Friday, July 8, 2011

I Entered Serta's iComfort Giveaway! Wish Me Luck!

When Mike and I first got married almost five years ago we had to get a new bed, I had a queen sized bed and my 6'5" husband's feet would hang off of the edge.  Since I was relocating and looking for a new teaching job and Mike was just an intern, we got a cheap generic bed that we found at a warehouse outlet.  It was so uncomfortable!  So we bought a memory foam topper...... Which made it better, but it doesn't fit right, and it can get really hot.  Here is our bed:

I saw a link to Serta's iComfort Giveaway and read up on their new mattress line and it sounds amazing! We haven't had a good night's sleep in years!  Reading the descriptions of the beds makes my back cry in happiness.  The Cool Action Gel Memory Foam sounds like the perfect answer to the warm memory foam problem.  Plus you can get it on a motion frame!  You can read up on it here.  It is so important for health and weight loss to get a good night's sleep also.

The contest has you submit a photo that represents a Smarter. Cooler. Better. Summer.  So I picked out a recent photo where Ellianna surprised Gavin (who was relaxing outside after camp).  It is not only really funny that a one year old little girl thought to do it (and got away with it), it also represents how we feel at night on our warm bed.  Wish someone would hose us down!
 I really hope we win!  Would be the perfect anniversary present for our five year next month!  Not too late for you to enter!  Hurry you have a couple hours left!

Monday, June 20, 2011

My Interview With Brandi Chastain!

I am so excited that I was asked to interview Brandi Chastain! Brandi Chastain played for many years on the U.S. National Soccer Team and will be coaching this year's team in Germany.   Brandi is also the new spokesperson for the Holiday Inn Express's new Team Travel Center.  Perfect timing too since Gavin is starting his first soccer season this August!


Here are her enlightening answers to my interview question:

1) My son Gavin, who is close to your own son's age is starting soccer this fall.  Do you have any advice on how to be a supportive parent and not one of those overbearing sideline runners?

  • "This is a question I get asked a lot and it is not as easy as you think.  As a parent the best thing we can do is to be supportive, encouraging, to be there, and participate.  Participate and show them why it is healthy.  How to be on a team,  how sometimes you are a leader and sometimes you are a follower.  Listening is also a lifelong lesson.  One of the best things a parent can do is to get out there and do some of the skills with them, that way they can lead by example and can appreciate themselves that sometimes it isn't that easy.  If the parents get involved in a physical way too, they can understand what their kids are going through."
2) Was it hard for you to balance soccer with your homework?  I remember growing up how hard it was to get everything done for school while being involved in an extracurricular activity.
  • "There is no doubt that juggling with time management skills is really a wonderful life lesson.  If you have practice at 2:45 and dinner at 6:30, you only have an hour before practice and an hour after practice to do your homework; the guidelines are set and kids are really good at falling in line line with structure.  When I played on the U.S. National Team every single athlete was a college graduate.  If they weren't a graduate they were in the process of graduating while they were on the road.  It is definitely possible and with structure it makes it much easier."
3) Is your son Jaden playing soccer?
  • "We play backyard soccer.  He is around soccer so much he feels like he is playing soccer all day.  He said today that he would love to be on a team with his friend Jacob.  I have asked him before if he wants to be on team and he said no that he likes to play with me in the backyard.  I'm not going to rush him into playing, I was older than him when I started to play.
4)  My husband's cousins have three teenagers and they are all involved in sports, they travel all over the country for their games.  The couple splits up and one will go to this game and the other will go somewhere else.  It can get so expensive with all three kids participating on these traveling teams.  Do you have any advice for them and my readers on how to make this a little easier and less expensive?
  • The Holiday Inn Express has an excellent website where the coaches and team managers can rotate accommodations and sign up for them all at one time.  You are saving time in making the reservations rather than letting calling many different hotels, which can monopolize your time. I mean who wouldn't wish for more time in their life?  There are many benefits and values you can get at the Holiday Inn Express like a wonderful breakfast in the morning which I had yesterday.  Which is very HEALTHY which I am going to express is very important to me to have kids eat healthy.  I am not up for the sugary breakfasts to get them through the day.  I was really pleased to see what the Holiday Inn Express had to offer their guests.  Most locations have a pool so families can spend time together, a fitness center for people like me if I stay on the sidelines too much I need to get out my energy.  If people go online to http://holidayinnexpress.com/teamtravel you can take care of everything.  It is a wonderful way for parents to maximize their time and minimize their cost."
5)  What are some of the challenges that young athletes face while traveling?
  • "The number one thing, which Holiday Inn Express has to offer is healthy food.  It is always a challenge when you have to eat out away from home.  Going to the grocery store is not always an option, so it is important to have healthy options.  It is so easy not to eat healthy when you are on the road.  Playing on the National Team that was always a concern, if we are supposed to be at out best playing against other teams around the world, we needed to have a fuel that is going to benefit us and not inhibit us from doing what we need to do.  Breakfast is the most important meal, so it is very convenient that Holiday Inn Express has that.  You have to eat healthy foods, you have to let your metabolism kick in.   
6)  Any advice for the Moms who are trying to lose weight while on the road?
  • "There is real value in being a role model, it is really important to live the healthy lifestyle, not only for yourself but for your kids on the teams as well.  If you eat healthy food and exercise, kids pick up on that, they are very smart.  This is what we do and this is how we take care of ourselves."  
7)  This question is for my husband, he wants to know what it was like to work with Daniel Tosh on the episode of Tosh.0 that you were on.
  • "He was a lot of fun, used some off color language to the point of being uncomfortable, but definitely fun.  He said he played soccer until he was twelve, but you couldn't tell.  He moves around like an old man.  But I definitely had a good time. "
What Brandi Chastain ate yesterday:

