Thursday, February 28, 2013

#FTSF!! my thoughts on social media

You want to know what I think of social media? I think...

...I think some of it's great. I think some of it's not so great.  Not too opinionated on social media in general, but certain sites.  I am getting used to some of these new ones.  Like StumpleUpon?  I could use a little help there.   I think I'm the only one who's stumbled!  

Now, see that fancy new button that lists all my social media outlets in one cute tidy package?  I think I like it.  Just scroll over it and all of my options come "to life" for you to choose!  It's by far the best find of February for me.

I'm a new fan of FourSquare.  Friend me if you want to stalk me.  I'm on Pinterest, but I don't really know how it works.  Anyone want to explain the point to me?  I get that you "pin" stuff, I just don't know what to do from there.  I'm on Facebook, and I'm totally addicted to games...espeicaly Bush Wacker 2, Candy Crush Saga and SongPop (darn Kate, I am much better at pacing my self now).  Let me know if you play!  I'm on LinkedIn, though I don't really know what to put for my title.  I never thought I'd have Tweeps and all that jazz, but I have founs a liking for Twitter.  You'll probably see me mostly on there.

Don't forget to come by next week, the topic is:

I tried to cook...






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thumping thursdays

A sad day, it's my last Thumping Thursday as a co-host!  Don't worry, I will still come by an link up!
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Hey everyone!
Can you believe February is almost over and MARCH is right around the corner?
That's my Birthday month! So some awesome giveaways are definitely in store!

This is the last week of the month. I am so excited to have the pleasure of having such wonderful co-hosts this month. We are looking for next month! So if you are interested, just click HERE to find out more info on that. Also since this is the week, it's time to get social! So link up you Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram below, as well as your blog of course. Can't wait to 'meet' you. :)

This week's Featured Read is:

Thumping Thursdays Blog Hop Featured Read
Everyone make sure to drop by and say, "Hi".
Interested in being a Featured Read?
Just make sure to follow the rules so you can receive THESE benefits too. ;)

Want to make sure you get our weekly reminder e-mails?
Please add
diana.n.chastain[at]gmail[dot]com
to your address book. Thanks!

Now on to the rules. I know who likes rules, right? But I promise you are going to want to follow these rules. This is how the Featured Read gets picked. ;)

Rules:

1. Follow
your hosts and co-hosts.
Don't forget you can follow GFC via Twitter! :D

HOSTS:
Diana from Nanny to Mommy

Nanny to Mommy

Follow via GFC

Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram - Google+ - YouTube

Karina from Mom In The USA

mom in the USA products made in the USA

RSS - Twitter - Facebook - Google+ - Pinterest

Co-Hosts:
Dawn's Disaster
Daddy's Space
Happy Kids, Inc.
We Three Crabs
Please leave a comment if you are a new follower!

We are looking for new co-hosts for next month!
If you are interested in co-hosting, click HERE!

2. Add
the badge somewhere on your blog.
Please make sure to add our new badge.
What do you think? I love it!





3. Link
up your main blog page.
No Giveaways or Specific Posts, please.
Link your Giveaways up HERE

Our hop is open from Thursdays at 12:01am to Wednesday at 11:59pm.
So you can share and link up all week long!

4. Visit
at least the two blogs before yours in the link set-up.

5. Share
the Hop!



The other cool thing? Our hop can be added to your site as well.
If you do this, please leave
Nanny to Mommy a comment, just to make sure we know. ;) *wink*wink*

6. The Most Important Rule
Have Fun!

Happy Hopping! :)







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Pinterest:






Instagram:







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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

inspired tuesday

What is Inspired Tuesday?

Each Tuesday Not So Ugly Ducklings hosts Inspired Tuesday along with two awesome co-hosts Dawn's Disaster and Peanut Butter and Jelly, where we offer up a free printable with some encouraging words.
Me and my co-hosts believe that any post written can inspired someone else, whether it is a personal story, a photography, a recipe.. whatever, so I invite everyone to link up their posts no matter the topic.

The rules are simple:

1) Follow Not So Ugly DucklingsDawn's Disaster and Peanut Butter and Jelly  in any way of your choosing.
2) It would be nice if you added the Inspired Tuesday button to your post, or even just a link back to the link-up.

