kittens/cats. . . here's a tip to keep them from going after toes or hands. When they are little provide them with plenty of toys, but NEVER use your hands or feet to play with them. If you use the toys, it teaches them that toys are ok to chase. By using your hands/feet it teaches them that it's ok to chase and attack body parts, so start with toys when they're young. . . not human hands/feet.

Tip 9: Potty Training Tip - if you have a son and want to teach him to "aim," use cheerios. Put a few in the toilet bowl, and tell him to aim for the cheerios. It's great for learning, but can also be a game . . .win win!

Tip 10: For holiday shopping, here are some great money saving sites:
retailmenot.com
couponcabin.com
ebates.com

Try out some of these tips, for a less stressful and easier life. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of my tips, or if you have any to add.

Thanks and Happy Holidays! :)

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Oral-B blogging contest, making me eligible to get full-sized Oral-B Glide products and a $30 Target gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Ragu

To help make sure your kids get the veggies they need (and the meals they love) Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional Sauce now has 2 servings of veggies in every half cup! Available soon in major retailers nationwide, the healthy, great tasting Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional pasta sauce that is already a kitchen staple has a new, naturally thicker recipe.

Healthy, delicious and now with a naturally thicker taste the whole family will love, Ragú® Old World Style® Traditional Sauce is a perfect component to pulling together quick and tasty meals during this busy time. And Ragú® wants you to be among the first to try out their great new recipe! To be one of the first to taste Ragú® with 2 servings of veggies in every half-cup visit them on facebook.com/ragusauce for more details.

Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a Ragú® prize package in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place

sharing 10 ways of making your favorite foods healthier

Does anyone else hate trying to be healthy, but knowing it's best? Does anyone else out there prefer a good cookie to an apple? If so, then you may be interested in this post:

Here are my 10 ways of making your favorite foods healthier:

1. If you love cake, like I do, then one way to make it healthier is to use fruit preserves as filling instead of icing. I like using sugar-free personally, and it keeps the center of the cake very moist, which is always great.

2. To make the cake even healthier, use orange zest, or top it with sliced fruit instead of chocolate. Or simply use powdered sugar and sliced fruit for a beautiful look and a great taste!

3. For more baking tips, try using applesauce or olive oil instead of vegetable oil. It's healthier, and it makes the flavor richer (I would use applesauce for yellow or spice cakes, and EVOO for chocolate cakes). The outcome is fantastic!



4. Instead of making muffins that are full or chocolate and cream, try using nutella or real fruits like sliced strawberries, lemon zest, or apple. I try to switch things up in my recipes, and cut out the chocolate and add in fruit. It's not quite the same, but they still taste great.

5. In staying with my cooking/baking theme, try using more garlic in recipes, especially pasta. Garlic has many health benefits, so it's great to add to meals. We like to add garlic to our Italian dishes, and also to our seafood. Salmon with garlic oil is a tasty combination.

6. When making pasta, try switching to whole wheat, or just wheat pasta. It's a great alternative, and has a great robust flavor.

7. If you like seafood, then try eating more fish with healthy oils like salmon and tuna. These are "fatty" fish, but it's good fat. It sounds gross, but these are the tastiest and healthiest foods from the sea, full of omega-3 fatty acids.

8. Switch from ice berg lettuce to romaine or spinach lettuce. The darker the lettuce the more health benefits it has. If your kids won't eat salads, try to top it with fruits like strawberries, mandarin oranges, apples, nuts, raisens or craisens. With more to look at, they may consider trying it!

9. Use blueberries. Blueberries are one of the superfoods in today's society. Packed with antioxidants and phytoflavinoids, these are also high in potassium and vitamin C. I've heard they can help lower chances for heart disease, which I think is great! Try adding them into muffins or pancakes, or make a blueberry smoothie for breakfast!

10. Add some dark chocolate to your diet! New research has shown that dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants and can lower blood pressure, so I say bring on the chocolate :)

I think the last tip is my favorite, as it gives me permission to continue eating chocolate, in moderation of course. I think these are som great ways to make unhealthy foods a bit healthier, or to eat healthier in general. I hope you enjoyed them.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and WeightWatchers SmartOnes blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Flavorful Low-sodium Family Meals

There are many ways to jazz up your meals without using a lot of salt. Whether you use tricks like "oven frying" instead of deep frying, sauteeing in low-sodium chicken broth instead of oil, or incorporating fun herbs and spices, like Mrs. Dash salt-free seasoning blends into your dishes for extra flavor, we want to hear how you make your family meals flavorful and appealing!

When we cook we use low fat milk, and low sodium chicken and beef broth. It is so important to keep your sodium levels down. It makes you feel better and your body will appreciate the thought you put into your diet and your menu selections. Always cut the salt in half, or use unsalted butter on veggies and in dishes. It makes a world of difference!

Using Mrs Dash salt-free seasoning blend is a great idea to add flavor to a meal without the added sodium. Many people in my family have to watch their sodium intake, so this is so helpful!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the Mrs. Dash and TwitterMoms blogging program for a chance to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here

Flavorful, Family Meal Ideas




More Mrs. Dash Recipes

Apple Turkey Stuffing Recipe:
Ingredients:
3 Tbsp. (45mL) Mrs. Dash® Garlic & Herb Seasoning Blend
1/2 cup (120mL) chopped hazelnuts
2 Tbsp. (30mL) butter
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1 1/2 apples, ideally Granny Smith or Golden Delicious, peeled, cored and diced into 1/4 inch (6cm) cubes
1/4 cup (60mL) apple juice
1 egg
4 cups (960mL) day-old country-style bread, cut into 1/2 inch (1.25mL) cubes, slighted dried
1/3 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp (2.5mL) dried sage
1 cup (240mL) parsley, stems removed, chopped coarsely
1 cup (240mL) chicken stock

Directions:
In a pre-heated 325°F oven, toast hazelnuts on a cookie sheet for 10 minutes. Let cool and reserve.
Melt butter in a large sauté pan over medium high heat and sauté onions, celery and apples for approximately 10 minutes, or until they begin to brown.
Remove pan from the heat and stir in apple juice, using the liquid to loosen up any brown bits from the pan.
In a large bowl, beat egg. Add bread, Mrs. Dash® Garlic & Herb Seasoning Blend, cinnamon, sage, parsley, chicken stock, hazelnuts and the sauteed onions, celery and apples. Toss thoroughly.
Place stuffing in the turkey cavity (but do not over-stuff) and cook with bird. Bake any leftover stuffing in a shallow baking dish at 350°F for approximately 30 minutes, or until a crisp crust has formed on top (all of the stuffing can be cooked in a large baking dish if desired).

5 things

Share five simple things you can do for your child to help keep their smiles healthy and bright:

1. Brush your teeth
2. Brush your tongue
3. floss
4. chew sugar free gum
5. Avoid sweets

I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Trident blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here

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Trident Gum

Nanny McPhee Contest

Five Lessons Every Kid Should Learn:

1. To exercise, prevent poor health later

2. To brush their teeth twice a day

3. To drink plenty of water

4. To share with their friends and school mates

5. To be kind to others

Nanny McPhee Returns (the movie) and TwitterMoms are joining forces to present you with a fun blogging program! Share Five Lessons Every Kid Should Learn, and the first 50 qualified participants will get a $50 Fandango gift card! Do you teach your kids not to talk to strangers? Do they know when to say please and thank you and to respect their elders? Did you teach your kids to look both ways before crossing the street? We can’t wait to read all of your important lessons for kids!

Nanny McPhee Returns Trailer





Nanny McPhee Returns on Facebook I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Nanny McPhee Returns blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here