Food Fun Family

Favorite Summer Memories #MyMemoryLane

Lolli — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 18:02:29 +0000

This summer has already been full of amazing memories so far. From driving 3200 miles together to staying at Grandma and Grandpa’s house with 5 of their cousins (yes, that means that there are 16 of us in one house!)…this is the summer of memories.

This coming Thursday, I’ve been asked to participate in a twitter party with YesVideo and I’d love for you to join me! While I’m being paid for my time all thoughts expressed here on the blog and during the twitter party are my own.

Join us for a Throwback Thursday Twitter party!

WHEN: Thursday, July 31st at 8:00 PM CST (9pm ET)

How to join the party: First, RSVP on YesVideo’s page HERE (not on the blog). Then, come to twitter during the party hour and tweet using the hashtag #MyMemoryLane and follow @YesVideo on Twitter.

WHO: I’m excited to hang out with my fellow panelists (I know we’d all love for you to follow us, too):

WHAT: Throughout the twitter party, we’ll be chatting about our favorite summer memories: family vacations, summer fun, and simply reminiscing.

Must be in attendance of the Twitter Party using hashtag #MyMemoryLane to be eligible to win prizes.

YES….PRIZES!
Prizes include:

DOOR PRIZE – Apple TV {must fill out door prize form to be eligible}
Jelly Belly Ice Treats Party Pack plus $50 electronic YesVideo Gift Card for transfer service
Zoku Slush and Shake Maker plus $50 electronic YesVideo Gift Card for transfer service
Hamilton Beach Ice Cream Maker plus $50 electronic YesVideo Gift Card for transfer service
BELLA Milkshake Maker plus $50 electronic YesVideo Gift Card for transfer service
$100 electronic YesVideo Gift Card for transfer service
8-inch digital frame with 2 GB of internal memory, and external slots for SD memory cards and USB drives and 2 GB stainless steel USB drive.

NOTE: prizes will be given away randomly during the Twitter Party to people tweeting with the hashtag #MyMemoryLane.

Copy and paste any of these sample tweets and then make sure that you RSVP on YesVideo’s page HERE.

Join #ThrowbackThursday party with @YesVideo 7/31 @ 8PM CST #MyMemoryLane https://a.pgtb.me/XvKR7v RSVP to #win

Let’s share our #MyMemoryLane summer memories w/ @YesVideo 7/31 @ 8PM CST Win Gr8 Prizes RSVP today https://a.pgtb.me/XvKR7v #TBT

Join @YesVideo to chat about how you celebrate summer Thur 7/31 8PM CST RSVP https://a.pgtb.me/XvKR7v #TBT

Join Us for the Million Dollar Arm Twitter Party #MillionDollarArmEvent

Lolli — Tue, 13 May 2014 00:20:16 +0000

Million Dollar Arm Twitter Party

#MillionDollarArmEvent

If you’re a regular reader, you know that I just got back from Los Angeles and the world premiere of Million Dollar Arm (yes, travel and accommodations were provided by Disney in exchange for coverage, but all thoughts are my own. This post is a voluntary “extra” just for fun.

While I was in Hollywood, our group of bloggers chatted about how fun it would be to celebrate the opening of the film with a twitter party. And of course, twitter parties mean fun and prizes!

Join the 25 #MillionDollarArmEvent bloggers as we have a little Twitter fun chatting about Disney’s upcoming film, Million Dollar Arm. You are invited to hang out with us this Thursday (5/15/14) from 8 pm to 9 pm EST as we tweet and party while talking about Million Dollar Arm, arriving in theaters on 5/16/14.

Based on a true story, sports agent JB Bernstein (Jon Hamm) finds that business has changed and things aren’t going well for his career. In a last ditch effort to save his livelihood he concocts a scheme to find baseball’s next great pitching ace. Hoping to find a young cricket pitcher he can turn into a major league baseball star, JB travels to India to produce a reality show competition called “The Million Dollar Arm.”

With the help of cantankerous but eagle-eyed retired baseball scout Ray Poitevint (Alan Arkin), he discovers Dinesh (played by Madhur Mittal from “Slumdog Millionaire”) and Rinku (played by Suraj Sharma from “Life of Pi”), two 18-year-old boys who have no idea about playing baseball, yet have a knack for throwing a fastball. Hoping to sign them to major league contracts and make a quick buck, JB brings the boys home to America to train. While the Americans are definitely out of their element in India, the boys, who have never left their rural villages, are equally challenged when they come to the States. As the boys learn the finer points of baseball, JB, with the help of his charming friend Brenda (Lake Bell), learns valuable life lessons about teamwork, commitment and what it means to be a family.

