I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Folgers. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

My mornings usually start around 5:00 A.M.  I make sure to get up in plenty of time to get myself ready to go before waking my son up to get him ready for school.  One thing I enjoy as I’m getting ready for the day is a fresh cup of coffee.  I start my coffee pot before I hop in the shower and by the time I get out, I have a delicious cup of happiness to help me get over the morning grogginess.  It’s definitely a morning ritual and one that I don’t ever skip.  Now that the weather is finally starting to cool off, adding a little flavor to my morning cup of coffee just makes it that much better.  Are you looking for a way to remix your morning cup?  Folgers knows you like your coffee your way, and that’s why I am excited to share how they are helping you brew the best cup of coffee your way!

Folgers recently introduced Folgers Flavors, a collection of four fabulous coffee enhancers to add delicious flavor to the best part of your morning.  There are four amazing flavors to choose from: Hazelnut, Vanilla, Mocha and Caramel.  Each one can be used in hot or iced coffee and the great thing is that they can be used on-the-go and don’t require any refrigeration! They come in convenient- sized portable squeeze containers that would easily fit in your purse or even your pocket, so that you can enhance your coffee no matter where you purchase it.   Hands down, the Caramel is my favorite!  The Mocha runs a very close second.

Mike Tompkins, YouTube sensation, recently shared how he puts his own spin on the Folgers jingle and created a Folgers remix mash-up for everyone to enjoy!

Doesn’t that get you pumped up for your day?

GIVEAWAY

Even better?  I am so excited I get to offer a reader giveaway!  One lucky reader will receive 2 samples of Folgers Flavors!  Entering is easy!  Just fill in the form below.  You can choose to do as many entries as you like and each is a chance to win.  One winner will be chosen and the giveaway ends on Sunday, November 8, 2015 at 11:59 PM CST.  18+  US. ONLY.  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.  Winner must respond to winner notification email within 72 hours or another winner will be randomly chosen. Contest entrants are only eligible to win once per sweepstake, per household as part of a campaign sponsored by Influence Central.

Entry-Form

For more information on Folgers Flavors, be sure to connect here:

Folgers Flavors Website

Folgers Facebook

Folgers Twitter

Hashtag: #RemixYourCoffee

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Boys & Girls Club of America. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

 

When I was growing up, hardly a day went by when I wasn’t outside with my neighborhood friends playing a pickup game of kickball or baseball.  We stayed outside for hours on end and I look back fondly on those days and cherish the friendships and time we all spent together.  I may date myself by saying this, but when I was a kid, video games were just becoming popular, phones were just to talk on (and attached to the wall for the most part), and our favorite TV shows were something we caught once a week, not on demand 24/7.

We’ve very recently taken fitness and positive lifestyle changes to heart here lately in our own family. Too much screen time coupled with very little physical activity has left all of us not in our best shape or mind-set, but I’m proud to report in the last week we have started incorporating daily walks into our schedule.  We have an excellent fitness trail literally a couple of blocks away from our home, so we finally started taking advantage of it.  It’s a small step, but it’s one that has made a big difference in our overall well-being.  And parents?  This is an excellent way to have some quality time with your kids and talk about their day, or their favorite song, or just be silly and laugh together.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of America launched Triple Play in 2005, a healthy lifestyle program for kids aiming to nourish the mind, body, and soul.  Partnering with Coca-Cola Company and Anthem Foundation, this program aims to empower the next generation of leaders with the tools they will need to make healthier choices all around and to help them be the very best they can be.  This program has already connected with 10 million kids to help them recognize the importance of physical activity and proper nutrition.

Nearly 3 out of 10 kids are overweight or obese in the United States and youth need 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily.  Is your family getting in the play time and good nutrition they need?  Do you need some ideas of your own to get your family moving and having fun?  Download the Family Game Plan!  It’s completely free and chocked full of fun games to help you engage in some physical play and some tips and activities to also learn about making healthier choices when it comes to food.

We had a little fun incorporating some of the things we read about in the Family Game Plan.  Here’s my son warming up with some stretches before doing some walking:

He also had fun seeing how long he could do the “Stork Stance”.

I’m just proud to see him so determined about getting healthier.  He doesn’t realize it now, but I hope one day he will know that he is the one who inspires me.

This is a sponsored post. I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

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You’re invited by C Space to join one of their newest, private online communities, where you can be an adviser to all your favorite brands, like Twitter, Unilever, Colgate, or Godiva (to name a few). Interact with others like you, engage in activities, surveys and discussions that interest you, and earn Amazon gift codes for your participation.

