Hiking Grassy Hill Preserve with CLIF Kid #outtoplay

This post was sponsored on behalf of CLIF Kid via One2One Network. All opinions stated are my own.

Outdoor play is very important to our family.  We want our kids to be able to unplug and develop an appreciation of nature.  We want them to have creative critical thinking skills to work through situations that you might encounter in an outdoor environment.  Recently we decided the boys are finally old enough to go on a backpacking trip.  Paul and I did a lot of backpacking before we had children, and we've missed it.  We're in the process of prepping for the trip, and as preparation we are starting to do some hikes with gear.  We're starting small.  Packs with snacks and water.  CLIF Kid organic snacks are some of our favorites.  Designed to be nutritious snacks for growing kids' bodies, they contain no high fructose corn syrup, synthetic preservatives, or artificial flavors. 

Outdoor play for us means taking advantage of all the incredible parks we have in the region.  On this day, we checked out a new (to us) trail.  Prior to hitting the trail, the boys were having fun at a skate park, and being a 90+ degree day they were a little hot and sweaty by the time we were ready to hike.

We figured we should refuel before we hit the trail.  The boys enjoyed some ZBars, an organic baked whole grain snack that offers a blend of complex carbohydrates, three grams of fiber, and three grams of protein for added energy.

On top of all that goodness, they have excellent flavor.  The boys don't mind eating nutritious snacks when they taste this good.

 

Now we are ready to play!  The boys have been going on hikes since they were babies.  We took them hiking when they had to be carried in packs, before they could even walk.  

 As a result, they know how to appreciate the little things.  Like these unusual plants on the trail.  The boys had to stop to check them out.  They had a tropical flare to them, which you don't see too often in our region.

 If you take your time on the trail, you can see all sorts of interesting things.  The boys are pros at spotting wildflowers, bugs and critters.  They also know how to spot and follow trail markers. 

But on this day?  I was the one who spotted something shocking.  A BEAR!  A black bear.  I wish I'd gotten a picture.  But instead I can offer you a picture of three shocked boys over seeing a bear in the woods. 

What a fun day.  We have a few more test hikes planned before we go on our overnight backpacking trip.  Stay tuned!

CLIF Kid is committed to getting kids out to play.  They've created an online hub dedicated to helping parents get kids outside to play.  You can find tips and tools to inspire you to get out with your kids to play every day:  http://bit.ly/ComeOuttoPlay.  I hope you will check out this fantastic resource.  You can use the hash tag #outtoplay to share your adventures on social media sites and connect with others. 

Readers, what kind of outdoor play do you love?

DIY Electric Dog Fences (with $25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway)

Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post written by me.  All of the opinions below are my own, formed from my previous experience using an electric dog fence. 

When we first moved to Virginia from Texas, we brought with us our beloved two dogs.  One was a rescue basenji/whippet mix named Cameron, and the other was a golden retriever named Monty.  They were used to being in a traditional fenced backyard when we lived in Houston, but where we moved did not have a fence, and the house was right next to a road, which left us concerned about our dogs’ safety.  While we had heard about electric dog fences, we never knew anyone who had one because we were coming from a city neighborhood. 

It didn’t take long for our dogs to find their way to trouble.  Monty, with his retrieving instincts, began spending his days doing his civic duty by wandering the road and bringing back any trash he found.  Every day we would come home from work to find our yard littered with debris.  It looked like the local dump.  Meanwhile, Cameron committed more serious offenses, by killing our closest neighbor’s chickens.  After replacing the chickens, we set out to find a fencing option.

Because we were renting, it did not make a lot of sense to invest money in a traditional fence.  An electric fence can cost as little as $300 if you install it on your own.  We decided to go ahead and put in an electric fence.  Using an electric fence allowed us to fence in a large area of land.  The cost of fencing in that much land with a traditional fence would have been staggering.  We also wanted to protect our dogs from getting hurt (from the sparse vehicle traffic or from hunters) and protect our neighbors from the dogs acting like nuisances.

