Who else is ready for Spring? I know that I can't be the only one ready for warm weather, flowers and sunshine. In the meantime I can make my home feel like spring with the Hive Active Thermostat. Read on to find out more.


I have a love/hate relationship with spring. I love the flowers, the budding trees, the weather and the sun, but hate what usually ensues. Allergies! It's still winter and our temperatures has been up and down. One day we're experiencing temperatures in the 70's and the next day it's in the 30's. When we moved to Colorado, we heard the saying "if you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes", and they weren't joking. The weather here can't seem to make up it's mind, however, I don't have to worry about what the temperature in my home is going to be. The Hive Active Thermostat ensures that my house is warm at all times. I grew up in the Caribbean so I relish the heat, and you can even find me wrapped up in a blanket fast asleep in the middle of summer in 90° weather. Yes I love it that much!


So how can the Hive Active Thermostat make your home feel like spring? 

The Hive Active Thermostat has features that not only makes your life easier, but will also have you wondering, why didn't you have a Hive Active Thermostat before. Features such as:

Setting daily schedules: We generally leave the house at a specific time each and every day, so my Hive Active Thermostat is set up where it turns itself off when we leave, and turns itself back on just about an hour before we get back home. That means that I can return to a home that is set at the optimal temperature that I want. Warm and springlike just the way I like it. This is a great way to conserve energy because you're only using it when needed.

Remote control from your phone: If it's an especially cold day and I'm out, and I want to get back before my schedule starts, I can control the temperature from my smartphone. This is one feature that is constantly in use. Now when I get home, once again the temperature is just right, and I'm comfortable no matter what the weather is outdoors.

Set vacation schedules: We recently went away on vacation last summer, and I may have mentioned this before, but when we got back our home was nice and cool, all because we had a vacation schedule set. It's the same in the winter time, you can tell your thermostat your vacation dates and your heating will go to sleep until you return from your trip. When you get back your home will be at the perfect temperature.

And guess what? Your Hive Active Thermostat works with Amazon Alexa.


SO WHAT IS HIVE YOU ASK?

Hive is a leading smart home brand in the UK that is currently now here in North America. They first offered the Hive Welcome Home pack, which lets people adjust their heating and air conditioning, lighting and appliances from wherever they are. They are now however offering four packs designed to meet the individual needs of each home including the Starter Pack, Heating & Cooling Pack and Close to Home Pack.

The plans include -

Hive Welcome Home Pack [$349.99 or $14.58 per month]

Hive Starter Pack [$199.99 or $8.33 per month]

Hive Heating & Cooling Pack [$229.99 or $9.58 per month]

Hive Close to Home Pack [$349.99 or $14.58 per month]



Let Hive smart products get your home just the way you like it. The Hive experience is all about making everyday life easier, allowing you the time and freedom to spend doing the things you love with the people you care about. And let the Hive Active Thermostat make your home feel like spring this winter.


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

Whether you’re a Florida resident with your own vehicle, or you’re a guest who’s flown in from out-of-state, you don’t actually need a car to get from Point A to Point B at Walt Disney World. Having your own vehicle might make things more convenient at times, but in other instances, it’s cost-prohibitive or just plain pointless. For the price you’ll pay for the entire vacation, why not take advantage of the transportation services Disney provides? Here, we’ll go over your options for getting around the Happiest Place on Earth without your own vehicle.



1. Disney’s Magical Express – If you’re flying into Orlando International and will be staying on Disney property, you can use the complimentary shuttle to get from the airport to your hotel. (The bus will also take you back to the airport at the end of your stay. Feel free to reserve one way or both.) Be sure to make a reservation to use this service in advance. Disney will send you a special luggage tag to secure to your checked bags ahead of time. Keep your Magic Bands in your carry-on or somewhere easily accessible.