Check out this awesome trailer and then be sure to RSVP below. We have great prizes and surprises to give out during the #MillionDollarArmEvent Twitter Party, so you won’t want to miss it:

How do you join in on the #MillionDollarArmEvent Twitter Party fun:

1. Follow me, @1momof5 and @JBBernstein – I strongly encourage you to follow him, he just may make a surprise visit (hint hint)

2. Retweet THIS TWEET:

Join us for the Million Dollar Arm Twitter Party #MillionDollarArmEvent this Thurs 5/15 at 8pm ET RSVP: https://t.co/ZnZGdzkxNb via @1momof5

— Lolli Franklin (@1momof5) May 13, 2014

3. RSVP using the linky tool below!

4. See you on 5/15 at 8pm EST – it’s that easy!

(PS – Prizes include 10 Shirt/Poster combos, an Autographed Book & Poster from JB Bernstein, Tickets to see Million Dollar Arm and more!)

Check out the fun we have had so far by following hashtag: #MillionDollarArmEvent

Like MILLION DOLLAR ARM on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MillionDollarArm

Follow MILLION DOLLAR ARM on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyPictures

Visit the Official Site: www.Disney.com/MillionDollarArm

MILLION DOLLAR ARM opens in theaters everywhere on May 16th!

© 2014, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.

I’ll Be Tweeting with Sean Astin – Join Me? #RaiseYourVox

Lolli — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 13:01:16 +0000

I’ve done a lot of cool things as a blogger – walked the red carpet, interviewed celebrities, reviewed unique products – but I’ve never had my name (ok, my twitter name) appear on a poster alongside a famous person. Until now. Tonight (April 26, 2014) I’ll be tweeting alongside Sean Astin – actor from Goonies, Lord of the Rings, Rudy – to celebrate the premiere of the long-anticipated Season 2 of his podcast, VoxPopuliRadio.com. Although I am being compensated for my time, all enthusiasm and opinions expressed here and at the twitter party tonight are my own.

Vox Populi

Vox Populi: The Voice of the “Occasionally Interested” People, is a political podcast that focuses on discussion using civil discourse and active listening. It’s a safe place to express your views and hear others’ views without the all-too-common partisan bickering and rancor.

Actor Sean Astin is beginning the second season of his political radio show Vox Populi on May 1st on a new network, TradioV. I love Sean’s approach to politics (this is totally my style!) – he genuinely wants people to understand what is happening within our government (it’s important to know what’s going on!), even when it seems complicated.

His podcast is perfect for people who are interested or NOT interested in politics because he presents the facts within a lively, interesting and civil discussion (yes, he’s not just spouting off HIS ideas – he wants to hear and discuss YOURS). His interest in both politics AND what other people think is genuine and infectious.

Earlier this month, I celebrated the 16th anniversary of living in my house, just north of Washington DC. I’ve been here for parades, Presidents, the 9-11 attacks on the Pentagon. I’ve been in the middle of so much history. And, shamefully, I have not involved myself enough in politics….often because the issues just don’t make sense to me. I love having the issues laid out in a no-nonsense (and I prefer neutral sides) manner.

Check out Sean’s story about how he started his podcast (and why…). It all started with a 2 year old Sean on an airplane (I’m sure he was adorable!).

Connect with Sean Astin and Vox Populi:

Sean’s site: www.voxpopuliradio.com
Podcast location: www.tradiov.com
Sean’s Twitter: @HostVoxPopuli
Sean’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/VoxPopuliRadio
Sean’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/HostVoxPopuli

Sean’s Vox Populi broadcast airs Thursdays 12-2PT on TradioV.com

Join us for the #RaiseYourVox Twitter party

When: Saturday night, April 26th, 5:30pm PT/8:30pm ET
RSVP: https://bit.ly/SeanChat (you can ask Sean’s question here, too!)
Host: @HostVoxPopuli @crazyadventures
Co-hosts: @seanastin @LindaofNote @ENMNetwork @Leah_Cevoli
Panelists: @MamaDweeb @StacieinAtlanta @1momof5
Prize Patrol: @SincerelyG
Prizes to be given away: two personalized autographed pictures, one autographed poster, and a grand prize “prize pack” with an autographed picture and Vox-branded items, including a Vox t-shirt!

