Crafty 4th of July Fun + Aquafresh® Sugar Acid Protection

 The Aquafresh brand has compensated me in connection with the statements made in this post.

Fun fact: The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. Something about the warm weather, fireworks, picnics, and getting together with friends and family outdoors really gets me feeling happy. I also love how you can walk around my neighborhood and smell all those barbecue pits burning with deliciousness. Yeah. The 4th is all about food in my book.

Today's post is in partnership with SheKnows and Aquafresh® toothpaste. As many of you know, I've written about Aquafresh® in the past. What's good? Well, their toothpastes provide Sugar Acid Protection from active fluoride. This protection works to strengthen and shield teeth against sugar acid attacks. You know, the kind you get from everyday foods and drinks. And yes: even from our beloved holiday foods and treats.

The thing is, there are also plenty of ways to celebrate July 4th. So, today I thought I'd share a fun art project you can do with your kids to get everyone in the spirit. I used to do this simple fireworks and/or flowers painting project with my mom when I was a kid - long before I saw it pop up on Pinterest boards.

FIREWORKS/FLOWER STAMP PAINTING

All you need:

• Scissors
• Used up paper towel or toilet paper roll
• Different colors of paint (stick with red, white, and blue = super festive!)
• Paper plates (to hold paint) 
• Construction or other paper (Black would be great for fireworks!)
• Glitter or glitter paint (optional) 

Ada wanted to make flowers for this post.

So, here they are!

Instructions:

1. Simply squirt a bit of each type of paint onto a plate. I like to mix different colors together to get a swirl effect with flowers. Paint will likely go everywhere, so make sure you put down some type of vinyl tablecloth or even just a garbage bag.
2. Adults: Cut the end of the paper towel or toilet paper roll in straight lines. Experiment with going thicker or thinner/longer or shorter for different fireworks or flower shapes. (This would also make a great sun stamp!) 
3. This probably goes without saying, but you fold the cut parts out so they make a fireworks shape.
4. Then have your child dip the new stamp you've made into the paint and go crazy!
5. You can decorate your photo with glitter for extra dazzle.

Back to Aquafresh®. Their Multi-Action Whitening toothpaste is all about Sugar Acid Protection through active fluoride to help prevent cavities*.

It has six key benefits in one toothpaste:

• Cavity Protection 
• Healthy gums*
• Freshens breath 
• Great taste 
• Whitening*
• Enamel Strengthening 

*With twice daily brushing

Happy 4th! Remember to brush after all your tasty party treats. And if you're interested, you can grab a coupon to try the Multi-Action Whitening toothpaste right here. Visit Aquafresh® toothpaste on Facebook and Twitter.
Do you have any kid-approved 4th of July art projects? Tell me about them in the comments and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card!
Entry Instructions:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 6/1/2016 - 6/30/2016
Be sure to visit the Aquafresh® brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!
Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Aquafresh® or GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

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Spring Sugar Acid Protection from Aquafresh® toothpaste

A dental hygienist visited Ada's preschool recently. Ever since, she's been like our own resident dentist, sharing all the DOs and DON'Ts of good oral hygiene. When we cut into Stephen's birthday cake this year, Ada made sure to mention that sweets aren't always so great for your teeth. Of course, we aren't about to cut out some of our favorite celebration foods, so we had a nice discussion with her about moderation.

What happened after dessert? She made us take a family trip to the bathroom to brush our teeth. These preschool years continue to amaze me.


Today's post is about about Aquafresh® toothpastein partnership with SheKnows. Their toothpastes provide Sugar Acid Protection from active fluoride. This both strengthens and shields teeth against sugar acid attack from everyday foods and drinks, the primary cause of cavities.

This spring, there's plenty of sugar flowing between holidays, parties at school, and my own pregnancy cravings. I'm not going to limit it all, nor do I think a little sugar every now and again is such a bad thing to enjoy. One of our favorite treats, though, doesn't have any added sugar at all. Instead, it's a basic breakfast smoothie filled with berry goodness, a dose of vegetarian protein, and gut-healthy active cultures.

