Contests
3:30 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
More great contests (& prizes!) coming soon!
Skin MD Natural
3:14 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
Since becoming a Mommy I have had more trouble than ever with dry skin on my hands, feet and knees so I am always on the lookout for an effective everyday skin lotion. When we received an offer to test out the new Skin MD Natural™Lotion, I was really happy to give it a shot. Skin MD Natural™ Lotion is like healing water that quenched my moisture-thirsty skin! The excessive skin dryness in my hands, feet and knees is now so much better. Skin MD Natural™ Lotion has a light, natural scent.
Skin MD Natural™ Lotion is not your typical conventional moisturizing lotion- it is a "shielding" lotion made with natural ingredients like Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Arnica, Comfrey, and Yarrow. Using the latest advances in dry skin care technology to hydrate and protect the skin, Skin MD Natural™ Lotion keeps moisture-robbing irritants away from the skin while the proprietary "super" humectants hydrate the skin throughout the day.
Leading doctors who specialize in skin care and skin treatment even recommend Skin MD Natural Lotion for treating common and more serious skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.
Dr. Lisa Benest, a board certified dermatologist of Burbank, CA stated, "The secret to resolving dry skin is not only having enough moisture, but also having that moisture located where it can actually resolve a dry skin condition. The use of artificial moisturizers (conventional lotions) only mask dry skin symptoms, which can result in more dry skin, while a shielding lotion protects your skin, allowing your own natural moisture to heal the skin".
Order a bottle of the Skin MD Natural™Lotion now, $18 at http://www.skinmdnatural.com/
Guitar Hero On Tour - Nintendo DS
1:45 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
Through Mom Central, I got to try out Guitar Hero: On Tour, Modern Hits for the Nintendo DS. I have always wondered how Guitar Hero would be possible to play on a DS, without a guitar. You basically attach an extension to the DS, strap it onto your hand, and bush the buttons just like on the GH Guitar.
Here is what the company, Activision PublishingInc./RedOctane, says about the product:
Handheld guitar gods can now choose how they raise-up their band from the underground music scene to worldwide rock stardom in Guitar Hero® On Tour: Modern Hits. Featuring a set list comprised of 28 master tracks from influential artists including Coldplay, Fall Out Boy, Tenacious D, The Strokes and Weezer, Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits expands on the innovative Guitar Hero® gameplay on the Nintendo DS by introducing an all-new Fan Request system that challenges players to jam like never before. Fret board fanatics can once again unleash their inner rock stars anytime, anywhere as they hone their shredding skills and jam to face-melting modern rock tracks from the last five years in Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits.
KEY FEATURES:
* Rock out to today’s hottest tracks – Shred along to 28 master tracks, all modern rock hits from some of the hottest bands including Coldplay, Fall Out Boy, Tenacious D, Weezer, The Strokes and more. Players will tour through five all-new venues that are as extreme as the tunes played in them.
* Choose your path to stardom – For the first time ever, players can choose how they take their band from the underground music scene to worldwide rock stardom with the exciting non-linear gameplay progression in Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits.
* Do it for the fans – Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits delivers an all-new gameplay experience with Fan Requests. By completing Fan Requests players build their fan base and open up new challenges to rock-out like never before including jamming to an entire song in Hyperspeed, battling it out in a Guitar Duel with active Bomb Notes or whammying every single hold note in a song.
* Rock out anytime, anywhere – Fans can take the Guitar Hero experience wherever they go with Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits. The Guitar Hero™ Guitar Grip™ mimics a guitar fret board and fits seamlessly in people’s hands to deliver the same core gameplay that defines Guitar Hero.
* The party never stops – Song streaming features allow players of Guitar Hero On Tour: Modern Hits and its predecessors, Guitar Hero: On Tour and Guitar Hero On Tour: Decades, to share songs via local wireless connectivity. Players can rock out together in multiplayer modes, jamming to tracks from all three versions of the game.
Caramel Ice Cream Bars
8:33 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
½ cup flour
1 cup oats
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup chopped nuts
1 cup melted butter
Combine ingredients well and flatten on cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes @ 350 degrees.
Cool and crumble ½ of mixture in 9x13 dish.
1 Jar Kraft Caramel Sauce
2 quarts Vanilla Ice Cream
Take jar of caramel and drizzle over mixture. Spread 2 quarts of softened vanilla ice cream over caramel and put the remaining crumble mix on top. Freeze well. Cut into squares to serve.
