#advertisement I received compensation from BODYARMOR® to write this post as part of the Mom It Forward Influencer Network. All opinions are entirely my own. #Switch2BODYARMOR

Happy New Year! Like many, one of my New Year's Resolutions is to head back to the gym and get back on track with my health and fitness goals. While I did reach my weight loss goals in 2020, I have resolved to make 2021 the year I focus less on the scale and more on my strength and endurance. When I had the opportunity to check out the new BODYARMOR SuperDrink which offers premium hydration at a fraction of the calories of most sports drinks, I knew this was the perfect opportunity for me to pack up my gym bag with all of my "must-haves" and head back to the gym.

My biggest concern with BODYARMOR LYTE was the taste - because let's face it... if it doesn't taste good, do the rest of the details even matter? I was pleasantly surprised at the taste of the BODYARMOR LYTE SuperDrink - so many sports drinks are so sweet I feel like I almost need to dilute them down. BODYARMOR LYTE is made with all natural sweeteners and had just the right amount of sweetness to make it refreshing and easy to drink - even between sets. The new BODYARMOR LYTE has all of the nutrients of the original BODYARMOR but with only 20 calories per serving! The Peach Mango was my favorite!

Is the BODYARMOR LYTE Drink Good for You?

The short answer is yes. But, just like everything else, moderation is key. Drinking too much water is even bad for you. The reason BODYARMOR is good for you is that it helps replenish electrolytes. The drink is low in sodium but it does have sodium in it. This is a GOOD thing! Some people are scared of sodium but when it comes to a sports drink, sodium is important.

Body Armor Drink Ingredients - What's Inside?

The ingredients are similar to most other sports drinks but with healthier versions in most cases. Electrolytes, low-sodium, coconut water concentrate, and carrot juice are the main ingredients that make this drink a go-to choice for athletes.

The ingredients include:

• Filtered Water
• Pure Cane Sugar
• Cocunut Water Concentrate
• Citric Acid
• Maltodextrin
• Pure Carror Juice Concentrate
• Dipotassium Phosphate (electolytes)
• Green Tea Catechins
• Other natural flavors

Plenty of Hydration

This is where the BODYARMOR LYTE SuperDrink comes in. BODYARMOR LYTE is packed with electrolytes, coconut water, and vitamins that you need for a great workout. BODYARMOR is the brand of choice for many athletes such as James Harden, Mike Trout, Dustin Johnson, Andrew Luck, Richard Sherman, Dez Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Buster Posey, Skylar Diggins - superstar Kobe Bryant was even a shareholder! These athletes KNOW how to keep their bodies in optimum shape.

Where To Find BODYARMOR LYTE

You can find the new BODYARMOR LYTE SuperDrink at Winn Dixie, Publix, and Wawa. There is even a coupon so you can save money while trying this delicious SuperDrink for yourself!  You can also connect with BODYARMOR on Facebook and Twitter. Help achieve all of your New Years Resolutions in the gym this year with the help of BODYARMOR LYTE!

 

Not sure what to think of FreezerFit? I wasn’t sure either. I could not find any reviews on the internet about them but I loved the idea.

So, I joined and wrote this review to help anyone out that's thinking about signing up. If you haven't heard of them you can learn more by visiting their site.

They teach how to bulk prepare healthy freezer meals with free cooking classes you can sign up for on their homepage.

I joined for FreezerFit’s keto recipes because that’s the diet I follow. They are DELICIOUS! I know they have other recipes for vegan, diabetic, healthy, gluten-free, and more. Those recipes look great too I stuck the keto recipes.

So, is FreezerFit.com worth the price? Does it really help you save time, save money, and eat healthier? Keep reading to get all of the juicy details!

Pros and Cons

Pros

Easy to use

It’s so easy. It makes a shopping list for you. It adjusts your recipes for you. The site is fast and easy to navigate. 

Saves so much time

When you prepare meals the way FreezerFit teaches you it saves you hours every week.

Great private community

There are comments on the recipes and there is a private Facebook group with 1,000 people in it. The members are so helpful and friendly in the group. Come interact with me there!

Fast and friendly customer service

I emailed one of the chefs to ask about the cookbooks and they replied in only 15-minutes!

So many recipes!

There are more than 600 recipes and all of them have been delicious so far.

Cons

Most recipes are for crockpot or instant pot

It’s so easy to use a crockpot and the meals aren’t mushy at all. I even cooked a lot of them in the oven or stovetop with no problems. I just like to cook on the stove.

Only a 30-day moneyback guarantee

It’s great that they offer a moneyback guarantee so there is no risk. But with major sites like Amazon offering 90 days I think this could be longer. There’s no way I would return my membership though 🙂

Price is $200 or $97 When On Sale

If you aren’t lucky enough to get it on sale the price will be $200. I think it is definitely worth $200 but it can be expensive for some. I was able to sign up for only $97 when it was on sale 🙂

FreezerFit Recipes

These recipes are made to prepare quickly. I was able to prepare a month’s worth of dinners in under 3 hours! The recipes are designed to be able to be frozen before you cook them. This will not work with all ingredients so their recipes are unique in that they can be frozen for up to 3 months.

The FreezerFit recipes were tasty and just as they say, they cook themselves in a crockpot or instant pot. I cooked some of mine in a skillet and in the oven just to try it. They have instructions showing you how to cook them this way.

With over 600 recipes on their website, you can’t go wrong. There is something for everyone and my kids LOVED the meals.

Most of the meals are main courses. There are some side dishes and desserts that are delicious. I personally joined for the main courses.

Is FreezerFit Actually Easy to Use?

YES! Preparing meals for three hours is never really easy but their printable instructions made it so easy to follow.

I was tired after preparing 30 meals but guess what!? I didn’t have to spend 30 minutes every night cooking. 

The website is so easy to use. It tells me all of the instructions for cooking each meal. There are comments on the recipes from other members with tips and other ingredients to add. 

FreezerFit.com Price and Coupon Codes

How much is it to join FreezerFit.com?

The normal price for the membership is $197. Sometimes they have a sale for $97. 

The normal price for the membership is on the expensive side but it’s still worth it for me.

My family can easily save more than $2,000 in a year by using this membership. I still like to develop my own recipes but I cook using the FreezerFit method now because it helps save so much time and money.

If you compare the price of the membership to purchasing a cookbook you may think a cookbook is a better deal because it’s cheaper.

FreezerFit is so much more than just recipes or just a cookbook. FreezerFit adds more than 20 recipes every month and has over 600.

The website lets you print beautiful labels. You get to be part of a community. The site is more interactive than a cookbook because you can adjust servings and meal sizes. Overall, FreezerFit.com is great value for the money.

You can use the code EXTENDED at checkout and still get the $97 price. Click Here to Join for the Sale Price

The Verdict for FreezerFit.com

I love it! I do not regret joining for one second. The meals are great, the website is so easy to use, and the other members are wonderful. I give it a big thumbs up! They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee so you have nothing to lose. That's it for my FreezerFit reviews.

Click here to sign up for the sale price. 

See you in the private member’s only Facebook group!

Celebrate National Sprinkle Day with New Entenmann’s® Minis Sprinkled Iced Brownies! These delicious single-wrapped brownies are fudgy, moist, and topped with a layer of decadent fudge icing and fun, colorful sprinkles.

For more than 100 years, Entenmann's has been making family favorites like crumb cakes, donuts, Little Bites®, and more. The new Entenmann’s® Minis Sprinkled Iced Brownies are the perfect addition to their line... and our new favorite treat.

The coupons for product redemption, information, and gift card have been provided by Entenmann’s® so that I could try the product and share my thoughts and information about Entenmann’s®. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Entenmann’s®.

We do not eat a lot of sweets around the MoscatoMom household, but when we do, we want the best there is. Entenmann's is our go-to for soft baked goods for breakfast, snacks, and desserts. Entenmann's sent me some coupons to try these brownies out and let me just tell you... we are hooked.

