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Does Registry PC Cleaning Software Really Work?

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Have you ever questioned does registry PC cleaning software really work? We have. That’s why when we recently had the opportunity to try PC Health Boost, a registry PC cleaning software we jumped on it. We immediately experienced a difference in the performance of our old laptop, which has been sluggish and temperamental. Now it is faster and issues with Netflix pausing at 33% while loading is no longer an issue.

PC Health Boost is a PC cleaning software that gives your PC that extra boost it needs to perform better by fixing tiny issues. When we ran the software, it literally fixed over 200 issues. Who knew a computer could have that many issues?

This software is only for the Windows OS.

Boost Software, INC is a Microsoft Gold Partner and has won tons of awards for their software, which eased my mind concerning the risks involved with downloading software from the internet to our computer. PC Health Boost is very user friendly. Our 14 year old daughter was the one to download it onto the computer and she had no issues doing so. It just took her a little while to find out where to enter our complimentary license key.

For all my skepticism about registry cleaners, I have to say I am pleased the old laptop is working better than it was before. Here’s to hoping we get a few more months out of it!


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BabyGanics

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Keeping my kids clean is always one of my top priorities as a mom.  Making sure my son washes his hands after using the bathroom, before eating, and after playing outside is important to me. Sometimes we are not always at home and finding a bathroom to wash up is not always easy.  In the summertime we like to go to the playground and have picnics. I try to always bring hand sanitizer along so we can be clean before we eat. Have you ever looked at the label of hand sanitizer, and noticed how much alcohol is in them? Most alcohol-based hand sanitizers contain at least 62% alcohol; that’s insane!

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BabyGanics is different.  Their alcohol free, hypoallergenic formula kills 99.9% of germs.  The problem for me, with most hand sanitizers, is that they dry my hands out so much that I need to apply lotion immediately after.  I most definitely did not need to do this with BabyGanics Foaming Hand Sanitizer.  They have a unique moisturizing formula.

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The pump style bottle is very convenient and simple to use. My 4 year old can easily pump a small amount of foam onto his hand and rub until it’s all gone. He loves that it’s a foam.

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Making a somewhat boring task such as cleaning hands, fun for kids makes a world of difference as a mom.  The BabyGanics Foaming Hand Sanitizer is available in Fragrance Free and Tangerine. I tried the Tangerine, and it was such a light scent I barely noticed it. The smell was fresh, but not overbearing.

BabyGanics offers an array of products from Personal Care items to Household Cleaners.  Their mission is to create products to create a safe, healthy, and happy environment for babies and parents. Their products are available in store and online at numerous places. To learn more about BabyGanics and all they have to offer, visit their website at:

www.babyganics.com

 


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SitStay.com Pet Treats for Valentine’s Day

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Our Newfie/Golden Retriever mix dog, Padfoot, recently tried Shindig Valentine’s Day Treat Trio dog treats from SitStay.com. Valentine’s Day is a day to remember our pets with “sweet” treats too, right? And since dogs cannot have chocolate Love Licks, Heartbreakers and Love Birds are the next best thing…for a dog.

FFR Padfoot getting a treat 021814

Love Licks – 3″ jumbo patties made from USDA inspected bison tongue & heart. Nutrient-rich and tasty!

Heartbarkers – 100% USA raised beef heart. High in protein & coenzyme Q10 for good heart health.

Love Birds – Human-grade chicken & turkey breast fillets – raised & packaged right here in the USA! Perfectly combined poultry proteins.

All include ingredients are sourced right here from the USA.

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The ingredients in these dog treats are actually pretty good. I had photos of the ingredients to include but they are stuck on our DSLR camera. :(

Padfoot really likes these treats, then again he’s not a very picky eater. Sometimes he gets sick of certain things he has a lot, like chicken, eggs or bread if the children are tossing their leftovers to him! He definitely preferred these over his peanut butter that you see in the video. He usually loves licking out the peanut butter jar, not so much this time when a Valentine’s Day treat was available instead.


Be aware I was really loud at the beginning so have your volume turned down!

Padfoot gives Shindig Valentine’s Day Treat Trio dog treats from SitStay.com two thumbs up!


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Where Do You Need More Love in 2014… from Yourself?

This is a guest post.

Self-Love-day-picture

Be More Loved in 2014

Do you over-give, over-do, over-work? Have relationships that aren’t respectful? Settle for less than your heart desires? Criticize, judge or compare yourself? Make choices based on fear, shame, or guilt? These are all signs you need more self-love this year, because these are all actions that are not self-loving.

Self-love is a choice you make, a permission you give yourself, like a best friend would.

Download the FREE Self-Love Pulse Check & Self-Love Promise Kit to grow your ability to make choices that honor your heart & soul >> www.ChooseSelfLove.com

Make 2014 a Year You RECEIVE MORE LOVE for Yourself, Starting with the Love From Yourself

Celebrate The International Day of Self-Love, February 13th. RSVP for this free live-streamed event on self-love day with best-selling, self-love expert Christine Arylo and self-love singer Karen Drucker. They’ll guide you to:

Give yourself permission to get what YOU need to feel taken care of, loved and free.
Take a Self Love Pulse Check – see where you’re weak in your relationship with yourself and where you are strong.
Participate in a self-love ceremony & make a set of self-love promises that’ll support you to give yourself what your heart and soul desire
Receive a set of Love Mantras you can use all year to transform guilt, shame, blame, fear, stress and criticism into LOVE in minutes!

It’s free to register. RSVP for free Now – Go here to register >> http://www.SelfLoveParty.com


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Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared Giveaway

Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared

Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared Giveaway

If you haven’t met Ju-Ju-Be and their fantastic line of bags, it’s time you do. They offer a large selection of diaper bags, handbags, and backpacks to fit any of your needs. Each bag is made of high quality, machine washable, durable materials. Leaving you with a bag that will last you for years to come.

