tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58520580724671411612024-03-16T05:25:18.034-07:00Know It MomKnowItMom.comKStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-75080446138700930202023-12-19T13:41:00.000-08:002023-12-19T14:07:08.384-08:00Roblox gift card discount!<p>If you are a Costco member and have a kid who loves Roblox, look no further! You can get discounted cards online! They have three options: One $50 card for $44.99, four $25 cards for $89.99, or one $100 card for $89.99.</p><p>Within 2 days you will receive the gift card code by email - talk about no-hassle! There is also, no shipping fee, since it's a digital download, saving you time and gas.</p><p>Once I received the code, I created my own card for my son and wrote a note to him with the code, put it in a box with some fun confetti, wrapped it, and it's ready to go. </p><p>Now you can skip the extra trip to Costco for Roblox cards, and do it right from home. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!!</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.costco.com/CatalogSearch?dept=All&keyword=roblox" target="_blank">Link for Roblox cards</a><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCe1OrNX2Qy366gq0n8j0DS1SqaJKWXOAgYCY1v6H0V_5Yd8erK5CXOUjFqcRA8j6Rm8B0mdnJiVmCcX7g688sVCBZg6tzRmO8XlISnxlDDJntfp6GT43swwo_gjuo_LM_3KGI8PYcJeETZjavpDpADe9cxG-1XKpv3XwjULNPZ4lbrUpmWDy1xVMIeKS/s3024/IMG_8952.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="3024" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCe1OrNX2Qy366gq0n8j0DS1SqaJKWXOAgYCY1v6H0V_5Yd8erK5CXOUjFqcRA8j6Rm8B0mdnJiVmCcX7g688sVCBZg6tzRmO8XlISnxlDDJntfp6GT43swwo_gjuo_LM_3KGI8PYcJeETZjavpDpADe9cxG-1XKpv3XwjULNPZ4lbrUpmWDy1xVMIeKS/s320/IMG_8952.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvR9FSps0HImNSRajOmLlROv9U6ByQxdMYGIpubOyer5xqZ-if-4LozWPHIEoINqfl-iLY-5yPFAeUSwnhFqqUwwJIVY41umkJ1uZ2EVBfKfpvw38u_FuncfwFzsPKmWq63tOBdqle35V_LHYOapJy5snC63r5LVkrwa8kb2Pf1XkbAUo3OOmG8WXsTBf/s2923/IMG_8953.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2923" data-original-width="2716" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvR9FSps0HImNSRajOmLlROv9U6ByQxdMYGIpubOyer5xqZ-if-4LozWPHIEoINqfl-iLY-5yPFAeUSwnhFqqUwwJIVY41umkJ1uZ2EVBfKfpvw38u_FuncfwFzsPKmWq63tOBdqle35V_LHYOapJy5snC63r5LVkrwa8kb2Pf1XkbAUo3OOmG8WXsTBf/s320/IMG_8953.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-26712667592893938032020-05-17T15:43:00.004-07:002020-05-17T15:43:58.901-07:00From Caterpillars to ButterfliesWe recently watched five caterpillars make cocoons and transform into butterflies at our house. It was a really fun thing to experience, and it made this time of staying at home for Coronavirus a bit more exciting. We released the last two butterflies, right on Mother's Day. One of them (who my kids' named Jimmy), landed on my son, Ever, upon release and didn't want to leave him. Jimmy would fly for a second and then land on Ever's shoulder, then land on his arm- over and over again for about 5 minutes. Ever eventually put the butterfly into a flowering tree and Jimmy stayed.<br />
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Just the other night as I laid awake in bed, I was about almost in tears just realizing how fast my kids are growing up and that time seems to be flying by faster than ever. How is this happening? Wasn't I just pregnant with my first? In only 4 more short years my oldest will be learning how to drive. In less time than they've been alive, they will be adults, ready to go out into the world- just like the butterflies.<br />
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Children are all yours for just a little while. Pretty soon they start having play dates, then going off to birthday parties and school, and then the next thing you know they are dating. My kids haven't reached the dating part yet but my son already has his first crush. Oh vey! So often our kids ask us to play with them, or watch something with them, and as parents, often times we are so busy with all of our responsibilities; making meals, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, etc., that we tell our kids we are busy and then never get around to playing with them. <br />
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When a friend asks us to do something, we usually say yes. Why not the same with our kids? Yes, we have things to do, but it is important to remember to say YES more often than no when our kids want to spend time with us. They won't be around forever and it's the small moments that really are the big moments.<br />
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My kids and I did a local program last fall called the Stronger Families Project, and the most important thing I took away from that program was the importance of having at least 15 minutes of one-on-one time with each child every day. The daily one-on-one helps create a lasting bond with your child. Do you want to be close with your kids once they are grown up? Well, start building that bond now. I know that it's not always possible to do that, but you do your best, even if it's just reading with them before bed. <br />
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I have really been enjoying spending more time with my kids, especially during these stay-at-home orders. I've been by their side with their online schooling, and we have been doing so many things together; projects, playing UNO and Go Fish, watching youTube and movies, playing badminton, going on bike rides, playing hide-and-seek, and enjoying video games too.<br />
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When this is all over, I think we will look back and remember the hard times but hopefully overall, we will remember the good that came from it. This is the time to slow down and spend with yourself, your spouse, and your kids, before we all get released from our temporary (stay-at-home) cocoons and go out into the world again. Cherish this time. It may seem long right now, but really, it goes by so fast, just like watching your kids grow up. <br />
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Also, if you are in Utah and are interested in doing the 8 week Stronger Families Project, click <a href="https://www.uvu.edu/sfp/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
And, if you want your own butterfly kid, click <a href="https://riverbottombutterflies.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-41732477884802152292020-03-27T15:48:00.001-07:002020-03-27T16:38:56.889-07:00Making a Movie Trailer with your Kids While we are all being homebodies due to Covid-19, this is the perfect time to discover new family activities. If you have an iPhone or iPad you can EASILY make a movie trailer. <br />
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A couple of months ago, we were at the Apple store and learned how to do this and have been having so much fun with it! Apple offers a ton of fun and FREE classes for kids, and adults, daily. We have taken several classes so far (film, drawing, animation, music) and can't wait until this pandemic is clear and we can take more classes.<br />
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Seriously, this is SO MUCH FUN and SO EASY! To do this, go to the iMovie app. <br />
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Then select the + symbol to create a new 'project', next select 'trailer'. Once you click on trailer, you have a choice for several movie themes:<br />
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Adrenaline<br />
Bollywood<br />
Coming of Age<br />
Expedition<br />
Fairy Tale<br />
Family<br />
Indie<br />
Narrative<br />
Retro<br />
Romance<br />
Scary<br />
Super Hero<br />
Swashbuckler<br />
Teen<br />
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Once you have selected the movie theme, select 'outline' (movie credits). Here you will get to list who the director, editor, writer, producer's are, etc. Once you are done with that step, click 'storyboard'. Here you will do the filming and input the sayings that will show up throughout the trailer.<br />
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It is automatically set to music which goes along with the theme you have chosen, so you don't need to worry about what to say, since it doesn't record any sound. Then just follow along - filming what it tells you to shoot; group shots, wide shots, medium shots, landscapes, closeups, and action shots. As you go along, you will be able to edit the sayings to fit whatever you want it to say, or simply keep the sayings that are already in place. <br />
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It is very straightforward and intuitive. Once you have created one together, your kids can pretty much run with it and start making tons of creative trailers. My kids tend to choose the scary theme most of the time, it's so fun to see what they come up with. Here is the trailer we made today. I hope you have tons of fun doing this! - XO<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-73155872137628155842019-07-10T13:42:00.002-07:002020-02-22T21:34:51.297-08:00Tie Dye with your KidsI was talking with my friend and she told me that her daughter recently tie dyed some tees. She said that we could borrow their dye if we wanted to make some also.<br />