Entenmann’s® Minis Sprinkled Iced Brownies are soft, moist brownies covered in a layer of fudge and topped with sprinkles for the perfect sweet treat. They are individually wrapped for easy snacking whether at home or on the go. They are the perfect size for lunch boxes, picnics, or a midnight snack!

To celebrate National Sprinkle Day on July 23rd, Entenmann's is hosting SprinkleFest Giveaway where 5,000 lucky fans will be selected at random to win free Entenmann’s® Minis Sprinkled Iced Brownies coupons! You can enter to win here between now and July 25th and then scroll down for another giveaway that I am hosting right here on MoscatoMom!

These Entenmann’s® Minis Sprinkled Iced Brownies have been the perfect little bite of something sweet after dinner here at our house. They are soft and moist and full of flavor. Plus being individually wrapped we can easily take them on the go.

I am excited to offer one lucky reader the chance to try Entenmann’s® Minis Sprinkled Iced Brownies for free with three (3) coupons for up to $4.99 off the purchase of Entenmann’s® Minis Sprinkled Iced Brownies plus a $25 Visa Giftcard you can use for other Sprinkle Day Goodies!

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by the Florida Prepaid College Savings Plan, through my role as a Believer Blogger. All thoughts are my own. 

Summer is looking a little different this year in the midst of the pandemic. Beach days have been replaced with back yard days. Time we used to spend shopping at the mall has been replaced with spending time planting a garden. Date nights to the theater have been replaced with making s’mores over the backyard fire pit. 

In the grand scheme of things, these are all small changes… but they have made a big difference in many ways. Life seems calmer, quieter. And we have learned to really value so many of the things we took for granted. We know that life will return to “normal” eventually, but we have all resolved to keep many of these “changes” more permanent as we are seeing benefits from even the smallest acts.

That is one thing about life that has remained the same. Small changes consistently over time leads to big results. Whether you are trying to lose weight, pay off debt, save for a new home, or save for college, small steps over time is the best way to achieve your goals.

Even with the uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring, we are finding comfort in knowing that the more distant future is looking bright. This year our “baby” is heading in to high school, which means in just a few years the college admissions dance will begin all over again. We are starting to make some “small changes” to get ready to go back to school and ultimately for her to go off to college in a few years. 

Starting a Florida 529 Savings Plan is another small change you can make today to lead to big results for the future. A 529 Savings Plan is easy to set up, and you can contribute as much or as little as you want. Family and friends can even contribute through the eGift portal. 

A 529 Savings Plan is an investment account that provides a flexible and tax free savings option that can be used for college and/or k-12 expenses. As long as the investment earnings are used for qualified education expenses such as tuition, fees, room, board, books and supplies, they are exempt from being taxed. 

Even if you already have a Florida Prepaid Plan, a 529 Savings Plan can be used for costs not covered by the Prepaid Plan - like books and supplies or even computers and equipment. Your 529 Savings Plan can be used at most higher education institutions nationwide and there is no set time frame for using your plan. 

With a Florida 529 Savings Plan, your family can choose when and how much to contribute to fit you budget and savings goals. There is even an online gifting portal to invite family and friends to contribute to a child’s college education in lieu of more traditional birthday and holiday gifts.

Florida Prepaid is hosting a free webinar to explain the features of the 529 Savings Plan on Thursday, July 23rd at 12:00pm EST. In this super quick webinar you can learn how as little as $25 a month can add up quickly and make a significant difference by the time your child is ready to attend college. You can register for this free webinar here: https://bit.ly/31BUGKz

I received a SipChip Kit for the purpose of this campaign. All ideas are 100% my own.

In over ten years of blogging, I am not sure I have ever been so passionate about sharing a product. The SipChip by Undercover Colors is helping women and men protect themselves against sexual assault one drink at a time.

The statistics on drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) are staggering - and only increasing year after year. According to a study by the U.S. Department of Justice, nearly 1 in 10 women have been the victim of a DFSA assault. Another study found that more than 1 in 13 students reported being drugged.

And men are not immune - a separate study conducted by PLOS found that 12.5 percent of men have reported an incidence of sexual assault. These numbers - paired with the increase of online dating and dating apps make SipChip a necessary precaution to life in 2019.

Created by Undercover Colors, the SipChip is a one-inch diameter medallion that tests liquids in as little as 30 seconds to make sure the drink is safe for consumption. The SipChip works in cocktails, juices, beer, wine, and liquor with a small but clear display showing if the drink is "good" or "bad."

“Protection is not acceptance,” said Barbara Cook, CEO of Undercover Colors. “Drugging someone’s drink without their knowledge is a crime. But that doesn’t stop it from happening at colleges, bars, nightclubs, and hotels around the world. While we know the SipChip doesn’t solve the issue of sexual assault, we feel strongly that our science is a tool that can be used to promote safety. We’re responding to the real challenges of today by empowering people with information while pushing for a future where these types of crimes don’t happen.”

To use SipChip simply peel back the foil packaging, and put a drop of your beverage in the test window using your finger or the straw. It only takes a small drop of the drink to test with 99.3% accuracy and can give you peace of mind before you take that first sip.

I, sadly, nearly found myself in that "1 in 10" category of women years ago... and wish I had a tool like this back then. I was very fortunate that my girlfriends were there and knew the signs of the date rape drug and were able to get me to the ER quickly... but not everyone is so lucky.

As the mother of a young college student and whose two closest girlfriends are single and involved in online dating, I could not be more excited to discover and share this incredible little tool to help my girls avoid the scenario I found myself in all those years ago.

You can order the SipChip here and save 10% off a 5 pack by using the code SIPCHIP10OFF. The pack comes with two custom made carriers that let you discreetly help your SipChip close.

Whether you put it on your keychain, affix to your phone or wallet, or simply slide this tiny little tester into your pocket, you can protect yourself against sexual assault.

This is a sponsored post on behalf of H2O at Home. I received free product in exchange for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Like many, I have really embraced the KonMari Method since the release of her show on Netflix. I have always been somewhat of a minimalist, but with her method, I feel like it gave me an even deeper purpose to this lifestyle and the harmony of my home.

A few years ago I was introduced to H2O at Home, a direct sales company that shares in the desire to bring health and harmony to your home through their natural home and personal care solutions. All H2O at Home Products are made with natural ingredients to give you the cleanest home possible without harsh chemicals.

As I have been going through my house applying the KonMari Methods, I am completing the process by cleaning my home with my favorite H2O products. It only makes sense that once I get the toxic clutter out - I do not put a layer of toxic chemicals right back in!

H2O at Home

H2O at Home has a wide variety of products for your home or office and even a line of personal care products as well! From gentle yet powerful cleansers to laundry solutions to home fragrance - H2O at Home helps you keep your home the "safest place on earth."

My two favorite products from their extensive product line are the Heavy Duty Chiffonnette and the Cleaning Clay. The Heavy Duty Chiffonnette quickly cleans almost any surface with just a little bit of water! Yes - water! The high-quality microfiber lifts dirt and absorbs moisture easily.

The H2O at Home Cleaning Clay is a great all in one cleaner that works wonders on ceramic, pots & pans, glass, granite, grout, and more! It will even shine up your silverware and jewelry! All without any harsh chemicals or heavy odors!

H2O wants to take cleaning up even further - by keeping our environment clean as well. Not only are their ingredients ethically sourced and sustainable, but even the packaging and outer packaging is biodegradable or recyclable.

You can get a jump start on Spring Cleaning with my free KonMari Inspired Spring Cleaning Checklist and be sure to finish by making your home truly clean with H2O at Home.

You can even earn free products by hosting a party, or if you are passionate about cleaning and the environment, H2O at Home offers a unique and profitable business opportunity. Check out their website to learn more about everything this incredible company has to offer!

I received two free Ugly Christmas Sweaters from UglyChristmasSweater.com for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own. 

It has been years since I have been to an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party, but that is about to change now that I have discovered UglyChristmasSweater.com. 

I tasked Mike with choosing which Ugly Christmas Sweaters we would receive - and naturally he chose matching Star Wars Sweaters.