And did I mention it's incredibly easy to make?

STRAWBERRY LASSI

(serves 1)

Blend together:

• 1/2 cup (heaping) frozen strawberries
• 1 cup plain kefir
• Couple tablespoons water

PS: If you're feeling really adventurous, you can add a handful of kale or your favorite greens into the mix as well. 

When it comes time to brush, it's good to know that Aquafresh Multi Action is all about Sugar Acid Protection through active fluoride. It has 6 key benefits in 1 toothpaste:

• Cavity Protection 
• Healthy gums*
• Fresh breath 
• Great taste 
• Whitening*
• Enamel Strengthening 

*With twice daily brushing

You can grab a coupon to try it right here. Visit Aquafresh® toothpaste on Facebook and Twitter.

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Halloween + Spiced Crock Pot Applesauce

I absolutely love this time of year. Cool, crisp weather. Apples in abundance. Crunchy leaves beneath my feet. I can’t believe Halloween is just around the corner. And I’m one of the one in three people who started their Halloween shopping early this year. Yup! We bought Ada’s costume in August, and you’ll never guess what she chose. (I can’t wait to share the photos!)

I’m writing this post today in partnership with Aquafresh® and BlogHer. Did you know that Halloween is the third most popular holiday in America next to Thanksgiving and Christmas? I suppose it’s not a total shock. Pretty soon, we’ll be bringing home a bunch of chocolate bars, gummies, lollypops, and -- yes -- candy corn from our spooky walk around the neighborhood. (Oh, I have a soft spot for candy corn!)

We don’t have strict rules revolving around candy and Halloween. It’s (mostly) just one day of the year, after all. At the same time, we try to keep most of our autumn treats healthy. Every year, for example, we make homemade applesauce in the slow cooker. It’s a treat as much as all the candy is. Most recipes I’ve come across throughout the years call for a hefty dose of sugar. We don’t substitute anything special in its place. Instead, we leave the sugar out.

You know what? It still ends up tasting absolutely amazing with all its natural goodness. This recipe is a great one to make with small children. I suggest chopping the apples ahead of time and letting little hands put them into the pot. Then stir on the spice, start the cooker, and let the delicious aroma fill your kitchen.

It only takes a couple hours to turn this:



Into this!

SPICED CROCK-POT APPLESAUCE

What you’ll need . . . 

• Fresh apples. Total number depends on size. Enough to fill up crock pot.
• Ground cinnamon
• Lemon juice
• Slow cooker

Method . . . 

1. I never peel the skins off my apples. Simply wash and chop into wedges.
2. (I’m not too picky with the variety of apples I use. I made this batch with local Paula Reds.)
3. Fill up your crock pot with the apples. Then add a tablespoon or two of cinnamon.
4. Pour in a tablespoon or two of lemon juice, too.
5. Cook for two to three hours on high, stirring occasionally.
6. Then mash with a potato masher. Alternatively, you can wait for the applesauce to cool and process until smooth in your food processor.
7. Eat up within three to five days. Or store in glass jars in the freezer. If you haven’t used glass to freeze before, check out this post with instructions and more information.

// HALLOWEEN

To give your homemade applesauce a festive Halloween twist, you can even add a bit of canned pumpkin to the mix. The pumpkin gives it an orange color, thicker texture, and naturally sweet flavor. Plus, it’s a great way to sneak in some additional nutrition. It’s also a great side dish to bring to a party or fall potluck meal.

Aquafresh®

If you’re shopping around for a new toothpaste (for kids or adults) to help guard against all the sugar intake this season, here’s what Aquafresh® has to offer. You can visit their website, Facebook, or Twitter for more information.

