Peace and Quiet- A Mom's Dream!

Or maybe it is just my dream!  Every so often my family goes out of town to visit my hubby's family- darn I have to work so I have to stay behind.  This weekend they left me and to be honest I couldn't get them out the door soon enough.  I know a bit mean but I had a migraine and I needed quiet.

Last night was awesome- I sat in pure quiet for hours (no TV, no music-NOTHING) just relaxing and trying to get rid of the headache.  It felt great.  Then at night I was able to watch all my goofy shows that no one likes and NO INTERRUPTIONS.  Usually at night the "Mom Referee" has to emerge to stop the fighting over toys, books, and the TV!  I didn't have to yell (lol) or roll my eyes or send someone to their room for hitting!  It felt good almost like a detox of some sort.

Today I got up and was able to get to work on time with little effort.  Usually I have to fight to get out the door with one kid attached to one leg and the other asking if he can play video games at 7:30 in the morning. I went to work and had a great day.  Then the best part was walking into the house that was CLEAN and I didn't have to hear " Sahara did this....." or "Ronnell called me a ......" it was pure quiet!  Did I say clean house...YES!   The vacuum lines are still showing- I love vacuum lines (I know a bit weird).

Tonight I plan to read my book I bought a couple weeks ago and watch a movie I want to watch- what more could I ask for!!!  Loving my peace and quiet for these 2 days but to be honest that is all about I could handle. I need my hugs, kisses, and loves from my family so I do miss that!  But don't get me wrong you know I'm going to enjoy every minute.

Elfishki and The Giant Cake iPad Review

My daughter and I really enjoyed this APP for iPad a lot.  The story was very colorful plus interactive.  I love that it asked questions on each page that made my daughter think!  Plus the questions asked them to count or find certain objects, letting them get involved with the story. My daughter can read but she also enjoyed when the book was narrated by a beautiful voice.  I think she has read or listened to this app everyday.  But the best part was the CAKE GAME (according to lil Mama)! My daughter spent some time making beautiful cakes and silly cakes. She made a cake for me and sent it by email when I was at work, that made my day!   She plans to make a cake for everyone this year on their birthday.  

If you are interested in getting this App CLICK HERE  your little one will LOVE IT!

Interested more of their stories, artwork and videos then VISIT THEIR WEBSITE

Follow on TWITTER

Like their Facebook Page

I recommend this APP for sure! 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Review: Cook'n Recipe Organizer

Cook'n Recipe Organizer

The Easiest Way to...

• Find the Best Recipes on the Internet
• Capture and Save Internet Recipes
• Enter Your Own Personal Recipes
• Sync Recipes with iPhone, iPad, & Android
• Print a Family Cookbook
• Analyze Nutritional Values
• Make Menus, Shopping Lists & More!
• Get Free Cookbook with Purchase

If you want to get 50% off this program use this code during checkout: mb-pinkmama  at http://www.dvo.com/gcookn.html

My Review:


Search:  I can do a search on the Internet and find recipes I want and click CAPTURE and there it is in Favorite Recipe or my Go To Cookbooks!  You can name your own cookbooks.  Plus I can input the ingredients I have in the house and it will bring up all recipes for those ingredients- how cool!


Organize:  This is the coolest part!  If you are like me you have recipes in the kitchen, on the desk, in a file folder, saved somewhere on the computer but can you find "that" recipe when you need it?  Not me!  This program saves everything in one place.  You can organize by different cookbooks.  Right now I have Pam's Fav's and Pam's To Go cookbooks.  But I do plan to add more. I love this program!


Edit: Let's say I need to double a recipe or triple (bake sale stuff) so I pull up the recipe and add how many people this needs to serve and guess what...it does all the math for you!


Menu: Plan ahead- what is that?  Well I can do it now with hardly any thinking.  It allows you do it weekly, monthly,and 3 months.  I'm going to really enjoy this feature this week since it's shopping week.


Shopping list: This is probalbly my favorite part- it creates a shopping list for each recipe.  I can print the list or save on the computer and send right to my phone. Plus it gives you all the nutritional info too and now that I'm eating healthier this is very important.


Manually Add Recipe:  I have some recipes that go way back and are on index cards and now I can input them on this program and this helps me by keeping ALL recipes in one spot!


Print: You can print out recipes, menu plans, and cookbooks.
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Overall this is a WONDERFUL program that I think every household should have!  It also has tons of recipes already in the program plus they have over 100 cookbooks to buy! I have used it every day that I have cooked.  


If you want a chance to WIN: http://pinkmamasplace.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-freebies-blog-giveaway-hop-win.html  Closes 2/21.