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I knew my kids would absolutely love it but I didn't love the thought of dye everywhere. However, it didn't take long for me to decide to go for it, as I knew how fun it would be for the kids and how proudly they would wear their shirts. So, we hit the local Walmart and I bought them a plain white tee for $3 each. What a bargain!!<br />
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Then we dyed the shirts on our backyard patio. We set down a couple of large trash bags, which really contained any mess (which there was hardly any of - surprisingly). We also used disposable rubber gloves, which worked really well for keeping our hands clean. It was super easy and fun. My kids have been absolutely loving the shirts they made. <br />
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I am really glad we went for it. I am now tempted to get my own white tee and make one for myself because they look so cute in their tees! Here's to trying new things and making new memories! Here is the YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abjpy72Sf6U&t=13s" target="_blank">tutorial</a> for making the shirts.<br />
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Happy Tie-dye'ing! XO<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-22260267970635113962019-02-05T11:08:00.002-08:002019-03-07T20:37:13.944-08:00Become Empowered Through HomeopathyHomeopathy...... it is amazing!!! I recently discovered homeopathic medicine and have witnessed the power of it myself, and I can't say enough good things about them! So here I go . . .<br />
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I had heard of homeopathy but had never used it. But then I recently heard about homeopathy again through a women's Facebook group that I am a part of for extremely heavy periods (TMI - I know, but we can be real here.... right?) Someone in the group mentioned that Magnesium Phosphorica homeopathy could help with menstrual cramps. <br />
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I was extremely intrigued because when my heavy days arrive, I have to take 3, sometimes 4, ibuprofen (200 mg each) pills consistently every 6 hours (which is very hard on the gut). Nothing else would relieve my pain as well as the ibuprofen did until . . . I tried Magnesium Phosphorica. <br />
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I ordered them on Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Boiron-Magnesia-Phosphorica-Homeopathic-Abdominal/dp/B0006NXGJ8/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1549340636&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=mag+phos&psc=1" target="_blank">here </a>and when my next period arrived, I took them during my heavy days (when my massive cramps occur) and they helped almost immediately!!! I was astounded and I did not have to take any ibuprofen during my entire period - WOW! Not a single ibuprofen pill!! <br />
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I have since come to find that Magnesium Phosphorica helps with "spasmodic pain in the abdomen improved by heat', but that Caulophyllum Thalictroides helps specifically for menstrual cramps. Even though the Magnesium worked so well, just to see if there is any difference, I am going to the Caulophyllum Thalictroides during my next period. They actually have other remedies that help with cramps as well. I can't wait to try them all!<br />
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After seeing first hand how well homeopathy works, I soon visited my local heath store (Sprouts) and found the Boiron homeopathy display. The bottles are displayed by ailment and are very easy to find what you are looking for. This is what the display looks like in the store:<br />
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I immediately saw one called Calcarea Phosphorica which treats growing pains for adolescents. My son gets growing pains every now and then and I've always given him either acetaminophen or ibuprofen. It always takes the pain medicine a while to work. A few days after I bought them, my son complained of growing pains. I gave them to him and they worked within minutes and then he fell fast asleep. Wow! I was amazed again.<br />
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Then I saw one called Coffee Cruda which helps 'mental hyperactivity and sleeplessness', which I totally have when trying to fall asleep. These help calm my mind right down and lets me have a deep, peaceful sleep. Seriously, where have these been all my life? <br />
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They work incredibly well and have already helped my kids and I so much. Homeopathic medicine is an easy, natural, and safe way to treat ailments at home, and can relieve such a wide range of conditions. For example, some of the things they can help with are pain, stress, sleep, hot flashes, PMS, heavy menstrual flow, bloating and lower back pain during menstruation , cough, gas, and much more. <br />
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They even make arnica cream and gels for helping with sore muscles, ointments for healing wounds and burns, pellets for reducing flu symptoms, sore throats, teething, colic, etc. It's a whole new world and there is still so much I have to and want to learn about homeopathy. There is a FAQ <a href="https://www.boironusa.com/education-training/faq/" target="_blank">here</a> that I found really helpful.<br />
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With so many remedies, it might be confusing finding the right homeopathic medicine for the particular ailment you or your family are dealing with. Well, they have made it easy because they have a FREE app called the Boiron Medicine Finder. Here is what it looks like:<br />
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When I opened my first bottle, I wasn't sure how to get them out because there is this thing in the way. I pryed it off with a butter knife and then thought.... this thing is there for a purpose, I know I'm doing this wrong. So..... I googled how to open them, and yes, you don't pry it off (it's there for a reason, and it's actually a brilliant design and so easy to open once you know how. So check out this quick <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPKgL-EOI8o" target="_blank">demonstration</a> so that you can open them like a pro.<br />
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Homeopathy is SO empowering and I love that I can now treat myself and my family at home for a number of different ailments. I will be reaching for homeopathic remedies before immediately turning to the medicine cabinet from now on (for issues that can be self-treated). But what exactly is homeopathy? Read more <a href="https://www.boironusa.com/education-training/homeopathy/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I have since bought a bunch of them, and I found an amazing case, on Etsy, to keep them organized in (and to use for travel). The cases are so cute and there are a multitude of cute patterns to choose from. I have a COUPON CODE that all of my followers can use to get 15% off of ANY of her homeopathic cases until March 31, 2019. Either use the code <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: blue;">KNOWITMOM15</span></span> upon checkout, or you can just use <a href="https://www.etsy.com/de/shop/sasmukt?coupon=KNOWITMOM15" target="_blank">this</a> url directly to redeem the coupon (which takes you to her page where you can see all of her cases). Yay for discounts!!!<br />
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If you find a new love for homeopathy like I have, you might want to get yourself one too. These cases are also EMF (electromagnetic frequency) safe - as electromagnetic radiation can weaken homeopathic remedies over time. If you are curious about EMF click <a href="https://arizonaenergy.org/Analysis/AroundWorld/All%20objects%20emit%20electromagnetic%20radiation%20continuously.htm" target="_blank">here </a>for some scientific explanations.<br />
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I challenge you to give homeopathic medicine a try for yourself (and your family) and I am sure you will love them just as much as we do. And if you don't.... they have a <a href="https://www.boironusa.com/promise/" target="_blank">30-day consumer money-back guarantee</a>. <br />
