Jennifer

Check out this new way to clean your house!

July 6, 2015 by Jennifer 1 Comment

*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but as always we only give you real and honest opinions.

Father, Jason Foster, is giving new meaning to cleaning products. Jason realized that the large, clunky, disposable bottles we buy from cleaning brands everyday contained about 10% ingredients and 90% water. As a consumer, did you realize the ratio? Let’s break this down. This means millions of consumers are paying huge amounts of money for two things – disposable bottles and water. What a waste!

Jason’s vision was to turn this waste upside down. This Father designed a sleek, reusable bottle and refill pod system. With this new system, consumers would simply flip the bottle upside down, squeeze cleaning concentrate from the refill pod into the measuring cup inside the bottle, then add water. By taking a few simple steps, families get more clean for the buck, save waste, and feel better in the process. See it in action here:

Walmart is helping bring Jason’s vision to a reality. The CleanPath line is now available at Walmart stores all across the United States. The line now includes a Multi-Surface Cleaner, Bathroom Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, Foaming Hand Soap and Foaming Hand Sanitizer. Starter bottles retail for $3.58 each, and refill pods for $2.28 each, making the per bottle cost under $1, since each Refill Pod makes 3 bottles of premium cleaner. These prices make it very affordable for families and you do not have to worry about the waste from the other cleaning brands.

Are you excited? Click here to see which store nearest you has the CleanPath line. Happy cleaning!

Make Mother and Daughter Time a Priority

June 30, 2015 by Jennifer 3 Comments

Parents need to ensure we are spending time with our children. This technology-driven world can overstep quality family time. If parents ensure to write in family time in the calendar, it can happen on a regular schedule. Money doesn’t even have to be a factor. You can rent a DVD from RedBox or pull up a movie on NetFlix. Sit on the couch and watch the movie together. Grab a pizza and have discussion time. It can be simple as that but will go a long ways in your relationship with your children.

This past weekend, my oldest daughter and I decided to do a home DIY pedicure. It was awesome. As we were soaking our feet in warm water with epsom salt, we were able to have great conversations. Afterwards, M painted my toenails. We spent minimal money, but I felt like a million bucks. My feet felt great but most of all, I was able to have one-on-one time with M.

Another quality time is M creating different hairstyles with my hair. She is really into doing different braids with my hair and L’s hair. It is actually relaxing to just sit and chill, and see what braid she completes. I love this braid she did last night on my hair.

As you can see, it doesn’t take extensive planning and a lot of money to spend time with your children. The girls knowing I took time out of our busy schedules to spend time with them means all the world to me. I want them to look back on their childhood and remember these special mother and daughter memories.

Medical Grants Available for Children’s Hospital Services in the U.S.

June 18, 2015 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

*Disclosure: This is a sponsored informational post from UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

When your child needs a medical service, the last thing you want to worry about is being able to afford the service. Many families all across the United States have to face this dilemma each week. I am grateful for the UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF).

The foundation is seeking grant applications from families in need of financial assistance to help pay for their child’s health care treatments, services or equipment not covered, or not fully covered, by their commercial health insurance plan.

Qualifying families can receive up to $5,000 per grant with a lifetime maximum of $10,000 per child to help pay for medical services and equipment such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, counseling services, surgeries, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses and hearing aids.

To be eligible for a grant, children must be 16 years of age or younger. Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the United States and have a commercial health insurance plan. Grants are available for medical expenses families have incurred 60 days prior to the date of application as well as for ongoing and future medical needs. Parents or legal guardians may apply for grants at www.UHCCF.org, and there is no application deadline.

Last year, UHCCF awarded more than 2,000 medical grants worth an estimated $5.4 million, to children and their families across the United States for treatments associated with medical conditions such as cancer, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, hearing loss, autism, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, ADHD and cerebral palsy.

Since 2007, UHCCF has awarded more than 9,000 medical grants, totaling more than $27 million, to children and their families across the United States. In the past three years, more than 200 families in North Carolina received grants.

“Thousands of children struggle every day for something many of us take for granted – our health. That reality is the driving force behind UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation’s mission to help families in need access medical care that will improve their child’s health. Our medical grants have already helped thousands of children in need, and we are looking to help thousands’ more children in the future,” said UHCCF President Matt Peterson.

New children’s book to raise funds

To help raise funds for its child medical grant program, UHCCF has published a new children’s book, “Oliver & Hope’s Superhero Saturday” – the third book in the Oliver & Hope series.

