Categories
Do Good Tech & Appliances

T-Mobile’s Magenta First Responder Plan Is Fantastic

This post is sponsored by T-Mobile.

My kids never needed to ask me “what is a first responder?” They know and have known since they were little. It’s something that we have always talked about. From an early age, I’ve made sure they know how important first responders are in just about everyone’s life. It also helps a lot that the kids schools talk about how important they are.

what is a first responder

What is a First Responder?

From police to fire to EMT workers, these are the people that are out there, saving lives each and every day. Many times, they put their own lives on the line in order to save others. To say that is not only wildly admirable is an understatement. It’s actually, in the realest sense of the word, heroic. Period, end of statement. These people are heroes and they are up and at it each and every single. day. So when you think “what is a first responder,” really think about how important a part they all are in your community as well in all the communities they serve.

Big Part of Our Life

We are very fortunate to know many first responders. First and foremost, my dad was an NYPD officer and we always love to hear about his experiences and see his old pictures. It’s a big part of our life and my whole family is so proud of all the work that my dad has done in New York City. In addition to my dad, my wife’s cousin is currently an NYPD officer and many of my good friends and neighbors are first responders as well. We are so lucky to be surrounded by all of these real-life heroes, true salt-of-the-earth type of people. They are an asset to any community they are in, and I’m more than pleased that they are in my family’s.

t mobile website

T-Mobile’s Magenta First Responder Plan

I am absolutely thrilled to let you know that my mobile phone company, T-Mobile is doing some more great things in our communities. This past October, T-Mobile launched Magenta First Responder, the best discount in wireless for first responders and their families, with 50% off family lines!!! It’s the same great industry-changing discount that military veterans and their families get with T-Mobile’s Magenta Military plan (also clearly the right thing to do)!! I am all about this and then some and I’m so pleased that the Un-carrier realized how important this really is!!

Big Discounts for First Responders

This is what I’m talking about, baby!! Show me the money for first responders!!! And T-Mobile is doing it big! With Magenta First Responder, a family of four can save up to $720 a year compared to Verizon’s first responder plans!!! It’s actually even more than that since the Un-carrier includes monthly taxes and fees!

With Magenta First Responder, our country’s state and local law enforcement officers, firefighters and EMS personnel, and the small businesses they own can get 20% off the first line and 50% off up to five additional voice lines. This is a real discount amounting to real savings. It’s just $100 per month with AutoPay for a family of four with taxes and fees included.

Lots of Value

T-Mobile Magenta First Responder also includes Netflix on Us for families, the best customer care in wireless with a dedicated Team of Experts, unlimited hotspot with 3GB high-speed data per month, unlimited free texting and data and low flat rate calling in 210+ countries and destinations worldwide with Simple Global AND weekly free stuff and discounts every T-Mobile Tuesday.

first responders

T-Mobile Cares

T-Mobile’s Magenta First Responder Plan is just another way T-Mobile is saying ‘thank you’ to those who serve. Being a T-Mobile Ambassador over the past few months has been awesome for me. It’s given me some fantastic insights in how great T-Mobile’s network, value, and corporate culture really is!!! This is a company I love for the service, for the value of the service, and for IT’S values. They do a lot for the communities and the people they serve. It makes me feel a little bit better to have them be a valuable part of my family’s life.

Check out this great video of T-Mobile employees thanking First Responders!!

To find out more, check out the T Mobile website for Magenta First Responder, as well as Facebook, Twitter, and search hashtag #MagentaFirstResponder!

This post is sponsored by T-Mobile.

Categories
Fashion & Grooming Tech & Appliances

Alexa, I Need a Haircut

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Alexa Skills for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine.

Everything is tech and tech is everything. Ok, so maybe not everything, but it’s becoming pretty close. Even Supercuts is tech! Now, finding Supercuts locations or “Supercuts near me” is so easy, you just have to ask!! Of course, I’m talking about the amazing Alexa, here to save the haircut day!! We are all just beginning to see how cool and powerful “she” is as she seems to interact with more and more companies, become integrated with more and more products, and develop more and more skills. And now your grooming routine just got a little bit easier with the Opensalon skill on Amazon Alexa! You can book an appointment with a Regis-owned salon brand (Supercuts, Cost Cutters, SmartStyle Hair Salon located inside Walmart and other regional salons)!!!

Just say, “Alexa, I Need a Haircut” and you will be all set. Yep, getting your haircut appointment and finding the nearest Supercuts location is just that easy.

It’s just so easy to book an appointment with Alexa Skills, it’s awesome!! There’s no more looking for locations, calling around to for open times, or trying to find availability for the day! With a couple of quick sentences, Alexa and the Opensalon app has you covered and ready to rock! While this may not be life changing, it’s just something that makes the little things in life that much easier and that much more enjoyable. It’s actually kind of fun for me, too. It’s like living in the Jetsons! Who would have thought I can speak to my phone or speaker in my house and have a haircut booked for me!!! This is just about as perfect as it can get for busy families or last-minute beauty needs. I am all about this and I think you would love using it, too.