Peanut Blossoms
8:31 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
Quick, yummy and beautiful.
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar -- cream these all together
Add 1 egg and 2 T milk and 1 tsp. Vanilla --- cream again
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. soda
1/2 salt
Shape into balls and roll in a bowl of white sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes and remove from the oven and place the chocolate kiss in the center of each cookie, pressing gently down. Return to oven for 2-5 more minutes.
Savvy Girl
Summer Tips from Mom Central
8:02 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
Mom Central got together with the MommyDocs and came up with a list of Five Tips for Summer Staycations to keep your family safe and your house cleaner during the summer months this year.
Staying Safe at BBQs.
According to a recent survey, 70 percent of Moms are cooking more at home and many are likely switching up their meal routine with an outdoor BBQ. Make sure your kids have a safe BBQ experience by keeping them away from the flames and any sharp knives. Also, don't forget to check that your child's hamburger is fully cooked. Always keep a thermometer on hand to be sure all food has reached the appropriate inside temperature.
Keep the Pool Cool and Clean.
If your kids love to spend hot afternoons in kiddie pools, you know the importance of cleaning the pool area. Dump out water after each session, and keep the pool clean by disinfecting it with a solution of ¾ cup bleach* to one gallon of water. Don't forget to rinse well and dry thoroughly after each cleaning (never leave any water in the pool). Be sure to always supervise children when they are in or around any water. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)
Staying Healthy and Hydrated.
Spending time in the heat means kids will be more prone to becoming dehydrated. Remind kids to take frequent rest/drink breaks in the shade when playing outside and try to avoid activity during peak sun hours. Encourage fluids before, during, and after outside activities.
Having Peace of Mind at Playgrounds.
Sometimes just getting out of the house is the best way to keep it clean, but before letting kids loose at the playground, ensure the safety of the equipment. Swing seats and slides can really heat up in the sun – test them out before your kids hop on to avoid burns. Be sure the playground surface is composed of a soft material to help prevent injury. All playground equipment should be routinely checked for any broken or loose parts. As always, adult supervision is a must at all times!
Saving on Spills.
Spending extra time around the house, especially with kids, often means more spills to clean up. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths can start to smell and carry bacteria, but you don't have to toss them out after a few uses. One option to reduce bacteria is to sanitize sponges and dishrags by soaking them in a bleach solution (¾ cup of bleach* to a gallon of water) for 5 minutes in the sink. Don't forget to rinse and dry when done. A wet sponge can also be microwaved to get rid of bacteria. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)
Staying Safe at BBQs.
According to a recent survey, 70 percent of Moms are cooking more at home and many are likely switching up their meal routine with an outdoor BBQ. Make sure your kids have a safe BBQ experience by keeping them away from the flames and any sharp knives. Also, don't forget to check that your child's hamburger is fully cooked. Always keep a thermometer on hand to be sure all food has reached the appropriate inside temperature.
Keep the Pool Cool and Clean.
If your kids love to spend hot afternoons in kiddie pools, you know the importance of cleaning the pool area. Dump out water after each session, and keep the pool clean by disinfecting it with a solution of ¾ cup bleach* to one gallon of water. Don't forget to rinse well and dry thoroughly after each cleaning (never leave any water in the pool). Be sure to always supervise children when they are in or around any water. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)
Staying Healthy and Hydrated.
Spending time in the heat means kids will be more prone to becoming dehydrated. Remind kids to take frequent rest/drink breaks in the shade when playing outside and try to avoid activity during peak sun hours. Encourage fluids before, during, and after outside activities.
Having Peace of Mind at Playgrounds.
Sometimes just getting out of the house is the best way to keep it clean, but before letting kids loose at the playground, ensure the safety of the equipment. Swing seats and slides can really heat up in the sun – test them out before your kids hop on to avoid burns. Be sure the playground surface is composed of a soft material to help prevent injury. All playground equipment should be routinely checked for any broken or loose parts. As always, adult supervision is a must at all times!
Saving on Spills.