See you there!

Note: this post and twitter party involvement are compensated, but all thoughts and opinions, here and on twitter, are my own.

© 2014, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.

Join Me For The #PayItFwdDay Twitter Party 4/22

Lolli — Sat, 19 Apr 2014 12:20:26 +0000

This is a sponsored post and twitter party but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Just recently, I benefitted from the kindness of two friends. They didn’t have to do what they did, but they did it willingly, nonetheless. I’m grateful for their kindness, and I’m excited to pay it forward now myself.

Have you ever paid it forward or been the recipient of a random act of kindness? Doesn’t it make you feel amazing?

This coming week, I’m teaming up with Savings Bank Life Insurance Company (SBLI) and the Pay it Forward Foundation for a Pay it Forward Day Twitter Party. SBLI wants to help protect families by providing affordable life insurance. They are also committed improving the lives of others through simple acts of kindness. The goal of the Pay it Forward Foundation is to inspire people to perform random acts of kindness for others, thus making the world a better place. What awesome companies to team with!

#PayitFwdDay Twitter party details

International Pay it Forward Day coming up on April 24, 2014 and we’re celebrating this coming Tuesday 4/22 with a #PayItFwdDay Twitter Party!

What: We will be sharing Pay it Forward stories, ideas for how YOU and your family can Pay it Forward, as well as how to teach your children the importance of spreading kindness and paying it forward. And prizes, of course!

Pay it Forward – to perform any act of kindness without asking for or expecting anything in return, only that the person do something nice for someone else. It’s a simple, yet powerful concept that can change the lives of those around us, make us healthier and happier, and even make the world a better place for future generations.

When: Tuesday, April 22, at 1:00-2:00 pm ET

Where: Follow the #PayitFwdDay hashtag on Twitter. You can see the details and RSVP HERE.

Prizes: We will be giving away five prizes to randomly selected winners. Five winners who answer trivia questions during the party will receive $50 VISA gift cards and a Pay it Forward bracelet!

Hosts: @SavingsBankLife and @charleypif

Co-hosts:

Brandy, Happily Blended – @brandyellen

Chrysa, Thrifty Jinxy – @ThriftyJinxy

Dawn, Homemaking Hacks – @dawnchats

Debra, A Frugal Friend – @AFrugalFriend

Ellen, Thrifty and Chic Mom – @ThriftyChicMom

Emily, Nap Time is My Time – @naptimeismytime

Jenn, The Rebel Chick – @TheRebelChick

Kristen, Mudpies and Tiaras – @MudpiesandTiara

Lolli, Better in Bulk – @1momof5

Shauna, Adventures of 8 – @adventuresof8

Stefani, Mommy Enterprises – @mommye

Tiffany, Broward Saves – @BrowardSaves

Find out more:

Pay it Forward Foundation Website: https://www.payitforwardfoundation.org/

Pay it Forward Foundation Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/payitforwardexperience

SBLI Website: https://www.sbli.com/

SBLI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mySBLI/app_599788450050788

Hope to see you there!

© 2014, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.

Brighter Lives for Refugees #IKEABrighterLives

Lolli — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 13:00:33 +0000

This past week brought some pretty major storms through our area. Ice covered everything – the roads, the walkways, and the trees. As beautiful as the ice-encased trees are to look at, they almost always mean one thing: trees are going to fall and the power is going to go out.

Storms knock out our power a few times a year. Usually, the power is restored within a few hours and we’re back to our normal routine. When the power is out during the day, the house gets cold and we have to get creative about the food we eat (we try to avoid opening the fridge and there’s no way to cook anything)…but the kids look at it as an adventure. When the power is out at night, things get a little more tricky. We pull out the flashlights and lanterns and turn on the kerosene heater, which provides both heat and light. And we get by until the power comes back on again.

