Introducing The Cold & Flu Tracker From Triaminic: With A 48 Hour Giveaway!

Unfortunately, flu season has not yet passed us by. In fact, we are currently in the Flu Season peak! That's why it is very important to practice your healthy habits with your children and always be aware of your areas flu outbreaks. Thanks to triaminic, there is a very helpful website that actually tracks Cold & Flu outbreaks in your specific region, so that you can be prepared if your Child has any symptoms and take extra precautions in keeping healthy.

This National Cold & Flu Tracker provides a weekly data feed of cold & flu symptom trends by region, based on data from SDI Fan® (a source used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Being aware of the activity in your area (or an area that you are traveling) can help you prepare for when cold and flu symptoms appear. For example, Greensboro, Lexington, Knoxville, and Albany have the highest incidence of illness this week.

Here are some great tips on ways to keep prepared for the Cold & Flu Season:

1. Stock your medicine cabinet to prepare for when cold and flu symptoms appear.

2. Remind kids to avoid sharing food, drinks, and utensils.

3. Have your kids wash their hands with soap and water often.

Many Parents also wonder if their Child is too sick to go to school, or if they are healthy enough to attend. The Sick Day Guidelines were created in Partnership with the National Association of School Nurses. These Guidelines are aimed at helping parents decide when to keep them at home or send them off to school. Here are the Guidelines from the Triaminic Website:

Consider keeping your child home if he or she:

• Has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher
• Has been vomiting
• Has symptoms that prevent him or her from participating in school, such as:
• Excessive tiredness or lack of appetite
• Productive coughing, sneezing
• Headache, body aches, earache
• Sore throat^*

^*A minor sore throat is usually not a problem, but a severe sore throat could be strep throat even if there is no fever. Other symptoms of strep throat in children are headache and stomach upset. Contact your pediatrician as your child needs a special test to determine if it is strep throat.

Keep your child home until his or her fever has been gone for 24 hours without medication. Colds can be contagious for at least 48 hours. Returning to school too soon may slow the recovery process and can unnecessarily expose others to illness.

Please note, these tips should not take the place of medical advice from a doctor or pediatrician. Parents should also be aware of guidelines specific to their child's school.

With all of the Flu talk, especially this year, you may be wondering if your Child is showing symptoms of the Flu. Here is a quick list of things to look for, and if you are wondering you should always check with your health care provider.

(From the Website)

The flu is serious! Call your pediatrician at the first sign of flu symptoms, which typically come on suddenly, including:

• High fever
• Chills
• Head ache, body aches, ear ache
• Nausea, vomiting
• Dry cough

If you're unsure about the best way to treat your child's cold or flu, ask your school nurse, doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.

Triaminic is a trusted brand that families have been using for generations. Today, they provide Parents with the ability to ease their Child's discomfort when they are feeling ill...and sell varieties of Syrups, Thin Strips, and Soft Chews. Their Thin Strips even help to ensure accurate dosing by providing a pre-measured amount of medicine in each strip. They also recommend these medications for children 4 and older.

To download the entire Cold & Flu tracker, click here!

COUPON:

You can visit Triaminic online and print a coupon for $1.50 off any Triaminic Product!

WIN IT: One reader is going to win 4 Boxes of Triaminic Thin Strips (14 strips in each package)!!

TO ENTER: Simply leave a comment telling me what you do to make your Child feel better when they are sick!

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave an additional comment for every extra you complete.

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This is a 48 HOUR GIVEAWAY! Giveaway will end at Tuesday February 2nd at 10:00pm CST. Winner has 72 hours to respond to my email or a new winner will be chosen. US Residents only.

Disclaimer: NO monetary payments were given for this review. I will receive Triaminic Thin Strips to thank you for my time in writing this review. All opinions given are my own and different people may have different experiences & opinions with product and/or company.

Online Poster Printing Giveaway! Put Your Digital Photos On A Poster!

I am so excited to bring you this fun giveaway from Online Poster Printing! They specialize in areas such as digital photo enlargement , Vinyl banners, Wall Stickers, and canvas prints!



My favorite feature available at Online Poster Printing is that you can put digital photos on posters! There really are endless uses for poster prints. You can use it for your business, create a beautiful photo to frame and hang in your living room, or make a poster for your Child's room! That is the route I will go with my Poster Print. I am going to take one of our many family photos, or maybe a pic with her cousins, and put it in her room. She loves to see pictures on her wall, and the size is perfect for adding some excitement to her walls!

I love the idea of putting a photo of your child in mid-action of their favorite sport (like the photo above!) or your little ballerina making her perfect pose. Something they will smile at every time they walk in the room, something they can be proud of!

ORDERING:

Ordering from Online Poster Printing is easy to do! You can visit their website and navigate their user friendly website to find the exact product you are looking for. Upload your photos, follow their steps, and there you have it! Personalized printed creations, perfect for all areas of your life!

WIN IT:

One reader will win an 18X24 Poster Print! Your choice of High Gloss or Semi Gloss. FREE UPS Shipping.

TO ENTER:

Simply leave me a comment telling me which digital print you would use as your Poster Prize!

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave a comment for every extra entry you complete.

