Look Good…Feel Better

Did you know that one in three American women are expected to be diagnosed with cancer at some point in her life? So even if you aren’t diagnosed with cancer, you are likely to know someone who is and see first hand the devastating effects it can have on them…emotionally and physically.

With cancer treatment, often comes hair loss and other changes in appearance related to the necessary cancer treatments! Look Good…Feel Better is a non profit program serving cancer patients…

It is a free, national public service program that helps women cope with the appearance-related changes of cancer treatment through workshops across the country, self-help materials, and other free information. Look Good…Feel Better is a collaboration of the Personal Care Products Council Foundation, the American Cancer Society, Inc. and the National Cosmetology Association.

Look Good…Feel Better is celebrating it’s 20th Anniversary.  In honor of this great event, they are looking for women cancer survivors to submit their stories of how the program helped them cope with cancer.  What a great way to encourage other women who are currently undergoing treatment themselves!!!

Entries will be featured on the Women of Hope is Beautiful blog to help educate others. Anyone can visit the site to view entries, make comments and show their support. In August, Look Good…Feel Better will choose five women with the most-compelling stories to receive a trip to New York City for a makeover and a trip to the DreamBall, a black-tie gala and the program’s largest annual fundraiser, held each year in New York City.

I encorage you to find out more about Look Good…Feel Better!  Recommend it to your friends, spread the word about this event and get involved if you have cancer yourself.  It is a great organization that truly helps women during one of the most difficult times that we can possibly experience.

Electrolux Virtual Lemonade Stand

Today I opened my very own lemonade stand!  It isn’t just any Lemonade Stand…nope, just by opening my Lemonade Stand Electrolux donated $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) and allows others to easily donate to this amazing cause as well.

You are more than welcome to donate through my stand, or better yet, open up your very own Lemonade Stand and be entered to win the new French Door Refrigerator by Electrolux.  Then every day you visit your lemonade stand, you will get another entry for the Refrigerator!  I love that they are doing yet another great (and fun) campaign to benefit OCRF!

A little info about the new French Door Refrigerator….

There is the Perfect Temp Drawer™, which provides storage for any number of items that you want to keep at the ideal temperature. It’s also a large enough refrigerator to store everything from party platters to juice boxes. The French Door Refrigerator also offers double the ice so there is always enough ice on hand to fill your pitchers of lemonade.

So, hop on over there and open up your lemonade stand and start sending virtual lemonade to your family and friends…and feel great because you are helping support a cause that is determined to find a cure for Ovarian Cancer!

This post brought to you thanks to Mom Central.

HomeWork e-Book

The every day task of homeschooling children can be busy enough for most families, but how to balance that and handle a home-based business is something many families do not want to begin thinking about.

For those of you who would like to figure out a way to incorporate a home based business, or even choose one for that matter, I have a great e-book for you to check out!!!

Be sure to hop on over to The Old Schoolhouse (one of the best homeschooling resources overall that I have found) and take a look at HomeWork Juggling Home, Work and School without Losing your Balance.

This e-book features many work-at-home/homeschooling moms who talk about their business and how they do it while homeschooling.  Each one offers great advice, and most offer information on their specific business and how to get into it.

Not all businesses are for everyone.  I can attest to that first hand and have to say that finding the right one for you and your family removes almost all of the frustration that can be involved in a home-based business.

The end of this e-book takes it yet a step further by providing articles on keeping your home and your finances organized when you work-at-home.  This is a huge problem area for most families, and even if you already have a home-based business, this section alone can be a lifesaver for many moms.

You can pick this e-book up at The Old Schoolhouse for $12.95

Centerd.com

In just a few weeks things are going to get even busier in my family of five. My oldest son will be starting his baseball season. This is nothing new, Caleb is ten, and this will be his fifth season playing. Where the “even busier” comes in is our middle son, Brayden, will be starting tee ball.

My husband has thought about taking on a head coach position. As a wife to the head coach, my job would be to make sure that there are parent volunteers to bring a drink and a snack after each game. That is where I think Froggy Reviews featured site, Center’d would come in very handy.