And while the site we got them from may be UglyChristmasSweater.com - Mike actually loves these... and I have to admit I do too. I have a feeling I will catch him wearing this a couple times this season.

UglyChristmasSweater.com has several Star Wars Sweaters but they also carry other pop culture icons too - like Dr. Seuss, Ghostbusters, Grateful Dead and more. And what holiday is complete without a nod to the Griswold's?

These look like Star Wars Knitted Sweaters, but are actually more of a sweatshirt material, with a super soft lining on the inside. 

They are lightweight but super warm and comfortable. I really appreciate how well made they are - nothing is worse than buying something you can only wear one time! 

Best Ugly Christmas Sweaters for 2018

UglyChristmasSweater.com has an enormous selection of Men's Ugly Christmas Sweaters, Women's Ugly Christmas Sweaters, Naughty Christmas Sweaters and more.

They even have 3D Christmas Sweaters and Christmas Pajama Jumpsuits! I think I need one of these!! 

Shipping is super fast too - but you want to order soon to make sure your favorite Christmas sweater design is in stock! 

In addition to having a huge variety of Ugly Christmas Sweaters they also carry a huge array of sizes. From youth sizes all the way to 4XL Christmas Sweaters, you can outfit your entire family! 

Check out UglyChristmasSweater.com to order your sweaters for this holiday season and be sure to also check them out on Facebook and Instagram too! 

This post was sponsored by Monoprice as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

As much as I enjoy eating at restaurants, few things are more satisfying than preparing an amazing meal with my own two hands. Since deciding to live a healthier lifestyle I have really enjoyed trying new recipes and new cuisines as well as new kitchen tools and appliances. Recently I had the opportunity to try out two new small appliances - a Strata Home Pro Blender and a Strata Home Sous Vide Immersion Cooker - both available from Monoprice.

Monoprice is your one-stop online shop for more than 6,500 high-quality, affordable electronics and accessories at a fraction of typical store prices. They offer everything from audio video home theater equipment, 3D printing and Drones, and my favorite - Strata Home Appliances. In my opion, one can never have too many cooking tools!

I was excited to try the Strata Home Sous Vide Immersion Cooker as I have recently heard a lot about Sous Vide cooking in the keto community. With the Sous Vide method of cooking, food is juicier and more tender, with all the nutrients, which are often lost from ordinary cooking methods.

With the Sous Vide, you simply fill a deep pot with water, affix the machine to the side, and set the time and temperature for whatever the ingredient is that you are cooking and how well done you want it to be. For proteins, you can also choose to sear before or after cooking with the Sous Vide.

I decided to try it out on my favorite Keto Protein - Lemon Pepper Salmon. Now I generally cook this in the oven in a matter of minutes, but with the Strata Home Sous Vide Immersion Cooker I simply seasoned my salmon filet and sealed it tightly in a sandwich bag that I clamped to the side, and let the cooker do the rest!

It was SO tender I had trouble getting it on the plate in one piece! And one big thing I noticed was it seemed to be almost infused with lemon flavor. When I bake it I always have to add more lemon, but this was flavored perfectly.

The Strata Home Pro Blender was a BIG win - pun intended! I have never had a blender this large - nor this powerful! My first thought was how many margaritas I could make at one time! I mean... #priorities, right?

But, since I am more focused on health than margaritas these days I decided to try it out on something a little more... responsible for 2pm on a Tuesday afternoon. I have recently seen an influx of gorgeous Smoothie Bowls on Instagram and wanted to try my hand at making my own.

Generally, I shy away from Smoothie Bowls because they are so full of sugar, but I was determined to make a Keto Smoothie Bowl that would not only tame my sweet tooth but also help me reach my daily macros.

Speaking of macros, make sure to check your specific protein powder for exact measurements, but using my Quest brand, each Keto Smoothie Bowl ended up with approximately 5 Net Carbs, 14 grams Protein, and 21 grams of fat before I added the toppings!

The Strata Home Pro Blender holds two full liters and has blades that are sharp and powerful enough to effortlessly cut through ice and frozen fruits with ease. My ingredients were mostly soft, so it only took seconds to be a perfectly smooth delicious smoothie.

It was amazing to me how deliciously chocolatey this Keto Smoothie Bowl turned out  - the avocado flavor seemed to almost disappear! The Protein Powder gave it plenty of sweetness, and I added some additional raspberries, chopped walnuts, and even some hemp hearts for added protein and crunch!

I am super stoked about making all new gourmet meals at home with these two awesome appliances and have my eye on a few others on the Monoprice website. I love being able to order online and have them arrive right to my door without having to leave the house or stand in line! Does it get any better!?

Check out the complete Monoprice website to see everything they have to offer, and also be sure to Like them on Facebook for amazing sales and tech news!

If you have been following MoscatoMom long, you know that one of my most beloved appliances is my PowerXL Air Fryer. I cook in that thing almost daily - from Air Fried Brussels Sprouts to Air Fried Green Beans and even Bacon Wrapped Sirloin! I thought I could not possibly love anything more... and then I discovered the Power AirFryer Oven and well... let's just say I may never use my real oven again.

The Power AirFyer Oven gives even more cooking functionality than the original AirFryer with stainless steel Air Flow Racks that give 360° Air Flow Technology. The Power AirFryer Oven can replace Your Deep Fryer, Rotisserie Oven, Dehydrator, Oven, Toaster Oven, Pizza Grill & even your Microwave!

Since I work from home I have access to my kitchen every day... but ask anyone who works from home, and finding the time to stop what you are doing to go make lunch is actually way tougher than it sounds. Then add on dietary restrictions like the keto diet and it makes grab-and-go food even tougher.

The Power AirFryer Oven is a godsend when it comes to eating keto because I can cook a steak perfectly in just 11 minutes - throw it on top of a salad and voila! I have a perfectly balanced, low carb lunch option that tastes amazing. I mean, who wouldn't love to have a delicious steak every day, right?!

This oven makes meal prep a breeze too. Since it has 5 different racks inside I can easily cook multiple proteins and veggies all at the same time. My daughter has started coming over once a week to cook all of her meals at one time and then portions them out into containers to grab and go all week.

As a full-time vet tech and college student living in a college dorm - who doesn't want to pack on that freshman fifteen - she loves that she can get everything done on one lunch break and be set for the week! Clean up is even a breeze too! I am not sure which one of us love this machine more.

Whether you work from home or work out of the home, are going to college or just simply do not want to have to turn your oven on during these crazy hot summer months, you need a Power AirFryer Oven. Check them out on Amazon or see other buying options available on the Power AirFryer website.

This post was sponsored by Fresh From Florida as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central, however, all opinions expressed are my own. 

I have always been a huge advocate for shopping from small, local businesses and being an active part of growing my local community. I prefer to shop for clothes from local boutiques, use small businesses for as many services as possible, and of course shop from as many direct sales consultants as possible. I even take this dedication to local shopping to the grocery store when I support local Florida Farmers by looking for the Fresh From Florida sign on my favorite produce at my local Publix.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services started the Fresh From Florida program in 1990 to give both small and large producers in the state of Florida the resources they need to get their delicious goods to our tables. When you see the Fresh From Florida logo at your local grocer or farmers market, you know you are getting the freshest quality produce from right here in our home state.

Now I admit, we are a little spoiled here in Florida where our mild climate allows us to have fresh fruits and vegetables earlier than most states. Florida’s 47,000 agricultural producers make it easy for us to eat fresh produce year round. In fact, there is even a "cheat sheet" that lets you "Follow The Fresh" and know exactly what is in season every month of the year! How cool is that?! Click Here to find out what's in season right now!

When you purchase Fresh From Florida you are not only getting the freshest local produce, but you are supporting local farmers and their families. It is a total win-win. I love knowing that I am serving my family the highest quality ingredients while helping another family feed their family too! Right now I am totally obsessed with radishes - which are the perfect low carb alternative to potatoes. I simply slice them up and sautee with butter and garlic - so delish! These beauties came from a farm in Clewiston, Florida - just north of the Everglades! Don't they look delicious!

