This giveaway is part of our Spring Gift Guide. Stop by to see all the great giveaways and products!
Want $50 to Amazon? We know you do. Amazon is the one-stop-shop for almost anything you could ever want. Amazing that it all started with just books, out of a garage.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
One Lucky Winner Will Receive a $50 Amazon Gift Code!
Prize:
If you need something fast and at a good price, most likely you can find it on Amazon!
Rules: Use The Rafflecopter Form To Enter Daily. The giveaway ends 3/30 And Is Open To The United States. Entrants Must Be 18 Years Old To Enter. The Winner Will Be Notified Via Email.
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One entrant will be selected by the entry form to win a $50 Amazon Gift Code. Open for entry in the United States, 18 years and older from 02/22/21 thru 03/30/21. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media networking site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the notification email to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected. Once a winner is drawn and confirmed, the name will be announced on the Rafflecopter form. Home Jobs By Mom will be responsible for sending the winners their prizes.
This giveaway/sweepstakes is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is valid to continental United States residents only, Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 3/15/21. The winner will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The giveaway is not valid where prohibited! By entering you are authorizing us to collect the information on the form below, this information is used only to contact the winner! No purchase necessary, Void where prohibited by law, and the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners are chosen randomly by the Giveaway Tools program. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.
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Teach Your Child The Alphabet, Numbers, Shapes And Colors. Teach My Toddler Includes Fun And Unique Teaching Tools To Prepare Your Mini Scholar For School In Just 20 Minutes A Day – Screen-Free!
My son loved using these puzzles and flashcards to help learn his letters, numbers, shapes and colors. Great resource to have on hand!
This giveaway/sweepstakes is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is valid to continental United States residents only, Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 3/11/21. The winner will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The giveaway is not valid where prohibited! By entering you are authorizing us to collect the information on the form below, this information is used only to contact the winner! No purchase necessary, Void where prohibited by law, and the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners are chosen randomly by the Giveaway Tools program. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.
If you are a blogger interested in our gift guidessign up hereor more information isHERE.
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UNLIKE TYPICAL FILTERS, CLEARLY FILTERED AFFINITY FILTRATION USES A UNIQUE DUAL-TECHNOLOGY APPROACH THAT CAN REMOVE AN AVERAGE OF 99.7% OF 232+ CONTAMINANTS.THAT’S MORE CONTAMINANTS AND THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CONTAMINANT REMOVAL OF ANY WATER FILTER ON THE MARKET. MAKE SURE THE WATER IS SAFE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
This giveaway/sweepstakes is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is valid to continental United States residents only, Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 3/10/21. The winner will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The giveaway is not valid where prohibited! By entering you are authorizing us to collect the information on the form below, this information is used only to contact the winner! No purchase necessary, Void where prohibited by law, and the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners are chosen randomly by the Giveaway Tools program. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.
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1 Winner will win a 20 ounce bottle of Naked Collagen from Naked Nutrition PLUS A Naked Nutrition Shaker Bottle Perfect For Blending Naked Collagen Into The Drink Of Your Choice ~ TRV $50! A nutritional supplement for building strong hair and nails.
This giveaway/sweepstakes is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is valid to continental United States residents only, Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 3/28/21. The winner will have 48 hours to email their information back to mcushing7 at hotmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The giveaway is not valid where prohibited! By entering you are authorizing us to collect the information on the form below, this information is used only to contact the winner! No purchase necessary, Void where prohibited by law, and the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners are chosen randomly by the Giveaway Tools program. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Melissa Cushing at mcushing7 (at)hotmail (dot) com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.
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Disclosure: This article includes affiliate links that will pay me if you decide to purchase using the link. There is no extra cost to you but helps me to run this site.
What is Kombucha?