Imagination takes flight in the third book of the award-winning Oliver & Hope™ series as Oliver™ the bear, Hope™ the butterfly and Millie™ the barn owl join their friend Charlotte the fox on a superhero adventure.

When these lovable characters put on their hero capes, they have fun pretending to save a pirate ship, rescue a hot air balloon and face an evil mud monster. But when they discover their friend Chewie™ the English bulldog really needs their help, the friends must work together to become real heroes.

Chewie

The 32-page book, geared toward children ages 3-8, delivers a fun story and engaging images that enable readers to imagine how they might become a hero like the characters. The heartwarming story also teaches subtle lessons about the power of friendship, resiliency and imagination.

“Oliver & Hope’s Superhero Saturday” is the highly anticipated follow-up to the first two award-winning books in the series: “Oliver & Hope’s Amusing Adventure” and “Oliver & Hope’s Adventure Under the Stars.” Each book in the series is written by Meg Cadts and beautifully hand-illustrated and painted by Samantha Fitch. Meg Cadts is the pen name for the UHCCF team of writers and contributors.

All three books of the Oliver & Hope series are available through uhccf.org/shop for $16.95 each. Proceeds from the books and plush toys from the series help fund UHCCF grants that help families pay for children’s medical expenses not covered, or not fully covered, by their parents’ commercial health insurance plan.

More information about the Oliver & Hope books, including free audio recordings of the books as well as fun activities and downloads, can be found at Oliver & Hope’s Clubhouse at UHCCF.org.

About UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation

The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides medical grants to help children gain access to health-related services not covered, or not fully covered, by their parents’ commercial health insurance plan. Families can receive up to $5,000 annually per child ($10,000 lifetime maximum per child), and do not need to have insurance through UnitedHealthcare to be eligible. UHCCF was founded in 1999. Since 2007, UHCCF has awarded more than 9,000 grants valued at over $27 million to children and their families across the United States. UHCCF’s funding is provided by contributions from individuals, corporations and UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) employees. To apply for a grant, donate or learn more, please visit www.UHCCF.org.

Minute Maid Shares Heartfelt Father’s Day Video #DoinGood

June 15, 2015 by Jennifer Leave a Comment

In May, Minute Maid launched the #doingood social campaign. No parent is perfect. I appreciate how this campaign creates conversation around “perfectly imperfect parenting.” This campaign helps remind parents of all the good things they do that make a big difference.

In honor of Father’s Day, a new video launched last week that highlights a single dad and his son who appeared in the video last month. In this video, Minute Maid takes a deeper look at their relationship. The father acknowledges the challenges he has faced as a single dad, but is inspired by his son’s uplifting words of encouragement letting him know that he is #doingood. Grab your tissues before you hit play!

Hope you all have a great and memorable Father’s Day celebrations!

Limeapple Girl’s Activewear Available at Costco {Limited Time}

June 8, 2015 by Jennifer 1 Comment

Limeapple sent a full outfit to L to review. All thoughts and opinions are of our own.

Summer is officially just a couple weeks away. In our household, summer means spending lots of time outside. We love to be active. This could mean climbing ropes at the local park, hiking around the lake, and/or riding bicycles around the park.

Limeapple contacted me to see if L would like to review their activewear. We had never heard of this brand before, but now are excited that we were able to experience this brand.

Limeapple is a favorite among tweens—and their moms—because their style is energetic, bright, comfortable and age-appropriate. The brand is a small team of women who encourage young girls to lead positive, healthier, empowered lifestyles. Creating bold, stand out active wear that encourages girls to get fit and feel strong is a large part of who the brand is!

The styles are perfect for L. As many know, L is a fashionista. She picks out the cutest outfits but many are quite bold in style.

This has become one of her favorite outfits, especially when we are planning outdoor activities. The material is great quality along with the texture. She wore this outfit do an amusement park when the temperatures were approaching 90. The outfit was great because Limeapple’s active wear is known for its quality, high performance fabric with moisture wicking and pilling resistance, flat seams for comfort, and little extra details like built in lining and hidden waistband pockets. L is very particular about how clothing feels, and she did not complain one time. She is a fan!

I am hoping they expand the brand to include women’s active wear. The great news for the month of June, these full outfits (activewear top and capri leggings) are only $18.99 at Costco stores all across the United States. It is only for this short limited time, so don’t delay and be sad when the sets are sold-out.

Thank you Limeapple for making a positive difference in the lives of young girls!

Jennifer

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