Will Blog For Coffee

When I started my blog in 2008, I did not know what to expect. Would anybody read my blog besides my mother? In the summer of 2009, I attended BlogHer in Chicago. In between panel discussions and speakers, we congregated by the coffee station. I passed the milk and sugar to a stranger and made a new connection. My love of coffee has not changed, but new products like the International Delight Iced Coffee drinks continue to bring communities of mom bloggers together.

A couple of weeks ago I shared my new found for this chillicious coffee drink (posted on primetimeparenting.com). As of January 15^th, they are on the shelves at Walmart and Sam’s Club. Part of my review of this product was to find another mom blogger and gift it to her. I was provided a list people to choose from and when I read more about Michelle Kay and her blog, I just knew this busy Domestic Executive would love it. Not to mention she is from my sweet home town of Chicago! Michelle is a true inspration, and I think she loves connecting brands and bloggers via social media just as much as I do! Just look at all of the things she does:

“Michelle Kay is a seeker of silver linings, positivity enthusiast and lover of all things social media. She is founder and editor of Domestic Executive Online and owner of Michelle Kay Media. Her specialties include consulting in regards of blogger perspective and collaboration, content creation, advertiser outreach and engagement, providing support for small business social media accounts and results driven analytics and statistical evaluation for each campaign.” I read that I know a second cup of coffee is in order! That’s not all Michelle, a wife, mother, and pet love does in her spare time. Michelle has also been a speaker/panelist for several media/networking events. Her number one goal is connecting people to the awesomeness that is social media and adding value to businesses both online and off.

 

The iinstagram that MIchelle shared with me via twitter!!

 

Her tweet was sweet, too!!! @primetimeparent ESTI!! Thank you so much for the @InDelight !! It made my day xoxoxo instagr.am/p/f_YYv/

The world of blogging is amazing. I hope to meet Michelle in person, over a ncie cup of International Delight Iced Coffee! I am now keeping up with Michelle via Twitter- @thedomesticexec and I “Liked” Domestic Executive Online on Facebook.

In may be hat and glove weather outside, but that won’t stop me from making an International Delight Iced Coffee smoothie. Pour. Blend. Sip. That easy!

For more information on International Delight, feel free to check them out on Facebook and/or follow them on Twitter using #IcedCoffee and #Cbias

“This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study forCollective Bias. #CBias All thoughts and opinions are my own. “

A Little Make-Up Goes A Long Way

 

Make-Up Room at the Rachel Ray Show

We all know that traveling with kids can be draining, both physically and mentally. How come my parents never looked drained in their vacation pictures? In the 1960s, people actually dressed-up to go on to the airport and board an airplane. I’ve seen the pictures. My mom wore lipstick and her hair looked beautiful. My dad wore a tie and his hair was combed nice and neat. When visiting my in-laws, or even my own mother, I apply make-up just before we arrive at their homes! Nobody wants to show up looking as tired as they really feel, right?

Is this a common theme in motherhood? Add a husband to the mix (no offense, darling) and looking all together before heading out the door is “mission impossible”. Just when I felt like my makeup days were over, I was introduced to the perfect make-up for me. Yes, it is kosher too! In today’s world, kosher is a term known to represent items that are “pure” as well. I can definitely say that about ShainDee Cosmetics. Not only do I love their colors, this make-up is hypoallergenic and fragrance free.

I tried out the mineral foundation in light. It really did feel “lite” and went on like silk. Formulated from elements derived from earth minerals, these powders scatter light. They leave no greasy shine, no cakey texture-just the glow of natural beauty. They also provide natural protection from the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays, non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic and water resistant. This is ideal for summer, especially when taking the kids from the park to the pizza store. I also love that the mineral foundation can cover and help calm inflammation from acne and rosacea. I may be well out of my teen years, but I still have some skin issues “pop-up” once and awhile (must be stress). This is also something good for my PrimeTimePregnancy readers experiencing a surge in hormones!