3) Try to visit others and be inspired!

That's it.

Here is the button if you would like it:

<div align="center"><a href="http://notsouglyducklings.blogspot.com/" title="Not So Ugly Ducklings"><img src="http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh540/sommerfugldesign/inspired-tuesday-button_zpsa22cc19f.png" width="150" alt="Inspired Tuesday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>


I am sorry but there is no free printable this week. I am in the middle of moving and wasn't able to find the time to make one. However here are some words of Inspiration:

If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son! 

By Rudyard Kipling







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one kings lane sale!


Starting today, the Safavieh Event at One Kings Lane is launching! Don't know Safavieh? They are an ever stylish home furnishing brand offering incredible deals on so many of their products right now, so go get to know them! With spring time around the corner, this is the perfect time to freshen up your home for the brighter days ahead and I am always in the mood to make my home that little bit nicer. One Kings Lane has stylish lamps, colorful rugs, beautiful armchairs and ornate side tables (to name a few items) from Safavieh all discounted so everyone can feel stylish in their home!!


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TT~Meet Niki

Dawn’s Disaster

This is a great way for me to learn more about my bloggy friends and to help promote their blog.  So, once you're read their fantastic post, stop by their blog and leave them a note.  Tell 'em you stopped by from Dawn's Disaster :)  If you'd like to be a part of my Traveling Tuesdays, give me a holler or stop by my contact page.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Hi everyone!


My name is Niki, and I blog over at Dreaming Is Believing.
I'm a senior in high school, I'm almost 18, I own a cute fur ball named Jake,and  I'm preparing for the big transition to university!

I took a decision a while ago, to pursue my dream of studying Psychology in my home country,
The Netherlands.

That means I will have to move from Crete, Greece, where we live right now, to a foreign country all on my own.

Confused?

You see, my mother is from Dutch origin, and my father from Greek.
Meaning me and my sister were raised having both nationalities, and speaking Greek and Dutch fluently.

So, this year I'm taking a leap of faith and diving head first into the unknown.
My blog is somewhere I can share my thoughts, hopes and dreams, including my fears and the technicalities involved in moving to another country.


Stop by my blog and say hi anytime!

Niki



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Monday, February 25, 2013

the Taste!

Are you getting ready to watch the Taste tomorrow?  I am!  What an amazing show to watch.  Great food, fun hosts!  Why not join in the fun?  It's on at 8pm (CST), so I was a little wary of missing my White Collar hubs, but I lived (actually, I watched in on demand).

Don't forget to tune in for an all new episode tomorrow at 8pm CST!!


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Sunday, February 24, 2013

tea collection sale!

Fabulous sale alert! Starting today, through Wednesday, February 27thTea Collection is offering you the chance to buy 3 separates and get the 4th free on select styles with promo code 4FUN. Just look for the 3+1 icon for participating styles. Stock up on comfortable and durable pants for boys. Mix and match adorable girls' tops and bottoms for endless outfit combinations. Don't miss your chance to take advantage of this amazing sale from Tea Collection! Happy Shopping! 



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Saturday, February 23, 2013

the 24th super sunday sync

Have you heard of Sensory-Scents?  Well, it's the company that my husband and I own.  We are so excited to have some products to offer for you all to sample!  If you are interested, like us on Facebook and sign up here!  We have our first offering ready, all we need are people to send it to!
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Welcome to Super Sunday Sync #24!



Rules for the "Super-est" hop ever:
1)  Link up a family-friendly post (or your homepage if it will always be decent, please not to another hop) that you think is SUPER!
2)  GFC follow your hosts {Dawn and Kera}, guest hosts {Janine and Kelsey}.  We also appreciate (and return) any Facebook Likes, NetworkedBlog, email/RSS, Bloglovin' and Twitter Followers.  Be sure to leave a comment telling us how you follow, we'll follow you back on any and all of them!
3)  Visit the blog before you, and a few others {the more, the merrier} and follow them.  We're all looking to have more followers, that's why we're hopping, right?  Remember to leave a comment and we'll follow you back.
4)  Grab a button and put it somewhere people will see.  We'd love for this hop to really take off and be a weekly event!
Super Sunday Sync

If you are interested in Guest-hosting the SSS, please





Don't forget to Tweet!  
 
