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Real Solutions for Real Parents by Autumn Rose Reo

Safer Blinds Mean Peace of Mind with Blinds.com {Giveaway}

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I appreciate Blinds.comfor partnering with me  to learn about the importance of safer window coverings! Not only did they help me to update the look of the house, my children are now safer, too. Learn more about child-safe window coverings and how you can win a $100 or $2,500 gift card from Blinds.com.

Like every expectant parent, whenever my husband and I were preparing our home for #1, we did everything the “book” said to do. We installed locks on the cabinets and drawers as well as removed any sharp corners. We inserted a 1,000+ plastic prongs in the outlets. We removed all those cute trinkets around the house that gave it character that could possibly be found in a little one’s reach and ultimately their mouth. We tied up every blind in the house so there wasn’t a string that the baby could get caught in and choke.

Blinds.comFeature


Basically, we prepped the house for Reo Recon. And man it wasn’t pretty.

Stepping into many other friends’ homes, the same window-tie up method has left a pretty ugly mess of their blinds and that’s if they actually did anything. Many people don’t even know that having corded blinds or shades is a real hazard to a home with kids.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about once a month a child between 7 months and 10 years dies from window cord strangulation and another child suffers from a near strangulation.

However, with so many options now available, parents can completely remove the risk by choosing many of the child-safe styles on Blinds.com, like the ones I just installed, the Levolor Accordia Light Filtering Cellular Shades in Whisper.

While when I first began looking, I didn’t know where to start or exactly sure what choices were “out there,” but I was able to use this helpful quiz to guide me through all the options available like cellular shades vs. honeycomb shades. If I needed even more help, I could also chat with an agent for free assistance to ask questions.  With free shipping and free samples, Blinds.com can guide you through every step of the process to ensure you make the right choice for your home! And even if you make a mistake like I did with my Levolor shades, their pledge is if a Levolor brand product doesn’t fit (no matter whose fault it is) Levolor will remake your blinds or shades for free. Blinds.com offers the same promise with our SureFit guarantee to cover ANY product sold on Blinds.com! Incredible policy!

childsafety-infoBlinds.com

While replacing your window coverings with cordless blinds or shades is the only real way to remove the strangulation risk, there are several tips available from Blinds.com than you can do NOW to make  your home a little safer. For instance, if you have an older home like me, you can actually order a free window cord retrofit kit from www.windowcoverings.org.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you are in the business of shopping for replacement blinds for your home or childproofing your home for your first child, now’s a great time to buy window covers during the Safer For Kids Collection sale, running all October long! And to sweeten the deal, Blinds.com is also offering $100 Blinds.com Gift Card to one MamaChallenge reader to help you find your perfectly safe window coverings.

No matter how good the deals are, if you have 35 windows that need new window coverings, you’re going to need more than $100. Thankfully, Blinds.com is also hosting a giveaway for $2,500 Gift Card on Blinds.com, so make sure to enter their contest to increase your odds of winning, while decreasing your risk of child safety issues!

If you win $100 Blinds.com Gift Card, which room of you house will you use it in? 

The Aviators Every Girl Must Have: Oakley Feedback

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I was provided a complimentary pair of Oakley sunglasses to find out personally why they were up for the mamachallenge.  However, all the comments here are my own. 

Some women do shoes. I do sunglasses.

At last count, I found five pairs in my car plus a pair each for the kids for a total of seven pairs. While I like them to look stylish, I use glasses to shield my eyes (I’m like a Gizmo and am not a fan of bright sun) and many days to act as a hairband for my mess of a mane.


ARsunglasses

I always have keep two different styles on hand: my favorites are my aviators, but since they get stuck in my hair I have a backup, the big black “Jackie-O” type of glasses when I need to keep my hair perfect and in place.

That was at least the rule until now when my brownies met the Oakley Feedback.