Spending extra time around the house, especially with kids, often means more spills to clean up. Synthetic sponges and kitchen cloths can start to smell and carry bacteria, but you don't have to toss them out after a few uses. One option to reduce bacteria is to sanitize sponges and dishrags by soaking them in a bleach solution (¾ cup of bleach* to a gallon of water) for 5 minutes in the sink. Don't forget to rinse and dry when done. A wet sponge can also be microwaved to get rid of bacteria. (* Always remember to read and follow precautions and usage directions before using cleaning products)
Bella Sara
2:56 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
About Bella Sara:
Welcome to the wonderful world of Bella Sara, a trading card game that's complemented by the magical online land of North of North -- home to the beautiful horses pictured on Bella Sara trading cards. Bella Sara has captured the hearts of young girls across the country, offering positive, inspirational messages and selling more than 83 million cards to date. This June, Bella Sara is expanding its line of trading cards for girls with Royalty, the ninth series in the popular brand. For the first time ever, Sara, herself, is introduced and the series feature even more horses and more fun than ever before -- all with just one code!
Team Mom sent me two packs of Bella Sara Royalty cards to review - they are so cute. These trading cards are geared towards little girls ages 5 and up, I think little girls are going to love Bella Sara.
Each pack of Royalty cards include 5 cards, 1 ticket card, 1 tattoo card, and 1 sticker card. Each card has a beautiful picture of a horse along with some information about the character. There is also a ticket card with a code which allows to to get horses, horseshoes and more at bellasara.com. And the tattoo and stickers cards are just adorable too!
Balance B Bars
8:13 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
I’m always on the lookout for healthy snacks for Alex that are not only nutritious but tasty. After all, what’s the point if they’re not going to eat it? We had the opportunity to try out Balance B Kids Bar and Alex loved them. It makes me feel so much better knowing that she's eating something healthy. She had no idea that she was eating something good for her, all she knew is that it tasted great.
The makers of BALANCE BAR introduce the BALANCE B KIDS bar, a nutritious kids’ snack bar to help fuel their active lives. With a yummy combination of whole grain oats, wheat and rice, the bars contain vitamins like Iron, Zinc and B1, B6, and B12 to help feed their growing brains and bodies. And, in flavors like Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter, B KIDS bars are a great treat to stick in their lunchbox or put in their backpack and take on the go!
The bars will be available in June at Target stores nationwide. The suggested retail price per 6-count box is $3.99.
Grandrea's Here!
7:07 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
My Mum arrived from England this weekend and we are so happy to have her here to visit. She will be here for 6 weeks and we haven't seen her in person (only on Skype) since Christmas. My Grandma also made the trip over to see us and she will be here for 10 days.Alex was so excited to see her "Grandrea" (My Mum's name is Andrea so we now call her Grandrea), she went running down the driveway into her arms when she arrived from the ariport.
We all went out to the Beach in Grand Haven, MI on Sunday and we had a great time, the weather was beautiful, a little windy but a great family day out.
I will post some pictures soon!
Snickerdoodles
7:02 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
These classic cookies are both easy to make and fun to eat because they offer a little "crunch" on the outside, but are soft on the inside. Serve with a glass of milk and they are the perfect sweet treat and will beat a store-bought cookie any day!
½ cup butter
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 egg
½ teaspoon vanilla
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
Cinnamon and Sugar mixture (approx 2-3 Tbls sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon)
Beat butter until smooth. Add half the flour and the rest of the ingredients (except cinnamon/sugar mixture). Beat until thoroughly combined. Add rest of flour and beat until thoroughly combined. Cover and chill for 1 hour. Shape into balls and roll in cinnamon/sugar mixture. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes (until just barely the edges are turning brown). Cool on wire rack. Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen -- very easy to double. Store in sealed container.
Savvy Girl Company!
The Way Children See Things!
9:58 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
NUDITY
I was driving with my three young children one warm summer evening when a Woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. She was stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my 5-year-old shout from the back seat, 'Mom! That lady isn't wearing a seat belt!
HONESTY
My son Zachary, 4, came screaming out of the bathroom to tell me he'd dropped his toothbrush in the toilet. So I fished it out and threw it in the garbage. Zachary stood there thinking for a moment, then ran to my bathroom and came out with my toothbrush. He held it up and said with a charming little smile, 'We better throw this one out too then, 'cause it fell in the toilet a few days ago.
OPINIONS
On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a Note from his mother. The note read, 'The opinions expressed by this child are not necessarily those of his parents.'
KETCHUP
A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup to come out of the jar. During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-old daughter to answer the phone. 'It's the minister, Mommy,' the child said to her mother. Then she added, 'Mommy can't come to the phone to ta lk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle.'