You can find the freshest produce at your local grocer or farmers market simply by looking for the Fresh From Florida signs. And be sure to Follow The Fresh on Instagram, and Twitter for news about what is in season and also check out their Pinterest and Recipe Page for easy to follow meals for your family.

When I look back over the last 10 years of my life I see a lot of laughs, a couple of tears, a lot of amazing experiences... and a whole lot of dieting. I am not alone in that - the diet and weight loss industry is a multi-billion dollar industry with millions of Americans looking for ways to look and feel their best. With every new diet claiming "fast results for everyone" - it is no wonder we all hop from one to another. What I have come to learn though is that there is no "one size fits all" for diet and weight loss, which is why when I had a chance to check out the new HomeDNA™ Healthy Weight I was excited to try it out. Even though I think I have found what works best for me, I was excited to see what my DNA says about how my body works.

The DNA Diagnostics Center (DDC) Company created the Home DNA Healthy Weight Test to identify nutrition and exercise strategies uniquely tailored to each individual based on their genetic makeup. With just a simple at-home cheek swab you can get in-depth information about your body and the types of training, diets and supplements it responds to best.

Everyone’s DNA is unique—and so is every DNA fitness profile! Does your body need more cardio or more strength-training? What is the right balance of proteins, fats, and carbs for you? Which vitamins and nutrients are optimal for your healthy weight? DNA fitness testing can unlock the information that takes the guesswork out of which types of training, diet, and supplements one’s body responds to most efficiently.

I received The HomeDNA™ Healthy Weight kit which included everything I needed for my complete DNA testing. All you have to do is register online and then send in the two cheek swabs to their laboratory. In just a few days you will receive a complete DNA profile that analyzes your weight loss ability and your body's response to certain foods, nutrients, and even different types of exercise.

My results were not a huge surprise - after spending years exhausting myself with cardio classes multiple times a week with no results, I was happy to see that I actually rank "below average" with my body's response to cardio. It was last summer that I really found my groove with lifting weights, and was able to not only lose a significant amount of weight, but also a lot of inches, and for the first time in over ten years, I am very happy with the number on the tag inside my favorite blue jeans.

The HomeDNA™ Healthy Weight results was a 72-page document that broke down every aspect of fitness and nutrition - and while I can not say that I agree with 100% of what it says (for instance it recommends 40-50% of my diet be carbs... not a chance of that happening) it was quite interesting to read so much about how my body responds to micronutrients as well as other aspects of wellness. One of the things that really stuck out to me is that I am low on b12 - something I have suspected for quite some time. It gave me suggestions for foods high in b12 - but I plan to pick up a supplement as well.

You can pick up The HomeDNA™ Healthy Weight Kit from your local CVS or RiteAid or online at HomeDNA.com. You can save $50 online on the kit by using the promo code HW50 at check out.

*Disclosure:  I received The HomeDNA™ Healthy Weight Kit for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

One of the things I miss about being in Corporate America was participating in Secret Santa Gift Exchanges. I was always in charge of coordinating the event because I am incredibly TypeA - or maybe the fact that I was trying to put up Christmas decorations as early as Halloween - and I learned a lot about how to keep it fun and organized - no matter how big of a crowd is participating. Secret Santa Gift Exchanges are a fun way to bring just a touch of the holidays into your workplace and strengthen friendships in and around the office. Here are some quick tips on how to keep your Secret Santa fun for everyone.

Plan Ahead

Now is the time to start putting together your Secret Santa Gift Exchange. Things will only get busier as the holidays approach, so take a look at your calendar now to see when is the best time to run your event. You will need enough time for everyone to sign up, receive their person, shop, wrap, and deliver - secretly of course. Gathering participants in November for the event to start the beginning of December is a great time frame for a stress-free gift exchange.

Set the Rules

The two biggest rules are the deadline and the cost. Knowing that people many are chronic procrastinators, make sure you are clear on the deadline and have a way to send several reminders as the date approaches. You also want to set a firm cost that everyone can comfortably afford. Generally somewhere around the $25 mark is appropriate - you want the thought and gesture to be as special as the actual gift itself. Other rules may include whether alcohol or other adult themed gifts are appropriate or if you want a theme like Homemade Christmas Cookies.

Use a Secret Santa Questionaire as a Sign-Up Form

The worst part about Secret Santa Exchanges is not knowing what to get - or what you will receive. There is nothing worse than that uncomfortable silence when you unwrap something thinking "what in the world..." as you try to stammer out something that sounds like a genuine thank you. Jill at Create.Craft.Love has a beautiful Printable Secret Santa Survey that you can use to help you choose the perfect gift! You could even use them as the slip for sign-ups.

Go Digital with Elfster

Oh, how I wish this was available back in my coordinating days. Elfster has made organizing and execting a Secret Santa Exchange a piece of cake! Elfster is a free online Secret Santa organizer and social networking platform for gift-giving. With over 5.5 million users, Elfster has become one of the most used online gift giving resources and Secret Santa generators for the Holiday Season. You simply sign up, send the link to all of your participants, and Elfster does the rest! They even have universal wish lists and an updated Shop section so you can shop right from their site to have the gifts delivered! How easy is that!?

Have an Extra Gift Ready

No Gift Exchange is complete without someone forgetting something - so have an extra gift or two wrapped and ready to go if needed so there are no hurt feelings. Gift Exchanges are not life or death so try to go with the flow if someone flakes out, and not get too terribly upset about it. If you get lucky and everyone remembers - decide together who to gift the extra gift to as a group and brighten their day. Consider people like your mail carrier, maintenance tech, or other people who make your job easier.

Have FUN!

No matter what - remember that Secret Santa Gift Exchanges are meant to be light and fun and full of holiday cheer. Even if you receive a gift you are not fond of, remember that someone went out of their way to find and purchase the gift, so be thankful no matter what.

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #SummerIsForSavings #CollectiveBias #WFM3

Remember back a few months when I told you we were considering getting Midge her own cell phone, and then we surprised her with it for her birthday? I am delighted to say that she has been terrific with it and I have loved being able to reach her no matter where she has gone ever since - including a trip all the way to Arkansas with her grandparents! The peace of mind I have had from my child having a cell phone is hard to even put into words - but I am so glad that we decided to set her up with her very own phone from Walmart Family Mobile. Since she has been so great with it I decided to celebrate with her these last few days of summer before she heads off to middle school with a trip to the beach and a big surprise - an upgrade!

Right now at your local Walmart, you can get a powerhouse LG L59 Grace Smartphone on Rollback for just $79.00! Walmart Family Mobile is powered by T-Mobile's nationwide 4G LTE† Network so you can get great coverage virtually everywhere - I know because I about drove her crazy calling and texting to check on her while she was away! Thankfully we have her on the $49.88 PLUS Plan featuring Unlimited Talk, Text & Data, which now includes up to 15 GB of 4G LTE† data, then 2G*. We certainly have put all that extra data to the use this summer.

The LG L59 Grace Smartphone is just one of Walmart Family Mobile's 4G LTE† capable phones which let you have all of your favorite Android Apps right in the palm of your hand - with no contract and no activation fee. Walmart Family Mobile doesn't even charge late fees! They know life happens sometimes! With Walmart Family Mobile you simply Pick a phone. Pick a plan. Activate & Go. Voila!

I packed up Midge's beach bag like we always do, but I slid her new LG L59 Grace Smartphone into one of the pockets. As we got ready to leave in the car I called it... she didn't understand what was happening at first, but once it clicked what was going on... well I am pretty sure the neighborhood heard the squealing.

She spent almost the entire drive setting up her new phone with all of her favorite apps, games, songs, and more. And of course, we were not there long before she started checking out one of her favorite features of the phone - the camera! Check out this shot she captured from the 9th story condo! I was thankful for all of that extra data in the $49.88 PLUS Plan when I realized she was so proud of it that she uploaded it to social media AND sent it to her entire contact list... twice. 