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This Giveaway is open to US Residents only. Giveaway will end on February 11th at 10pm CST. Winner will be announced on Ladybug Soup & emailed directly. Winner has 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I am receiving a Poster Print to facilitate this review and to thank me for taking the time to write this post.

Wordless Wednesday: Butterfly Garden!

This past weekend we took my daughter inside a Butterfly garden! Well actually my husband took her in. He is much better with bug type things, LOL, and somebody had to stay back and watch the stroller, since they were not allowed inside.

They stayed in for a LONG time. My daughter saw that some people had butterflies that had landed on their arm, so she walked around holding out her little elbow hoping one would land on her!


Here she is holding out her little elbow :)




And then finally....one landed on her!! She was SOOOO happy!! I talked to her through the net and she was so excited & proud of herself!




She must get this from her Daddy, because there is NO way I could have one land on me. Anything that flies at me sends me running & covering my head, LOL! I am glad she got to go in and was so brave! It's also good that her dad went in with her, so she learns to be comfortable and doesn't pick up on my silly fear. I have a very brave little girl!


For more Wordless Wednesday you can visit 5 Minutes For Mom!

Aiwear Eyeglass Lenses: Strong, Durable, Lightweight, & Eco Friendly!

I have worn glasses for years, and I honestly have never been very good about taking care of them properly, or always putting them in their case. Or I set them down somewhere, and my daughter finds them, which results in extra scratches & smudges...even breaks. Because of this I tend to go through lenses fairly quickly, always having to replace the scratched lenses. Or if money is tight, I will just suffer through it until we can afford more lenses.

I was very excited when Mom Central shared some info about Airwear eyeglass lenses. These durable lenses are perfect for Moms on the go because they offer great features to help protect your lenses from the regular wear & tare that comes from everyday, busy use!!

• Lenses are durable - made of virtually unbreakable material

• More Impact & Scratch resistant

• Offers UV Protection

• Lightweight & Thin Design for extra comfort

Another bonus to Airwear is that their lenses are environmentally friendly. The lenses are made using environmentally conscious practices such as 100 percent recycled water, 100 percent recyclable packaging, and the company re-purposes unused materials in other industries. Because of these practices, Airwear conserves millions of gallons of water and eliminates 570,000 pounds of plastic waste every year!!

I have been wearing the lenses for a couple of weeks now, and I can absolutely tell the difference between my old lenses! I am not gentle on my glasses, I tend to set them down random places & then my daughter finds them & plays with them. That's usually how they get their scratches! But as I type this they still have ZERO scratches in them! Which is a big deal, because I have NOT gone easy on them! They also feel lighter than my old lenses...Airwear lenses are actually 43% lighter than standard lenses! This comfort is a huge factor for anyone that wears glasses...when you have to wear them all day everyday, you won't them to be as comfortable as possible. Airwear has done a fantastic job in creating a quality, lightweight, and durable lens!

I would definitely recommend Airwear lenses for anyone who would like a strong and durable eyeglass lens that holds up to everyday wear (such as scratches!) You can also feel great about buying from a company that does a great job at being environmentally friendly! Because of the strength of these lenses, you will find that is a great investment. You won't waste your money or time replacing scratched & broken lenses!

For more information and to learn how you can purchase your own Airwear lenses, simply visit http://www.airwear.com/

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Airwear and received a pair of Airwear eyeglass lenses to thank me for taking the time to participate"

Evenflo Big Kid Amp Booster Seat - With Giveaway!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED***

The most important job we have has Parents is to keep our Children safe. While I was pregnant with my daugher, I remember worrying over which car seat to buy. I even worried about the first car ride home! Putting my precious little bundle in a vehicle scared me, and I knew it was my job to find the best car seat with the best safety rating. Then as she advanced to a toddler age, I again did lots of research and bought the very best car seat I could find.

These days many reports are coming out that Children should be in booster seats even longer than they first believed. It is proven to keep them more protected than no seat at all, or using an adult seat belt too early.

One of the top booster seats come from the trusted brand Evenflo. In fact the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently rated Evenflo's Big Kid Amp Booster Seat as a "best best" for booster seats in a study that rated the safety of of 60 well known booster seats. Evenflo's Big Kid Amp Booster Seat is a great option for Parents once your Child has grown out of their Forward facing Convertible seat.

Here are some of the highlights you can expect from this Booster Seat:

• Meets or Exceeds all Federal Safety Standards
• Lightweight & Portable...Easy To Store in Trunk or Overhead Storage Bin
• Soft Touch Arm Rest & ComfortTouch Pad keep your Child comfort on those long car rides
• Equipped with Flexible Grip Elastic Cup Holders that can accommodate drinks in a variety of sizes & shapes
• Removable, Easy To Clean Seat Pad
• Available in a Variety of Colors
• No Assembly Required

Evenflo makes choosing a Booster Seat easy for Parents. It's features are some that moms really appreciate as well! I know we have to wash our seat often, because of spills. Easy to clean pads can make that a quick and painless process. I also love how easy they are to transport from Car to Car, and that there is no assembly required!

