Why I Became an NYR Organic Independent Consultant

I try to live the most organic lifestyle that I can. I believe in knowing where the food and products I eat and use come from. So when I came across NYR Organic, I was more than intrigued. Their philosophy is simple, “transforming people’s lives, educating and empowering them on how to live more healthy through the power of nature.” What more can you ask for in a company?

Edible Cleveland Making Northeast Ohio A Little Sweeter One Bite at a Time

Are you familiar with Edible Cleveland?  It is a wonderful print and digital publication highlighting all the must have food products and must visit food spots in Cleveland.  It is published quarterly and offers great inspirations to all levels of foodies who live, work or just play in the area.

I recently picked up my copy of the Summer 2014 publication. Immediately I found an article near and dear to my heart about blueberries. What a wonderful article by Karin McKenna about the Nabor Family, owners of the fabulous Mustard Seed Markets and Blueberry Hill Farm a certified organic pick your own blueberry farm in Glenmont, Ohio.

Included in the article was a recipe for Blueberry Almond Flour Muffins.  This recipe spoke to my newly required reduced carbohydrate diet.  As an added bonus to many they are gluten free.  I had to immediately try them!  My children like items made with nut flours but do not like chopped nuts in bakery so I substituted the chopped pecans for dried blueberries which added a very nice texture in the muffin.  These muffins were simply delicious!!

Have we sparked your interest in Edible Cleveland?  Want to get a copy for yourself?  Here is a link to their Summer 2014 Digital Edition.  Complimentary print copies can be found at many local Cleveland establishments which can be located here.  Paid print subscriptions are also available if you don't live in the area and want a print copy delivered directly to your home.

You can also stay informed with everything Edible Cleveland has to offer by following them on Edible Cleveland Facebook Page or on Twitter @edibleCleveland.  Let them know we sent you!

Kohl's Cares Everybody Wins

So I am a big proponent of positive reinforcement when it comes to teaching my children.  Steve calls it bribery.  I call it rewarding the good.  So especially during the summer when the preschool daycare has turned more into summer camp with less learning, I have been trying to reward the want to learn.  

We have been trying to teach the Jude and Joel their phone number.  Put it to a little song and everything.  We were still struggling a little until we brought out the positive reinforcement technique. They saw the new Kohl's Cares stuffed animal promotion and that's all it took!

For those of you that are unfamiliar with the Kohl's Cares program, it is a effort by Kohl's to support kid's health and education as well as women's health. Kohl's Cares usually focuses on a book series. Kohl's Cares donates 100% of the net profits of the Kohl's Cares items in the book series they are featuring to kids health and education. Since 2000 more than $208 million has been raised.

This time it is the classic Curious George. The stuff is so cute. They are selling 5 different books and five different stuffed animals along with a very cute backpack. Everything is $5 a piece so it is quite reasonable. So my kids being just a little different of course didn't actually want Curious George himself, but rather they wanted the dinosaur. That was fine by me. What ever it takes to motivate!

It took about 2 days. Both Jude and Joel practiced and practiced until finally they remembered on command. We then waited just one more day to make sure they had retention and by golly they did. So mom and the boys were off to Kohl's. I came back with two very happy boys accompanied by to wildly cute stuffed dinosaurs. Of course we wanted a little more education out of the deal so we also picked up copies of "Curious George's First Day of School" and "Curious George's Dinosaur Discovery".

Well mom's happy, the boys are happy, we helped out a little and learned a lot along the way.  Some of the smallest things in life can have pretty big rewards!

Shopping Fun for a Good Cause!

So today the kids and I went shopping at Crocker Park for presents for Teacher Appreciation Week. Fun in the sun with food, shopping and more! What a beautiful day.  We decided to get some nice gifts at Bath and Body Works.  The kids had to try every lotion out until they found the perfect one.  I think they did a pretty good job!  They turned out super cute with a little accessorizing don't you think?

