It’s so easy to use my Vitamix to make smoothies.

Lots and lots of yummy fruity goodness.

So I stepped outside of the box.

A little bit.

I still used fruit, but I told myself I had to make something else, despite the fact that there are THOUSANDS of different smoothie combinations.

So I made dressing - Homemade Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe.

You can drink it but I would recommend putting it on a salad instead.

One of the things I love about the Vitamix is the versatility. You can juice whole foods to make a smoothie recipe, and even chop nuts for nuts butters and to include in a smoothie with almonds. You can mince onions and eggs, grate cheese and even crush ice. You can make frozen treats for desserts, make bread, soups, sauces and grind coffee.

The possibilities really are endless, all in a single machine!

If you don’t yet have a Vitamix, you can purchase one on Amazon.com. I have the 5200 but you can research which model best suits your needs: buy a Vitamix.

It’s so simple and easy to make your own dressing from home!

What is your favorite type of dressing, maybe I’ll try that next?

The post Homemade Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing Recipe appeared first on Influential Mom Blogger, PR-Friendly, Popular Brand Ambassador.

Some people cover up to protect themselves…or try to.

Some people apply sunscreen to protect themselves…or try to.

TRY being the operative word.

Looks like someone missed a spot.

Take a look at some funny sunburns!

  by  maxually 

  by  marcmoss 

  by  gedtech 

The post Funny sunburn appeared first on Influential Mom Blogger, PR-Friendly, Popular Brand Ambassador.

Sometimes you need a kick in the pants.

Someone to tell you all the things you KNOW but need to hear anyway.

Someone to offer you a bit of hope and the meaning of life.

Someone to just offer a few words of wisdom to help you remember that all hope is not lost.

Inspirational Quotes:

  by  symphony of love 

  by  steffy. 

  by  Chynna B. 

  by  wocado 

  by  SynergyByDesign 

  by  symphony of love 

  by  AngSocialMed 

The post Be Inspired! Inspirational Quotes for Today and Beyond appeared first on Influential Mom Blogger, PR-Friendly, Popular Brand Ambassador.

I marvel sometimes at how different my kids are. My son was reading at age 3. Literally reading. At age 4 he read our mortgage contract and even pronounced all the words right. Comprehension wasn’t there, of course, but he could READ the words. My daughter, on the other hand, is 5 and can only identify a few key words. But she is smart in her own way. She is the kind of smart that manages to get the dog blamed for messing up her room. She is sneaky smart.

What came so easy to my son, requires more effort on our part to help educate our daughter. We are always looking for tools and resources that will connect with her creative, mischievous ways, because she learns so much differently than our son did. She is not interested in having us sit there and teach her. She wants to learn by doing. By watching. By experiencing.

Kidobi helps us bridge the gap between our desire to help her learn and her obvious need to learn more visually and interactively.

About Kidobi

Kidobi is a Toronto-based software start-up that is on a mission to make screen time count. We are a diverse group of software developers, designers, researchers, and child development experts who share a passion for children’s media. We believe in the power of technology to be a force for good in our children’s lives. We work every day to make that belief a reality because we’re also concerned parents, just like you.

How Kidobi Started

A few years ago I noticed that my oldest daughter was having trouble with counting. She always skipped the number 13, so I thought I would go online and find some resources to help.

What would happen if a child’s screen time reflected their educational needs?
What if the content kids watched was based on things that interested them?
What if parents could influence the content their child watched on TV and online without spending hours pre-screening every single video?
What if the best practices developed by developmental psychologists and educational experts could be seamlessly integrated into children’s media?

Kidobi was developed to answer these questions and make screen time count for as many children as possible. We envision a future in which parents, experts and content producers are partners in providing personalized, engaging and educational experiences for preschoolers.

