Friday, April 29, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Easter Fun (Wordless Wednesday) (Well, ok, mostly)
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| Mig yndig drenge (My sweet boys) |
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| K Monster |
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| The big D |
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| T and I (See, we do exist!) |
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| Puppy kissin' |
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| Inspecting the goods from the egg hunt |
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| Bunny Goods! |
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| Yes, they got chocolate. Judge me. |
*Yes, I realize Easter was three days ago. I just got around to getting the pictures all off the camera last night. Mama doesn't feel so hot.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Green Your Scene: Week Three! *Giveaway*
Here we are! Week three of the "Green You Scene" series. Remember from past two weeks we are talking all things going green.
Congrats To Nana who said:
Send your street address to me at Amy @ RenderMeMama (dot) com to claim your prize!
This week we are greening your greens! Your yard can be a tricky one to keep green. The first way to help out, is to rely more on your own elbow grease. Get out the clippers and trim that bush by hand. Till your garden the old fashioned way. Did you know they make push lawnmowers that are lighter, easier to use and only need maintenance every 3- 10 years? Bonus: No emissions. Can't do without the power? Use a 2 cycle instead of 4 for gasoline engines or look into the electric models now available.
How you mow your grass also makes a difference. Cut your grass frequently with a sharp-blade mower only removing one-third of grass and return clippings to the yard for added nourishment. Plus, if the clippings remain in your yard, you are saving the lawn bags and trash dispensing that goes along with that. You can also use the lawn clippings in a compost pile that can be used to fertilize your plants and bushes.
Adjust your watering schedule and level based on the season. Water less in your region's rainy season and more in the drier months. Water early in the day to reduce loss from wind and evaporation and to keep from burning the leaves of your precious plants. Use collected rainwater when you can to water your plants and save potentially hundred of gallons of water a year.
Finally, understand the climate of your area and what is best, naturally, for your yard. Knowing what kind of grass you have will help you know how much to water it and when to water it, helping you conserve water. Plant trees, shrubs, and flowers that thrive in the environment of your yard. Plants unsuited to your environment will require more work and chemical type interventions to keep them thriving. The idea is to create a yard that looks good and is also naturally bountiful.
Now for the fun part. Our family has been asked to participate in the Scott Naturals 4-Week Test Drive. In honor of Earth Month, the Scott Naturals brand is challenging Americans to take an easy green step by testing out its line of hybrid paper products: bath tissue, paper towels, flush-able wipes and napkins. If everyone that visited Google today took the 4-Week Test Drive there’d be 4,414,400 trees saved.
As part of this project, Scott Naturals will be making a donation to the National Wildlife Federation. For every unique click-thru to THIS LINK, Scott Naturals will donate $1 (up to $25,000 total) to the National Wildlife Federation. Sweet, right? All you have to do is click!
I also have four huge prize packs to give away (one a week) to a lucky RMM reader! This prize pack includes a full size package of napkins, toilet paper, paper towels and moist, flush-able wipes. Don't tell me those are things you would rather pay for when you can win them.
How to enter (These have changed! Pay attention!):
1. You must follow Render Me Mama via GFC and leave a comment saying you do. (Mandatory) *1 entry
2. Visit Scott Naturals and take the 4 week test drive pledge (all you have to do is click and you even get some sweet coupons just for doing that. Plus, you just donated a dollar to the NWF!). Leave a comment saying you did so. *1 entry
3. Click the link of above (or here) to donate a dollar to the National Wildlife Federation. This is going to have to be an honor system thing here ladies and gents but seriously.. if you are going to lie about clicking a link to donate a buck to a charity so you can win some paper products (sweet as they may be), you need a life. *1 entry
4. Like my Facebook page to stay updated and leave your first name & last initial or your page name. *2 entries (Be sure and leave two comments to get both entries!)
5. Subscribe to Render Me Mama to be delivered via email (Over there ---> ) and be sure to confirm it. *5 entries. (Be sure and leave five comments to get all entries!)
I will draw the winning number via Random.org next Monday at 6pm (EST). Don't be discouraged if you don't win this week though, come back next week for more going green wisdom and another chance to win an awesome prize pack! Good luck!
*I was given the opportunity to review the Scott Naturals line and compensated for my time as part of this post. All opinions and tips are mine.
The good news is that there are a ton of really simple, non intrusive ways we can all do to help out. Once a week, for the next four weeks, I am going to share some of those you all. Easy peasy. I will tackle your house, your car, your yard and finally getting your kids involved in going green. Plus, thanks to TheMotherhood and Scott Naturals, I will also be having a super sweet giveaway each week! (From last week's post)Lets start off this week by announcing the winner of last weeks super sweet prize pack from Scott Naturals!