Pro’s: 

• Your vacation begins the minute you step on the bus (which is nice, clean, comfortable, and plays a video as you ride along).
• Domestic passengers can bypass baggage claim entirely. Disney will make sure your checked bags make it to your hotel room. 
• You don’t need to worry about how you’ll get from the airport to your hotel because it’s taken care of, and finally…
• It’s FREE!

Con’s:

• You’ll be on someone else’s schedule. This means it might take a little while for the Magical Express itself to arrive back at the airport, and that it will take longer than the 30-minute drive to get from the airport to your hotel. Remember, this shuttle makes multiple stops to get everyone to their various hotels. You also need to be ready to leave your hotel 4 hours prior to your plane’s departure time on the day you leave.
• You won’t have immediate access to your checked bags. It can take 30 minutes to 3 hours after your arrival for your bags to show up. There have been reports of lost baggage, as well.

2. Disney Transportation (Buses, Boats, Monorails) – Transportation needs don’t end when you get to your hotel. There are more than 25,000 acres of land and waterways at Disney World, and Disney has a free system in place to get you absolutely everywhere you want to go without a car. If you don’t mind planning your day according to a schedule (that is typically a little behind), it’s a worry-free way to get around. Transportation begins about 60 minutes prior to the theme parks’ openings and continues 60 to 90 minutes after the parks close. You may need to take a combination of methods to get where you want to go, since the buses won’t take you directly to the front entrance of the Magic Kingdom and the monorails don’t run to every Disney hotel, for example.


3. The Minnie Van –  This adorable fleet of red vans with white polka dots takes guests anywhere they’d like to go on Disney property for a flat fee of $20. (It’s powered by Lyft.) This rate is often a better deal than using a traditional Lyft or Uber because the Minnie Vans come equipped with car seats and the drivers are Disney employees that do not accept tips. Consider it an all-inclusive price. These drivers will actually tell you about what you’re seeing as you’re riding to your destination, so it’s also a private tour. They’ll take you directly to your destination, as well, when Lyft or Uber can only get you close. Because paying $20 every time you want to go somewhere can really add up, it’s a great addition to your existing transportation plans.


If you really love your independence, you can rent a vehicle or call for a Lyft/Uber, but both of those options will cost you more than taking advantage of the transportation Disney provides. In the end, you’ll pay in either time or money. Consider which matters more to you when planning your vacation to the Happiest Place on Earth.

"When are we going to Chuck E. Cheese's?" is something I hear constantly from my kindergartener, and my response is always, "On the weekend". Now with their Rip It, Win It. Play It Instant Win Game, it's the perfect time to visit your nearest Chuck E. Cheese's.



Madison has been obsessed with Chuck E. Cheese's since we celebrated her 2nd birthday there, but we have been visiting Chuck E. Cheese's even before then. I remember when they first opened their doors in Brooklyn, NY., my older kids were so excited to visit and since then Chuck E. Cheese's has been a family fun staple in our household. It's an inexpensive way for the kids to decompress on the weekends, since it's free to visit, and because it's all indoors, there not much to worry about, including the weather.

Over the weekend, Madison and I and her friend visited Chuck E. Cheese's and had a blast. I happened to play their Rip It, Win It. Play It Instant Win Game and won a few prizes. Woohoo!


So what is the Rip It, Win It. Play It Instant Win Game? 

It's very simple and available through March 11, 2018. There are more than $27 million in prizes including a Game Room Makeover grand prize valued at $5,000, an Xbox One S console and Fandango promo codes as well as tickets and Play Pass Points!

• Just purchase one large adult-size cup at any Chuck E. Cheese’s location and claim your game piece.
• Every cup wins a prize!
• No purchase is necessary. If you’re unable to visit a Chuck E. Cheese's location, you can request a game piece by mail.

So how can you have fun at Chuck E. Cheese's? 

Before you go!
Did you know that you can get coupons for Chuck E. Cheese's before you go to the store? On the main page of their website, simply click on coupons and deals and find all the latest coupons for your store. There are coupons for food and drinks and even game points, the newest play to play games at Chuck E. Cheese's.