How Kidobi works

Kidobi is geared towards kids up to around age 6 years old. When you log into your Kidobi account, you can add your children to your account and completely customize the content they will receive when using Kidobi. Kidobi analyzes the content available and only provides videos that meet your values and your child’s interests. You can even list things they absolutely don’t like to keep it from showing things you know they are not interested in.

Once you add your child and configure their settings, you are shown a channel screen that displays videos based upon the settings you applied earlier. Here you have a few options. You can choose the playlist wizard to generate a specific set of videos and set a time limit (if you would like). Or you can simply click a video to get started. The screen will change to a video player and their session will begin. The player gives you the option of turning on parental controls so your kids can’t close out of the player and tinker with other things on your computer.

I really do like the Kidobi concept. My kids can watch targeted shows that appeal to their interests and my sensibilities with age-appropriate and value oriented content. They don’t have to experience commercials and I feel more in control over what they are watching. I also feel like I can ensure there is more educational, cultural and creative value for the time invested.

How to get Kidobi

Kidobi is available on your PC, for Apply devices and on Android. You can create a free account which has some great functionality, and a paid account to view premium content is only $4/mo.

We will be using Kidobi over the next few weeks and will report back with feedback from my kids!

Follow Kidobi!

• Kidobi on Facebook
• Kidobi on Twitter

In the meantime, tell me about your kids. How do they learn best?

The post Educational screen time with Kidobi appeared first on Influential Mom Blogger, PR-Friendly, Popular Brand Ambassador.

“Can I watch TV?”

“Go outside.”

“Can I play Wii?”

“Go play outside.”

“Can I have a snack?”

“Go find someone to play with outside.”

Does this conversation sound vaguely familiar?

I bet with summer around the corner, it will very soon.

When it comes to getting kids to be active, it’s often a challenge when they are surrounded by television, video games and all sorts of other stationary activities. As a parent it’s our job to ensure our kids don’t get caught up in things that keep them from being active and providing some structured motivation is a great solution to bribe motivate them to get moving, thinking and learning.

ENTER CWIST.

About CWIST:

cwist – kids’ challenges with a twist – is a parent-educator collaboration that provides an interactive library of educational, community service and outdoor challenges that help kids make a healthy connection between the things they want and the effort it takes to get them.

Our interactive library includes thousands of educational, community service and outdoor challenges for kids, contributed by parents and educators.

As adults we often set goals and promise ourselves rewards for those goals. Lose weight, go shopping. Get that promotion, buy a new car. The possibilities are endless. When it comes to our kids, when they want something it can be hard for them to grasp the “if, then” scenario. When they see something they like, they want it now. And as a parent in the store, you can come up with any number of ways to try and get them to understand but they still bother. They still nag.

With cwist you can eliminate the nag!

My Kids

Cwist allows you to add each of your kids to your account and add information about them (which is private) which allows you personalize each child’s individual goals and activities.

My Wishes

The concept behind cwist is simple. Your child chooses a “wish” which is something that they want such as a toy, electronics or a bike. But a wish can also be something more sentimental like a movie with Dad or time spent at a grandparent’s house. Whatever it is your child wants, they can “wish” for. You can use one of the 2,680 wishes already in cwist or you can create your own.

My cwists

After your child chooses their wish, they must choose one or more cwists with which to EARN their wish. A cwist is an activity or a challenge that helps your child learn, use their imagination or stay active. You can choose one of the 561 cwists or create your own.

Each cwist you or your child chooses gets assigned to a specific wish. You can have multiple cwists assigned to the same wish. Once the wishes and cwists are assigned, your kids can log into their individual cwist account and complete their cwists. They are taken step-by-step through the activity and once they are done, they receive a congratulations and you will receive notice that they completed the cwist.

You will have the option of granting their wish after they complete a cwist, or if they have other cwists assigned to the wish, you can wait until they complete them all before granting the wish.

 Eliminate the nag!