Send your street address to me at Amy @ RenderMeMama (dot) com to claim your prize!
This week we are greening your greens! Your yard can be a tricky one to keep green. The first way to help out, is to rely more on your own elbow grease. Get out the clippers and trim that bush by hand. Till your garden the old fashioned way. Did you know they make push lawnmowers that are lighter, easier to use and only need maintenance every 3- 10 years? Bonus: No emissions. Can't do without the power? Use a 2 cycle instead of 4 for gasoline engines or look into the electric models now available.
How you mow your grass also makes a difference. Cut your grass frequently with a sharp-blade mower only removing one-third of grass and return clippings to the yard for added nourishment. Plus, if the clippings remain in your yard, you are saving the lawn bags and trash dispensing that goes along with that. You can also use the lawn clippings in a compost pile that can be used to fertilize your plants and bushes.
Adjust your watering schedule and level based on the season. Water less in your region's rainy season and more in the drier months. Water early in the day to reduce loss from wind and evaporation and to keep from burning the leaves of your precious plants. Use collected rainwater when you can to water your plants and save potentially hundred of gallons of water a year.
Finally, understand the climate of your area and what is best, naturally, for your yard. Knowing what kind of grass you have will help you know how much to water it and when to water it, helping you conserve water. Plant trees, shrubs, and flowers that thrive in the environment of your yard. Plants unsuited to your environment will require more work and chemical type interventions to keep them thriving. The idea is to create a yard that looks good and is also naturally bountiful.
Now for the fun part. Our family has been asked to participate in the Scott Naturals 4-Week Test Drive. In honor of Earth Month, the Scott Naturals brand is challenging Americans to take an easy green step by testing out its line of hybrid paper products: bath tissue, paper towels, flush-able wipes and napkins. If everyone that visited Google today took the 4-Week Test Drive there’d be 4,414,400 trees saved.
As part of this project, Scott Naturals will be making a donation to the National Wildlife Federation. For every unique click-thru to THIS LINK, Scott Naturals will donate $1 (up to $25,000 total) to the National Wildlife Federation. Sweet, right? All you have to do is click!
I also have four huge prize packs to give away (one a week) to a lucky RMM reader! This prize pack includes a full size package of napkins, toilet paper, paper towels and moist, flush-able wipes. Don't tell me those are things you would rather pay for when you can win them.
How to enter (These have changed! Pay attention!):
1. You must follow Render Me Mama via GFC and leave a comment saying you do. (Mandatory) *1 entry
2. Visit Scott Naturals and take the 4 week test drive pledge (all you have to do is click and you even get some sweet coupons just for doing that. Plus, you just donated a dollar to the NWF!). Leave a comment saying you did so. *1 entry
3. Click the link of above (or here) to donate a dollar to the National Wildlife Federation. This is going to have to be an honor system thing here ladies and gents but seriously.. if you are going to lie about clicking a link to donate a buck to a charity so you can win some paper products (sweet as they may be), you need a life. *1 entry
4. Like my Facebook page to stay updated and leave your first name & last initial or your page name. *2 entries (Be sure and leave two comments to get both entries!)
5. Subscribe to Render Me Mama to be delivered via email (Over there ---> ) and be sure to confirm it. *5 entries. (Be sure and leave five comments to get all entries!)
I will draw the winning number via Random.org next Monday at 6pm (EST). Don't be discouraged if you don't win this week though, come back next week for more going green wisdom and another chance to win an awesome prize pack! Good luck!
*CLOSED! Come back tomorrow for another chance!*
*I was given the opportunity to review the Scott Naturals line and compensated for my time as part of this post. All opinions and tips are mine.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
I'm Not Old, I'm Awesome
Saturday night, after an Easter Party, my mother and I went to a concert. We went to see Yanni. Now, before you roll your eyes and click away, let me tell you this: I did the same thing. See, Turning the Clock Back was hosting a giveaway for two tickets to the show here in Atlanta and when I first saw it, I giggled a little and then I dismissed it.
Then, I started thinking about it and realized it sounded like something my mom would really enjoy. A lot. So, I entered and won!
I spent the next couple of days making jokes about it with my friends and even my mother but we were both excited to get to go back to the Fox for a show. The Fox.. is gorgeous. If you ever come through Atlanta, make it a stop for sure.
Anyway, so Saturday after the Easter party, we got all dressed up and headed South. After sitting in the lovely ATL traffic for an hour, we finally made it into the theater and got into our seats literally about 3 seconds before the lights dimmed.
