Halloween is just a few days away and we are almost ready. It's one of those days that most children look forward to and most it is not because of the brand new costume of their favorite character that they're going to wear, it's mostly all about the candy that they get to consume that day and the days following! For most, this is the one time that they get to indulge in all the sweets they can eat. However, don't let this one day turn your kids beautiful smiles into trips to the dentist office. As a hello products ambassador I want to share with you, some tips on how you can have a cavity free Halloween, this Halloween and all year-round.



Set Rules
While you don't want to the mean mom or dad, set a limit as to how many candy they can have while out trick or treating. Too much candy may not only give an already active child a sugar rush, but you'll also be out without any means to brush. Choose candy that can be eaten quickly to avoid your little one's white pearlies being exposed to prolong sugar.

Avoid Hard & Sticky Candy
Candy that stays in your mouth for a long time, or stick to your teeth takes a longer time to be washed away, subjecting your teeth to an increased risk for tooth decay. Sticky candy can also stick to the grooves of your teeth and can be difficult to wash away as well. When you're on the go, you're not thinking of brushing so avoid the hard and sticky candy while out trick or treating.


Brush & Floss Your Teeth
While you should brush at least twice a day, you should most certainly brush as soon as you get back from trick or treating. We know that they can't resist eating a candy or two while out, so brush and teach your little one how to floss, to get those little particles that their brush may not be able to get. It's very important that you brush before bedtime because sugar can linger on your teeth causing decay, and you don't want that! Remember to replace your toothbrushes at least every 3 months as well.

Schedule an Appointment with Your Dentist
If you are due for a cleaning, this is the best time to schedule that appointment. You should see your dentist at least twice a year so that your dentist can catch any problems before they happen. You may even be able to turn in some of those candy for a special treat!


Do Your Part
If you are going to be the one at home passing out candy, pass out "smile friendly" treats such as sugar free candy or even sugar free gum. We are even passing out little hello bubble gum mini toothpaste this year as a way to say "take care of your teeth". Also limit how much candy your little ones can eat at one sitting. As with everything, moderation is key.

Let this year be a cavity free year for your little ones and don't forget to get your hello products at your local Target or Walmart.

Listening is the term used to accurately hear what someone is saying and be able to interpret their words properly. In order to fully communicate with another person you must have excellent listening skills or else you end up being someone who simply is unable to communicate fully. While many feel they listen perfectly fine, there actually are some ways we all struggle with fully listening to someone during a conversation and today we will share some ways you can improve your listening skills so that you become a more effective listener.

Developing a positive attitude can really help to push you forward when life gets to be too much. Positive thinking isn’t something that fully happens overnight, but it can start with today. Life is tough for everyone. There are trying times that make you want to wave the white flag in surrender. We get it. That can happen to the best of us.

If you are ready to open your mind up to the possibility of positive thinking changing your life for the better, then please read on to learn how positive thinking can change you.

It's currently fall but I'm already thinking about winter. While I'm not a fan of the cold temperatures, I'm however a fan of snow. I love the snow and having the kids build snowmen and make snow angels. I've even been known to join in the snow angel fun. However, for some, winter may bring on a case of extremely bored kids, but there are a few ways to deal with that. Today I want to share with you some ways to get creative, with this list of fun activities to do in the winter with your family, as a means to enjoy the winter break that will be arriving soon and the season as a whole.

Whether you are a frequent Walt Disney World Resort visitor, or you are planning your very first trip – adding one of many Disney World tours to your vacation may be the bit of extra magic you are looking for. There is something available for all ages and interests. Most require Theme Park admission in addition to the tour cost, but not all. A tour at a resort can be a great way to spend a ‘non-park’ day during your visit. Get plenty or rest, remain hydrated, lace up your comfy walking shoes, and get ready to learn! Here are some of the delightful Walt Disney World Resort tours.

This Halloween season, for just one month Disneyland Park will get a makeover, as a strange and spooky atmosphere creeps over and Disney characters will leave guests amused, spooked and surprised. In all their finery, Disney Villains will meticulously prepare their most spectacular tricks to tease guests, but fear not as Mickey and his friends will still be around, so expect pranks and chuckles from them as well!


FROM A JOYFULLY FUNNY ATMOSPHERE…

From 1 October to 2 November 2016, Disneyland Park will run on laughter and shivers.