Next Tuesday and Wednesday, my family and I will be participating in challenge. On night one, we will not use any light source (and yes that includes no cell phone or computer use). On night two, we will have the use of one solar-powered LED lantern. Sure, we’ll still have a working heater and fridge. But a night without any lights during the winter when it gets dark at 5:30? It’s going to be tough. I’ll be reporting back after our experience next week to let you know how it went. I’m particularly interested to see how my kids react. No TV, no iPods, no light when they use the bathroom…

The biggest question, of course, is WHY. Why are we taking the one night without light challenge? It’s all about offering a brighter future for some families across the world…and for teaching my kids about Brighter Lives for Refugees.

Brighter Lives for Refugees

The Brighter Lives for Refugees campaign will help to provide solar street lights, indoor solar lanterns, and other renewable energy technologies such as fuel efficient cooking stoves in UNHCR refugee camps in countries including Ethiopia, Chad, Bangladesh and Jordan. In addition the campaign will also fund improved primary education.

IKEA will donate one euro (or USD $1.37) to the UN refugee agency UNHCR for every IKEA LEDARE – LED light bulb sold during the campaign period, from February 3 through March 29, 2014. Additional information can be found here.

What a Difference a Light Can Make

Why solar lights? How much of a difference will a few lights make?

The absence or lack of light after sunset can have a devastating effect on safety and security for those living in refugee camps. Simple activities such as visiting the toilet, collecting water or returning to the shelter from elsewhere can become difficult and dangerous, particularly for women and girls.

The improvements funded by the campaign will make each refugee camp a safer and more suitable home for refugee children and their families.

Solar street lights can improve safety in refugee camps by reducing the risk of crime, sexual and gender-based violence.

Solar lanterns help girls and boys in refugee camps study after dark, improving results in school.

Solar street lights help improve life in a refugee camp, enabling more community gatherings and social activities.

Solar lanterns allow refugees to continue important income-generating activities such as weaving or sewing during the dark hours.

Solar lanterns enable refugees to run their small shops and kiosks into the evening, increasing prospects of generating a sustainable income.

Key Facts About LED Lighting

LED lighting consumes 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 20 times longer.

If one million people changed one bulb each into LED, this would in terms of CO2 emissions correspond to taking almost 6,700 cars off the road, or planting 17 million trees per year.

The total annual cost saving (including purchase price and energy consumption cost) of switching one incandescent 40W bulb to a corresponding LED bulb, is approximately $6.25 (5.3 Euro) on average.

LED bulbs use substantially less power than incandescents or CFLs. Replacing existing lighting with LEDs can save between 50% and 90% of lighting energy costs.

LED replacements are already available for many bulb types and can fit virtually all of your existing lamps.

I can’t wait to share our experience this coming week as we go a whole night without lights. Join me on Thursday, February 13 at 5:00pm PT/ 8:00pm ET. Yes, there will be prizes (Seven $50 Amex Gift Cards, Five portable solar lanterns and One $150 Amex Gift Card Grand Prize). RSVP here. Feel free to RT the tweet below and meet me at the party!

Share how you live sustainably at @IKEAUSANews Twitter Party! 2/13 5pmPT https://t.co/teRtFwarnP #IKEABrighterLives

— Lolli Franklin (@1momof5) February 8, 2014

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

© 2014, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.

Join Me at the #ETYkids Twitter Party Wednesday 12/4

Lolli — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 17:52:25 +0000

This post and twitter party are being sponsored by Etymotic, makers of ETY•Kids safe-listening earphones. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It’s not uncommon to find all 5 of my kids on an electronic device. My kids do plenty of other things, too – piano and drama and cross-country and books and work and karate – but left to their own devices, they would be plugged in and listening to their iPods all the time.

Like other parents, I worry about screen time, but I also worry that my kids’ ears are being exposed to noises that are too loud and too close. Until recently, I didn’t realize there was an option beyond taking the headphones away.

I’m excited to introduce you to Etymotic’s ETY•Kids safe-listening earphones, which are specifically engineered for safe sound output while maintaining exceptional sound quality. Because ETY•Kids earphones control earphone sensitivity, parents don’t have to worry about restricting the volume setting on their kids’ music player. ETY•Kids earphones block background noise and provide HD sound quality, so kids will hear every detail, and won’t complain that the volume is too low.

ETY•Kids Features:

For ages 4+ and anyone overly sensitive to loud sound

Engineered for safe sound output (up to 4 hours a day at full volume)

High-definition sound experience

Available in 3 colors: Black, Pink and Yellow

ACCU•Fit eartips ensure a good fit in small ears

CUSTOM•FIT option

Add it all together and ETY•Kids earphones make a perfect holiday gift idea!