What happened next, I would never have imagined you guys. As the orchestra came out and took their seats, the crowd... went. nuts. I'm talking jumped to their feet screaming like teenage girls. Went. Nuts. My mother and I just looked at each other in disbelief. Then, when Yanni himself came out: Complete mayhem. People were yelling and waving and shouting and jumping and clapping. It was nuts. I kept thinking wow, he has quite the fan base here in Atlanta I suppose. Weird.
Then, the music started and I was blown away. It was not at all what I expected. When I think of New Age music I think of crappy synth stuff that some weird guy is making in his basement. This was not that. This was energetic and crazy and awesome. The orchestra was amazing. When I say that, I am talking more talent on that one stage than I have seen anywhere. The violinist had people on yelling their appreciation, the drummer showed more energy and skill than I have ever seen in a live show and I have seen a lot of them. The guy playing the harp.. the harp guy.. had us all on our feet! They rocked it.
I thought it was really cool how Yanni gave each of his band members a chance to shine independently during the show. They all got to show off their skills with a solo and each time, I was totally impressed.
I am proud to announce that I wasn't even the youngest person there like I thought I might be. Granted that may have been because there was a prom going on in the Grand Ballroom but I would have much rather been in the theater watching what turned out to be a concert I won't forget as to have been upstairs with all those scary, sweaty teenagers.
So, make fun of me if you want. Snicker and call me old, but I really enjoyed it! In fact, I would definitely recommend it if you have a chance to go.
*This is not a paid endorsement of any kind. I genuinely enjoyed the show and wanted to share my experience.
Then, I started thinking about it and realized it sounded like something my mom would really enjoy. A lot. So, I entered and won!
I spent the next couple of days making jokes about it with my friends and even my mother but we were both excited to get to go back to the Fox for a show. The Fox.. is gorgeous. If you ever come through Atlanta, make it a stop for sure.
Anyway, so Saturday after the Easter party, we got all dressed up and headed South. After sitting in the lovely ATL traffic for an hour, we finally made it into the theater and got into our seats literally about 3 seconds before the lights dimmed.
What happened next, I would never have imagined you guys. As the orchestra came out and took their seats, the crowd... went. nuts. I'm talking jumped to their feet screaming like teenage girls. Went. Nuts. My mother and I just looked at each other in disbelief. Then, when Yanni himself came out: Complete mayhem. People were yelling and waving and shouting and jumping and clapping. It was nuts. I kept thinking wow, he has quite the fan base here in Atlanta I suppose. Weird.
Then, the music started and I was blown away. It was not at all what I expected. When I think of New Age music I think of crappy synth stuff that some weird guy is making in his basement. This was not that. This was energetic and crazy and awesome. The orchestra was amazing. When I say that, I am talking more talent on that one stage than I have seen anywhere. The violinist had people on yelling their appreciation, the drummer showed more energy and skill than I have ever seen in a live show and I have seen a lot of them. The guy playing the harp.. the harp guy.. had us all on our feet! They rocked it.
I thought it was really cool how Yanni gave each of his band members a chance to shine independently during the show. They all got to show off their skills with a solo and each time, I was totally impressed.
I am proud to announce that I wasn't even the youngest person there like I thought I might be. Granted that may have been because there was a prom going on in the Grand Ballroom but I would have much rather been in the theater watching what turned out to be a concert I won't forget as to have been upstairs with all those scary, sweaty teenagers.
So, make fun of me if you want. Snicker and call me old, but I really enjoyed it! In fact, I would definitely recommend it if you have a chance to go.
*This is not a paid endorsement of any kind. I genuinely enjoyed the show and wanted to share my experience.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Earth Day Sharsies!
HAPPY EARTH DAY!
Hey all! I hope you are all having a wonderful Earth Day so far!The boys and I are out on adventure today doing some fun Earth Day activities. More on that another day.
Instead of the typical preachy "you should be greener or you don't care about our future" post, I am going to open up the floor to you! Leave me a comment with what YOU are doing today in honor of Earth Day. My favorite three answers will win a little prize, so make it fun! (and be sure your email is in your profile!)
*Don't forget to check out B kind 2 Earth Day on Facebook to keep track of some of the fun things others are doing in your state.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Its Beginning to Look A Lot Like Easter
Yesterday afternoon, while K took his nap, we did something special with D.
We colored our Easter eggs.
He was a little unsure at first.
But then he got right into it.
He loved watching them soak in the dye.
He concentrated so hard.
He was even gentle enough to get them out with that weird little wire egg holder.
All by himself.
There was much celebration.
We ended up with a pretty good rainbow.
And only one fatality.
The only question now is... when did my baby...
Get so big?
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
(Mostly) Wordless Wendnesday
We got invited to the Day Out with Thomas event going on up in Chattanooga, TN in Mid-May and they were kind enough to send the boy's some goodies to tide them over until the event comes!
