Losing Weight the Hoopnotica Way {Giveaway}

My background in physical education didn't keep me from gaining way too much weight with my last two pregnancies. Having the babies back to back and abdominal surgery shortly thereafter didn't help the waist line either. I have the same problem most women in my situation have, I just don't have a lot of time to exercise. I also get bored easily - I need something fun and challenging.

Luckily, I was in a forum recently when people were discussing a product from Hoopnotica. At first I thought, "A hula hoop? Too easy!" but after watching a video I realized that this isn't the hula hoop of my childhood. They were using the hoop in ways that looked graceful and fun. Not to mention their kickin' bodies and I was sold!

I have the Hoopnotica TravelHoop that breaks down into 6 pieces. It is super easy to put together and take apart, it also comes with a travel strap for easy portability. I was shocked at how large it was and realized that it is heavier than a normal hula hoop. How was I ever going to keep that up off the ground!? You will need a large area to use the hoop and if you have toddlers around - make sure they are no where near-by or you'll surely bop them in the head. It was so easy to get going and after a few minutes I was thinking, "Boy this is simple!" That was until my thighs started burning a bit and then the abs... It is actually easier to keep up because it is larger (I am sure my husband, the science teacher, knows why exactly).

When you purchase your hoop online, you will have the option of purchasing their Level 1 DVD at 50% off. I found a 10-minute video posted by Hoopnotica on YouTube that is a serious butt-kicker. In that video, the instructor only used 5 of the 6 pieces and boy does that make keeping that hoop up harder! It is also a good option for those of you with less room to hoop or who might be more on the petite-size.

Hoopnotica has termed their workouts Hoop Dance. While they look fabulous and graceful doing this - I looked absolutely ridiculous and I am sure that over time I will not look so awkward. There are several dance DVD's to choose from, even a Bollywood and Yoga workout. Pregnant? They have a pregnancy workout too!

What I love the most about the hoop is I can pull it out while watching TV and do a quick workout. I just keep it behind the couch where I can grab it when I have a few minutes and I just get my heart-rate up for as long as I have available. Sometimes I realize I have been hooping for 15 minutes as I get distracted by the show. I have mastered chest hooping and working on hand hooping. That gets a bit dangerous - make sure the breakables and other people are clear.

BUY IT!: Hoopnotica is offering my readers a $5 discount on their first order. Use the code KT1118 at checkout.
WIN IT!: One of my readers will win a TravelHoop by Hoopnotica!

TO ENTER: Click HERE and then tell me one of the benefits of hooping.
This is required before you may use any of the extra credit options.
Please leave your email address in your comment if it is not visible in your profile.

Extra Credit! You may do any or all of the following, just don't forget to leave a separate comment for EACH one you do:

• Blog about this giveaway with a link to my blog (http://agiveawayaddictedmommy.com) and Hoopnotica (http://hoopnotica.com) 2 entries, leave 2 comments
• Follow my blog
• Add my button to your blog
• Add me to your text blog roll (not button) 2 entries, leave 2 comments
  
• Subscribe to my blog via email
• Follow me AND Hoopnotica on Twitter and tweet the following: WIN a @Hoopnotica TravelHoop and shape up the fun way! @kariellen http://tinyurl.com/ylkqxln Leave the link to your tweet in your comment. You can do this once a day! Just come back and leave the link each time you do.

Contest ends October 23rd at 11:59 PST and a winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email. I will contact the winner on October 24th and they will have 48 hours to respond. Open to entrants Worldwide.

**Entries are Per Person, Per Email Address, Per Household, Per IP Address and/or Per Blog. Failure to follow these rules will lead to disqualification in this contest and all future contests on this blog. In other words, no cheating please.

This post was written after receiving the product free of charge for review. It is the only form of "payment" received for writing this post and all views and opinions are mine alone. I cannot guarantee that you and/or your family will love it as much as I have - but I would be totally surprised if you don't.

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Happy Birthday to the love of my life...

Wish I had a more recent picture of you with a birthday cake.
Maybe one day you will allow me to get you a birthday cake again.
Is it the type of cake you have an issue with?
How about if I did this?

I love you but that 'aint gonna happen.
Happy Birthday Honey!