In its simplest form, kombucha is fermented tea. It contains a large amount of probiotics, yeast, and bacteria. The same elements in yogurt, kefir, and kimchi. All are recommended foods to keep your gut health in check. Kombucha also helps fight invading bacteria to keep us well. By having a healthy colony of yeast and bacteria in your body, you are more likely to fight off infection early and less likely to get sick as often or stay sick as long.
At any grocery store, you’ll find a shelf or more dedicated to the drink, with fun flavors like cranberry, ginger, lemon, and watermelon. While I love the store-bought brands, at $3.50+ per bottle, this adds up quickly. It takes a little investment to get started brewing your own kombucha, but the cost per batch is very low, needing just tea and sugar new each time.
Items Needed
Teapot or Kettle
You’ll need a teapot or kettle to boil water and steep the tea. I love this HadinEEon Variable Temperature Electric Kettle from Amazon.com because of its wide opening (helpful for stirring to dissolve the sugar) and built-in filter through the spout (you don’t want any tea or other particles to enter your kombucha brew).
Black or Green Tea
You want a plain black or green tea kombucha base. Green tea will produce a slightly sweet but subtle tasting kombucha, while black tea creates a rich yet smooth flavor.
Organic Cane Sugar
Any sugar can be used, but organic cane sugar is recommended to keep your SCOBY healthy.
Fermentation Container
While you can ferment your kombucha in any glass container of at least 1 gallon in size, I recommend a vessel with a spout at the bottom. This way, you can easily bottle your kombucha through the spot and add a fresh tea mixture to continuously brew kombucha.
SCOBY
Most kombucha kits will include a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast), but you can also purchase on Amazon.com or get from a friend. As you brew, your SCOBY will grow baby SCOBYs that can be separated to start another batch, shared, or saved for the unfortunate event of a moldy brew. I’ve found the Fermentaholics brand to be very strong and effective.
Funnel & Strainer
Used for moving kombucha from one container to another without any small SCOBY’s from being transported.
Bottles
Once your kombucha has finished brewing, you’ll need to bottle it up and refrigerate it. Kombucha builts up carbonation, so you’ll want to find a strong glass bottle that can withstand the pressure. With the flip-top, these bottles can be used over and over.
Brew Your Own Kombucha
1. Brew Sweet Tea
Boil 4 cups of water. Stir in 1 cup of organic cane sugar until dissolved. Brew 2 tablespoons of your preferred tea for 10 minutes.
2. Add Scoby
Add 10 cups of cool water to your fermentation vessel. Then add your brewed sweet tea. You want to make sure to filter out all particles so they don’t attach to your SCOBY and grown mold. Once the entire mixture is room temperature, add the SCOBY and at least 1 cup of SCOBY liquid.
3. Wait
Cover your kombucha with a cover or cloth and place in a dark, undisturbed location at room temperature. It’s recommended to be between 68 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. I found that my basement was too cold, so now keep on the kitchen counter. My kit said to start tasting on day 4 and brew til your desired taste is reached. I find that I prefer stronger kombucha and will brew up to 2 weeks. At this point, you can either bottle and refrigerate to slow the fermentation or add a second fermentation
2nd Fermentation
Second fermentation is optional, but where all the fun flavors that you are used to are added. Add 2 tsp of your favorite fruit tea (or straight fruit) and 2 tsp of organic can sugar to each bottle. Filter kombucha from your 1st fermentation vessel and gently stir to dissolve sugar. Place your bottles in a dark, room temperature location. I use the bottle’s original shipping box and keep next to my 1st fermentation vessel on the kitchen counter. Taste and burp your bottles every 2 days so they don’t overpressurize. When kombucha reaches your desired taste, refrigerate and enjoy!
Add brewed steep tea to vessel, filtering to ensure no particles
Once tea mixture is cool, add SCOBY and at least 1 cup of SCOBY liquid
Cover the vessel with a dark cloth and leave in a warm place where it can be undisturbed
Allow to ferment undisturbed. Check taste after 4 days, but can take up to 2 weeks.