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They are very easy to take too (much easier than giving a child medicine). They are small pellets that just dissolve under the tongue. They taste sweet and my kids love them much more than taking medicine. However, this is very IMPORTANT (that I just learned this) do NOT have food OR water up to five minutes before and after the pellets melt. You also must NOT touch the pellets because the oils from your fingers will effect the potency. So when you open them, hold the container with the cap down, turn the lid clockwise until the pellets drop into the cap, then remove cap and pour the pellets under your tongue. <br />
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-XO<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-42124872637498138082019-01-06T13:10:00.001-08:002019-02-05T16:09:20.581-08:002019 Goals<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="7t6bv" data-offset-key="3lj7t-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="3lj7t-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I make it a point to tell my kids that I love them, often. I want them to always know they are loved and to always feel safe talking to me about anything. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="64mga-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">In October of this year, I had an MRI scan of my abdomen and the radiologist was pretty positive that they found a tumor on my small intestine....</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cj9j6-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">They sent me to the Huntsman Cancer Institute and I was seen by the top surgeon who treats tumors on the small intestine. The day before, I had a CT scan done so that they could get better pictures. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="bbf88-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I was SO nervous to see the doctor and to get the CT scan results. Waiting for my appointment to come was torture, as I had no idea what my future looked like. Luckily, once I met with the surgeon, she had went over the CT scan results with me and assured me that it was not a tumor and that I was fine.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="2i3aj-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I was thrown from a car 27 years ago, and apparently, when you have a strong blow to the abdomen like I did, it's not uncommon to have part of your spleen break off.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="cclq2-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">So, what they thought was a tumor, was actually a piece of spleen that broke off from the main spleen. It's got it's own blood supply and everything. I never knew that had occured during my accident until all of this happened.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="afs8b-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I am EXTREMELY grateful that I don't have cancer and was so happy to get this news. However, when a scare like this happens, it really makes you examine your life and remember what is most important. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="b42ii-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">For me, my family and friends are the most important things in my life. You can't take anything with you from this life when you die, except for the relationships that you build and the love in your heart.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="ee64j-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">My goal for the new year is to cherish each moment and make the most of each moment, keep letting those I love how I feel about them, build stronger relationships, and to life simply.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="aq19v-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">What are your 2019 goals?</span></div>
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KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-87913284211009167202018-12-29T21:47:00.001-08:002020-02-22T21:30:12.277-08:00A Breakfast to Smile About . . . Looking for a new and fun way to make waffles? You can get this Animal Friends Waffle Maker <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Waffle-Maker-Different-Pancakes/dp/B0721CXBWG/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1546148172&sr=8-7&keywords=cucinaPro+animal+waffle" target="_blank">here</a> and your kids will love it!<br />
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They turn out so cute! I put any leftovers in a ziplock sandwich bag and give them to my kids after school as a snack, or the following day in their lunch as a bonus surprise.</div>
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Here is the recipe I use:</div>
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<b>Ingredients</b> ***</div>
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<i>Dry </i></div>
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1C organic all purpose flour</div>
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1T sugar</div>
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2 tsp baking soda</div>
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1/4 tsp salt</div>
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<i>Wet</i></div>
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1C organic milk</div>
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1 organic egg</div>
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1 tsp vegetable oil</div>
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<i>Optional</i></div>
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Powdered sugar</div>
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<b>Instructions</b> ***</div>
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Put all of the dry ingredients into a medium sized bowl first, then put the wet ingredients on top and mix well with a fork. Spray the waffle maker with spray butter or oil and cook. I remove the waffles with a small rubber spatula (using anything metal may scratch the waffle maker). Then dust with powdered sugar and serve. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhcuMYj2_VRosukDn634I9sKj4jf3DM3QY5TrDas9clNSHbNyXMdZ0wMC-f8RQEsVQ3P73YpRrw5CiWC2trzDIORFPLTHS83u25yppUW0kmlM4IB9c05Wfqefjyo0rDRJiTVkEE4huxev/s1600/2018+1120+35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhcuMYj2_VRosukDn634I9sKj4jf3DM3QY5TrDas9clNSHbNyXMdZ0wMC-f8RQEsVQ3P73YpRrw5CiWC2trzDIORFPLTHS83u25yppUW0kmlM4IB9c05Wfqefjyo0rDRJiTVkEE4huxev/s320/2018+1120+35.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-6400037399722099482018-12-23T14:59:00.003-08:002018-12-23T15:27:41.120-08:00Basically a Free Math Tutor . . . Have you heard of the app called Photomath? Well, it is the bomb! Now that you know about it, you need to get it asap.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o3iuzmQaeN9xzOGEM_rSwq1Q_IDGCHcwdhKbpg1yZJSsuvcItijpef4ZesQ9Tbp1MQeDZC-4j69O4ttRIpi93DzedQpfHDMFxoGeo14e3_g5PPxBJOHt9a0gJYwfmwlWvejVXQe8cEBX/s1600/2018+1208+34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="323" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7o3iuzmQaeN9xzOGEM_rSwq1Q_IDGCHcwdhKbpg1yZJSsuvcItijpef4ZesQ9Tbp1MQeDZC-4j69O4ttRIpi93DzedQpfHDMFxoGeo14e3_g5PPxBJOHt9a0gJYwfmwlWvejVXQe8cEBX/s320/2018+1208+34.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
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Photomath is a FREE mobile app that will read and solve mathematical problems by using your smartphone camera. What is cool about this app is that it doesn't just give you the answers, it provides a step-by-step guide showing exactly how each of the problems are solved.<br />
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This is SO extremely helpful when helping your kids with math homework and prepping for tests. I don't know about you, but it's been a while since I did a lot of math and this is like having a free tutor right at your fingertips! <br />
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The older my kids get the more difficult it's becoming to help them with their math, so we are loving this app at our house! Just be careful that your kids don't use it to simply get the answers. <br />
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I always sit with my son and go over it with him and make sure he's understanding each step. If you download this app, I'd love to know what you think! Post a comment!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6cTOFSaxjXidxbqZFi1ARW4oZI4UtDVZYx45-VzC0bP_2DA5GobQLbUtR9piHB9U-N-CSTTAyuvKwwn_s4A-nD3CzgH7ZKFJyVe_eXKRkIGTrmC3Di8bwb9yxV5NCtJ-Rg53LmLbNeBd/s1600/dims.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="630" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6cTOFSaxjXidxbqZFi1ARW4oZI4UtDVZYx45-VzC0bP_2DA5GobQLbUtR9piHB9U-N-CSTTAyuvKwwn_s4A-nD3CzgH7ZKFJyVe_eXKRkIGTrmC3Di8bwb9yxV5NCtJ-Rg53LmLbNeBd/s320/dims.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You're welcome!<br />