Something very, very special about Shaindee Cosmetics is that it can be applied on Shabbat (day of rest). How? Shabbat is a day of rest. We all know about “rest” from using obvious modern appliances; tv, internet, automobile, washing machines, and cell phones. I have included this video from ShainDee Cosmetics about the laws of applying make-up on Shabbat.

ShainDee has information on these issues and I want to share them with you in this post. In fact, the make-up I received for review came with complete Shabbat Cosmetics Instructions. Shabbat cosmetics may only be used within the following Halachic (Jewish Law) guidelines, in accordance with the opinion of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt’l*. Rabbi Moshe Feinstein was a very learned Rabbi that studied Jewish Law. Here are instructions for using make-up on Shabbat.

1. Face must be dry and clean from any other makeup. Spray Shabbat moisturizer (also sold by ShainDee Cosmetics) and allow to dry before applying any Shabbat makeup.
2. You cannot blend two colors together to create a new shade.
3. You must use a separate brush for every color and loose poser so you are not blending two colors. No sponges, applicators or fingers may be used. ShainDee Cosmetics has brushes that are custom made to enable the beset results.
4. You can reapply the same color with its own brush as often as you like. You may not apply Shabbat makeup onto non-Shabbat makeup (applied before Shabbat).
5. You can remove makeup with liquid makeup remover or wash your face with the cleanser only (without cotton balls/swabs or pre-soaked pads).. Rinse off with water, dry with a paper, and then with a towel.*Although Rabbi Moshe Heinermann does not rely on the opinion of those who permit the use of makeup on Shabbat, he has tested these makeups and has determined that they meet the guidelines of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein for Shabbat and Yom Tov use for women who rely on Rabbi Feinstein’s opinion.

I also like that ShainDee has instructions on using these makeup products during the weekdays as well. For example, the mineral foundation. During the week, I can apply in a circular motion with a kabuki brush (suggested and sold by ShainDee). During Shabbat, mineral foundation is applied around the blush (this does not cause blending, which is prohibited on Shabbat).

That’s not all. The Star-K has reviewed the ingredients of these products and has determined that many of them are chometz (wheat) free. For many Observant Jews, make-up with any chometz is prohibited during Passover (by the way, Passover is on Saturday evening, April 7, 2012). If there is any doubt about make-up products and if they contain chometz, there is a full list of chometz free products at www.star-k.org. Can a make-up that is Kosher look good as well?

If you are looking for a new makeup that is good for your skin, I would highly suggest ShainDee Cosmetics. I love that these products are affordable, hypoallergenic, fragrance free, and Shabbat friendly. They are easy to use also. Here is a video of CEO and Founder of ShainDee Cosmetics, Shaindy Kelman with some very easy to follow instructions. 

Disclaimer: I received the Shabbat Kit to try out ShainDee Cosmetics and other products to write this review. These opinions are my own.

Feeling Not So Groovy

 

Photo Courtesy of Pedyalite.com

This week started off with a hurl, literally. Yes, I was awake most of Sunday night and Monday morning. Not because I had jet lag from a dream vacation, nor from watching the very first season of Mad Men. My 5 year old had a stomach bug and released her entire macaroni and cheese dinner everywhere but in the designated “barf bucket”. I felt so bad for her, and than I started to feel bad. Yes, I also shared the very same stomach bug with her.

Thankfully, we had pedialyte in the house. Even with that, I was having the hardest time getting my other two kids up, fed, dressed and off to school. I kept thinking about how bad I felt, but also how people can feel that sick all of the time. Not just parents, but children. I wanted to badly somebody to take care of us me. I just wanted to close my eyes and sleep for a few hours that morning. As we all, parents do not get a day off!

What I had was a stomach bug, something that I could get over eventually. My daughter had already started to get back to her normal spunky self by 10:00am. I was so relieved, however, I couldn’t help but think about children with illnesses that don’t feel well so quickly.