WHO COULD USE THIS PRODUCT:

Recommended Use: The Evenflo Big Kid Amp Booster Seat is designed for use with the vehicle auto belt for children weighing 40-100 pounds and up to a height of 57 inches

BUY IT: You can purchase the Evenflo Big Kid Amp Booster Seat at retail locations such as Babies R Us, Target, and Walmart for a retail value of $24.99. Also available on Amazon!

You can also check out the Evenflo website to view free step by step installation videos for every Evenflo car seat & booster, including the Big Kid Amp No Back Booster Seat. This is a HUGE help for Parents, especially someone like me who learns better when I SEE someone do it, rather than just reading the directions on paper.

WIN IT: One reader will receive the Evenflo Big Kid Amp Booster Seat!

TO ENTER: Please visit Evenflo and tell me the name of another product they offer that caught your eye!

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave an additional comment for every extra entry you complete.

1. Follow my Blog using Google Connect
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6. Follow me on Twitter & Tweet about this Giveaway. You can use: Enter to win a Evenflo Big Kid Amp Booster Seat at Ladybug Soup! http://bit.ly/7LAaZf
   

Giveaway is open to US & CANADA. Giveaway will close on February 2nd at 10pm CST. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will be announced on Ladybug Soup & emailed directly. Winner has 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: NO payments or products were received for this post. Giveaway prize will be provided by Evenflo. All opinions are my own and different people may have different experiences with products and/or company.

Almost 2 Weeks of Diet & Exercise Done!

It has been awhile since I posted about my diet progress! Sorry about that, I don't know why but this year just seems so BUSY. Or maybe I was not blogging because I was up late trying to get my 2 yr old to sleep for the last 2 weeks. Yeah, that's probably it ;)

So how am I doing? What have I lost? Have I fallen off the diet wagon??

I can tell you that I am still hanging on! I started off strong and have lost 4 pounds. But I have been stuck sitting at 130 for 6 days now. That does not make me feel like working out more, quite the opposite actually. The numbers going down are my incentive to keep going. When that stops, I get discouraged.

So I am hoping that all the calories I have cut & calories I have burned by exercising will catch up next week & I will drop a pound or two. I feel like I need it to keep going, which is stupid, I know.

It's not a race, but a marathon. A lifestyle change, not a diet. Blah, blah, blah LOL! The truth is for me I want to lose it NOW so I can go back to not thinking about it.

Once I lose my weight, I keep exercising _only a few times a week) & just do portion control...with no super fattening foods & empty calories. But I don't obsess about it anymore, so it's easier for me.

On Friday I didn't work out. Or Saturday. But that is the first time I haven't exercised in almost 2 weeks, so no biggy right? :) I actually had a sore throat on Friday and I just didn't feel like exerting myself. And yesterday?? I have no excuse. Other than I was busy. But today I will do it, and keep doing it. I promise :)

And the weight had better start coming off again!

Already at 4 pounds lighter I do feel a little difference in the way I look, and even how I feel about myself. Nothing huge of course, but it is still there. So it's going well, I just have to keep at it. Not get discouraged, and not give up.

Oh, and do you know what is really, super, horribly difficult?? Watching your husband eat Arby's Beef & Cheddar sandwiches right next to you. And NOT getting McDonalds breakfast...while everyone enjoys it around you. Now that, it some strength & determination right? I have NOT had any fast food, I haven't even had a meal that has over 9 grams of Fat. No butter in almost 2 weeks. See, super hero strength!

How is everyone else doing with your diets & exercise routines? Any bumps? Any weight loss so far?

Update on Bedtime Problems

First, I wanted to say a HUGE thank you to all of the Moms that replied to my bedtime post. Your advice, experiences, and support was greatly appreciated!!

I decided Thursday night that I was going to have to get my routine back, no matter how much it was resisted. So I did everything we used to do before she started fighting me. We brushed our teeth. Then we read 2 books (I let her pick them) & turned off the light & rocked & sang a couple of songs. I talked to her ahead of time too, so she knew what to expect.

She was NOT happy. To say the least.

I got up & layed her down in her crib. She immediately stood up & asked me to sing to her. I told her that it was time to lay down & go to sleep and I would see her in the morning. She started crying of course. But I gave her a kiss & hug, then left. Just as I expected, she cried, yelled, and even screamed some. For an hour & 20 minutes. Yeah, That's a longtime.

I went in after a 1/2 hour, only because I didn't want her to think I completely abandoned her. I kept it short, told her I was in the next room, and I was going to sleep too. It of course did NOT help, and did not calm her down at all. When I left the crying got worse, so I decided I wouldn't go back in while she was awake. It seemed to just make it harder on her and get her more worked up.

There were a few times when we really wanted to go in. But at that point, I feel like it would have been worse to go and stop the process in after all of that time, because it would have all been for nothing. Why make her cry for an hour, then go in & pick her up? That hour would be a waste. She would just learn that crying a LONG time will get Mom in the room. I would have just tried another night, and why do that to her? I just wanted to get it all over with in one night.

She fell asleep eventually. It was SO hard to listen to,I felt really bad for her. But at the same time, I feel like she needed to get back to falling asleep without me right next to her. And I had tried everything else, and it hadn't worked. It was a last resort.