Needless to say, they are mad excited about getting to ride a real train. D the most so. He actually gets it. K.. well, he is only 19 months but he knows what a choo- choo is and he is as excited as he can be this far in advance. I know as soon as we get there, he will be blown away!
*Have a Thomas fanatic? To find a Day Out with Thomas event coming close to you and get your tickets, check out the schedule HERE.
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| Hats! |
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| And Thomas shaped whistles! |
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| And wooden train whistles! They sound more authentic! |
Needless to say, they are mad excited about getting to ride a real train. D the most so. He actually gets it. K.. well, he is only 19 months but he knows what a choo- choo is and he is as excited as he can be this far in advance. I know as soon as we get there, he will be blown away!
*Have a Thomas fanatic? To find a Day Out with Thomas event coming close to you and get your tickets, check out the schedule HERE.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Green Your Scene: Week Two! *Giveaway!*
Here we are! Week two of the "Green You Scene" series. Remember from last week we are talking all things going green.
Congrats To Ness who said:
Send your street address to me at Amy @ RenderMeMama (dot) com to claim your prize!
This week we are focusing on your going green with your car. Now, you might think short of trading in your car for a fancy hybrid, there isn't much you can do to green your car. While hybrids are a great way to cut down on gas mileage and help out with the ever thinning ozone, that isn't the only way to make sure you are being as green as possible from A to B.
They way you drive has a lot to do with your fuel economy. Ever been riding with someone and been a little scared for your life? Yeah, avoid the way they drive. Cut back on quick starts and slamming on the brakes and (here is a shocker) go the speed limit. Speeding greatly reduces your MPG and the bigger the car you drive, the bigger of an effect it has on the planet. Also, drive wise and minimize unnecessary miles by doing errands in one trip, getting good directions, and calling ahead.
Keep your car in good running order. That tune up or oil change you have been putting off for months? Get it done. It will help your engine run better and help lower that MPG ratio. 25% better and that is nothing to sneeze at! Also, keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Treehugger.com says "If every American's tires were properly inflated we could save around 2 billion gallons of gas each year!". Thats.. a lot of gas!
The one I am particularly bad about is the AC. Leaving it off can greatly improve your MPG and your emissions output. I know this. I do but I also hate being hot and so do my kids. Its a lot easier in the spring time to drive with the windows down comfortably but lets face it, when its 110 outside like it is in the summer here, that just isn't going to cut it. Something to remember though.
Then of course there is some more of the obvious ones like taking public transit, walking when you can and carpooling. My personal favorite idea is telecommuting. Working from home sounds like a win-win to me!
Now for the fun part. Our family has been asked to participate in the Scott Naturals 4-Week Test Drive. In honor of Earth Month, the Scott Naturals brand is challenging Americans to take an easy green step by testing out its line of hybrid paper products: bath tissue, paper towels, flush-able wipes and napkins. If everyone that visited Google today took the 4-Week Test Drive there’d be 4,414,400 trees saved.
As part of this project, Scott Naturals will be making a donation to the National Wildlife Federation. For every unique click-thru to THIS LINK, Scott Naturals will donate $1 (up to $25,000 total) to the National Wildlife Federation. Sweet, right? All you have to do is click!
I also have four huge prize packs to give away (one a week) to a lucky RMM reader! This prize pack includes a full size package of napkins, toilet paper, paper towels and moist, flush-able wipes. Don't tell me those are things you would rather pay for when you can win them.
How to enter (These have changed! Pay attention!):
1. You must follow Render Me Mama via GFC and leave a comment saying you do. (Mandatory) *1 entry
2. Visit Scott Naturals and take the 4 week test drive pledge (all you have to do is click and you even get some sweet coupons just for doing that. Plus, you just donated a dollar to the NWF!). Leave a comment saying you did so. *1 entry
3. Click the link of above (or here) to donate a dollar to the National Wildlife Federation. This is going to have to be an honor system thing here ladies and gents but seriously.. if you are going to lie about clicking a link to donate a buck to a charity so you can win some paper prodcuts (sweet as they may be), you need a life. *1 entry
4. Like my Facebook page to stay updated and leave your first name & last initial or your page name. *2 entries (Be sure and leave two comments to get both entries!)
5. Like B Kind 2 Earth Day on Facebook and leave one green idea on their wall. Be sure you tag me in the post so I know who you are and leave a comment letting me know you did! (This is way easier than you think) *2 entries
I will draw the winning number via Random.org next Monday at 6:00pm EST. Don't be discouraged if you don't win this week though, come back next week for more going green wisdom and another chance to win an awesome prize pack! Good luck!
*I was given the opportunity to review the Scott Naturals line and compensated for my time as part of this post. All opinions and tips are mine.