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-Karin XOKStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-68219217728756198502018-12-20T22:34:00.003-08:002020-02-23T20:37:32.994-08:00The Impact of Reading . . . <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This shows WHY reading at least 20 minutes a day is SO important. Keep your kids reading over Christmas break, and show them this photo so that they can understand the WHY as well! </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4oMR_4ay7yGfSssKid1eWx4clNFUXOJyuyesgiVz0wCQdZgvGFJ-e_HQbfrOiusHEdCMrX1HZLKaoaUTtnsRrv-xiD9VK_6lAseVjJh_i1VaBvHMxzFQ7fn4D_aY583_lc4I-AEzW9gu/s1600/IMG_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="958" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit4oMR_4ay7yGfSssKid1eWx4clNFUXOJyuyesgiVz0wCQdZgvGFJ-e_HQbfrOiusHEdCMrX1HZLKaoaUTtnsRrv-xiD9VK_6lAseVjJh_i1VaBvHMxzFQ7fn4D_aY583_lc4I-AEzW9gu/s320/IMG_0556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-size: 14px;">It's incredible how important reading is. My kids are amazing little readers, but when I found these stats on the impact of reading, I was amazed and inspired to make sure they are reading every day for 20 minutes. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">However, there are times that my kids will look at a book and get overwhelmed, so I love to take turns going back and forth reading pages with them. </span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">That really takes the pressure off of having to read it all themselves, and it's great for them to hear you read because they hear you pause for commas and use enthusiasm, which helps them become better readers. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-size: 14px;">I also incorporate silent reading time . . . set a timer and let everyone grab a book . . . including you! It's a great example for kids to see their parents enjoying a good book of their own. And often as busy parents, we don't have the time, or make the priority to read ourselves, and this will give you that time. It's a win-win!</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); font-size: 14px;">-Karin XO</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-75275060280566687052018-11-19T15:28:00.005-08:002020-02-22T21:42:11.901-08:00Great Dairy-Free Alternative for Cool-WhipI threw a birthday party for my husband this past weekend and because I have recently gone dairy-free, I needed an alternative to my usual fruit dip that normally contains yogurt mixed with cool-whip. <br />
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I went to my local Sprouts and found this in the frozen section, near the ice cream. Just let it thaw IN THE FRIDGE for 4 hours and it's ready to serve. Whether you are lactose intolerant or not, this Coco-Whip is so delicious! It even works frozen - scooped over fruit like you would with ice cream. <br />
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I am working on healing my gut, and dairy is really hard for our bodies to digest. So... if you are avoiding dairy but still want that same goodness, I highly recommend trying this. I dare to say it's even better than cool-whip. It's pretty much the bomb, and I'm addicted.<br />
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<a href="https://www.hyperbiotics.com/blogs/recent-articles/these-are-the-10-absolute-worst-foods-for-your-gut" target="_blank">Here </a> is an article about the 10 absolute worst foods for your gut (yes dairy is one of them), if you are interested in learning more about gut health.<br />
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XO<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-38543088637057332802018-10-17T21:41:00.004-07:002020-02-22T21:48:02.847-08:00Cortisol . . .<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="1if3" data-offset-key="bms26-0-0" style="caret-color: rgb(29, 33, 41); color: #1d2129; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<span data-offset-key="bms26-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Did you know???</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="1qiie-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Cortisol regulates at midnight. </b> That, my friends, is why it is SO important to get to sleep BEFORE midnight. If you are not getting enough sleep BEFORE midnight, your body will have difficulty regulating stress levels which can dramatically effect your well-being. </span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="1qiie-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Cortisol is a vital component to your health. It helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, reduces inflammation, supports memory, keeps hormones in check, and so much more. So... let's all just pretend that we are Cinderella and make it a goal to get to sleep before the clock strikes twelve!! </span></div>
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KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-9829516683952787842018-10-14T20:28:00.001-07:002018-11-28T16:33:04.661-08:00Sleep ConsultantHave you heard of a sleep consultant? Well it's a real thing! <a href="https://www.lullabylittleoneconsulting.com/" target="_blank">Lullaby Little One Consulting</a> uses a research-based program to guide your child into healthy sleep habits. Brooke is a trained, pediatric, sleep consultant who can work with you virtually (from anywhere in the world) or in person (if you live in Oklahoma) with almost any type of sleep challenges your child is having. She works with newborns and children up to 5 years old. <br />
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When I found out about Brooke, I was bummed because I didn't know about her when my kids were that age. My daughter had night terrors, waking up screaming at least once, but usually twice a night until she was 5 and a half. No amount of consoling I did would help, let's just say we were grumpy and tired for years. Night terrors are actually a form a sleep walking and children who have them aren't even aware they are doing it. It's a sad and frustrating thing. Oh if I'd only known about Brooke sooner! <br />
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Luckily for you, if you've got little ones, you don't have to have the same regrets that I have. Having your child professionally 'sleep trained' will not only help your child, but will help you be a better parent because you'll be getting the rest you need too. If you are interested, Brooke offers a free 15-minute assessment call to go over the options she offers to see what would fit your situation best.<br />
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You can follow Brooke on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lullabylittleoneconsulting/" target="_blank">Instagram </a>and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LullabyLittleOne/" target="_blank">Facebook </a>where she shares helpful sleep tips and offers a free, live Q&A every month.<br />
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Contact Brooke <a href="https://www.lullabylittleoneconsulting.com/contact/" target="_blank">here</a> for more information. You're welcome.<br />
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XO<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-76956549681951719342018-10-10T21:31:00.004-07:002020-02-23T21:06:24.160-08:00The differences between Norovirus and Influenza . . . When people get sick with vomiting and/or diarrhea, they usually jump to the conclusion that they have the flu. However . . . it may actually be norovirus, which isn't talked about very much. <br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79;">The <b>flu </b>is a virus that affects the respiratory system</span> and has <b>sudden onset of fever </b>(but can also include vomiting and diarrhea).<br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;">N<b>orovirus</b> affects the stomach and intestines </span>and has <b>sudden onset of nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea</b> (and can have <i>low-grade</i> fever). It can be confusing to tell which virus you have.<br />
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<a href="http://www.wchd.org/userfiles/file/Differences%20between%20Norovirus%20and%20Influenza.pdf" target="_blank">Here</a> is a link that shows all the differences between the two. My kids were recently sick, and before I had seen this information, I would have said they had the flu. But after seeing this, I definitely would say they had the norovirus. Know you will know too. <br />
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**Update; I just was sent this amazing information from my kids' pediatrician's office. It has fabulous information about this subject, even more detail along with suggestions for keeping the rest of the family from getting sick. Check it out <a href="https://www.uvpediatrics.com/topics/stomach-flu/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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XO<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-91572990829370177982018-10-07T15:06:00.004-07:002020-02-22T21:38:02.294-08:00Common Sleep Problems and Tips for Better SleepEstablishing good sleep habits for infants and toddlers is a job in itself, along with everything else a parent has to do. <br />