Despite allowing the Disney Villains to plunge guests into a spooky realm, Mickey and friends will also be on hand to make mischief at Disneyland Park. Mickey, along with his fellow adventurers, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Scrooge McDuck and many more will be celebrating the harvest at Mickey’s Halloween Celebration1. Bursting with color and fun, the parade is the climax of the seasonal celebration, which takes a villainous turn soon enough.


Also, to make the most of the celebration, head to the Halloween Costume Corner1 to discover the costumes Daisy is showcasing for the occasion. Stitch also promises to make a few appearances to create a spectacularly mischievous Halloween for guests. Guests can expect to meet plenty of Disney Characters for monstrously funny souvenir photos.

TO A SIMPLY CHILLING UNIVERSE…

Then it is showtime for the Disney Villains…

Maleficent, queen of the Disney Villains will take control of Castle Courtyard, claiming it as Maleficent’s Court1. A fearsome fairy will pose beside her unnerving bramble bush: a captivating encounter for half-amused, half-frightened guests.

Maleficent’s spell will extend to the Royal Castle Stage where the Disney Villains will challenge the most audacious guests to attend their shows: It’s Good to Be Bad with the Disney Villains!  Jafar (Aladdin), Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians), as well as Gaston (Beauty and the Beast), the Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland), and Captain Hook (Peter Pan) will be there. The witch from Snow White, Frollo (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) and even Dr Facilier (The Princess and The Frog) will also be coming along to wreak havoc.


Guests looking for adventure will also love the Park attractions, which provide thrills throughout the year. The loops of Space Mountain: Mission 2, the frightening track of Indiana Jones  and the Temple of Peril and the delirious speeds of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith will send shivers down the spines of the most seasoned rollercoaster fan. For more unusual thrills, guests will be able to venture off towards The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. This aptly named attraction will have guests shrieking in terror as the elevator plunges down the abandoned shaft. One thing is certain; the view is worth the detour.

AND JITTERS AMONG THE PUMPKINS…

The Halloween spirit will stretch its ghostly arms throughout Disneyland Park, from Main Street, U.S.A. up to Sleeping Beauty Castle. Sinister and comical, Disney’s Funky Pumpkins (Disney’s unique sculpted and decorated character heads) will oversee this transformation, amusing and intriguing guests. Meanwhile, the smiling phantoms of the former inhabitants of Main Street, U.S.A. will invite guests to pose with them, allowing them to immortalize the moment.


The most daring guests can go to Castle Courtyard, which has been taken over by an impressive bramble bush. Its disturbing form, resembling a strange dragon, will change color when night falls, transporting guests to a mysterious world.

DISNEY’S HALLOWEEN PARTY

Finally, guests at Disneyland Park can enjoy the culmination of the season, Disney’s Halloween Party2 on 31 October 2016 until 1 am. When night falls, they will be able to continue to relish the atmosphere in the Park with fun, frights and surprises, as part of a unique and original experience at the mercy of Mickey and his friends and the tricks they have in store.

The Disney Villains will be happier than ever, determined to provide thrills and chills.

With humor, frivolity and a healthy dose of mischief, Halloween will make guests laugh and tremble at Disneyland Paris, from 1 October to 2 November 2016.


For entry to the party, a wristband is issued upon presentation of a valid evening ticket. The party may be changed, postponed or cancelled without prior notice, particularly in the vent of inclement weather. Parking not included in the price of the entry ticket.

EUR 45 per person, free for children under 3. Entry to Disneyland Park after 5 pm for holders of a valid evening ticket.

As you may be aware it’s completely normal for a marriage to fall out of that honeymoon phase and return into this regular life of living the motions. With raising kids, holding careers and paying bills it’s no wonder the spark diminishes a little. This is completely normal and it doesn’t have to be the end of your marriage, here are 5 ways to fall in love with your spouse all over again as a means to push forward living life together …

The most memorable day of your life has come and gone, that day you said “I do” to the love of your life, the person with whom you had envisioned the rest of your life with. Getting married is probably one of the most uplifting and heartfelt days of your life. Then life happens. You get married, buy a house, get a career and have children. It’s no wonder so many marriages start to feel like a disgruntled employer and employee relationship. Many times a marriage consists of at least one working spouse and one spouse that predominantly tends to the children and household duties. While this works well for some, it may not work well for everyone. There are some simple ways to make your marriage last, and they won’t take a lot of effort either:

Too many people jump right into marriage because they are high on love and that euphoric feeling that comes with falling in love. What few realize is that the euphoric feeling wears off and time will soon become mundane. Life will become very routine driven and the demands placed upon you as the marriage grows will too grow. If you really want to ensure that your marriage will be everlasting, then read on to learn the 5 things every couple must discuss before marriage.