The good news is that there are a ton of really simple, non intrusive ways we can all do to help out. Once a week, for the next four weeks, I am going to share some of those you all. Easy peasy. I will tackle your house, your car, your yard and finally getting your kids involved in going green. Plus, thanks to TheMotherhood and Scott Naturals, I will also be having a super sweet giveaway each week! (From last week's post)Lets start off this week by announcing the winner of last weeks super sweet prize pack from Scott Naturals!
Send your street address to me at Amy @ RenderMeMama (dot) com to claim your prize!
This week we are focusing on your going green with your car. Now, you might think short of trading in your car for a fancy hybrid, there isn't much you can do to green your car. While hybrids are a great way to cut down on gas mileage and help out with the ever thinning ozone, that isn't the only way to make sure you are being as green as possible from A to B.
They way you drive has a lot to do with your fuel economy. Ever been riding with someone and been a little scared for your life? Yeah, avoid the way they drive. Cut back on quick starts and slamming on the brakes and (here is a shocker) go the speed limit. Speeding greatly reduces your MPG and the bigger the car you drive, the bigger of an effect it has on the planet. Also, drive wise and minimize unnecessary miles by doing errands in one trip, getting good directions, and calling ahead.
Keep your car in good running order. That tune up or oil change you have been putting off for months? Get it done. It will help your engine run better and help lower that MPG ratio. 25% better and that is nothing to sneeze at! Also, keep your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Treehugger.com says "If every American's tires were properly inflated we could save around 2 billion gallons of gas each year!". Thats.. a lot of gas!
The one I am particularly bad about is the AC. Leaving it off can greatly improve your MPG and your emissions output. I know this. I do but I also hate being hot and so do my kids. Its a lot easier in the spring time to drive with the windows down comfortably but lets face it, when its 110 outside like it is in the summer here, that just isn't going to cut it. Something to remember though.
Then of course there is some more of the obvious ones like taking public transit, walking when you can and carpooling. My personal favorite idea is telecommuting. Working from home sounds like a win-win to me!
Now for the fun part. Our family has been asked to participate in the Scott Naturals 4-Week Test Drive. In honor of Earth Month, the Scott Naturals brand is challenging Americans to take an easy green step by testing out its line of hybrid paper products: bath tissue, paper towels, flush-able wipes and napkins. If everyone that visited Google today took the 4-Week Test Drive there’d be 4,414,400 trees saved.
As part of this project, Scott Naturals will be making a donation to the National Wildlife Federation. For every unique click-thru to THIS LINK, Scott Naturals will donate $1 (up to $25,000 total) to the National Wildlife Federation. Sweet, right? All you have to do is click!
I also have four huge prize packs to give away (one a week) to a lucky RMM reader! This prize pack includes a full size package of napkins, toilet paper, paper towels and moist, flush-able wipes. Don't tell me those are things you would rather pay for when you can win them.
How to enter (These have changed! Pay attention!):
1. You must follow Render Me Mama via GFC and leave a comment saying you do. (Mandatory) *1 entry
2. Visit Scott Naturals and take the 4 week test drive pledge (all you have to do is click and you even get some sweet coupons just for doing that. Plus, you just donated a dollar to the NWF!). Leave a comment saying you did so. *1 entry
3. Click the link of above (or here) to donate a dollar to the National Wildlife Federation. This is going to have to be an honor system thing here ladies and gents but seriously.. if you are going to lie about clicking a link to donate a buck to a charity so you can win some paper prodcuts (sweet as they may be), you need a life. *1 entry
4. Like my Facebook page to stay updated and leave your first name & last initial or your page name. *2 entries (Be sure and leave two comments to get both entries!)
5. Like B Kind 2 Earth Day on Facebook and leave one green idea on their wall. Be sure you tag me in the post so I know who you are and leave a comment letting me know you did! (This is way easier than you think) *2 entries
I will draw the winning number via Random.org next Monday at 6:00pm EST. Don't be discouraged if you don't win this week though, come back next week for more going green wisdom and another chance to win an awesome prize pack! Good luck!
*I was given the opportunity to review the Scott Naturals line and compensated for my time as part of this post. All opinions and tips are mine.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Dieting Sucks
No really, it does. I am proud to announce I have done really well and actually managed to lose 8 pounds (?!?) this week but I can't say it isn't taxing. The thing is, I miss things. I miss the junk food. I miss having Starbucks for lunch or chugging a whole soda with dinner. The junk food that I promised myself I was going to avoid at all costs for two weeks is calling me from the store shelves. I walked through the grocery store last night and I swear I could hear the circus peanuts calling me from their aisle.