Opensalon Skill Is Easy

As with most of the skills that Amazon’s Alexa can perform, the Opensalon skill is fast, easy, and effective, too. You simply say a number of commands, the easiest of which is “Alexa, I need a haircut.” The skill will give you the next available appointment time for the salon closest to you. If you want to go at that time, simply say “Yes.” If not, simply say “No” to make changes. Once you confirm an appointment, you will receive confirmation with the address and time of the appointment. With thousands of locations across the country, a salon will be ready and waiting for you!

Book Your Next Haircut with Alexa

If you are in need of a cut, color, or style, I think you should really try out the Opensalon Alexa skill to book an appointment for you and your family at a Regis-owned salon brand (Supercuts, Cost Cutters, SmartStyle Hair Salon located inside Walmart and other regional salons)!! It’s fast, it’s simple, and it works really well. To find out more, be sure to enable the Opensalon skill in your Alexa app. Simply open the app, search “Opensalon” and enable it!!! It’s a great experience with skilled and professional stylists! Be sure to get that hot towel at Supercuts when you are done!!!

Categories
Food & Drink Health & Sports

Organize Your Whole30® Meal Plan with Ball® Jars

The is a sponsored post in partnership with Ball® Home Canning. All opinions expressed are my own.

If you are interested in getting healthier in 2020 and beyond, maybe it’s time to look into the Whole30® meal plan, and all the awesome whole 30 approved foods that go along with it! One of the best ways to get organized is to have a solid like of whole30 recipes and a number of canning jars, like Ball® jars!

Whole30 Approved Foods

If you are looking to make a Whole30® food list with only Whole30® approved foods, then look no further! It’s actually pretty easy to understand. It’s getting back to the basics. We know them and we love them. It’s just more about cutting out all the extra stuff. Eat meat, seafood, and eggs; vegetables and fruit; natural fats; and herbs, spices, and seasonings. Eat foods with a simple or recognizable list of ingredients, or no ingredients at all because they’re whole and unprocessed. The Whole30® meal plan is all about getting back to the natural ways of doing things.

Your only job during the Whole30® is to focus on making good food choices for 30 straight days. It’s simple in that way. There’s no weighing in, check-ins, social foods, or calorie counting. Just commit to only eating Whole30® approved foods exactly as I’ll lay out below, 100% for the full 30 days. It’s all about resetting your body and getting the full and highest benefits of the program.

Foods to Avoid

Ok, so this is the part that’s probably a little bit shocking for most people. In our overly processed food world that’s all about convenience and shelf-life, there are quite a bit of common, everyday foods you have to avoid under the Whole30® meal plan. When you write up that Whole30® food list, keep in mind that you cannot consume added sugar, real or artificial (e.g., maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, coconut sugar, date syrup, monk fruit extract, stevia, Splenda, Equal, Nutrasweet, and xylitol). You cannot have grains (but you can have potatoes) or legumes (e.g., beans, peas, nut butters, soy, and more) either. You should also avoid carrageenan, MSG, or sulfites as well as baked goods and junk foods in general. Finally you have to avoid alcohol and dairy of all kinds.

Take note, there are some exceptions to this like ghee, fruit juice, salt, vinegars, coconut aminos and certain “pod” legumes (e.g., green beans, snap peas, and snow peas).

Getting Into It and Over The Hump

The main party of the Whole30® plan is to simply get into the right mindset and get over the hump of not eating poorly. I’m telling you, eating “clean” with Whole30® just feels good. After you get over the hump, you will actually find yourself craving good foods. You will check that Whole30® food list and want it all! You will not want all the chips and sugary snacks you once lived for. You will not be looking for bread at every meal, but something entirely different. You will start to feel differently and look at food in an entirely new way.

I was already eating much better and doing intermittent fasting since early 2019. I was already in a healthy mindset, but eating protein-rich yogurt and nut butters were a big part of my diet. To me, getting over everything other than dairy not a problem at all. Heck, I give up alcohol every year for 40 days at Lent time. But giving up dairy was really tough for me. Bread, nah. Beans, nope. Milk, yogurt, and cheese…really difficult. And the most difficult time for me was the first 5 days. I really had to buckle down and fight the urge to eat of all of the dairy. I’m telling you, it was not easy. But I did it, and I got through it, and each day after got a little bit easier. It really did get easier, you just have to make sure you allow yourself to get to that point in time where the foods you really crave aren’t quite as important as they once were.  Just keep thinking, it’s not a big deal, it’s only 30 days, and it’s for my health. You can do it, it’s not as hard as you think it will be.

Whole30 Recipes

The key to making the Whole30® meal plan work is making sure you pack your day with enough good meals to not think about what you can’t have. Guess what! There are so many amazing Whole30® recipes online, packed with all of the Whole30® approved foods you are seeking. These are really tasty and packed with flavor and goodness. It’s simple once you really think about it. Think veggies and think meat. That’s the base and that’s the key to it all. I love creating Whole30® salads. I also think that using Ball® canning jars to help organize it all makes complete sense.

Greek-American Whole30® Cold Chicken Salad Jar

Of the almost infinite salads you can create when you are jamming the Whole30® life, my absolute go-to recipe is what I call my Greek-American Whole30® Cold Chicken Salad Jar. It’s a riff on the classic Greek salad, but with some additions and some Whole30® compliant substitutions (like no feta people).