MORE NUDITY
A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women's locker room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, with ladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watched in amazement and then asked, ! ! ! 'What's the matter haven't you ever seen a little boy before?'
ELDERLY
While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. The various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers and wheelchairs, unfailingly intrigued her. One day I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, 'The tooth fairy will never believe this!'
DRESS-UP
A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party. When she saw her dad donning his tuxedo, she warned, 'Daddy, you shouldn't wear that suit.' 'And why not, darling?' 'You know that it always gives you a headache the next morning.'
SCHOOL
A little girl had just finished her first week of school. 'I'm just wasting my time,' she said to her mother. 'I can't read, I can't write and they won't let me talk!'
BIBLE
A little boy opened the big family bible. He was fascinated as he fingered through the old pages.. Suddenly, something fell out of the Bible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was an old leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. 'Mama, look what I found', the boy called out.' What have you got there, dear?' With astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, 'I think it's Adam's underwear
ENJOY YOUR DAY !!!!!
CPR Anytime Kits
9:51 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
Thanks to our friends at Mom Central we were able to try out the American Heat Associations CPR Anytime Kit.This kit teaches CPR at home and your entire family can learn these life saving techniques. This is a must have for any family and I am so glad our family can learn CPR together, it makes me feel so much safer to have the knowledge for if something unexpected happens.
Visit The American Heart Association to find out more and get one for your family.
The CPR Anytime line of self-directed learning products was developed to increase CPR knowledge and awareness among the general public – those who do not traditionally attend CPR courses.
Currently:
Almost 80 percent of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur at home and are witnessed by a family member
Only 6.4 percent of sudden cardiac arrest victims survive because the vast majority of those witnessing the arrest are people who do not know how to perform CPR
CPR Anytime is a tool that can help increase survival rates in communities across the country. People who receive the CPR Anytime kits are able to share lifesaving skills with their loved ones by using the kit to train their entire family. Using a multiplier effect, studies have shown that for every single CPR Anytime kit used for training, an average of 2.5 people learn how to perform CPR.
The American Heart Association's CPR Anytime personal learning programs include Family & Friends CPR Anytime and Infant CPR Anytime for families and community members, and Heartsaver AED Anytime, a credentialed program that can be used in worksites to teach CPR skills and use of an AED.
Learn more about Family & Friends CPR Anytime.
Learn more about Heartsaver AED Anytime.
Learn more about Infant CPR Anytime.
Shop the CPR Anytime Web site
Happy Mothers Day!
6:47 AM Posted by Bits from a Brit
We would like to wish you a very Happy Mothers Day and hope you all had a wonderful day with your children, spouse or extended family.
The Glue of Society
Johann Christoph Arnold for Mother’s Day, May 10, 2009
Thank God for mothers! Mother’s Day is an opportunity to make life special for them. It is a chance to celebrate family. I thank God for my mother, who died some years ago. There is one thing I regret: for too many years I did not appreciate her enough and took her for granted. She was always there for us. I thank God for my wife. We have been married for forty-three years and have eight children. God has blessed us with forty-one grandchildren.
Mothers are the backbone of our society and the glue that holds a family together—their work is vital but often unseen. We all need to show greater appreciation for them. I pity the man who does not have a good wife to take care of him.
My favorite Hasidic saying goes, “God could not be everywhere at once, so he gave each child a mother!” Mothers should be proud to be mothers. It is a God-given task and privilege. Actually there is a mother’s heart in every woman, whether married or single. In the past, motherhood was regarded as the noblest calling of a woman. Today it is too often pushed aside by more “desirable” occupations or careers, and seen as an inconvenience or even an embarrassment.
A true mother thinks day and night about the well-being of her children, and is the first to praise, comfort and protect them. She is willing to sacrifice her life for them. The pains of pregnancy and childbirth are borne by the mother, and she continues to carry the child in her heart her whole life.
Motherhood is a mystery. It is something truly divine for which every human heart longs. This is why mothers provide the most powerful influence on a child’s life, and are the most important role models for positive change in our society. When anyone is in trouble, or knows that they are dying, the first person they think of is their mother. When children start going wrong ways a mother’s prayer is powerful. Mothers remind us that there is a loving God above us who will take good care of everyone, especially children. Whenever a tragedy occurs—no matter where in the world this happens—you will always find mothers both weeping for the dead and bringing comfort and security to the living.