Special Holiday Offer from Etymotic ETY-Kids!

For a limited time, purchase any ETY-Kids earphones and receive the Hu’s Hoo & The Zoo book and CD free! Hu’s Hoo & The Zoo is a fun animal band with original songs and a fun story to go with it.

Join me for an #ETYkids TWITTER PARTY:

Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Time: 1:00-2:00pm CT (2-3 ET)
Hashtag: #ETYkids
Your hosts: @RobynsWorld @geekbabe @1momof5 @JManMillerBug
Prizes: 5 winners will receive a set of ETY-Kids 5 earphones and the Hu’s Hoo & The Zoo Book and CD

RSVP: https://bit.ly/ETYkids

Hope to see you there!

© 2013, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.

Introducing YesVideo’s New App #RememberWhen

Lolli — Thu, 18 Jul 2013 03:14:35 +0000

Note: This post is being sponsored by YesVideo, but I would use their services (and have used them!) on my own dime because I have that much faith in their company. All thoughts and opinions (and app snapshots) are my own.

A few months ago, my husband came home with a large box full of old Super 8 mm film reels. Most of them looked like the years had taken quite a toll on them. As much as HE was excited to see which childhood memories were hidden on those old film reels, I was possibly even more intrigued. I couldn’t wait to see a younger CandyMan, to see if my husband as a child reminded me of our kids.

We already had a huge collection of videos from our family’s history, and I was so excited to add some of CandyMan’s earlier history to our video library. I was disappointed to not find very many shots of CandyMan in those reels after they were converted to digital video…but I laughed my head off when I saw some silly videos of my brother in law from sometime in the 80s.

My kids could watch these video clips of their uncles (and all of those videos of the cats and dogs) and especially the videos of themselves over and over again.

Who wouldn’t love to watch dancing like this?

When we convert our old videos to digital format, we get DVDs that we can watch on the TV…but even better, we can watch our videos on my iPad with the YesVideo App (which just happened to get a brand new update this week!). The new app makes watching our old home videos fun and easy. We can pick up the iPad and watch a few clips whenever we’re in the mood for some entertainment.

Here are a few of the features of the YesVideo App

Video playback. You can watch all of the videos you’ve preserved with YesVideo (you’ll need an internet connection).

Online sharing. Did you find an amazing video? Share your favorite scenes or entire videos via Facebook or Email.

AirPlay compatible. Have Apple TV? You can play your preserved videos on your Apple TV wirelessly with AirPlay.

New Snapshot feature Capture individual frames from videos, save them in the app, or create 4×4 Snapshots from a scene in your video (see the adorable 4×4 snapshot from a video of KitKat when she was 2 1/2). Save the images to your iPad, or share them on Instagram or Facebook (you know that’s what I’ll be doing!).

The YesVideo iPhone/iPad app is available for free at the App Store. Click here to download the App today!

Join YesVideo’s #RememberWhen Twitter Party

To celebrate the launch of YesVideo’s new iPad app they are having a Twitter Party on Thursday, July 18th 8:00pm CT (plus on the blog they are giving away an iPad mini and $100 gift certificate to YesVideo for you to preserve your own home movies!!).

Join the Twitter Party and share your favorite childhood memories, learn about the new iPad app and witness live shares of snapshots directly from the app itself! Plus they are giving away more fun prizes including an Apple TV. More details on the YesVideo blog and follow #RememberWhen to join in!

Ready to transfer your old home movies? Get started today!

How often do YOU watch old family movies? Do you have any from when you (or your spouse) was a kid?

© 2013 – 2014, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.

6 Critical Steps to Better Sleep #BetterSleep

Lolli — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:52:39 +0000

This post has been sponsored by the Better Sleep Council, in the form of a new mattress (yay!). No monetary compensation has been received and, as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

When asked the question, “Do you feel that, on average, you are getting enough sleep?” I didn’t have to pause to think of my answer.

“No, I definitely don’t get enough sleep,” I said. “I wish I could sleep more, but at night after the kids go to bed, I have a few hours of really productive work time and I have a hard time giving up that time (and turning off my mind!) to go to sleep early.”