Breakfast: A pancake with peanut butter and honey rolled around a banana, like a wrap.  With a glass of hot water.  All from the Holiday Inn Express

Lunch: Tomato, avocado, swiss cheese open faced sandwich with a fruit salad.

Dinner: Barbecue chicken and salad.

Thank you Brandi Chastain for answering all of my questions!  It was a lot of fun chatting with you.

I conducted the interview with Brandi Chastain with many purposes including to get information about the Holiday Inn Express, which she is promoting.  I quoted her as close as possible but did summarize on my own in some instances.  So some of the wording might not be exact.  I was not paid for this interview nor have I worked on this campaign before.  

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Color It By Numbers Review and Giveaway!

  Color it by Numbers is amazing and educational on so many levels!  This fun game is Gavin's favorite computer program by far.   They have three different motifs, animals, princesses, and vehicles.





Reasons why Gavin loves it:


  • It is all about numbers, his favorite!
  • So many vibrant pictures of vehicles, dump trucks, trains, and boats galore!
  • You can follow the color guidelines or mix and match your own
  • Has fun and entertaining music
  • Doesn't take too long at all
  • Don't have to worry about coloring in the lines (his least favorite thing)
Reasons why I (Mom) love it:
  • Number association and match up
  • Keeps him busy while I cook dinner or tend to his baby sister
  • Gets him comfortable with using a mouse
  • We have also used it on our laptop so he gets comfortable using a touchpad
  • We are going to try a wacom tablet and pen next!
  • Getting used to computers is essential in this day in age, in fact a lot of school around here have kids start taking laptops to school in third grade!
  • Beautiful and fun game, and I can even print it out
Here is Gavin demonstrating how it works:

Very easy to learn and manipulate!

BUY IT: Go to  Color it by Numbers, each program is only $9.99 - what a deal!


 WIN IT: One of my lucky readers will win all three programs! Princesses, animals, and vehicles!

Mandatory Entry: (you must be a public follower and leave me a way to contact you) 

1) Go to the 
Color it by Numbers web site and tell me which program you would think about buying

Additional Entries (leave one comment per additional entry) 
2) "Like" My365toaSize5 on Facebook (1 entry)
3)  Follow My365toaSize5 on Twitter (1 entry)
4)  Subscribe to my Feedburner (1 entry)
5)  Write a blog post about this giveaway and link me to it in your comment (2 entries)
6)  Grab my button and post a link to where it is (3 entries)
7)  Tweet about this giveaway, leave me your twitter name - can only do this once a day (1 entry per day)
8)  "Like" Color It By Numbers on Facebook
9)  Tweet about Color it by Numbers on   Twitter
Winners will be chosen via random.org on July 20th, 2011.  Winners have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen via random.org.

The products above were given to me for free to review, I was not compensated in any way.  The views depicted above are solely my own, others may have different outcomes or results.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

So Easy to Stay on Track at Trader Joes! Weight Watchers Goes to the Frozen Food Aisle at Trader Joes!!



Like most moms, summer is a time of go-go-go!  It is very hard to stay on track, feed your family good wholesome foods, and most of all - STAY AWAY FROM DRIVE THRUS!  I have found a very quick and healthy way to feed my entire family for less than $6 per dinner.  Perfect in this economy and a mom's hectic life!  Plus, every meal is delicious and will have the kids asking for more!

The answer is Trader Joes!  