We're only a few days away from Halloween! Can you believe it? Last year we shared with you two great Halloween books for kids, and today we want to focus on three more. I like reading books with my little one and finding the perfect books for the season can be tough at times. However, these three picture books are perfect spooky fun reads for your little ones ages 3-6.
             
   

I have been trying to live a much healthier lifestyle. This past year has been really hectic and just filled with.... I'm trying to find the perfect word to use here. Let's call it strife. While I've had a fun filled year, filled with trips to Europe and visits to the "Happiest Place on Earth", Disneyland, both in Paris and California, I've also had some not so happy times. You may have noticed that I've been absent lately here. That's because I lost a family member very dear to me. I originally started this post and I revamped it completely because of that loss. Today I want to tell you that you really don't know how long you have with a loved one so cherish every moment, and don't forget to tell them that you love them. You never know when you'll ever get that chance again. With all that said, you also need to focus on your own health and wellbeing. That's why I have been drinking my Daily Greens.

Fall, lovely fall, one of my favorite season, because it's not too hot and it's not too cold. I love the colors of fall, and there's no place like Colorado to celebrate it. We recently decided to take a trip up to the mountains to look at the beautiful Colorado Fall Colors. It's when the trees change colors and you can see a sea of yellow, oranges and reds, or maybe just a sea of yellow as shown below. People travel from far and wide just to witness our colors and I don't blame them, because it's beautiful! You may notice that when fall comes around, we tend to eat more comfort foods, and one of those comfort foods that I just love and my entire family also loves is Quaker Oats. I grew up eating Quaker Oats and I remember my mother making oatmeal in the mornings for breakfast before I headed off to school. In the Caribbean we would call it "porridge", and it was usually our go to breakfast meal. It was filling and you know that you were getting a great meal. Now that I'm older and have my own family, I always keep Quaker Oats on hand, whether they be the original or instant, they're a must have in my own pantry.


I've also been trying to eat a lot healthier as well. On my recent checkup with my doctor, I found out that my cholesterol was elevated and that I may also be diabetic. I have a follow-up visit in my very near future, but I know that I will have much better news. For one, I was traveling quite a lot this year. I've visited 2 countries and three states in 6 months and it took it's toll. I gained over 30lbs and I ate very unhealthy. Now I'm back on track, and Quaker Oats is there to help me with my dietary needs. Did you know that Oats are considered a super grain and has been part of daily morning rituals for more than a hundred years? I know it has to be true, because my mom died at the age of 72 and I'm 40, so I've been eating it for at least 36 of that, because I would get it for breakfast before school and I started at the age of 4.


Oats are very versatile and there are so many endless possibilities, and so many different ways that you can incorporate it into your day. My kids just LOVE overnight oats and you can make that any way you feel. My favorite is strawberry and bananas overnight oats. However, with me now working out and trying to live a much healthier lifestyle, I decided to make my very own Homemade Pumpkin Spice Granola. With this being "Oatober", what's better than incorporating a little bit of pumpkin that we've all come to associate fall with.

Dry Ingredients

2 cups Quaker Oats
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup raw walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup dried mango, chopped
1/4 cup coconut sugar
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/8 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/3 cup melted coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup


Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325°F.

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Add the dry ingredients to a large bowl and stir to combine.

Add the wet ingredients to a separate bowl and whisk until smooth.

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and stir until evenly coated.

Pour the mixture onto your prepared baking sheet and spread it out evenly.


Place the pan in the oven on the middle rack.

Bake for 15 minutes, rotate the pan, and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges.

Remove the pan from the oven and let it sit on the counter for at least 30 minutes to cool. The granola will crisp up as it sits.

When the granola has cooled off, break it up into pieces.


Notes:

Homemade granola is incredibly easy to make! This version has all the flavors of fall and is loaded with protein, fiber, and nutrients. Grab a handful as a snack, or sprinkle it over ice cream, yogurt, or even pancakes for extra crunch!

