A new year has begun and most of us have made resolutions, resolutions to live healthier and happier lives. While I haven't personally made any resolutions this year myself, one of my goals this year is to lose the weight that I have gained over the holidays and even before that. I have made it my business to eat better and also for my kids to eat better than they did last year. I'm big on snacking and I always have a snack or two for my kids, not just for school and after school, but also for when we're on the road. I always make sure to head to my local Sam's Club and pick up whatever I need. One of those better for us snacks just happens to be Annie’s® Popcorn Snack Packs and Honest® Kids Organic Juice Drink. Believe it or not, they're better for me and my little monsters, as I like to call my kids sometimes. I keep a package or two in my car and they're also in Madison's lunch box whenever she goes to school. I feel good knowing that I'm providing her with snacks that are better for her and best of all they taste great.


Madison goes to school on a daily basis and is at that age where there is still snack time. Last year I had problems trying to figure out what to put in her lunch box. Everyday it seemed like it was the same thing. This year I wanted a bit of variety but I also wanted snacks that were good for her. When it comes to my kids lunch boxes, having Annie® Popcorn Snacks and Honest® Kids Organic Juice Drink in there was a win-win. I felt good knowing that they were eating and drinking better snacks, and they were getting snacks that they also loved. They were the perfect lunch box solution! Not only are they better, but they're also convenient too. They're a great pick me up and are also perfect for our family movie and game nights.

With this however, being a brand new year, if you're looking for better snacks that aren't packed with sugar and you're looking for ways to be a better you, I have a few tips for you.


1. Stop Putting It Off. Start Now!
Your first step to a better you is to start now! Stop putting it off by making every excuse that you can think of. However, start off slowly, don't just rush into it, and make little gradual changes. It's easier to make small changes gradually than big changes all at once. Hit the gym maybe twice a week and then work your way up to 5.

2. Get Moving
Make physical activity a part of your daily routine. If you have a pet, instead of telling your kids to take the dog out for a walk, you do it instead. Go for brisk walks early in the morning and again in the afternoon. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Get off the bus a stop or two away and walk to your home. Once again do this gradually, but just do it!

3. Eat Regularly
Now this one is very important. Most people like to skip a meal or two thinking that it will help with weight-loss, but au contraire. Skipping meals usually ends up with you overeating because you're hungry. Eat smaller portions, but don't skip. Snacking between meals can also help but be sure to count your calories. That's why I just LOVE the Annie's® Organic White Cheddar Popcorn. It is Organic and made with 100% cheese, it's naturally gluten free and made with whole grains. There are no artificial flavors, synthetic colors or preservatives and I get less than 75 calories per cup.


4. Hydrate
We all need water to survive and it's recommended that you drink at least 8-8oz glass of water a day. Once you start getting active you also want to replace the water you lose when sweating. Carrying around a water bottle is a great way to remember to drink your daily requirement. However, a lot of people, including me don't really like drinking water. My kids don't either, so I make sure that I have the Honest® Kids Organic Juice Drink around. They are USDA Organic and sweetened only with fruit juice. They're also available in delicious flavors such as Berry Berry Good Lemonade, Goodness Grapeness, Super Fruit Punch and Appely Ever After. I get 100% daily value of vitamin C and only 30 calories per juice box.

5. Sleep
Make sure that you're getting your recommended sleep at night. It's recommended that you sleep at least 7-8hrs at night. Personally I can survive on 5 but getting enough sleep goes a long way at making sure your body is well. Did you know that you actually lose weight while you sleep? So go ahead, sleep more at nights.

So whether you're looking for a better lunch box solution this year for your kids, or looking for better alternative snacks for yourself, head to your local Sam's Club and pick up Annie’s® Popcorn Snack Packs and Honest® Kids Organic Juice Drink, they're definitely better for you and your kids will love them!

Let's discuss: Have you tried Annie’s® Popcorn Snack Packs and Honest® Kids Organic Juice Drink?

Share some love and bring a smile to your love one's faces this Valentine's Day with Teleflora's handmade with love bouquets.