Have a say in what comes next by signing up today http://bit.ly/1N1OL4W

I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for the TB Blood Test. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

 

As a mom, one of my top priorities is making sure my son is healthy and happy.  His well-being means the world to me and taking him for his regular visits to the doctor is important as he grows.  Now that school has started, fitting in those appointments requires some creative scheduling and it seems like the waits are a little longer to see the doctor.  Because he is around more children now, I do my best to coach him on making sure he washes his hands and I talk to him about how sickness can transfer from one person to another.  He’s all boy, though, so I know I can’t control everything he does when he is not with me.  I’m thankful he stays healthy for the most part, but I am aware that his immune system is still fragile and developing.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of those diseases that you may not hear very much about, but it’s still a real problem.  Did you know:

Much has changed in diagnosing cases of TB, and now there is a better way to test for tuberculosis using a blood test that provides even greater accuracy and clearer results over the usual 100 year-old test that’s commonly used.  In the past, testing for TB has been time consuming, often requiring a follow-up visit for results which may be inaccurate, subjective, or outdated.  The TB Blood Test provides accurate and meaningful results that is delivered efficiently.  The TB Blood Test offers completely objective results. Other tests, such as the skin test, can give inaccurate results because the spot on the skin where the tuberculin was injected will raise if the test is positive for TB, but the raised skin could be caused by a cross-reaction from a previous TB vaccine.  The New TB Blood Test only requires a 3 ml draw of fresh blood and is the most accurate TB blood test available that doesn’t cross-react with a previous TB vaccination.  The best part?  Results are available in one visit, saving you precious time.

I’m glad to know that there is a better way to test for TB now.  .

Have you ever looked at your cat and just wondered why they do the things they do? My two cats do some strange things and have some endearing little habits, but I would love to be able to know just what in the world they are thinking sometimes.

A bona fide celebricat since he began doing commercials in the 1970s, America’s favorite ‘charmingly choosy’ feline has launched a “Dear Morris” column to help cats and humans alike make the most out of playtime. What’s more, Morris is also giving Read. Write. Mom! readers the chance to win a one-of-a-kind, customized 9Lives bean bag toss game at his website: http://prospurr.9lives.com/.

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From Morris’ Mailbox:

Dear Morris,

I’ll be the first one to tell you I’m a playful guy. I like yarn, stuffed mice, boxes… you name it. But my human is never in the mood. Something about ‘work’ or ‘being tired,’ blah, blah, blah… meow, meow, meow. I try to tell her that a piece of string doesn’t wiggle itself! Alas, since my human will not play with me, I’ve taken to reading Proust… and trying to catch my own tail.

Sincerely,

Furry and Frustrated

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Dear Furry and Frustrated,

I’ve seen your case all too many times. Humans are often tempted to blame their unplayful attitude on ‘being too busy,’ but that’s rarely true. (Even the president plays golf!) What many humans don’t realize is that we cats don’t require a long, drawn-out play period. We like small bouts of play interspersed with two of our other favorite activities, resting and napping. So gently remind your human with a head-boop or a soft meow that you’re ready for some action—she can start off slow with Level 1 of my “Official Guide to Amusement, Entertainment, Playtime & More”(http://prospurr.9lives.com/). Also, tell your human to be on the lookout for when your tail is in an inverted “U” shape (like in the photo below). That’s a tell-tail sign (get it?!) that she should bring out the toys. Remember, fun is contagious… once your human sees what a blast you’re having, she’ll likely take some more time to enjoy herself as well.

Yours truly,

Morris the Cat

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Dear Morris,

I recently went to the pet store and came back with tons of new toys for my cat, Marvin. I was so excited to share some quality playtime with him that I could hardly wait for him to eat dinner! After he finished his 9Lives Plus Care (he’s a huge fan, by the way), I started waving his new toys around, but he just stared at me blankly—I got zip, zero, zilch! Morris, where did I go wrong? Does Marvin not like playing… or worse, does he not like me??

Thank you,

Confused in the Catskills

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Dear Confused in the Catskills,

You’ve got nothing to worry about. I’m sure Marvin loves playing and I know he loves you. This was merely an instance of poor timing. You see, cats are often reluctant to play after mealtime. No one wants to jump around on a full stomach… even if you’re eating healthy with 9Lives Plus Care! The best time to play with Marvin is after he’s had a nice, long nap, and if he loves napping as much as I do, you’ll have many opportunities! And remember to make time for fun human games as well, like checkers, cards—or my personal favorite—cat’s cradle. The two of you will have mastered Level 5 of my “Official Guide” in no time.

Yours truly,

Morris the Cat

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Dear Morris,

I’ve always considered myself a “cat’s cat.” I’m a champion napper, an expert invisible bug chaser, and my hairballs? I can cough one so big you could use it as a toupee. That’s why I’m so distressed by what I’m about to tell you: I’ve never once caught that feather that dangles on the end of a stick. I see it, I lunge for it, and just when I think it’s within paw’s reach, it darts away again. It frankly has me questioning my cathood. What should I do?

Warmly,

Purr-plexed and Paw-ndering

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Dear Purr-plexed and Paw-ndering,

It’s not your fault you haven’t caught the feather. What I’m about to say may come as a shock… there is a human on the other end of that feather, manipulating it like a marionette. It’s a conspiracy of gigantic proportions. You’ve never caught the feather because your human has never let you. If any of you humans out there are reading, please let your four-legged friends ‘win’ some of the time. It’s great to have a competitive streak playing a board game or on the ball court, but let us felines experience the sweet taste of victory (it actually tastes a lot like 9Lives). Besides, catching the feather, ball, or string will get your cat one step closer to their ultimate goal: world domination.

Yours truly,

Morris the Cat

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For more Morris tips, including his “Official Guide to Amusement, Entertainment, Playtime & More,” go to http://prospurr.9lives.com/. And, if you tweet #MorrisFeeds, Morris will donate a bowl of delicious 9Lives cat food to a hungry kitty at the ASPCA.

 

I received a thank-you item as a token of appreciation from Morris for posting this.