Wordless Wednesday - Jake the Turtle

Jake - Halloween 2007
I wish he still had those blue eyes.
Still one of my all-time favorite pictures - Taken by my older son, Nathan

For more Wordless Wednesdays: 5 Minutes for Mom

Free Oust Freshen-Your-Home Gift Pack

Just wanted to pass along this opportunity:

First 10,000 people to respond will receive an Oust® Freshen-Your-Home Gift Pack. For your chance to receive a gift pack, simply complete all required information on the offer form by October 30, 2009, 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time (CT).

Offer available to U.S. residents only. Gift packs available until October 30, 2009, or while supplies last. Only 10,000 gift packs available. Limit: one (1) gift pack per household/address. S.C. Johnson is not liable for any typographical errors in the offer or any illegible, lost, late, damaged, separated, misdirected, incomplete, stolen or nondelivered email or redemption requests. Gift packs will be mailed by December 15, 2009.

Winner of the Surf Sweets Giveaway

Dwalline
I have sent you an email and you will have 48 hours to respond
11:00am PT 10/8/09

Keep Their Tootsies Toasty - Ministar Bootz Giveaway

This Contest is now Closed!

Where did Fall go? I swear it was here and then poof, it was gone. Winter is making an early showing here and my boys refuse to keep their socks on. Solution: Ministar Bootz (Designed by Bobux and Distributed by RT Nash Inc.)
You may have seen these boots, that are sold exclusively at Target and Target.com, and I am here to tell you they are luxurious. Oh, how I wish they made these in my size. They just look so incredibly comfy and so soft. I chose the chocolate Ministar Bootz for my Luke & he loves them. Why wouldn't he? They are made of 100% leather with suede bottoms and fur lining.

They come in 3 colors (Chocolate, Beige and Ice Pink) and are available in sizes Small 0-6 months, Medium 6-12 months, Large 12-18 months, XL 18-24 months. (**Please note, the Beige do not come in size XL**) and are only $19.99! They have elastic closures and simply slip on. The best thing? They don't slip off until you take them off!

I know you want a pair. You can purchase these at your local Target or Target.com.

WIN IT!: One of my readers will win their choice of Ministar Bootz!

TO ENTER: Tell me what color and size you would choose if you are the lucky winner.
This is required before you may use any of the extra credit options.
Please leave your email address in your comment if it is not visible in your profile.

Extra Credit! You may do any or all of the following, just don't forget to leave a separate comment for EACH one you do:

• Become a fan of Ministar on Facebook 2 entries, leave 2 comments
• Follow my blog
• Add my button to your blog
• Add me to your text blog roll (not button) 2 entries, leave 2 comments
  
• Subscribe to my blog via email
• Follow me AND MinistarBaby on Twitter and tweet the following: WIN @MinistarBaby Bootz for your child's tootsies! @kariellen http://tinyurl.com/ya784sm Leave the link to your tweet in your comment. You can do this once a day! Just come back and leave the link each time you do.

Contest ends October 20th at 11:59 PST and a winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email. I will contact the winner on October 21st and they will have 48 hours to respond. US Only.

**Entries are Per Person, Per Email Address, Per Household, Per IP Address and/or Per Blog. Failure to follow these rules will lead to disqualification in this contest and all future contests on this blog. In other words, no cheating please.

This post was written after receiving the product free of charge for review. It is the only form of "payment" received for writing this post and all views and opinions are mine alone. I cannot guarantee that you and/or your family will love it as much as I have - but I would be totally surprised if you don't.

Take Me Back Tuesday - What's a Walkman?

<center><a href="http://nateandjakeandme.blogspot.com"> <img src="http://web.me.com/mraceto/kari/tuesday/button.jpg" /> </a></center>
How do you play along?
We all have tons of photos from the days before the digital camera. I figure if I just scan a few each week, eventually I will get them all safely into my computer. But you don't need a scanner to participate - Just find a photo that takes you back to another time.
Every week you can come back here and share photos that "take you back." Maybe it is the bad hair we all had in the 80's or the bell-bottoms you swore were so hip in the 70's.
If you decide to participate, sign the Linky below and I promise to head on over and spread some comment love your way!