Ingredients

  • boneless skinless chicken
  • garlic crushed
  • juice from a lemon
  • oregano finely chopped
  • cilantro finely chopped
  • rosemary finely chopped (not pictured)
  • olive oil
  • salt and pepper
  • lettuce of your choice – I prefer a mixed leaf
  • cherry tomatoes
  • cucumber sliced
  • olives of your choice – I prefer Kalamata
  • red/orange/yellow pepper sliced
  • red onion sliced
  • sugar snap peas in pods
  • cauliflower and broccoli
  • white potato of your choice
  • optional topping: hummus (not pictured)

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken in a ziploc bag along with olive oil, oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon. Place the bag in the fridge and allow to marinate for a minimum of 3 hours. Heat a grill to medium heat and cook the chicken for 5 minutes per side until they are completely cooked through and browned to liking. Let cool, it is recommended to not place hot chicken in jar.
  2. Heat olive oil and crushed clove garlic in a large skillet on medium heat. After 2 minutes add in the potatoes, chopped herbs and salt and pepper and allow to cook for approximately 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool. Again, it is not recommended to place hot ingredients in jar.
  3. Chop all vegetables and herbs to desired size and coarseness. Set aside until chicken and potatoes are cool.
  4. To assemble the salad in the jar, see the “Canning Jars” section just below for recommendations and instructions. When you are ready to eat, you can simply “dump” the jar salad into a plate or bowl. Top with cilantro, oregano, and hummus if desired.

Canning Jars

I have a pro tip from the good folks at Ball® and Whole30® if you looking to prep a week’s worth of salads in a Ball® jar that won’t get soggy or wilt. Keep it simple and layer the ingredients in your jar. This should reduce the sogginess and give you a better chance of using those awesome jars to their fullest capacity!!

Layer One, pour in your favorite Whole30® Approved dressing (store bought or homemade), and put it at the very bottom of your jar. Layer Two, pack in the diced vegetables, fruit, nuts or avocado. Layer Three should be all about the protein!! Be sure to let it cool completely before you add it to your jar since you don’t want to steam everything else inside that Ball® jar! Finally, layer Four should pack in as many greens as you can fit on top. Pack it all in, then screw on the lid. Done and you can store all of that goodness in the fridge for up to 5 days. That’s awesome and makes for planning out the week so much easier!!

When you’re ready to eat, tip the jar upside-down and allow the salad to fall into a bowl or a plate, where it will be perfectly layered with the dressing on the top. Or, if you’re on the go, you can eat it straight out of the 

Ball® jar; just give the salad a good shake to distribute the dressing, open and eat straight from the jar.

Ball®  Jars at Walmart

As I’ve mentioned, using Ball® mason jars has been an awesome way for me to plan out and store multiple meals. Ball® branded glass jars have been around since 1884, creating great products on the way to becoming known worldwide as a trusted leader in home canning. Over 135 years of research, testing and advancing the art of fresh preserving go into every product, from the line of iconic mason jars to new innovations like the FreshTECH™ Harvest Pro Sauce Maker and a line of fun and creative mason jar accessories. 

Be sure to take advantage of an awesome ibotta offer…Earn $1 when you buy 4pk or 12pk Ball/Kerr jars!!

I headed over to my local Walmart and picked up a number of awesome Ball® jars to help me get through the 30 days. I loved using Ball® Wide Mouth Jars and Ball® 4oz Jars with that awesome Ball® Leak-Proof Storage Lid!! These are quality products that do the job well and seemingly last forever. This was a key to my Whole30® success and I think it will be a great help to you as well.

Stay Committed

It’s only 30 days! If I can do it, you can do it. I feel so much better and I think I have a much better understanding of what my body needs and doesn’t. The benefits of sticking with the plan is mostly about accurately testing how your body responds in the absence of these potentially problematic foods, you have to completely eliminate them. Just commit to the plan and do your best to stick with it, without any cheating. Not one bite of pizza or ice cream is allowed! It’s tough, but there are tougher things in the world. Be honest, be realistic, and be committed. It’s not a lifetime way of eating if you don’t want it to be, but it should be for those 30 short days.

Here’s something important to note that’s very different from just about any other “diet” or weight loss program. The Whole30® meal plan is not about the scale or body measurements. Whole30® is about so much more than weight loss. It’s about your body composition and the other health benefits associated with the plan. So no weighing yourself, analyzing body fat, or breaking out the tape measure. Just follow the plan and see the results.

Spin To Win

I encourage you to get started on your Whole30 journey today! A great way to get it going is to spin to win some amazing Ball/Whole30 prizes by following this link!! Remember, be sure to take advantage of an awesome ibotta offer…Earn $1 when you buy 4pk or 12pk Ball/Kerr jars!!

The is a sponsored post in partnership with Ball® Home Canning. All opinions expressed are my own.

Categories
Food & Drink

Eating Right and Feeling Good in 2020

This post is sponsored by Perdue Farms but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.  Post may contain affiliate links.  

