Tea

I go through spurts of drinking tea. When it's cold outside I drink it more often. I loved Mother's Milk Tea when I was breastfeeding!

My oldest sister Angela drinks it all the time!

The Libre Tea Loose Lead Tea Glass is easy to use. You just twist off the lip and add your blend of loose leaf tea to the removable BPA free filter. Fix your tea before you  leave or anytime during the day by adding in some hot water and letting it simmer. In minutes you have your tea in a convenient container that fits in your car cup holders and doesn't leak. It also stays cool to the touch while still keeping your tea nice and warm. Its the perfect on the go mug for tea drinkers. You won't know how you got by without one if you give it a try.

New Age Mama is giving away to one winner a Libre Tea Loose Leaf Tea Glass of their own.

Homemade Pudding Pops!

My mom gave me Popsicle molds that she used when I was a wee one. I'm sure they aren't BPA free, but I've been using them anyhow. If you do not have Popsicle molds, an alternative is Dixie Cups and wooden Popsicle sticks (found at any craft store). Pour in the molds, freeze most of the way and insert sticks before they are all the way frozen. Leave room for expansion.

Homemade Pudding Pops! 

Here's the recipe I found:

1 box of pudding (any flavor)
2 cups of skim milk

Here's the recipe I created:

1 box of pudding (any flavor, I used vanilla)
1 cup of skim milk
1 cup of soft tofu

Guess what? My boy's along with their two cousins did not complain about the tofu! They hate dislike tofu in cooked Asian dishes. I love that they are getting extra protein for their snack!

Here's another recipe I created:

1 box of pudding (Use any flavor. I used chocolate.)
1 1/2 cups of skim milk
1/2 cup mushed banana (You can microwave your banana's to make them ripe.)

They liked this version too. I imagine you can use any fruit.

I made extra juice this morning when we used our juicer. I poured it in the molds too! ;)

Next Year I Want to Plant All of Our Seedlings This Way!

Image found here.

You can plant the whole thing, lemon and all; when it's ready!

Healthy Snacks

One thing I've been eating a lot of for a snack is nuts and berries. I sometimes add in plain oatmeal too then put it on top of plain yogurt.

It's pretty good.

Here's a healthy snack by Sahale that New Age Mama is hosting a giveaway for:

I've Been Leaning Towards Glass, Stainless Steel and Ceramic

I've been trying to make better decisions about what I buy. I want to give up a lot of plastic items because they are not BPA free.

I now drink out of a glass water bottle. My kids have stainless steel snack containers. I bought them fun ceramic plates. I'm trying ever so hard to give up plastic. I have a few cloth baggies.

I still have a lot of lunch containers that are plastic. Those are hard to give up because it's what we put our lunches in for work.

Today I saw these:

Rubbermaid makes them! New Age Mama is giving away one of these handy glass containers! I really want one!

Oregano

We grew Oregano and it's spread. We'll have to thin it out. I cut a bunch off to dry for us and much more will go to our co-workers and friends.

Serviceberries

We have a Serviceberry Tree in our front yard. This year it's finally gotten big enough for me to pick off berries to eat before the birds get to them all.

I think I'll make muffins with some and use some more for homemade juice.

Allergies!

I have allergies so bad that they are off the charts! I've had those back pricks done many times when I was younger. I would puff up so bad that the nurse felt bad for me.

I'm super allergic to environmental things, dust mites and any animal that is furry. It used to be that I would get itchy eyes and wheeze with asthma when I was around cats or dogs. Now I mostly get bitchy and tired! It's worse then PMS.

Some things that I do are:

• Sprinkle Baking Soda on our mattresses and vacuum it up.
• Wash my rugs and drapes on a regular basis.
• Vacuum under the couch cushions.
• Dust.
• Wash my hair before bed.
• Clean my pillow case with every load of laundry I do.

I'd really like to get a steam mop for my wood floors. We also plan on getting some industrial carpet for downstairs.

For carpet I'd love to have one of these:

Two of a Kind Working on a Full House is hosting a giveaway for a Hoover MaxExtract 60 Pressure Pro Carpet Cleaner!

What to Get the Men in My Life?

I always have a really hard time figuring out what to get the men in my life for any holiday. If you don't know what to get then men in your life for Father's Day, a zoo membership, local garden membership or a forest membership work great!

Two of a Kind Working on a Full House is hosting a giveaway for one winner to win a $50 gift card to RedEnvelope.

One thing I think my parents husband and I would all like is this:

Run with Footlocker

I like for everyone in my family to have one pair of good tennis shoes. Sandals are fun too. A good pair of tennis shoes is important!

Two of a Kind Working on a Full House is hosting a giveaway where one winner will receive a $50 gift card from Footlocker!

Outside

I went outside a lot this last weekend. On Saturday night we dug up a lot of wood chips to plant Buffalo Grass. It's still in process, but we're getting there.

On Sunday morning I went outside to play. The boy's and I had fun on their Slip 'n Slide! I went on it a few times, even though it's not meant for adults.

I'd love to win one of these Rocket Ship Resistant Tunnel's from Fun and Function at  New Age Mama!  Outdoor activities are the best!

BottlesUp

I have a glass bottle I drink out of all the time. I simply love it. I love how I can drink cold things and heat it up in the microwave if I want something warm.

I wish I had two of them because I drink a lot throughout the day. I fill my bottle up at home where I have a filter. Once the water is gone, I drink tap water. We don't have a filter system at work.

I saw this really cool glass water bottle that The Crafty Nest is hosting a giveaway for. The company that sells these sweet bottles is called BottlesUp. I love everything about it. From it's function to it's design!

Healthier Snacks

I've been trying to do away with some unhealthy snacks! It's easier for me then my kids. We still have Easter candy! At least I didn't allow them to eat it all at once.

I usually give them some of their candy {like a piece} and add a carrot or fresh spinach in their bowl. They don't complain. They just want their snack.

New Age Mama is giving away 1 bag of Yumnuts Cashews. They are a healthier snack that I'm excited to try out! I love to pour these into a bowl along with a carrot or fresh spinach.

Keep Your Drink Cool

The thing we drink the most of is water! I've been stopping off at a track when I'm out and about to get some exercise. Since it's getting warmer, it's harder to keep our dinks cool.

I spotted these fun bags from Chill It Bags! New Age Mama is giving away one of these bags. Perfect for the summer!

Warm Buddy Full Body Wrap

I think it's key that when you work full-time and have two small kids, it's key to have relax time! I don't usually have a problem relaxing, but my husband does. He's Mr. Stress Ball!

New Age Mama is giving away a Warm Buddy Full Body Wrap! I'd love to win this and give it to my husband for father's day. It the kids that stress him out often!