TFH Family Favorite Finds

LIVE CHAT! TODAY! February 21st (1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EST) Let's Talk Gardening!

COME AS YOU ARE:  as you will be able to participate in this Lunchtime Gardening Chat LIVE! and in real-time, right here, on this blog post TODAY at 1:00 p.m.!

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Horizon Healthy Families: LIVE CHAT! TODAY! January 31st (9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. EST) "Me Time" for Moms (and Dads, Too!)

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS HORIZON HEALTHY FAMILIES COMMUNITY DISCUSSION LIVE, IN REAL-TIME, RIGHT HERE, ON THIS BLOG AT 9:00 PM (EST) TODAY!!!

But, wait there's more:

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© 2003 - 2012 This Full House

Disclosure: I have been engaged by BlogFrog as a Horizon's Community Leader and am being compensated for my services for the length of the program.

Good Oral Health for the Holidays Gingerbread Making Kit Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this awesome prize pack with you, Joey from SC (comment #44) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

My youngest daughter (she's 10) hates going to see the dentist (me, too) because, she is the only one of her siblings who's ever had to deal with cavities.

In fact, she's got another appointment to have the 2nd of 4 cavities filled today and we're BOTH looking forward to the end of these visits.

In the meantime, Hope is painfully aware of the importance of cutting back on sweets and maintaining good oral health:  most especially, during the holidays.

The good folks representing the Reach, Rembrandt and Listerine brands have offered to help us out by providing a fun holiday gift pack including a ginger bread making kit.

Want to see?

Opening Myself to New Experiences with Cerra.com & Spa Giveaway

Thanks to Cerra for sponsoring my writing about how blogging has helped me to grow as a person. Add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win a $150 gift certificate to a local spa, or one (1) of (5) $100 gift certificates to the awesome Cerra Boutique!

I was introduced to Cerra.com back in September and, as a mother of 2 teens and 2 tweens, I was asked to share my thoughts on Seeking Balance, or a Reasonable Fascimile Thereof.

Can you keep a secret?

[looks left, looks right, then left again]

There is NO secret: balance is all a matter of perspective - in my experience, focusing our attentions too high, or too low, rather than what's straight ahead of us, will sooner land me on my butt, more often than not.

This month, I was asked to choose one of The Seven Intentions created to help visitors to the Cerra website along their journey of personal growth.

Mine? Well, as a freelance writer, I rely A LOT on being able to tap into creative energy, stored deep down inside, beyond all the sticky floors, killer dust bunnies and mountain-sized piles of clean AND dirty laundry.

Still, heading into my 9th year of blogging on ThisFullHouse (my home blog) I have never NaBloPoMo-ed.

[blushing]

I know what you're thinking:   so what and what the heck is it, anyway?

Help! My 10 year-old Hates the Dentist (ME, TOO!)

I hate the dentist.  What?!?  You, too!!!  Seriously, the word Novocaine alone (for me, a dozen pokes, per tooth, minimum) or the thought of anything even remotely associated with drilling a hole, anywhere, is enough to bring a shiver down my spine!!!

BBBBBRRRRRZZZZZ!!!

[shiver]

Otherwise, it's nothing personal.  Until, it's my kid sitting your chair and, well, all bets are off.

With my sincerest apologies, in advance, to all you Dentists out there, I invite you to join me, as we're discussing this very sore subject at the Horizon Healthy Families Community:

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© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure: I have been engaged by BlogFrog as a Horizon's Community Leader and am being compensated for my services for the length of the program.

Incorporating DHA Omega-3's into Your Holiday Baking: Apple Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding

 

Thanks to Horizon Dairy for sponsoring my writing about incorporating Omega-3's into everyday recipes. Add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win a $500.00 grocery shopping spree (WHOOT!)

Have you seen those milk and/or egg cartons with the DHA or Omega-3 label on them?

"Will it cause me to grow a third nipple, or something?"

Sorry, my husband, Garth (not his real name) was trying to be funny and, honestly, I couldn't help but start giggling, right there, in the dairy aisle of our supermarket.

However, as parents, we both realize the importance of knowing the foods our children are getting and, at the very least, be able to find out what in the heck those labels really mean.

