Build-A-Bear Workshop Color Popz! Jazzy Frog! Check out his cool shades!

We've turned into such the Build-A-Bear Workshop loving family!  To where, I am always on the look out for what is new in stores, and what promos they have on the website now.  The cool thing about Build-A-Bear, even if you don't have a kid, you can still have your own! No matter at what age you are.  Personally, my favorites are the Hello Kittys.  My son, loves the Bunnies, and Frogs.  My husband, keeps it old school, and is a fan of the Curly Bear.  I'm sure something else will come out, and I'll adore that too.  

We recently received the 18" Jazzy Frog that is in the new  Build-A-Bear Color Popz Line to review! He comes with some retro green shades.  My son never cared for Sun glasses before, but when his Cool dude Jazzy came, he started wearing sun glasses too. Love, love, love how playful the Color Popz collection is!! We call him his Jazzy Fresh Frog.   I really believe Jazzy matches Sy's personality! Bright, Playful, and just completely AWESOME.  They also have matching summer sandals.  

If you've never been to a Build-A-Bear, you can also go online to www.buildabear.com, and find some great deals that way too.  After chosing what member you want to adopt into your family (comes with birth certificate too.) you also have the option to "Dress Me" next to the "Add To Basket" button.  Which makes it extremely easy to find an outfit for your personal style.  I also like the fact that there are Sales too! So make sure to check out the Sale Den for 20-50% off Sales.

Don't forget you can also find Build-A-Bear on Facebook, and  Build-A-Bear on Twitter.  

Disclaimer: I received these items for free to review.  All opinions are my own.  

Reader Spoils Summer Must-Read iPad Mini Giveaway!

Some great titles here to read through!! Scroll down to enter to win an Ipad Mini, don't forget to do the entry on which book would be your favorite!! Open to U.S. Residents Only. Good luck!

Get fit. Get inspired. Get the dirt. Vinnie Tortorich Fitness Confidential Book Review.

Find it on Amazon for $4.99

Fitness Confidential is a fantastic, detailed book about Vinnie Tortorich. The Angriest Trainers twenty-two years in the Personal Training Business. The more I read the book, the more I related, and enjoyed how real Vinnie really is. I don't think he's an angry person, but angry at the gimmics sold to people that are reaching out for help. He's genuine, eccentric, and I felt as if he want's his clients to achieve everything he knows they can. Even if it takes pushing them to do it, or being a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes that's really all a person needs is a better mindset to succeed.

The first thing I noticed was when he asked the manager of a hollywood movie star "does she have the weight to lose?" That alone shows that he cares about their health, not just about numbers. I also completely agree with what he has to say about the overly processed, and sugar coated foods that has infected the nation. It is nice to see a trainer not believe in the word Diet, but more so in healthier life style changes by staying away from sugars, and grains.

I was extremely impressed by the information that is packed in this 159 page book. I feel lied to, I've been to plenty of dieticians from when I had gestational diabetes while pregnant. Then I just had pancreasitis, and I've cut back on things like red meat, and high fat grains. This book flows, and breaks things down more real, than just a set equation like we are robots. Vinnie makes me remember, we are human, and need that inner, and outter help.

Fitness Condifential has became my Holy Grail of healthier living. I'm guilty of using that word "diet" way too much. After reading this, I've promised myself not to call it a diet anymore. Not to worry about what I ate today, because I do need to eat. The "Remapping" Chapter is my favorite. Vinnie growing up was picked on, and punished at school a lot, but he did not become a victim. He became a Victor by getting into sports, and even going to the gym to work out after school. I really love stories like this. He didn't just become a personal trainer like some do on those new Reality TV Trainer Shows. He did it because it helped build himself into a great person. He shares this knowledge in the book, and on youtube.

Each chapter explains what most of us are doing wrong with how we perceive diet, and exercise, and why we shouldn't think, or follow the fab diet's any more. The more I read, the more I am learning what has been wrong with my mentality this whole time with wanting to be healthier. Even from things like Calorie in, and out, to The Food Pyramid. Reading Fitness Condifential truely is like peeking inside the mind of a successful trainer, that isn't in it for the money, or to push his work out gear or protein bars. He also overcame Cancer, did Chemo, and rebuilt his muscles. He is real. The advice in this book is real. I really need to check out his radio shows now. You should read the book too.  I've left a lot out,  it's just packed with a lot of information, along with Vinnies personal experiences.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

What are your favorite #momswisdom quotes?

Welcome Summer! 

What are some great Mom Quotes you live by? Share them on Nestles Pure Life Facebook Page, using hashtag #momswidom

Click here to go to Nestle Pure Life on Facebook. Share your mom wisdom! 

Disclaimer: Sponsored by Nestlé® Pure Life®

Marylander, through, and through!

We have been on a Crab Cake kick lately.  Our local Giant Eagle has had the blue crab on sale for $9.99 (That's almost half it's price for a 16oz of the Lump White Meat.)  My husband loves my crab cakes.

