PJs for the Cure and Giveaway

November 24, 2010 by · 3 Comments
Filed under: Apparel and Shoes, Charity, Freebies, Giveaways 

Did you know that November is National Diabetes Awareness month? Did you know that each year, over 15,000 children are diagnosed with Juveile Diabetes? Diabetes is a disease that hits very close to home for me. My Mom is a Type 1 Diabetic and has been insulin dependent for over 31 years. My Mom was diagnosed with gestational diabetes when she was pregnant with my younger sister. She hoped and prayed that it would go away, but it didn't. Hers was a rare, adult onset of juvenile diabetes.

Pjs4cure

For many years, my Mom was tied to daily insulin shots (several times a day) and frequent finger sticks as she continually tested her blood. It sounds like more of an inconvenient disease, but there's much more to it than that. I remember coming home from school as a little girl to find my Mom unconscious and in insulin shock. She always took really good care of herself, but diabetes is an unpredictable disease and when you're a brittle diabetic, it makes it even worse. I can't even tell you how many times I saw my Mom disappear into an ambulance. It was terrifying.

Today, there have been many advances. My Mom uses a sensor that beeps and alerts her when her blood sugar is dropping. She also uses an insulin pump which eliminates the need for constant injections. However, the pump is a tethered reminder of her disease and she rarely gets an uninterrupted night of sleep without her sensor waking her up. It is a disease that robs you of many of your freedoms and it is life changing, not only for those who have it, but for the family members that face it as well.

I had just a brief taste of what it was like when I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes during my second pregnancy. The frequent finger sticks and blood tests were an annoyance and low blood sugars, after I took my medications, were scary. I was elated when I delivered and was told I was in the clear. However, it is something that is always on my mind. Diabetes tends to run in families and we are careful to watch our sugar intake in our household. Sugar doesn't cause the disease, but it's certainly an enemy of every diabetic.

This year, the JDRF has found an amazing way to raise money and I hope you'll join me in supporting the cause. Spearheaded by Komar, the largest sleepwear manufacturer in the United States, PJs For The Cure was created to benefit JDRF. PJs For The Cure offers specially designed women's and children’s pajama sets and 100% of every sale from PJs For The Cure will be donated directly to the JDRF to fund further research to find a cure for juvenile diabetes. Their goal is to raise $1 million in support of JDRF. For more information and to support the cause, I encourage you to visit the PJs for The Cure Facebook page. Please "like it" and encourage your friends and followers to do the same.  You can buy your own set of PJs or just check them out here.

PJs_For_The_Cure_Kids[1]

One lucky reader will receive a pair of the women's, girl's, or boy's pjs. Please leave a comment telling me your favorite thing to do in your pjs. Entries must be received no later than this Friday at midnight! Please check your email so you can shoot me back your name and mailing address if you're the winner! Good luck!

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Komar and PJs For The Cure and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Nature Made Prenatal + DHA Vitamins

November 11, 2010 by · 1 Comment
Filed under: Giveaways, Health 

I've been taking prenatal vitamins for the past eight years…eight years.  I don't plan on stopping for at least a few more years.  Most people start taking a prenatal when they find out their pregnant already.  Many other people take a prenatal when they decide to start a family.  We did this, but our plans weren't really in line with what our bodies had in mind.  So I've been using prenatals for all of my thirties.

When I first started taking prenatals, you had to have a prescription to get anything of quality…even with insurance, prices were extremely high.  Now, you can easily grab a prenatal over the counter, but finding a good one that provides you with the ingredients you need is a bit harder. 

Nature Made has made finding a great quality over the counter prenatal vitamin a lot easier.  Nature Made was the first to launch a prenatal with DHA in one single softgel; DHA is the omega-3 fatty acid that plays an important role in brain development.  Containing 800 mg of folic acid, iron, vitamins A, C, D, and zinc, you get all the essential vitamins that you need to get your body in great fertile condition. 

After having taken the Nature Made Prenatal + DHA for a few weeks, I can report that it is an easy vitamin to take…some make me a little sick, but the Nature Made is easy to take and it seems easy to digest.  I'll be continuing to take prenatals until we're finished trying to have children and Nature Made will be my vitamin of choice.  And the cool thing, YOU can win a 9 months supply of Nature made Prenatal + DHA vitamins, 2 packs of clothe diapers, and a food processor.  Just leave a comment below and one winner will be chosen for this awesome giveaway!

TKDDaughter gives Nature Made Prenatal + DHA a

BBMReview Black Belt Award

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central on behalf of Nature Made and received the products necessary to facilitate my review and giveaway.”

