Tuesday, September 30, 2014

WW: Yellow Stripe {Linky}

Isaak got his first yellow stripe in Ju-Jitsu. They test for 4 yellow stripes before the test for a new belt. He was pretty excited to get his stripe and certificate.



Other kids tested to. Some were tasting for the 2nd yellow stripe, and some were testing for the first. Proud parents, proud children, and proud Sensei.


Isaak's such a stinker for being over dramatic.



The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel's

Tips For Successful Shopping With Kids

There have been shopping battles in our little family. 

Mica used run from me laughing when Isaak was a baby.

Isaak liked to pretend our cart was the Polar Express train. He'd yank on the safety belt and make a hideous noise like a train hitting it's breaks. The cart would be yanked back towards me. It was possibly funny to others, but it annoyed the heck out of me.

6 Tips I've Found for Successful Shopping:

  1. Have the child write your list. This not only helps you, but it also helps with their handwriting and spelling.

    *Note Mica wrote this list, while in a moving car. I don't know how much this list helped his handwriting. He did draw a little cart on the list for me. Also "Shells" are tortilla shells. I abbreviate a lot.

     
  2. Have the kids look for the items you need. Treat the stop at the store like a scavenger hunt.

  3. Have one kid get the produce bag, and the other one get the twisty ties. Trade kids for this task. The last thing you need is them arguing about who's turn it is to get the twisty ties. *We've been there.

  4. Let them weigh in on an item they want. Talk to them about nutrition.

    Isaak always asks for 1 grapefruit. Mica, well he's more of a human garbage disposal. He asks for Luchables. I got one once for a field trip. Mica said it was gross. I refuse to get Lunchables. Mica sees other kids with them at school. I tell Mica to pick out a fruit, or veggie he wants. The bottom line is that it's a great time to have dialog with your kids about what's healthy, and what's not.

  5. If you get the newspaper, have them clip out the coupons. 

Monday, September 29, 2014

Ghostbusters Goof

I send movies, swimming suits, and Legos with the boys when they stay and Grandma and Grandpa's house.

I came to pick them up, and find some contraption that Mica made, and some paper collage that Isaak put together. I'm not complaining. I just find it amusing.

The last time I picked up Mica he made this:


My Dad AKA Grandpa said that Mica wasn't into the juice bottle. It's all they had. He wanted something better. He wanted to paint the box black, but didn't have time to do it. He wanted the hose off his air compressor, but my Dad wouldn't give that up. Gee I wonder why? ;)

In the car ride home Mica rattled on and on about how he wanted to find some way of getting colored lights in his juice container.

We have a little creative perfectionist.


Source

Making a Difference in Your Community

Whether you've just moved to your community or your family has been living there for generations, it's important to stay active and involved. Today's citizens are leading busy lives. It's easy to get so caught up in your family activities and work obligations that you ignore what's going on around you. However, you shouldn't complain about what's going on in your area if you're not willing to do anything to change it.

Make Your Voice Heard

Even if you're living in a wonderful area, there are most likely improvements that you'd like to see in your community. You don't have to obtain an official government position to make a difference. It's important to remember that the government is there to meet the needs of the people.

If you see a real need in your community, make your voice heard by contacting your local government. Even if you're making a complaint, make sure that you remain polite and professional in your communication.

It also helps to provide possible solutions instead of just registering a long list of complaints. For instance, perhaps you are concerned that it's difficult for your children to play on the community playground because dogs are running around without leashes. You could recommend that dog park equipment be installed in a separate fenced area so both parents and pet owners are happy.

Get Involved

Volunteering in your community is a wonderful way to make a difference. Sure, you're leading a busy life, but it's worth it to make time for others. Set an example for your children by getting the whole family involved in a cause that is important to all of you.

It can seem intimidating to make a long term commitment, so start by just focusing a few hours on one weekend to volunteerism. You'll remain more committed to your cause if you're passionate about the mission, so choose an area that is close to your heart.

If your family loves spending time at the beach, you could all volunteer to help at the coastal trash pickup event. If you love animals, offer your services at the local animal shelter. Residents who enjoy working with children can volunteer to tutor underprivileged kids or organize a toy drive during the holiday season.

Regardless of your current circumstances, there is always a way that you can make a difference. When you're involved in your community, your family and the other residents will benefit from your participation.