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All kids are so different. My son was the best sleeper until we had a flood a few years ago, and hasn't slept the same since. My daughter had night terrors until she was 5; waking up screaming at least twice a night, and no amount of consoling would calm her down. <br />
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Not sleeping well doesn't just affect kids, it dramatically affects parents. I know I am a much better Mom when I get the sleep I need. I know my kids are much happier and fight less when they get the sleep they need too. Being a sleep-deprived zombie is no fun!<br />
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Tuck has a <a href="https://www.tuck.com/parents-guide-healthy-sleep/" target="_blank">Parent's Guide to Healthy Sleep</a> which is full of great tips for establishing good sleeping habits for your kids. Check it out!<br />
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XO<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-36842708460584138582018-10-05T21:14:00.000-07:002020-02-22T21:28:45.813-08:00My Pregnancies and Health TrackingDo you track your health using an app? I do, using the app (Period Tracker Plus) that my husband created for me while we were trying to conceive. Here is how it all started....<br />
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My two younger sisters both got married about 10 years before I did. One of them got pregnant and shortly after finding out that they had a bun in the oven, they got married. She and her husband continued to have four more children over the years, eventually having five total. My other sister got married not long after our other sister. She finished school and worked for a couple of years and then started their family, having four kids. Once they decided to have kids, they did the deed and.... bam! They were pregnant!!! That's how easy it was for my Mom too. Me? Not so much...<br />
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For some reason, I didn't want kids. That's right, Know It Mom did not want kids. I mean I really did not want them. I didn't feel the desire and I didn't feel like I had a maternal instinct. I had even once spoke with my OBGYN about having my tubes tied. He said he would do that for me whenever I wanted, but something told me to hold off. Even as a kid, I played with Barbie dolls, but didn't play with baby dolls.<br />
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When my husband and I were dating, he'd often tell me how much he wanted to have kids someday. I was very honest and told him that I really did not want them, and I was sorry that I felt that way but it was the just how I felt. People would often say to me "One day your biological clock will start ticking, and then you'll want them", but I was very confident that would never happen to me.<br />
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My future husband and I had several conversations about how we felt about having kids. At one point he told me that he loved everything about me except the fact that I didn't want kids, threw a wrench into things. He didn't bring it up again, and lucky for me, he did end up asking me to marry him anyway - whew! <br />
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I'm really close with my Mom and we would often go shopping together. She would always stop and comment on the cute baby clothes that we'd pass by. I'd always say "Yeah, yeah, cute. Let's get shopping". Until one day, I was the one commenting on the cute baby clothes and I started going ga-ga over the cute baby in the stroller at the mall. What was happening to me? I guess my biological clock really was starting to tick.<br />
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To my great surprise, a couple of years into my marriage, I suddenly really, really, REALLY, wanted to have kids. It was like someone had flipped a switch, or started a clock - haha! I was in such shock that I felt this way. Had I been possessed? I truly thought I'd never see the day!<br />
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So, the decision was made, we were so excited to finally start a family of our own. Let me just say, now that I am am Mom, I am very maternal and love my kids immensely. I feel bad hat there was ever a time where I didn't want kids, but there was, and, I am SO glad that changed.<br />
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Once we started trying, I was surprised that it didn't just happen right away, like it had for both of my sisters, and my Mom. I wondered what was wrong with me? Was something wrong with my husband? We had some tests done and everything looked fine. We continued trying for a year and then finally got pregnant. We were ecstatic!! My husband's 40th high school reunion was that weekend, and we were telling all of his former classmates that we were expecting. I told my Mom that day, but not any others yet, as I wanted to be further along, just to be safe. I went to see my doctor and he calculated that I was about 6 weeks along. Wow!<br />
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Just a couple of days after the reunion, I woke up one morning and was bleeding. I was so worried! I called my doctor immediately and they had me come in for some tests. Sadly, I was miscarrying. I was heartbroken. I was so excited to have my first baby. From the moment I had found out that I was pregnant, I saw a whole new future ahead of us, and we both pictured what it would be like having this child in our lives. Suddenly, all of those dreams were gone in an instant. It was SO hard.<br />
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But after a little while, we started trying again. My doctor had instructed me to keep track of several different things, on a calendar. I was tracking my basal body temperature each morning to see if I was ovulating, I was tracking our intimacy, cycle days, periods, etc. During this time, Apple had just announced that developers could start making these things called "Apps". <br />
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My husband was a computer programmer and knew that he wanted to try making an app, but wasn't sure what kind of app to make. One night, after I had just hopped into bed, I got frustrated because I had forgotten to write down all of the things I was tracking for that day. My husband then asked me if I'd like to have an app to track all of these things with. "Yes!", I exclaimed. And that is when Period Tracker Plus was conceived. <br />
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My husband began learning how to develop apps (self-taught), and began working on it right away. Meanwhile, we continued trying to conceive, with no luck. My doctor told me that I was AMA. My doctor explained to me that AMA means Advanced Maternal Age, and because of that, he started me on a fertility drug called Femara. After taking Femara for 9 months, with no luck, he prescribed me one round of Clomid (another fertility drug) and told me to give it a try for the next month, and if it didn't work, he wanted us to go to a fertility clinic.<br />
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I was taking the Clomid but wanted to be ready to start IVF as soon as possible (when my next cycle started). So we went to the fertility clinic. My husband and I both had tests done and we were ready to start the IVF process. However . . . my period never started. I took a pregnancy test and was SO relieved to find that the Clomid had worked - we were pregnant!!! <br />
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Not long after I found out I was pregnant, I was at work one day and went to use the bathroom and found that I was bleeding again. My heart dropped and I was so worried. I called my doctor and went in right away. He put me on prometrium (progesterone) to help thicken the uterine wall and hopefully sustain the pregnancy. For the next 8 weeks I continued to bleed, and I was terrified every day. It was so hard to feel excited about my pregnancy because I was worried that I could lose this child any second. My doctor kept a close eye on me, and luckily after the 8 week mark, the bleeding stopped. Then I got excited.<br />
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I continued on to have a healthy pregnancy, and at the age of 36 I gave birth to a heathy baby boy. During this time, my husband continued to work on the app. A few months after my son was born, the app was finished and released into the app store. The app has many features, one of which is an ovulation tracker that predicts when you are most fertile (based on the period information you enter). Once our son turned one year old, we decided to try for a second child. Based our past conception trials, and being at Advanced Maternal Age, we wanted to get started.<br />