Once kombucha has reached desired taste, bottle. Can add aditional flavoring for a second fermantation or refregerate.
Get Started
Many starter kits are available to get started on Amazon.com. I started with the Sipology by Steeped Tea Kombucha Collection which includes: Kombucha & Party Entertainer (great container that can be used to serve lemonade or tea at any party, 1 set of 4 Brew n’ Serve Bottles, Funnel & Strainer, Kombucha Green Base, Kombucha Black Base, Universal Kombucha Cover, SCOBY, and Kombucha Guide.
This activity tracker can automatically monitor your heart rate all day (need to turn on in the Da Fit app), also with blood oxygen measuring, sleep tracking, sedentary reminder, and so on. After measuring, it will provide a comprehensive data analysis to help you create a healthier lifestyle. There are so many great features in this watch that you don’t find in similar options.
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3 Winners each receive the UMIDIGI Fitness Tracker Smart Watch
This giveaway/sweepstakes is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter, or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is valid to continental United States residents only, Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 1/26/21. The winner will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The giveaway is not valid where prohibited! By entering you are authorizing us to collect the information on the form below, this information is used only to contact the winner! No purchase necessary, Void where prohibited by law, and the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners are chosen randomly by the Giveaway Tools program. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.
If you are a blogger interested in our gift guidessign up hereor more information isHERE.
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Sponsors interested in joining our gift guides can see the information HERE.
I was recently listing to The Chalene Show podcast episode “9 Bad Habits to Drop ASAP” and she mentioned a survey that 25% of Americans admitted to drinking more in 2020. It got me thinking about my own drinking habits and it’s not unusual for me to drink a glass or two of wine after the kids have gone to bed or a hard seltzer with dinner. I had thought about giving up alcohol for January like I had done for Lent last year. A quick Google search revealed this has been a popular trend for years, with the name Dry January. But should you give up alcohol for a month? I’ll go over the benefits of abstaining, along with any potential risks.
Dry January Benefits
It May Improve Your Mood
Alcohol can make symptoms of anxiety and depression worse. While Dry January won’t cure your depression, stepping back from that nightly drink can provide the distance you need to assesses your motivation for drinking. When not self-medicating, you’ll be in a better position to recognize that you’re going through something that perhaps you need additional help with. At the very least, Dry January can provide valuable insight as to why you’ve been regularly drinking.
Better Sleep
After a night of drinking, it’s usually pretty easy to fall asleep. But as the National Sleep Foundation explains, levels of the sleep-inducing chemical adenosine rise to help you nod off, but it then crashes, waking you up in the middle of the night. Even if your body doesn’t fully awaken, you’ll likely rise groggily anyway. Alcohol degrades sleep quality; drinking moderate or high amounts of alcohol decreases “restorative” REM sleep, according to a review in the journal Alcoholism Clinical & Experimental Research. Giving up drinking for a month may help you get a sounder sleep, and better rest means more energy to devote to the things that matter.
Weight Loss
As much as we’d like them to be, alcoholic drinks are not calorie-free. And they are liquid calories, which research shows don’t fill you up the way food calories do. It’s been found that when people stop or cut back on drinking, they don’t replace those calories. This one change helps you lose weight. You may also be consuming more junk food when under the influence, as booze has been known to knock down your willpower when you get a case of the munchies.
You’ll Save Money
As I write this, we’re in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, so we’re not dining out as we once did. But remember those cocktail prices of $9-$10 a drink. Those add up! Your dinner bill will go down significantly without those added drinks. Even drinking at home adds up. We frequent Aldi’s, but going through a couple of $5 bottles of wine a week can put a dent in your wallet over time.