Valentine's Day! It's the one day that most flowers are delivered to spouses, girlfriends and everyone that you love. This is my 2nd year celebrating Valentine's Day without my mother whom I lost 2 years ago. I would send her flowers on Valentine's Day because she was my love, and she also loved me unconditionally and she was also the only mother that I would ever have. My mother-in-law, who I considered my other mother, also receives flowers and she gets excited when she does. There's nothing quite like surprising a loved one with flowers from Teleflora. These floral bouquets are professionally arranged by a florist that is local to your area. They are freshly cut, carefully prepared and handmade with love. You know when you get a bouquet from Telefora that they are going to be fresh. I love receiving them to use as decor for my entry way table and their aromatic fragrances just delight your senses as soon as you walk in the door.


I have had to wait on occasion sometimes 3 days for my bouquet to fully bloom but when it does, it's amazing! I am no good at taking care of flowers, but it seems like Teleflora's bouquets just seem to take care of themselves. They just seem to last forever and they look great even after a week or two. If you're into flower pressing, then these are just the bouquets you need to do the job. I have quite a collection of pressed flowers from former bouquets that I have received from Teleflora that are just awesome. Can you tell how much I love them? Enough about me! If you're considering surprising someone you love this Valentine's day, by giving them that will make them smile and think of you, take a look at Teleflora's 2017 floral collection and their keepsake containers.


Teleflora’s Shining Heart Bouquet
This beautiful bouquet comes straight from the heart. It's ceramic keepsake vase is adorned with a sparkling rhinestone heart and combines a vibrant mix of  red roses, purple alstroemeria, red carnations, huckleberry and other lush floral stems. What better way to say "I Love You" than with this keepsake.

I had a choice of bouquets to choose from and I chose this one. I have never been disappointed ever in a Teleflora bouquet and this was no exception.

Teleflora's Love’s Passion Bouquet
The name speaks for itself, this is a bouquet filled with passion and romance. Just look at that elegant, luscious twisted red glass design. It's the perfect vase for your sophisticated lady. This bouquet will surely spice up your night by catching your Valentine's attention. With classic red roses, tulips and white Asiatic lilies, it's an unforgettable symbol of love.

Teleflora’s True Lovelies Bouquet
Looking to surprise you Valentine sweetheart and make their heart dance? This particular bouquet will not only delight, but it'll let them know that they are truly loved. This bouquet dazzles with red roses, delicate pink alstroemeria, seeded eucalyptus, and other fresh blooms, and is delivered in a pretty pink feminine keepsake vase, with gold metallic script message that reads "loved".


Teleflora’s Swirling Heart Bouquet
How about celebrating a friendship or that special family member that is closest to your heart? Then this charming floral bouquet will surely brighten their day and make them smile. Just check out the glazed stoneware container with it's intricate heart design. It's a keepsake that they'll cherish forever. This bouquet is filled with dark pink and red roses, dark pink and light pink miniature carnations and accented with fresh variegated pittosporum. I can think of so many ways to reuse this swirling heart cube container and I'm sure so will they, and whenever they see it, they'll be reminded forever of your love.


Teleflora has such a vast selection of bouquets and gift ideas and it may be difficult to choose your favorite, that's understandable. I always have a difficult time too. However, if you're still looking for flowers for your loved one, or flowers just to make that special someone in your life smile, then be sure to visit Teleflora. All of these bouquets are currently available on Teleflora and come in standard, deluxe or premium sizes.

With the big game fast approaching, I want to share with you some tips on how to get ready!


Game Day is big in our home. We get our jerseys together and we root for our favorite team on the big screen. Sometimes arguments ensue between friends because the other team is winning, but in the end everyone remains friends. Football while a competitive sport brings family and friends together. Today I want to share with you how you can get together for a game day without breaking the bank while enjoying some delicious goodness. Game Day isn't complete without food and drinks. As a matter of fact in order to have a successful Game Day event, you need to have what people like to eat and drink. Most of the time we have food catered but you don't have to break the bank. I teamed up with BabbleBoxx in order to bring you these delicious treats that you can serve at your own Game Day that your family and friends would enjoy.


Make Sure there are Chips and Nachos!
Game Day isn't game day without chips and nachos. Have a variety for the picky chip eaters. I was sent Garden of Eatin' Tortilla Chips and while I've never had them before I couldn't believe how delicious they were. I'm a big fan of organic snacks and these non-GMO organic corn tortilla chips were a hit. Available in both Nacho and Ranch, you have two flavors that you really can't go wrong with. The Ranch is made with buttermilk, garlic and onion, while the Nacho is made of farmhouse cheddar and paprika. These are USDA Organic, Gluten Free, Certified Kosher, Non-GMO and contains No artificial flavors or preservatives.

