Do you ever go through the process of choosing the perfect holiday card only to discover that someone else on your card list has chosen the exact same card? It happens to me almost every single year. In fact, last year, my sister and I chose the same card. This year, I don’t have to worry about that. It could be because I haven’t sent out any cards yet. Yes, I’ve been totally overwhelmed with a new job, a move, and everything else under the sun and I’ve been slacking. Big time. But I also discovered cards by Amy Adele. Their holiday greetings offer plenty of fun and unique options. The card I created captured my sunny disposition ever since moving to Arizona! The quality of the cards is top notch and the customer service is terrific. In fact, the company emailed me to see if it was okay if they slightly altered the font/spacing on the card to make the card look better. How nice is THAT?
Unique Holiday Cards
A Treadmill That Takes You Around the World in HD
I’ve logged plenty of treadmill miles while enduring Cleveland’s frigid winters and Arizona’s blazing hot summers. Most treadmills are pretty boring, that’s why real runners–of which I am definitely not one–always say they prefer to run outside. I get it, really I do. I just find it too easy to quit if I’m running outside.
I recently came across this new treadmill that may just be the perfect solution for this travel-loving mama! The LiveStrong LSPRO2 has Passport media technology. It sounds really fancy and complicated, but once it is all hooked up, it is amazing and makes workouts fly by! The Passport system connects to your TV, and it communicates wirelessly with the treadmill. The treadmill delivers a high-definition experience designed to enhance the cardio workout of even the most serious runners. All your stats pop up right on the TV screen. Of course, you also have the option to use it like an old school treadmill, without the Passport media technology, and your information will show up right on the treadmill.
This is unlike any machine I’ve ever tried before in that the HD quality, real scenery and ambient sounds really make a world of difference (no generic scene views!). The LiveStrong LSPRO2 comes with both the American Southwest and Northern Italy scenery, so you can hike the Grand Canyon and run through the rolling hills of Italy in the same day. More sceneries are available for purchase. So what’s it like to exercise on the LSPRO2? It’s tough to describe, but imagine doing a killer workout in your own personal I-MAX theater.
Pretty cool, huh? You really need to try it out for yourself, though, because–at $2,000– it’s a big investment. A word of warning, not all big athletic stores carry this, so call around before you spend your whole day looking for one.
Not only are you doing something good for yourself when you buy this machine, but, with each purchase of the LSPRO2, money is donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation to support the 28 million people living with cancer today. Awesome.
Disclaimer: FitFluential LLC compensated me for this sponsored post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Cool Weather Calls for Chili
Just when I think I can’t HANDLE the truth regarding the change of seasons in Phoenix (cue Jack Nicholson voice); we get a cold front that upends us all and has us running from our cars into the already busy Starbucks to get some piping hot concoction that will make up 1/4 of our daily allotment of calories, (THANK YOU VERY MUCH EGG NOGG LATTE!). Wow, what a long sentence that was! I digress. It’s been cold here, and I actually kind of love it. I refuse to complain about it, I just wear more clothes on my morning runs. Every morning for the past week, the temp has started with a 3, as in 36, 38, 34, 33, etc. This morning, NYC and Phoenix were the same temperature, according to Syrie. Syrie is the new woman in my husband’s life. Syrie, if you don’t know and haven’t heard, is the voice of all authority and knowledge in the iphone, and lately, well she has been answering a lot of his questions. He kind of crushes on Syrie. I refuse to worry until she figures out how to make his favorite Penne alla Vodka, or until he starts wondering what she looks like “in real life.” Back off Syrie!
One of my favorite things to make, as it cools down, is an assortment of soups and chilis. I have some great white bean chili, some chicken chili and the like. But sometimes, nothing beats a good ole’ fashioned meat and bean chili with a little kick, and this one fits the bill. I also like to bake, pick up some fresh Sourdough bread for dipping, but you can go with whatever tickles your fancy, or just eat it plain. The kids will love it too. On a side note, it looks like you are adding a LOT of cayenne, but with the heartiness of the tomatoes and beans and meat, it doesn’t taste too spicy at all. I like to make mine with extra lean ground beef and turkey sausage, but again, whatever makes your skirt fly up is just fine. Start this chili early afternoon, let it simmer a bit, pop open some Zin or a hearty Cab, and voila! The stuff dreams are made of. Let’s get down to it.
ALL AMERICAN CHILI:
6 oz hot italian turkey sausage (I use 
2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
8 garlic cloves (I know!! Yet it never tastes too garlicky)
1 lb lean ground beef
1 jalapeno, chopped
2 T Chili powder (large T is for Tablespoon, small t for teaspoon)
2 T Brown sugar
1 T ground Cumin
3 T Tomato paste
1 t dried oregano
1 t salt
1/2 t pepper
2 Bay leaves
1 and 1/4 cup Merlot or other fruity wine (See! Aren’t you glad you already have some open?)
