Remove Snow Safely This Winter

    How will you remove snow safely this winter? Once again, New York City is scheduled to get some snowstorms this weekend for the New Year. It's something us New Yorkers are used to with the kinds of winters we get around these parts but they still require some preparation on our part. Many people are unaware that removing snow can become a dangerous task and should be done with some caution.     Unfortunately, we learned this lesson the hard way when the father of an old friend of ours suffered a heart attack while shoveling snow in front of their home. He subsequently died as a result and it was sobering to think that something like snow removal could prove to be such a perilous activity.     Studies show that shoveling snow can increase a person's risk of having a heart attack. Additionally, there are other injuries that can arise from clearing snow including pulled muscles, broken bones, and hypothermia. There are some precautions that one can take to decrease these … [Read more...]

Frozen Hot Cocoa Spoons

    My husband just went out to get breakfast and left the front door open when he came back in to get his car keys.  I can't even begin to describe to you guys how cold it has gotten in New York City.  I've never been a big fan of the cold weather but I do love certain things about this season.  Aside from being able to wear tights and boots, I also enjoy winter recipes and just about anything that will warm me up when I get in from the cold outdoors.     One of my favorite winter treats to enjoy are hot cocoa spoons.  They are perfect for dipping in hot chocolate or even in a hot cup of milk.  You can make them in white or milk chocolate and can even decorate them and wrap them to give away during the holidays.  Since I love Frozen so much, I thought this would be a great theme for my hot cocoa spoons this year.  Check it out! FROZEN HOT COCOA SPOONS SUPPLIES NEEDED 12 Plastic Spoons 2 T solid shortening 3/4 cup … [Read more...]

Face Winter Head On And Enjoy Outdoor Activities! #PassThePuffs @Puffs #Ad

    You wouldn't know it from the weather we have been having this week in New York City but it can get pretty cold here during the winter.  Freezing temperatures and a lot of snowstorms are usually the norm around these parts during this time of the year.  Unfortunately, along with the change in weather, we also spend a lot of time dealing with colds and the sniffles.      Both of my boys have asthma so I worry about them heading outdoors to enjoy winter activities due to the cold air that they will experience.  Often times, they get red and sore noses from blowing their nose every five minutes when they are sick.  Puffs Plus Lotion allows our family to face the cold and participate in our favorite winter activities.  Although I'm not a big fan of the snow and cold, I do enjoy watching my family having a good time outdoors.     Despite living in the city, my husband and sons really love going snow tubing and having … [Read more...]

Brave The Cold With Flipeez Action Hats! @idvproducts #Ad

*I participated in this campaign on behalf of Idea Village Products. I received a promotional item to facilitate this review and as a thank you item for participating.  All opinions are my own.       Last week, we had one really warm day and I think most of us were tricked into thinking that spring was finally on its way.  Unfortunately, that was not the case and it continues to be cold and windy here in New York City.     I always make sure that both of my boys have warm coats, gloves, hats and scarves because they are both asthmatic and I worry about them getting sick in these freezing temperatures.  Unfortunately, there isn't as much variety in boys' fashion and outer garments are there are in the girls' clothing department.     If you are like me, you want your boys to look adorable while staying warm and dry during the winter.  Flipeez Action Hats not only come in a variety of colors and styles, but they also have animal hats with fun actions like popping ears and … [Read more...]

Don’t Let Anything Come Between You And Your Touch Screen! @URPowered #Ad

*I participated in a campaign on behalf of U|R® POWERED. I received a promotional item to facilitate this post and as a thank you item for participating.  All opinions are my own.       I never leave my house without my smartphone.  There are just too many things that I manage through my phone to ever be caught without it.  While I love having a touch screen that puts everything at my disposal with just a quick touch or a mere swipe of the hand, it's hard to do so during the cold winter months when I have gloves on.     I had no idea, however, that U|R® POWERED created an innovative and invisible solution that enables you to operate touch screen devices with all five fingers without taking your gloves off!  The best part is that they have made these gloves to not only be functional but to also be stylish and fashionable.     The U|R® POWERED collection comes in a variety of styles, materials and colors for men and women.  Their connected accessories also include audio … [Read more...]

Enjoy Family Soup Recipes! #HormelFamily

    This past week has been a trying one in our household.  It seems like everyone has been sick and it has been a struggle going through the motions of daily life while feeling under the weather.  Add to that the plummeting temperatures outdoors and it has just been a recipe for disaster.         When we are sick and the cold weather has us in a funk, we often prepare soup to warm ourselves up and to help our bodies heal.  My Grandmother used to prepare Homemade Chicken Soup whenever anyone in the family was sick and she would deliver it to us personally in her food storage containers.  She's probably the one who laid the groundwork for our family's love of soup.         My children love Chicken Noodle Soup and will always request it during the winter months.  Although we prefer homemade soups, the reality of our schedules often causes us to turn to canned soups in order to prepare and enjoy them quickly.  Whatever your soup preference is, as long … [Read more...]

Winter Fashion Tips For Kids! #Troop8X #HTC8X

    When it comes to dressing warmly during the Winter, my boys drive me completely crazy.  Sure, I always make sure that they have all the warm coats, hats, scarves, and gloves that they need to wear during the cold weather.  Whether or not they actually wear them all the time or keep from losing them a few times throughout the season, is another story.     As you can see from the photo below, it can get quite cold and frosty during the winter months here in New York City.  We experience cold conditions along with snow and freezing rain.  It's important to not only keep warm during this weather but to also look great doing it!  When it comes to kids, nothing says fashionable like donning outerwear and accessories that have their favorite cartoon characters on them.         My younger son loves wearing his Angry Birds hat and, thank goodness, because it's the only one he will wear this Winter!  On the other hand, the best way to get my older son to cover his head … [Read more...]

Make A Sick Loved One Feel Better! #KleenexSWS

    The past week has been especially difficult for my family as my Mom was admitted to the hospital due to Pancreatitis.  When a loved one is sick, even the smallest deed or gesture from his or her loved ones can make all of the difference in the recovery process.  In our case, we have all taken special care to make our mother feel loved and cared for.  We hope that she will realize that we are all here for her and that it will give her the strength to get better soon.     My mother and my grandmother have always given me special attention, throughout the years, when I was sick.  They always doted over all of us kids with special home remedies and fixes for colds and flus that they grew up with.  I can still remember the taste of warm "Sopitas" made with broth and fideos, or soup noodles, that my grandmother would make me eat whenever I wasn't feeling well.  My mother would always make sure that I had soft tissues to blow my nose and plenty of orange juice to drink.     In the … [Read more...]