One nice thing about the dog fence was its invisibility.  It didn’t block our view of the mountains and the land in any way.  You could walk right over it and not even know it was there.  We were able to curve it however we wanted around the odd shape of our yard, and work around the gorgeous flower beds that our landlord had painstakingly put in. 

There was also an added security with an electric fence in that we didn’t have to worry about gates – how many times have you heard stories of someone who lost their dog because someone left the gate open?  Electric fences don’t have a gate to worry about.  If you need to take the dog out, you just remove their collar.

In the end, Monty and Cameron adjusted very well to the electric fence.  We put up flags initially, so that they could see where the fence ran through the yard.  But after they became used to the barrier, we were able to remove the flags, and they knew not to cross the line, even though it could not be seen.  They wore their special collars every day, and we knew they were safe on the property when we weren’t at home.

Our current dog, Bo, who loves to run.

 

Want a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card?  You can enter through the Rafflecopter below. Be sure to click on the link to find out more about DIY electric fence - it will talk you through the steps so you can save money along the way.   

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Handling Stress with RESCUE

Many of you know that my background is in psychology.  I have two jobs - one of them teaching psychology classes at a local college, and the other working with people in the community who have mental health challenges and need assistance in daily functioning.  With the latter job, a big focus of what I do is helping people find healthier ways to manage and cope with anxiety and stress. 

Stress happens to all of us.  There is a spectrum on our capability of handling stress - some people roll with the punches and daily hassles better than others.  But regardless, we all have moments where life can feel very overwhelming.  Kids get sick, cars break down, there are family tensions - all sorts of moments, both happy and sad, can knock us a little off balance. 

The best ways to deal with stress are healthy ways - talking with a friend, getting out in nature, participating in a hobby.  Techniques that heal our mind without causing any harm to ourselves or others.  There is also a homeopathic product line that I've been using for over ten years called RESCUE that brings natural stress relief and helps you stay calmer during difficult times.  I first discovered RESCUE over ten years ago.  My family was flying to Florida, and my youngest brother was experiencing significant anxiety over flying due to a traumatic experience he'd had some months earlier, flying in a thunderstorm over the Rocky Mountains.  He was totally freaked out about stepping foot on a plane again, so my mom picked up RESCUE for him to try. 

Non-habit forming, the ingredients include flower remedies for things like: courage and presence of mind, focus when ungrounded, patience with problems and people, balanced mind when losing control, and softening impact of shock.  It immediately helped calm my brother, and after having a more positive flying experience, his anxiety lessened.

One thing I like about RESCUE is that it has no side effects.  I am very sensitive to side effects, and have had some negative experiences.  Because RESCUE is homeopathic, it works with my system and does not cause side effects like drowsiness.  It just seems to gently take the edge off, and I feel mentally calmer.

When I was in the store picking up the Pastilles, which I have taken before, I noticed that they had a  sleep liquid melts line.  I decided to pick these up for Paul and I, since we both have trouble sleeping at times.  I put them on the nightstand for the next time I was tossing and turning.

RESCUE sleep liquid melts include homeopathic ingredients to treat some of the same issues as the Pastilles, but also includes relief from repetitive thoughts, which is exactly what plagues me when I cannot sleep.  They dissolve on the tongue, and I found the orange oil taste very pleasing.  Paul and I both were very impressed with the sleep that we had after trying these.  I am such a light sleeper, but felt like I slept deeper than usual, and awoke without the grogginess or headache that a sleeping pill might cause.

RESCUE is a brand that has been around for over 70 years.  You can find it at places like CVS, Whole Foods, and Walgreens.  It is used by millions worldwide, and I have found it to be an effective and healthy way to provide stress relief when you most need it.  Want to try it?  Check out the website for more information, and a coupon! 

Readers, do you have any healthy ways you like to manage stress?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. This is a sponsored post.