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Link up with #FTSF this week!  Start you sentence for March 1st NOW!  
You want to know what I think of social media? I think...


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Friday, February 22, 2013

do you want to make a book?

These days, its so important to have something tangible to reflect on good times, hard work paying off, or simply being creative. I am totally in love with making Blurb books for just about every occasion, whether it be a wedding book, a birthday album, a cookbook, all of our family trip pictures, even my Instagram account can be converted into a Blurb book! I have been meaning to make a new book for a while and as if Blurb read my mind, they are offering 25% off purchases from 2/22-2/25. Head over to Blurb now and tap into your creative side!


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* Sponsored by Blurb.com

 
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Thursday, February 21, 2013

hello and welcome to another addition of #FTSF

Speaking from experience, I'm going to give you a little advice on...


...how to spend more time with your family.  It seems fitting, doesn't it?  Here are 3 ways I have changed my life THIS YEAR:

1)  Less blogging.  Set a limit.  I know, it's totally like pulling teeth, but it's worth it.  I felt really badly when the Big One asked if I was going to listen to her sing an song or go "blogging".  Of course, when they pull at your heart-strings like that, you have to listen to them sing...even though you'd rather be pulling your teeth out with a tweezers, or giving 100 strangers pedicures, or scratching your fingernails on a chalkboard so long it's turned to wood.  So, start simple.  Streamline what posts you will be doing for the month.  Make your self a schedule and follow it.  Did you see a bit ago, another mommy-blogger (Lanaya, not to point any fingers or anything) had over 15 days of posts scheduled!  It may have been 21, I don't remember now if it was two or three weeks pre-planned.  Anyhow, strive for that.  BUT just because you have three weeks of posts scheduled DOESN'T mean you don't blog for three weeks.  It just means your brain has to work a little less hard.  You don't need to use as much of your writing skills, but you can still hop and what not.  You can also plan out further, if you are an overachiever.

2)  Make time for your significant other.  I realized I was going a week without having a REAL conversation with the Hubs.  We'd say hi and good night and ask what we were having for lunch and dinner (we don't even spend that much time apart!) but we weren't having quality conversations.  So, he doesn't know it yet, but I have been watching the clock.  After we put the older Beanies to bed, I spend at least 10 minutes talking with him.  I know you think that's really fast, but 10 minutes a night is over an hour of conversation.  That's 70 minutes more of talking each week than we were doing last year.  Some nights we do talk longer, but sometimes it's only those 10 minutes.  I plan on making it longer in a month or so.  Maybe 15 minutes each night.  It's nice time to be alone with him.

3)  Blog at night.  Do as much as you can while the Beanies are asleep.  Yes, you should be sleeping, too, BUT, this hour that you are spending while they sleep is an extra 40 minutes you will get to spend with them tomorrow!

What do you think?  What are some things you have done to spend more time with your family?

Now, take a moment to link up your post starting, "Speaking from experience, I'm going to give you a little advice on... and come back to link up next week.  Our sentence is:
You want to know what I think of social media? I think...






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TGIF!!



Welcome back to the TGIF Blog HOP!!!

Brought to you by

Overworked Supermom 

and

Funny Postpartum Lady 


TGIF Blog Hop is a great way to gain new followers and bring more traffic to your blog. It's also a great way to meet other bloggers and get great tips, ideas, and read cool blog post.

 There are just a few simple rules:
  •  Follow the Hosts: Overworked Supermom and Funny Postpartum Lady 
  •  Follow our CoHost(s): DAWN'S DISASTER & STORY OF A GIRL
  •  Add the TGIF Blog Hop button to your blog.
  •  Visit as many blogs on the list as
    you can and leave a comment. Let them know if you've followed them so they can return the favor. Also, if someone from the blog hop follows you, you should return the favor!
     
     
 
Each week we will post a new linky! Contact me at Funnypregnantlady@aol.com if you're interesting in cohosting a Blog Hop! 

 
Grab our Button!
 

Copy the code below:














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thumping thursdays!

Wow!  Can you believe that February is almost over?  It seems to always fly by.  Welcome to another week of Thumping Thursdays.  I'm so glad you came back!
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Wow! Can you believe we have been doing this for 18 weeks!?

So much has happened in that time.