When she woke up at 4am, I went in to check on her. She wouldn't go back to sleep, so I left the same way I did before. She cried from 4am - 5am. That was really hard, because it was just me staying up & waiting for her to go back to sleep. My husband slept through the whole thing of course :)

Then she slept until 8am. We got up at 8 & started our day!

The next night, I did the same routine. When I left she cried for 20 minutes, then fell asleep. This was a whole hour less than the previous night! It was a relief that didn't cry as long, but I still felt so bad about it. It's never easy to hear your child cry.

Last night, I did the same routine. She did not want me to leave and stood up when I layed her down in her crib. I left the room with a positive tone, lots of I love you's & goodnights. And she started to cry. But as soon as I was out the door, the crying stopped. I didn't hear a peep out of her until she woke up at 8:15 this morning!

She has completely turned around, in only 3 nights!! I am hoping tonight will be just like last night, and she will just lay down and go to sleep when i leave. I think it made it easier for her because this is what we have done for MONTHS, she just got a little off track. It was my job to be firm and let her know that bedtime was not a time to gt Mom & Dad to perform songs & storied next to her crib while she took her sweet time falling asleep.

Overall it was hard, but worth it. She is more rested, I am more rested, and that means a happier household!!

Winners!

Winner of the Sound Of Music Soundtrack

Hobo Mama

Congrats!!




Winner of Adventure Of Mino Signed Books & Blanket

Mellisa Rock

Congrats!!




Winner of Bee Well Wishes Tee Shirt

Kelly

Congrats!

All winners have been emailed & have 72 hours to reply or a new winner will be chosen. Thanks!

Clearance! Some Target Toys are 50%-75% Off!

I just wanted to pass along to my readers that Target is having a Toy Clearance right now! You may want to keep an eye out at your Target too!

Lot of toys are 50-75% off. We got a couple of sets of those So Small Pets (she got a set for Christmas & loved it!) for only 2.38 (reg $9.59) They also had a huge KaiLan doll that sang & lit up for $10 (reg $50!) that I came thisclose to buying. They had a lot of Yo Gabba Gabba, which my daughter is not into, so we passed on those.

There was flying tinker bell that looked really cool too! I actually had to talk my husband OUT of getting that, LOL!

I know your kids may still be digging their way out of Christmas toys, but it may be a good time to grab a couple of things for upcoming birthdays this year. Your Child just may spring a last minute b-day party invite on you, and this way you will be prepared!

Or you could just give it you your kid, like I did. LOL! I am putting 2 away for later dates though, when she does something really great and I want to surprise her :)

Fun Contest from Cottonelle!

Have you ever had the over/under debate with your Husband/Roomate/Kids?

Should the toilet paper go over the roll or under it?

Personally, I like it go over! I am not sure why, I just think it looks better that way :)

Cottonelle is having a fun contest to see how many people like it over...and how many like it under! You can visit http://www.cottonellerollpoll.com to place your vote!

Can't wait to see who wins!

And a great bonus!! Anyone who leaves a comment on this post will be entered to win 1 of 10 Cottonelle Gift baskets. Winners will be randomly chosen on January 29, 2010 from all entries.

Disclaimer: This post was written to share a fun contest with my readers! It also will enter me in a contest to win a free month supply of Toilet Paper from Cottonelle as a member of the Mom Bloggers Club.

Calling All Moms! Need Your Advice!

My daughter used to be a good sleeper. I would rock her & sing a couple of songs, then lay her down when she was still awake. Then she'd go to sleep...usually she wouldn't get up until morning. It was great!

But....

Now that's all changed....

The last 2 (going on 3) weeks she has been rejecting sleep in a bad way. When I lay her down, she freaks. She'll cry for me to hold her more. But there is NO end to the holding. I could get her completely OUT on me, but when I lay her down in her crib, she'll wake right up & try to stop me from leaving.

If I leave, the screaming starts. That girl has some volume!

So after almost 2 weeks of this, I made a bad decision. I told her to lay down in her crib and that I would sit & sing to her. Then when she fell asleep, I would leave. I know i never should have even started that habit, because she should not rely on me that much to fall asleep at night.

But I did it. And now? It's totally out of control. She wants me to sit there & sing, tell stories, or just BE there. Every night. If I try to talk to her & tell her Mommy is going to only do one song, whatever I say, when I try to leave she screams. Literally, it now takes HOURS to get her to sleep at night. I have my husband help, but she does the same thing to him. At least I can get a break that way though.

Guess what time she finally fell asleep last night? Midnight. Yup. Most of that time one of us was in the room with her. If we weren't it was because I was trying to get her to tire herself out by crying. Bad Mom? Maybe. I only use that method in desperate times though, and these are desperate times! What kind of 2 yr old stays up until midnight??

I am so tired.....from lack of sleep and also from the huge event bedtime is now at our house. dread nighttime. Which sucks because it used to be MY time to relax. I could take a hot bath, read a magazine, blog. I am with her from the minute I wake up until the minute she goes to bed, so I really need that break.

I am at a loss of what to do next.

She is still in a crib. I am wondering if she is over that?

A few desperate VERY early mornings (5am after a very late night) I have slept on the floor with her next to her crib. Another bad habit? YUP! But can you blame me? When you are that tired you will do anything just to get some sleep.