After a long day at the beach, nothing is better than coming home to relax on the couch in the air conditioning - and we have enjoyed doing that a couple times this summer. As if the Walmart Family Mobile $49.88 PLUS plan wasn't already fantastic - you also get a free VUDU◊ movie rental credit valued at $7.00 every month when you renew your service! All you need is a VUDU◊ enabled device and account to start digital viewing of your favorite summer flicks! Awesome phone, awesome coverage, and awesome movies - it is a win all the way around.

It will not be much longer before my "baby" heads off to middle school - but until then we are soaking up every minute of the 2017 Summer that we possibly can - and Walmart Family Mobile and the LG L59 Grace Smartphone are helping us to do just that. You can get started with a new plan or switch your existing plan to Walmart Family Mobile by visiting your local Walmart - they will even help you activate it right in the store!  With Walmart Family Mobile's $49.88 PLUS Plan with Unlimited Talk, Text, & Data which includes up to 15GB of 4G LTE † then 2G* you can Make Summer Better!

How are you spending the last days of summer?

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to this page or your local Walmart for current pricing

†To get 4G LTE speed, you must have a 4G LTE capable device and 4G LTE SIM Card. Actual availability, coverage, and speed may vary. LTE is a trademark of ETSI.

*Please always refer to the latest terms and conditions at myfamilymobile.com.

◊Limited time offer. Available for lines active with the PLUS $49.88 plan only. VUDU enabled device and account required for digital viewing. Customers must be 18 years or older to open a VUDU account. Movie rental only available in the USA. Free movie rental provided in the form of a movie rental code to the value of a $7.00 VUDU credit. Movie rental code allows for selection from available movies for rent. May not be readily redeemable on all new releases. Code will be delivered within up to 24 hours of the effective account renewal date. Must be used within 30 days of receiving code. Offer is non-transferable. Limit 1 per customer. Additional terms and conditions on VUDU's website: http://www.vudu.com/termsofservice.html

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and LISTERINE. All opinions are mine alone. #BackToBold #CollectiveBias

We are counting down the final days of summer here in the Moscato household! Sami is beyond excited - and also incredibly nervous - to be heading to college this year. We have been going through our list of things to get done before college starts, and one of them was, of course, to get a dental check up and cleaning. Sami and I both checked out cavity free and were given our little baggie of goodies with a new toothbrush, toothpaste and a sample of LISTERINE® TOTAL CARE Mouthwash. This was the first time I have ever received mouthwash in my little bag, so I knew my dentist must really recommend it. When I had a chance to team up with Collective Bias to talk about the exact product my dentist had just recommended the week before, I was stoked.

LISTERINE^® TOTAL CARE FRESH MINT Anticavity Mouthwash and LISTERINE^® TOTAL CARE ZERO ALCOHOL FRESH MINT Anticavity Mouthwash help prevent cavities, restore minerals to enamel, kill bad breath germs, clean the whole mouth and freshen breath. No other mouthwash is more complete* than LISTERINE® TOTAL CARE Mouthwash. The zero-alcohol formula cleans deep to kill millions of bad breath germs for a healthier mouth, with a less intense minty flavor. It is no wonder LISTERINE^® is the #1 Dentist Recommended Mouthwash Brand. We tried the little samples while we were at the dentist, and agreed that we wanted more. So we headed to Target on our way home to get our own big bottles.

While I was excited about the health benefits of LISTERINE^® TOTAL CARE, Sami was most excited about feeling confident that she would not have to worry about bad breath as she heads off into her first year of college. She has already taken many college classes while in high school, so even though she is technically a college freshman, she will be in some pretty advanced classes, making her the youngest person in the room. I want her to go boldly into these classes feeling her absolute best and having a beautiful smile and fresh breath can help to do just that. Now through September 9th when you buy three LISTERINE^® TOTAL CARE FRESH MINT Anticavity Mouthwash 1L or LISTERINE^® TOTAL CARE ZERO ALCOHOL FRESH MINT Anticavity Mouthwash 1L You received a $5 Target Gift card. You can shop your local Target or shop Target Online. You can even click on the image below to be taken right to where you can order right away! How cool is that?!

 

Five Tips For Taming Bathroom Counter Choas

Understanding the importance of using LISTERINE® TOTAL CARE daily made us both want to keep our bottles front and center on the bathroom counter so we would remember to swish daily - this, however, meant something else to clutter up the counter with. For whatever reason, Sami and I both struggle with keeping the bathroom counters clear - so when we discovered something else we needed to add, I knew it was time to get serious about taming the chaos that is the bathroom counters and cabinets - especially with her needing to be able to share a small bathroom with her college roommate soon!

1. Start by pulling everything off of the counters, out of the medicine cabinet and out from beneath the sink. Chances are you will find things in there you didn't even realize you had. Throw those things away.

2. Begin two piles - one for things you want to keep and one for items you can gift away to your girlfriends or your local women's shelter or senior citizen home. Chances are there are products in there you have only used a time or two, and you can really make someone's day with a little pampering gift.

3. Then go through and figure out what you really need. When was the last time you actually used that face wash that dried your skin out? How long have you had that makeup compact? Do you really need those 27 little miniature samples you got in that subscription box - half of which are the wrong color?

4. If you have duplicates of things, consolidate down to one bottle if you can. I somehow had five different bottles of the exact sale leave in conditioner... five! All with only a little bit left in the bottle! I was able to consolidate down to one large bottle and one smaller bottle to refill, and then I was able to throw the other three away. Voila!

5. REPEAT!! Honestly, get in the habit of doing this little purge often to keep the bathroom counter clutter to a minimum. We tend to acquire more "stuff" every couple weeks, so going through your stuff once a month will help you significantly cut down the excess stuff you do not need.

Once you have whittled down your "keep" stuff, you need something to put it in. There are bathroom organizers and baskets and such at the store - or you can make your own that fits just exactly what you need - which is what we decided to do. Check out how easy it is to make your own DIY Bathroom Counter Organizer.

DIY PVC Bathroom Counter Organizer

Materials Needed:

• Assorted PVC Pipe Pieces
• Spray Paint for Plastic Surfaces in your favorite color
• PVC Cement Glue
• Shallow cardboard box (optional)

Start by measuring your bathroom counter so you know exactly how wide you can make your PVC Bathroom Organizer. Start with the largest piece and work out from there. For the main piece, I used a 4" x 4" x 2" PVC WYE. It perfectly fits your hair dryer and straightener or curling iron and is a good, heavy base piece. I then chose other coupling pieces in assorted sizes for her lotions, deodorant, hair spray, makeup, brushes, and even lip glosses. Using the shallow box as a flat surface, lay out your organizer how you want it to look and so that it will fit your bathroom counter.

The PVC Cement has a little cloth dobber attached to the inside of the lid, so once you lay everything out you can begin cementing each piece together - generously applying glue and then holding the pieces together firmly to hold. Be generous with the glue - it is ok if it drips onto the box. The benefits of the box are to keep a flat surface that you can easily peel off if it gets stuck.

Once you have all of your pieces firmly cemented together, let dry completely - moving the entire thing often to keep from sticking too badly to the box but also to make sure none of the pieces move or come loose. If they do, simply add more cement and hold firmly together. Once dry, take the entire organizer to a shaded area with plenty of fresh air to paint. You can flip the box right over to keep the spray paint contained. Using your spray paint made for plastic, simply coat your organizer down and let dry completely.

Now, I personally wanted to add some fun polka dots or flowers or something to this, but that was "too childish" for my college freshman, so we left it her favorite color blue. Once it is completely dry you are ready to bring your PVC Organizer in and fill with all of your bathroom counter necessities. (Honestly, once she got all of her stuff in it I am not sure the polka dots would have even shown!) This was a fast and fun craft that works perfectly for what she needs and keeps her bathroom counter looking nice and tidy. It also keeps everything right in eye sight, so she does not forget anything. She has enough on her mind with college - her morning routine should be simple.