I grew up in Maryland, and now living in Ohio makes me miss the Seafood houses back home.  I do beg family members to get bushels of blue crabs to steam with Old Bay when I go to visit.  I don't like my crab cakes with a lot of breading.  To me, that is not a Maryland Crab Cake.  

For these crab cakes,  I add the blue crab meat into a bowl,  dried onions, garlic powder, dried parsley, dried oregano,  OLD BAY! (there is no exception.) yellow mustard, egg whites, and just a little almond flour since my husband doesn't eat any wheat products.  The almond flour gives it a more earthy, nut taste.  If you eat crabs, you would know the yellow mustard tastes like the female crabs.  I personally love that about female crabs.

I like to make a game out of how big I can make the crab cake.  

Does Rheumatoid Arthritis run in your family? It does in mine.

I found out what bone pain felt like when I separated my tibia plateau from my tibia, and fractured down. Since Rheumatoid Arthritis runs in my family (My father suffers from it.) I was told by my Orthopedic doctor that either Arthritis, or Rheumatoid Arthritis is in my future. There are days I feel like my body is attacking itself, and every joint hurts. But, also because my knee has an Open Reduction Fixature in it, along with Cadavers that bend to 90 degrees so I can still walk without assistance, I feel the bone on bone, and swelling. I'm only 31, the average female with Rheumatoid Arthritis has a history of it in their family, the age ranges also from 25 - 45 for developing the condition. My heart goes out to any one with bone pain. For me, I start to favor the side of my body that doesn't hurt as much, and balancing my weight like that every time I stand up is taking a toll on my spine, and other joints. I do believe a diet, and exercise is a must. I refuse to give up, there are way too many things to try to make life still livable. Every body is different, and because of that every possible way to make things more tolerable should be tried. Right now I am on a Fat Free diet, no caffeine, and no tea because I was just hospitalized for pancreatitis. I "flex" my knee's daily, and stretch when I wake up every morning or I get what I call "marsh mellow foot." Even if you are young, and you are experiencing bone pain, you should bring this up to your doctors. I also believe in taking vitamins. You may think you are eating enough nutrients, but if your body is attacking itself, those nutrients may not even make it where they are supposed to. Please take the time to read what LifeScript.com has to say about RA. It may help you, or someone you know that is suffering, and too hard headed to tell a doctor.

Want to find more posts relating to rheumatoid arthritis? Then be sure you do not miss these articles:

• Morning Rheumatoid Arthritis Exercises from Lifescript.com
• Recipes That May Help Reduce Inflammation for Rheumatoid Arthritis from Lifescript.com
• Facts About Rheumatoid Arthritis from Lifescript.com

• Lifescript.com provides medical information, tips and advice that are all written by professional health writers, experts and physicians.

• Visit www.lifescript.com for useful information on Rheumatoid Arthritis and other prevalent medical conditions related to women’s health.

Lifescript’s Rheumatoid Arthritis Health Center features tips, quizzes, recipes and articles – all by professional health writers, experts and physicians – covering common RA symptoms, foods that compose an anti-inflammatory diet, new RA therapies and more. Please visit the Lifescript Health Center on Rheumatoid Arthritis for more information.

And to check out this free website, click here!

This is a sponsored post by me on behalf of Lifescript.com.

Join The Hydration Movement!

Happy First Day Of Summer Everyone!

Here are a few Hydration Tips For The Whole Family! Because of Health Problems, I've had to stop drinking any kind of carbonated sodas/water, coffee, and barely any tea (oh how I could drink coffee, and tea all day.) Now I drink mostly water, and might reward myself with tea once a week or so.  Which really isn't a bad thing.  Water is extremely critical for all life.  I would also rather give my 2 year old water when he is thirsty than overly sugar juices, and drinks.  It's not because I have anything really against it, but I just know all that is needed when you are thirsty, is water.  

We love the water,  so it's natural that our son does too.  I love this movement that Nestle Pure Life has started.  I truly believe when you are thirsty, you should drink water.  Nothing else is going to quench your thirst like water.

I try to just go with the flow of things.  Life really is too short, and precious to get upset over things that shouldn't matter.  All that should matter is a healthy family, your best to support that, the kids, a place to live.  Messes,  competing with others, and unwanted drama does not matter.  I believe that is part of living within your means too.  

Moms have provided many pure words of wisdom. Listed below is some of our favorite advice.

“Be patient, breathe, and smile. Everything will always work out.” #momswisdom
“Don’t be a worrywart” #momswisdom
“Be independent and follow your dreams.” #momswisdom
“If someone is giving you a hard time, give them kindness in return.” #momswisdom
“It’s always better to walk away than to say words you can’t take back.” #momswisdom
“Don’t let small details upset you. Look at the big picture and what's really important.” #momswisdom
“Your individuality makes you unique and wonderful.” #momswisdom
“Mother knows best” #momswisdom
“Opportunity is always knocking, you just have to listen hard enough to hear it.” #momswisdom
“Trust your gut instincts.” #momswisdom
“Learn from your past but do not let it define you.” #momswisdom

Disclaimer: Sponsored by Nestlé® Pure Life®