I am hoping that one of you has some advice for me. She is 2...will be 3 in a few months. She has never slept in my bed, and up until 3 weeks ago was a great sleeper. (not always the case. it took a longtime to get to that point!)

Someone, Anyone?? Even if you have been here before, let me know I am not alone :)

EcoSMART: Organic Insecticide Review & Giveaway!

Before I had my daughter, I didn't pay much attention to being 'eco-friendly' and I wasn't even aware of all of the chemicals that were in everyday products I used. There is something that changes when you have a child. You start to become a label reader, and want only the BEST things for your family. One of my very first chemical concerns I had as a new Mom actually came from the everyday things I used around my house, like household cleaners and bug sprays.

EcoSMART is a company that understands the importance of providing Families a safe way to take care of common problems like Home Pests, Weeds, Insects, Garden Pests/Care, Ants, and more! All of the organic insecticide EcoSMART offers are safe for Children & Pets. No more worrying about letting your Pets & Kids play outside after doing landscaping or garden work that requires using their sprays!




How do they keep it safe? By using essential plant oils! Their products are based on the natural defenses that plants and trees have used for their self protection against insects and pathogens for millenia - essential oils. Their blends of natural plant oils are every bit as effective as synthetic chemicals, killing bugs fast without any toxins or harmful residues. Since EcoSMART’s proprietary botanical oil blends attack attributes that are specific only to pests, they have no effect on people, pets or the environment. The primary active ingredients in EcoSMART products are approved as Direct Food Additives or classified as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.

MY THOUGHTS:

I was sent a few EcoSMART products to try out for myself...but then it snowed! A lot! So I will be all ready to go once Spring comes and I can see the grass again! I love that they offer Moms a safe alternative to so many of the ULTRA toxic chemicals on the market right now. I never did feel right about using them. These products actually smell clean...and almost minty. I will feel comfortable using these come Spring. They don't seem like the type that will stink up your whole house, and don't smell at all like toxic chemicals. Probably because there are NONE in there! Here's some more info about the products I am going to be able to use:

Organic Weed Killer: This is the perfect product for anyone that has some landscaping to do! It's great to spray on areas that you want to lay your rocks, wood chips, or gravel! Great for patios, driveways, walkways, along foundation, and more!

Organic Garden Fungicide: Disease control for roses, flowers & shrubs. Prevents and controls black spot, rust, powdery mildew, blight and other common plant diseases.

Organic Garden Insect Killer: Kills & repels garden insects & mites. Kills exposed eggs, larvae and adult stages. Works fast & on Contact!

Organic Insect Repellent: This is going to come in handy this summer for sure! Keeps away mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, & more! Repels for hours & is DEET FREE!



Thanks to EcoSMART you can care for your home & yard with ease & comfort knowing that you are using safe & organic sprays. The products work just as well as what you have used in the past, but you'll feel much better knowing that your pets & kids are safe around them!

EcoSMART's products would be a great choice for you because:

• Products are safe for children

• Products are safe for animals

• Products have a natural scent

• Products are made in USA

• Products are Environmentally Friendly

EcoSMART also has some great household pest control options such as:

• Ant and Roach Killer
• Wasp & Hornet killer
• Home Pest Control

BUY IT:

All of these products are available online at EcoSMART's website! Prices start at about $7.00 which is a great deal considering you are getting an organic & safe product that really works!

You can buy products individually or get one of their Value Bundles! Save money by buying the Bundle that fits your needs most!

WIN IT:

One reader is going to win the same bundle that I was able to review - the Safe Plant & Garden Value Bundle! You will receive:

Organic Insect Repellent
Organic Garden Fungicide
Organic Garden Insect Killer
Organic Weed & Grass Killer

TO ENTER:

Please visit EcoSMART Organic Bug Control & tell me the name of one product that you could really use in your home & yard!

EXTRA ENTRIES: Please leave an additional comment for every extra entry you complete.

1. Follow my Blog on Google Friend Connect
   
2. Subscribe to my feed (by Email)
   
3. Add my Blog Button
4. Blog about this Giveaway (must link back to this post) and leave me the link to your post
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Contest will end on January 25th at 10pm CST. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will be announced on Ladybug Soup & emailed directly. Winner has 72 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. US Residents only.

Disclaimer: I received the mentioned products free of charge to facilitate this review. NO other compensation was given. All opinions given are 100% my own and different people may have different experiences with products and/or company.

Elvis 75: Good Rockin Tonight - Commemorative 4 CD Box Set Review & Giveaway!

Any music fan will agree that Elvis Presley was one of the most talented & influential artists of all time. On Friday Januray 8th Elvis would have turned 75 years old. To commemorate this special day, Legacy Recording & Sony have released a very special 4 CD Music Collection called: Elvis 75: Good Rockin Tonight.




This Collection contains 4 Cd's and 100 songs....including all of the hits, film songs, the rare tracks, deep album cuts, live performances, and all 30 #1's!! You'll find all of your favorites and maybe some new ones you haven't heard before! The tracks will span his entire career, starting with his first personal demo in 1953, his last hit in 1977, and even a 2002 remix!