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I used the fertility predictions in the app and after only four months of trying, we got pregnant with our second child, without having to use any fertility drugs this time around. We were so excited, however, only a little while after finding out I was pregnant, I began bleeding, just like the previous pregnancy with my son. My heart dropped again, and I put the brakes on my excitement. I immediately went to see my doctor and put me on prometrium again, as we hoped for the best. I continued bleeding until the 8 week mark (just like the previous pregnancy), and I got excited again. At the age of 38, I delivered a healthy baby girl.<br />
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Besides my very first pregnancy where I miscarried, both of my other pregnancies were identical. Bleeding for the first 8 weeks (to the exact day), and delivering both babies on exactly on the 39th week. It's almost like I had twins, but two years apart. Because it took a year for each of my first two pregnancies, and that I had to use fertility drugs for the conception of my son, I was surprised how quickly we conceived our daughter. They say that once you have a child, it's easier for your body to conceive, but I also really believe the app helped us get the timing just right. <br />
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The app tracks everything you need to conceive a baby, and it also tracks weight, exercise, sleep, moods, and so much more. It also has custom items so that you can track anything you desire. The app is free, or you can subscribe (monthly or yearly) to track even more. <br />
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I love this app, and it's predictions are spot-on. Now that I'm a little older, I am in perimenopause and have super heavy periods. I NEED to know when to expect my period because I usually can't go anywhere the first day or two of my cycle. It also really helped me track my weight while I was pregnant and when I was trying to lose the baby weight. The app also has daily affirmations (which I collect and write), helpful articles, period polls that you can take (and see what others experience), a fun game, and even music (DJ sets by my husband, aka DJ Flatcracker). <br />
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I love how we got the inspiration for the app and that it helped me conceive my little girl so quickly. It really is an amazing app which you can use in any stage of life, and it's free. It's on the app store under Period Tracker Plus. You can also visit us <a href="http://www.periodplus.com/" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-81104964651541067962018-09-09T15:28:00.003-07:002018-09-09T15:28:18.022-07:00Technique for Administering MedsLast February, my son got so sick with the flu. It opened the door for some other nasty bacteria to get in and turned into peri-orbital cellulitis around his left eye. He had to be admitted to the hospital for IV antibiotics. Luckily he responded well to the antibiotics and didn't need to have surgery (which would have been extremely scary because he had bacteria that was close to the brain). Luckily I got him there just in time... His doctor said we dodged a HUGE bullet. Whew!!!<br />
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When we got home, it was overwhelming because he needed to take two different antibiotics (one was 3x a day and the other 2x a day, totaling 5 doses per day). In between that (at least 2 hours before and after his antibiotics he needed probiotics separately so that they didn't interfere with the antibiotics, and he had to do nasal flushes 2x per day as well).<br />
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It was rough because one of the antibiotics tasted exactly like hand sanitizer (yes I tried it). I could have opted for a liquid or a pill of that particular antibiotic. The liquid would have been 3 full syringes for one dose. He already had so much to take, so ... I opted for a capsule that I could mix in with something.<br />
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My kids hate applesauce, but thought it would be the best thing to mix it with. Well when we got home and had to do it, my son barely got it down without throwing it up. So the next time he needed it, I tried to get him to swallow a pill (for the first time) and it wasn't working. We YouTube'd it, but the pill was kind of big and he was afraid- which I don't blame him- he had been through so much.<br />
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With the help of some friends, we finally came up with what worked. It worked so well that he started excitedly asking me if it was time yet for his hand sanitizer medicine. When does that ever happen? Well this technique worked, let me tell ya! Check out what we did, in this video. Yes, I now have a YouTube channel where I will be doing some vlogging! <a href="https://youtu.be/QOxOhBVlYbQ" target="_blank">Here</a> is the video.<br />
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XO Karin<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-38521864472192716452018-08-28T22:53:00.002-07:002020-02-23T20:55:54.576-08:00Precious CargoIn the state of Utah, it is the law (now) to buckle up. The state seatbelt campaign's slogan is: Click it or Ticket. Unfortunately, in 1991, when I was 18, buckling up was not the law. My family (my mom, my two younger sisters, and my little brother) decided to head to St. George, Utah (about 4 hours from where we lived) to see a family friend run in the annual marathon.<br />
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One of my sisters had recently gotten her driver's license and was going to get in some practice and drive us there. As we hopped into our brand new station wagon, my mom told us all to put on our seatbelts. She and my sister were in the front seats and they had automatic seatbelts (which were a thing back then). Those of us in the back, opted to not wear them, as they were not comfortable. <br />
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We were on the freeway and after about an hour or so on the road, my sister somehow overcorrected the car. Our car rolled 4 times. We were headed south and ended up on the opposite side of the freeway facing north. Luckily, we did not hit anyone else, but my youngest sister and my brother and I were ejected from the car going at least 55 mph (the speed limit back then). <br />
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I believe it was no coincidence that here happened to be an emergency room doctor traveling right behind us. He had one bottle of saline solution that he poured into an open wound in my leg. I broke both of my femurs; one was a compound fracture (where the bone comes through the skin) and the opposite femur was broken and my hip was displaced, making that leg have no pulse. The doctor was able to push it back into place and it gain a pulse. When he first walked up to me he thought that if I were to survive, I wouldn't have my legs. But somehow, I survived, and my legs survived, and I am grateful that he was there.<br />
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I also broke my nose, shattered my left orbital floor, cracked the back of my skull (which makes your eyes swell), broke my left clavicle (which punctured my left lung) and broke my left knee - many of my injuries were on my left side, as I was told that was the side that I landed on. Along with many scrapes and road-rash that left behind many scars. They also found that a rock was blocking my windpipe, once I was admitted to the hospital. <br />
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My other sister who was ejected, broke one of her femurs and had a hairline fracture in her pelvis on the opposite side. She also received an internal head injury, which was temporary (luckily). My mom and other sister were alright because of their seatbelts. Unfortunately, my little brother (who was only 9 years old), did not make it. They actually were able to revive his body at the scene and he was then life flighted to the children's hospital, but sadly, he did not have any brain activity. The following day, my dad (who was not with us in the car because my parents are divorced) had to make the most heartbreaking, toughest decision of his life - to have life support turned off.<br />