I am happy to announce that I can officially call myself a blogger when people ask me my profession. :D

Making money blogging is a fun little perk but it truly has to be a passion for it to work for you. What have your experiences been with making money blogging?

This week's Featured Read is:

mail 4 rosey

Everyone make sure to drop by and say, "Hi".
Interested in being a Featured Read?

Just make sure to follow the rules so you can receive THESE benefits too. ;)
Want to make sure you get our weekly reminder e-mails?
Please add
diana.n.chastain[at]gmail[dot]com
to your address book. Thanks!

Now on to the rules. I know who likes rules, right? But I promise you are going to want to follow these rules. This is how the Featured Read gets picked. ;)

Rules:

1. Follow
your hosts and co-hosts.
Don't forget you can follow GFC via Twitter! :D

HOSTS:
Diana from Nanny to Mommy
Nanny to Mommy

Follow via GFC

Facebook - Twitter - Pinterest - Instagram - Google+ - YouTube

Karina from Mom In The USA

mom in the USA products made in the USA

RSS - Twitter - Facebook - Google+ - Pinterest

Co-Hosts:
Dawn's Disaster
Daddy's Space
Happy Kids, Inc.
We Three Crabs
Please leave a comment if you are a new follower!
We are looking for new co-hosts for next month!
If you are interested in co-hosting, click HERE!

2. Add
the badge somewhere on your blog.
Please make sure to add our new badge.
What do you think? I love it!




3. Link
up your main blog page.
No Giveaways or Specific Posts, please.
Link your Giveaways up HERE

Our hop is open from Thursdays at 12:01am to Wednesday at 11:59pm.
So you can share and link up all week long!

4. Visit
at least the two blogs before yours in the link set-up.

5. Share
the Hop!







The other cool thing, our hop can be added to your site as well.
If you do this, please leave
Nanny to Mommy a comment so we know. ;) *wink*wink*

6.

The Most Important Rule
Have Fun!

Happy Hopping! :)

Check out this Week's Hop Sponsor:

Free UPS sign-up

Want to see your ad here?










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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

my friend Ann has a really cool job {PRIZES}

The Big One is in her first your at school this year.  It is also my first year to meet parents.  Having no preschool for the Beanie Babies, I am very inexperienced at this task.

I am not exactly what you would call an extrovert, but I am not an introvert.  I'm {what I call} a me-o-vert.  Understandably, that sounds very narcissistic, but the thought process behind it isn't.  I can be quite extroverted and loudly opinionated and speak my mind when it may not always be wanted, but in new situations, with new people (especially those that will probably judge me), I am SHY AS ALL GET OUT.  I do just fine one-on-one, even in an interview.  Groups of people "tweeks-my-outie" as Ms. Middle says (freaks me out).

So, I was quite happy when I seemed to make a Kinder-friend, Ann.  Her son is in the same class as the Big One.  A few weeks ago, she invited me to a skin care party at her house.  She sells the product line for Rodan and Fields.  She gets to host parties, sell to her friends, and strangers, and make money, selling a product she loves and truly believes in.  That's not always an easy task.  I thought her stuff was so cool, I asked her to write a post about it.  Now, not only did she write a great post for you guys to read, but she is also offering a prize when you use the "Solution Tool" and get the confirming email!

- - - - - - - - - - - -

I wear yoga pants as often as possible- just ask Dawn how many times she's seen me in anything else.  But that doesn't mean I don't like to feel beautiful all the time, even in a ponytail and knock-off UGGS from Old Navy.  I also don't like to wear make-up if I don't have to- who has time to do that.  I'll dab on some finishing powder and a little blush, hit my lashes with a swipe of mascara, and I'm content.  But let's face it (pun intended), I'm not getting younger, and when I started noticing the beginnings of crows feet last year, I was a little concerned.  I thought, "I'm 31, my kids aren't even in grade school yet. THIS is only going to get worse."  And even though they say Lever 2000 is for all your 2000 parts, I figured it was time to start treating my face like the priceless piece of real estate that it is. 
Just as I was beginning to pay attention to all the ads out there for this serum and that miracle cream, I was introduced to Rodan + Fields Dermatologists.  The name was familiar- turns out this company is founded by the creators of Proactiv Solution.  But this time, these doctors are redefining how we ALL care for our skin (not just the unlucky ones with acne).  They have a 2-minute online questionnaire that customized a skincare plan for me designed to meet my concerns, all based on how these well-known dermatologists work with patients in their practice.  This is great- I'm a full-time mom, part-time nurse.  I don't have the time to go to the dermatologist; and even if I did, you can bet I'm not dragging my kids along.  So I answered 6 simple questions about my skin and got a customized treatment routine which I then emailed to myself. 
Now you're thinking, "Well that's all fine and good, Ann. How do you know that 'treatment plan' will actually WORK?"  I didn't.  But what I DID know is that Rodan + Fields offers a 60-day satisfaction guarantee on all their products.  I had 60 days to try it, and if I wasn't convinced I could return the empty and get my money back.