I have gotten into a few detrimental sleep habits…and although I know that they aren’t good for me, it has been difficult for me to make any changes. I rarely drink caffeinated sodas after lunch, but I do like an evening snack. I tend to work after the kids go to bed until I am so tired I can no longer keep my eyes open. I love sleeping with the windows open, despite the fact (or sometimes because of the fact) that our backyard sounds like a bird sanctuary. I keep my iPad and phone charging or just sitting on my nightstand, just inches away from my pillow. My phone is my alarm, so I feel like I have to keep it close. I like to check my email right before I go to sleep, often after I’ve turned the lights out to go to bed.

I could go on and on…I’m a horrible example of good sleep habits, not to mention the fact that I tend to get between 5 1/2 and 7 hours of sleep per night.

Two weeks ago, I kept a sleep journal and was brutally honest about the things I did and didn’t do surrounding sleep, bedtime routines, and my bedroom environment. Last week, I got that survey back with a handful of the most helpful sleep-related tips ever.

Sleep expert and Certified Clinical Sleep Educator, Terry Cralle, RN gave me this advice, “Sleep is a biological necessity – critical to your quality of life – affecting everything from your productivity to your health to your mood.” Sleep deprivation leads to a host of problems including decreased performance and alertness, impaired memory, stress and accidents. Did you know that studies have shown that sleep deprivation can also increase your risk for stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, depression, heart disease, obesity and cancer?

Here are 6 customized tips that Terry shared to get better sleep:

Tips to get better sleep

Create a “wind down” routine for the night.

A few things can help with shutting down your brain at night. It’s a very common problem! Complete your to-do list (and perhaps a separate worries and problems list) for the following day – several hours prior to bedtime. It will help to clear your mind. Also, be sure to have a bedtime routine. A relaxing, pre-sleep routine (sometimes referred to as a pre-sleep ritual) helps you transition from wakefulness to sleep. The repetition of a personal sleep routine actually serves as a prompt to your mind and body to wind down and prepare for sleep. You will begin to associate the activities of your sleep routine with going to sleep. Your routine can consist of a few steps that you can follow every night – and can include activities such as lowering the lights, turning off electronics, getting ready for bed, having some tea, reading non-engaging, non-fiction, doing a crossword puzzle, listening to calming music, taking a warm bath, and some meditation, yoga, guided visualization or breathing exercises to help with relaxation.

Create a sleep-conducive environment that is dark, quiet, comfortable and cool. Make your bedroom a sleep sanctuary – a relaxing, restful retreat with no electronics or work related items visible. Try mental exercises – like listing all animals that start with the letter “A” or list one vegetable for every letter of the alphabet – or think of relaxing scenes or images. Don’t use electronics in bed either. Our beds should be reserved for sleep and sex only – and not associated with doing work-related activities such as checking emails.

Head to bed earlier.

Try going to bed earlier – even for one week to see how you feel. You may just end up liking how you feel with a good night’s sleep! With very few exceptions, most people do require between 7-9 hours of sleep daily.

While most of us assume that sleep hours cut into our productive hours – we are actually more productive with sufficient sleep! So while it may seem counterintuitive, your productivity should increase with sufficient sleep time, because you will have more energy and think more clearly – while working smarter and more efficiently.

Research has demonstrated that we can’t train ourselves to require less sleep. Some people can try to get by on less sleep – but the short and long term consequences to health and quality of life are not worth the risk. Only a small number of individuals are genetically “short sleepers”, and it is estimated that they represent only 1-3% of the entire population.

Replace your mattress.

We recommend replacing mattresses every 5-7 years. Ten years is the upward limit of mattress life. Dust mites, dirt and allergens will have collected over that period of time. Also, changes in your body, lifestyle and sleep needs have probably occurred in that 10 year period; necessitating replacement.

Avoid electronics for 1 hour before bedtime.

Checking emails at bedtime can negatively impact your sleep. The light from electronic devices is a concentrated blue light which mimics daylight, suppressing melatonin, a natural hormone which helps you to sleep. These portable devices are also held much closer to the eyes than a computer or television screen – and therefore may be even more disrupting to sleep. Sleep researcher Dr Chris Idzikowski has been quoted as saying that checking your e-mails before bed on any electronic device is essentially the equivalent to drinking a double espresso at bedtime!

While the best recommendation is to avoid all electronics for one hour prior to bedtime, there are ways to reduce the negative effects of screen usage at night by dimming the brightness and lowering the color temperature of your electronic devices. There is an app available called F.Lux which automatically detects when it’s nighttime, and adjusts your screen light accordingly, lessening the negative impact of the blue light on your sleep.