Don't Forget the Dip
Now that you have your chips and nachos, please don't forget your dip. There is nothing worse than forgetting your dip. You don't want to hear "where's the dip?", and nachos and dip go hand in hand! I have to suggest the skillet re-fried red beans dip by Better Bean Co Dips. If you're a fan of re-fried beans, then you're going to love this. Made in small batches with regional ingredients in a dedicated kitchen free of top allergens, think of it as being made in your very own kitchen. It tastes like homemade too. Don't think of it as being only for your nachos, they are very versatile and you can eat it with practically anything, from eggs to just right out the container, because it comes ready to eat, they're just better beans for you. They're also Vegan, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Non-GMO Project Verified, BPA-Free.

For a Buy One Get One Free Coupon, store finder & game-day recipes visit: www.betterbeanco.com/superbowl

Think Burgers!
Now you want something a little heavier as well. Something that will keep their mouth busy and their tummies a little bit fuller. While we have our chips and dips, you're going to want to have something like burgers to compliment their snacks. If you've never had Big AZ Sandwich then you're totally missing out. I got the BIG AZ Cheeseburger, AZ Kickin’ Jalapeño Cheeseburger, BIG AZ Country Fried Chicken Sandwich and BIG AZ Biscuit Stacker. I couldn't decide which one I wanted to try first. Loving everything spicy, I decided to give the Jalapeño Cheeseburger a try. What a mouthful of flavor it was. Packed with tasty pepper jack cheese, my favorite and jalapeños between a delicious bun, you're going to love it! The Big AZ Cheeseburger, is one massive protein packed beef patty topped with American cheese in a sesame bun is perfect for the big guy in your life. Love Country Fried Chicken, the you'll love the Big AZ Country Fried Chicken Sandwich, which has a huge crispy breaded chicken made with breast meat,  topped with creamy white cheese also within a sesame seed bun. It's a chicken lover's paradise. The BIG AZ Biscuit Stacker™is not to be ignored. It starts with a fluffy protein packed egg, topped with melty American cheese and they've also added their savory signature sausage and bacon for extra added protein, and who can truly resist bacon. This all between their homestyle mouth watering buttermilk biscuit.  A Game Day celebration truly isn't complete without an Big AZ Sandwich.

For a $1.00 OFF Coupon visit www.bigazsandwiches.com/coupon/


Have Something to Wash it All Down With - AKA Drinks
Now while the kids at your game day celebration will have their juice boxes and or maybe even soda, the big kids or as they liked to be called, ADULTS, want something a little bit stronger. I'm a big fan of beer. I grew up in the Caribbean where we made exquisite beer and my love of it developed there. If you're looking for a classic, all-malt lager that's crisp, smooth, and refreshing, look no further than Sessions Premium Lager. Winner of multiple gold medals at the top national and international competitions, Session Premium Lager is a beer that truly crosses boundaries, from blue collar to white, red state to blue, cocktail bar to bar-be-que. It tastes great, which makes it easy to drink and comes in this retro cool bottle. Did you know that Sessions Premium Lager was named #1 American Pilsner on the “Top Ten List of lagers Brewed in the United States? Don't have a Game Day party without it!

Paper Plates / Paper Cups/ Napkins /Plastic Utensils
Unless you're from the stone age and your family/friends are cavemen, you're going to need to have something for them to place all this deliciousness on. Paper plates and cups are the best way to serve food at any party. Not only does it make clean up a breeze but they're also better for the environment since they are biodegradable. Plastic utensils are also recyclable thus better for use as well. While participating in your game day activities, you still want to think about our planet Earth.


Enjoy your big game and remember, there's always next year if your team doesn't make it.

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and it's not just about candy and flowers. Learn how you can explain Valentines's Day to your kids.


Valentine’s Day is a fun and simple holiday for children to celebrate, but the origins of the day are actually pretty complicated. While the roots of Valentine’s Day are murky, born of both pagan and Christian traditions, the common thread is love, and that’s an easy theme for kids to get behind. Here’s how to explain Valentine’s Day to kids.