There is something about being sick that really puts you in the moment. It is bad when it happens to an adult, even worse when it happens to a child. Shouldn’t a child be laughing and having fun? This past evening, 180 campers and counselors from the Chai Lifeline family smiled and danced all weekend in Queens, NY. The counselors, families, and volunteers from this incredible organization brought smiles to the Queens community as well. I had the opportunity to see this in action. Saturday evening, a tent that felt like a room was filled with food, party hats, and happiness. Two very special musical personalities in the Jewish world joined the fun as well. Lipa Shmeltzer and Yaakov Shwekey sang while the follow was full of jumping and clapping. All of this by children that have been sick and well, and sick again. Some children were in wheelchairs, others had breathing machines with them at all times. No matter what illness they may be suffering from, they laughed and smiled the entire evening.

Even when I might not be feeling well one day, I start to feel much better knowing that Chai Lifeline is out there helping families and their children going through the challenges that these situations can create for the entire family. Thank you Chai Lifeline and thank you incredible volunteers!

 

Preview of TANGLED EVER AFTER playing in front of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 3D

Have I mentioned what big Disney fans we are? I was so happy to get an advanced preview of this clip of TANGLED EVER AFTER that will play in front of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 3D, which returns to theatres for the first time in 3D on January 13th! My girls  can’t wait!!  

International Delight Iced Coffee Taste Teaser #CBias #IcedCoffee

I love coffee. It started from a young age. My Aunt Esther would make me the most delicious cup of coffee in her kitchen. Smooth, milky, and just the right amount of sugar. I was also a huge fan of coffee ice cream, and coffee candy. With a cup of coffee in hand, anything is possible. With such a love of coffee, finding new ways to support my habit are welcome. That is why I was just thrilled to review a new iced coffee beverages from International Delight. Once I opened the big box of three flavors, I knew this was the beginning of a wonderful relationship. It is possible to enjoy ice coffee in the winter? Yes.

As I said, I am a fan of every type of coffee. When it is hot in winter, I enjoy a hot coffee. Now that it is winter, an ice coffee is still a treat.

The International Delight Iced Coffee cartoon is ready to drink. These cartoons of iced coffee are premixed and are available in three flavors which are Original, Mocha and Vanilla. The first time I tried these out, I was even more pleased with the flavor. Smooth and creamy and just right. Usually, I have to add the creamer and sugar. Any chance to save a couple of minutes in a luxury in my day. I had a couple of friends over and they sampled these along with me. We all fell in love instantly. We all agreed that the Mocha flavor was our favorite. My kids also tested them out. They loved it so much that I had to remove the cartoons and hide them behind the orange juice in the refrigerator. i couldn’t even capture images of this beverage in our cups at the time, it went down that quick! Can an iced coffee that tastes so good be healthy? My husband, the health enforcer in the home, gave the ingredients the thumbs up.Made with 100% premium Arabica coffee, the flavor from that alone is a big hit.! However, each serving does contain 150 calories. This is something to consider, especially when counting calories like we do. We decided to use half of that and add it to ice in the blender. The results, a tasty and frothy treat with the half the calories. There are more reasons to love this new iced coffee beverages.

Since we keep kosher in an out of the home, we are also pleased that this product is certified Kosher dairy under the Orthodox Union. This is an item we can pack in our cooler when taking to the road this winter vacation. We aren’t always able to find kosher iced coffee on the road. If we do, paying $4 for a Starbucks Iced Coffee in the bottle is not an option. If you are on the road and want to find these International Delight Iced Coffee on the road, they will be available at Walmart on January 15.

When you do get a chance to try this coffee, you may like it right from the container, or making a dessert drink from it. I am sure that you will find it simply chilliciousTM!

Disclosure: This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #Cbias,#icedcoffee All opinions are my own.

Resolving Old Habits in the New Year of 2012

 

Photo from Real Simple Family

Now that the wine glasses have been cleared and the streamers swept-away, how will people make their New Year’s resolutions a reality. Here are some common resolutions accompanied by some very attainable goals.