Nathan, 4 years old? 1996?

When I saw this picture, I realized that my younger sons will never know what a Walkman was. Not to mention cassette tapes and records.
Gosh I wish that I could squeeze that little boy again. He was so cute.

Jacquard Hoop Painting Fun Bag {Giveaway}

This Contest is now Closed!

Now that the days are getting colder, it is time to find things that you can do indoors with your children. I don't know a single kid who does not like to make something that you can put up in your house, for all to see. I have just found a fool-proof craft kit that even I can do.

I am not creative. Something about being afraid to fail. So I will be honest and tell you that when the Jacquard Hoop Painting Fun Bag came, I kept putting off using it. Finally, I had to bite the bullet and give it a try and it was surprisingly easy.

Each kit comes with 3 100% Silk 9.5” hoops, 2 paintbrushes, 3 Dye-Na-Flow colors, Permanent Metallic Resist, Silk Salt and tips and techniques information. Dye-Na-Flow colors are non-toxic and can be cleaned up with water. The Hoop Painting Fun Bag is CPSIA compliant, MSRP $13.99 (Click here for where to buy). Finished products can be used as suncatchers or wall art. Ours is hanging in our kitchen window.



The Dye-Na-Flow colors are photo-sensitive, objects can be placed onto wet colors and then exposed to sunlight to create an impression of the object on the silk hoop. This is commonly referred to as the sunprinting technique. Only a silk hoop, Dye-Na-Flow colors, small objects that would create interesting impressions and sunlight are needed for this technique.

My only complaint is that the brush bristles continued to come out throughout my painting process. It was more of an annoyance since it didn't affect the final project and the bristles came off the silk easily. It also dried incredibly fast so kids don't have to wait too long to enjoy their final creation. It is probably safe for a 4 year old to complete with guidance as the paint is water-based, but I think that any child who can "draw" with crayons can do this project. Just be sure to protect the surface you are painting the hoop on.

"The most traditional silk painting method is to use a resist to draw lines and shapes on silk. The resist (usually wax or a rubber derivative applied using a special tool) acts as a boundary between colors, much like lead in a stained glass window. Jacquard’s Permanent Metallic Resist, included in the Hoop Painting Fun Bag, is easily applied because the squeeze bottle has a tip that makes it easy to draw lines and shapes. As long as the line of resist is complete and thoroughly creates a barrier, the color will only permeate the desired area. This technique is used when a specific shape or defined lines are intended. "


WIN IT!: Jacquard is giving away a Hoop Painting Fun Bag to one of my readers!

TO ENTER: Tell me what kit from Jacquard you would like to have on hand for a rainy day activity (Click here).
This is required before you may use any of the extra credit options.
Please leave your email address in your comment if it is not visible in your profile.

Extra Credit! You may do any or all of the following, just don't forget to leave a separate comment for EACH one you do:

• Blog about the giveaway with a link to my blog (http://nateandjakeandme.blogspot.com) and Jacquard (http://www.jacquardproducts.com) 2 entries, leave 2 comments
• Follow my blog
• Add my button to your blog
• Add me to your text blog roll (not button) 2 entries, leave 2 comments
  
• Subscribe to my blog via email
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following: WIN Creative & fun activity for kids Great for a rainy day - Jacquard Hoop Painting Kit @kariellen http://tinyurl.com/ydq24jf Leave the link to your tweet in your comment. You can do this once a day! Just come back and leave the link each time you do.

Contest ends October 20th at 11:59 PST and a winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email. I will contact the winner on October 21st and they will have 48 hours to respond. US Only.

**Entries are Per Person, Per Email Address, Per Household, Per IP Address and/or Per Blog. Failure to follow these rules will lead to disqualification in this contest and all future contests on this blog. In other words, no cheating please.

This post was written after receiving the product free of charge for review. It is the only form of "payment" received for writing this post and all views and opinions are mine alone. I cannot guarantee that you and/or your family will love it as much as I have - but I would be totally surprised if you don't.

Winners! Allergaroo & Inspire Your Walls

Congratulations to the winner of the Allergaroo Giveaway

Beth
Congratulations to the winner of the Inspire Your Walls Giveaway

Anne J
I have sent you both emails - Please respond in 48 hours
12:15pm PT 10/6/09

How to Raise an Entitlement-Free Child {Giveaway}

This Contest is now Closed!

