Read on to find out how I can now monitor my home from anywhere using the Hive View. If my kids thought I had eyes at the back of my head, now I actually do!


By now you should have seen a trend forming, I'm just in love with my smart home and all the smart devices that Hive has to offer. You can go back and read about how they made my Halloween even spookier, and how my Holidays was made so much more enjoyable. Now they've just outdone themselves with the Hive View, their brand new "smart" indoor camera.


I'm not a paranoid mother by any chance. I grew up in New York City so had gotten quite used to the noise and the daily sirens. However, when we moved to Colorado it was an entirely different ballgame. It's like comparing apples to peaches. Whereas Brooklyn was loud and noisy, Colorado Springs is very much the polar opposite: It's quiet, sometimes too quiet. We have amazing neighbors and even a neighborhood watch, but guess what? I also have children and pets. Children who are almost always up to no good and we all know the infamous "I don't know", or the "It wasn't me". I can't begin to tell you how many times there has been an accident and the "not me ghost" did it. Or the snacks mysteriously disappeared from the refrigerator and once again the "not me ghost" did it. Who else can relate? Well no more! The Hive View is a life saver and according to my kids a great "tattle tale".


Here are some details about the Hive View:

From the moment you open the box you can see how stylish your Hive View. In collaboration with industrial designer Yves Béhar, Hive View was made to fit seamlessly into your home and is available in both black & brushed copper (which I own) or white & champagne gold.

Set up is super easy. All you need to do is plug it in an available outlet and set it up in the Hive app via bluetooth on your mobile device. Once connected you can then livestream no matter where you are in the world via the app in 1080p HD. The video is clear and I was amazed at how well it picked up on the tiniest sound. I placed the camera upstairs and I could hear the kids speaking downstairs.

It even notifies you when motion or sound is detected by sending a notification to your smartphone. Since I have pets, I can choose what I want to see by setting my Hive View to only detect humans and ignore pets entirely.


The Hive View can be wall, shelf or magnetic mounted, but I personally prefer the magnetic mount so that I can easily take it from room to room. It's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, but the field of view is amazing! We're talking a wide 130° field of view. It allows me to see everything!

While you can keep the Hive View plugged in, it does come with a 1-hour built-in battery life for when you need to move it temporarily.


The Hive View is the next best thing in home security or if you're just looking for piece of mind. And I have a special offer for you.

For all AnnMarie John readers, Hive is offering a 10% discount. Simply use code: ANNMARIE10 and let Hive View give you that piece of mind.


This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hive. The opinions and text are all mine.

The holidays are over and the kids are back in school, however old man winter is here and he's here to stay with some states experiencing snowstorms and blizzards. I personally hate driving in wintery conditions, the roads can be hazardous, and if your vehicle isn't ready for the roads, I would suggest getting your vehicle winterized. Since winter generally lasts through the months of March, it's better to be safe than sorry.




I have done quite a few posts on prepping your vehicle for winter and for road trips, whether they are summer road trips or winter road trips. Vehicle maintenance is a big deal. Not only does undergoing routine maintenance help maintain the value of your vehicle, but you want to be sure that your vehicle is road trip ready and able to get you to your final destination, whether that may be to the supermarket or taking the kids to and from school. While there are a few things that you can do on your own, such as check your oil and coolant level, there are also some things that you should leave to a competent mechanic, and a mechanic you can trust.

My family currently drive German made cars and there are a few maintenance details that my husband insists that we get done at the dealership, but as most car owners know, dealership fees aren't always the cheapest and to be honest, most maintenance work can be done outside of the dealership, especially if you want to save money. That's why I want to introduce you to TECHNET.


TECHNET shops can provide for all your vehicle's needs, from an oil change, to new tires, routine maintenance, or any other variety of little fixes your car needs to be prepared for anything!
Why Choose TECHNET? 
Getting your car serviced at a local shop supports and strengthens your family's community. On average, 48% of each purchase at local independent businesses is recirculated locally, compared to less than 14% of purchases at chain stores.

Why Trust TECHNET?
By choosing a local, family owned, independent shop you can trust that they will take the time and care to service your vehicle with the safety of the community and your family in mind!


So how should you prep your vehicle for winter? Here are 4 things you should consider doing.

1. Replace your old wiper blades
While it's great to replace your wipers every six months, having brand new wiper blades, preferably winter blades can hep with ice build up. Be sure to stock up on winter windshield wiper fluid (which is freeze-resistant) and keep an ice-scraper on hand.