Lose weight. Don’t give it all up just yet. Going cold turkey is not the secret to diet success. Make three changes in your eating. Not sure where to begin? Start with getting more exercise, drinking more water, and not eating after 8:00 pm. Gain a good eating strategy and the pounds will come off.

The dream house. Make your current home look new. Many people think that moving to a new home and fancier home will fix their lack of enthusiasm about their current home. In times of economic uncertainty, making a major move is not a good move. Don’t keep dreaming of that perfect home. Make your current home better. Small changes like rearranging furniture, painting the walls, and hanging new drapes can make a big difference.

A new look. When a new wardrobe is not in the budget, try a new hairstyle. Some easy things to consider are going from long to short, no bangs to bangs, curly to straight, and a color change. If a hairstyle is too much to change, look into some hair accessories for a quick change. From hats to headbands, your look can change again and again.

Leave your pity party behind. Feeling like life is not fair? Depressed? Some of the best things to do are helping others that can’t help themselves. Volunteer at a soup kitchen or a pediatric hospital. It is amazing how taking the focus off of your own problems can help solutions come to fruition.

What resolutions did you keep from last year? What new resolutions do you have this year?

My Top 12 Product Reviews from 2011

I reviewed a lot of different products in 2011. I wanted to share 12 of them and even give one of them away from PopCap Games!! Once you get to the end of this post, please leave a comment and let me know which one of my top product reviews you would most like to try. You just might just win your very own copy of Plants-vs-zombies.

1. PopCap Games – Going into the city on the train takes time and I was so glad to have tried andn loved battling 26 types of zombies with 49 zombie-zapping plants! Plants-vs-zombies from PopCap Games is a lot of fun. Play it on your phone or on your PC!

Chanukah Day 7: Win a Tin of Walkers Shortbread

We just lit the 7^th candle and we are now in the 7^th day of Chanukah. Today was full of sweetness. I finally had the opportunity to try out the Babycakes Donut Maker with my friend. She decided to host a Chanukah party for a group of her 6 year old daughter’s friends. The project was to have fun and decorate donuts (hence the Babycakes machine). We both agreed, this is a great appliance, and a great gift idea!

The donuts came out beautifully! Here are some images so you can see just how easy it is to make professional looking donuts. This was also very cost-effective. Buying Kosher donuts at the bakery is much more expensive. We were able to have our donuts and eat them too!

The kids loved decorating them with powdered sugar, chocolate and vanilla icing, and sprinkles. Some kids even saved a donut to bring home.

Speaking of sweet things, I have something great to giveaway for the 7^th day of Chanukah. Have you heard of Walkers Shortbread? Walkers have been baking shortbread in the Scottish Highlands since 1898. They still use only the finest pure ingredients with no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives. Suitable for vegetarians and certified Kosher OU-D. If you have not yet tried these products, you could get a chance by entering my giveaway. You will get to try the products I loved, like the Scottie Dog Shaped Shortbread Cookies, Mini Festive Stars and Mini Chocolate Chip, Shortbread Rounds, Quadruple Chocolate Chunk Cookies, and the Milk Chocolate Oatcake & Fruit Cookies.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. Congrats to Jen! I am giving away all of these cookies and I will choose a winner by tomorrow, December 27, at 11:59pmEST.

Please leave a comment below with the name of the product from Walkers Shortbread that you would like to try.

More chances to “win a tin”:

Follow @primetimeparent on twitter
Like Healthy Kosher Food and Beverages on Facebook

Tweet: I just might win a tin of #Walkers Shortbread and Cookies from @primetimeparent http://bit.ly/4wxe8y

I was not compensated for this post. I was given samples of the Walker Shortbread products to review.