Just play
What better way to have fun that to just play! The games are all family friendly and entertaining for everyone. There are games for younger children, older children and adults alike. What's great is that you get rewarded for each game you play with tickets. You can see the joy on the kids faces when they play and win tickets, and Madison had such a big smile on her face.


Don't forget the food.
Chuck E. Cheese's does not disappoint in the food arena. The pizza is actually quite delicious and you can specialize your pizza, however the menu features more than pizza. There are wings, sandwiches and even a salad bar. There are food options for even the pickiest eater, and drinks all comes with free refills.


Collect prizes.
Remember those tickets that you get for playing games? Well you can cash in those tickets for fun prizes at the end of your visit. There are lots of small prizes, but if you would prefer a bigger prize and don't have enough tickets, then you can always save your ticket voucher for another visit. So not only do you get to play, eat and have fun, but you can walk away with a cool prize as well.


So how about taking the kids this weekend to Chuck E. Cheese's for a weekend of fun? And don't forget to play their Rip It, Win It. Play It Instant Win Game where every cup is a winner!

Visit Chuck E. Cheese’s website to learn more at http://bit.ly/RipItWinIt.


This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Chuck E. Cheese's. The opinions and text are all mine.

A family vacation to Walt Disney World doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, you can save money and enjoy all the perks that Disney has to offer by staying at one of the Value Resorts. (Disney hotels are sorted into tiers with Deluxe Resorts being the most costly, followed by the Moderate Resorts, and finally by the Value Resorts. These designations give you an idea of price, available amenities, and proximity to theme parks.) No need to worry that you won’t get that same level of Disney customer service or that you’ll miss out on a magical experience. Here’s all you need to know about the Disney Value Resorts:


The Value Resorts you can choose from are the All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, and the Pop Century resorts. Each of these resorts offers whimsical theming, complete with towering characters from the Disney movies we know and love, fun room décor, and playful pools. (Think tons of fab photo ops!) These brightly colored resorts are great for kids and kids-at-heart. Each resort has more than one pool, a jogging trail, and a playground. (The pools don’t have slides, but some have fountains and all of them offer a variety of poolside entertainment throughout the week.) Each has its own food court, pool bar, arcade, and gift shop as well.

Expect just the basics at a low price point. Most people who are staying at a Value resort are doing so for the price. (A quick search shows rooms in October of 2018 available for as low as $125 a night.) They don’t want to pay a small fortune for a room they will hardly spend any time in during their Disney vacations. Value Resorts are great for this reason. They are clean, comfortable and fun, with free WiFi and a mini-fridge in each room. The rooms open up to the exterior of the building, meaning you shouldn’t plan to sip your morning coffee on a private balcony. Instead, you’ll be overlooking a courtyard or pool and it’s possible that pool will be filled with noisy guests. (Honestly, I have never had any issues with noise at any Disney pool.)



The Art of Animation is considered a “Value Plus” Resort. This property consists of mostly family suites that have two bathrooms, a kitchenette, a separate bedroom, and a sleeper sofa plus a Murphy bed. (The suites sleep 6 adults.) They’re highly themed with the choices being Cars, Lion King, or Finding Nemo. The Art of Animation has interior corridors and a better food court than the other Value Resorts, according to some guests. The Landscape of Flavors food court there does offer a wide variety of international and healthy options. This resort also has its own bus system, meaning the buses don’t stop at other resorts along the way. All other aspects of the Art of Animation are the same as the other Value Resorts, but you will pay more to stay there.

You’ll have access to all of the benefits that come with staying on Disney property. These include free parking at all of the Disney World parks; free Disney transportation via bus; the ability to charge food and retail items back to your room using your magic bands; package delivery so you don’t have to haul your purchases around the theme park all day; free use of Disney’s Magical Express (airport transportation); the ability to make advance dining reservations up to 180 days prior to your stay and FastPass+ selections up to 60 days prior; and finally, you’ll still get to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours.