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A beautiful pair of fitted  sunnies with rose gold frames and tortoiseshell accents, the Feedback is a pretty hot pair of shades with UV protection of Plutonite® lens that filters out 100% of UVA / UVB / UVC rays, glare reduction and HD polarized technology. Pretty impressive as far as glasses go, but there is one feature that takes it way past awesome. Unlike other aviators, Oakley has made one more thing in my life easier with snag-free adjustable nosepads.

That means they don’t get caught in your hair. (Pause for the applause.)

And remember, these are Oakleys! I thought Oakleys were those sporty wraparound glasses for football players and fishermen. However, looking through the Oakley sunglass store at Northpark Center in Dallas, I found out how wrong  was! There were tons of styles for men, women and even kids to choose from or even build a set at the store’s custom eyewear bar to create the perfect pair of sunglasses based on your needs and preferences.

While I could have found Christmas presents for everyone at Oakley that day including my own gift to self with those beautiful rose gold Oakley Feedback shades, there a few things to take into considering to find the perfect glasses for someone.

Five Things to Look for When Choosing Sunglasses

  1. UV protection
  2. Right Fit
  3. Polarization
  4. Impact Protection
  5. The Right Lenses

And of course, there’s the ideal style for anyone who is into sports or in my case, has an active lifestyle – with running around with kids!

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Oakley has seven stores in DFW and 168 in the U.S. Next time you are at Northpark Center, Stonebriar Center, Southlake Town Square, Parks at Arlington as well as outlets at Grapevine Mills, Allen Premium Outlets and Grand Prairie Outlets, go get your favorite new must-have aviators.

You’ll thank me later!

http://www.oakley.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Things to Do Before Going to Just Between Friends (JBF)

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I’m a HUGE FAN of Just Between Friends. If you are a JBFer, you know why moms volunteer hours of their time just to be the first ones to get their hands on this incredible merchandise at amazing prices. And if you’re a new mom or just haven’t had a chance to go to a JBF, then you are going to wonder “why didn’t I think of this super cool concept?”

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Short of the long: Just Between Friends is North America’s Leading Children’s and Maternity Consignment Sales Event! Moms sell kid stuff to other moms at big convention center area in the spring and the fall. Moms who sale stuff make money, moms who buy stuff save money and JBF does the hosting of this big, money-saving event for your kids.


In DFW, we get the pleasure of having several of the best JBF consignment sales out there. Every spring and the fall, moms and dads gear up for shopping deals you can’t find anywhere else and can make your dollars really stretch. However, I don’t refer to it as budget shopping, but more smart shopping. AND take it from me, a gal who tries never to miss a JBF shopping experience, I have a few tips that will make a real difference between a great shopping experience and understanding how some women have to have their husbands come with a truck to haul it all home. (I’ve seen it many times.)

5 Things to Do Before Going to Just Between Friends Dallas (JBF)

1. Think ahead. 

While each sale is just for the current season, so of the deals are so good that you could score the best deal for a coat that you might have for your son’s 6th birthday even though he’s 4 now. And because this JBF sale is in the fall, they also include Halloween costumers and plenty of toys that would look great around your Christmas tree.

2. Make with a list. 

A list will save you time and money. Sure I’ve gone plenty of times with nothing but my credit card, but having a list of sizes, whom to buy for (if you have other family members or expecting friends), and a list of what you need (like the skiing coat for an upcoming vacation), you’ll really see how JBF can save you money and make it much easier to get exactly what you need!

3. Dress to shop till you drop. 

You might be coming to get the cutest clothes for your kids, but going to the sale isn’t a time to sport your new Jimmy Choos. Take it from me, there will be no judgement from anyone if you throw on those yoga pants that you don’t really do yoga in, a pair of crocs and a pony tail and come out to shop. We all know that we are on a mission for great clothes and great toys for great prices and nobody got time for makeup, Pinterest style and taking selfies.