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It was a long recovery. When I first became somewhat conscious, I heard my dad's voice telling me that I was in a really bad car accident. He told me that I already had rods in both legs, a plate under my left eye, and tubes breathing for me and feeding me. I was in ICU for a while and in the hospital for a total of two weeks. Once I was able to be released from the hospital, I was was transferred by ambulance to a local rehabilitation center. I lived at the rehab for the next 3 months, and got around by wheelchair. <br />
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My sister who was ejected also was admitted to the rehab for a while, and it was nice for us to have each other there. It was a long road to recovery; A LOT of physical therapy and eventually learning to walk again.<br />
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That day changed my life forever and I am a different and stronger person because of it. Since that day, there hasn't been a day that has gone by where I haven't worn my seatbelt. My brother's picture was used in Utah's Hold on to Dear Life seatbelt campaign, and when wearing seatbelts finally became a law I was so happy. <br />
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I always make my kids buckle up and they know the "Click it or Ticket" slogan. The other day, we passed a billboard that said "Buckle up your precious cargo". That phrase really hit me in a new way.<br />
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Of course I have shared the story of the car accident with my kids and I stress how important it is to wear their seatbelts, but seeing that billboard gave me an idea of another way to help my kids understand the importance of buckling up.<br />
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I pointed out the billboard to them and then gave them the example of when a truck is carrying items in the back, the items are strapped in tightly with rope to keep things from flying out of the truck. I asked them "If you were to put your favorite stuffed animal or toy in the back of a truck, you would want to buckle it up and protect it, right?" They agreed. I let them know that THEY are my precious cargo and that I would never want them to fly out of vehicle because they weren't buckled up.<br />
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I think that gave them some more understanding (by putting it into their perspective of thinking about their precious things). If your kids are struggling with not wanting to buckle up, maybe explaining it to them this way will help them too. <br />
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My kids are pretty good about it, but they like to get unbuckled when we are 'almost' home - which is not ok. I've been stressing that just because we are close to home doesn't mean that you can't still get into an accident (and then I tell them the story of one of my best friends who got into an accident just down the street from her house). <br />
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Do you know what the seatbelt laws are in your state? Can you get pulled over for simply not wearing one (primary offense), or do you have to break another law first (like speeding, etc), in order to get ticketed for not wearing one (secondary offense)? In Utah it is a primary offense. <br />
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Click <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seat_belt_laws_in_the_United_States" target="_blank">here</a> to check out what the laws for seatbelts are in your state. But whether it's a law or not, I urge you to please, buckle you and your loved ones up - EVERY TIME you get into the car. It's also so important to follow the car seat laws for your state and have your littles properly restrained. Click <a href="https://saferide4kids.com/car-seat-laws-by-state/" target="_blank">here</a> to see what those laws are in your particular state. Stay safe out there and always protect your precious cargo!<br />
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-Karin (aka Know It Mom), XO<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-7983321080762407342018-08-03T18:07:00.002-07:002018-09-06T21:41:16.601-07:00Sun Protection on-the-go + Best Sunscreen EVER!Sometimes, you end up outside when you didn't plan on it. You are running errands and the kids are restless and you hit a park or you go to an activity and part of it ends up being outside, or you are planning to be outside for just a little bit and it ends up being a lot longer, etc.<br />
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I don't like being caught out in the sun for longer than expected without protection for my kids and I (and husband too), so I bought this cute travel container (see the blue/white striped bottle) at Target and I put sunscreen in it. I tossed it, along with sunblock lip balm (Sun Bum is my fav), into a ziplock sandwich bag and keep it in my purse all summer long.<br />
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Now I won't get caught un-prepared for the sun, and none of us will get an accidental sun burn. Although I don't think we've ever gotten one on purpose either - LOL!<br />
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My favorite sunscreen of all is DeVita. I use the DeVita <a href="http://devitaskincare.com/store/solar-body-moisturizer-spf-30-7oz210ml-p-17535.html" target="_blank">Solar Body Moisturizer</a> for our bodies and kids' faces, and I use the <a href="http://devitaskincare.com/store/solar-protective-moisturizer-spf-30-25-oz75ml-p-17534.html" target="_blank">Solar Protective Moisturizer</a> for my face in the mornings- because it blends amazing under makeup. <br />
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These DeVita sunscreens received a #1 ranking (which is the highest) on the <a href="https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/?search=devita#.W2T7Ji2ZP1I" target="_blank">EWG</a> (Environmental Working Group) website, where they test and review safety for sunscreens. I always check the EWG's sunscreen guide before I buy any sunscreen.<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-73095320136106973622018-07-29T16:46:00.003-07:002018-07-29T17:10:03.751-07:00Birthday InterviewEvery year on our kids' birthday, we like to video tape a little birthday 'interview' with the birthday kid. It will be fun for them to look back on and see what their favorite things and people were back when they were that age. This has been a fun tradition and I encourage you to make it a tradition as well.<br />
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Here are a list of some ideas for the interview questions:<br />
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How old are you?<br />
What grade are you in, or going in to?<br />
Who are your best friends?<br />
What do you like most about school?<br />
What is your favorite subject in school?<br />
What are some fun things you have done lately?<br />
What is your favorite color?<br />
What is your favorite song?<br />
What is your favorite movie/show/YouTube channel?<br />
What is your favorite game to play?<br />
What are your favorite books?<br />
Are you taking any classes or lessons?<br />
What are some of your most favorite things to do?<br />
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This will get you started..... Have fun coming up with some of your own questions too!<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-33119554514924364672018-07-05T14:25:00.003-07:002020-02-23T20:35:01.656-08:00Happy 4th of July!!I hope you all had a happy 4th! We celebrated with neighbors a couple of days beforehand with an annual BBQ potluck and swimming. Then on the 4th, we had another BBQ potluck with extended family, which was so fun!<br />
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On the evening of the 4th, we stuck to our own family tradition of lighting some smoke bombs and waterfall fireworks in the driveway, and letting the kids do sparklers. I love this picture that I captured of my husband and my son putting their heads together to plan out the next firework to light, while my daughter ran around with her sparklers.<br />
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Later that evening, some nearby fireworks were going off (really big ones) that we were able to enjoy from our backyard (thank you neighbors!) and several groups of military jets flew right over our house (on their way to the stadium of fire), which was SO cool!<br />
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I love family traditions! What are your 4th of July traditions? <br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-80313024986123568812018-07-03T21:46:00.002-07:002020-02-23T21:01:55.487-08:00Amazingly Moist Salmon . . . Here is a recipe I found, years ago, from Taste and Tell blog. It is SO easy and SO good!!!<br />
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A couple of changes that I do with this recipe are; I leave the parsley out (because my kids won't eat anything with green specks), and I squeeze a tablespoon or two of fresh lemon juice into the mixture before spreading it onto the salmon. I serve this with steamed broccoli and rice (or quinoa) and my kids always eat it up. <br />