Your TECHNET mechanic can do all of the above when it comes to winterizing your vehicle and so much more. In the fall of 1997, TECHNET Professional Automotive Service was established to provide independently owned service centers the technical solutions, ongoing training, and business resources needed to advance their service centers; allowing them to help more motorists in their own communities. Today, TECHNET Professional Automotive Service, has grown into the TECHNET Nation, an extensive network of more than 9,200 Member shops across North America. TECHNET shops provide customers with dependable service and quality parts backed by a Nationwide Warrant, a Road Hazard Tire Protection Plan, and a Roadside Assistance Program. It's called "Confidence Delivered." For more information, visit TEHCNET and schedule an appointment with your local professional.

Once the New Year’s Eve celebrations have worn off, most of us head straight to the gym to get a jump on our health resolutions. It’s no secret that it’s the busiest time of year for most health clubs. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, though, you might find yourself outside on a frigid cold morning running laps around your local park.


It often seems funny to me that most of us renew our workout habits during a time of year that’s probably the most unpleasant for working out. Athletic injuries increase in the winter, and getting out into the cold in the mornings can be much more difficult in January than it is in June. However, we persist. And so, here are some tips to help you prevent injuries and get the most out of your wintertime workout. Remember, if you can pursue your healthy new habits for the next three months, springtime workouts will be easy!



1 - Will Running in Cold Air Hurt Your Lungs?

This is a really common concern among athletes in the wintertime, probably because most of us feel the cold’s affect at least once. Winter air might make your lungs feels restricted, your throat go dry, and even induce uncomfortable coughing fits. However, contrary to popular belief, the cold won’t actually hurt your lungs. Our bodies are built to regulate the temperature of air before it hits delicate internal organs, and they do a great job at it. Reports of actual damage have only been found in hardcore trainers in the Yukon, and to be honest, the temperatures you’re running in just don’t compare. The truth is that you’re much more likely to suffer from the lack of moisture than from the cold.


The dry winter air can irritate your throat, and even lead to cracking and dried-out tissue in your air passageways. In order to prevent this, it’s best to equip yourself with a scarf wrapped around your mouth, or a ski mask or balaclava that will be comfortable while you run. Not only does this help you to keep the air warm as you breathe in and out, but it will also assist in recycling moisture that escapes when you exhale.

Now, if you continue to be uncomfortable while running outdoors in cold temperatures, just find a new workout regime. Do cardio at the gym or in your home to avoid irritation from dry, cold winter air.

2 - What Constitutes an Effective Warm Up? 

Athletic injuries tend to spike during the wintertime, largely due to overworking cold muscles. The weather can also affect and inflame your joints, causing more pain and pressure that greatly affects your workout. In order to avoid this problem, you need to be aggressively proactive about your warm ups. Cold muscles can easily become strained when you transition from resting to working. In order to prevent injury, take measures to gradually work your muscles and increase blood flow throughout the body. Before you begin the strenuous part of your exercise routine, you should be able to feel heat radiating from within and be ready to start shedding layers. Here are some ideas to help your warmup be effective:

• Take a hot shower before your workout to loosen and warm muscles. 
• Do a series of exercises indoors before you head out. 
• Check out the sauna or steam room at your local gym or rec center in order to thaw cold muscles before your workout. Just make sure you’re not there long enough to get tired or dehydrated. Learn more here. 
• Wear warm layers that you can easily shed as you work out. 

3 - Why Does Hydration Matter More? 

As mentioned above, your lungs are more likely to suffer from the dryness than from the cold. The rest of your body can feel major effects from winter dehydration too. It’s more difficult to get good circulation and an effective warm up if you’re not properly hydrated, and dehydration also greatly increases the recovery time needed after a workout.

What most people don’t realize is that during winter, the indoors can be just as dry as the outside. Heating systems sap moisture and condensation gathers at windows and walls, leaving the middle of a room extremely dry.


So, even though you may not be sweating in the same way you do in summer, it’s just as important to drink plenty of water during your winter workout. Drink small amounts consistently throughout the workout, and make sure to load up on water before and after.

It seems like there’s something in the news every week about drugs and alcohol, be it the ongoing opioid overdose epidemic, the debate about the legalization of marijuana, or a story about a crash caused by a drunk driver. Our impressionable teens are inundated with this stuff more so than we are, since they’re up against peer pressure in addition to everything coming at them through the media.