She absolutely loves her Bathroom Counter Caddy - and I love it so much I think I need one too! It is perfect for keeping all of the things you use daily right at your fingertips. Whether you are heading to college, back to school, or even to work, you can Go Boldly feeling confident with a great smile and fresh breath with LISTERINE® TOTAL CARE. Head to Target and stock up and get your $5 Giftcard!

*Among OTC fluoride rinses

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SkinEssentials #CollectiveBias

It is hard to believe that in just two weeks, Sami will be heading off to her first day of college. We have known this day was coming, and have been preparing for it almost her whole life. Since she was a little girl she has always said she wants to be in veterinary medicine, and we have all rallied behind her to help her do just that. As a little girl, while other kids were watching cartoons, she was watching Animal Planet. In middle school, while other kids were concerned with boys and drama, she was volunteering at the shelters. And then in high school, she enrolled in a veterinary program to begin her career in veterinary medicine and graduated summa cum laude with her vet tech assistant certification. To say we are proud of this girl is an understatement, and as she heads off to college we continue to rally behind her to help her have the best college experience possible.

One thing we have learned over the last few years - veterinary medicine can be messy! She came home from her freshman year of high school requesting galoshes to wear over her shoes so "when they wash the sheep" she does not get her shoes dirty. I promptly filed that under things I never had to worry about when I was in school. It has been a bit of a struggle to keep her skin healthy and clear and looking its best. She learned early on that she had to make time to take care of herself in order to take care of everything else.

Even the pets have rallied behind her to help with school... or at least they think they are helping. Sami's love for animals is outstanding, and I know she is going to do an amazing job working with animals for a long, long time. She only has a few years of college to get the degree that she wants, but she is more determined now than I have ever seen her. She has enjoyed her summer this year, but she is ready to head to campus and get her degree.

Part of Sami's success has always been in her routines. I am very much a routine person and I passed that trait down to her. As she looks to college, her routines are going to need to shift from what they have been the last few years, and she has already begun getting ready for the big day to arrive. While it kind of feels like we have been preparing for this for quite some time now - taking college courses in high school, touring campuses while we traveled, and even doing an internship for the last year and a half - I can see the nervousness starting to grow as the big day draws near.

To help alleviate some of her nervousness and get her on the right track to have the best freshman year possible, we have been working on gathering everything she needs and getting her a great routine so that every morning when she wakes up she knows just exactly what to do to get her day off to a great start. Target is always our go to spot for everything we need, so we headed off to stock up on all of her college essentials. Since doing your best has a lot to do with looking and feeling your best, your morning routine can really set the tone for the rest of the day.

Every morning routine needs to have three main goals - LOOK your best, FEEL your best, and be prepared to DO your best. Target has everything you need for Back To College at great prices - which is important whether you are a college student or a parent supporting said college student! We headed off to tackle our three goals, beginning with LOOK your best. I firmly believe that when you look your best you can be prepared for just about anything. Target has everything you need to LOOK your best - from skin care to cosmetics to hair care and clothing.

LOOK your best.

The stress of college can wreak havoc on your skin - so having a simple and effective skin care routine will help keep you and your skin calm. Neutrogena® Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub has maximum strength Salicylic Acid acne-fighting medicine to powerfully clear blemishes and blackheads. Clean & Clear® MORNING BURST® Facial Cleanser will help get you going in the morning with a fresh citrus scent and soft BURSTING BEADS® which burst with energy and vitamins, leaving your skin feeling clean, energized and ready to face the day. Finish up with Neutrogena® SkinClearing Mineral Powder which is formulated for acne-prone skin works quickly to treat and help prevent breakouts. Check out the image below and hover over each product to learn more and purchase right from Target.com! Be sure to scroll down and see the great Cartwheel offers too!

FEEL Your Best.

One can not live on coffee alone - I have tested that theory. Feeling your best means having proper nutrition - even at odd times of the day. One of our favorite go tos is turkey roll ups with cream cheese and green onions and a fresh sliced apple and peanut butter. There is tons of protein which is needed for a grueling day of lectures or exams and an added bonus - you do not need utensils! You can eat it all with your fingers. Target has a wide variety of "Bento" style lunch boxes and accessories that make it easy for you to pack your meals fast and keep everything fresh. They even come with ice packs! Packing your own food will not only make you feel better, but you will save money and time since everyone else will be trying to hit up a drive thru.

Be prepared to DO your best.

Clutter is the enemy of success - and joy for that matter. Studies have shown that a cluttered house, cluttered desk, and even cluttered car can get in the way of your success in life. Sami recently purchased her very first car and has been diligent about keeping it clean and organized. Since she is now working full time at a veterinary clinic, plus going to college at two different campuses, she is spending a lot of time in this little car! While we were at Target we picked up a few things for her car - including an over the seat car organizer where she can keep extra papers, folders, pens, and more! It also has a place for her to keep her Neutrogena® SkinClearing Mineral Powder for quick touch ups as she goes from one campus to the next. Every morning she spends just a few minutes going through her day in her mind and putting everything she needs in her car so that she is fully prepared to do her best.

For anyone heading back to college this season, Target has everything you need all in one place and at a great price. Be sure to download the Cartwheel app for extra savings on all of your favorites! Like right now when you buy 3 Neutrogena® facial skin care products you get a $5 Target gift card. And when you buy one Clean & Clear® product you get one 25% off! You can even save 20% on Neutrogena® cosmetics every weekend in August, Thursday-Sunday, on Cartwheel. I love the Cartwheel app! Visit your local Target or shop online for all of your College and #SkinEssentials !

This post is sponsored by CLEAN & CLEAR® and NEUTROGENA®. I only recommend products I use personally and believe my followers will also enjoy! Some of the products mentioned were provided by CLEAN & CLEAR® and NEUTROGENA® for this review.

It is still hard for me to believe that I am one of the millions of couples that can call themselves an “online dating success story,” but it is true. Mike and I met on one of the best online dating sites almost nine years ago. Recently I had a chance to team up with that dating site – Plenty of Fish - to tell our story and encourage others who are looking for love to do the same. This may be one of my favorite blog posts I have ever written.

The Story of Us… A Plenty of Fish Success Story

After going through a nasty divorce that spanned from mid-2007 into early 2008, I had all but given up on love. I was a nearly 30-year-old single mom unsure of where my life was headed. I had heard of online dating, but it had come around while I was married so I never gave it a second thought. Nearly a year after my divorce – unsure of how to even “put myself out there” as my girlfriends suggested – I began researching. My cousin had met some people from a site called Plenty of Fish, so I decided to give it a try.

I created a profile, surfed around reading others profiles, and almost immediately began receiving messages. Since I am a firm believer that the best relationships are born out of friendships, my goal was to start making friends first, and if a relationship blossomed from it – that was fantastic. I began conversations – some of which went on for hours – and eventually starting making plans to meet in person.

For the next few months I had an absolute blast “online dating.” I went on some of the neatest dates, met some of the neatest people, and learned so much about myself and the things I did and did not want in my life. I even learned about careers that I never knew existed!

One date that I had an absolute blast on we called a “progressive date” – we met first for a drink at one location, then went to another location to order a salad, then left and went to another location to order an appetizer, etc. – with the joke that at ANY time we could say we didn’t want to go on to the “next course.” It was completely pressure free and we had so many laughs and ended up staying together all the way through after dessert drinks and dancing. I highly recommend everyone going on a progressive date!

While perusing the Plenty of Fish site one day, I saw a profile that looked interesting and I sent him a message. Hey, it was 2008 – women can make the first move, right? I sent a message to “My Fellow Leo” and said he seemed like someone I would have a lot in common with. We began chatting which eventually led to trying to make plans… but our schedules just did not match up. He actually thought I was blowing him off! The conversation kind of dropped, with just an occasional hello here and there.

A few weeks later I woke up to my credit card terminal on the fritz. I had a credit card that I needed to run for products I had already delivered, and I was getting antsy.  In a desperate attempt to get it fixed I logged into Plenty of Fish and posted a message asking for help. I jumped in the shower and got ready for work - praying for a miracle.