My son Kyle is a basketball superstar, or at least he likes to think of himself that way. However, as a basketball mom and a former military member, I know a thing or two about head injuries and would always worry whenever he had a game. Now I have a lot more peace of mind with 2nd Skull®.



If you're a sport mom, whether it be basketball or football, or any sport for that matter, one of our worry is that our child would be hurt while playing. Head injuries are by far the most dangerous. Head injuries can lead to concussions, which can also lead to death, and that is something we want to avoid at all cost. While helmets have proven effective, an extra layer of protection can't hurt, can it? Kyle plays a sport where he doesn't use a helmet, and have bumped heads with other players while trying to perform a dunk into the hoop, or even while trying to steal the ball. After every game, especially after an accident I would ask "are you alright?", "does your head hurt?". So when given the chance to experience the 2nd Skull® Band, I was excited. Kyle, not so much. Not only does he not like taking photos, but he couldn't see how a "headband" (his words), could really help. Boy is he choking on his words now!


When the 2nd Skull® Band arrived, I was really impressed with the design and even tried it on my own head, and was amazed at how comfortable it was. Here is what you should know about 2nd Skull®.

2nd Skull® is the manufacturer of a patented protective skull cap that fits under helmets to improve safety and mitigate the impact of blows to the head.

I am all about products being manufactured in the U.S. Just having that U.S stamp makes me feel so much more comfortable about purchasing a product, and 2nd Skull® is manufactured right here in the good ole USA. Currently there is a skull cap and the band. The skull cap is a compressive, antimicrobial cap with an extra thin layer of XRD® Technology, an extreme energy absorbing material. This material is made with special urethane molecules that are soft and flexible at rest and then momentarily harden under sudden pressure. 2nd Skull® has conducted biomechanical testing at independent labs in North America and the United Kingdom that has shown the skull cap reduces both rotational and linear impact when worn under football and other athletic helmets.


Now it was Kyle's turn to give the 2nd Skull® Band a try and these were his words. "Wow, I like it. This would really work!". So I asked: "What do you like about it?' - to which his response was "I like how thick it feels, so if I bump into one of the guys I wouldn't feel it as much on my head."

That's what I wanted to hear! And also what most sport parents want to hear as well.

Since he doesn't use a helmet when playing basketball, the added protection from this stylish band gives me so much peace of mind. There is also moisture wicking for those sweaty games so it's not dripping down into his face, and best of all it stays in place when he's playing. It's also antimicrobial treated so that it doesn't stink, but when he's done, it's as simple as throwing it in the washing machine and it comes out clean once again.


2nd Skull is now his go to product whenever he's playing sports. Now those bumps to the head are not as terrible as they used to be since his 2nd Skull® absorbs the impact. You too can reduce those head impacts while your own kids play sports by purchasing either the 2nd Skull® Cap or the Band.


Scientists have not reached agreement on how the results of impact absorption tests relate to neck, head, or brain injuries, including concussions.  No conclusions about a reduction of risk or severity of neck, head, or brain injuries, including concussions, should be drawn from impact absorption tests.

So, your best friend is getting married, and you want to throw a party to celebrate this special time in her life. This is a great time to bond with your friends while making memories you can share forever. Unfortunately, money might be a bit tight after planning the wedding. No need to worry. Even on a budget, you can still have a wonderful time and throw a memorable party for your friend. Here are a few things you can do to plan a hen party on a budget.


Rent a Party House

Renting a party house can be a bit like going on a miniature vacation without having spent a lot of money. Along with providing hen party accommodation, they also feature a number of luxury services such as spa treatment and fine dining. Party houses can also be quite cheap once you split the costs between your friends. It’s one of the best ways to have a great time without spending a lot of money.