I catch myself constantly thinking about food. What I am going to eat the next time, what I have in the fridge that is healthy, where am I going to hide my snacks from T so he will stop eating them all in one sitting while I shower.
No really Tommy, stop eating all my snacks while I shower.
I realize that is a good change. The kind of change that was necessary in the long run. Consciously making the right choices on food instead of just grabbing whatever was closest or easiest and eating all of it. I had gotten in such a rut of eating on the go that I don't think I even realized what I was doing to myself anymore. I was getting so wrapped up in trying to keep up with the boys and their constant motion that I wasn't taking the time to think about myself and what I really needed to do to make me happy too. The crappy snacks all day long were sabotaging my health and my sanity.
I am actually sitting down and eating too which is a huge change for me. Usually I just eat on my feet while doing laundry or driving or cleaning or what have you. Sitting down though, its a conscious choice. I sit and I eat until I am full but not stuffed. That's the problem with eating on the go for me. I just keep eating until whatever it was is gone no matter how full I got.I was to distracted to realize just how much I was eating at one time.
I am also discovering the healthy foods I had forgotten I loved so much. Like spinach salad. I could (and pretty much have) eaten a spinach salad every day. Tasty, easy and healthy. Hard boiled eggs?Make an awesome, high protein snack after a workout.
Oh, and the work out thing. Yeah, not going so well. I seriously need some one to kick me in the ass and send me packing to the gym. Or at least for a walk. I spent a couple of days chasing the boys around the park but no actual workouts have happened. You would think that having lost 8 pounds (?!?) this week, I would be encouraged to see how much I could lose if I actually went to the gym but instead I have it worked up in my head to not go anyway. The goal is muscle though so I really need to get at it.
The end of the day, I can see the benefits. I can see the change. Still though, I miss my junk food. One more week of complete abstinence and I will start letting it seep back in. In moderation. Which is gonna be a trip. I am making progress though! Lets just hope I can keep it up. Eyes on the prize.
I catch myself constantly thinking about food. What I am going to eat the next time, what I have in the fridge that is healthy, where am I going to hide my snacks from T so he will stop eating them all in one sitting while I shower.
No really Tommy, stop eating all my snacks while I shower.
I realize that is a good change. The kind of change that was necessary in the long run. Consciously making the right choices on food instead of just grabbing whatever was closest or easiest and eating all of it. I had gotten in such a rut of eating on the go that I don't think I even realized what I was doing to myself anymore. I was getting so wrapped up in trying to keep up with the boys and their constant motion that I wasn't taking the time to think about myself and what I really needed to do to make me happy too. The crappy snacks all day long were sabotaging my health and my sanity.
I am actually sitting down and eating too which is a huge change for me. Usually I just eat on my feet while doing laundry or driving or cleaning or what have you. Sitting down though, its a conscious choice. I sit and I eat until I am full but not stuffed. That's the problem with eating on the go for me. I just keep eating until whatever it was is gone no matter how full I got.I was to distracted to realize just how much I was eating at one time.
I am also discovering the healthy foods I had forgotten I loved so much. Like spinach salad. I could (and pretty much have) eaten a spinach salad every day. Tasty, easy and healthy. Hard boiled eggs?Make an awesome, high protein snack after a workout.
Oh, and the work out thing. Yeah, not going so well. I seriously need some one to kick me in the ass and send me packing to the gym. Or at least for a walk. I spent a couple of days chasing the boys around the park but no actual workouts have happened. You would think that having lost 8 pounds (?!?) this week, I would be encouraged to see how much I could lose if I actually went to the gym but instead I have it worked up in my head to not go anyway. The goal is muscle though so I really need to get at it.
The end of the day, I can see the benefits. I can see the change. Still though, I miss my junk food. One more week of complete abstinence and I will start letting it seep back in. In moderation. Which is gonna be a trip. I am making progress though! Lets just hope I can keep it up. Eyes on the prize.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Green Your Scene *Giveaway!*
We are all aware of the ill effects that so many of the daily activities we do have on mother Earth, no? It seems like everything is out to get us some how. We are constantly reminded to go green, reduce, reuse, recycle, everything organic & local, plant yourself a garden, avoid harsh chemicals, energy efficiency! Panic!
The bad news is they are right. The state of our Earth is deteriorating quickly. Landfills are filling at an alarming rate, global warming is getting worse by the hour and causing bigger and bigger catastrophes, and the harsh products are making us sick.
The good news is that there are a ton of really simple, non intrusive ways we can all do to help out. Once a week, for the next four weeks, I am going to share some of those you all. Easy peasy. I will tackle your house, your car, your yard and finally getting your kids involved in going green. Plus, thanks to TheMotherhood and Scott Naturals, I will also be having a super sweet giveaway each week! More on that later..