Center’d is the one stop site for staying organized while you plan and assemble volunteers for your next event. The site provides you with the ability to create sign-up sheets with time-slots and tasks, you can either assign task or have the volunteers sign up for what works best for them. Centre’d then keeps everyone updated with reminders and notifications though e-mail.

There are a few really cool features on Centre’d that stood out to me, including maps (via Google Maps) to help your volunteers get where they need to be and you can also put important issues up to a vote. Like where the location for your next PTO meeting is going to be.

Center’d is a great site with lots of helpful features to keep your next event, from book fairs, class parties, PTO fundraisers, or other events, running smoothly.

Neutrogena ® Cosmetics

I recently had an opportunity to try out Neutrogena’s great line of cosmetics.  Strangely enough, this isn’t a brand I have ever tried before.  I kind of get stuck in the L’Oreal section usually, or looking around for great mineral/natural makeup options.

Well, the moment I realized the box had arrived (thanks to the Bzz Agent program), I opened it and started trying them out. I received these products:

• Neutrogena Mineral Sheers® Concealer Kit SPF 20
• Neutrogena® Nourishing Eye Quad
• Neutrogena® Nourishing Eyeliner
• Neutrogena® Healthy Volume® Mascara

I especially love the Mineral Sheers Concealer Kit and the Healthy Volume Mascara … followed closely by the Eye Quad.  I do not wear eyeliner normally, but I do like the fact that it is smooth, does not require sharpening and has a smudger on one end.

Ladies, I sincerely recommend that you try these products.  They are not heavy at all and for me, offer the perfect amount of coverage for any blemishes or the shadows under my eyes.  You can get them at pretty much any grocery store or superstore you typically shop at and they are totally affordable!

Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer

With 6 sons, we meet a variety of illnesses around here. Though for the most part the boys are pretty healthy, especially the older ones, our little trio still fights a lot of illnesses through the year.

Finding a reliable thermometer to help us when treating our boys through an illness has probably been the biggest frustration through the years. Traditional digital auxillary thermometers take quite a while and … well … let’s face it, how many of us are really sure that we’ve placed the thermometer correctly in that little armpit to get an accurate guage of their temp? Then, they move around and get annoyed with how long it takes … you get the idea.

For several years, I’ve longed to get an Braun Thermoscan Ear Thermometer with ExacTemp Technology, and I’m very excited to tell you all that this opportunity has finally come my way!

What a slick little device this is!  One of the arguments against an ear thermometer historically has been placement to get the most accurate reading.  With this one, you get a signal to tell you that you have it placed correctly.  Easy covers keep things sanitary from one user to the next and are easy to replace.  It also has a memory feature that remembers the last temp taken when you turn it on again.

I simply cannot say how much I recommend that each family have one of these.  Useable for the entire family it is a great investment to say the least.  When you are monitoring a sick child this will definitely help keep your mind at ease and help you to give the doctor’s office accurate reports on the child’s temps when you call or go in.

Definitely on the Frog Mom Recommends list .

Vicks – Cold and Flu Resources

Last week I shared about MommyDocs and their Cold and Flu Central website.  Along with that, I mentioned that one of their big tips is to use a humidifier through the winter.  There are actually a surprising number of reasons to use a humidifier and not only children can benefit from their use.

Today, I want to introduce you to my new favorite household appliance … Vicks UV Germ Free Humidifier.

To answer the most likely question my long time readers have about this humidifier, yes, this is a warm mist humidifier that uses boiling water to kill 99.9999% of germs, mold and bacteria from the water.

I know this probably surprises many of you in light of the burn that little Bug received as an infant from a warm mist humidifier (it was a VERY different humidifier though that had a tiny little output hole that concentrated the steam).

Before you get all nervous on me (trust me, I was at first too), although this humidifier does contain a warning to let you know to keep it away from children and that there is a risk of injury from the hot water, I have to tell you right off the bat that we did many very long test runs (mainly overnight) with it going full steam (haha).