Thanks to my partnership with Horizon Dairy, I had the opportunity to do so and, although I am NOT a food and/or nutritional expert (don't worry, my family already knows and is totally okay with it) I am more than happy to share what I've learned about the DHA Omega-3.

Apple Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding

Also, share a recipe featuring our favorite go to Omega-3 rich foods: eggs and milk.

What is DHA?

Levaqua Digital Showerhead Review & Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this awesome prize with you, Kimberly B (comment #117) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!

CONFESSION:  I have a thing for bathrooms and, as a mom, raising 4 children, I feel it safe to describe it as a parent's personal place of refuge.

Especially, when checking into a hotel room, one of the first things I do is throw my suitcase in the corner and hit the bathroom.

For obvious reasons (that last flight to San Diego, from Jersey, was a REAL looooooong one!) and some hotels just have the coolest bathrooms, right?!?

Just like the one I had, while attending the Bloggers Retreat at The Congress Hall in Cape May, NJ.

With it's beach-y colors and spa-like feel, yep, I could live here!

I was contacted by the good folks representing Levaqua about their new digital showerheads and, well, did I mention how much I love taking showers, too?!?

What really caught my attention: the Levaqua OneTouch digital showerheads have automatic timer settings (5, ten10 and 15 minutes; depending on the model) to help parents to easily regulate and monitor kids’ showering time.

Did I mention, I have teenagers?!?  Want to see what one looks like (a digital showerhead, I mean, since teenagers can be real scary in the morning) check it out:

Sponsored Post & Giveaway from Don't Fret The Sweat: Talk to My Kids About Puberty, Instead!

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So happy to be sharing this awesome prize pack with you, Diane F (comment #171) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

My middle girl, freaking OTHER parents out, during her Goth stage (c. 2007)

I know what you're thinking [cringe]:  but, I've got 2 teenage girls, a precocious 10-year-old and a 12-year-old man-boy.

[shiver]

So, I feel it safe to say that talking to tweens and teens about puberty is perhaps one of the most delicate subjects that you will ever have to face, when raising kids, EVER!

You see, I know, because my youngest daughter got tired of waiting, asked her brother where babies came from and he, you know, told her.

I, on the other hand, remember being herded out in the middle of health class, with the rest of the girls and learning about (ahem) a woman's menstrual cycle in a very clinical-type film, locked away in a smelly locker room, sometime around 4th grade, I think. 

My mom and I never spoke about our bodies on such [clears throat] intimate levels -- frankly, not sure if I really would have wanted to -- until I became pregnant and started having kids.

Today, I feel it safe to say that BOTH my parents would most likely agree with me (yes, on purpose!) that referring to online resources is a refreshing way to help moms (and dads) learn how to start the conversation about puberty.

Maybe even with their kids, too.

That's why I am proud to partner with BlogHer in sharing information about Unilever (the makers of Degree® Men, Degree® Women, Degree® Girl, Dove® and Suave®) and Don't Fret The Sweat on Facebook, helping to ensure parents and kids remain cool, calm and confident -- especially, during life's sweat-inducing moments.

#TruMooMoms Talk Milk & School Lunch Nutrition at TheMotherhood.com

Last month, my good friends at TheMotherhood invited me to co-host an online discussion about school lunch nutrition with the makers of TruMoo Milk.

With 4 kids, attending 4 different schools (yes, in the same district) we've seen A LOT of changes in the school lunch programs in the last 13 years and (good or bad) there is very little reason why anyone should remain indifferent about their child's nutrition.

Then, Tropical Storm Irene hit, chewed up livingroom ceiling and left us without power, telephone or internet for 5 days and, well, luckily, my kids drank ALL the TruMoo chocolate milk samples, by then.

Today, I feel very gosh-darned lucky, at the very least, to be able to share with you the highlights of the #TruMooMom Talk along with a nifty little sample pack that you and your kids can try at your house, too.

Seeking Balance, or a Reasonable Facsimile Thereof (Spa Giveaway)

Thanks to Cerra for sponsoring my writing about finding balance and/or feeling grounded. Add your comment below to be entered for a chance to win a $150 gift certificate to a local spa, or one (1) of (5) $100 gift certificates to the awesome Cerra Boutique!

Playing the concentration game, on the fitness trail, while being bombed with acorns by militant squirrels, it's a gift.