So, what are some of the simplest ways to go green in your house? Starting basic, with the way you clean. Go grab a cleaner out from under your kitchen sink.No, throw it away. No really. Not only are commercial cleaners expensive and horribly toxic, they almost always leave a nasty buildup that just keeps thing dirty. The best thing you can use to clean your house? White vinegar. One container will take care of laundry, kitchen cleaning, even bugs and weeds.
Keep a spray bottle of white vinegar in each room. Spray your hard surfaces , wipe and your done. Everything is shiney, stain free and clean. Worried about the smell? It disappears when the vinegar dries. No worries. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil if you are looking for a lasting smell. The best part? Its cheap, cheap, cheap.
Now, I hear you. You are getting all "but I need something that will disinfect" on me. Did you know undiluted distilled white vinegar (5% solution) - the kind you can buy in the supermarket - kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses)? It does. If you are looking for something a little more powerful, follow up with a quick spray of hydrogen peroxide from a spray bottle.
Now for the fun part. Our family has been asked to participate in the Scott Naturals 4-Week Test Drive. In honor of Earth Month, the Scott Naturals brand is challenging Americans to take an easy green step by testing out its line of hybrid paper products: bath tissue, paper towels, flush-able wipes and napkins. If everyone that visited Google today took the 4-Week Test Drive there’d be 4,414,400 trees saved. As part of this project, Scott Naturals will be making a donation to the National Wildlife Federation. For every unique click-thru to THIS LINK, Scott Naturals will donate $1 (up to $25,000 total) to the National Wildlife Federation.Sweet, right? All you have to do is click!
I also have four huge prize packs to give away (one a week) to a lucky RMM reader! This prize pack includes a full size package of napkins, toilet paper, paper towels and moist, flush-able wipes. Don't tell me those are things you would rather pay for when you can win them.
How to enter:
1. You must follow Render Me Mama via GFC and leave a comment saying you do. (Mandatory) *1 entry
2. Visit Scott Naturals and take the 4 week test drive pledge (all you have to do is click and you even get some sweet coupons just for doing that. Plus, you just donated a dollar to the NWF!). Leave a comment saying you did so. *1 entry
3. Share your favorite green tip in a comment and get one entry for each tip! Be sure and leave each tip in a separate comment. *1 entry each.
4. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway. Leave a comment with a link to your tweet. *1 entry
I will draw the winning number via Random.org next Monday. Don't dispare if you don't win this week though, come back next week for more going green wisdom and another chance to win an awesome prize pack! Good luck!
*I was given the opportunity to review the Scott Naturals line and compensated for my time as part of this post. All opinions and tips are mine.
The bad news is they are right. The state of our Earth is deteriorating quickly. Landfills are filling at an alarming rate, global warming is getting worse by the hour and causing bigger and bigger catastrophes, and the harsh products are making us sick.
The good news is that there are a ton of really simple, non intrusive ways we can all do to help out. Once a week, for the next four weeks, I am going to share some of those you all. Easy peasy. I will tackle your house, your car, your yard and finally getting your kids involved in going green. Plus, thanks to TheMotherhood and Scott Naturals, I will also be having a super sweet giveaway each week! More on that later..
So, what are some of the simplest ways to go green in your house? Starting basic, with the way you clean. Go grab a cleaner out from under your kitchen sink.No, throw it away. No really. Not only are commercial cleaners expensive and horribly toxic, they almost always leave a nasty buildup that just keeps thing dirty. The best thing you can use to clean your house? White vinegar. One container will take care of laundry, kitchen cleaning, even bugs and weeds.
Keep a spray bottle of white vinegar in each room. Spray your hard surfaces , wipe and your done. Everything is shiney, stain free and clean. Worried about the smell? It disappears when the vinegar dries. No worries. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil if you are looking for a lasting smell. The best part? Its cheap, cheap, cheap.
Now, I hear you. You are getting all "but I need something that will disinfect" on me. Did you know undiluted distilled white vinegar (5% solution) - the kind you can buy in the supermarket - kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses)? It does. If you are looking for something a little more powerful, follow up with a quick spray of hydrogen peroxide from a spray bottle.
Now for the fun part. Our family has been asked to participate in the Scott Naturals 4-Week Test Drive. In honor of Earth Month, the Scott Naturals brand is challenging Americans to take an easy green step by testing out its line of hybrid paper products: bath tissue, paper towels, flush-able wipes and napkins. If everyone that visited Google today took the 4-Week Test Drive there’d be 4,414,400 trees saved. As part of this project, Scott Naturals will be making a donation to the National Wildlife Federation. For every unique click-thru to THIS LINK, Scott Naturals will donate $1 (up to $25,000 total) to the National Wildlife Federation.Sweet, right? All you have to do is click!
