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Electrolux Text-a-Thon for a Cause

Posted on September 14, 2009 3:34 pm by TheAngelForever

Imagine sending a text message and being able to raise money for a great charity.

The good news is you do not have to dream this up. Kelly Rippa has teamed up with Electrolux for a "Text-a-Thon for a Cause" to support the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). When I was asked by Mom Central to spread the word about this fabulous campaign, which started on September 9 and continues all month long, I immediately agreed to help out. Here is more information:

Today, Electrolux and Kelly Ripa are kicking off a unique “Text-a-Thon for a Cause” to support the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). Moms can donate $5 to the cause by texting “KELLY” to 85944 from their mobile phones (standard text messaging rates apply) – or by logging on to www.kelly-confidential.com. Also, each day you log on to the Web site, you are entered for a chance to win a luxury frontload washer and dryer from Electrolux in Turquoise Sky, the color of ovarian cancer awareness. And don’t forget about the Electrolux washer and dryer in Turquoise Sky for giveaway on the Mom Central site!

During September, visitors to Kelly Confidential can also help spread awareness for this important cause by sending a virtual T-shirt to a friend. For every virtual T-shirt sent, Electrolux will donate $1 to the OCRF. You can also purchase a limited edition T-shirt designed by Ripa; 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts will go to OCRF.

Please help this worthwhile cause and head over to the website to gather more information about this great new project between Electrolux and Kelly Rippa. I already sent out a Virtual T-Shirt to some friends today to get out the word about this project.

For some additional information about the cause, here is a PSA that Kelly Ripa created about the campaign:

I hope that you will text and/or create a virtual T-Shirt in support of this wonderful cause. Also, be sure to head over to Mom Central to enter for a chance to win an Electrolux Turquoise Sky Washer & Dryer.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of Electrolux and received a gift certificate to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Categories:
Blog Tour interesting

Have you heard of BrainFuel?

Posted on September 9, 2009 12:37 pm by TheAngelForever

As an educator and mother, I am always looking to find new and exciting online resources to use with my boys. I am a firm believer that integrating technology is crucial with children these days. Recently, I was asked by Mom Central to explore and review a website called BrainFuel. To participate in this Blog Tour, I was given a one month trial to use the Brain Games on Luminosity.

When you go to the website, it is broken down into four sections.

Brain Food:

In this section, a lot of attention is put on how certain foods are important to help your child maximize their brain, concentration and memory during the day. Articles are available to read about different topics and research is integrated into them to explain the rationale behind the findings. A few examples are:

Mom Was Right – why breaskfast is the most important meal of the day
Why Vitamins – research from studies that show how vitamins from a balanced and healthy diet can make kids perform at their best and do better in school.

Brain Health

This portion of the website is broken down further into areas that talk about Brain Facts, Exercise the Brain, Protecting the Brain. There are a lot of facts and ideas in this section to help to understand your brain better. Some examples:

Family Walk – Do you know why a simple walk after dinner can be beneficial to your brain? This little article explains why.
Avoid Brain Drain – Admit it, you have suffered from this more than once in your life. This explains what you can do to prevent it from happening.

Brain Games

We all know that it is important to exercise our body, but it is also crucial to train our brains. This section points readers to Luminosity.com which hosts the special games. These have been developed to help and increase:

Quicker thinking
Improved memory
Increased alertness
Elevated mood
Better concentration

You do have to be a member to use the games and track your program benefits. The nice part is you can sign up for a free 14 day brain training trial and if you like it then get 50% off a one year subscription by using the promotion code 50BRAINFUEL. I just activated my month long complimentary membership (part of the Blog Tour) and hope to start letting my son use it more. I have to say that many of the games look like something that would keep my brain moving. Some game examples are:

Word Bubbles – Works on Processing Speed, Verbal Fluency Head on over to test this out!
Speed Match – Helps to focus on Processing Speed Another game that you can test out on their website.

So far, I like what I see in these games and hope to explore them more with my son. He loves these types of items and will be intrigued with the concept of helping to make his brain bigger and better. I am interested in seeing if we will notice an improvements in his scores.

Brain Forum

In this portion of the website, you have the chance to connect with others to ask question, look for advice and see what others are doing. There are four main branches that people can leave topics/questions within. These are:

Ask a registered dietitian – Submit a question regarding brain healthy nutrition to our registered dietitian.
Food and Diet – Submit your child’s favorite brain food breakfast ideas/recipes
General Discussion – General Discussion is a place for General topics that do not fit into the categories of other forums on Brain Fuel.
Share with us

The forums look like they will be a nice resource as more people learn about this website. At this point, there are not a lot of posts and it is pretty quiet. The perk with that is if you post a question people respond to it rather quickly.