2 28 oz cans diced tomatoes, undrained
2 15 oz cans kidney beans, drained
1/2 cup low fat or regular sharp cheddar cheese
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over med high heat. Remove casings from sausage. Add sausage, onion, and the next 4 ingredients to pan; cook 8 mins or until sausage and beef are browned and crumbling. Add chili powder and the next 7 ingredients and cook for 1 min, stirring constantly. Stir in wine, tomatoes, and beans, bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer one hour, stirring occasionally. Uncover and cook for 30 mins, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaves (if you can find them:)) Sprinkle each serving with some cheese, low fat sour cream, and green onions.
The Gift That Makes Everyone Happy
Since my family is all spread out–and so are my friends–I’m always struggling with the perfect gift to send over the holidays. Growing up, my parents would often rely on Hickory Farms to send to long distance friends or to bring to holiday parties. In my opinion, it’s the perfect gift for the person who has everything because you know you’ll be having unexpected company and the food won’t go to waste. I’ve never been disappointed with a gift from Hickory Farms. Whether it’s their fresh fruit, savory meats, or delicious cheeses, their food is always tasty and the presentation is spectacular. And for that person who has a sweet tooth? Hickory Farms has amazing cookies and chocolates. As part of the Mom Central Hickory Farms blog tour, I received the Orchard’s Bounty Gift Basket. I love that it combines fruit, meat & cheese!
While searching the Hickory Farms website, or visiting one of their familiar mall kiosks during the holidays, you’ll notice there is something in every price range, making this a perfect gift for just about everyone on my list…and the $3 shipping is a nice bonus! I hate it when you spend a bunch of money on a gift, then shipping costs another 10 bucks.
If, like me, you’re a little more likely to spend your money with companies that give back, you’ll love this: For every Party Planner Gift Box sold, Hickory Farms will donate $5.00 to Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign, a national nonprofit that hopes to end childhood hunger in America. Hickory Farms also provides free military shipping to military APO/FPO addresses on select products, allowing our troops across the globe to share in the holiday spirit & traditions. Love that!
Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Hickory Farms and received a product sample to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.
Phix NATURAL Energy Drink
Let me start off by saying that I’m a tad bit leery of anything that claims to give you energy. I have friends that down red bull and, frankly, it scares the heck out of me. Maybe it’s flashbacks to all those NoDoz I took in college. Well, recently I was sent a few boxes of Phix Energy Drink Mix. I’ll admit it, I was sceptacle. Phix, however, appealed to me because it is natural…blending green tea antioxidants, energy-restoring NADH, and yerba maté for enhanced vigor, plus vitamins and minerals. I recently started a job where I’m anchoring a morning show. The last time I anchored a morning show, in Cleveland, I relied on coffee to get me through the day. It works, for a bit, but then you crash and hit a wall. A cat-nap turns into a 3 hour slumber!
I was willing to give Phix a try. I can honestly say, it did its job. About 30 minutes after drinking it I felt much more alert. It was as if I had a long-lasting energy boost, without crashing…and no jitters! The Phix packets are super convenient to take to work or the gym; they come in packets and you can just dump them in your water bottle and shake.
GIVEAWAY & DISCOUNT ON YOUR NEXT PURCHASE:
One winner will receive 3 boxes of Phix and a coupon for 25% off a future purchase. To enter, just “Like” the Phix Energy Facebook Page and Follow Phix on Twitter. Leave a comment for each and you’ll be entered to win!
For an extra entry, tweet this Giveaway:
I entered to win the Phix Energy Drink Giveaway @aMomKnowsBest. You should too! http://www.aMomKnowsBest.com #win #Giveaway @thePHIXisin
Remember to leave a separate comment for each entry below. Giveaway ends December 15th. Only valid with U.S. residents.
Disclaimer: MomSelect & Phix provided me with samples in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are 100% my own.
Holiday Entertaining: Easy Mediterranean Appetizers
Want to get away from the classic bowl of hummus served with pita chips? Try something fancier and just as easy this year. I came across this picture on Whole Living this week and I had to try this combo and see if my favorite hummus recipe worked well!…and it does! I love the idea of slicing up cucumbers and pre-serving hummus on top. Talk about easy finger food! Once you try my recipe, you’ll make this a staple. The garnishing options are endless! I love kalamata olives or a tad of pesto on top of my hummus… but you can do so many variations, you’ll wow your guests!
Ingredients:
Hummus Recipe Courtesy of MOMables™ Lunch Menus
- 15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 3 TB Tahini
- 1 Garlic Clove
- 1/4 Cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 tsp salt
What you’ll need:
- Thyme leaves for garnish
- Coarse ground pepper
- English cucumbers 2-3 or more if you double recipe
- Roasted Red peppers, cut into small strips
- Kalamata Olives
Directions:
- In a food processor, combine chickpeas, lemon juice, thyme, garlic, oil, and 1/4 cup water; process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and process until combined.
- Dividing evenly, dollop chickpea puree onto cucumber slices, top with a roasted red pepper strip and thyme leaves. Serve immediately.
Could YOU Abandon Facebook?
Facebook is a much needed necessity and important way of life for a vast amount of people these days. In the ever-growing world of social media, Facebook provides so many opportunities that were not around even just a few years ago. When I graduated from high school, we did not have social media as we do now, much like e-mail and cell phones. Twenty-five years ago, it was difficult to keep in touch with friends or people you went to school with as you grew up and moved on with your life. I can guarantee you that if Facebook had been around when I graduated from high school, my life would have been very different.