Your Skin Might Look Brighter
Alcohol is a known diuretic, which means it will cause you to pee more than if you just drank water. As a result, it’s harder for the body to hydrate itself. Lack of hydration can lead to dry, lusterless skin. Alcohol also has the potential to increase hormones like estrogen and cortisol, as well as spike your blood sugar (depending on how sweet you like your drinks). This is a recipe for breakouts. Research has shown that the toxins in alcohol can speed up your skin’s aging process. Yuck!
Stronger Immune System
Binge drinking (more than four drinks in a single occasion for women) may suppress your body’s immune response. A 2015 study found that when healthy folks (who normally consume low or moderate levels of alcohol) had an episode of binge drinking, their immunity initially rose. However, two to five hours later, levels of disease-fighting immune cells (like NK and white blood cells) decreased. Researchers can’t say how this may play out— as in if it means you’re more likely to be saddled with a cold or flu virus — but it’s certainly not a good thing if your immune system is taking a break.
Improved Digestion
“Alcohol lingers in the stomach for a while, being absorbed into both your bloodstream and small intestine,” says Peyton Berookim, a double board-certified gastroenterologist in Los Angeles. “It can affect acid production, diminishing your stomach’s ability to destroy harmful bacteria that enter the stomach.”
Berookim also notes that beverages with more than 15 percent alcohol by volume can delay stomach emptying, which can cause bacterial degradation of food and abdominal discomfort.
And, according to Berookim, booze immediately impacts the structure and integrity of the GI tract.
“Alcohol alters the numbers and relative abundances of microbes in the gut microbiome. These organisms affect the maturation and function of the immune system,” Berookim says. “Alcohol disrupts communication between these organisms and the intestinal immune system.”
Berookim goes on to say that drinking elevates blood pressure and levels of blood glucose, blood cholesterol, triglycerides, liver fats, and rice acids. If a person’s levels are already sky-high, fortunately, they can be lowered by participating in a sober month.
“Our digestive system, including the liver, is resilient and recovers rapidly in the absence of alcohol,” Berookim says.
Dry January Risks
Blood Pressure
If you are a heavy drinker and give up alcohol cold turkey, it can temporarily increase blood pressure to elevated levels. It is better to gradually reduce alcohol consumption.
Social
Going into 20201, we have the benefit of limited opportunities for happy hours and other get-togethers, but if you regularly get together with friends for drinks, participating in Dry January is likely to get you some weird looks and odd comments. Your partner at home may even give you grief for abstaining if they are used to sharing a bottle of wine with dinner. Look for opportunities to communicate your intention for a Dry January. Find accountability buddies who are also participating.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. While using these links will not cost you any more, I may make a commission on any purchases.
Sure, we all wish we could gift our friends The Mirror Home Workout System or a Peloton, but for the rest of us, check out our guide of the Top 10 Budget Fitness Gift Ideas. Before you start shopping, think about the following questions to guide your search:
What types of workouts do they do?
Where do they work out?
How often do they work out?
Top 10 Budget Fitness Gift Ideas
10. Speed Jump Rope
Jump ropes are all the rage in Bootcamp and Crossfit gyms due to their ability to develop coordination, agility, footwork, endurance and overall conditioning. They are compact, lightweight, and bring back those fond memories of grade school recess. And under $10!
9. Fitness Dice
For anyone working out at home, it can get pretty monotonous doing the same workout over and over. A fitness dice adds a little spontaneity, resulting in new workouts every day!
8. Running Gloves
Gloves are a perfect Christmas gift because it’s cold outside! Look for gloves that are lightweight, yet warm, with touchscreen capabilities.
7. Fitness Journal
Gym rats love to plan and track their workouts and strength progression. Runners love to track their mileage and plan their training for upcoming races. Journals are a great reminder to get that workout in and motivation to keep progressing.
6. Yoga Mat
Whether hitting their favorite yoga studio or doing a session at home, there is no need for boring yoga mats.
5. Massage Stick
The perfect self-care gift idea! It can be stored under their desk at work or in a closet at home and used to treat themselves to a tension and pressure release anytime and anywhere. It’s a great gift that will keep on giving!