It’s a new year, so it’s time to up your game and make the upcoming year bigger and better than last year in any and all ways possible. One of the main things I’m looking for is more organic food, like organic chicken, and generally more natural food. 2020 is a year to eat right and to feel good in what you are eating. I am a huge fan of food. Food in general and food of all kinds. From chicken parmigiana to burgers to pizza, I’m an any-and-all-of-the-above kind of person. One thing I generally do insist on is that the food is of high quality, preferably coming from a company that I trust and admire. I like knowing where the food is coming from and how good a product it is, but I also like to know that that company making it is also something I know and support. I also love companies that innovate with new and different products and services offered. This is where Perdue Farms comes in.

organic food

Perdue Farms Natural Food

Perdue Farms is a brand that I know and trust since I was a kid. This is an amazing family owned-and operated brand with products that my family and I have enjoyed for decades. In fact, for 100 years, the company has worked with small family farmers to raise animals with care. I was lucky enough to meet these farmers and hear how much they loved working with Perdue over the years. It was awesome to see them work and even better knowing how good a company Perdue is. It made me feel great about all those purchases my family has made over all the years. You can really tell Perdue Farms is passionate about farming, land preservation and healthy and nutritious food.

Natural food

Premium Brands, Organic Food

Over the last 10 years, Perdue Farms has transitioned from conventional chicken & turkey production to becoming the #1 supplier in the U.S. for Organic Chicken. What you may not know is that the company is not just about chicken any more. Far from it!! They are also a real leader in premium Beef, Pork, Lamb, Pasture Raised, Grass-fed, Heritage Breed, Antibiotic Free (No Antibiotics Ever), Non-GMO, Ever, Certified Humane, GAP & more.

This is a company chock full of amazing family farmers proudly offering a full line of premium protein products and brands, including Niman Ranch, Coleman Natural, Perdue Chicken, Perdue Harvestland, Panorama Meats, Spot Farms, Full Moon and more. This is just an all-star lineup packed with heavy hitters. Perdue Farms is more than just Perdue chicken, but they are still and always will be about top quality.

organic chicken

Perdue Farms Boxes

I wanted to share some pretty fantastic new with you right now. Brace yourself, or maybe sit down. It’s going to be awesome. You know how you love to shop online, right? You can buy just about anything and everything today with just the click of a button. Well, as of this week, you can now get your fix of the highest quality proteins delivered right to your door, easy peasy, chicken squeezey.  What do I mean, well I think I’ll tell you now that you are super excited and falling out of your chair. This is all about making it easier and cheaper to get organic food and natural food, like Perdue’s amazing organic chicken!

**Get 10% off and FREE diced chicken when you click here and use the code FARMER10!!!**

Customers will receive free shipping on orders over $119.

Perdue Farms just launched it’s new line of direct-to-consumer boxes and it is all you could imagine it is and more!! These bundles are all about making it so much easier for you, the consumer, to enjoy a wide range of Perdue Farms products, delivered right to your door. No running to the store and walking the aisles any more! Plus, when you bundle the products like this, you save real money in addition to all that beautiful time. So…it’s kind of like a win-win scenario, don’t you think? I wanted to go over some of my favorite bundles right now, starting off with the really popular Organic Bundle!

Organic Chicken Bundle

From heat and serve to items that require slow cooking, Perdue’s organic chicken products are fed all-vegetarian diets and receive no antibiotics ever and heat and serve products are prepared using only organic, non-GMO recognizable ingredients.

The Organic Bundle collection includes drumsticks, breasts, thighs and a whole bird that you can season and cook just the way you like. If you have a little less time one night, there’s also some really tasty breaded chicken strips and chunks for all those days when a slow-cooked meal isn’t in the cards. This is just an awesome mix of options that work on just about any night of the week. I couldn’t even tell you which products I love the most. I think I’ll just say “all of the above” and leave it at that. The Bundle Includes (all frozen):

  • One 4.3- to 4.6-lb. Perdue Harvestland Organic Whole Chicken With Giblets and Necks, 3.4 – 4.6 LBS
      • Vacuum Sealed & Frozen | No Antibiotics Ever | #70357
      • Organic whole chicken with giblets and necks that you can use to produce a rich and delicious gravy or set aside for your own unique recipes.
  • One approx. 2.91- to 3.1-lb. Perdue Harvestland Organic Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts Package (contains 3 packs, each filled with 1-2 breasts), 3.3 – 3.5 LBS
      • Hatched, Raised, & Harvested in USA | Non-GMO Verified | #54528
      • Cooking for one? Portion control a priority? Our organic chicken breasts come individually wrapped in pouches so you can defrost and cook product as you need! 
  • One approx.. 2.7- to 2.9-lb. Perdue Harvestland Organic Chicken Drumsticks Package (contains 3 packs, each filled with 2-4 drumsticks), 2.7 – 2.9 LBS
      • Vacuum Sealed & Frozen | Free Range Raised in USA | #70627
      • Tender, juicy and delicious whether deep fried or oven roasted, our organic drumsticks turn an ordinary dinner into a comfort-food feast. 
  • One 1.5-lb. bag Perdue SimplySmart Organics Lightly Breaded Chicken Chunks, 24 OZ
      • Fully Cooked | Frozen in Resealable Bag | #80358
      • We keep it simple and satisfying! These organic chicken breast chunks are lightly coated in a homestyle breading of organic, non-GMO ingredients and then fully baked to a golden delicious crispiness. 
  • Perdue Harvestland Diced Chicken Breasts – FREE in customer’s first order
      •  Vacuum Sealed & Frozen | #54614
      • Planning stir fry, chili or a main course salad for dinner? We save you a step by dicing our boneless, skinless chicken breast into bite-sized chunks – recipe ready, easy to thaw and quick and easy to cook! 