The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel's

I received a PayPal payment for posting this through LinkVehicle. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Organic Spirulina Review

If you love smoothies you have to try out Organic Spirulina.


It's a new product to me. It's marked down on Amazon from $45.00 to $25.95.

It also comes with a PDF book full of recipes. I tried out their chocolate smoothie. We had breakfast before the light was out to take a decent photo, so this is from their PDF book:


Chocolate Smoothie:

Serves 1-2 people
  • 1/2 cup quick oats - cook and set aside.
  • Their recipe said 5 Tablespoons of fresh Spirulina powder, but I'd knock that down to 3. Ours was a little too green. We're a family used to greens.
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped dark chocolate.
  • 2 large frozen bananas
  • 1 1/2 cups almond milk (You can substitute with another kind of milk.)
Note: Put in the freezer for long enough to freeze up for an alternative to ice cream.

About:

 
Our Organic Spirulina Is great for the immune system. This is the time of year where people get sick. The product is filled with greens, and is nutrient-packed. 

You can use it on:
  • Smoothies
  • Juices 
  • Recipes 

Adding Spirulina to Your Diet Will Help:

Strengthen Your Immune System:

A very dense nutrient food. It works miracles in the body by helping to balance your pH and reduce Inflammation - which is the root of most disease. This nutritional content provides protection from colds, flus, allergens, other contractable illnesses… & even cancer.

Fight Aging and Free Radicals:

It has more antioxidant activity than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables and 3900% more beta carotene than carrots, packing a powerful antioxidant punch that promotes skin health and cell regeneration while providing protection from cell-damaging molecules absorbed by the body through pollution, poor diet, injury, or stress.

Optimize Your Health With Nature's Most Perfect Multivitamin:


With over 100 naturally occurring and bioavailable vitamins & nutrients, Organic Spirulina contains more than 60% protein and is a non-synthetic source of iron, calcium, magnesium, selenium, beta-carotine, B12, chlorophyll, phytonutrients, antioxidants and essential amino acids (GLA, Omega 3, 6 & 9's).

A Little Bit Goes a Long Way:

Spirulina is really dense. I added too much in our smoothie this morning. It was just too strong. 1 scoop will be plenty for a smoothie in our house. This is so healthy, and has such great antioxidants in it. I love that it helps boost your immune system. 

Spirulina contains more protein content than any other food source, and, it is biologically complete - containing all of the essential amino acids needed for human health. Spirulina is also the most planet friendly source of protein. It yields 20% more than soybeans with 25% of the water usage and is 5 times more energy efficient!

The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel's

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

They are Growing Much Too Fast!

Grandpa Spiehs is tall, and Grandma Spiehs is pretty tall for a girl. There are some tall people in Grandma Apel's side as well. Needless to say I'm pretty sure our boys have gotten the tall gene.

Mica's only 9, and he wears size 12 shirts, and 10 pants. He's always been longer in the torso. He gets that from me, and I get that from my Dad. It sucked when he was itty bitty because I couldn't get very many 1 piece outfits, or sets. I always wished they'd carry all the cute sets separately, and at the same price. You know because the world should revolve around me, and my family. Just kidding.

Isaak's only 6, and he wears size 7. He's more proportionate than Mica is. That boy has hips though. When Mica's pants get handed down to Isaak I have to make the pants bigger for him.

Thank goodness for adjustable waists. When I was a kid they didn't have those. My boys are so skinny, their pants would be falling down if they didn't have the adjustable waist to make their pants a little more snug. Even though Isaak has hips, he's still skinny everywhere else.

I'm sad to say, but this is the last year Mica will be able to fit into Gymboree clothing. They only carry up to size 10 in their stores, and some things come in size 12 online. If you go to the store, and order right there, they will order the size you need, and ship it to your house for free.

All summer I wasn't in love with anything I saw in their store for older kids.

Then I saw a line I knew the boys would like: Vikings. I went to the store, and bought 2 shirts, 2 hats, and socks (because they always need socks) for Christmas presents. Everything was 20% off, plus I had a 20% off coupon. Grandma Spiehs bought them off me to give to the boys. She was just as excited about my find.

All images belong to Gymboree, and you can find them here.