I started my customized skincare routine in June.  By July, I was in love.  The REDEFINE Regimen I used left my skin smooth and moisturized but never oily.  The random dry patches I used to get were no longer.  My "pre" crow's feet were REALLY improving, and I stopped using under-eye concealer.  My gaping pores seemed to be minimized.  And I knew it was legit when my husband gave me his unsolicited opinion over the adult beverage we were sharing as we sat outside on a warm summer evening.  "Your skin really does look smoother."  Well THEN!  It wasn't just in my head.
 
This month, Rodan + Fields has just released a revolutionary skincare tool.  I've ordered mine, and it's on its way.  The REDEFINE Macro Exfoliator provides the benefits of a professional in-office microdermabrasion treatment, all in the comfort of your own home without the time and cost commitment.  In just 5 minutes, once a week, the hand-held tool sweeps away millions of dead cells that dull the skin's appearance, and it is clinically proven to visibly improve skin texture after only one use.  It's been featured in Marie Claire and Allure magazine, and this thing was JUST released 2 weeks ago.  The MACRO E is redefining the way we can care for our skin.  I mean, think about it.  We try to make healthy decisions, for our families and ourselves- about what we eat and feed our kids, how we get exercise and get our kids to stay active, and so on.  Rodan + Fields helps me to carry those healthy lifestyle choices into the way I care for my face.  I only get one face, so I'm going to make the most of it. 


You know when you've discovered a new product you're in love with and you just want to tell everyone how awesome it is? Same thing applies here. I.love.Rodan+Fields. I share it whenever possible. So I'm excited to share it with you all!  All Dawn's Disaster readers who complete the Solution Tool questionnaire and email themselves their results will receive a one-week sample supply of Microdermabrasion Paste, which is my #1 favorite product.  I'm also offering a free gift valued at $24 to all Dawn's Disaster readers who take our 60-day challenge to change to their skin with Rodan + Fields.  Contact me for details on how to qualify for free shipping and a 10% discount.  (Currently, Rodan + Fields is only available in the US.  Ann's prizes are for US residents only, however; if you live outside the US and email yourself, I will give you some ad space, see the bottom of the post).

One last thing-  if you would've had the chance to share Proactiv when it was first released, imagine where you might be.  Now imagine a business with Rodan + Fields, sharing with your friends skincare products that work.  What could that mean for you?  I'd love to connect with each and every one of you who might be thinking about an opportunity like this.  Maybe it's for you, maybe it's not, but arm yourself with the facts and make a well-informed decision.  If you'd like to have a conversation with me, I'd like to share an additional gift of Rodan + Fields product with you, a mini-facial treatment featuring 3 of our most loved products.  Give me a shout via email or Facebook.

Thanks so much for allowing me to join you here at Dawn's Disaster.  I hope I've inspired to put your best face forward every day, even in yoga pants and a ponytail!

- - - - - - - - - - - -

So, did you go use the Solution Tool questionnaire?  Did you email yourselves the results?  My regiment is UNBLEMISHED.  Oily skin blows.  I hope this helps me, too!

Share your results in the comments and you will also get a month of the Big One ad space!!  Remember, if you live in the US, you'll get that great PRIZE from Ann and some ad space from me.  If you don't live in the US, you can still use the tool, comment here and I'll hook you up with some ad space.  Oh, and don't forget to TWEET!!!  I <3 :="" div="" tweets="">

Also, order stuff from Ann and she'll hook you up with another prize!!