4. Bring your own bags or rolly carts.

The first time you ever pull into the parking lot of a JBF sale, you will know why I say this. The women that know roll in the rolly carts, wheel in the hanging racks and have a few huge reusable bags to load up all their finds until they hit up the cash register. With plenty of clothes, books, furniture, shoes, toys and more to go through, you need something to hold your stuff and your arms need to be free to keep digging. Plus when you pay out, you can load all the loot back up and take it to the car.  I’ve forgotten this a few times and regretted it later because my body hurt from holding it. While there is a “Hold” area for you to drop off things as you buy things, you don’t want to leave your spot in the racks and come back to find someone else picked up where you left off.

5. There’s no shame in a fanny pack. 

Yes, there is actually, but I think you get the drift. Again, this is not time to bring out the big mama purse. You need to carry in only the bare essentials – mobile phone, money, chap stick and a water. The water is a big thing if your JBF sale doesn’t have a place to purchase refreshments because shopping can be an endurance sport. Hydration is key when you’ve been going at it for an hour plus and you will be thirsty, especially if you’re pregnant and you are buying everything under the moon so you don’t have to pay full price later. (Make sure you also get your free pass if you’re expecting and you get a special advance time to buy with free admission!)

Now that you’re ready, then get in the car and head over to Just Between Friends Dallas sale happening at Mesquite Rodeo Hall! If you can’t make it today starting at 10 AM then you have until SUNDAY to score your deals. I know that we’re stocked up, but that’s only until the next JBF Dallas sale happening in March 2015, so mark your calendar!

 

Way Better than the Golden Arches: Peruvian Gold at Irving Arts Center

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According to the gold-chained icon of the 80s, Mr. T (yes, you know the one):
“I practice the Golden Rule: He who has all the gold, makes the rules.”

While Mr. T wasn’t around during the ruling time of the ancient Pre-Inca Peruvians, he does a good job of paraphrasing the special “golden” age of civilizations from 1250 B.C. to A.D. 1450. featured in the limited exhibition “Peruvian Gold: Ancient Treasures Unearthed” at the Irving Arts Center, October 4 – December 31. 

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Peruvian Gold is presented in partnership with the National Geographic Museum in Washington D.C. and will showcase extraordinary objects from Peru’s pre-Inca heritage, including gold ceremonial and funerary masks, textiles, ceremonial ornaments, ceramics and jewelry. The centerpiece of the exhibition will be El Tocado, the largest and most ornate pre-Columbian headdress ever discovered. The extraordinary gold headdress dates from the Middle Sican period (A.D. 900-1100). This exhibition marks the first time it has been on display in the United States since it was unearthed in 1991.

Guest curated by National Geographic’s Archaeology Fellow Dr. Fredrik Hiebert, “Peruvian Gold” features iconic artifacts on loan from three Peruvian institutions: Sican National Museum, Larco Museum and Museum of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru. Irving is the only location outside of Washington D.C. to host Peruvian Gold.

Click here to purchase your tickets now for Pervian Gold at the Irving Arts Center.  

And stay tuned for how you can win tickets to this exhibit on MamaChallenge.com!Make sure you are connected on Facebook or sign up for the MamaChallenge Newsletter!


Three Must-Have Pumpkin Recipes for Fall

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Thanks to Market Street DFW for this sponsored post about my favorite time of year, Autumn!

3 Must Have Pumpkin

When you’re name is Autumn, I feel like this time of year I’m in my prime…


The first sign of the season starts with mums, cooler temps and the appearance of pumpkins mean I’m right on cue. So on a cool, crisp September day, I stopped into Market Street and low and behold – it was pumpkin-palooza! Every size, color and type was already on display, just waiting for me to take them home. (And I found out later, they are happy for you to return to their “pumpkin patch” and take photos for fall!)

Pumpkins

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PumpkinsMarketStreet

Now that it’s official fall, I was ready to begin making everything pumpkin. From breakfast to baked goods, I find a way to make pumpkin a part of every meal. However, since I’m working to incorporate more healthy, clean eating into our family lifestyle, I was going to have to do a little bit of work on the front end to create those delicious pumpkin recipes!

So here are the three must-have core recipes everyone needs for everything pumpkin! Pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice and pumpkin pie filling.