If you would like to BUY: go to http://www.dvo.com/ and PinkMama's Place readers get 50% off with coupon code: mb-pinkmama  


IT'S WORTH IT!


Check out Cook'n Recipe out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Recipe.Organizer


If you want to learn more please watch this video:

I received this product mentioned above for free.  Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

CLOSED! February Freebies Blog Giveaway Hop~ Win the Cook'n Recipe Software!

 

  Welcome to the February Freebies Giveaway Hop

HOSTED BY PLANET WEIDKNECHT AND GOING CRAZY!! WANNA GO??!! 

February 18-21

Each participating blogger is hosting their own giveaway, with prizes worth at least $20. Be sure to hop through the list below and visit them all to enter to win! 

PinkMama's Place is giving away~

Go HERE  to read my full review

Omg this has been a DREAM of mine and I now have it- ALL MY RECIPES in one spot.  I'm going to write up a longer review this weekend but I'm telling you, this is something everyone needs!

LOVE IT BECAUSE:

• I can save any recipe from the Internet
• It will make a grocery list for me from any recipe
• I can input how many people are eating and it will do the math for me
• It will sync to my android (also iPhone) so I have list when I go shopping
• Also sync to my iPad so I can have the recipe right there in the kitchen
• Plus its already loaded with a lot of recipes

ENTER HERE

The 10 Year Plan: My Fitness Challenge

Today I was reading "Fit Mom's For Life" book by Dustin Maher http://fitmomsforlife.com/ while outside in the sun and it just felt RIGHT!  I started a Weight Loss Challenge a couple weeks ago and the 1st week was GREAT then the 2nd week well I fell off!  I don't want to give up though!  So I got the book and read 2 chapters, my goal is to read 2 chapters a day and then blog about it.

What struck me the most is if I'm not in the right mind set then this isn't going to work.  I need to WANT this not because I want to loose weight but because I want to change my life.  Change is scary for me sometimes but I need to overcome that and look forward to what this challenge can really do for me in the long run.

Dustin writes about a 10 Year Plan- create a vision with my current negative behavior.  I took some time thinking what would my life be like in 10 years if I continue doing what I'm doing and this is what I came up with:

• Fatter
• Death knocking on my door
• Always in bed
• Grumpy with everyone
• Unhappy

Wow- really and that is the Truth!  So then I took a deep breath and imagined what I WANT from my life in 10 years 

• Healthier 
• Happy
• Wearing clothes that I love
• Being outside more
• In love with life
• Traveling more
• Owning my own business with husband

What a big difference and I won't get to where I WANT to be by doing what I'm doing now so YES I'm ready for change and I'm willing to work towards it.  

Weight Loss Challenge Struggles! Day 15

I'm going to be HONEST...I'm not sure if I was in the right Mind Frame when I started this challenge.  The book came a day before I started the challenge and yes I had looked at the eBook but did I actually READ it- NO!  I knew I needed to loose weight but was I really ready?

Yes, I changed my eating habits and have stayed within the healthy limits about 80% of the time.  I'm still not doing any goodies but I did have a soda the other day- husband brought it home for me.  Bless his heart he didn't know what to get me with my tuna on wheat sandwich.  Anyways, I been eating breakfast and sometimes drinking the water- kind of dropped off on that but I do drink water daily- that wasn't happening before.

Now the exercise- boy do I find all the excuses in the world not to this!  I don't understand either because I felt awesome after I exercised.  But life has been a bit stressful/depressing lately so I've been using that as my excuse.

I've been carrying "Fit Moms for Life" around the house with me but I haven't out right read it so my GOAL this week (starting today LOL) is to read 2 chapters a day.

Today I read 2 SUPERB Chapters that did that slap upside my head that I needed!  So my goal tomorrow is start fresh and not look back on what I haven't been doing- move forward!

Flirty Apron Giveaway~ Guest Post

Cutest Apron Ever!