Vaseline Intensive Care for the Winter Outdoors

Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of One 2 One Network.  I received sample product and a sled and snowball maker (which I sadly didn't get to use for the post, as we've had no snow) to facilitate my post.  All opinions are my own. 

Even in the cold winter months, we tend to spend plenty of time outdoors.  I continue my running, my husband cycles and chops wood, and the boys do what boys do when you live on an acreage with plenty of room to roam.  Between the dryness of our wood stove and the time spent outside in the wind and cold, our skin takes a beating.  I've had eczema patches behind my knees for the first time ever this winter, and Cort struggles with it every winter, often waking up in the middle of the night crying over painful and itchy patches of skin. 

Vaseline sent us some of their Intensive Care Advanced Repair lotion to try.  I was thrilled to see it was fragrance free, since Cort has asthma and is sensitive to fragrances.  This lotion goes beyond basic hydration.  It deeply moisturizes and is clinically proven to heal dry skin in just 5 days.  The formula combines humectants (to draw water into the skin) and healing micro-droplets of Vaseline Jelly (to lock moisture in). 

Paul went for a four hour bike ride, after putting some on his face.  He said his face gets really dry from the wind on long winter bike rides.   Vaseline helped protect his face from the wind, and afterwards he told me he could really tell a difference.

Meanwhile, I lathered  up the boys with Vaseline and layers of clothes, and we headed out to a new community park at Smith Mountain Lake.  Even though it was a chilly and breezy day, we were happy the sun was out, and the water was gleaming.

When it is cold, the boys often complain about their hands hurting.  I've noticed their skin has become rough and dry after playtime outside this winter. 

On this day, no one complained about their hands hurting.  I think the Vaseline really offered a nice layer of protection.  After checking out the dock, we went for a hike along the water, through the woods.  It was so nice to get some fresh air.

The boys were full of smiles.  I'm thankful we live in Virginia, where taking appropriate steps before going outside can protect you from the elements for most days of the year.

After our hike, the boys weren't tired or too cold at all.  They were all ready to check out the playground.

There was a good breeze blowing, so I do feel like there was plenty of wind exposure going on during the time we spent outside.

Yet the boys didn't complain.  Here, Pierce tries out one of those voice amplifiers, which transmit to another one across the playground.

Reid drives the slide. 

It wasn't until the boys got hungry that they were finally ready to go.  When we arrived home, I was so pleased to see that their skin had held the moisture well, despite our extended stay outside. 

And the boys?  They slept well that night!  It was a wonderful day, and we will be sure to be outside one winter day in the near future, particularly with a layer of Vaseline Intensive Care to protect from dropping temperatures. 

Readers, do you struggle with dry skin in the winter months? 

Brancott Estate Flight Song Wine #IC #FlightSongResolution

“I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Brancott Estate Flight Song. I received product samples and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.”

In my teen years, I often traveled to wineries with my dad.  While I wasn't old enough to sample the wines, I enjoyed seeing the historic buildings, the vineyards, and the inevitably old dog laying by a fireplace.  Along the way, I picked up an appreciation for the science in the making of the wines, and the devotion of the creators.

I have a strong preference for white wines.  When I read about the Brancott Estate Flight Song wine, I was captured by the descriptive flavors - they sounded like wines I would truly enjoy.  The Pinot Grigio is described as an array of floral notes with nashi pear and sweet lemon, white peach and guava.  The Sauvignon Blanc is described as a medley of pink grapefruit and passion fruit with ripe lemon.  I received a bottle Pinot Grigio and a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc to sample. 

I took the wines to my parents' house for a family gathering.  My family is full of wine enthusiasts, and I wanted to see what everyone thought.  They were hugely popular.  My dad said that they were both crisp and refreshing, and he was particularly fond of the Sauvignon Blanc.  My brother, Taylor, who also loved the Sauvignon Blanc, said that it tasted like dew on a spring day.  The grapefruit flavor in the Sauvignon Blanc surprised me initially, but I quickly became fond of the unique citrus taste. 