Have a Sleepover

Hosting a sleepover for the bride to be is a classic hen party idea. Simply get together with the girls, bring some snacks and some drinks, and spend the night talking and watching movies. You might even consider playing games like Truth or Dare. This way, you’re spending the night bonding with your friends, and the only money you’re spending is on food, drinks, and movies. You really can’t go wrong with that idea.

Go on a Night on the Town

This is another popular idea for hen parties. The trick to keeping costs low in this case is to stay local. You don’t have to drive across the country to have a good time. You can have plenty of fun just by hitting your local bars and clubs. Once again, you’ll find this to be a fairly inexpensive solution once you split the costs with your friends. It’s a great time to go out drinking, dancing, and celebrating your friend’s last night of single life.


Cocktail Party

Odds are, you’re going to want cocktails anyway. Why not try making them yourself? Cocktail making classes usually aren’t that expensive and making your own drinks can be a lot of fun. Or you could forgo classes completely and see what you and your friends come up with on your own. In this case, all you’ll be paying for is ingredients. With this idea, you can get your drinking done without spending too much money.

Camping

This idea isn’t for everyone, but neither is drinking and partying. If your friend isn’t into that lifestyle, then spending some time in the great outdoors can be a great alternative. It’s a quieter way to spend the time together, but some might consider it to be more fulfilling. Campsites generally aren’t that expensive, and some great memories can be made around the campfire. Don’t forget to bring the marshmallows.


As you can see, you don’t have to go broke to throw an unforgettable party for your friends. All it takes is a little creativity and careful planning. Most importantly, remember to have fun and stay safe.

Going green (and staying green) in order to protect our environment is now more important than ever before. Unfortunately, many people think that there’s nothing they can do, or that one person simply can’t do enough, which is far from the truth. Every little thing you do to preserve the environment matters, so start from your own home by making it more energy- and water-efficient. If you’d like to know how, here are a few tips that should help you.


Change your water-spending habits
If you want to save water in your bathroom, start by changing your own habits. Don’t let the water run while brushing your teeth, shaving, etc. Also, as relaxing as taking a bath is, it’s much more water-efficient to take shorter showers instead. Moreover, try not to run half-loads of laundry ‒ a full load means that you will not just wash more clothes at once but also conserve both water and money by doing so.


Install water-efficient fixtures
Another way to save water in your home is to install water-efficient fixtures, like low-flow shower-heads, aerators, and double-flush toilets. Most conventional shower-heads use around five gallons per minute, while low-flow shower-heads use less than two and a half gallons per minute. However, if you don’t want to sacrifice pressure for efficiency, there are also many new models that maintain the flow while still saving you the same amount of water. You should also insulate your heater and water pipes so they don’t cool off too fast.


Choose the right appliances
When it comes to saving energy, the best place to start is your kitchen. While most appliances tend to look pretty much the same, older appliances usually use a lot more energy than the newer ones. This is why you should replace your old kitchen appliances with the new ones ‒ just make sure to check for the Energy Star logo when buying. Moreover, you can’t go wrong if you opt for models made by reliable and quality brands, such as the well-known Electrolux appliances, which all come with the Energy Star logo.


Replace incandescent light bulbs
Instead of using the incandescent bulbs, try switching to the LED ones. They might cost a bit more initially, but they can last up to 12 times longer than the incandescent ones, which means that they will definitely pay off in the long run. Plus, the incandescent bulbs give off heat while turned on, so switching to LEDs can also help you keep your home cool during summer. If you can’t afford such an investment just yet, you don’t have to switch all the bulbs at once; replace as many as you can, mix them up a bit, and you’ll surely notice the difference.


Improve your home’s insulation
If you want all of the changes you make to really have an effect, you need to make sure your home is well insulated. If your home insulation is not good, you will be losing a lot of heat in the winter, and you will have much more trouble keeping your home cool during the summer. These things can cost you quite a lot, which is why good insulation is so important. There are many different techniques and types for insulating your home, so do your research, see which one fits you best, and don’t let your bad insulation cost you.