This folks will be for Mica. It's perfect for a little boy that still loves to play dress up. He's an actor by nature.
 This is great because Isaak loves to be just like Mica. I don't like them matching 100%.
 I had to get matching hats. They have stocking caps with dragons on them. I like these caps so much more!

This is not a sponsored post. Have you started your holiday shopping yet?



True Synergy - Yacon Syrup Review

I recently got True Synergy - Yacon Syrup Review.


What is Yacon Syrup?
  
extracted from the tuberous roots of the yacon plant. It's not like maple syrup. That's what first entered my mind. It's more the consistency of molasses. 

It's originally $39.99 and on sale for $17.95. 

Store in the refrigerator after opening. 

Why Yacon Syrup?

Pure yacon syrup assists in weight loss and slimming waist sizes. It helps regulate blood sugar. I love that it has a lot of fiber in it.

The syrup, distilled from the Peruvian tuber yacon -- contains up to 50 percent fructooligosacharides, or FOS. FOS, classified as a prebiotic, is a non-caloric sweetener.

According to a 2009 Scientific study, daily intake of yacon syrup produced a significant decrease in body weight, waist circumference and body mass index. You can take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day. Do not take if you are allergic to yacon or related foods, such as sunflower seeds. Ask your doctor if yacon syrup is ok to take if you are pregnant or nursing.

Yacon syrup Speeds up the metabolism to combat excess fat and regulates the hunger hormone, making you feel full longer.

It's great for diabetics because it's a low-glycemic sweetener.

I used it to make Banana Almond Ice Cream.


Directions:
  • In a food processor add 1/2 cup almonds. Process to look like almond butter. You may need to pulse a few times. This does take a few minutes to process.
  • Add 2 Tablespoons of coconut manna, or coconut oil.
  • Add 1/8 cup True Synergy - Yacon Syrup.
  • Add 2 cut up frozen bananas, and 1 regular banana.
  • Add 1/2 cup almond milk, rice milk, cashew milk, or soy milk.

Keep processing until it's all mixed in, and there are no clumps.

*Optional add in mini chocolate chips.

Freeze for 3 or 4 hours before serving. It tastes like soft served ice cream.

The boys loved it. It's a healthy snack. Much healthier than store bought ice cream.



The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel's

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday is all about me discovering something that is different. I don't want to post things that you and I have more than likely heard before. I want to find something different. It could be from another country, someone singing from the streets of NY, and more.

Today I'm featuring an artist named Andrew Thomas Huang. Not to be confused with Andrew Huang I featured last week. I found one through the other. At first I thought they were the same person until I saw an interview, and knew oh that's a different guy.

Source
He is a filmmaker and artist from Los Angeles. His work has been showcased at the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles.

BjÓ§rk handpicked Andrew to direct her music video for Mutual Core from Biophilia, which premiered at MOCA Los Angeles. He has since gone on to direct for Sigur Ros and Thom Yorke.

Solipsist


An interview with Andrew Thomas and what it was like to work with  BjÓ§rk on the video Mutual Core


Andrew also directed this video: Atoms for Peace - Before Your Very Eyes.


Check out Andrew Thomas Huang's website.
Follow Andrew Thomas Huang on Facebook.
Follow Andrew Thomas Huang on Twitter.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Random Tid Bits

  1. My first year students are really bad with deadlines this year. I take off for them being late, but it does nothing to motivate them. 

  2. I'm trying out essential oils to help with my allergies. Daddy rolls his eyes at me and says, "Really! You're into witchcraft now." I'm willing to try alternative things if they help.

  3. The boys spent the night with their cousins last weekend. I know why my mom hated when we had overnights as children. Little sleep = grumpy children the next day. At least they had fun.

  4. I feel like I have a pretty good relationship with both of my sisters. Do we see eye to eye all the time? No. I wouldn't see eye to eye with anyone all the time. I just wish that the two of them would talk. I'm really tired of being in the middle of a no talking war. My husband's family has people in it that don't get along as well. It makes family events stressful. I just want everyone to play nice so to speak. I get that getting along doesn't always happen. There is major things that can go down in a family that can split people up. This no talking war could easily be solved by each of them realizing that they just have different opinions, and let it go.    