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Enjoy!!<br />
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<a href="https://www.tasteandtellblog.com/amazingly-moist-salmon-peppery-cheese-bread/" target="_blank">Here</a> is the recipe :)<br />
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XO<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-39407457552860543202018-07-02T17:05:00.003-07:002020-02-23T21:10:13.918-08:00The easiest and quickest way to blow up your kids' pool floaties and balloons!Seriously, every parent NEEDS this! It will save you so much time and energy. With every pump, it fills your floaties and balloons in no-time!<br />
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With this tool, you will never have to blow up another floatie or balloon with your mouth again! This has been one of the very best purchases I've ever made. It's easy enough that your kids can use it to blow up their inflatables from now on. What are you waiting for? #justdoit<br />
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Get yours <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Qualatex-Hand-Held-Air-Inflator/dp/B006IBAK5U/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1530575968&sr=8-9&keywords=air+pump+for+balloons" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-77454697701178916942018-06-28T21:26:00.000-07:002020-02-23T21:00:59.510-08:00Free Shoe Tying Class for Kids? Yes Please!!!Did you know that Nordstrom offers free shoe tying classes for kids? Well now you do! The kids shoe department offers them on the 3rd Saturday of every month at 9:30 am (a half hour before the store opens).<br />
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My sister told me about this and told me that her kids went in not having a clue on how to tie their shoes and they left totally knowing how to. So, I took my kids and that was totally true for my son who is 8, but my 6 year old daughter didn't quite get it down, but came pretty close - she just needs a little more practice.<br />
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My son is tying his own shoes now all the time by himself. He is helping his friends and his sister tie their shoes, and feeling proud. When the class is over, the kids get a fun little print-out with the shoe tying instructions (see picture), a fun prize bag, and a balloon too.<br />
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This was totally worth it. Just call your local Nordstrom and ask for the kids shoe department o get your littles signed up for this fun, FREE, class.<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-20061484568361039682018-06-27T20:40:00.002-07:002020-02-23T21:08:57.041-08:00Quick time saving tip for dinner!Tonight I made beef tacos for dinner, and as I reached for the spice jar that I made specifically for beef tacos I was thinking about what a time saver it is to have the spices already mixed and ready to go. So I thought I'd share this recipe time saver tip with my followers.<br />
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We all have some recipes that require a bunch of spices, right? Well instead of measuring out the spices for the recipe each time I make it, what I've been doing to save myself time is so simple. <br />
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I just triple the amount of spices needed, and then I put it all into a spice jar, give it a stir and then label it for whatever recipe it's for, like "Fish Taco Seasoning" or "Beef Seasoning" and then I just sprinkle it onto the meats that I'm cooking and don't have to measure it out each time.<br />
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Here is the seasoning mix that I did tonight, which I use on my beef tacos:<br />
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2 teaspoons dried minced onion<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
1 teaspoon chili powder<br />
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin<br />
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper<br />
1/4 teaspoon dried minced garlic or garlic powder<br />
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano<br />
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Triple it, put it in a jar, and you get to skip measuring it out the next few times you make beef tacos! You can save old spice containers or buy some spice containers <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=spice+jars&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aspice+jars" target="_blank">here</a> on Amazon.<br />
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Enjoy getting dinner on the table a little bit faster :)<br />
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-XO<br />
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<br />KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5852058072467141161.post-88604208681059134232018-05-31T09:28:00.001-07:002020-02-23T21:17:37.136-08:00Beat Summer Boredom!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here is a list of ideas to beat summer boredom and most of them will help you to beat the heat too! It's so true that time flies when you are having fun. So try some of these things and get out there and enjoy summer before it's over!!!<br />
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Go to the park with with friends<br />
Go out to lunch with friends<br />
Go on a staycation - stay overnight at a local hotel and swim<br />
Bring earplugs and go to some outdoor concerts<br />
Check out local art festivals<br />
Decorate your driveway or back patio with chalk<br />
Set up some playdates with friends<br />
Go get some slushy and enjoy at a park<br />
Go roller skating<br />
Go to the bowling alley<br />
Visit your local museums<br />
Try a new shave ice shack<br />
Make home made ice cream<br />
Do a puzzle together<br />
Download and print out some coloring pages<br />
Build Legos<br />
Go to a waterpark or swimming<br />
Clear out the clutter and have a yard sale - spend the money you make on a family activity<br />
Think of a person who might need cheering up and bring them flowers<br />
Make smoothies, come up with fun recipes of your own<br />
Hit a splash pad<br />
Do a YouTube workout (for kids) with your kids<br />
Run through the sprinklers<br />
Pull out the squirt guns<br />
Check out some books from the library<br />
Visit the aquarium<br />
Make cookies or homemade popsicles<br />
Make some slime!!!<br />
Download some math pages and do one at least once a week<br />
Play a memory game<br />
Print out your favorite pictures and scrapbook them (my kids LOVE to do this)<br />
Write in a journal<br />
Get hand-held white boards and give your kids words to spell<br />
Learn to play an instrument<br />
Go indoor rock climbing<br />
Take a walk<br />
Sign up for kids cooking classes<br />
Check out what programs your local recreation center has to offer<br />
Take funny pictures / dress up<br />
Invite friends over for dessert - strawberry shortcake anyone?<br />
Have everyone choose a song, learn the lyrics, and perform for each other<br />
Go on a picnic<br />
Draw pictures together<br />
Take a hike in the mountains<br />
Go for a bike ride<br />
Jump at a trampoline park<br />
Choose a book together and have everyone take turns reading a page<br />
Enroll in swimming lessons<br />
Hit the zoo<br />
Plan a BBQ and invite friends or family<br />
Go to an arcade<br />
Play some laser tag<br />
Go miniature golfing<br />
Go to an amusement park or a county fair<br />
See dinosaur fossils at a dinosaur museum<br />
Gather some rocks from a walk and paint them<br />
Brainstorm things you want to learn about and YouTube it<br />
Learn origami<br />
Sign up for a fun summer camp<br />
Go to a field or park and play frisbee<br />
Visit a farm<br />
Play kick the ball outside<br />
Go see a local play<br />
Introduce your kids to some of your old favorite classic movies on DVD or Netflix<br />
Take a road trip<br />
Chase your kids around the house and tickle them<br />
Play some hide & seek<br />
Pull out the board games<br />
Play tennis<br />
Sing karaoke at a family-friendly karaoke place<br />
YouTube your favorite songs to see the music videos<br />
Experience Disneyland rides on your couch by watching your favorite rides on YouTube<br />
Put on some music and have a dance party with your kids<br />
Take summer gymnastics<br />
Play some badminton (we bought a set at Costco this year - so fun!)<br />
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Do you have any ideas to add to this list? If so, please comment below. I'd love to hear what you do to make summer fun.<br />
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KStarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15828870917478564886noreply@blogger.com0