Also included in this one of a kind Collection is a Deluxe 80 Page Full Color booklet that includes rare photography and a 7,000 word essay.

MY THOUGHTS:

I had the chance to review this incredible Box set, and it truly is perfect for any Elvis fan, young or old. I did not grow up with Elvis, but my Parents did and I love hearing their stories about how much they liked his music, and what it meant back then to have someone come out with that type of music and dance style. I am a big Elvis music fan though, and I really was happy to see my favorites included on this disk. Some of my favorites were Hound Dog, Love Me Tender, Jailhouse Rock, and All Shook Up. I really love that Elvis has so many different singing styles to his music. Some are the blues, some are rock and roll, some are gospel. But no matter the song or style, it is easy to fall in love with his lyrics and smooth voice!

If you are an Elvis Fan, or know someone that is, I highly recommend you check out this Box Set. It is an amazing collection of his work, not found anywhere else. Any music fan will truly appreciate this set. I also think it would make a great opportunity to introduce your kids or grandkids to Elvis! His songs are timeless and so many of them are really fun to hear. Your teens may be his next biggest fans!

MORE INFO:

For more great info on this Box Set (including a full track list) you can visit Legacy Recordings

BUY IT:

Elvis 75 Good Rockin Tonight Box Set can be purchased right now on Amazon for about $43.99

GIVEAWAY:

I have an Elvis 75 Good Rockin Tonight Box Set to give away to one lucky reader!

TO ENTER:

Please visit Legacy Recordings and tell me the name of a song that is included in this 4CD Box Set! (Simply scroll down that page to see track list)

Extra Entries(optional): Please leave a comment for every extra entry you complete.

1. Follow my blog
2. Subscribe to my Blog
3. Add my Main Button to your website or blog
4. Blog about this Giveaway
5. Become a Fan of Ladybug Soup on Facebook
   
6. Follow me on Twitter & Tweet this Giveaway

Giveaway will end on January 20th at 10pm CST. US Residents only please. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will be announced on Ladybug Soup & emailed directly. Winner has 72 hours to respond to this email or a new winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary Elvis Box Set to facilitate this review. All opinions given are my completely my own and different people may have different opinions/experiences with product.

Diet & Exercise Support!

Is anyone else working on a Diet & Exercise program right now? Do you need some support? Leave a comment here or email me, and I will be sure to stop by or send an email to give you some encouraging words!!

I could even link to you & your diet blog posts so that others can read about your journey! If interested, leave a comment or Email me at:

Kellie@ladybugsoup.com

Simple Ways to Cut Out Fat & Calories From Your Diet!

As soon as I start a diet, I start looking at those food labels. I will admit to you that I normally don't pay too much attention to calories or grams of fat. Except trans fat..I do watch that one. But other than that, I really don't care! Which is probably how I manage to gain weight in the first place :)

When on a diet, chicken breast and turkey breast is a great option for meals. For example, the turkey breast I had for lunch today was only 50 calories (6 pieces) and 1 Gram of fat. Perfect!

Normally I would add butter (7G of Fat) , or mayo( 3.5 Grams of Fat). But I didn't want my total to be that high for just one little lunch. So I added barbecue sauce. It has 50 Calories per serving...and NO FAT! Same with Ketchup & Mustard...NO FAT! So my dry sandwich that felt like a DIET food turned into something better. It tasted like a BBQ sandwich I would eat in the Summertime :) Much more appealing!

Now I don't consider wheat bread bad for a Diet, because I am not afraid of Carbs (whole wheat that is!) :) But your own Diet may steer you away from them. I don't go crazy on Pasta, but I pay more attention to cutting Calories & Fat from my Diet.

Here are a few tips with some other easy ways to cut calories & fat out of your Diet. Every little bit helps!

• Use Fat Free Salad Dressing. Regular Dressings are loaded with Fat. Experiment to see which dressing you like the most. I love Regular Ranch, but not the Fat Free kind. I go with the Fat Free French Dressing!

• Skip the Butter. Like I mentioned above, there are other condiments that are yummy & have no fat at all!

• Switch to Skim Milk. When my daughter was drinking Whole Milk, we did too. Not so good for us! The Fat content is Whole Milk is pretty high, and adults really don't need that kind of amount, especially if you can drink a ton like I can! Also can use Skim when cooking!
  

• If You Have The Option to Buy Fat Free, Do It! A good example is Sour Cream. I L-U-V it. They have a fat free version...maybe it's not as good, but your brain will be happy because you won't be depriving it of it's favorite thing :) My favorite Lean Cuisine was a Mexican dish, and the fat free sour cream made it SO much better :)

• Choose the Right Pasta Sauce I know, I know. Alfredo is my absolute favorite sauce, ever. Unfortunately for me it is also super fattening. Choose Marinara!

• Choose the Right Toppings Instead of butter or bacon, try Salsa on your baked Potato! Yummy & should have NO fat!

• Be Mindful of the Way You Cook Your Food I know frying things in butter may make it taste better, but it's NOT good for a Diet. Steam your veggies. Hard Boil your Egg instead of frying it. It will make a difference!
  