4. Foam Roller
One thing almost every runner, cardio fan and weight lifter loves but never has at home is a foam roller. Perfect for rolling out tight muscles, stretching, and even some isometrics, this is an amazing Christmas gift for any athlete in your life.
3. Socks
Nothing makes a runner happier than new socks! And they are definitely not something they tend to splurge on for themselves. My favorite brands are Swiftwick, Balega, and Zelle.
2. Resistance Bands
Great for the traveler or those with little space, resistance bands can be taken anywhere and provide a wide arrange of workout options for the newbie or advanced user. Most sets are under $10!
1. Joggers
High on the trends list for 2020 have been joggers! Think of your old sweat pants, elevated to another level where they are both functional and fashionable. In my opinion, they are the new leggings. You can find budget-friendly joggers at Old Navy, and all the big-name fitness brands have their own too.
Disclosure: I was compensated for my review of Reading Kingdom, along with given a year’s access to the system. All opinions are my own.
Given that fewer than 1 in 5 words can be “sounded out” and there are 1,768 ways to spell 40 sounds, Reading Kingdom claims to be the first program to use the groundbreaking “Phonics-PLUS” system. In addition to teaching the skill of “Sound”, “Phonics-PLUS” incorporates “Sequencing”, “Writing”, “Meaning”, “Grammar”, and “Comprehension” to help children learn to read.
Reading Kingdom promotes that their program is for children 4-10 years old, from kids who are not yet reading and don’t know their letters to those who have already started to learn and builds skills up to a 3rd-grade level. Given their recommended age range, I signed up both my 8-year-old 3rd grader and 4-year-old preschooler.
Assessment
When you first sign up, it is recommended to have your child take an assessment to determine which of their five levels to start with. The assessment consisted of 2 sections – identifying words spoken and typing. The first section showed 3 different word options and would speak a word for the student to identify. The typing section showed individual letters for the student to type.
Screenshot from typing assessment
My 8-year-old flew through the word identification with ease but was slower with the typing given he hasn’t spent much time learning to type. He was placed in Level 1. My 4-year-old struggled with both sections, just guessing on the word identification. She was also placed in Level 1. While Level 1 made sense for my 4-year-old, I was surprised that my 8-year-old was also placed in Level 1, so I’m guessing heavy weight is given to typing ability. I would not have equated reading and writing ability with typing, but we proceeded as suggested.
Level 1
I was given 14 days to review the program and provide this post, so my children both worked through Level 1 in that time. As advertised, the program adjusts based on how your student performs. Both of my students had the same first lesson, and then they varied immediately.
Each session consists of 15-20 lessons. And they recommend no more than 2 sessions per day. The first lesson focused on the word “girls” and the skill of “sequencing”. They were to spell “girls” using the letters in the white box in order from left to right.
Other lessons included identifying a spoken word, identifying all instances of a spoken word in a text in order, typing a spoken word, and identifying which option could become the spoken word then filling in the missing letters. Each session would focus on 1-4 words, with all 15-20 lessons practicing those words in different fun ways.
Reading Kingdom Review
My first impression of Reading Kingdom was that it was unlikely that my 8-year-old and 4-year-old were at the same reading level, but we continued as instructed. My 8-year-old was very bored at Level 1, but it was a good review and repetition of beginner sight words.
As the program is very heavily focused on typing, we improvised with my 4-year-old who had not used a keyboard at all. I would have her speak the letters that were shown on the screen or needed to complete the words and I would type them. I also found the sessions too long for her attention span. They provide a pause button, but you can only use it one time per session.
On a positive note, I do like that the program focuses on only a few words at a time and works on both reading and spelling in the same sessions. While my son is on par for reading at his grade level, I feel like his spelling is lacking, so this has been good practice.
As 14 days is a very short time to review a program like this, check back as I’ll be updating this review over the next year that we have access to the system.