After many hours of it running like this, I put my hand over the vent area (which is a pretty large surface by the way) and although it was hot, it did not produce the amount of heat necessary to burn a child before they realized that it was hot and pulled their hand away.  I had to make sure that we wouldn’t have a repeat incident of the last time we owned a humidifier.  I’m not saying that we don’t use caution (we generally run it at night and in areas where the twins are not likely to go at all or will be constantly supervised.

This humidifier has two huge tanks (2 gallon capacity) to keep it going all day and all night, no more filling it up every couple hours to keep it going.  It produces a healthy air since the water is sterilized.  You can use inhalants (like vapo steam) to put medicines in the air during colds to help with breathing. You never need to replace the filters (this one is huge for me)!!!  It also has adjustable humidity control (much like a temperature guage on a heater) and a 3 year warranty!

Here are 6 reasons to use a warm mist humidifier … some of these may surprise you a little:

• Running a warm mist humidifier can save money in the winter since it makes your home feel warmer allowing you to turn down the thermostat a few degrees.
• It is wonderful at making skin soft and supple.
• It helps protect your home and furniture!  In the winter, antique wood furniture (like pianos, tables) and even wood floor tend to dry out too much putting them at risk of buckling and separating.
• Protect your youthful glow … humidifiers help keep your skin looking (and feeling) healthy and young.  As we age, estrogen levels decline (even in late 30’s) and leave our skin looking dry and wrinkled.  Running a warm air humidifier round the clock can do wonders for your skin.
• Humidity helps trap the flu virus.  A study has shown that less humid air actually helps the flu virus thrive and creates ideal conditions for it to be transmitted, but that when their was a higher humidity level in the air, the water droplets tend to grab the virus sending them down to the ground where they are less likely to be inhaled.
• Keeps mucus membranes moist which helps ease chest and sinus congestion and even painful dryness in the nose from sniffles and more.

(these 6 tips provided from the pr company sponsoring this review)

When you have a little one suffering from a yucky cold, I also highly recommend the Vicks Soothing Vapors Plug-In for overnight in a child’s room. These last for 8 hours, so just grab a couple of them from the store when one of your children has a cold .

MommyDocs – Cold & Flu Central

I talk a lot about keeping your family healthy through these crazy illness filled winter months.  Finding products and more resources is always great, so when I was contacted about MommyDocs’ new Cold and Flu Central website, I was very excited to share it with all of you.  Moms can generally never have too many resources!

Mommy Docs is, of course, the same great site that I told you about waaaay back before the start of last summer.  Offering advice and information straight from two doctors who also happen to be moms!  Be sure to visit them often for great new information and seasonal updates and articles!

Cold and Flu Central is dedicated to preparing you for cold and flu season as well as walking you through the illness.  Tips on how to handle your child’s first cold or flu, taking and reading their temperature, fighting cold and flu, general resources and more great advice!

I know that in our area the flu is at it’s very worst right now, and I just want to remind all of you that it is still NOT too late to get your flu shot!  Kids are the main carriers of the flu.

Stay tuned for some truly great information on products that can help through this season as well!!!  One of the tips at Cold and Flu Central is to maintain moisture in the air, so I’m very excited to share some thoughts on my new favorite humidifier and a few other products to help through illness.

Skin MD Natural – For Healthier Skin

I recently had an opportunity to review Skin MD Natural™’s Shielding Lotion and I was absolutely amazed! Seriously!

Typically when I have tried out lotions with a protective spf in them, I was sorely disappointed.  I would start putting it on only to realize that it was thick and felt heavy and greasy on my skin … and typically it didn’t smell nice either.

I am more than a little thrilled to say that this lotion is absolutely NOT like that!  It goes on smooth and light and my skin feels absolutely amazing all day long.  The phrase “silky smooth” comes to mind every time I use it. Oh, and the smell is lovely … absolutely no reminder of stinky sun block!

You see, I don’t have ordinary skin.  I struggle to keep eczema at bay and also have very sensitive skin, so finding products that work for both is very difficult.  I’ve been using their Shielding Lotion for a couple weeks now and have had no problems with it.  In fact, if I forget to put it on first thing in the morning, it is very noticeable.  There is no ignoring the dryness of my skin without this lotion, especially now that I have found a solution and it has felt so good!