The Product

The Women's Original apron from Flirty Aprons is a feminine, yet durable apron that you will enjoy over and over again. The double-layer thickness protects from spills and messes, and the apron comes in many different patterns and colors. The Original apron has long ties so you can tie it in the back or front, and it is made to fit women of all sizes. Sassy, fun, cute and even sexy

My Review

I was so excited when my package arrived from Flirty Aprons. While I'm not much of an apron-wearer, I sure need one. I am a messy cook and could use some splatter protection and fun in the kitchen. Since the word Apron makes me feel like I'm a kitchen mom, I like to call it my fabulous kitchen accessory, or FKA for short. My Pink Chocolate FKA arrived and I put it to use the same day. My husband thought I looked cute. My son couldn't wait to have his little girlfriends over so they could try it on. (Now that he's nine, he's too cool to wear girly stuff so I couldn't get him to even try it.) I love the pockets and frilly, girly pattern. It makes cooking fun! My Pink Chocolate FKA (Fabulous Kitchen Accessory) is:

• Sassy
• Fun
• Cute
• Sexy
• Practical
• Well-made. I love the double layers
• Handy (it has 2 front pockets)
• Fits the "real woman" not just model size

The only thing I didn't care for was the tie at the neck. I would have loved to be able to just slip it over my head and go. But, I can leave it tied all the time, so it's really not an issue.

The Giveaway:

One lucky winner will get to choose a FKA ($35 value) of their own! You can pick from: Pink Chocolate, Blue Chocolate, Frosted Cupcake, Chic Pink, or Scarlet Blossom apron.

Giveaway is open to US residents only. Giveaway starts at 9pm 2/14.

Enter on the easy Rafflecopter below. Only 13 Mandatory Entries. Lots more optional entries. Please try to follow us with Linky Follows, as it is a new tool to replace GFC. Thanks and good luck!

ENTER HERE (or below)

How to Add A Pinterest Tab to Your Facebook Page

Okay so I came across a cool post today- How to add Pinterest to your Facebook Fan Page!  Woohoo-plus it's FREE!  I love PINTEREST and if my fans can enjoy my pins right from my page than a big double WOOHOO! Oh guess what I don't have to leave FB now to look at Pinterest- I just click on my Facebook page and look around from there!  Loving this!

Simple Steps:

• Go to https://apps.facebook.com/iframehost-pin/  
• Choose which page you want the tab to be placed on
• Click on ADD
• This will take you to your PAGE then click on the Welcome Tab (blue arrow by it)
• Under "Page Source" click URL 
• Enter your Pinterest URL or any page you want to showcase on your page
• I changed the Tab Name to Pinterest (name it anything you want)
• I kept everything else as it is!  I don't like changing stuff I have no clue on, LOL! 

Here is the post I got this info from plus they have pictures:
http://agbeat.com/real-estate-technology-new-media/hack-your-way-into-a-pinterest-tab-for-your-facebook-page/

BTW my pinterest page is: http://pinterest.com/pamallen68/

Hope this helps someone :) I know I'm enjoying this plus I'm going to PIN this post!

So Sorry Whitney Houston~ You Will Be Missed

I will ALWAYS LOVE YOU Whitney! 

It's Not Right but It's Okay Whitney~ We understand this was not your fault!


I was in shock yesterday when I opened my Facebook page at 4pm on Sat Feb 11th to see yet another SUPERSTAR died.  They were sure quiet about WHY/HOW but I think we all knew why!  Hopefully, when the ME reports come back it will tell us something else besides drugs.  I'm not going to talk bad or look down on her because I think we all take a wrong road in our lives and some just get plain LOST! My heart goes out to her family and to everyone who loves this special woman!  

Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Day 10

Today I weighed myself and guess what I LOST 3 lbs (in 10 days) and I like that!  I feel so much better and turning down treats isn't bothering me anymore.  Water is still my #1 DRINK- no sodas and only 2 cups of coffee- compared to 4-5 cups.  I might not be the mommy blogger with the highest in points but I am trying and not giving up! 

I didn't exercise today because I work from 7am- 3pm and I'm on my feet pretty much that whole time running back and forth so my ole body is TIRED when I get home.  

Also I found out today it is totally hard to work at yummy breakfast cafe while on a diet.  Oh my did I want some blueberry pancakes and some bacon.  I had oatmeal for breakfast and sliced chicken-black beans-corn tortillas for lunch.  I felt very proud turning down the pastries that co-workers wanted to share with me.  I feel so good and I'm sure the exercise, change in food habits, and drinking the H20 has a lot to do with it!  

I really appreciate all the support from all the other mom's in this life changing opportunity.  

Plus I'm reading Dustin Maher "Fit Moms for Life" book and I'm learning so much.  I'll be posting a review/giveaway NEXT WEEK!  If your interested in weight loss you will need to read this book.  It has given me such a different out look on how to go about it.  I loved reading about other MOMS who did the program.  

Want to know more:

http://www.dustinmaherfitness.com and http://www.fitmomsforlife.com,

Also you can follow us on the #21MBC hashtag on twitter

Please visit  www.mommybloggerweightlosschallenge.com- if you are interested in JOINING March's Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge- email me (pamallen68@gmail.com) and I can send you info.