Perdue Farms’ most popular organic chicken products are now in one handy pack! Order here today.

Family Bundles

This is a great bundle for me because I love the pork and I’m a huge fan of Niman Ranch and it’s natural food products. Any time of the day is a good time for pork, and this bundle proves that, baby.

Breakfast starts with Niman Ranch’s all-time favorite: center-cut uncured bacon, which is slow smoked over applewood, and breakfast sausage, which can also be used to flavor savory sauces, soups and stews. The kids go mad for Perdue’s dino nuggets, chicken breast strips and chicken breast tenderloins, which cook up in minutes for all of those hungry mouths you are looking to feed.  The cherry on the cake has to be Niman Ranch’s succulent bacon-wrapped pork chop and Perdue’s whole chicken – perfect for weeknight meals or a more formal Sunday sit-down dinner. These are some awesome products that are just never a bad idea. Ever.

Consider all of your dinners planned for the week. Perdue Farms has everything you need to get through the week. Place your order today and get this pack delivered straight to your doorstep!

Gathering Bundles

For occasions when friends and family swing by with little notice, think about stocking your freezer with Perdue Farms’ most popular heat-and-serve items. I’m talking about awesome stuff with little prep work, including Niman Ranch’s Memphis-style pulled pork and amber ale-infused ribs!! Sick. How about Perdue’s herbed olive oil-tossed chicken wings and breaded organic chicken breast tenders?? These are so good and ready to heat and eat. Bing, bang, party. It’s just that easy, man.

In the event that you are a planner and you have more responsible, less spontaneous friends and family members, you can do some big-time work with a Sonoma Red pasture-raised certified organic whole chicken, which is air chilled to lock in flavor, and Niman Ranch’s heritage pork kielbasa, made with ground pork and a special blend of spices and slow smoked over applewood. Did I just say pork kielbasa? Why yes, yes I did.

Need a solution for a quick impromptu gathering or a formal sit-down feast? This collection has everything to keep your freezer packed with party foods that are perfect for any entertaining occasion! Order on Perdue Farms today.

Perdue Farms Sustainability

Perdue Farms has been all about the environment and sustainability before it became a part of mainstream culture. From family farmers to zero antibiotics to free range care, Perdue Farms is all about being thoughtful stewards of the environment. It’s one of their most important social pillars. It’s some of the many ways they create the amazing natural food and organic food we know and love today!

They are taking some pretty extraordinary steps to protect our ecosystem, especially in consideration of this new e-commerce initiative:

  • For every order shipped, Perdue Farms will donate to the Arbor Day Foundation, whose mission is to replant and revitalize damaged areas of our nation’s forests. This donation helps reduce the carbon footprint required to ship our products to you.
  • Shipping boxes designed with sustainability in mind. Every box is made out of 100 percent recyclable cardboard and insulated with Green Cell Foam®. Green Cell Foam®’s eco-friendly insulation is biodegradable, compostable and made from high-grade non-GMO cornstarch that is also dissolvable in water. 
  • You’ll receive a reusable and recyclable grocery bag with your purchase. Use it the next time you go to the store to avoid using paper or plastic.
  • A pollinator seed packet is also included in every box. Our nation wouldn’t be able to produce the food we do without the bees and butterflies, who help to make one out of every three bites of food we eat. Plant the seeds to create a robust pollinator habitat near your home!

This is all very thoughtful and very impressive. The company really is trying to do it’s best for our environment and I really applaud the effort. If you want to learn more, be sure to check out perduefarms.com/wecare.

Order Your Own Bundle

So, what do you think? A pretty awesome proposition here, right? Great food from a thoughtful and caring company that just shows up at your door. It’s all about delivering a great product, convenience, and value to the customer. How can I knock that?? I love that brand already, so this just makes me love it even more.

Perdue Farms wants to be someone you trust, the most trusted name in premium proteins. It’s the quality and values in love to support, I think you will as well. To order your amazing bundle box and to learn more about Perdue Farms, visit: perduefarms.com/guyandtheblog, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest. Also, be sure to search hashtags #FamilyFarming #ThankAFarmer #FamilyFarmers!

**Get 10% off and FREE diced chicken when you click here and use the code FARMER10!!!**

Customers will receive free shipping on orders over $119.

This post is sponsored by Perdue Farms but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.  Post may contain affiliate links.  

Categories
Health & Sports

New Year’s Resolution: Feel Better Be Better

hemp oil benefits

This is a sponsored blog; while the views expressed here were genuinely mine, free product was sent to me by NEO Alternatives to review this product.

It’s a new year and it’s time to make some resolutions, like understanding hemp oil benefits and hemp oil uses. CBD products are in the news a lot these days, but a lot of people still don’t understand what it is and what it can do for you.

We all have little issues in our daily lives, right? We can’t sleep because we are worrying about life. Sometimes we can’t focus because we are being pulled in so many directions. As we get older (I’m 43, so not old…but older), we start to have some minor aches and pains that are not terrible but just kind of annoying. A lot of times, I think we are all just looking for new and better ways to just feel better, work better, and be better. I think that’s something that we all can agree on, right? We may not even know how to go about it or what we need to do to improve ourselves.