It is rare that I review a book - generally I don't have the time to read anything more than an article in a magazine. However, when I heard about The Entitlement-Free Child by Karen Deerwester, I knew I not only wanted to read this book, I needed to. After years of teaching, I ran into my fair share of children who had serious entitlement issues. I know I didn't want to fall into a trap of raising a child who felt that they deserved everything, was disrespectful and/or stubborn.

When my oldest son was born, the child-raising theory du jour was to allow your children to have a voice. The problem is that inevitably there are issues that are not up for discussion and you end up with a kid who feels entitled to have a say. All you have to do is watch any reality TV show and you can see what an issue entitlement is in our society.

The Entitlement-Free Child not only outlines what an entitlement is and how to avoid it, but gives you real-life situations and how you can deal with them. A situation is outlined, entitlement issues listed and then an entitlement-free strategies are given. As I would read a situation, I would think about how I would handle it. It was quite an eye-opener. Apparently, I have entitlement issues that I am inadvertently passing on to my children!

This book isn't a child-raising theory, it is more like a guide book with practical tips that will help guide you through confusing parenting situations.

The Benefits of Entitlement-Free parenting:

• Eliminates the self-perpetuating stress of entitlement where nothing is ever enough
• Gives you the permission and the encouragement to say "no" (a positive response to parental doubt & guilt)
  
• Teaches children self respect and respect for others
  
• Teaches children self control and postponed gratification
  
• Teaches children age-appropriate problem solving skills
  
• Gives children age-appropriate responsibility for choices and behavior

BUY IT!: The Entitlement-Free Child by Karent Deerwester can be purchased on Amazon.com for only $10.19

WIN IT!: One of my readers will receive their own copy of The Entitlement-Free Child by Karen Deerwester.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment telling me what parenting issue you feel is your biggest concern (ex: bickering siblings, allowance, bossiness, eating out, etc...)
This is required before you may use any of the extra credit options.
Please leave your email address in your comment if it is not visible in your profile.

Extra Credit! You may do any or all of the following, just don't forget to leave a separate comment for EACH one you do:

• Blog about the giveaway with a link to my blog (http://nateandjakeandme.blogspot.com) 2 entries, leave 2 comments
• Follow my blog
• Add my button to your blog
• Add me to your text blog roll (not button) 2 entries, leave 2 comments
  
• Subscribe to my blog via email
• Follow me on Twitter and tweet the following: WIN Tired of bratty kids? The Entitlement-Free Child on A Giveaway Addicted Mommy @kariellen http://tinyurl.com/y9n4sfx Leave the link to your tweet in your comment. You can do this once a day! Just come back and leave the link each time you do.

Contest ends October 19th at 11:59 PST and a winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email. I will contact the winner on October 20th and they will have 48 hours to respond. US Only

**Entries are Per Person, Per Email Address, Per Household, Per IP Address and/or Per Blog. Failure to follow these rules will lead to disqualification in this contest and all future contests on this blog. In other words, no cheating please.

This post was written after receiving the book free of charge for review. It is the only form of "payment" received for writing this post and all views and opinions are mine alone. I cannot guarantee that you and/or your family will love it as much as I have - but I would be totally surprised if you don't.

A big thank you to Mom Select for this opportunity

Winner of the Mega Bloks Table Giveaway

Congratulations

Idaho Jill
I have sent you an email and you will have 48 hours to respond
8:30pm PT 10/5/09

Winners of the Pure Silk Giveaway

Congratulations

Jennifer

joeandbridge
I have sent you both emails - Please respond within 48 hours
(8:00pm PT 10/5/09)

Win a GE Appliance - Strong As Steel

Have you seen the "infomercial" for the workout Strong As Steel? Poking fun at the insane ways that people try to get their workouts in and the whole infomercial craze - GE is introducing to you their fabulous line of stainless steel appliances.