Plant more trees around your home
Proper landscaping around your house can protect your home from the intense heat during summer and chilly winds during winter. Tall trees provide plenty of shade during the hottest months, which will make your home much cooler and more comfortable. In winter, you will be protected from the wind, so you won’t have to spend as much energy for heating. The amount of energy and money you can save becomes even more noticeable if you start using energy-efficient appliances and have good insulation.


Making your home more energy- and water-efficient is not as hard as it might sound at first. You just need to follow a couple of simple steps, and you don’t even have to do everything overnight. Adjust to the changes at your own pace and in time, you will not only save water, energy, and money, but you will also do your part in saving our planet.

I may have mentioned this a few times, but one of our lifestyle goal for this year was to eat healthier, which meant for me and my family, eating less meat and more veggies, and the new Green Giant® Veggie Spirals has made it so much easier for us. My coconut curry shrimp veggie spirals was a hit with my household and I can't wait to share it with you today.



Personally, I don't consider our lifestyle change a resolution, but rather a goal. With a family history of hypertension and diabetes, engaging in a healthier lifestyle just seemed the best option.  However, eating healthier was not as easy as I thought it would be. While veggies are good for you, most of them are an acquired taste. Madison LOVES carrots and broccoli, the others she insists tastes "nasty". So how did I get my picky eater to eat her veggies? I would sometimes bribe her with a sweet dessert if she eats all or even some of her veggies, there may be threats that she would not be able to play her favorite game, or even a little "white lie" that may sound like this "well if you don't eat your veggies, you will never grow up and you'll be little forever". Lately, that hasn't been working, but now I'm no longer worried. Ever since I introduced Green Giant® Veggie Spirals I haven't had a problem. She thinks they are noodles and she absolutely enjoys pasta, so it works out to my advantage.


While pasta is ok in moderation, the Green Giant® Veggie Spirals is by far the best substitute. I have been substituting my pasta dishes with this product and I haven't missed pasta at all. The Veggie Spirals are made with 100% vegetables, and veggies only. There are no preservatives or any other ingredient that you have to worry about. Currently there are 4 different Green Giant® Veggie Spirals: carrots, zucchini, butternut squash and beets. For my coconut curry shrimp dish I used both the spiralized zucchini and carrots and it was amazing! Whenever my kids ask for seconds I know that I have a winning dish on my hands.


The cooking instructions are so simple. You can either sauté or microwave your spirals and they can be used in soups, salads, as an entree or even substituted in any dish where you use noodles. For my dish, I decided to use the microwave method to save time. If you have 20 minutes to spare, you can have a healthy, nutritious and delicious meal. This recipe does not disappoint.


Ingredients

1½ tbsp butter
1½ lb cooked shrimp
1 small onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch green onion, finely diced (save some for garnish)
2 tbsp curry powder
1 can coconut milk
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 lime, juiced
½ tsp crushed pepper (optional for kick)
1 pkg Green Giant® Veggie Spirals (Zucchini or Carrots made according to the directions on the package)



Directions:

(I used already cooked shrimp to reduce my cooking time, but you can use raw shrimp. Season your shrimp with your salt, black pepper, crushed pepper (optional), lime juice and refrigerate beforehand. I found that marinating it this way gave it a kick, and it just tastes better.)

Step 1. Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add your onion, garlic and green onions. Remember to leave a bit of green onions to use as a garnish at the end.


Step 2. Add your curry powder into your butter, onion and garlic mixture and stir.

Step 3. Next combine your coconut milk into your curry mixture, keeping it at low heat and allow it heat until it starts bubbling and thicken.



Step 4. Add your marinated shrimp into your coconut curry mixture for about 3-4 minutes. You can add additional salt/pepper to your taste.

Step 5. Serve your coconut shrimp and sauce over your bed of cooked Green Giant® Veggie Spirals. Garnish with the remainder of your green onions and enjoy.

You can find Green Giant® Veggie Spirals in the frozen section of your local Walmart grocery aisle.