Then we went over to Liquid Planet.  The kids had cheese pita pizzas with PB&J smoothies.  I could hardly pry the smoothie from Joel's lips.  I think he liked it...a lot!  I went with an iced tea and a spicy Thai Chili Rice Bowl...yummy and somewhat healthy.

We had to save a little room because our next stop was Rocky Mountain Chocolate.  Who can resist?  We thought we could say we were being healthy if we went with one of their specialty apples (dipped in caramel and mini m&m's). Hey at least it started off healthy.

We then took a nice little walk window shopping.  We had to burn off lunch.  Then we ended up by the fountains.  A little splishing and splashing never hurt anyone!  Then it was in the car and home for naps!

What a great day!   Just a little glimpse of summer to come.

Hot Mama at Crocker Park Rocks!!

So just got back from the grand opening of hot mama at Crocker Park.  From the crowd of enthusiastic ladies I am sure they will be quite successful.  As for me I must apologize to my wallet now for all the abuse I will do to it in the near future at this store.  It rocks!!

First I will have to say the staff is super helpful and friendly.  There was a wait for the dressing rooms but they were quick to step in and tell you how the stores started and what they are all about. This is there first store in the Cleveland area.  So glad they chose my neck of the woods.

The clothes are cute, stylish and very wearable.  When you try them on you can tell they are made for moms on the go.  So going into the dressing room my eyes were bigger than my wallet.  I had to pare down my choices because at some point I pretty sure I wanted it all.  So this is what I ended up going home with:

Picture from hot mama website

Cute right?!?  I had to leave this sweater behind. I figure you have to have a reason to go back.  This sweater will probably be my reason to go back!

I must admit when it came to jeans hot mama should probably be on my list of splurge stores.  While I saw a couple of pairs that I loved, this mama was having a hard time with the $175 price tag. That being said Mothers Day is right around the corner honey hint- hint :)

On a final note if your thinking of checking the place, try to fit in your incredibly hectic mom schedule this week April 10th-16th when they are offering 10% off.  And if you can be one of the first 50 customers each these days you will qualify for a gift card.  Thanks hot mama for my $25 off.!

When Dad's Away the Mice Will Play

So Steve had to go out of town tonight.  Only one night, no big deal. So what were the kids and I to do to occupy our time.  Let's head to the mall.  So we went to Westfield Great Northern.  A little shopping, a little food, a little fun.


We explored the Disney Store.  Of course we couldn't leave empty handed.  Who can?  We have to start preparing for our September Disney Alaskan Cruise.  Can't wait!!!!

Then we headed over to the food court.  We had a quick stop at Auntie Anne's Pretzels for a pepperoni pretzel and a lemonade.  Appetizers!  Did you know that you can sign up for pretzel perks and get free coupons, offers, recipes and more sent to your email and/or phone?

Then we got some mac and cheese from Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen for the kids and mommy got herself a pepperoni stromboli (carrying on the pepperoni theme- hey can you really ever have too much pepperoni?  I say not!!).  Villa Fresh has an e-club for offers as well.  We didn't say we were being healthy tonight.  Sometimes you just gotta splurge.  And in this case we had to splurge two nights in a row.  We'll have a double serving of fruits and veggies to make up for our nutritional sins tomorrow.

Then what's dinner without dessert.  We opted for frozen yogurt.  So for that we headed to Yogurt Vi.  (They have a pretty cute website.   You should check it out!)  If your keeping score they have a rewards card you get from the store.  Spend $50 get $5 reward.  If you splurge a lot not a bad deal.  Jude went with coconut yogurt Joel strawberry.  Both had too many toppings to count- at least there was a little fruit involved.  I asked Jude what his favorite topping was and in true four-year-old fashion he answered "all of them!"

We'll after dinner and dessert we had to burn off some calories and expend some energy before bedtime.  Off to the play area.  A few slides, some games, and new friends.  Joel seems to have enjoyed himself.

Then we loaded ourselves back in the car.  A little Disney Jr at home followed by PJs, rocking night- night and as we say "angels guard you, hugs and kisses, loves and wishes...see you in the am."