Facebook provides a level of interconnectedness that otherwise would not exist. I love Facebook for many reasons. It helps me keep in touch with my large family who are located all over the country, puts me in touch with friends and co-workers from years gone by and it has provided me with so many ways to meet new people and become involved with new experiences. Trust me when I say that I have many reasons to be thankful and grateful for the invention of Facebook.
Why do I mention all of this? I mention it because I was starting to think about what my life was like before I was on Facebook. I was thinking about how my life is now versus the pre-Facebook days. Sometimes you don’t realize you need a break from something until you actually get it, and you see how nice it was to just have a little time away. On occasion, I found that Facebook took up more time than it should and I was beginning to neglect or put off important things. What started as a “Let me check Facebook for a few minutes” quickly turned into an hour or sometimes more and, in turn, put me behind schedule in so many ways. Sine this was becoming a small issue for me, I decided to take a few days off from it and see what it would be like.
This “break” was by no means easy – not at all. In all honesty, it was so hard in the beginning. I was shaking and crying and needed to be restrained from logging into Facebook at times (well, not really, but you know where I am going with this). I actually felt a little lonely, disconnected and in a way afraid that I would be forgotten or, even worse, that people would not even know I was gone and– in some cases– this was true.
As the days progressed, it was still hard but it did force me to balance my life and the responsibilities I have. The Facebook vacation was difficult to take. During those few days, I was able to accomplish so much and felt more organized. Now please understand me when I say that I am not saying that Facebook is in any way a bad thing. To the contrary, I think Facebook is a fantastic outlet as long as you do not abuse it or let it affect your other responsibilities and priorities. I am happy to say that I am back on Facebook with a greater appreciation for it. I’m now able to stop looking into everyone else’s life while watching mine fly by. There can be a balance and I’m grateful I’ve found it.
5 Things I Love During The Holidays
I always try and think about things I like to do with my two kids during the holidays. I want them to love the holidays as much as I do! My parents made the holidays so special for us growing up and I want to do the same for my kids. Here are five things I love to do with my kids during the holidays:
1. Decorate the Tree and the House Together
We always set-up the tree the day after Thanksgiving. It’s become a family tradition of ours. It started when we got our Elf on the Shelf book. The story talks about the Elf, ours is named Chuck, coming out the day after Thanksgiving. We decided we would set-up the tree and put Chuck in the tree to start his magic. It’s so much fun, and the kids really look forward to “the day AFTER Thanksgiving.” They also LOVE putting the decorations on the tree and decorating with lights outside. Such a joyous time!
2. Bake Cookies Together
I am the baker of the family and my hubby is the cook (as many of you probably already know). I really love to make my “special” chocolate chip cookies and holiday sugar cookies! I got this really cool cookie press from Pampered Chef that I use to shoot cookies out of! The kids think it’s so funny to use this and the cookies come out great! I love baking during the holidays and the kids LOVE to join in! I think I need to host another Pampered Chef party soon here in RI! They have so many wonderful hostess specials and I LOVE the stuff I get from them! Also, check out MamaLuvsBooks soon where we will have a giveaway for the Pampered Chef cookie press!! You can make your own holiday cookies with your kids!!!
3. Go to Shows Together
We LOVE shows!!! We started taking my daughter when she was two years old and have been going ever since! We saw Go Diego Go Live (an AWESOME show!), and I couldn’t believe how much she loved it and watched the entire show! We have been to Dora, Barney, Thomas, The Nutcracker, Zillion Bubble Show, and much more! This year we are going to Disney On Ice at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence. The kids can’t wait! I am doing a giveaway on my personal site, MamaLuvsBooks, so if you want a chance to win a 4-Pack of Tickets to the show in Providence, please click on my site and enter! The winner gets a choice of any showtime. Hope you win and hope to see you there! We will be there having a BLAST!
4. See Family During the Holidays
I LOVE to see family during the holidays. We are the only ones from both sides of the family that moved away from the DC area, so whenever we get a chance to see family I love it. The past few years we have rented a beach house and all stayed together for a week during the holidays. With the growing family and multiple babies it is getting a bit harder to do. This year my brother and his family are coming to visit in RI and so is my husband’s sister’s family. I can’t wait to see everyone! Holidays are about being with family!!!
5. Find Something Charitable for the Kids to Get Involved With
I really like the idea of showing my kids that there is more to the holidays than just “getting presents.” I want them to focus on being generous and loving to others and learn the real spirit of the holidays. I would love to help out with my daughter at the Sharing Locker, a group in town the helps provide people with their essential needs. My son is a bit young for this. Last year we also helped with the Adopt-A-Family Program in town where you get wish lists from families that can’t afford to purchase everything on their own. It’s nice to know you are getting something that someone really wants, and it’s such a nice feeling helping out others that need it. I want my kids to learn to WANT to do this.
Happy Holidays Everyone!!! What are your favorite things to do during the holidays?
Kristin Wheeler
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