Additionally, using electronic devices at bedtime can create a false alertness which can make it difficult to settle down and drift off to sleep. One Japanese research study showed that people who use electronic devices just before bedtime report lower-quality sleep even when they get as much sleep as those who do not use them before bedtime. Using the devices often encroaches upon your overall sleep time by further delaying bedtime.

Cut out the caffeine.

Try limiting caffeine intake before bedtime to see if that does not help you with winding down. It can reduce your total sleep time and increase the likelihood of waking up during the night. Many experts recommend avoiding caffeinated beverages as much as eight hours before bedtime due to the extended length of time it remains in your system after consumption.

Eliminate light and noise sources.

Exposure to noise during sleep can be very disruptive to your sleep, even if it does not wake you up. Some studies have shown that noise can have negative effect on sleep stages and cause more tossing and turning – negatively impacting your sleep quality. Unfamiliar noise, and noise during the first and last two hours of sleep, has the greatest disruptive effect on the sleep cycle.

In addition to avoiding electronics prior to bedtime, be sure to eliminate light sources in your bedroom as best you can to get the best quality sleep possible Once again, light is one of the most important external factors that can affect sleep. Your brain will not produce melatonin in the presence of light. Melatonin is one of the hormones that help you fall asleep and stay asleep to get the recuperative sleep your mind and body requires. You may want to try black out curtains and to cover the lights on the power strips. The luminous rays from a digital alarm clock can be enough to disrupt your sleep cycle. Some people find a light blocking sleep mask to be helpful. A dark room is the most conducive to a good night’s sleep.

Join me at the #BetterSleep Twitter Party!

This Thursday, May 23, in honor of this year’s Better Sleep Month, I’ll be co-hosting a twitter party with the Better Sleep Council. In addition to a ton of helpful sleep tips and information, we’ll be giving away several $25 gift cards as well as one $125 gift card. Here are all of the details you need to join us:

What: Better Sleep Council Twitter Party (custom tweetgrid for the party)
When: Thursday, May 23 from 9:00 – 10:30 p.m. ET
Hashtag: #BetterSleep
Who: Host – @Sleepocalypse | Better Sleep Council
Co-host Bloggers – @1momof5 (me!) and @BusyWorkingMama (Aleks, BusyWorkingMama)
Expert participants – @PowerofSleep – Terry Cralle, RN, Sleep expert
Better Sleep Council participants – @KarinSleeps and @MaryHelenSleeps
And YOU!

Hope to see you there!

© 2013, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.

Marinated Mushrooms and Smoked Sausage Pasta #MushroomDish

Lolli — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:01:34 +0000

Isn’t it funny how something so simple can make such an amazing difference? Just last night, I made hamburgers for dinner. Plain old, simple hamburgers. But they weren’t just hamburgers, because while the burgers were cooking on the grill, I sauteed some mushrooms, onion and garlic in a little olive oil…and turned my burger into something incredible. (You want to take a bite, don’t you?)

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month? The theme for 2013 is “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day,” and mushrooms are a perfect fit for national Nutrition Month, don’t you think? They’re so versatile that they can be added to breakfast, lunch or dinner, they are a natural source of vitamins D and B and a rich source of antioxidants to boost your immune system, AND they’re inexpensive and in season all year round. Plus, for those of us looking to eat healthier and cut down on the meat, mushrooms are the perfect alternative for swapping in for a portion of the meat in your favorite recipes. You might say they’re a perfect food.

As I was thinking of writing this post, I thought of several “old favorite” recipes that use mushrooms – I have so many of them. But in a whim of creativity I decided to try something totally new (yes, a food experiment) based on marinated mushrooms, which I adore. Guess what? My experiment worked and the result – Marinated Mushroom and Smoked Sausage Pasta – was born.

Marinated Mushroom and Smoked Sausage Pasta #MushroomDish

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Prep time

1 hour

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

1 hour 20 mins

Author: Lolli

Recipe type: pasta, main dish

Serves: 6

Ingredients

⅓ cup red wine vinegar

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp brown sugar

1 clove garlic, minced

¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 Tbsp chopped green onions

⅛ tsp dried oregano

⅛ tsp salt

⅛ tsp ground black pepper

6-8 small, fresh mushrooms

1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into bite sized pieces

16 oz penne pasta

2 tsp olive oil

2 cups fresh spinach

2 medium tomatoes, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

½ cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Mix together red wine vinegar, 1 Tbsp olive oil, brown sugar, garlic, and spices (through pepper). Add mushrooms to the bowl with the marinade and let sit for at least an hour, stirring occasionally.