I love, love, love the cwist concept. The platform is adorable and the fact that you can fully customize it and add your own wishes and your own cwists makes it very versatile and adaptable. As a parent I absolutely think that cwist will be a permanent tool in my parenting arsenal. I think it will help my kids learn the “if, then” concept and hopefully eliminate the nag!

For more information about cwist:

• Like cwist on Facebook
• Follow cwist on Twitter

What would your kids wish for?

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Encourage your children to plan something for your husband even if they are wee little toddlers. Children are more open and unwary in the expression of their love, and you can help them keep it that way by letting them show their love on Father’s day.

Here are some of the things you can help your kids with

Fix Him Breakfast

Whether they are old enough to do so or little to make a good mess, a special meal from his children is sure to make him happy. Think of something simple that they would be easily able to either manage on their own or which they could help you with.

Even a bowl of his favorite cereal with a glass of a smoothie he loves set on a tray in some fancy crockery and a flower will be a good option to go for. A thoughtful breakfast idea despite its simplicity is sure to touch his heart.

Personalized Gift

There’s always a little habit of husband that children may have noticed as well. Bring it out in the open by helping your children pick out a present that is personal to him not only because it showcases who he is, but also because it has been personalized for him.

If he is a handyman, get him a nice toolbox that has been customized with his initials or something catchier like ‘Daddy’s tools’ on it. This idea can include other personalized gifts such as frames like the ones found here to add that personal touch for his tools, which might even be a good idea for you to follow through on your anniversary.

Something Crafty

Crafts are an easy way to keep children involved while making a gesture to their father that is bound to be most memorable for him. Whether it’s a card with your baby’s footprint on it or an elaborate three-fold card, your husband is going to love the effort both you and your child made despite any imperfections in the folding and cutting.

You may even step out of the card box and help your children make a drawing of him and frame it. Crafty ideas are limitless, just keep your child’s scope of talent in mind and guide them to something that they would love to do rather than forcing your ideas on them.

Bake a Cake

Nothing spells a celebration like a cake. Whether its cake mix or a recipe you all like to try from scratch, a cake would be a lovely Father’s day gesture from your kids to their father especially if he has the classic sweet tooth.

Whatever the idea your children come up with originally is probably the one you should follow because that is what struck best for them to get their father. If it seems difficult or too expensive, there’s always a way around it to make it easier and stay within the budget. It’s all about being creative and looking in the right place.

The post Help Your Kids With The Perfect Father’s Day Gift appeared first on Influential Mom Blogger, PR-Friendly, Popular Brand Ambassador.

The post My baseball player! appeared first on Influential Mom Blogger, PR-Friendly, Popular Brand Ambassador.

When I go shopping for facial tissue, I select the box that is the right size, the right type (with lotion or without) and the right color or pattern. Despite the fact that a tissue box gets thrown away after use, it still matters to me that it matches my decor or the season or has something about it that fits my current style or situation.

Admit it.

You care what your tissue box looks like too.

Well, what if it looked like this:

Would you think your kids got a hold of your tissue and some markers and decided to modify your tissue box?

Well, you would be half right!

These new tissue boxes adorned with lions and sunshine and polka dots were designed and drawn for White Cloud by some talented kids at the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN).

White Cloud is a brand of bath tissue, paper towels and facial tissues available only at Walmart. White Cloud has the quality and softness you want and need in your personal paper products but at a much more affordable price.

In January, White Cloud asked children who were receiving treatment at CMN hospitals to design their own facial tissue box and the 10 ten boxes were selected and posted to the White Cloud Facebook Page. Fans then voted on their favorite designs and the top 3 vote getters were turned into actual White Cloud facial tissue boxes!

Beginning May 24th, these boxes became available at select Walmart stores and White Cloud is donating $15,000 to each of the winning artist’s hospitals.

To find out if White Cloud facial tissue is available in your area you can use the White Cloud Store Locator.

You can also follow the White Cloud Twitter Page for great information and updates from White Cloud, and check out the White Cloud Pinterest Page for product information and crafty ideas.