• Choose the Most Lean Ground Beef. Or maybe the 99% Lean Ground Turkey! I think it still tastes great, and you should get less fat. (you should check your own labels)

• Be Careful Of Calories In Your Drinks! Soft drinks are my weakness. Maybe because I NEED caffeine, but can't stand black coffee. Either way, drinking pop everyday can add lots of unwanted calories...and if you are like me they will add weight right to your butt, LOL! Those mocha lattes, or whatever you may drink from Starbucks, will also be like a meal in a cup. Careful!

• Portion Control If you want to take small steps that make a difference, keep an eye on your portions!

1. Use smaller plates
2. use a smaller glass (my glass of Diet Pepsi is small, but it looks fuller!)
3. Look up portion sizes for your age/size and stick to them!
4. Fill up the largest part of your plate with the veggies or fruit! It will make you feel like you are still getting a lot of food, which is always good for your Brain ( I have to trick mine this way, LOL!)

I would also advise not to deprive yourself of everything you love right away. That's what the experts say anyway. Me on the other hand? I do it the hard way because that's the only way that works for me! Once I am on a Diet, that's it. I become a nutritional information-reading freak. I keep it strict to get it over with. But that's my own issue. I wouldn't advise anyone to be just like me, LOL! Find something that works for you, and go with it!

Disclaimer: These are JUST my opinions. You should be sure to check with your own food labels & make your own decisions.

Made It! First Official Day of Diet & Exercise Done!

Yesterday was the first official day of my diet. And I didn't even shed any tears! Success!

I know I mentioned this diet thing before....but really, who was I kidding? Dieting in the Holiday months was NOT going to happen for me. So I am late in starting, but I got to THOROUGHLY enjoy myself with all of the yummy Holiday foods, so it was worth it!

But I feel ready now. I need to lose weight, I am not happy with my body right now. To be honest, my butt looks huge and I hate my stomach. Oh, and I really can't comfortably fit in my clothes anymore. Especially this one certain pair of jeans. My goal is to fit in them with wiggle room to spare :)

So I plan to diet & exercise, and blog it all too. Pressure?? Kinda, but if I fail, it's okay. I won't mind admitting that I didn't stick with it. It's hard. People know that. But here's the deal...I AM going to stick with it. I don't think I will fail. That's half the battle, right?

Diets for me are ALL mental. As soon as I tell myself that I want to lose weight & diet, my body goes into this obsessed with food-mode. It becomes all I can think about, and I find myself HUNGRY all the time. As soon as I tell myself I can't eat something, it's all I want. So really it's just a battle with my own mind at this point.

Another confession? I HATE to exercise. Despise it really. It never gets easier for me. Even last year when I did this, I was losing weight, working out everyday, eating right. But the cardio workout never got any easier! You'd think it would as my body got stronger. Maybe you have to do it for a LONG time before that happens?

So right now...I am hungry. I really want pizza. Maybe some chips. But instead I am going to have a banana. Then I am going to spend some time with this lady.


Alright, here comes the part where I share too much personal info about myself on the internet. Yay! LOL! I MAY share before and after pics, but only if the diet & 30 Day SHRED works. HA!


Starting Weight: 134
Goal Weight: 122

That may seems like a random goal weight....but my pre-pregnancy weight was about 117. So if I can get within 5 pounds of that weight, I will be happy! And if you are thinking 134 isn't that much, well on my frame it is. I am small boned and only 5'2" so these numbers are realistic for me. My weight goes right to my stomach and butt, so an extra 10 pounds in those places is super obvious and needs to go!




Okay, here is a picture of the jeans I want to fit into. I bought them last year after I lost my weight. I feel like if I did it once, I can do it again!

Extending Current Giveaways!

Just a quick note about Giveaways.

I will be extending the ending dates of the three giveaways I have running right now. Because of the Holidays I thought everyone could use an extra few days to enter.

All contests will now end Saturday, January 9th at 10pm CST.

The Sound Of Music Soundtrack Giveaway

Adventure of Mino Signed Book Set & Matching Blanket

Bee Well Wishes Tee

Good Luck & thanks for entering!

New Years Resolutions - Bloggy Style - What I Want In The New Year

Now that the year is coming to a close, I have been thinking about what the new year will mean for my blog. What I WANT for my blog in the new year.

I am sharing with you a quick list of a few things I would like to work on this year here on Ladybug Soup. I am not taking it too seriously, but would like to just TRY. That's it! I can't do it all, but maybe if I can just work on a little at a time, I will get to where I want to be.

BLOGGY RESOLUTIONS:

1. Leave more COMMENTS!! When I read a post, I should leave a quick comment. I know how it feels to get ZERO comments, so I want people to know I am reading!

2. Work with more PR Companies

3. Work on getting a couple of Advertisers in my sidebars - good companies I believe in!

4. Get more Subscribers

5. Be featured on another Blog

6. Make more Bloggy Friends!

7. Come up with some new Weekly Features (already starting on that!)

8. Work with other bloggers & Communities more often - & get involved with Review Communties

8. VLOG!!!

I think some of these will be easier than others...and it may take me another year of blogging to accomplish a few of these goals! But I just want to have a DIRECTION to take my blog this year. The last year has been great, and I am ready for more!

How about you, do you have any blogging goals this year?

Winnie The Pooh: A Valentine For You - DVD Review!