As part of your new year resolutions and probable attempts to live a better life, why not find out a little but more about hemp oil benefits and hemp oil uses and see if it can help you to feel better and be better in 2020 and beyond?? I think it’s the right time to talk about Root 66 CBD products.

hemp oil uses

High Quality Products Made In America

Root 66 CBD products are the highest-quality around, which is really what you want when you are talking about products like this. These products are also the most effective and affordable natural Hemp Oil Derived CBD products on the market and it’s something you really need to consider when shopping around. As with just about everything else, there are different levels of quality. These are the best. Every batch is made and 3rd party tested in the USA for safety & efficacy to ensure purity and to meet all label claims. So you can be sure that they are quality made and tested!

Root 66 works with the finest, highly-vetted farmers, producers, and formulators to create a family of superior-quality, Hemp Oil Extract products. Their hemp is made and sourced from organic farms in Oregon and the renowned “Emerald Triangle” in California. Their agriculture and production methods and practices are state-of-the-art, sustainable, ethical, and eco-sensitive.

hemp oil uses

Root 66 Product Line

All Root 66 CBD products have been created to help you with specific needs and are meant to be taken as part of a daily regimen to help improve your physical and mental well-being. All of these products do not contain THC, flavorings or colorings. These products are 100% natural, made in the USA with organic ingredients!! The line includes the following hemp oil benefits and hemp oil uses: Holistic, Pain Relief, Sleep and Focus.

Holistic

Holistic is an all-purpose hemp supplement. Daily use can help you feel “balanced” by improving your overall health and well-being. Root 66’s hemp plants are grown under the sun in Oregon. Their oil is manufactured using Supercritical CO2 extraction to ensure you get the broad spectrum of compounds found naturally in the plant, including terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids that make it so beneficial – with absolutely no fillers. Basically, this is all done the right way creating the right product for you.

Formulated with essential fatty acids from MCT Oil and Hemp Oil Extract, each bottle contains 1000mg of Hemp Oil, with 33mg of Hemp oil per serving. MSRP $49.99.

hemp oil products

Pain Relief

Pain Relief* Formula is designed to reduce inflammation and ease joint and muscle pain. Pain Relief is exceptional quality from seed-to-home: our hemp plants are grown under the sun in Oregon. Our oil is manufactured using Supercritical CO2 extraction to ensure you get the broad spectrum of compounds found naturally in the plant, including terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids that make it so beneficial – with absolutely no fillers. Daily use can help reduce any soreness and ease any discomfort you may have.

Formulated with Hemp Oil Extract, MCT Oil, Birch, Meadowsweet, Ginger Root, each bottle contains 500mg of Hemp Oil with 17mg of Hemp Oil in each serving. MSRP $44.99.

Sleep

Sleep is formulated to improve the quality and duration of your sleep. Daily use can help you relax and sleep better. Sleep is exceptional quality from seed-to-home: our hemp plants are grown under the sun in Oregon. Our oil is manufactured using Supercritical CO2 extraction to ensure you get the broad spectrum of compounds found naturally in the plant, including terpenes, essential oils, and other cannabinoids that make it so beneficial – with absolutely no fillers.

Formulated with Hemp Oil Extract, MCT Oil, Skullcap, Passion Flower, Chamomile, each bottle contains 500mg of Hemp Oil with 17mg of Hemp Oil in each serving. MSRP $44.99.

Focus

Focus Formula is engineered to improve mental and physical focus. Focus is exceptional quality from seed-to-home: our hemp plants are grown under the sun in renowned “Emerald Triangle” in California. Our oil is manufactured using Supercritical CO2 extraction with absolutely no fillers.

Formulated with Hemp Oil Extract, MCT Oil, Eluthero Root, Gotu Kola, Bacopa, each bottle contains 250mg of Hemp Oil with 8mg of Hemp Oil in each serving. MSRP $39.99.

hemp oil uses

Helping People Feel Better and Be Better

Root 66 CBD products uses only exceptional ingredients. Their products are natural, vegan, gluten-free, pesticide-free, and contain only non-GMO organic ingredients. This is the new way to deal with some of life’s most nagging issues. It’s something to consider. And why not consider going with the best when trying new things?? It’s CBD made for you. To help you feel better and be better. It’s 2020, it’s a new year, and it may be time to try Root 66.

Find out more at Root66Brand.com, Facebook, Instagram, and search hashtags #FeelBetterBeBetter #DoYouRoot66 #TeamRoot66!!

This is a sponsored blog; while the views expressed here were genuinely mine, free product was sent to me by NEO Alternatives to review this product.

Categories
Health & Sports

New Year, New Family Life and Wellness Goals

I’ve partnered with Optimum Nutrition as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

It’s a new year, so what do you plan on doing with it? Do you have any great new year resolution ideas? Each new year is like a gift, so I always believe in having  a list of new year goals. I think it helps you and your family to really focus on what you want to do and how you want to achieve that.

2020 Goals and Resolutions

My family and I sat down on the morning of January 1st and really talked about the new year, new year resolution ideas to achieve any new year goals we all may have. We all wanted to spend more quality time together, playing board games (Monopoly is #1), playing video games, and watching movies together. That’s together, no additional phones or iPads involved. Natalie and Liam were told, much to their dismay, that they need to be more serious about school and get better grades. Vera and I want to make sure we waste less money and save more as a result. My wife, daughter, oldest son, and I all wanted to eat better and exercise more. Liam wants to get better at basketball. Caleb at lacrosse and baseball. Wellness goals were big for me in 2019 and they continue to be for 2020 and beyond. It’s just so important, and I want to make sure everyone in my family feels the same as I do!!