 

Brancott Estate was the world's first winery to plant and create a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc - a style that has changed the country's wine industry.  But here's the really amazing thing about these wines.  They have 20% less calories than a typical glass of wine.  The grapes are harvested earlier in the summer, when their sugar levels are naturally lower, which results in a lighter calorie wine. 

 

This is perfect timing for me, as I have finally, after 8+ years, lost the last bit of weight I have carried since having the boys.  I am back to my pre-pregnancy weight, and I did this by being more careful about the amount of calories I consume each day.  While I have always been devoted to staying fit, I was carrying a few extra pounds this whole time, and I never thought I'd see my pre-pregnancy weight again.  It's been an exciting landmark for me, one that is important to me to maintain.  Since losing the weight, there have been several occasions I would have enjoyed a glass of wine at the end of the day, but didn't because of the calories involved.  But the Brancott Estate Flight Song wines are just 87 calories a glass.  They fit right in with my healthy eating goals!



I know that some of my readers have set New Years resolutions about living a healthier lifestyle.  Did you know that 75% of people break their resolutions after just one week?  I'm hoping to maintain my new, slightly lower weight for 2015.  I'd love to see my 40th birthday come this summer with no extra pounds.  And I'm thrilled to know that I can treat myself to a glass of wine at the end of the day without having the guilt of sabotaging my calories for the day.  Plus, I truly savored both of these wines, and they lack nothing in taste!  My favorite was the Pinot Grigio, which isn't quite as bold as the Sauvignon Blanc, but I enjoyed the softer flavor.   

You can also find Brancott Estate on Facebook and Twitter.  If you are looking to make a lifestyle change this year with your New Years Resolution, let Flight Song enrich your experience! 

Elf on the Shelf Holiday Decorating Craft with #Idelight #Holidaydelight

Our Elf on the Shelf is named Tulley, and he has been with us for five years now. He isn't sneaky and naughty like some of the elves. He comes around Thanksgiving and most nights moves from place to place, but he doesn't tend to play any pranks. One year he did give our beta fish a Christmas statue.
This year the boys and I decided to create a home for Tulley to come to. My husband has been drinking tons of the International Delight creamer, especially with all the fun new seasonal creamer flavors, so I thought I would try to repurpose one of their coffee creamer containers.

First I washed it out and let it dry. Once it was clean, I peeled off the label and then cut an opening just the right size for an elf. I used a knife to make the initial cut in the bottle, and then switched to scissors so that I would have more control on the curves. I used a spray paint white primer to prime the bottle. Priming is an important step, because otherwise when you add color it would run or be uneven.

I allowed the primer to dry, and then used a brick red craft paint to coat the whole bottle. It took two coats to get a nice even effect. Then I used an off-white and a small brush to paint the bricks by hand.
Once this is done, you can personalize your bottle. You could make a sign with your elf's name on it, or paint a little Christmas tree. We decided to put a wreath about the opening on ours.
We set out our new home and it only took a few days for it to bring Tulley back to our house. We were thrilled to see him again! And he seems to be happy to have his own place.

For more fun holiday crafts and recipes, check out the International Delight community. If you join, you will also have access to awesome giveaways and coupons.

Readers, have you done any crafts for the holidays yet?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

Quick and Easy Orange Holiday Smoothies Recipe #Idelight #HolidayDelight

During the holidays there always seem to be so many wonderful, special drinks for adults. My family loves to celebrate with mimosas, and later wine. I started thinking that maybe the kids deserved a special celebratory drink too. So I came up with creamy, delicious Orange Holiday Smoothie - sure to please the kids at your house, and grown ups will love it too.

This is the easiest recipe. It only has 3 ingredients, aside from the ice, and it takes about 60 seconds to make.

Load your blender with:

2 cups ice
1 cup orange juice
6 ounces vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup International Delight Frosted Sugar Cookie Coffee Creamer

Blend until smooth.  If desired, top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

My boys adore these orange smoothies. My husband and I love them as well. I think they will make a fun and tasty new tradition for our holiday entertaining.

