Parenting Healthy

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New from PLAYMOBIL 123 for your toddler on-the-go is the 123 Take Along Farm. This new play set is recommended for ages 18 months and up. The set includes one figure, cow, pig, dog, car, bird, and other accessories.

As your child begins to imagine and play, make sure they pay attention to which shape fits in which spot within the farm. They can feed their animals and keep the supplies in the farm loft. When they need to go or clean up, just put all pieces in the farm and close up. The carry handle makes it easy to take their adventures anywhere.

My PLAYMOBIL 123 Take Along Farm went to Miss I. A friends daughter, The bright colors and large rounded pieces were so captivating to her. Right away she identified the animal, practicing her words and animal recognition as she pointed them out on the box.

In one play set your child will learn animals and shapes. It becomes another toy that makes learning fun for your toddler from PLAYMOBIL. Visit their website to find all of their toy selections.

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Books Reviews, Education, Parenting, Tips and Tricks

Managing Emotions with the Home Edition: Feeling Buddies for Families Toolkit

February 28, 2017February 28, 2017 Erin Sluka

This is a compensated post for the review of the Feeling Buddies or Families Toolkit

We have 3 boys in our family. I have helped raise my husbands boys since they were 5 and 11 and they are now 19 and 24. We also have an 8 year old. Having a child much younger tends to result in a bit of spoiled tendencies and he can be a bit dramatic. He is what one would describe as…spoiled. We have tried many tactics that never seem to stick. He remains feeling entitled, melts down easily when he doesn’t get his way and tends to get bossy with others. I heard about the HOME EDITION: Feeling Buddies for Families Toolkit when I was approached and asked to become an Ambassador for the brand. I knew this may be just what we need before he gets much older and set in his ways.

Getting Started

We have not begun using the program with him yet because we have some tasks to do prior to introducing him to the toolkit. This is explained in the Quick Start Guide that is the first thing to read when your kit arrives. Here is what your first tasks are:

Review and follow the Quick Start Guide: This guide will give you steps with the order in which to use the kit.
Watch the video coaching sessions with Dr. Becky Bailey in the order the Quick Start Guide suggests
Read the provided book, Managing Emotional Mayhem

By the time you get to Step 7 you will have watched 6 videos, read the book, downloaded some materials to be used with your child and get to know your Feeling Buddies plush and how it will be used with our child.

Following this guide will ensure that as you introduce your child to the Feeling Buddies for Families Toolkit that it will be used correctly and introduce them as tools, not toys for your improvement on their emotional wellbeing. Make sure you take this time first before getting the kids involved. You will love getting to know Dr. Becky Bailey in the videos.

The HOME EDITION: Feeling Buddies for Families Toolkit is a new product from Conscious Discipline, a leading provider in social-emotional learning and classroom management resources. This toolkit known for use in the classroom has now been modified for use in your home with your children and is only available at www.feelingbuddies.com to purchase for only $99.

Stay tuned as I will post about our progress using this toolkit between now and the end of April including a video by Anthony on how he feels this worked for him at the end.

What do you think so far? Is this a toolkit you can benefit from in your home?

Food, Healthy Living, Recipes

Protein Recipe: Vanilla Cinnamon Protein Icing #TheDayIsYours

February 21, 2017July 1, 2017 Erin Sluka

I am a Premier Protein Ambassador. Opinions are my own and compensation for my stories was given

Premier Protein shakes and bars have been a part of my daily diet routine for several months and in January I was honored to become an ambassador for them on the blog. Because I grab and go for breakfast when I have my shakes, I have been getting creative with the tubs of protein powders I have. I cut down on flour when making muffins or waffles and replace with the protein powder and my new favorite is protein icing.

Last month I shared how I incorporate protein into my daily diet with the right times to consume protein in your days. Now I am sharing my Vanilla Cinnamon Protein Icing recipe. It is so simple and quick to make. The best part is you can make a single serving at a time or a larger batch for baking.

Vanilla Cinnamon Protein Icing

1 scoop of Premier Protein Vanilla Powder
Water
Cinnamon

In a small bowl add the scoop of protein mix. Gradually add water about 1 tbsp at a time until you get the icing consistency you want (about a tad under 1/4 cup of water total). It will end up very sticky and you know you are close-add a bit more and you will get the icing you desire. Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon and stir in. Let sit 1 minute. Makes enough to frost about 3-4 muffins or 2 large waffles.

*Hint: If you want a bigger batch-just add more powder and water. If you ice a large cake or muffins. It is even better if you make and icing ahead and refrigerate about 1 hour before eating. This makes the icing an even better consistency for slicing and serving.

Why do I recommend Premier Protein Powder? You get 30 grams of protein per scoop and only 3 grams of sugar. There are no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners and it is gluten free. Make sure the protein products you consume offer the best ingredients like Premier Protein. Other brands out there may contain artificial ingredients and synthetic nutrients so you really want to do your homework and choose wisely.

Do you use protein powders when baking? Give it a try. I make waffles, biscuits, muffins, cookies and even cupcakes.

Gift Guides, Valentines 2017

Teddy Bear & Chocolates Valentine’s Day Gift Basket

February 10, 2017February 6, 2017 Erin Sluka

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My son is 8 and loves the holidays-any holiday. He will bounce in from school with MLK facts in January and Easter projects in April. He knows Valentine’s Day is next week and he loves to hand out Valentine’s cards to his classmates. When he gets home they are all over the floor as he sorts through them. I also leave a treat on the breakfast table for him to wake up to from us. I did the same with his older brothers too.

Gourmet Gift Baskets has The Teddy Bear & Chocolate Valentine’s Day Gift Basket is such a fun gift to send to that special child on Valentine’s Day-or any occasion.

Teddy Bear – Assorted Colors – This soft and cuddly teddy bear is made from plush fabric and adorned with a silk bow.
(2) Lindt Truffles – Assorted Flavors – The ultimate smooth melting chocolate delight with a crisp shell and creamy, gooey center in a variety of flavors.
(2) Ghiradelli Squares – Assorted Flavors – Intense, slow-melting chocolate wrapped around a selection of incredible fillings.
Chocolate Wafer Petites by Dolcetto – .7 oz – Elegant pillow-shaped mini-wafer cookies stuffed with a rich 100% cocoa cream.
Chocolate Wafer Rolls by Fusion Gourmet – .9 oz. – Light, crispy, and absolutely decadent thin cookies rolled around sweet and soft milk chocolate.
Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels by Sanders – .5 oz. – These delectable milk chocolate covered caramels are the perfect treat.
Chocolate Covered Cherries by Annalie’s Chocolates – 4 oz. – Sweet and tangy cherries smothered in a creamy milk chocolate coating.
Chocolate Chip Cookies by Kimball Lake Bakery – 4 oz. – Delightful mini-chocolate chip cookies that are perfect for sharing.
Chocolate Wafer Rolls by Dolcetto – 4.4 oz. – Delicately rolled European-style wafers that are generously filled with creamy chocolate.
Double Dipped Peanuts by Old Dominion Peanut Company – 3 oz. – Delicious crunchy peanuts gently dipped in a chocolaty coating.
Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt & Almonds by Endangered Species – .7 oz. – Dark chocolate surrounds premium crunchy almonds.

Gourmet Gift Baskets has gifts for everyone from chocolates, wine, beer, candy, fruit and more. Kids will love the baskets of teddy bears, cookies, candy. You can browse by occasion and even browse the Free Shipping selections.

These make such fantastic gifts and are so easy to send as they are already packaged to gift. Visit Gourmet Gift Baskets to see all of the products.