It’s quite an ambitious list of new year goals, I know, but that’s what the new year is all about, right? It’s a new start, a new beginning. New year resolution ideas just flow like a river when the calendar changes over. And that’s normal and pretty healthy. The key to it all has to be that you and your family actually do your best to make a plan to accomplish some, if not all, of those new year goals. New year means new possibilities, so try your best to take advantage of that.

Wellness Goal Support

With health and wellness being at the top of my family’s new year goals, the next step would be to create a plan that will be effective and something that we all enjoy and adhere to. We decided to take walks together and use our bikes and rowing equipment more. We will do our best to work out with at least one other person, for encouragement and accountability. There’s no new gym membership in our future, yet, becuase we can to make sure we are committed to more exercise…but we also want to make sure we are keeping to our new budget goals as well. I wish the gym was free, don’t you??!?!?!

As far as eating better, I’m all abut intermittent fasting. Basically, just eat each day within an 8 hour window. Maybe 10-6PM to something similar. It allowed me to not only lose weight this year but feel better as well. I’m a huge fan. I’m all big into eating more protein, more good fats, and more fruit and vegetables. One of the easiest and best ways that I’ve been boosting me and my family’s protein intake has been to make fruit and protein shakes using Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Isolate.

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard

Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Isolate is pretty awesome. It’s really delicious and it’s packed with 24g of protein per serving! The whole family loves that it not only tastes good, but it’s easy to mix with glass and spoon. We love mixing with 2% organic milk and fresh or frozen fruit! Bananas and berries are the best bets…for Double Rich Chocolate, Vanilla Ice Cream or Strawberries & Cream flavors!  Of course, these are also really good just straight up with no additional fruit needed!! Optimum Nutrition Gold Standard is the #1 World’s Best Selling Whey Protein Powder for a reason.

Whey protein isolate is the primary source of protein, so much of the carbs and fat are isolated out or removed and the protein is gluten free, too. It’s also only 120 calories with 1.5g Fat (or less) and only 2g of Sugar (or less) per serving. This is just an almost pure protein bomb of awesome that’s also banned substance tested. It’s fantastic and it’s been such a great addition to our families diets!!  This is exactly the boost we needed in the new year to really hit those new year goals of being more healthy and eating better.

Optimum Nutrition Essential Amin.o. Energy

As with many of us, I sometimes need a pick-me-up to power through work, kids, or whatever the day brings on. I love my coffee and tea, but sometimes I feel like I could use a little bit more or a little something different. That’s where Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy comes in for me. Essential Amin.o. Acids is a pretty amazing combination of 5 grams of Essential Amin.o. Acids and 100 grams of Caffeine (the same as one cup of coffee) from green coffee and/or green tea extracts that naturally supports increased energy, focus and muscle recovery.

I add a couple of scoops to water for an afternoon pick-me-up or double up my caffeine and Amino Acid intake as a 4-scoop pre-workout energy supplement. Both the Concord Grape and Fruit Fusion flavors are tasty, even with 0g Sugar! This is also Banned Substance Tested. It’s been a real game changer and a welcome change for those days where I need just a little bit more energy.

new year resolution ideas

Enter the Resolutions at Walmart Sweepstakes

The best place I’ve found to pick up these awesome goodies, among so many other great products, is at Walmart. Walmart has a great selection both in-store and online at WalmartResolutions.com. While you’re pickup some o these products be sure to enter the Resolutions at Walmart Sweepstakes to win a free gym membership for a year! Entries valid from December 28th 2019 – February 24th, 2020. Limit one prize per person or household.  Only one valid entry per person over the sweepstakes. Visit WalmartResolutions.com for full terms and conditions

Make Good on Those New Year Resolution Ideas

If you are ready to make some moves right now to ensure that you make some progress on those new year goals, check out WalmartResolutions.com/ and Resolutions at Walmart Sweepstakes. Also, check out Optimum Nutrition on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

I’ve partnered with Optimum Nutrition as part of an Influencer Activation and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Categories
Tech & Appliances

Rock-Solid Protection & Great Design For Your Phone

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of tech21. 

High on everyone’s Christmas gifts in my house has to be cool phone cases. Just about everyone has a phone and the case is very important. The kids and my wife want cool phone cases like said, but I want quality phone cases that protect the phone and work well. So, I’m practical, what can I say? When I’m thinking about practical phone cases, the best I’ve come across lately is tech21.

Cool Phone Cases

My kids drop their phones like it’s their job. Like their job. All the time, without fail. And, as you know, these phone are not exactly cheap. Sure, we all have them, but they are still pretty expensive. They need to be protected!!! Well, tech21’s dedicated in-house scientists have been creating unique, rock-solid, drop after drop protection using the most durable materials since 2005! This really lets you use your mobile tech carefree. This is very important, isn’t it? For me, that’s what the case is actually all about. The look kind of comes second.