Balance. Either you have it, or you don't. Then again, maybe you're one of those people who, over the years, have taken one too many nose dives into the asphalt and learned to NOT over-complicate a situation by, you know, wearing shoes.

[sound of crickets chirping]

No? Okay. Perhaps you're one of THOSE people who stop, look back and are all like...WHOA!...did you see that?!? Then swear that it came straight out of the ground (whatever it was) grabbed you by the ankles and, you know, face meets asphalt, the end.

[stupid crickets]

Me? I used to wear heels to work. Until, I had kids. Now, I have enough trouble parenting without, you know, worrying about falling down.

Balance. It's ALL a matter of perspective. Sure, I can insist he pull his pants up (DAGNABIT!) then again, this picture wouldn't be half as funny and, more importantly, just fade into yet another missed opportunity in increasing my "Break curfew again, bub and I'll show your girlfriend,"arsenal, to boot!

With 17 years of combined teenage and tweenage survival experience (i.e. I haven't been voted off the island, YET) I feel it safe to say that the secret of maintaining balance is keeping a sense of humor.

Aaaaand, bringing a camera along, just in case!

I'm curious to know: In your busy everyday life, how do you strive for balance?

GET IT HERE: By replying you will be entered to win one of two prizes:

First Prize: $150 to a Local Spa, plus $50 Gift Certificate to the Cerra Boutique.

Second Prize: One of Five $100 Gift Certificate to the Cerra Boutique.

Because, we roll like that!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cerra. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Contest Rules.

Spending Time With MinuteClinic at BlogHer

I recently attended BlogHer 2011 (I may or may not have left some body parts, in San Diego) where I had the opportunity to meet with the folks at MinuteClinic to learn about their walk-in medical clinics located inside select CVS/pharmacy stores.  

I also had the chance to participate in a video with 4 other blogger friends (the roundup page is available on BlogHer, btw) and share what I learned with you (yes, YOU!) my online friends:

Great, but why MinuteClinic?

Well, summertime is almost over (SOB!) and, as most parents already know, when kids head back to school and germs start to spread, children can develop common illnesses like strep throat, pink eye and ear aches, very easily AND pretty quickly, too.

[shiver]

Getting my kids to the doctor's office, filling their prescriptions, back home and then back-to-school, not so much.

Okay, so what can they do for you, really?

MinuteClinic medical clinics treat a limited set of common illnesses such as strep throat, ear, nose, eye, bladder and bronchial infections. 

MinuteClinic offers a number of common vaccines such as flu shots and tetanus, as well.

They also provide wellness and prevention services including: smoking cessation, screenings for cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and obesity and physicals for college, camp and sports activities.

Sounds good, but what will it cost you?

MinuteClinic is in-network with most major insurance carriers. MinuteClinic will accept as payment the co-pay as indicated on a patient’s insurance card.

For patients paying cash or credit, treatment prices are posted outside each health care center. Most treatments start at $79 - $89.

So, my best takeaway about MinuteClinic is:

• Clinics are open 7 days a week and evenings, as well.
• You do NOT have to make an appointment, just walk right in.
• Care starts at $79 to $89 and most insurance is accepted.
• Clinics are staffed by nurse practitioners and physician assistants (much like my current doctor's office) who can evaluate and diagnose symptoms, write prescriptions, when medically appropriate.

Okay, awesome, really, but where can you find one?

MinuteClinic walk-in medical clinics are located inside select CVS/pharmacy stores, with nearly 600 locations in 26 states and the District of Columbia.

For more information visit The MinuteClinic Website and find one near you, STAT!

OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS:

Facebook Page -  http://goo.gl/hxJAE

Monthly eNewsletter - http://goo.gl/s4Wx5

Mobile App -  http://goo.gl/IPofy (must be accessed from any internet-capable mobile phone)

So, here's my question: 

What is your #1 most annoying back-to-school ailment (for us, it's strep throat...BLECH!)

Oh, and did you know that Minute Clinic offers flu shots, as well?!?

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  I was hired by BlogHer and recently had the opportunity to meet with the folks at MinuteClinic to learn about their walk-in medical clinics located inside select CVS/pharmacy stores.  I was compensated to participate in a video and to write this post to share what I learned with my readers.