  5. I got my flu shot last week. My doctor's office is seriously 5 minutes away from my work, which makes it so handy. I like getting flu shots at the doctor's office because insurance covers it. $15 isn't too much, but x that by a family of 4, and it adds up. At the doctor's office I don't have to fill out paper work because they have mine on file.

  6. The boys get their shots this upcoming weekend. It's great they make Saturday appointments. :) I've always had them get the shot over the mist. I just have more faith knowing that they get the shot. Anything with a mist doesn't always mist. My boys are generally pretty good about it. I give them a pep talk about why we get shots, and how they are helpful. Grandma had Polio a few years before the vaccine came out, and Isaak had Meningitis before he was old enough to get fully vaccinated for it. I used to get allergy shots, so there is plenty to talk about. In the end I hear, "That hurt, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was." Sometimes Isaak limps, because he's over dramatic.

    Why get the shot? I know so many people say, "I never get sick." That's my husband. Guess what? He one year got sick with influenza. He missed 2 weeks of work, and felt like he was going to die. I hear others say, "I always get sick even when I get the flu shot." The flu shot is meant to cover influenza. It's not meant to cover the common cold, sinus infections, pneumonia, bronchitis, or the stomach flu. Influenza will knock you on your butt. Even though those that have weakened immune systems are more likely to get influenza, anyone can get it. I have bad allergies, so I'm more at risk, and those that are around my nephew Emerson that really has a weakened immune system should get the shot. Medical staff members have to get a flu shot to keep their job. I hear others say, "I get sick from the shot." I'm hear to tell you I've been getting the flu shot ever since they started making them, and I've never gotten sick from it. I just get a sore arm. If you've gotten sick in the past it's more than likely a coincident. Have I had my doubts over flu shots and vaccines? As much as I'd like to say, "No." I can't. I have had doubts. Isaak got meningitis right after he got his first immunization for meningitis. Of course I've had doubts. Think about all the crap that is gone because of immunizations: Polio, many forms of Meningitis, Small Pox, Chicken Pox which can lead to Shingles, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and more. All of it could come back because not all countries have immunizations. Do immunizations cause Autism? One doctor claimed it did, but he only tested his theory on a handful of patients. All of which had Autism. It's been disproved that immunizations actually cause Autism. - You can read more about Autism and vaccines here.   

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Gravity Maze™ Review

I really like reviewing games. It's just plain fun. My boys enjoy playing board games just as much as video games. Recently I got Gravity Maze™ to Review.

This game is more for Mica's age. Isaak is obsessed with marbles. I think in time Isaak will love this game to. It's for ages 8 to adult.

The game is $29.99.

The game is a single player game. Mica enjoys doing things on his own, so this game really fits his personality. It's a marble run, logic puzzle. It's meant to build visual perception and reasoning skills. Think Fun also makes a wonderful games called Rush Hour, and Robot Turtles. It to pushes the player to think, and reason when playing.

It comes with different cards to help a child play at their own level. When first playing you can start with beginner, and work your way up to expert.


It comes with pieces that build up, and lock together. Each of the pieces has tunnels inside them. This allows the marble to travel through the pieces in different ways. Once the pieces are locked in you can put the marble down the track. The game comes with 3 marbles in case you loose 1 of them.

In this gravity-powered logic maze, you’ll arrange colorful, translucent towers to whisk your marble from starting point to target. Just like best-selling Laser Maze, you’ll rely on your visual perception and reasoning skills to find the single solution to 60 different challenges. The towers can be arranged in many visually stimulating structures offering lots of creative building time, but only one design will successfully carry your marble directly in your target.



My favorite things are that there are 60 different challenges, and that there are different levels to play. I recommend starting out with the beginner cards, and working your way to the harder ones. This is a great game for days were your child has little to do: Like a snow day, or if they are sick. It's low key in the mess, but still gets their brain thinking.


It would also make a perfect holiday gift.

Like Think Fun on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.


The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel's The Apel'sThe Apel's

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Disclaimer

The opinions on this blog are my personal take on products and topics relating to motherhood. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.

I am not compensated to provide opinions on a variety of topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own. If I claim to show knowledge of certain topic or product I will only endorse products or services that I feel, based on my expertise, are worthy of such endorsement.

If you have any questions about this blog, or want to get in contact with me please email me at: anapeladay@gmail.com