Author: Erin Sluka

Gift Guides, Holiday Gift Guide 2017

5 Thanksgiving Dinner Prep Products You Need

Erin Sluka

I have partnered with T-Fal for this feature

Because some of you may be using very outdated kitchen gadgets (I am guilty on some items that are 10+ years old), maybe it is time to update them. Before the Holidays hit are a great time to stock back up on the utensils you will need to cook the big meals fro family and friends.

T–fal Ingenio Garlic Press

If you are prepping stuffing, salads, sauces and even breads then chances are you have garlic on the ingredient list. This one is great if you suffer from arthritis or other hand ailments where pressing and squeezing is uncomfortable. This is because you simply set on the counter, add garlic and use your body weight to press down. No squeezing handles. Then use the red bumper to push the minced garlic out. It is that easy!

5 Thanksgiving Dinner Prep Products You Need

T–fal Ingenio Baster

The turkey baster! How old is yours? I don’t even ant to guess how old some basters sitting in kitchen drawers can be. Update it to this baster that includes a brush attachment and cleaning tool. After dinner clean up won’t be wasted sifting water over ad over through the baster to clean the grease. It is dishwasher safe.

T–fal Ingenio Multi Grater 

Save time when you can grate in both directions. While pulling your food up and down the grader you are grating both ways to save time. You can grate over the food or collect it. Take the grater out and reverse sides for a course or fine grate and a sleeve protects your hands. Saved time while holiday cooking is the best time.

T–fal AirBake Natural Aluminum Cookie Sheet

You will offer baked treats over the Holidays, right? That’s a silly question! Have you updated your cookie sheets lately? Now is a great time and this natural aluminum sheet is large. This is the Air Bake pan and distributes pockets of air that provide even heating of the baking surface, thus decreasing bake times by up to 15% over traditional insulated bakeware.

spatula

T–fal Ingenio Blade Spatula

Now that you have the fresh cake and cookie batter ready to pour, make sure you don’t waste a drop leaving it to be washed in the bowl. This spatula makes scraping sides of the bowl or folding cake/cookie mixtures a breeze. Featuring a special hook on handle that prevents the spatula from sliding into the bowl.

Go ahead and update your gadgets. You will be busy and providing for others and you deserve something new! Best yet, all of these items are on Amazon and are Prime qualifiers so you can be read in as little as 2 days!

Education, Holiday Gift Guide 2017, Kids, Reviews by Anthony

IXL Online Learning Program for Kids

Erin Sluka

I have partnered with IXL for the feature

IXL Online Learning Program for Kids

IXL Online Learning Program for Kids

Every night since Anthony was an infant I grab a book, sit on a chair and we read. By the age of 2 I was pointing to letters and teaching him a focus letter a day. By 4 he was reading 2-3 letter words. He is 9 and an advanced reader. It sounds cliche to say a child who is read to is at an advantage, but it is true and we are proof. Never was I too tired or didn’t have time. Unless I am apart from him we read. Traveling? We looked up books online.

ixk war

However, the past few weeks our reading routine began to change. We started our membership at IXL. IXL is an online education site with different skill packages to choose from by grade from K-12. We are in Fourth grade and have the Core Subjects Package which gives up Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. Anthony is addicted to the Social Studies section. A history lover at heart like his Mama!

He now wants to log on and choose a new learning topic to do together before we read. So at age 9 we learn AND read before bed and he is really into it. He loves that one on one time with me and I am not pulling him from playtime or relax time to learn. It is a time of day that works for both of us and it becomes fun.

Here we are doing a lesson. This one is

  • IXL Learning Features
  • K-12th Grade Learinng
  • Focus on 1 subject or all core subjects
  • Spanish lessons are another option
  • Unlock achievements
  • Parent progress reports and certificate alerts
  • Personalized skill recommendations
  • Mobile Ap option for on-the-go learning

Setting Up Online Learning for Your Child

As you can see, there are so many advantages of online learning for your child. Whether you’re homeschooling, or you’re supporting their learning outside of their in-person curriculum, it’s so important to take the time to set up online learning properly. First and foremost, you need to research the most appropriate programs and read reviews on their success rates. Every child will have unique needs, so it’s important to find a learning platform that is going to suit them, and help them to get the most out of the process. You should also ensure you are fully equipped to support their learning at home but finding reliable internet options by address. Having a secure, fast and consistent internet connection at home means that your child can enjoy their learning programs online without being interrupted. All in all, online learning is extremely beneficial for children, so find a well-suited program for their needs and get everything set up at home so that their experience is smooth, positive and enjoyable.

Start your online learning today at IXL.

Books Reviews, Children's Books, Education

The Nocturnals Book Series for Tweens about Bullying

Erin Sluka

Sample copies for the book series were sent for feature

The Nocturnals Book Series for Tweens about Bullying

The Nocturnals Book Series for Tweens about Bullying

Book 1 – The Nocturnals: The Mysterious Abductions

The 3 friends: Dawn, a serious fox, Tobin, a sweet pangolin, and Bismark, the loud mouthed, pint sized sugar glider work together to find the mystery of disappearing animals at night. Wit the helps of some other nocturnal friends they use teamwork, friendships and some humor in their journey to solve this mystery.