A while later I got a message from Mike – my “Fellow Leo” I had messaged a few weeks before - offering to help.  He said he had a similar terminal in his office, and I could use his to input the card and he would give me the cash back. Simple.  I thanked him for his offer and told him I would come by after I got off work around noon.

After work, I called him to see where his office was.  Turns out... he worked from home. I got the address and headed to his house. I pulled into his driveway and called my friend Megan to tell her I was at this address - and if she didn’t hear from me in 15 minutes to call the police.  Yes, I watch too many crime shows.

I met Mike for the first time “IRL” and he ran my card - literally three minutes later and I was done. But... wait...

I said, "Can I at least take you to lunch to thank you for your help?" 

He said sure and we went up the street to Applebee's for lunch where we sat talking and laughing… for nearly five hours.  The waitress came back and asked us if we wanted to see the menu again for dinner.  We said no, I paid our tab, and we both left.

Two days later he texted me and asked me out. There was a Mardi Gras parade on the beach that he and some friends were going to, and he wanted to see if I wanted to go along.  Of course, I did. Six months later we moved in together.

Five years later – as we were leaving that same Applebee's - having ironically ordered the exact same meal that we did on that first impromptu “date”- I turned around to see him on one knee holding a beautiful black diamond ring. 

In the last eight years, we have gone through every up and down you could possibly imagine.  From sicknesses to legal battles, life altering surgeries to cross country job opportunities, amazing vacations to huge wins in the poker room... and whether we were up - or down - he has been the best friend I have ever had.

In October I will marry my best friend.

Never in a million years did I think I would be an “online dating success story” – but here we are – happier than I ever thought I would be in my life, and I 100% tell people it is because of Plenty of Fish. What makes this story even wilder is that Mike and I have been “one degree of separation” from each other our entire lives – yet we never met. We have some of the same friends, have been to some of the same parties – yet it took both of us taking a leap of faith and signing up for Plenty of Fish to bring us together. It just proves that you have to “put yourself out there” in order to find your fate.

If you are considering online dating, or even just searching for the love of your life, you have to check out Plenty of Fish. Plenty of Fish, or POF for short, has more than 150 million registered users looking to connect. Now you can have POF right on your mobile device with their smart phone app – those did not exist back when Mike and I started talking! Ha!

Their new app has made it even easier to find love with the inclusion of Spark, which makes it even easier for you to initiate that first conversation. By picking up and dragging the conversation icon over any aspect of another user’s profile, you can instantly quote and comment on what interests you about them – like photos or even their interests. You can see how Spark works by watching this video. You can download the Plenty of Fish App from iTunes or Google Play or sign up online.

I am so thankful that my friends convinced me to try online dating, and that I signed up for Plenty of Fish. I truly do not think Mike and I ever would have met without it. We are both incredibly proud to be a success story for Plenty of Fish.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Plenty of Fish.

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Walmart Family Mobile. All opinions are mine alone. #YourTaxCash #CollectiveBias

A couple weeks ago I told you about how Walmart Family Mobile is helping you Max Your Tax Cash this tax season will killer deals on their phones and service plans. I have been using the Samsung Galaxy On5 ever since while waiting for just the right time to give it to Midge for her upcoming birthday. Since Midge' birthday falls right at finals week for school I decided to surprise her with an early birthday celebration with a couple of her friends. She will be turning 11 this year which makes her an official "Preteen" so I thought it would be fun to plan the entire party around the letter P! I told the girls to bring their Pajamas to party in and we would have everything starting with a P - Pepperoni Pizza, Popcorn, Pretzels, Peanuts, Punch - even homemade Pecan Cookies for dessert! The biggest surprise of all was coming, though - and even it starts with a P - YEP - her new PHONE!

Walmart Family Mobile made it easy for me to feel confident getting Midge her very first smartphone. The Samsung Galaxy On5 was on Rollback for the amazing price of $69.00 (Regularly $119) and with their amazing Unlimited* Talk, Text, & Data Plans, it was the perfect solution to "getting her feet wet" in the mobile world. The Samsung On5 has all of the smartphone features we love at an affordable price. Both the front and rear facing camera take exquisite photos - important for a Preteen for sure! You can even multi-task easily and it is lightening fast on the Walmart Family Mobile service.

*Includes up to 10GB of 4G LTE† data then 2G

I chose to go with the PLUS plan because I felt like it was the best value. Walmart helps us Max Your Tax Cash by bringing great value and an unbeatable price. For just $49.88 a month Midge has Unlimited* Talk, Text, & Data which *includes up to 10GB of 4G LTE then 2G and a free movie credit on VUDU every month. All I had to do was get the phone and the SIM Kit and voila - I was all ready to go! Since Family Mobile bills you later, you only have to pay $19.88 when you sign up. I was able to get everything for her Perfect Preteen Pajama Pizza Party all from Walmart!

Midge was beyond surprised when her friends began arriving... all wearing super cute pajamas! We made homemade pizzas and had our homemade pecan cookies for dessert. When we put the pizzas in the oven I showed another surprise - a full set up for a "Perfectly Pampered Piggies Pedicure!"  Hey, they may be Preteens - but Midge's little toes will always be "piggies" to me! All you need for an at-home pedicure are some plastic bins and bath salts with warm water to soak your feet in, some towels to dry them off, and then pumice stones, "pretty" files (bear with me here - not EVERYTHING can start with a P!) and of course the Perfect Polish! Since I didn't want to be a mom that hovers I simply left the instructions and let them get started while I checked on the Pizzas. I made this cute little printable which you can download here.

After the pedicures and while the pizzas cooled some, it was time for Presents - yep, another P word - where she received her brand new Phone!!. The squeals were.... well, Piercing. (see what I did there) A room full of Preteens can get pretty loud - but her excitement made it all worth it. Turns out she was one of the last of her friends to get her very own phone - but the THIRD one to get a phone from Walmart Family Mobile! I guess the other Moms know what a great value it is! I even personalized the screen for her... because... well ya know.

While the girls enjoyed their pizzas I cleared the pedicure area and set up a simple snack bar with pink & purple candies, pretzels, peanuts, and popcorn. I put a little sign that said "Movie at 7pm" - but I wouldn't answer when they asked what that meant!

Everyone filled their little snack boxes with P-named goodies and headed back into the living room. That was when I explained how the movie works with Walmart Family Mobile. When you sign up for the Walmart Family Movie Plus Plan, you get a FREE VUDU movie rental worth $7 - that's the same as a new release movie! It is just another way Walmart Family Mobile is letting you Max Your Tax Cash by bringing the best value for your wireless needs! We streamed our VUDU movie right to our Smart TV and made it a game to point out all of the words and things in the movie that started with a P!  It was so fun - even us adults got in on the action!

This tax season let Walmart Family Mobile help you Max Your Tax Cash! Whether you are looking into a first phone for your upcoming Preteen or wanting to get yourself a great new phone, check out the Samsung Galaxy On5 or any of Walmart's other great smart phone options!

I made enough Pecan Cookies for a small town, so I sent a lot of them home with the girls the next day. Several of the Moms requested the recipe - they are SO delicious and easy to make and with ingredients I always have on hand! They aren't too sweet - which lets the nuttiness of the pecans really shine through. I think they were the perfect little added touch to bring our Perfect Preteen Pajama Pizza Party together perfectly!

Disclaimer: All prices for phones and plans included in this post are accurate as of the date of posting; however, these prices are subject to change. Please refer to http://cbi.as/7e-jr or your local Walmart for current pricing.

I am a boots girl year round. Maybe it comes from growing up in the South, but regardless of my wardrobe, I think nothing flatters more than a great pair of boots. But finding the perfect style boots for you can be tricky - and wearing the wrong boots can really throw things off. If you are a boots girl like me - or maybe even just thinking about becoming one - here is an article I found about which boot style will work best for you!

New to Wearing Boots? Here’s What You Need to Know

Boots are a wardrobe essential that may seem universally flattering. As it turns out, particular boot styles flatter individual body types better than others. Choosing the best style depends on your frame, shape, weight, and height. While this may seem daunting, it just means some alternatives better complement your figure.