Chanukah Days 5 & 6: Celebrate At Home

Friday night was the 4^th Night of Chanukah and Shabbos! A double header for us Sabbath observant Jews. My husband made latkes that flew off the serving platter. Sure, they were full of oil (symbolism of Chanukah) but they were also delicious. The kids loved them and so did I! The recipe was easy as ever. Simply combine pealed Idaho potatoes, onions, egg, salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix it up. Put at least ½ of oil (we use canola) in a pan. Make sure it is hot before adding the potato mixture. I asked my husband how to know when the oil was hot enough. He told me the secret. Drop water on the oil and if it dances, it is ready for your potato latke mixture. Drop in the pan and when they are brown and crispy flip, about 5 minutes on each side. Another tip in making latkes, do not drain the the water with the potato starch. It is this starch that keeps the latkes together. Latkes are an appetizer that you can serve even when it is not Chanukah. I know that we will definitely have these again and again.

Once Shabbat ended, we continued our regularly scheduled Chanukah program. We lit the candles and sang Mazur together. The kids couldn’t wait to get back to their coloring sheets. I also decided to make my own Chanukah Party Play List (see below). This was a big hit and the kids were still singing the words to “Chanukah Fever”and “The Funky Gold Menorah” when they went to bed.

Chanukah Day 3: Giving Away 2 Disney Universe: Suit Up for XBOX 360

It would be Chanukah without the opportunity to give things away to my readers (by the way, thank you for your support!). I am giving away 2 Disney Universe: Suit Up.

(contributed by Lauren Finkelstein, Founder, Save1Person.org)

A couple of weeks ago, me and fellow “Do Gooder” Bonnie G. checked out a new video game presented by Disney at Alice’s Tea Cup on the upper east side.

We got to chat with the ladies, eat scones, drink tea,hang with the PR folks from Disney and spoke to the producer of the video game: Disney Universe: Suit Up. Power Up. Team Up. Battle through worlds of mischief and adventure.

Interesting, going to these mommy blogger events, we’re meeting and chatting up people from all walks of life. So while Bonnie and I “undercover mommy bloggers” for Prime Time Parenting chatted up the producer of the video game, we learned some interesting facts about video games: could cost 10 – 20 million to produce, could take about a year and half to make and Disney would be really happy with 50 million in sales (this would be divided up between various companies, such as Microsoft, Pixar, Disney, etc.)

So why do I bring this fact up? Kids get to flick the stick and have their characters, jump up and down, battle with the other loony characters and watch all sort of zany figurines fly at you. While Bonnie and I were playing this game, Bonnie couldn’t stop laughing – it was entertaining for mommies. If an adult was cracking up – how much more so for little kids? Endless hours of entertainment for children, if you don’t mind this type of activity for your child.

One other kick of this event is that, all the mommy bloggers received a take home bag with Disney products and a copy of the Disney video game. As fate, would have it, my son’s school is having a toy drive for orphaned kids and I received the notice today.Some child without a mommy or daddy will get some fun – on Disney’s creative minds jumping in rivers, falling off cliffs and making sure their enemies don’t take over the Disney Universe.

I am so happy that Lauren and Bonnie can “cover” for me when I am not able to to these events.Would you like to win this game tonight? I am giving 2 of them away. This contest is now closed,congrats to our winners!!. All you have to do to win is leave a comment below and let me know what you love about Disney.

Disney Universe is an off-the-wall non-stop action adventure where Disney worlds and characters mix up for the first time. Suit up in iconic costumes and face challenges in legendary Disney worlds. Defeat enemies, collect coins and powerups, unlock new costumes and explore with friends as you battle in a mix-up of worlds inspired by numerous Disney and Pixar films.

For more chances to win, share this contest on twitter and tweet:

I just might win a copy of #DisneyUniverse from @primetimeparent 2nite, she has a #giveaway & U cn enter 2 http://bit.ly/4wxe8yShare this post on Facebook

Follow @primetimeparent, @DisneyGames on twitter

“Like” Disney Universe on facebook

This contest is closed!! This was not a paid post. Lauren did attend the event and played Disney Universe: Suit Up.