Side note for parents: The notion of a man named Valentine delivering love notes far and wide isn’t exactly true, and written Valentine’s Day cards didn’t even surface until the 1400’s, but the day slowly evolved into an opportunity to send cards to loved ones, and then expanded into yet another gift-giving holiday.  Today, an estimated one billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent out each year, and more than $19 billion are spent on the occasion…and the holiday isn’t even celebrated worldwide! (Only the U.S., France, Australia, Mexico, Canada and the United Kingdom celebrate it.)

It seems the best way to teach kids the meaning of the holiday is to emphasize the idea of love, and to take the following approach:


Take stock in those we love. Help your child make a list of everyone he loves. Explain that love comes in many forms, not just the kind shared between parents! Ask him to think of different kinds of love. For example, he might say he has a little crush, he loves his dog, he loves his friends, and that he loves his grandma. You can talk about gratitude during this conversation, too. In this way, you can include all of the people he may be grateful for in the list of those he loves. (His teacher and his babysitter might fit here.)

Give tokens of affection from the heart. After the two of you have compiled a list of recipients, help your child come up with small gifts she can make to express her feelings toward her loved ones.  Baking cookies, and making cards or crafts might make the brainstorming list. Getting your child involved in the process of thinking for herself, preparing to make a gift, shopping for the supplies and then putting her time, energy and love into making the item will help her comprehend the holiday better than if you do it all for her.


Learn to enjoy making other people happy. After working so hard, your little one will probably be excited to deliver his gifts and see the reactions of the recipients. Lead by example by doing the same for some of your own friends and family, and letting him see the smile on your face as you give to others. This might also be a good opportunity to teach your child to give to others without getting anything in return, especially when giving anonymously to charities. Why let Christmas be the only time your child helps you donate to others? In this way, you are reinforcing the lesson that there are many ways to express and celebrate love.

Save time with these Time Saving Dinner Hacks.


Picture this, your family seated around the dinner table having great conversations over a meal cooked special just for this moment that brings each of your days to an end. The almighty dinner time is a great time for families to reconnect as a unit and bond over a warm home cooked meal. The problem with dinner time is the cooking process involved, it can take away precious time from other responsibilities you may have. This is why today we are going to share some time saving dinner hacks as a means to free up some time so you can still enjoy that quality family time.


Buy Quick Cook Meats
Think about what recipes you will be cooking up for dinner, does it call for a specific meat or poultry item.  Purchasing thinner slices of meat or ground meat will make the cooking process go quicker and thus saving you time cooking dinner.

Use Foil for Lids
Don’t have a lid or can’t seem to find that proper lid for the pan you want to use for dinner tonight? No worries, keep some tinfoil on hand at all times. Tinfoil works great as a make shift lid for quick access to start cooking without the endless search through your cupboards.

Make Pasta in the Microwave
An easy dinner hack is to cook pasta in the microwave. Place pasta in a microwave safe bowl then cover with water about one inch. From there you start the microwave on about 10 minutes and let it cook. No dirtying extra pans and you can make the other portions of dinner while the pasta cooks up in the microwave.


Cook Extra Ingredients
If you are cooking something that has a base sauce or ingredients that you will be using in a different dinner later on in the work, cook extra! This is the perfect dinner hack to ensure you don’t have to go through the preparation process another night during the same week.

Plan a Make your Own Night
This is the perfect dinner hack to please everyone in the family unit. Setup a bar of food on the table to select from and allow each family member to make their own simple dish out of the ingredients, then sit down to enjoy dinner together.

Breakfast for Dinner
The most fun dinner hack ever is to just have a breakfast for dinner evening, think ahead by making pancakes that can be frozen while waiting for dinner then just toss them in the toaster or microwave oven before dinner time. Sausage, eggs, etc. all do well for a quick breakfast dinner option.


Wear Gloves When Cooking Meat
A time saving dinner hack is to wear rubber gloves when handling different kinds of raw meat. This alleviates the time involved in washing your hands over and over again. It’s a great way to work with multiple meats without getting yucky raw meat on your fingers too.

Shred Meat Faster
Making a recipe that calls for shredded meat such as chicken, turkey or maybe even pork? Use a handheld mixer to shred meat faster than by hand or using a couple forks. This is the perfect way to have meat shredded just right while saving time!