• Aquafresh® toothpaste with Sugar Acid Protection from fluoride delivers the taste/fresh feeling and protects teeth from sugar acids caused by eating everyday foods. 
• Aquafresh® Extreme Clean Whitening Action includes gentle whiteners for a brighter smile.
• Aquafresh® Cavity Protection toothpaste with helps protect your teeth from cavities.
• Aquafresh® toothpaste protects tooth enamel from damage caused by sugar acids.

I hope you all enjoy a happy and safe Halloween this year. In all your fun, don’t forget to take care of your teeth! You don’t exactly want your smile to look like your Jack-o-lantern’s, right?
How are YOU going to protect your teeth this Halloween? Tell me in the comments and you will be entered to win a $100 Visa gift card!

Entry Instructions: 

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 10/29/2015 – 10/31/2015

Be sure to visit Aquafresh® toothpaste’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

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Sweet Summer Fun

Hey, guys! Summer is in full swing over here at our house. I love living where the summers are hot, the falls and springs are temperate, and the winters are wicked cold. It makes us appreciate the sunshine that much more. We soak it in every chance we get. We are also lucky because Stephen has his summers off -- 10 whole weeks to spend together as a family is such an amazing treat.

As a result, we have some daily traditions. Here are some small ways we plan to have the best summer ever.

#1: Cheap Pool

Every day after Ada’s nap, for example, we slap on the sunscreen and head outdoors to the wading pool to cool off. (Yes. I pretend I can fit!) We fill up the water table and often turn on the sprinkler, too. You don’t even need much water (or cash) to have fun. I bought Ada’s pool for $15 at a local big box store and it’s already provided days of entertainment.

#2: Bug-Free Box

Some days cool off and are better for digging in the sand. My tip for keeping your sandbox bug-free is to add a good cup or more of ground cinnamon. Not only does it deter critters, but it also makes the sand smell amazing! (Note: If your child has sensitive skin, you might want to test out the cinnamon in a small patch to see if it irritates him/her. Ada’s had no problems.)

#3: Evening Stroll

When the sun gets low in the sky, we like to take a walk around the neighborhood. Ada sometimes hops on her bike and we try to keep up with her pedaling. Other times we go down to our backyard creek and wade around. No matter what, we hunt for bugs and other critters. Last year, we found a family of bunnies living in our garden. Every night is a new adventure, that’s for sure.

All it takes is some paying attention to nature.

#4: Summer Harvest

Oh, the garden. We tend to it each and every night. Usually the soil is quite dry from its long day in the sun. We harvest any ripe tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, or other fruits and veggies. Then there’s usually heaps of basil to bring indoors (I’ve been making pesto like it’s my main job). We love grilling, so it’s awesome to just pick, wash, cook, and eat.

My mother-in-law planted flowers that Ada loves picking, too. We also like to head to local farms to get berries by the barrel. I can’t wait to make (and can) blueberry jam this year.

#5: Sweet Treats

And popsicles! It wouldn’t be a summer day without delicious popsicle juice dripping down my fingers. Ada and I have been making our own batches this year, and right now, the house favorite is an orange pop that’s made with fruit and veggies. They usually stick into the molds, so our recipes need more tweaking. Sometimes (usually!) we get ice cream or frozen yogurt on our evening walks. We’ve even bought some cones and sundae supplies to keep at home.

#6: Oral Care

This post is brought to you by Aquafresh® toothpaste. Because summer sure is sweet -- in more ways than one. So, we always keep our oral health in mind. Ada’s brushing habits are getting better by the day. After her first dentist appointment in the winter, she even reminds us that it’s time to brush her teeth. But summer has us traveling all sorts of places and munching on all sorts of foods that could harm our teeth. We don’t want any surprises at our next dentist appointments!