International Delight is going all out for the holidays.  They are a wonderful source for recipes, wrapping ideas, crafts, and all your other holiday entertaining needs.  You can join their community and find out more here.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

Pumpkin Harvest Cake with #Idelight #Pumpkindelight

Last month I alluded to creating a fabulous pumpkin desert with International Delight's pumpkin creamer. I came up with a wonderful cake that is a cross between pumpkin pie and cake. It was a huge hit with everyone in the family.  We all think it would make such a fantastic finale to Thanksgiving dinner - a fun way to jazz up the standard pumpkin pie.

Crust Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix (minus 1 cup)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg

Filling Ingredients:
2 cans pumpkin (not the large cans)
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
2/3 cup International Delight Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer

Topping:
1 cup reserved cake mix
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
Remove 1 cup of cake mix and set aside. Mix crust ingredients and press into bottom of pan. Beat filling ingredients and spoon on top of crust. Mix topping ingredients and sprinkle over filling. Bake at 350* for 60 minutes, or until knife comes out clean when put in the middle.

This is my favorite recipe I have made using International Delight's coffee creamer. It is truly a fun medley of pumpkin pie and cake. For more inspiring fall recipes and coupons, check out International Delight and join their community!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

Mega Moist Chocolate Pound Cake with #Idelight

Even if the leaves aren't quite changing color yet, September means Fall to me, and Fall always inspires me back to baking. And so, the other day I was craving something chocolate and moist and delicious. It seemed like the perfect day to make a Southern style pound cake.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
2 3/4 cups sugar
5 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
4 tbsp. cocoa
1 cup Sweet Cream flavored International Delight coffee creamer

Directions:

Cream together butter and shortening, add sugar and mix well. Add eggs, continuing to mix. Add vanilla. Alternate adding dry ingredients with creamer until well mixed. Grease and flour bundt pan, pour batter in. Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes at 325*. Cool for 20 minutes before inverting onto cooling rack.

This cake turned out so moist and delicious - the International Delight creamer really gives it a little something extra, taking it to the next level of pound cake. In fact, next month, when the boys' school has their Fall Festival and asks for cake walk donations - I know just what to make!

Stay tuned for a pumpkin recipe for next month! International Delight's pumpkin spice creamer (Pumpkin Delight) is hitting the grocery shelves, and I can't wait to test it out in my kitchen. For more excellent Fall baking ideas, check out the International Delight community.  Happy baking! 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

Blowing Bubbles with #JuicyFruitFunSide

Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Juicy Fruit and One2One Network.  The opinions stated below are my own. 

I have a house rule that no one chews gum until they reach the age of 5.  As the twins' fifth birthday approached, they grew more and more excited about the day that they would finally be allowed to chew gum.  And then one day, something magical happened.  A huge box showed up at the house, FULL of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum!  I pulled out package after package of gum, while Pierce quickly calculated on his watch how many total pieces of gum we had (380).

What did we do with all this gum?  Why we took it outside to enjoy the final days of summer as a family, and chewed to our hearts' content.  Some of us even wore our never-to-be-removed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume. 

That's his big happy face, with a marvelous Juicy Fruit strawberry bubble gum smile. 

Pierce decided to learn how to blow bubbles.  It took some practice, but hey, we had lots of gum for practice.  It turned out that Juicy Fruit was the perfect gum for bubble blowing.  After a couple of pieces, Pierce had it down.  He said, "Mom, this is the best gum for learning to blow bubbles EVER!"

Sitting on the porch swing, practicing their bubbles.  It turned out that Juicy Fruit offered a great brotherly bonding experience.  The twins haven't gotten their bubble blowing down quite yet, but they keep trying, while Pierce encourages them. 

Meanwhile, Paul headed off to mow the yard with a piece of Juicy Fruit bubble gum himself.  Later, he reported to me that this was the best bubble blowing gum he'd had since he was a kid.  He reported that he was blowing huge bubbles while mowing the acreage, and it made the time more fun. 