I remember loving Winnie The Pooh was I was a child The characters are lovable, sweet, and timeless. Now your children can enjoy a classic Winnie The Pooh DVD which is being released tomorrow, January 5th, just in time for Valentine's Day!

Here is some more information on this special DVD:

Disney DVD is releasing the beloved and heartwarming classic, Winnie the Pooh: a Valentine for You Special Edition. This Valentine themed animated collection features three Winnie the Pooh stories including a new-to-DVD adventure (“My Hero) a fun bonus feature (“Catch the Love Bug” game), Pooh-themed Valentines cards inside each DVD plus all features from the original.

In Un-Valentines Day, it's that warm and wonderful time when Pooh and his pals like to show how much they care. But Rabbit wants to cancel Valentine's Day because last year, he was up to his ears in the flood of cards that littered the Hundred Acre Wood. Reluctantly, everyone agrees -- until someone anonymously sends Pooh a pot of honey. Suddenly, the Valentine rush is again out of control, much to the delight of all -- including Rabbit.

In A Valentine for You, Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Rabbit see Christopher Robin making a valentine for a girl and find he's been bitten by a "Smitten" and is lovesick. Worried that he'll no longer have time for them, and hoping a second bite from the love bug will cure him, they set out on a wild adventure to capture the Smitten.

My Hero is a new-to-DVD adventure that shows the lesson of two friends truly helping each other. When Piglet saves Tigger’s life, Tigger decides to repay the favor by being Piglet’s servant. But Tigger’s new job causes Piglet more harm than good. When Tigger saves Piglet’s life, his obligation to be the servant is erased and all is back to normal.


MY THOUGHTS:

My daughter was already familiar with Winnie the Pooh, but this is actually the first Pooh DVD we have owned. She has been loving these mini movies! Everyday since we got it, she has been asking for it! Her favorites characters are Pooh & Tigger. She has a little stuffed animal that looks just like Tigger, and when she saw this movie she went on her own to find the toy & play with him while she watched! She also calls it Pinnie Pooh, which I find to be one the cutest things I have ever heard! She has been asking for this movie everyday since we got it. She asks me "Please can I watch Pinnie Pooh?" See, so cute right?? And this is one movie I can actually sit down and watch with her. Watching this DVD with my daughter was very enjoyable, because the characters are just as I remembered them growing up. I enjoyed things about each of the features, but I think my favorite was 'A Valentine For You' because it is just so sweet to see Christopher Robin making a Valentine for a little girl :) I feel good about my daughter watching this film, it has some great lessons on kindness, love, and friendship which are so important to learn and are a pleasure to see in children's shows. And the Valentine's Day theme is so cute to watch, and is sure to get your Child excited about this upcoming Holiday!

FUN EXTRAS:

The DVD also comes with a 'Catch The Love Bug' Game as a fun special feature. Older children will enjoy trying to help catch the flying love bugs!

Also included in every box are some Winnie The Pooh Valentines! I had 6 adorable Valentine's in my box, which is the perfect amount for a two year old. We'll have fun sending out a few this Valentine's Day!

BUY IT: You can purchase your own Winnie The Pooh: A Valentine For You for $21.99.

Run Time: 60 Minutes

Rating: G

Disclaimer: NO Payments were received for this post. I received a complimentary DVD to facilitate this review. All opinions given are 100% my own and different people may have different opinions & experiences with product.

My New Love - Singer Confidence 7467

My awesome husband got me the best gift for Christmas!! I had dropped more than a few hints that I wanted a sewing machine, but I was just hoping for a cheap one at best. But he surprised me Christmas day with this beauty!It's a Singer Confidence 7467 and it's gorgeous! It has 70 stitches including hemming, buttons, and some gorgeous decorative ones that are so fun to work with! it's also all digital and keeps it's on tension. Definitely a perfect machine for someone like me! Now keep in mind, the last time I sewed was probably in my 8th grade home economics class! But I have this passion for handmade items and swoon over fabrics and custom pieces. I really wanted to try my hand at it, and see if I could actually make the things I love so much. It's been a longtime desire of mine to be able to sew and actually MAKE something useful and beautiful! So far, it's going well I think! The Machine came with a DVD that taught me how to thread the bobbin & needle (very easy!) I have been reading the manual, trying to learn the machine and also get used to the terminology that is used. Which is the hardest thing at this point...sometimes I read directions and it's like I am reading a foreign language!

The machine is also VERY quiet, which means I can do it after my daughter goes to bed at night! Which I of course have done every night since I got it :) Since I have only been sewing such a short time, I need to improve quite a bit. But I think I am already getting better. The hardest part is measuring and cutting the fabrics perfectly, and understanding the patterns & directions in my book. But my husband is awesome at that, so it's a big help. I told him last time, we could be a great team if he cuts the fabric, folds the creases, and tell me exactly where to sew, LOL!! He wasn't interested, can't imagine why not ;)

I am SO excited about this awesome new adventure! For so long now, I haven't really had a hobby (besides blogging of course!). It's great to have an outlet for my creativity and it feels good to challenge myself again. Can't wait to show you all what I can do...get ready for the good, bad, and kinda ugly, LOL!!