As we seek to improve the education of our children, let us start by taking better care of our mothers. This will enable them to provide better homes for all of us, and ensure the survival of our society. Never before in our history have so many men abandoned the children they fathered. Fathers are vanishing from their children’s lives, not just physically, but legally as well. Therefore, congratulations to all single mothers and grandmothers who do their best to raise children on their own. They often struggle under the most difficult circumstances. They are the real heroes of the family—and not just on Mother’s Day.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you!
[Johann Christoph Arnold is a pastor and author of ten books, which are available at http://www.plough.com/.]
Green
2:00 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
New Green Living Section Coming Soon!
Michigan Wife
1:50 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
Three men married wives from different states.The first man married a woman from Washington . He told her that she was to do the dishes and house cleaning. It took a couple of days, but on the third day, he came home to see a clean house and dishes washed and put away.
The second man married a woman from Wyoming . He gave his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes and the cooking. The first day he didn't see any results, but the next day he saw it was better. By the third day, he saw his house was clean, the dishes were done and there was a huge dinner on the table.
The third man married a girl from Michigan . He ordered her to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed, and hot meals on the table for every meal. He said the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything but by the third day, some of the puffiness had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye, and his arm was healed enough that he could fix himself a sandwich and load the dishwasher.
New Feature - Eating Out
1:38 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
We will be starting a new section here at Bits from a Brit - Eating Out. We will be trying out lots of local restaurants and letting you know how we rate them. The rating will be based on food quality, service, speed, and family friendliness or romantic setting. Of course we are doing this to help everyone find the greatest places to eat out with and without your kiddos, or is this just an excuse so I don't have to cook dinner quite so often? Whatever the reason we are very excited to share our findings with you!
Cream Puffs
1:21 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
Cream Puffs
1 cup water
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
4 eggs
Heat water and butter to boil. Add flour all at once and stir vigorously over low heat until mixture forms a ball. Remove from heat and beat in eggs all at once. Continue beating until smooth and well blended. Drop dough by tablespoon on un-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes until golden. Remove immediately and let cool on wire rack. Once cooled, slice puffs in half and remove residual dough leaving a hallowed out puff. Fill puffs with your favorite cream or use the following:
1 3 oz. package instant pudding (your favorite flavor -- lemon is excellent) made according to package and set until firm1 8 oz container whipped topping
Combine after pudding is chilled and fill puffs. Sprinkle with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate frosting. Enjoy with fresh berries
Tuscan Bread Salad
1:07 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
Tuscan Bread Salad
1 loaf dense crusty bread
1 large ball of fresh Mozzarella cheese
1 large tomato
1 yellow or red pepper
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
Dressing:
1 clove garlic, minced
6 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons Balsamic or red wine vinegar
salt and pepper, to taste
Combine dressing ingredients and blend well; set aside. Cut cheese, tomato and pepper into 1-inch cubes and transfer to salad bowl with chopped basil. Pour dressing over cheese and veggies to marinate while cutting and toasting bread. Cut bread into 1-inch cubes and toast in oven until lightly brown. Add bread cubes to salad bowl and mix well to coat all pieces. Serve immediately.
My Natural Bamboo Collection
5:31 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
The My Natural Bamboo Collection from Hosung NY Inc feature four 9" Ultrasoft plush animals, including a frog, elephant, monkey and panda. These suffed animals are crafted from 100% unprocessed bamboo and are hand dyed with plants and minerals. They are all natural, antifungal and antibacterial, making them resilient and safe for children.
My Natural Bamboo Collection us available exclusively at Barnes and Noble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/) and are priced at $14.95 each.
We have the Frog and it is soft to the touch and will be a cute addition to Alex's stuffed animal collection.
Tilty Cups
1:16 PM Posted by Bits from a Brit
Tilty is a great new sippy cup designed to help baby learn how to drink. Tilty is designed by parents and recommended by pediatricians. The ergonomic design makes it the easiest cup to use, and the snap on lid keeps messes to a minimum.
Tilty is DYE Free, BPA Free, PVC Free, Pthalate Free, pure polypropylene, and is dishwasher safe.
Alex is now 2 and loves her Tilty Cup. I love that this cup can be used by babies and toddlers. I feel like I have had to buy Alex so many different cups for the different stages in her life when the Tilty Cup could have been the one and only, saving money!
The Tilty Cup is very reasonably priced at $6 for a two pack - available at http://www.tiltycup.com/