Meal #1 - Penne Pepperonata - Only 5 Points Plus!  $2.99 + $1.99 bagged salad on the side = $4.98


Meal #2 - Fettuccine With Mushrooms - Only 4 Points Plus! Plus I add 2 points worth of boneless skinless chicken breasts sauteed in.  $3.69 + $2.00 chicken breasts = $5.69

Meal #3 - Mandarin Orange Chicken - only 5 Points Plus! $4.99 + $1.00 for brown rice = $5.99

Meal #4 - Shrimp Stir Fry - Only 2 Points Plus!  $3.99 + $1.00 brown rice= $4.99


Meal #5 - Saucy Scallops with Mushrooms - Only 2 Points Plus!  $5.49 + $1.00 brown rice= $6.49






































Meal #6 - Biryani - Only 3 Points Plus!  Plus I add 2 points of boneless skinless chicken breasts $2.29 + $2.00 chicken = $4.29









Meal #7 - Pollo Asada with Peppers - For when you are entertaining - Only 3 Points Plus!  $9.28 = $1.69 = $10.97






















* I am not affiliated at all with Trader Joes

* Being a Weight Watchers Insider I am frequently given incentives and free products. I am not a paid employee or contractor, nor am I monetarily compensated but I am affiliated with their programs and company. My opinions are honest and not hindered nor persuaded due to these perks.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Magic Shoe 5k!!

 Last Saturday my entire family and I ran at the Magic Shoe 5k Run/Walk!  Mike and I ran the 5k and my parents ran the 1k Fun Run with my four year old son, Gavin after.  It was a wonderfully cloudy morning, so it was nice to run in.


Before I started Weight Watchers 5k training program I couldn't even run a quarter mile without stopping.  With only three weeks of training (I was sick for a month during) I was able to run for seven minutes at a time without stopping!  I ran approximately two thirds of the race!  It was amazing and I felt so good afterwards.


Starting tomorrow I am going to resume my training and run in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure!  My goal this time is to not stop running the entire time!


I had all of these great pictures of my family and I during the 5k, unfortunately when I went to sync my iphone, I lost everything, again, ugh.  Luckily my husband took a few (very unflattering) shots of me finishing the race that I will attach.











































Being a Weight Watchers Insider I am frequently given incentives and free products. I am not a paid employee or contractor, nor am I monetarily compensated but I am affiliated with their programs and company. My opinions are honest and not hindered nor persuaded due to these perks.

KinKast Review and Giveaway!


Right before I started writing the blog entry before this one I went to sync my iphone to get all of the pictures I took of my family and I during our 5k.  Unfortunately during the sync I lost everything!  Including videos!  Luckily my most recent videos were saved on  KinKast!  KinKast is not only a great way to store and share videos privately, it also gives you a piece of mind.  I am truly devastated about losing all of my iphone photos, but thankfully I still have the first video of my son riding his bike without training wheels for the first time, safe in the little KinKastcloud.

Step One: Record video




Step Two: Watch Video

Step Three: Choose Share Video


Step Four:  Choose who you want to share with, you can even send it to Facebook friends!


KinKast is an amazing way to private video sharing, as well as a great way to access video storage for iphone.
Here is some information from the sponsoring company:

Easy Sharing

Email links for private experience
It's your video. You control who can see it. Email friends and family links to their private website. Better yet, they won't need to create an account.
Post to Facebook
Want a bigger audience? (More than just your "real" friends.) Post it on Facebook. Hey, even if you post on Facebook, you may still want to email links to your closest friends so your video doesn't get buried in their News Feed.

Fast and Friendly

Sharing memory
Find yourself sharing with the same people? Of course, they're the real important ones. KinKast has a great memory and will pre-fill their names for you. Two taps on your iPhone is all it takes to share your video. Now that's fast!
Uploads in background
Why should you wait while your video is uploading? Or why should your video get compressed real tiny so you don't have to wait too long? KinKast doesn't make you do either. Compose and send your share email instantly. Doesn't even matter if you have a network connection. We'll queue your videos and upload them while you're doing something else — like maybe recording another video. Or, when you get back to civilization and have a network connection.



BUY IT: Go to "_blank">KinKast  The basic membership is free, the premium membership is only $4.99/month!

 WIN IT: One of my lucky readers will win a premium membership for one year!

Mandatory Entry: (you must be a public follower and leave me a way to contact you) US and Canadian residents only 

1) Go to the "_blank">KinKast
 web site and tell me one thing you learned about their Video Sharing capabilities.

Additional Entries (leave one comment per additional entry) 
2) "Like" My365toaSize5 on Facebook (1 entry)
3)  Follow My365toaSize5 on Twitter (1 entry)
4)  Subscribe to my Feedburner (1 entry)
5)  Write a blog post about this giveaway and link me to it in your comment (2 entries)
6)  Grab my button and post a link to where it is (3 entries)
7)  Tweet about this giveaway, leave me your twitter name - can only do this once a day (1 entry per day)
8)  Enter another one of my giveaways and tell me which one (1 entry per giveaway)

Winners will be chosen via random.org on June 20th, 2011.  Winners have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen via random.org.

The products above were given to me for free to review, I was not compensated in any way.  The views depicted above are solely my own, others may have different outcomes or results.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com created by WebBizIdeas.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.


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