They are also giving you the opportunity to win one of these appliances:

• GE® Tall Tub Built-In Dishwasher. Model # GLD6760NSS, ARV $649
• GE® 25.0 Cu. Ft. ENERGY STAR® Side-By-Side Refrigerator with Dispenser, Model # GSH25ISX, ARV $1,499
• GE® Spacemaker® Over-the-Range Microwave Oven, Model # JVM1850SMSS, ARV $489
• GE® 30” Free-Standing Electric Range. Model #JB700SN, ARV $1,099
• GE® 30” Free-Standing Gas Range with Warming Drawer. Model # JGBP88SEMSS ARV $1,449

TO ENTER: Click on the Strong As Steel widget below (or in my right sidebar) & provide the information requested on the registration page, including your name, date of birth and valid email address, and you will be automatically entered into the Sweepstakes.


After your initial registration, you can return and enter the Sweepstakes once each day during the Sweepstakes Period by returning to my site, clicking on the widget in my right sidebar and entering your information. You won't even have to leave my site!

One entry per person per calendar day regardless of email address and blogsite address used. A calendar day shall be defined as starting at 12:00 A.M., ET and ending at 11:59:59 P.M., ET of that calendar day. Sweepstakes ends 11/15/09 at 11:59:59 PM ET.

Good Luck!

I did not receive any compensation for writing this post. By participating in this campaign, I am given the chance of winning one of the prizes listed above.

Winners of the Lysol Giveaway UPDATED

Congratulations

barbara.montyj

kngmckellar
I have sent you an email and you will have 48 hours to respond
6:30pm Pacific Oct. 5, 2009

I am Going!! BlogHer '10 || Announcing Sponsorship from Brittanie's Thyme

While I still can not remember how I ran across the Brittanie's Thyme website, I am so very glad that I did. My original review post can be read here, but basically, Brittanie's Thyme makes me feel like I am a woman again, not just a mom. I don't know any woman who doesn't like to be pampered. Back when money and time were no object, I would go to spas and have a little "me time." Brittanie's Thyme helps me bring a little bit of that luxury into my everyday life with spa quality, organic products that really work!

I am honored to be representing them this coming year at the Blogher '10 convention. The company is growing as more and more people are learning about their fabulous products and I encourage you to try them yourself. Whole Foods is now a believer and the Ann Arbor, MI store is now carrying Brittanie's Thyme products. Don't live in Michigan? You can ask your local Whole Foods store if you can order them through their system. You can also ask them to carry the products & then you won't have to wait for a shipment! I am an instant gratification kind of gal - This is the way I am going to go!

If you live in Chicago or Atlanta, the Home Shopping Group will be running commercials for Brittanie's Thyme Organic Sinus Relief Pillow and Cold Comfort Crystals. These are both great products for the Fall, especially since you can not give any OTC cold and flu medications to children under four. I know that my kids have already had their first cold of the season - I need to order some Cold Comfort Crystals to have on hand when the inevitable next one arrives. It being organic is an extra bonus since I feel so much safer using it with my children.

The best thing that I can say about a company is that the people behind the name are just as wonderful as their products. Brittanie's Thyme is such a company!

You can find Brittanie's Thyme products on their website and at select retailers across the country.

Aloha Friday

"In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response."

To participate, you ask your readers a question and then sign Kailani's Linky with your Aloha Friday post.

So head over to An Island Life and answer her question. But first, answer mine. I mean you are already here, right? =)

If there was one piece of advice that you could give a new mom, what would it be?

My advice would be to take advantage of any and all help offered to you. And then when the help is there - sleep. I have 3 kids and all I really, really, really, want is one night of peaceful, uninterrupted sleep. Someday....

What Do You Do All Day?

I ask myself this question daily. It usually happens about 5 minutes before my husband gets home from work. I look around at the toys on the ground, the dishes on the table and/or counter, the laundry that is still not folded and put away, the bed that hasn't been made, the bathroom with my pajamas still on the floor and the empty stove top since I haven't even begun to think of what I am making for dinner.

Where does the time go? Do I get sucked up in some sort of black hole for 8 hours each day? The kids are clean, no one is still in a dirty diaper, they have all been fed and played with. Does it really take all my waking hours to make sure their needs are met? Because by the time my husband gets home I am wiped out. Yet, I look around and I know my husband is thinking, "What did you do all day?"

I wish I had the answer.