Daddy and Jude, Mommy and Joel Nights Out

So tonight was a fun filled night for all. Daddy and Jude went to the Cavs game. This has become a one time a year trip for the two of them. Boys night out! Jude seems to be enjoying himself. Looks like they brought home a 91/85 win. Go Cavs!!

While the two boys were having their night out, Joel and I went shopping at our favorite store, Target. And for those of you that haven't heard the good news, the store at Westgate has gotten even better with the addition of fresh foods such as meats, produce, prepared items and more. It's great! And the prices aren't bad either. And if you use your Target Red Card (credit or debit) you even save more with your 5% off. Just what I needed, another reason to shop at Target.

Well after all that shopping we worked up quite an appetite so it was off to Friendly's for dinner and ice cream. You can't ask for more than that. Joel enjoyed a little coloring before the food arrived. Then mommy and Joel had to pose for a self portrait. Say cheese!!!

We finished the meal off with a candy shop sundae with strawberry sauce and M & M's can you say Yum Yum! What a perfect ending to a perfect
time!


Then off to home to put away all our stuff, PJ time, a little Cooking Network on the TV and off to bed for the kids. The only thing that could make this night better would be getting cancelled from work tonight. Well one can dream!

Loving Earthfare!

Okay anyone that know me knows how much I love Earthfare. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Earthfare they call themselves "the healthy supermarket." Our store is at Westgate, there is one open in Fairlawn and according to their website a store is coming soon in Solon. There is also rumored to be a store coming to Strongsville. They pride themselves on: no artificial fats or transfats, no high-fructose corn syrup, no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives or sweeteners, no antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones in their fresh meat or dairy and no bleached or bromated flour. They sell a lot of organics and local products. They are kind of like Whole Foods but less pretentious. (Don't get me wrong I love Whole Foods as well but for different reasons. Anyone who has been to both places will know what I mean).

Well today I'm loving Earthfare even more. I wasn't feeling so hot yesterday but I was perked right up when we received a call from Earthfare saying that I won a wellness gift from the store. What could it be? Well my curiosity would have to wait a day. So this morning the kids and I braved the cold and snow and made our way to one of our favorite stores.  The kids asked "where are we going mommy?"  I told them we were going to the grocery store. They immediately yelled out "We're going to Earthfare!" followed shortly by "Can we eat lunch there!?!"  I calmed them down, dress them for the subzero windshields, herded them in the car, strap them in and we're finally off!!

So we get to the store and we stop at the friendly customer service desk. We tell them who we are and that we received a phone call that we had one a wellness gift. They take us to the wellness department. They have great organic hygiene, skin care, make-up and hair products as well as vitamins, supplements etc.  There was a table full of products and baskets to pick from. This is what we got:

Not to shaby! So now mommy just needs to find some quiet time to enjoy her new body wash in a hot bath.  Well one can dream.

Steve would say take your free stuff and run but of course I needed to pick up a few things.  So we got some milk and berries.  The kids picked out and weighed some bananas:

So helpful aren't they?  Then this week's email coupon was for $2.99 lb all natural chicken breasts so we had to pick some up as well.  If you sign up online they will email you coupons and freebies which you can print out or just take your phone to show them the coupon.  Also if you don't mind getting text messages you can get great savings by texting EAT to 71700.  They will send you coupon PLU's for free items or money off your next purchase.  Also they have their new Tomato Bank program where you collect points.  Every 100 points equals $1.  You collect points by giving your number at the register, bringing your own bags, using coupons, buying certain items market in the store, and going to events such as "kids eat free" every Thursday night 4-8pm. (Great deal!)

Then of course the kids still had to eat lunch:

Pizza, fruit and smoothies for them.  A salad with a side of mac and cheese for me.  We followed that by sharing a piece of flourless chocolate cake.  Yum!  I still managed to stay under my Weight Watchers allowance of points.  Bonus!!

Then it was time to bundle back up, pile in the car and off to naps!  And maybe I'll get that hot bubble bath...Hahaha!!  Reality sets back in dishes and laundry to do :)