Aquafresh® toothpaste contains fluoride which provides Sugar Acid Protection -- active defense for teeth against summer sugar by both repairing teeth from the consequences of sugar acid attacks and protecting them for the future. That way we keep our defenses up against all the lemonade, frozen yogurt, BBQs, PBJ packed lunches, berries, s’mores, parade candy, beer, wine, and more. I’ve been using the red, white, and blue paste since I was a kid because it tastes great and makes my mouth feel fresh.

Keep an eye out for Captain Aquafresh this summer (and follow his tips on Twitter @AquafreshUS). And don’t forget to brush!
How will you be taking care of your teeth while making the most of your summer? Leave a comment below to enter for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!

Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 7/23/2015 – 8/23/2015

Be sure to visit the  Aquafresh® toothpaste’s brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

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Recycled Bird Feeders and Oral Health

It’s finally spring! After the long, cold winter we had, I’m so much enjoying the warmer, sunnier weather and being outdoors again. This is our first spring in our new house, and we’ve already noticed that we get many more critters over here than we did at our last place.

Since our property backs up to a creek, we’ve especially noticed a greater variety in birds flying around. We thought it would be fun to set up a few feeders in trees so Ada could get more up close and personal. I started shopping around, but then quickly remembered making birdhouses and feeders out of old milk cartons when I was a kid. I thought this project would be fun for Ada to help me with as we begin to enjoy this new season.


STEP 1:

Clean out a used milk or juice container. We used this lemonade one, and I like how it has the round cap for eventually hanging the bird feeder in a tree. I even used the artwork to guide my cuts in the next step.


STEP 2:

Cut out access points/windows using an X-ACTO knife or scissors. I strongly suggest the adults do this part because cutting through cardboard can be tricky. There’s really no right or wrong way to do it. Just create enough space so a bird can go inside. You’ll want at least one window, but you can make as many as you like of all different shapes and sizes.


STEP 3:

(Optional) Paint your bird feeder. I used a thin coat of some leftover indoor/outdoor spray paint we had in the basement. You can also just leave your container as is or paint using something that won’t immediately wash off. I’ve also seen people use colored tapes, buttons, twigs, etc.


STEP 4:

Use string to feed through the top spout and then through a hole you can poke in the back for hanging. I used some yarn, but I think twine might work best.


STEP 5:

Fill with bird food. We purchased a good amount at our Christmas Tree Shops for less than $2. Just spoon the food into the bird feeder until it’s full. You can also add a perch if you like, but in my experience, the birds do fine either way.

And then you’re done! We’ve had ours up since the very first days of spring (when there was still even some snow on the ground!) and it’s holding up great!


This post is sponsored by Aquafresh^® toothpaste in an effort to remind each of us -- young and small -- to practice good brushing habits this spring (and all year long!). Obviously sugary, acidic beverages, like my beloved lemonade, are delicious to sip in the warm weather . . . in moderation. However, they can certainly wreck havoc on our teeth and gums.

I’m actually quite self-conscious about my teeth. I was born with low tooth enamel due to a medication my mom took for hyperemesis gravidarum during her pregnancy. It was black boxed several months after she had finished her dosage. Anyway, I need to be particularly careful about my oral hygiene (we all should), which is why I’ve decided to share this information with you in this campaign.

Here are some things you can do:

• Keep an eye on the stuff you eat. There are sneaky sugars in so many foods these days, so try to minimize your exposure to food and drink that contain excess sugars. 
• Brush twice a day.
• Brush at a 45-degree angle to the gums and use short, gentle strokes on all of your teeth’s surfaces.
• Don’t forget to also brush your tongue and floss! Your gums trap food and plaque between teeth where the brush can’t as easily access. 
• I always keep a water bottle handy so I can flush away anything when brushing isn’t convenient.
• Check out more tips for healthy teeth and gums.

How do you celebrate Springtime? Tell me in the comments for a chance to win a $100 VISA gift card!

Entry Instructions: 

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 6/3/2015 – 7/3/2015

Be sure to visit the Aquafresh^® toothpaste brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

Read more...