PumpkinPuree

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Homemade Pumpkin Puree

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 small pumpkin, rinsed and dried

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Cut pumpkin in sections from top to bottom.
  3. Remove the stem.
  4. Remove all the seeds and fiber with a spoon or metal measuring cup until only the flesh is left.
  5. Lay pieces fleshside down on a roasting pan
  6. Fill pan with 1/2 cup of water.
  7. Place pumpkin pieces in oven for 1 hour until soft.
  8. Remove pan from oven and allow to cool for one hour.
  9. Once cool, remove the flesh from the peel and put into a blender or food processor and mix until smooth, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  10. Use immediately or place into 1 cup bags in freezer bags and store flat in the freezer for quick use.

PumpkinPieSpice

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice

PumpkinPiefilling

Pumpkin Pie Filling

 

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice {Recipe}

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Pumpkin tastes great but it’s the combination of pumpkin pie spice that makes it amazing! This recipe is easy to make and you’ll have it ready for all your pumpkin dishes all season long!


PumpkinPieSpice

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Pumpkin Pie Spice

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Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 tablespoons cinnamon
  • 4 teaspoons nutmeg
  • 4 teaspoons allspice
  • 4 teaspoons cloves
  • 4 teaspoons ginger

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine all the spices and stir together. Store them al in a airtight container and use as needed.

Homemade Pumpkin Pie Filling {Recipe}

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PumpkinPiefilling

 

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Homemade Pumpkin Pie Filling {Recipe}

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

Instructions

  1. Blend pumpkin puree, sugar pumpkin pie spice until smooth.

Mama-Daddy Date Night on a Dime {Giveaways}

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Research reveals that over 90% of couples who go out on dates have increased relationship satisfaction.

However, when your schedule seems packed full of kid functions and other obligations, it’s hard to make it a priority to spend time doing something you enjoy vs. something you “have to do.” However, when you’re married, “you have to work at it.”

MD


Taking right back to a “work concept,” organizational/business engenue Steven Covey referred to a marriage as an emotional bank account. If you don’t put in a deposit after awhile, you’ll be overdrawn – meaning: hurt, sad or much worse. unfortunately, in reality you don’t necessarily have to spend an arm and a leg to have fun, so we’ve got some great ideas for date night on a dime for moms and dads!

So make a point to make your relationship have value!

1. Put it on the calendar!
Just like doctor’s appointments and soccer practice, if it’s not on the calendar, it won’t happen!

2. Be creative with datenightnorthtexas.com.
What if you had loads of creative date ideas, plenty to talk about while on your date and even deals and discounts provided by local establishments to make it easier for you to get out of your rut and try something new – all in the palm of your hand?

3. Be frugal
Follow websites and blogs for contests and other fun ways to do things for free!

DATE NIGHT IDEAS (AS SEEN ON WFAA GOOD MORNING TEXAS!) 

Traditional Dinner Night Out

Movie Night

  • Groupon for a $6 movie ticket to a movies like Studio Movie Grill OR any other specials available {Giveaway}
  • Pay-What-You-Can Dallas Theatre for each show for $1! Next show is Rocky Horror Picture Show!
  • This Side Up! Family Center: This is a one-of-a-kind non-profit which provides a safe, family- friendly environment while giving parents all the tools, skills and quality activities they need to move from surviving to thriving! We have received numerous awards and recognition as a new community non-profit bringing much-needed focus on family strengthening!

Hear the Music, Taste the Love 

  • It’s fall festival time! Enjoy yourselves at any festival like the upcoming free Cultivate festival or any of the many festivals we have in the area for cheap admission and in many cases FREE!
  • Rather do something more low key? Go to a brewery or whiskey tour and enjoy a little education/tasting like at Deep Ellum Brewery in Dallas or Rahr & Sons Brewing Company {Giveaway} in FW where $10 gets a tour, three samplings includes a pint glass or there’s a few free tours with samples for purchase. Find comprehensive list of breweries and distilleries in DFW on Eater.com
  • Use Uber to safely get home and today all GMT watchers will get a FREE RIDE up to $20 credit with CODE: MAMACHALLENGE {Giveaway}

Uber

Get Your Workout On

Cultural

Make your own bucket list of places to eat and experience together!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Get Picky, Win $500 with FiberChoice

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Disclaimer: I was provided complimentary product and compensation to accept the Fiber Choice© 30-Day Get Picky Challenge.