Skin MD Natural™ has a great website that tells you all about their amazing products.  You can even read all the ingredients in their skin care product followed by detailed definitions of what that ingredient really is!  You can purchase the lotion through the site (and at many retail locations nationwide), read reviews by doctors and dermatologists, find out more information on why this lotion is so great for those who suffer from eczema, psoriasis or thyroid issues.

Their products have:

• No animal products or testing.
• Fragrance and colorant free.
• Dermatology tested.
• Non-comedogenic
• Hypoallergenic
• Paraben Free

I definitely recommend this product for the whole family’s skin care!!!  Definitely on the Frog Mom Recommended list.

Fill In The Blankie

Thank you so much for entering this great contest!  It has ended, but be sure to stop by soon for more great contests here and there are always others at www.AFrogInMySoup.com as well!

If you have a baby to shop for this holiday season, you’ll definitely want to check out Fill In The Blankie and their ultra personalized baby blankets!  This makes a great first Christmas (or any Christmas) gift, but it’s also very fun to give to expecting parents, new baby, first birthday and many more.

This product is so fun, it’s intended to be loved and cherished!  I had the opportunity to create one of these fun blankies and the process was simple but meaningful!  That isn’t something I get to say often.

You see … this blankie comes complete with the satiny edges that babies love! Not only that, but you personalize the edges to be embroidered with basically whatever you want … their birth information, a sweet poem, a Scripture verse, a prayer.  I had so much fun picking out which blankie to get (I had to go with the Sheety blanket), the saying I wanted on the edges, the color of the thread and even the font to have it embroidered in.

The finished product ….. amazing!!!  Visit their Personalized Baby Blanket Gallery for lots of great ideas.  The company specializes in ONLY personalized baby blankets.  This way they can focus on producing the best product they can for their customers.  Ultra Personalized means just that!  The cost of each blankie includes up to 200 characters of embroidery! At most sites you have to pay extra for this or only get a few characters included in the price.

Like I mentioned above, ordering is as easy as 1, 2, 3.  After you choose your blankie style, just follow the rest of the steps.

Step one – Choose what you want embroidered on the blankie.  The site walks you through the number of possible characters depending on the size of the blankie.  They even have an inspiration page to help walk you through the process.

Step two – Choose your font.  This was fun for me!  As a designer, I loved choosing the font I thought would be sooo cute for my baby niece!

Step three – Choose the Thread color for the embroidery.  The colors are great and thankfully Fill In The Blankie has done a great job of making sure the colors on the site (for both blankies and thread) are as true to actual color as possible, and I didn’t have any trouble deciding on the shade I wanted to use.  Guess what … just because these are ultra cozy, ultra security blankies, they even offer Glow in the dark thread!  How cool is that?  When the lights are on the thread color is a pretty pastel (they have several colors to choose from), but when the lights are off, it glows like crazy.

As if all that wasn’t enough, they offer even more customization options for you to take advantage of!  You can choose to add a Sew Cute image which will be embroidered on both sides of the text that wraps around the blankie (on all 4 sides).  Pig In A Blankie (my favorite ultra option) can be added – such a fun idea where they wrap a sweet stuffed animal into the blanket.  They also offer a custom gift wrap option where your creation is wrapped up in a custom bag prior to shipping!

They have offered all of you 10% off when you shop with them if you use the code: Froggy (make sure you type it in just like that, it is case sensitive).

They have also offered you the amazing opportunity to win one Blankie for yourself (est. value of up to $150)!  Here’s how to enter:

~ Visit Fill In The Blankie and look around at their amazing products.
~ Come back here and leave a comment telling us what you would say with 200 characters if you had your very own ULTRA personalized blanket from Fill In The Blankie!

Be sure to enter by December 12th!  Contest is open to residents in the US, Canada and Europe!

Want extra entries?

1. If you follow me on twitter, tweet this to everyone, be sure to include a link to this post and @afroginmysoup so that I can see that you did it.  Then, leave another comment letting me know (in case I didn’t see the tweet).

2. If you’re a blogger, blog about it!  Just directly to this page and tell your readers about it.  Then come back here and leave another comment with the direct link to your blog post!

Next Page »