Book 2 – The Nocturnals: The Ominous Eye

The 3 friends set out again to find the source of violent jolt that fractures the earth. Turns out it is a giant beast who is likely to attack again. They find an animal that can help, but isn’t easily trusted.

Book 3 – The Nocturnals: The Fallen Star

All of the forest’s pomelos have been mysteriously poisoned! Dawn, Tobin and Bismark need to find the cause as other animals are falling ill including Tobin! It is suggested it is monsters from the moon, but the 3 are doubtful. It is a race against time to find the mystery illness source.

Nocturnals (1)

My advice? Just buy all 3 books at once because they are so engaging you want more. It was hard for Anthony to put the books down as he got into the story. They are very well written leaving the reader so curious and really wanting to know the end result. To have book 2 and 3 waiting will encourage this excitement and keep them reading. Anthony is 9 and in the fourth grade. He followed along very well.

If they want even more make sure they visit the Nocturnals website. It is full of so much fun related to the stories. There are videos, discussions, games and more.

About the Author, Tracey Hecht

Tracey Hecht

Tracey Hecht is a writer and entrepreneur who has written, directed and produced for film.  Her first middle grade series, The Nocturnals was launched in 2016 with The Mysterious Abductions and The Ominous Eye. The American Bookselling Association chose The Mysterious Abductions as a Kids’ Indie Next List pick. Her third book, The Fallen Star was released in May 2017. 

In partnership with the New York Public Library, Tracey created a Read Aloud Writing Program in 10 schools around New York City. During the year, she continued to conduct this program in over 35 schools, libraries and bookstores across the country.  In June 2017, she launched a partnership with The Ryan Seacrest Foundation with The Nocturnals program at the broadcast media centers within pediatric hospitals.  The first hospital was the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington DC.

When Tracey isn’t writing, she can be found hiking, reading or spending time with her family. Tracey currently splits her time between New York City and Oquossoc, Maine with her husband and four children.

 

Healthy Living

Dental Tips for Baby & Toddlers

Erin Sluka

This is a sponsored post brought to you with expert tips

Dental Tips for Baby & Toddlers

Having raised 3 boys and the youngest is 9 and has his first Orthodontist Appointment next week for overcrowding teeth, I have learned a lot and am still learning about the link between dental health and overall health. Did you even know that a simple trip to the dentist can turn into a recommendation to see a Physician? When young, dental health can reveal signs of many illnesses.

Knowing this I went from thinking a good time to start dental appointments was sometime after the first teeth have emerged to even sooner then that first tooth appearance!

I really want to share these important tips below with you. It is so important that you truly understand how Dentists can make connections to improving or maintaining systemic health, many systemic diseases have oral manifestations.

Dental Tips for Baby & Toddlers

Most Asked Questions & Answers from Dr. Larry Williams of The Academy of General Dentistry and Midwestern University:

1. When should you first take your child to the dentist?

According to leading experts, the first visit should be when the first tooth erupts or at the first birthday. 

2. When should parents expect their child’s first tooth to come in?

Based on nature’s timetable, teeth can erupt at 3 months or later. If no teeth are erupted by the one-year mark, the dental visit will begin the relationship between the parent, the infant, and the dental team.

3. What can a parent expect during the first visit for their baby/toddler?

Often a first visit is simply a time to acquaint your child with the dentist and the practice. As a parent, you should reassure your child that the visit is not scary or something about which to be afraid. Short, successive visits can build the child’s comfort with the dentist and the dental office. Schedule the appointment earlier in the day, when your child is alert and refreshed. You may need to sit in the dental chair and hold your child during the first examination. The first visit usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and may include any of the following, depending on the child’s age:

  • A gentle but thorough examination of the teeth, jaw, bite, gums, and oral tissues to monitor growth and development and observe any problem areas
  • A gentle cleaning, which includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque, tartar build-up, and stains
  • X-rays
  • A demonstration on how to properly care for your child’s mouth and teeth at home
  • Nutritional counseling
  • An assessment of the need for fluoride

4. How do you instill good teeth brushing habits at home?

The best way to instill habits is by starting your baby’s oral care regimen at a young age:

  • Clean your infant’s gums with a clean, damp cloth twice a day. Ask your dentist when you may begin to rub a tiny dab of toothpaste on your child’s gums. Doing so will help your child become accustomed to the flavor of toothpaste.
  • As soon as the first teeth come in, begin brushing them with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush and a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste.
  • Let your child begin brushing their own teeth around the age of 5 with proper instruction and supervision.

 5. What promotes tooth decay in babies and toddlers?

Just say “no” to bottles in bed. Never put your baby to sleep with a bottle or sippy cup filled with milk, formula, fruit juice, or other sweet liquid. The sugar in these beverages can cause cavities in your baby’s bottle before bedtime. If you must give your baby a bottle when he or she is going to sleep, fill the bottle with water instead.

Get more of your questions answered by starting at The Academy of General Dentistry.