These cases are also designed with comfort and performance in mind. These are ultra-thin and lightweight iPhone cases and Samsung phone cases to compliment your phone and look great, too! In fact, NPL – market leader in cutting-edge measurement science, has inspected and endorsed the brands product testing methods!!! Dude, these cases offer up to 12ft of scientifically proven drop protection without all of the added bulk of so many other cases. That’s pretty fantastic.

Drop & Antimicrobial Plant-Based Protection

Not only does tech21 offer the cool phone cases that offer the best fit and protection, but they are also Antimicrobial cases and Plant-based cases, too! With the addition of plant-based materials and germ-killing antimicrobial formulas, tech21 products offer cleaner, more sustainable phone protection.

The antimicrobial protection reduces microbes (germs) by up to 99.99%, which is amazing since phones are some of the most germ-riddled things around!!  In addition to that amazingness, these cases are now more sustainable thanks to addition of plant-based materials!!

Iconic Prints and Colors

In 2018, tech21 decided that it wanted to up it’s design game. Sure, having rock-solid, cool phone cases that protect launched a collaboration with with Liberty London, the famed London retailer known for its iconic prints. The collaboration marries vibrant prints with advanced protection for your mobile device. My kids and I love these amazing and very cool phone cases! Natalie loves Studio Colour the most! I’m all about the Evo wallet!! 

Studio Colour is all about amazing protection without the added bulk, of course. But it also rocks a rainbow of bright, vibrant and amazing colors to liven things up and make splash with that phone! These awesome iPhone cases and Samsung phone cases are made from plant-based materials with built-in microbe-fighting properties! This case is all about form and function!

Evo wallet- Travelling light has never been easier. Encasing your phone with an attractive folio made from high-performing plant-based materials, the Evo Wallet offers discreet, secure storage for two cards whilst providing unrivaled protection against drops and scratches. It even sports a really convenient stand function and a tight magnetic closure.

Get Your Best Christmas Gifts

Protect that phone and get the best drop protection around! tech21’s range of Samsung phone case and iPhone cases make them really great holiday gifts or stocking stuffers for every person on your list this year!!!! There really is a case for everyone when you shop at tech21!

If you are looking for the best Christmas gifts at a great price, get 10% off using the discount code WILLIAM10OFF. This discount offer is valid 12/9/19 – 1/8/20!!

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of tech21.

Categories
For The Kids Games

Best Family Time Video Game Ever

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Ubiosoft for Just Dance 2020. All opinions and love expressed are my own!

My whole family loves gaming. It’s just something we all really enjoy, and we love it when the games are great when played together. That’s why I as a parent love the most. It’s great laughs and good family time when we can all play at the same time, or at least take turns. Throw in some great music and some fun movement and you have a video game that even the hardest anti-gamer has to appreciate! It’s family bonding mixed with fun, exercise, and a healthy dose of competition!

Just Dance 2020

I think our favorite family family game night game is Just Dance 2020! Do you know the game??? We are truly having a blast playing it, just about every chance we get! The Just Dance 2020 game brings my family together as the must have game of the holiday season! But what’s so great about it??

Amazing Unlimited Music

Well, for one, there’s an absolutely amazing catalog of over 500 of our favorite songs including “Into the Unknown” from Disney’s Frozen 2! It also has 40 hot new tracks, featuring chart-topping current pop artists like Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Khalid, and even Pinkfong’s “Baby Shark!”  I mean…Baby Shark!! And this is unlimited access we are talking about, no ads needed. You can make custom playlists, get music recommendations, and dance with friends in co-op mode!!

So Much Activity

If you know what the game is about then you know it is all about dancing. The game is so interactive and simple to play, but packs hours of fun for everyone. I knew that I would love Just Dance 2020 like I’ve loved past versions. I also knew that my wife and daughter would love it, too. Singing and dancing is their jam. But I had no idea that my boys Caleb and Liam would love the game as much as they do!! They play it more than the girls do some days!!

It’s just so much fun to try to follow along and keep track with all those great dance moves. It really works up a sweat, but that sweat is always mixed with laughter and excitement. There’s just something about hearing a song you like and letting loose “on the dance floor.” This game packs in all of that excitement and maybe a little more since you are safe in the comfort of your own home. No judgements just good times!

Kid-Friendly Songs

If you are like me and worry about some of what is said in today’s popular culture, have no fear!! Just Dance 2020 features the acclaimed Kids Mode, allowing young players to enjoy 8 kid-friendly curated songs!! In other words, from children to adults, everyone can participate in this amazing game! So this really is a family-friendly video game that’s all about spending fun, family time together!!

Is there any wonder why Just Dance is the #1 Music Video game franchise of all time? I don’t think so. Check out this video and see for yourself!!

Get Your Copy Today

I know you’re psyched and ready to dance. I just know you are. It’s one of the most fun games we have and we really love to play as a family. It’s available on most video game platforms and you can use your smartphone to play if you don’t have Playstation Move or Kinnect! That part was really cool for a tech nerd like me!!

Bring home the excitement to your family this holiday season! Just Dance 2020 makes a great gift for the holidays for the whole family to enjoy! The game is only $30 from Dec 15 – 24! But be forewarned…you will not be able to get these songs out of your head all day long. And you may find yourself dancing at unlikely times throughout the day without notice.

To find out more: Just Dance 2020, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and search hashtags #JustDance2020 and #JustDance!!!

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Ubiosoft for Just Dance 2020. All opinions and love expressed are my own!