My favorite was the sugar-free Fruity Chews strawberry (just introduced last month).  It has great flavor, and good longevity.  Now the only question that remains is......how long does it take for 3 little boys to go through 380 pieces of Juicy Fruit gum?

Readers, are you gum chewers too?  Would you like to try Wrigley's Juicy Fruit?

Upcycled Bird House with #Idelight

We always love to find ways to appreciate nature at our farm, and we spend large amounts of time on our covered porch. I thought it would be fun to share delight by repurposing an International Delight iced coffee carton into a charming birdhouse. Even if you aren't artistic, I kept the décor simplistic enough that even children could be successful with this creation.

You will need:
1 empty International Delight coffee carton (August is National Coffee Month, and this is a great excuse to enjoy some iced coffee!)
Sharp knife
Spray primer
Spray varnish
Assorted paints
Paintbrushes
Permanent Marker
Awl
Ribbon

First, rinse out your carton and allow to dry. Using a small circle (a 50 cent piece or a child's medicine cup works well), trace the circle for the hole on the carton. Carefully cut this out with a knife (kids, let your parent do this part). Then spray your carton with primer until it reaches a solid white. You may need more than one coat.

 

Once the primer is dry, decorate your birdhouse. You can paint it in any way you'd like. I used the same children's medicine cup to trace circles to make the bodies of birds flitting about the house. Once your paint is dry, you can use a permanent marker to add contrast to the edges of the birds. Allow to dry completely.

Coat birdhouse with a layer of spray varnish. This will help protect your birdhouse from the elements. Allow to dry. Now the last step is to make a small hole in the top for a ribbon (I used an awl for this), so you can hang your masterpiece.

And now, your birdhouse is ready for the birds to move in! 

If you have a moment, click here to sign up as a member of the International Delight community, where you can find other inspiring ideas for your family and delicious recipes!  Plus, if you sign up this month, you get an instant coupon and are have access to exclusive giveaways, like a chance to win a tablet.

Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

Plum Organics Mighty Tots Prize Pack Giveaway

Disclaimer:  This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Plum Organics.  The opinions below are entirely my own. 

A big box came in the mail last week.  The boys were very excited to see what was inside.

They were so delighted to find it stuffed full of snacks from Plum Organics.  We have long been fans of their organic snacks for children, and it is a brand that I buy regularly at the grocery store.  Full of flavor, easily portable, and completely healthy (with added vitamins, minerals, and omega 3s) -- they are snacks that the boys and myself approve.  Plus, they are the perfect addition to the well-balanced school lunch. 

My boys need snacks like these, because they are always so active.  They were excited to see a new purple cape from Plum to add to our three (!) costume drawers.  When we run errands in town, I never know if I might have a superhero or a knight or a frog (or all three) along for the ride.  Our costume drawers see more action than all of the toys in our house.

I'm also happy that Cort has a healthy snack to eat in lieu of other things.  The other day, I caught him with a bouncy ball in his mouth.  He knows he is not supposed to do this.  When confronted, he quickly popped out the ball and hid it behind his back.  His response?  "Mom, you just dreamed I had a bouncy ball in my mouth." 

The boys unanimously decided that they liked the strawberry Mighty 4 Bars the best.  I don't think they realized they were stuffed with 11 essential minerals, chia, and yogurt.  They just loved the strawberry flavor.  But truly, all of the snacks were enjoyed by all!

 

Check out this adorable video from Plum Organics (Pierce, Cort, and Reid could totally relate to the desire to have their own pirate ship):

One lucky reader is going to win the same prize pack that we received!  Pictured below, it includes Mighty 4 bars, Mighty Puff 'ems, and Mighty 4 Pouches.  And let us not forget the fabulous mighty cape!  This is just in time for adding to your back to school healthy snack stash!

To enter to win this fabulous prize, just click on the Rafflecopter below:

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