As previously mentioned, I am still exploring all that there is to offer on BrainFuel and Lumosity. I believe that helping children to be the best that they can be is part of our responsibility. This website has a lot of information that will be a nice resource for many parents.

Disclaimer: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central on behalf of BrainFuel and received an insulated lunch bag from California Innovations to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Categories:
Blog Tour interesting Uncategorized

Message from the Tooth Fairy

Posted on August 23, 2009 3:36 pm by TheAngelForever

I wanted to share a note that NHL received last night from the Tooth Fairy. This is the letter that he found when he woke up this morning:

He was quite excited to have something on his bed when he woke up. Mind you, he did not find it on his own. Daddy went into his room and came running to NHL to mention it. Of course, once he saw the tooth on the outside he guessed who it was from.

We are hoping that this note, along with some fun games that JL made up, will help to get this tooth out. The new adult tooth is already well on it’s way up behind the stubborn baby. Another call to the dentist office will take place Monday morning from a paranoid parent. In the mean time we have been trying to work on the tooth. Last night NHL was playing Mario Kart Wii and each time he lost JL got to wiggle for 10 seconds. Thank goodness NHL is not too great at Mario Kart, so a lot of wiggling took place. Today the tooth is really moving and even side to side.

Later today more Wiggle Tooth Olympics will commence!

Categories:
interesting milestone nhl photos

One Artist

Posted on August 9, 2009 10:52 am by TheAngelForever

Yet another rainy/lazy kind Sunday here in my world. Thought I would share a fun Meme that my cousin sent me. Thanks M!

Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 people you like (or think will actually do this) and include me. Try not to repeat a song title. It’s harder than you think…

Your Artist: Barenaked Ladies

Are you male or female: I’ll Be That Girl

Describe yourself: Second Best

How do you feel about yourself: Really Don’t Know

Describe where you currently live: Hello City

The first thing you think of when you wake up: Who Needs Sleep?

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: The Old Apartment

Your favorite form of transportation: Roadrunner

Your best friend(s) is/are: Crazy

Your favorite color is: Lilac Girl

What’s the weather like: Hidden Sun

If your life were a TV show, what would it be called: The Humour Of The Situation

What is life to you: One Week

What is the best advice you have to give: Call And Answer

If you could change your name, what would it be: Maybe Katie

Your favorite food is: Vegetable Town

Your soul’s present condition: When You Dream

How would you describe your love life: I Love You; Pinch Me

Please leave a comment with a link to your Meme if you do this. Thanks for sharing in the fun!

Categories:
fun interesting me moments survey web fun

Agony of da feet be gone

Posted on August 7, 2009 12:00 am by TheAngelForever

I often joke and call myself an example of recessive genes. Growing up, I fully expected to be tall since both of my parents are six feet tall. Sadly, as I hit puberty and stopped growing, I realized that I was only going to be 5’3". As the vertically challenged member of a tall family (my brother is also six feet tall), I often tried to wear high heel shoes. Of course, the reality is heels are often uncomfortable and leave your feet screaming.

When I first started teaching, I would wear heels and then at night be close to tears. After I had my first son, I learned that nice looking comfort shoes were more important than adding three or so inches. Sure, I was able to get a few pair of heels that worked for more dressy occassions, like going to synagogue, but they were few and far apart. My trusty Aerosole heels are really starting to get worn out and look horrible. For quite some time, I have been searching for the new perfect shoes to have when I need something more than my flip-flops, sneakers, Teva and slides.

Several months ago, people started to chat a lot about the new line of wedges and heels from Crocs. Yes, you read that right. The brand that many connect with the bright orange shoes that Chef Mario Batali wears now sells stylish heels using their comfort technology. At the end of June I won a Twitter giveaway sponsored by Crocs (thanks George Smith Jr – you are the best). I was told to select a pair of shoes that I would like as my prize. I immediately went to look at the wedges and heels. I selected a pair of Sassari to try.

My shoes arrived on Monday. After I stopped jumping up and down, I put them on. It took me a few minutes to remember how to walk in heels, then I was able to run after the boys with my Sassari on. Please excuse my toes that are in need of a new paint job, but here are my cute new shoes.

I really love these shoes. I can see wearing them all town. I hardly feel like I have three inch heels on. All week I have been wearing them around the house to break them in. I can not wait to wear them to places and shock people when they find out that they are Crocs!

So my question to you this week is inspired by my new shoes:

Are you a creature of comfort or will you wear anything in the name of style/fashion? What is your favorite pair of shoes, fancy or not?

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Thanks to Kailani at An Island Life for starting this fun for Friday. Please be sure to head over to her blog to say hello and sign the MckLinky there if you are participating.