Don't Fret the Sweat Campaign & TFH Reader Giveaway

COMMENTS ARE CLOSED: So, so happy to be able to share this awesome prize package with you Brittney (comment #133) please check your email for further instructions, thanks!!!

One of the really cool things about blogging (besides, sharing stuff we like or haven't broken, YET!) is being offered the opportunity to meet, greet and befriend really great folks, working behind the scenes, in partnership with some of my family's favorite brands.

I had the extreme pleasure of being introduced to Rosalind Wiseman, Educator and Author of favorite parenting titles, like Queen Bees and Wannabees and Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Material (currently on my reading list) along with rest of the team representing Unilever at BlogHer 2010, last summer.

Why?  Ms. Wiseman is on the parenting team of experts on their Don't Fret the Sweat website.

Raising 2 teens and 2 tweens (yeah, I know!) Unilever products are pretty much a staple at our house, so I was very interested in learning more about the campaign.

So, when one of my favorite authors, who happens to be a parenting expert, physically *cringes* after my briefly explaining This Full House (6 people, living in a 7 room house) well, enough said.

She then explained about the campaign: to better understand all the physical and emotional changes your child is facing, Don't Fret the Sweat has assembled an amazing team of professionals. As mothers, leaders and writers, these experts are here to offer advice and help you get a handle on the mysterious world of tweens. 

EXCELLENT!  I'll take 2 pamphlets, please!

Oh, and the OTHER really great part about blogging:  is when I get to SHARE stuff we like (or, haven't broken YET!) with YOU, too!

Horizon Organics Back-to-School Community

Yes, I know, it's like summertime only started, right? Still, I am super-excited to partner with the good folks at Horizon Organics as a community leader and announce the launch of Horizon's  Healthy Family Back-to-School Community hosted on The Blog Frog.

My mission is to kick-off discussions with online friends, like you (yes, YOU!) and, hopefully, share some useful tips in helping to make back-to-school as healthy (i.e. painless) as possible.

First, it is my pleasure to introduce you to the rest of the community leaders:

• Ewa from Delishh
• Wendy from Wendolonia
• Tonya from Tonya Staab
• Dagmar from Dagmar's Momsense
• Sommer from Green and Clean Mom
• Crystal from The Thrifty Mama
• Rachel from Surviving the Stores
• Sara from Saving for Someday
• Catherine from 3 Kids and Us
• Cheryl from Tidy Mom

Horizon Healthy Families officially launched, today (YAY!) we will be giving away a $500 Back to School Shopping Spree, Horizon swag, and Target Gift Cards in the community during July.

Look for sponsored conversations, guest chats and more great Back to School promotions is August and September, as well.

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS: 

Horizon on Facebook

@horizondairy on Twitter

Back to School Launch Party 7/14 9-10pm EST

$500 Shopping Spree - Grand Prize Discussion

If you're not doing anything on July 14th, I hope you'll consider joining me for the Back to School Launch Party.

Even if you are (honestly, who's not busy, right?) it's from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (EST) so, put those kids to bed, grab yourself a cool beverage and let's chat on ways we can ALL save money, stress less and, for heaven's sake, have some fun this summer!

© 2003 - 2011 This Full House

Disclosure:  I have been engaged by BlogFrog as a Horizon's Community Leader and am being compensated for my services for the length of the program.

Deal Alert: Coastal Contacts Giving Away 10,000 Free Pairs of Glasses on May 11th (Tomorrow!)

It's true!  On Wednesday, May 11^th starting at 12pm EDT, Coastal Contacts is giving away 10,000 free pairs of glasses to Facebook fans. 

Here’s how it works:

Deal Alert: Free 3 Month Trial on Personalized Wellness Program

Last year, I wrote about my sister-in-law Pat's beating back breast cancer. Her strength and courage inspired me to start taking better care of myself, as well.

After 5 years, I finally made an appointment with a new doctor and I am very happy to report that I am now fully recovered from my surgery, addressing health issues that could NOT have waited any longer.

The good folks representing HEALTHeME, a web-based weight loss program, have been reading along and contacted me about extending a special wellness offer to our online friends.

HEALTHeME uses daily text messaging support to help keep you on track and motivated while reaching your wellness goals.

The company is co-founded by a special lady and her scientist husband, who want to extend the opportunity to try HEALTHeME for three months, to our online friends, absolutely free!