You know fiber is good for you, but do you know why? Do you know how much you need? Do you want to be healthy? Do you want to win $500?

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Fiber Choice® is working to help educate us all on the importance of fiber for optimal health with the Fiber Choice© 30-Day Get Picky Challenge.  Each week in September, five winners will be selected at random to win high-value coupons and at the end of the month, one participant will win a $500 gift card.

When I accepted the challenge, I knew fiber was good for a healthy well-being, but I’ll be honest, I didn’t know how much fiber I really needed. Since I began adding the Fiber Choice© Weight Management to my daily diet along with eating vegetables and fruits with high values of fiber, I’ve been reaching my recommended amount of fiber my digestive system has been in sync with me with a more regular routine. Also with the added chromium picolinate in Fiber Choice© Weight Management, it’s helped me to curb cravings as I continue to work to lose weight. It’s a two-fer! I also love the chewable strawberry tablets, so I don’t avoid having to taste a harsh flavor or texture!

How Fiber Works

You can also join the Picky Challenge right now and just by signing up for newsletter, you can get a $2 off coupon! By entering the contest you also will have a chance to win $500 just choosing to be a healthier YOU with Fiber Choice®!
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Don’t think eating foods with fiber taste good?

Here’s a few recipes that are delicious ideas from some of my favorite foodies! 

FOOD NETWORK: http://www.foodnetwork.com/topics/high-fiber-recipes.html

EATING WELL: http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/quick_high_fiber_dinner_recipes

ALL RECIPES: http://allrecipes.com/recipes/healthy-recipes/special-diets/high-fiber

BETTER CROCKER: http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/health-and-diet/high-fiber-recipes

DELISH: http://www.delish.com/recipes/cooking-recipes/high-fiber-recipes

 

Go Boo then Get Sauced with Go Go squeeZ

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I am a proud ambassador for Go Go squeeZ! #squeezsquad

Halloween is one of my favorite times of year (not just because it’s my birthday), but the fun you can have being a little bit naughty for the fun of it!

My little tricks and treats last all month and not necessarily are they meant just for the kids! However, while everyone enjoys candy, I just can’t let myself give out tons of sugar to kids to take home and ruin themselves with. However, I do try to take healthier options and make them fun to give out (I don’t want to be that mom with the reputation that you don’t stop at her house because she gives out toothpaste.)


So take the good stuff and make it better with a little love and Go Go squeeZ!

Go Go squeeZ is all-natural with no gluten, no dairy, no fat and best of all no fuss! So you don’t have to worry about special diets and you can enjoy apples (+ any of the other 11 apple blends) without any messes!

Here’s a great trick or treat idea – and best of all, the kids get a healthy treat and you get a little treat for mom, too with a few magic spells we whipped up using a few of your kid’s Go Go squeeZ! (Make sure to keep on scrolling for your treat, mama!)

Go Go SqueeZ Halloween Printable @GogosqueeZ

Just click on the photo for your own free Go Go Boo Go Go squeeZ printables and you’ll be the hit of Halloween!

But when all the fun of Halloween is over, don’t you just want a moment to relax? That’s when you’re treat comes into the picture!

While Go Go squeeZ is good for many things, including adding to your muffins, pancakes and more for an added healthy kick, Go Go squeeZ is also good for a unique cocktail! I actually have three recipes I’m sure you’ll love for Halloween (or maybe just a Thursday night!)

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GoGojito

Have a Halloween with Go Go squeeZ and don’t forget to share your Go Go Boo fun on social media with @gogosqueeZ #squeeZsquad! 

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