 

Bing Our School Needs

October 19, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Freebies, Giveaways 

I teach.  I teach in a private high school.  Money is tight,  our budget is low, we reuse everything and our technology fails constantly.  Many days we have no paper.  It is frustrating to want to do the best by our students, but not to have the money to do so.  However, we do it.  We find other ways to teach successfully.  We get creative.  We find a Plan B, or C, or D.  We do whatever it takes to be the most effective teachers we can with whatever resources we do have.

Bing recognizes the need for more school funding. In order to show their support for all those who assist in the educational process, they are running the Bing's Our School Needs Contest.  Teachers and students have until Friday, October 22nd to submit an entry to show Bing through essays, videos, or photographs what they think their school needs the most.  Bing will be giving away up to a million dollars in prizes and donations. 

Does your school have a need?  Check this video out, then go here to learn the details and how to enter the contest.  Voting begins on October 27th, so check back on the site then to vote for your favorite school.

For doing the right thing and providing schools with a chance to do more, TKDDaughter gives Bing and the Our School Needs contest a:

BBMReview Black Belt Award

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Bing and received a DonorsChoose.org giving code and gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Nature Made SAM-e

August 10, 2010 by · 1 Comment
Filed under: Giveaways, Health 

It seems as mothers we are constantly pulled in a million different directions. It's no wonder that we feel stressed and moody! Add to that the natural aging process where our bodies stop making Sam-e, a natural occurring compound that works to balance our moods and you have for a very crabby mommy. 

Years ago, a friend of mine confided in me that she was taking an anti-depressant/anxiety medication.  She told me simply, "It makes me a better mommy and wife."  SOLD! However, I don't feel I need something that strong.  I now have an option. Nature Made has created SAM-e Complete, a natural way to restore your mood.  Taken daily, it can restore your mood in as little as 7-14 days!  An added benefit is that it also helps improve joint health.

I love that there is a natural alternative to our normal SAM-e deficiency as we age.  Just to show you how great the product is, one reader will win a three month supply of Nature Made SAM-e as well as a water bottle and a journal.  Just leave a comment on how you think you would benefit from SAM-e by midnight EST on August 16th for a chance to win!

Nature Made SAM-e Complete recently launched  a new program called “Give a Smile” . They are working with Dream Factory, the second largest children’s wish-granting organization in the U.S., to grant the wishes of three children suffering from a critical or chronic illness. Through this campaign SAM-e will donate to a child’s wish for every social action you (like uploading an image to their mosaic). The more actions, the more SAM-e will donate. What a great way to make everyone's moods healthier!!

All around a great product and a great company!  TKDDaughter gives Nature Made SAM-e a:

BBMReview Black Belt Award

“I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Nature Made and received products necessary to facilitate my candid review.”

Breyer’s Smooth and Dreamy Bars

July 22, 2010 by · 1 Comment
Filed under: Food and Drink, Freebies, Giveaways 

Breyers

I'm not going to lie to you, readers…I am not a big fan of ice cream.  Let me give you a moment to digest this…are you ready?  Okay, moving on.  Everyone in my family loves it, but while I enjoy it on occasion, I don't need it every time we have a birthday cake and I often don't buy a cone when everyone else does.  Crazy, eh?

Well, that kind of changed this week.  I was introduced to Breyers Smooth and Dreamy bars, and while I know they'd like to read some original writing, I have to tell you that these bars are just simply smooth and dreamy!  They boast being lower than 160 calories, which is fabulous (and helps if you want a treat while dieting), but I could have eaten the entire box in one sitting!  We had the Triple Chocolate Chips one that actually had a bit of fudge in the middle-OH MY!  They are amazing!  We finished the box off in two days and on my shopping list for next time is the Chocolate Covered Strawberry ones-yum!

What's even better is this:  I am GIVING AWAY FIVE COUPONS FOR A FREE BOX OF these fabulous bars!!!  In the comment section, please leave your favorite ice cream memory for a chance to win one of these five coupons!!  Leave your comment by Wednesday, July 28th at midnight, eastern time. 

Even if you don't win the coupon, go buy these now!  They are a summer must-have!!!

TKDDaughter gives Breyer's Smooth and Dreamy Bars a:

BBMReview Black Belt Award

"I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Breyers and received products necessary to facilitate my review. In addition, I received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate."

Next Page »

  • Getting Rave Reviews

    My site was nominated for Best Blog About Stuff!

    Birthstorybuttonpink

    Bbmbutton
  • BlogHer Review

    BlogHer Reviewer
  • Go Shopping

    Martial Arts Equipment

    Sparring Gear Set

    Macho Warrior Sparring Gear Set
    $69.99
    And see the rest of our Sparring Gear
    at MartialArtsSupplies.com


    counter
  • Martial Arts Pagoda