National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week® (NDAFW) runs January 22nd through the 28th this year, and its sole purpose is to bring teens and experts together to debunk myths about substance use and addiction. Because teens get a lot of misinformation online, on TV, in movies, through music and friends, there’s a lot of damage to undo in only one week’s time. Community-based, SHATTER THE MYTHS® events taking place during NDAFW create a safe place for teens to ask questions about drug and alcohol use, without judgment or lectures.


You can get involved in a few really easy ways. Start by downloading the Drugs: Shatter the Myths booklet for free. It answers teens’ most frequently asked questions and shares insight on both drug and alcohol facts.

A more interactive resource is the “National Drug & Alcohol IQ Challenge.” It’s a 12-question, multiple choice quiz that anyone can take to test his or her knowledge about drugs. Take it for yourself, and use the results to start a conversation with your teen. I thought I knew it all, yet I scored an 8 out of 12. I actually was happy to learn I was wrong about a few things, like the number of teens drinking alcohol these days. Still other answers were a little discouraging and proved I need to brush up on my facts!

The “Family Checkup” resource is really helpful and covers any wall you may come up against when communicating with your teen. It gives parents research-based skills to help keep kids drug-free. It’s comprised of several questions like, “Are you able to calmly set limits when your teen is defiant?” If your answer is no, the site gives you tons of practical advice (including videos) for how to stay calm and successfully set limits.

Here are a few Marijuana: Facts Parents Need to Know:

Teens are more likely to use marijuana than cigarettes. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, most high school seniors don’t see marijuana use as being very harmful, but they disapprove of using it regularly.

Nearly 1 in 3 high school seniors say they’ve used e-vaporizers in the past year, raising concerns about long-term health effects.


Misuse of all prescription opioids among 12th graders has dropped dramatically, despite high overdose rates in adults.

What to do if your teen has a problem with drugs:
If you think your teen has a problem with drugs or alcohol, ask a professional for help. You can either bring your child to a doctor to be screened for signs of drug use and related health conditions (verify that the doctor is skilled in these areas before making the appointment.), or you can contact an addiction specialist directly.  There are 3,500 board-certified physicians who specialize in addiction in the United States. Click here to find one near you.

Learn more about National Drug & Alcohol Facts Week

As parents, we go to great lengths to protect our children, and safeguarding their teeth should be no different. Because of the sensitivity and thinness of baby enamel, tooth decay can spread quicker than you realize. It is best to develop a relationship with a pediatric dentist that you trust to prevent it from happening or catch it early if it does.


When a Child Should Have Their First Dental Appointment
The time to visit the dentist varies depending on when their adorable little teeth start moving through their gums. Many dentists recommend to schedule their first dental appointment right after their first birthday or when their first tooth comes in, whichever comes first. Having a clear understanding of what is going on with your child’s oral hygiene and how you can improve is vital for their overall health.

How Often Does My Child Need to Go to the Dentist?
The experts say every six months is best for the child. It may seem like a hassle to go so often, but a cavity can easily form in between visits, and since most cavities form between baby teeth, you might not detect any issues during your nightly dental ritual. Children who are at a higher risk for cavities may visit the dentist more often, as much as every three months for preventative visits.


Why So Often?
These are some of the reasons to keep up those visits for years to come:

Prevention Is Better (and Cheaper) Than a Cure
Prevention is your best friend. It is going to save you time, money, and stress. Going for their check-ups is critical in catching the drama early to help you out. Things can happen to our children in the blink of an eye. Tooth decay and the pain that comes with it is scary but preventable. The pediatric dentist is a link in the chain of preventative care along with nutrition and hygienic practices.

To Build a Rapport With the Doctor
It is also good to have your child visit often so that they do not develop a fear of the dentist. When they are little, they are more open to new and sometimes uncomfortable experiences. As they get older, it can be difficult for them to cope with the mere thought of going to the dentist to fix their teeth and stop the pain.  Generally, preventive visits are positive experiences for children.


To Promote Healthy Permanent Teeth
Their baby teeth will fall out, but they are still crucial for the health and condition of the permanent teeth as they come in. Worst case scenario is that an abscess forms and could damage the incoming tooth, or cause serious infection.  Baby teeth also allow your child to eat, speak, develop the jaws, and hold space for adult teeth. The dentist works to catch any issues before they become a problem as well as promote healthy development as new teeth come in.

Do the research you need to keep yourself prepared for any issues. As parents, we are very busy with making a living and feeding their bottomless stomachs, but it’s the job we signed up for. Protecting their bones and teeth is no different.

Bio: Dr. Jarod Johnson of Arctic Dental, a provider of pediatric dentistry in Muscatine, is committed to the care of family oral health with an emphasis on children from birth through adolescence.