You can change up the ingredients, however you like. Some yummy additions would be dried fruit (other than mango), shaved coconut, or even mini chocolate chips. You can also change up the nuts to whatever you like or omit them altogether if you have an allergy.

If you don't have pumpkin pie spice, you can use 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, 1/8 teaspoon cloves, and 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg. And if all you have is cinnamon, that's fine too!

Enjoy!


For more information about Quaker Oats, the brand’s latest innovations and recipe ideas, visit Quaker Oats on their:

I love entertaining. Surprised? Yes, while I'm an introvert, there are times when I feel the need to have friends and family around. Usually those times include birthday parties and sometimes when I just need some adult time from having all the kids around. There are, however, times when I'm the one being invited to a party and I never go anywhere empty handed. Whether it's taking an appetizer or a bottle of wine, the get together is always better when you arrive with something for the host, or everyone there. Here's a general rule of thumb that you should always live by, NEVER go to a get-together empty handed. If you're running out of ideas on what appetizer to take, my Bacon Wrapped Sausage Poppers, made with Klement's Cheddar Summer Sausage always go over well.


I'm a really big fan of the Klement's brand, can you tell? You may remember that I recently spiced up my mom's mac n cheese with their Garlic Summer Sausage. The kids just loved it and now request it frequently. If you don't remember my post, you can check it out here. It is very easy to make and you can include the kids. I've found that when the kids help out in the kitchen they tend to enjoy the meal more. We just love the taste of Klement's sausages. Whether it's their bratwursts or their snack sticks which the kids just love, the taste is exceptional and there's a reason for that.


Klements Sausage Company has been in business for 60 years and they know all about sausages. Their sausages are all perfectly seasoned, using only the finest ingredients. We are talking about sausages that has been made with recipes that have been passed down through generations making their business a success. I am usually able to pick up my Klement's Sausages at Walmart, but recently saw the biggest one yet at my local Costco. I already have plans for what I'm going to be making with that one.

However, let me give you my famous Klement's Cheddar Summer Sausage Bacon Wrapped Sausage Poppers. Here is what you'll need:


Ingredients

1 package of Klements Cheddar Summer Sausage
15 large Jalapeño peppers
2 pounds of sliced bacon
1 cup Cheddar, shredded cheese
1/4 cup of brown sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Dice your Cheddar Summer sausage into small bits - set to the side

Cut all the your Jalapeño peppers in the center to make a large gap to stuff with.

Remove all seeds and  scrap off the ribs inside your peppers also.

Stuff each pepper half with the sausage

Now add your shredded cheddar cheese until full


Wrap each stuffed pepper with a slice of bacon.

Use toothpicks to secure the bacon on the top and bottom.

Place the bacon wrapped poppers on an oven safe rack over a baking pan that can catch the bacon grease as they cook.


Top each popper with brown sugar to give it a sweet taste.

Cook for 15-25 minutes or until bacon is brown and crispy.


You're going to be the life of the party and I would suggest you take as many as you can because they won't last long. While they say bacon makes everything taste better, in this case Klement's Sausage makes it taste exceptional!!

Disneyland! You and your family have been saving, planning, and anticipating the trip for months now. However, a trip with this much anticipation attached rarely goes as planned. Whether it’s longer-than-expected lines, kids’ tantrums, or someone going missing, Disneyland actually throws parents for a loop more often than not. Happiest Place on Earth or not, a day at Disneyland can be an exhausting ordeal.

However, as with most things, a little preparation can help things run smoother. Here are some tips for things that you can do to prepare for your trip effectively, and get the most out of your Disney day.

You may remember not too long ago I talked about how my lovely adopted state of Colorado, while considered to be one of the healthiest state in the United States is not so quite healthy when it comes to our kids. Most of you were surprised and even I was surprised when I first heard about it. Our kids are actually listed as number 24 in the nation in terms of the level of physical activity that our kids receive. An average of 55% of our kids don't get the physical activity that they require, thus making our kids not quite as healthy as the adults in our state. As a mother who has resigned herself to living in this beautiful state, and I have to admit that it is beautiful, I would LOVE for our kids to be healthier and it starts with us the adults. We need to take a stand and say NO MORE 24!