I also have four huge prize packs to give away (one a week) to a lucky RMM reader! This prize pack includes a full size package of napkins, toilet paper, paper towels and moist, flush-able wipes. Don't tell me those are things you would rather pay for when you can win them.
How to enter:
1. You must follow Render Me Mama via GFC and leave a comment saying you do. (Mandatory) *1 entry
2. Visit Scott Naturals and take the 4 week test drive pledge (all you have to do is click and you even get some sweet coupons just for doing that. Plus, you just donated a dollar to the NWF!). Leave a comment saying you did so. *1 entry
3. Share your favorite green tip in a comment and get one entry for each tip! Be sure and leave each tip in a separate comment. *1 entry each.
4. Follow me on Twitter and tweet about the giveaway. Leave a comment with a link to your tweet. *1 entry
I will draw the winning number via Random.org next Monday. Don't dispare if you don't win this week though, come back next week for more going green wisdom and another chance to win an awesome prize pack! Good luck!
*I was given the opportunity to review the Scott Naturals line and compensated for my time as part of this post. All opinions and tips are mine.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
My Little Helper
A wordless Wednesday brought to you by the bestest little helper on the planet. Enough to make this sick Mama's heart explode with happy.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
I Growed A Thing!
Look! I have broccoli! I made that broccoli with my hands!
Well, okay maybe not made it but I haven't killed it yet and they are actually making a vegetable! That deserves something, right? I planted them a few weeks ago because they supposedly like the colder spring weather and I'll be damned, the do! I was nervous a few times, especially when it rained for a week and dropped into the 30s a few nights but they are still thriving and sprouting.
Then there is the curled parsley and the lemon balm. The lemon balm I actually removed from the garden "area" because I wanted to make room for other things but it is thriving just sitting on top of the ground by my garage so I am leaving it. The parsley is taking over the little garden area as well, so it will be moving to its new home, a planter, very soon. Then it will join the herb garden on my patio table with all its herby friends.
The rest of my garden so far is still in pots by my front door. Its not quite time for it to go in the ground. We still haven't had our blackberry winter and I don't want them to get all frosted over and die. So far, I have strawberries, bell peppers and tomatoes. I think I am going to keep the tomatoes and the strawberries in their pots though. That way I will have more room in my garden area for other things. Now I just need to figure out what those things are going to be.
The herbs are going to go on the table in my yard. Right now, they are hiding safely in the hall that leads to my front door because we had a hail storm last night and I didn't want them to get all banged up. There is Rosemary, Sweet Basil, Cilantro and Chives (aka Green Onions). Oh, and the parsley that is shortly to join it. Hopefully. Unless I kill it trying to move it.
So, far so good though! I haven't killed any of it yet. Normally by now, I would have forgotten to water them and killed all of them off. Then cried about it and refused to throw them out. Yeah, not particularly a green thumb here. Now we just have to make it through the rest of the summer. Keep your digits crossed I don't kill them all off.
* In case you don't remember/ weren't around/ skipped over it, growing something and not killing it is on the 2011 list. This adventure, is to be continued...
 |
| BROCCOLI! |
Then there is the curled parsley and the lemon balm. The lemon balm I actually removed from the garden "area" because I wanted to make room for other things but it is thriving just sitting on top of the ground by my garage so I am leaving it. The parsley is taking over the little garden area as well, so it will be moving to its new home, a planter, very soon. Then it will join the herb garden on my patio table with all its herby friends.
 |
| Lemon Balm |
 |
| Parsley |
The rest of my garden so far is still in pots by my front door. Its not quite time for it to go in the ground. We still haven't had our blackberry winter and I don't want them to get all frosted over and die. So far, I have strawberries, bell peppers and tomatoes. I think I am going to keep the tomatoes and the strawberries in their pots though. That way I will have more room in my garden area for other things. Now I just need to figure out what those things are going to be.
 |
| The Strawberries in their potted home. |
The herbs are going to go on the table in my yard. Right now, they are hiding safely in the hall that leads to my front door because we had a hail storm last night and I didn't want them to get all banged up. There is Rosemary, Sweet Basil, Cilantro and Chives (aka Green Onions). Oh, and the parsley that is shortly to join it. Hopefully. Unless I kill it trying to move it.
So, far so good though! I haven't killed any of it yet. Normally by now, I would have forgotten to water them and killed all of them off. Then cried about it and refused to throw them out. Yeah, not particularly a green thumb here. Now we just have to make it through the rest of the summer. Keep your digits crossed I don't kill them all off.
* In case you don't remember/ weren't around/ skipped over it, growing something and not killing it is on the 2011 list. This adventure, is to be continued...
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