Prepare pasta according to package directions.

While pasta is cooking, saute sausage in a large skillet until browned. Remove smoked sausage from pan and set aside. Leave oil from the sausage in the pan.

To the same pot add 2 tsp olive oil and spinach; saute until wilted.

Add tomatoes and garlic and continue cooking for about 2-3 minutes.

Pour mushrooms and marinade into the pan and heat through. Add drained pasta and Parmesan cheese and toss until combined.

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Join the #MushroomDish Twitter Party

In honor of National Nutrition month, the Mushroom Channel and my friends at Resourceful Mommy are hosting a Twitter Party on Wednesday, March 20th 8-9 PM EST using the hashtag #MushroomDish.

The party will be highlighting the nutritional benefits of mushrooms….and you’re guaranteed to go home with a new stock of delicious recipes (come prepared to share your favorite recipes, too!). To find out more and be eligible for prizes, check out the main hub post at Resourceful Mommy (and don’t forget to RSVP!).

If the new recipes and kitchen ideas aren’t enough to persuade you, here’s a peek at the prizes that will be given away during the hour: 1 $100 Visa Gift Card, 4 $50 Visa Gift Cards, 8 $25 Visa Gift Cards. I’m all about the Visa Gift Cards! Note: The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Connect with the Mushroom Channel:

Visit the Mushroom Channel’s website at Mushroominfo.com for mushroom recipes, their up-to-date blog, nutritional information and current happenings. And be sure to connect with them across their social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

Note: This post has been sponsored by The Mushroom Channel. All opinions are my own and the recipe is an original.

© 2013, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.

Share Your Memories & Win at #YesMemory Twitter Party

Lolli — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 03:39:43 +0000

I had a fabulous childhood. I remember running around the neighborhood with my best friends, playing with Barbies with my sisters, setting up lemonade stands on the corner. Actually, I recall only tolerating the lemonade stands because Elizabeth loved selling lemonade. Or was it the thrill of making money? Either way, those lemonade stands are a happy childhood memory that make me smile when I think about them…even though I still cringe when my own kids ask if they can set up lemonade stands of their own.

I remember running for student government in 6th grade, and moving to a new town at the beginning of 7th grade…but having to commute 45+ minutes to school until we completed the move.

I have fond memories of running around with my cousins on holidays, and anxious memories of getting locked in the bathroom at my Grandma and Grandpa’s house. But like I said at the beginning, they all add up to a fabulous childhood.

Tomorrow (which is almost today) – Thursday, February 21st at 8:00 PM CST (9:00 PM EST) – I’ll be a panelist at the #ThrowbackThursday #YesMemory Twitter Party. I’m sure I’m not the only one with a bunch of nostalgic memories (and maybe a few old pictures?!) to share. I’m being joined by a group of amazing bloggers and tweeters. Take a look:

My fellow #YesMemory party panelists:

@RachelFerrucci

@themommyfiles

@amybhole

@ebmommy

@1momof5 (that would be me!)

To join the fun tweet using the hashtag #YesMemory and follow @YesVideo on Twitter. The best way to follow the party conversation is to use the TweetChat room assigned to #YesMemory.

During the Twitter Party we will discuss our favorite childhood memories, how to preserve those old family home movies and share our vintage Throwback Thursday photos. Not only are we an awesome group to spend an hour with…but we’ll be handing out some equally awesome prizes.

Twitter Party prizes include:

DOOR PRIZE – Blu-ray Player {must fill out door prize form to be eligible}

2 – $50 gift certificate for YesVideo home video and photo transfer service

$100 gift certificate for YesVideo home video and photo transfer service

Nostalgia Electrics Vintage Popcorn Maker

$50 Etsy gift certificate

*Prizes will be given away randomly during the Twitter Party to people tweeting with the hashtag. Must be in attendance at the Twitter Party using hashtag #YesMemory to be eligible to win prizes.

Be sure to RSVP before the party. Hope to see you there!

© 2013, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.