Also make sure to check out the July issue of All You Magazine for a $0.75 off coupon!

The post Who made your tissue box? appeared first on Influential Mom Blogger, PR-Friendly, Popular Brand Ambassador.

This recipe almost failed.

In fact, I think it did fail, briefly.

According to my kids it tasted great, but the process of making it was anything but smooth (no pun intended).

I guess it was a good experience because it tested the limits of my Vitamix 5200 and helped me get a really good feel for it’s limits.

Some things I learned:

• You cannot fill the Vitamix container with only frozen items and expect it to blend. It won’t. I promise. It’s not a cement mixer.
• Do not turn said container upside down after adding liquid to it. It will go all over the floor.
• You can salvage the smoothie.
• Your child is laughing AT you, roll with it.

My goal with this smoothie was to make it dairy-free. Because of the “cement” issues I had, I added some whole milk to salvage the recipe so the photos show a bit creamier than it will be if you follow the recipe. I did include instructions for the milk version, though, in case you prefer it creamier.

My kids LOVED this. Love. Even my son who is picky about fruit and anything made with it. I don’t like raspberries so it was hard for me to gauge but between the 2 of them they finished the entire container of smoothie in a day, and asked for more. Again, ours had a thicker, creamier consistency than yours will because I had to improvise a bit because my berries were frozen. I included these alternate instructions in the recipe above using milk.

How to clean your Vitamix

After enjoying your smoothie, one of my favorite features of the Vitamix is how easy it is to clean. Add a drop of dish soap and warm water to the canister and turn it on high and run it for 30 seconds. It cleans most of the mess off the container, then I just need to take a sponge and was the top edge and parts of the lid that didn’t get clean. It is not recommended to put your Vitamix container and parts in the dishwasher.

Check our more of my Vitamix and Vitamix smoothie recipes:

Pineapple Blueberry Smoothie Recipe

Do you have a recipe that you would like to know how to make using a Vitamix? I am accepting ideas for future recipes so please leave a comment below with ideas and suggestions!

The post Berry Almond Smoothie Recipe appeared first on Influential Mom Blogger, PR-Friendly, Popular Brand Ambassador.

Even though I am not a huge fan of baseball, I will always have that connection with the Cubs because of my dad, and now my son has this same connection with his grandfather because his Little League team this year is the Cubs!

Cardstore Father’s Day Cards

When it comes to celebrating Father’s Day, now that I have kids, I get to enjoy celebrating my own father, but I also get to enjoy watching my kids build great memories celebrating their father, my husband. One of the things they enjoy about Father’s Day is picking out the perfect card for their daddy. Cardstore makes it easy to find the perfect card and right now (through 6/10) Father’s Day cards are only $2.49 plus FREE shipping at Cardstore.com with code CCG3429.

Cardstore has a large selection of great cards for dads, grandpas, new dads and ever step dads. They have funny cards and cards that you can customize with your own message, your own photos and even your own signature. Cardstore will then ship the card to you or directly to your recipient – FOR FREE. Cardstore is changing the way you buy greeting cards, affordably.

Cardstore Father’s Day Card – FRONT

Cardstore Father’s Day Card – INSIDE

Cardstore Pin it for Papa Contest

To help honor great dads everywhere, Cardstore is having a “Pin it for Papa” Contest where simply by pinning photos that remind you of memories and activities you have of your own father, you can be entered to win great prizes.

Rules are below:

It really is easy to enter, simply head over to the Cardstore Pinterest page, follow them, and repin one of the images from the Pin it for Papa board that reminds you most of something that you used to enjoy doing with your dad.

Checkout the image I repinned at this link: http://pinterest.com/pin/32440059788823127/.

Which one did you repin? I would love to know, leave a link in the comments below.

The post Pin it for Papa Cardstore Contest – win $50, $100 & $300 GCs appeared first on Influential Mom Blogger, PR-Friendly, Popular Brand Ambassador.