Boots for Every Body Type

If you are new to wearing boots and searching for a style to make you seem sexier or thinner, the trick is finding the one that best suits your body type. This means that understanding your overall body shape is tremendously important when it comes to selecting the best style of boot. For example, the ideal boot for women with apple-shaped bodies is a wedge bootie, which serves as a visual anchor to elongate their thighs. It also balances out their bodies by adding interest to their feet. Here are additional tips to help you select your ideal boot style.

• Muscular. Women with athletic, muscular legs enjoy showcasing their assets, and the best approach is selecting an ankle boot with a heel. The heel unmistakably supports and highlights the calf muscles and a low profile on top best displays the shapely legs. Moreover, a stiletto-heeled boot feminizes muscular body types, similar to boots with embellishments such as unusual cutouts or straps.
• Stout legs. For women with legs that are more on the stout side, adding height with an ankle-cut heeled boot provides length and the appearance of thinner thighs. A moderate high heel also produces remarkable muscle definition to help legs appear longer. Also, stretchy fabric or leather, elastic gussets, and buckles provide extra width. Further, an angled cuff creates a complimentary curve on the leg.
• Petite. Depending on the length of their legs, most petite women look fabulous in boots with a significant heel height. Heels or wedges visually lengthen the legs. For those with longer legs, over-the-knee boots are stunning. However, for shorter legged, petite women, ankle boots give the illusion of being taller. Choose a streamlined design with vertical accents to move the eye upward rather than side-to-side.
• Tall. They can increase their height even more with a medium-heeled riding boot, or choose to adhere to their original height with flatter alternatives. However, most fashionistas recommend that tall women embrace their natural height by wearing edgy, over-the-knee boots. Also, designs with some flexibility mold to the calves, such as a slim back-zip style. A bold color or three-dimensional details, including buckles or ruffles tend to make legs appear curvier.
• Slim legs. For those endowed with naturally slender legs, most of the boot styles will enhance and flatter. For instance, mid-calf length boots are ideal for women with slim calves, as this style visually widens leg sizes. That said, the over-the-knee or thigh-high boot is the sartorial crowning jewel because it provides the illusion of extra curves without distracting from envy-inducing legs.
• Hourglass. Those with an hourglass figure should search for sturdy boots such as those with a cone heel, which help keep the foot prostrate and provide balance. However, that does not mean height must be sacrificed. A cone heel paired with a platform produces extra lift, and a rounded toe mimics and accentuates curves. However, women with thicker legs should avoid calf-length boots. Choosing a boot style that hits just above the ankle is flattering and makes legs appear longer.

When considering the best boots and heel heights for different body types, make sure to analyze your shape to help determine which style will ultimately help balance it.

Styles That Accentuate and Flatter

Every stylish woman needs a great pair of boots in her closet regardless of the current trends. From barely-above-the-ankle to thigh-high styles, a huge variety of boot lengths are available. Curating your fashion options begins with determining the most flattering styles for your individual body type. A variety of adorable outfit possibilities with boots is infinite, despite the season. Depending on your style and your personal preference, boots can add appeal, comfort, and charm to nearly any wardrobe. Let your boot collection take center stage by mapping out the best runway styles that will ultimately flatter your individual shape.

Ever since Mike purchased a coffee shop inside our local Civic Center I have become a bit... obsessed with coffee. Between ordering different flavors to try, mixing up new concoctions (macchiato anyone?!) and testing our different roasts, coffee has seemed to take over my life a bit. (And don't even get me started on my need for bulletproof coffee) The problem, though... Java Hut is only open on the weekends... and only 6 months out of the year. That has left me longing for a good cup of joe half the year! Not anymore! When I went to TypeA East this year I had the pleasure of meeting up with Ninja - makers of the new Ninja Coffee Bar Brewer System. Even as someone who has been "slingin caffeine" with a top of the line espresso machine for nearly four years now, I was blown away by what this little machine can do. Once I got it home, I was even more blown away and have been loving mixing up different concoctions day and night. From hot coffee first thing in the morning to an afternoon iced delight to keep me going... I am in love. There is no doubt this is a must have for coffee lovers like me.

The next-generation Ninja Coffee Bar^® is more than a coffeemaker. It's a coffee system—complete with a variety of brew types and sizes, a built-in frother, and tons of delicious coffee recipes you can create and enjoy at home.

I received the Ninja Coffee Bar System with Glass Carafe to review. It lets you brew six different sizes and the Auto-iQ^® uses just the perfect amount of water for each - you can even have a single serve without having to use a pod! How cool is that? You can brew one single cup, an extra large cup, the entire glass carafe - you can even brew directly into the extra large 22oz tumbler that comes with it - which is perfect for taking your coffee on the go. The Auto-iQ^® will give you the perfect brew every time.

The part I love the most about the Ninja Coffee Bar System though is the built in frother right on the side. At Java Hut we froth our milk using a super hot steamer... so there is no way to get deliciously frothy milk in an iced drink. Since Iced Hazelnut Lattes are my drink of choice in the afternoons, I have loved getting to froth up my milk for the perfect latte at home.

If you are still looking for the perfect gift for the coffee lover in your life - consider the Ninja Coffee Bar - it is like bringing the barista home! Check out NinjaKitchen.com for all of the amazing must have kitchen gadgets! And watch for my upcoming review on the Ninja Duo coming soon!

This post is part of a brand collaboration with Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. All opinions are 100% my own. 

When I saw the construction sign that said "Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen - Coming Soon" just a few miles from my house - I was absolutely elated. I had only been to Cheddar's a few times before when I was traveling, so I was beyond excited to finally get one in my home town. I am only a little bit embarrassed to admit that I have dined at Cheddar's no less than twice a month since the doors opened... and that was nearly two years ago. So when I had a chance to team up with Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen and talk about my favorite restaurant, I was happy to get involved.

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen offers fresh, made from scratch meals in a fun relaxed setting. We all know someone (or are that someone!) who often finds themselves standing in the kitchen eating dinner out of a box. Cheddar's wants you to know you do not have to dine alone. You can grab a friend, colleague, or even a neighbor and enjoy a fresh meal at a great price. Since 1979 Cheddar's has been serving tasty made from scratch meals to friends and families all over the country.

I could talk for days about how much I love this place. Most restaurants I go to I have my "set thing" that I always get, but with Cheddar's I love so many of their meals I can have variety every time we go. The Buffalo Chicken Wrapper has the perfect amount of kick which is amazing dipped in their made from scratch ranch dressing, the Grilled Salmon has been cooked to perfection every time I have ordered it (something I can not say about any other restaurant I have ever been to - ever!) Even the sides at Cheddar's are delicious! Their Broccoli Cheese Casserole... let's just say I can eat my weight in that stuff. In fact, I always order extra - it is that good. And the Monte Cristo... well here is my friend Angie trying it for the first time. I think her face says it all.

Last week Mike and I headed out with a group of friends to dine at Cheddar's before heading off to go see Finding Dory. Yes... all of the adults went to Finding Dory...without the kids. I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Wrapper, Mike had the Ribs & Tenders, Kayla had the Fish Sandwich, and Jillayne ordered their signature Spasagna... imagine spaghetti meats lasagna meets a lot of cheese! It was amazing! We also started with the Santa Fe Spinach Dip, which I personally think is the best spinach dip in the whole world, and washed it all down with a frozen Maui Margarita. We spent almost two hours just laughing and chatting and sharing and enjoying our meals before heading off to enjoy the rest of our evening.

Cheddar's believes you should be able to enjoy good food at a good price with good friends. Their new campaign - "Friends Don't Let Friends Eat Alone" is all about bringing friends and families together to drink and dine and enjoy being together while someone else does all of the cooking and cleaning! (Sounds like perfection to me!) I can attest to Cheddar's being the perfect place for you to take your loved ones for a delicious, care free meal... 'cause we do it allllllllll the time!

For more information on Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, including details on joining the Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen team, purchasing gift cards for special occasions, or signing up for the eClub to receive exclusive information and promotions, visit www.cheddars.com.