Disney Princess Party

Earlier on in the week, I posted upcoming events. One of them was the Disney Princess Party at your local Disney Store. Well I drove about an hour to the closest Disney Store which was at an Outlet Mall. No luck. That location stopped participating in special events. Luckily it was only about 11:00 am, which meant I had plenty of time to drive to the next closest Disney Store. I only had to drive about another 20 minutes from where I was currently at to make it to the next session at 12:30 pm.

When we got there, it was about 11:30 am, and there were A BUNCH of parents with little girls! I waited for them to finish to ask how much time in advance we would be able to wait to participate in the following session. The sweet Sales Associate said that people had been calling in all morning! The session before, parents and princesses had been waiting in line an hour before the first session.

So here I am thinking, "Great....there's going to be so many people here with little girls running around. It's going to be a mad house!" But to my surprise, the crowd was fairly small. I think the games that were played could have been more age appropriate for the younger children, but overall, my DD had fun!

.:Quit Counting Calories

Yet another really good article from Real Simple! 9 realistic strategies that will have you eating right for life, and saying good-bye to diet guilt. I read the article and it is all very doable if you're struggling on trying to lose a few extra pounds, or if you're trying to change your whole lifestyle of eating and exercising. Here is a preview of the article:

Give Yourself Ample Time to Eat
Why: People who say they eat quickly right up until they feel full are three time more likely to be overweight than those with slower dining habits, according to a 2008 study published in The British Medical Journal. In an irritating tribute to something your mother probably told you, researchers suspect that fast eaters don't give the brain's fullness signals time to kick in, which can take as long as 20 minutes after the first bite, according to research.

How to do it: Check the clock before you start eating, even if you're having a meal on the go or while working at your desk (never an ideal way to eat, but often a necessary evil). Then stretch that meal out for at least 20 minutes. If you're still hungry after finishing, take a 20-minute-time-out (sip tea; relax; take your mind off eating). At the end of the time-out, check your hunger signals. Go back for seconds only if the signals are still strong. Other smart idea: Be sure to sit down for meals--don't stand or walk around--and take small bites, chewing each thoroughly. Researchers at Cornell University found that people who chew their food approximately 15 times, versus 12, tend to be thinner. That's how much impact these subtle changes can have.

I recommend reading the full article!

Thanks, Real Simple

.:20 Little Ways to Drop Pounds

I found an article on Real Simple that lists in detail 20 little ways to shed some pounds!
Here are the first 4 on the list:

1.Start with salad.
2.Stick a fork in it.
3. Order two appetizers.
4.Visit the vending machine.

Click here to read the full list.

Thanks, Real Simple

.:Upside-Down Peanut Parfaits

This looks yummy!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups vanilla ice cream

1 small banana

8 crisp chocolate wafer cookies

1 pint chocolate ice cream

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Warmed chocolate sauce, optional

Whipped cream, optional

Chopped chocolate-covered peanuts, optional

Preparation

Line 4 large custard cups or individual ramekins (1 to 1/2 cup capacity) with a double layer of plastic wrap that's large enough to allow excess to hang over sides. Place cups on a baking sheet in freezer.

Warm vanilla ice cream in a microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, until just easy to scoop. Put vanilla ice cream ina food processor with banana and process until blended. Divide mixture evenly among cups. Place 2 chocolate cookies on top of each portion, breaking them in half to fit, if necessary; press cookies lightly into ice cream and then freeze for at least 30 minutes, until firm. Rinse out food processor.

Soften chocolate ice cream in same manner as vanilla ice cream, transfer to clean processor with peanut butter and process until smooth. Spoon on top of cookie layer in each cup, smoothing tops. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for at least 2 hours and up to 2 weeks.

When ready to serve, unmold ice cream onto dessert plates, peeling off plastic wrap. Top with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and peanuts, if desired.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 512

Fat: 31g (sat 9g)

Protein: 15g

Carbohydrate: 47g

Fiber: 6g

Cholesterol: 48mg

Sodium: 147 mg

.:LEGO Toy Story 3 Alien Crane Set $12

LEGO drops the price of this Toy Story 3 Alien Space Crane Set from $39.99 to $11.98!
Hurry while supplies last!

.:40% off NFL Fan Gear

Are you an NFL Fan mom? Or maybe you want to buy a nice just-because-I-love-you gift? Through January 27th, Reebok is taking 40% off NFL fan gear when you use the code NFL40 at checkout. This Steelers Structured Flex Cap is lowered from $25 to $15.

Funny Things Kids Say

This morning, I took my DD (Dear Daughter) for her yearly check-up. She was extremely excited to see the doctor (not knowing she would soon have shots coming her way).

We get called back, the nurse checks her weight, height, and BP. We get into the actual room where the nurse checks her sight and hearing (which was perfect by the way). She instructs me to have my DD undress to put on the cutest child sized gown I've ever seen!

As the nurse walks out, she sticks her hand underneath an automatic Hand Sanitizer dispenser and shuts the door. My DD looks curiously, says nothing, and continues to help me undress her. 5 minutes or so pass, and she says to me, "Mami, I need some hanitizer." I'm thinking to myself, "What in the world is she talking about?" I then try to investigate what she is trying to ask me for. After about a 1 minute back and forth question and answer game, she points to the dispenser.....HANITIZER!

What are some funny things your children have done or said?

.:Educational Freebie: Candy Math

Today only (January 20, 2011), you can download a free copy of Candy Math from Homeschool Freebie of the Day. Here's what their site says about it:

Candy Math is a guide that makes basic, "hands on" math lessons a special treat by using inexpensive candy (or even breakfast cereal) as math manipulatives to teach primary aged children almost any basic math concept. The examples in this short e-book will give you almost two dozen creative learning games, lesson plans and activities.


If you're having trouble downloading the free copy, just send me an e-mail, and I will send you the e-book!

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

.:Snapfish: 8" x 11" Classic Photo Book for $6.99:

Snapfish is offering an 8"x11" Classic Photo Book for just $6.99 shipped. 

Here's how to get yours....

1) Set up a new account or login to your Snapfish account.

2) Create an 8"x11" Classic Photo Book and go to checkout.

3) Use coupon code SOAPBOOK at checkout and it will lower the price from $24.99 and all you pay is $6.99 for shipping!!

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

.:Parents magazine subscription for $1:

Barnes and Noble is offering a subscription to Parents magazine for only $1! It's priced at $9.97, but with the coupon code K9B9J4H at checkout, you will save $8.97 and the price will go down to $1! I've already tried it, and my subscription will come in about 6 to 10 weeks :)

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!