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Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Inspired Tueday

What is Inspired Tuesday?

Each Tuesday Not So Ugly Ducklings hosts Inspired Tuesday along with two awesome co-hosts Dawn's Disaster and Peanut Butter and Jelly, where we offer up a free printable with some encouraging words.
Me and my co-hosts believe that any post written can inspired someone else, whether it is a personal story, a photography, a recipe.. whatever, so I invite everyone to link up their posts no matter the topic.

The rules are simple:

1) Follow Not So Ugly DucklingsDawn's Disaster and Peanut Butter and Jelly  in any way of your choosing.
2) It would be nice if you added the Inspired Tuesday button to your post, or even just a link back to the link-up.
3) Try to visit others and be inspired!
That's it.
Here is the button if you would like it:

<div align="center"><a href="http://notsouglyducklings.blogspot.com/" title="Not So Ugly Ducklings"><img src="http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh540/sommerfugldesign/inspired-tuesday-button_zpsa22cc19f.png" width="150" alt="Inspired Tuesday" style="border:none;" /></a></div>


Here is this weeks Free Printable:


It can be downloaded from Here

Do't forget to link up below!








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This months Fab-o Sponsors:

TT~Meet Carolyn {who has a special cause}

Dawn’s Disaster

This is a great way for me to learn more about my bloggy friends and to help promote their blog.  So, once you're read their fantastic post, stop by their blog and leave them a note.  Tell 'em you stopped by from Dawn's Disaster :)  If you'd like to be a part of my Traveling Tuesdays, give me a holler or stop by my contact page.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention for Kids

This past November was American Diabetes Month. Normally, I wouldn’t have been aware of this – yet last year, my family was given the devastating news that one of my little cousins was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. After doing some research, I learned that Type 2 Diabetes is a condition where the body either can’t make insulin or does not use insulin properly. Diabetes is serious. According to St. Joseph’s Hospital Cardiac Center, Type 2 Diabetes can lead to some very serious consequences, such as kidney damage, heart disease, stroke, blindness, nervous system damage and even amputation. What was once known as an “old folks” disease is now affecting children at an alarming rate, which is why I have taken it upon myself to work with all of my little cousins on creating healthier lifestyles.

Common culprits of diabetes in children are lack of physical activity and poor diets. If you can convince your kids to exercise, scale back on the junk and eat a few more veggies, they may be able to thwart diabetes. The thing with children is that if you try to force them to drop the video games and eat more leafy greens, they’ll likely resist. The key is to make eating right and exercising natural and fun for them!

A healthy diet: Some simple tips
Kids loooove to snack, so instead of handing them chips or gummy bears, find a snack that is nutritious and tasty that they can enjoy. Peanut butter on celery is always a hit, and you can add raisins to them to make it look like “ants on a log.” You can also grab some fruits and veggies, toss them into the blender and make delicious smoothies of all kinds of flavors! In addition, instead of giving kids ice cream, let them have some frozen yogurt with fruit and nut toppings on it for dessert (my cousins love this because they get to pick their own toppings!).

When packing kids’ lunches, make the meal balanced. Include some kind of lean protein, such as baked turkey or chicken, and make sure to load up with a variety of fruits and veggies. Instead of sugary juices, pack a carton of milk or water – and if your kids don’t like to drink water very much, you can always add in some natural fruit flavoring!

Getting active; getting healthy
The easiest way to get kids physically active is take them outside everyday. They can ride bikes, skate on the sidewalk, run around the yard and bounce balls on the patio. Anything that will get them moving will help prevent diabetes. If it’s too cold to go outdoors, pop in a yoga video and let your kids join you for some toning and stretching moves.

In addition, video game manufacturers are starting to get with the program. They are creating video games that require kids to get up and move. If you can’t seem to pry your kids away from their video games, invest in games where movement is necessary for them play – such as Just Dance or Wii Fit! My cousins love to do these interactive video games because it allows them to play with their games, while at the same time having dance-offs with everyone, or competing in different games with Wii Fit.

Carolyn is a 20-something year old with a passion for life, fitness and overall well-being. She is an avid cycler, golfer and has been known to bust some serious moves on the dance floor. Check out Carolyn’s blog at http://fullonfit.blogspot.com/
 
 

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