And we’re giving away one of their amazing bags, the Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared. This awesome diaper bag features:

  • Full zip-down mommy pocket for super access.
  • Unique main zipper closure system makes for easy access.
  • Memory foam changing pad included … nice ‘n comfy, super cushy
  • Picture pocket to keep photos handy when bragging to friends.
  • 2 exterior insulated bottle pockets … with Thinsulate by 3M. Keep it warm? Keep it cold? Sure!
  • Structured bottom with luggage feet.
  • Color-coded tabs let you know which pocket is for which child.
  • Tote handles can be tucked away and hidden when not in use.
  • Teflon … so stains don’t stick.
  • AgION Antimicrobial Linings … kills germs, mold, mildew, fungus, bacteria, and other bad stuff.
  • Crumb Drains … bye-bye mess!
  • Metal Hardware … we don’t trust any of the cheap plastic stuff.
  • Light-Colored Linings … you can actually see what’s inside, it’s not just a big black hole in there.
  • Quiet Magnets … Velcro’s noisy. Yuck!
  • Machine Washable … air dry.

Take a look at this video for a quick demonstration of everything the Be Prepared bag has to offer.

Win a Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared

Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared Diaper Bag Giveaway

The awesome folks over at Ju-Ju-Be want you to fall in love with Be Prepared. They’re offering one lucky fan the chance to win a Be Prepared bag in the pattern of your choice! This giveaway will run from 2/11/14 to 2/25/14 at 11:59 PM EST. Open to US residents only. Winner will have 24 hours to claim their prize. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Grand Opening of Grocery Store Chicago Mariano’s

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #MyMarianos #CollectiveBias

FFR Grocery Store Chicago Mariano's Lk Zurich Grand Opening

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the grand opening of a new grocery store Chicago Mariano’s in Lake Zurich. I am so excited because this puts Mariano’s even closer to us! I took two children with me and they said the new store was nice and shiny. Neither of them have ever been to Mariano’s.

I have been to three Chicagoland Mariano’s and I have to say that besides the selection of organic products offered, the courteous and friendly staff stood out to me the most – at every store. For example, last week when I went to the customer service desk to meet up with the media contact I spoke with a couple of different Mariano’s employees. Then after the tour of the store I spent well over an hour shopping before heading to check out. I met up with one of those initial staff members near the check out area. He actually remembered me and asked if I found who I was looking. As busy as it was for a grand opening, I was impressed.

I finally signed up for Mariano’s reward card since I plan to be back often and forgot the other two times. Using the sign up kiosk was really easy once an associate got me started.

Lake Zurich Mariano’s Highlights

Those of you reading for any length of time know I love shopping at Mariano’s. It’s always more than a shopping trip, it is an experience. It was no different at the new Lake Zurich store. Below are a few highlights.

The first department I always shop first is the Produce Department. Mariano’s has more than 200 organic choices! We had to buy fruit and veggies for upcoming meals and birthdays!

FFR Grocery Store Chicago Mariano's Lk Zurich Produce Dept.jpg

Mariano’s in Lake Zurich is the only store to offer a specialty balsamic vinegar and olive oil “tasting bar” with 200 different kinds of each product in its International Aisle.

FFR Grocery Store Chicago Mariano's Lk Zurich Vinegar Olive Oil bar.jpg

We love the International Aisle. It’s filled with lots of interesting products from 15 different countries and it’s actually where I found quinoa (keen-wa), an ingredient we need to make Quinoa Hamburger Soup.

Mariano’s Specialty Cheese section is a fun place to visit, featuring hundreds of artisanal, imported and domestic cheeses. Not to mention cheese sampling as well. Yummy!

FFR Grocery Store Chicago Mariano's Specialty Cheese.jpg

Mariano’s health key (TM) is helpful in finding products that are gluten-free, vegan, organic or heart healthy.

FFR Grocery Store Chicago Mariano's Lk Zurich Health Key

Meat & Seafood Department. Did you know that Mariano’s will grill your meat or seafood before you take it home? No charge. All you need to do is ask. I didn’t know this. Though I am not fond of seafood, I do like the fact that Mariano’s brings much of their Chicago seafood from shore to store within 24 hours.

FFR Grocery Store Chicago Mariano's Grill Station

There is a dietitian available for consults and education, which was also new to me.

Squeez’d smoothie bar features made-to-order yummy, nutritional fruit and vegetable smoothies, plus Mariano’s signature fresh-squeezed orange and other juices. We got to sample the fresh-squeezed orange juice and it reminded me of my summer in Costa Rica, when our hostess served us fresh-squeezed OJ each morning, just like my grandma use to when I visited her house.

The Bakery Department will make your mouth water with its delectable scents of freshly baked items. We bought sandwich bread and Italian bread.

Coffee lovers will enjoy getting their morning cuppa at Mariano’s Vero coffee shop with authentic Italian coffee and gelato. Shhh….but I’ve never had gelato.

Mariano’s sure was busy and we even visited first thing in the morning! I was very happy it had ample parking and lots of carts, including little red children’s carts – so cute to see little ones helping their moms shop!

You can learn more about Mariano’s by visiting their Facebook page or following them on Twitter.


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Week #15 Saturday Top Five Laughs

Saturdays Top Laughs dentistmelsbbutton-11

We are joining Mel over at The Mommyhood Chronicles for week #15 (for us) in the Saturday Top Five Laughs of the week.

5. Crushed Bones and Poison Bloody Death compliments of Amelia Bedilia when I told her to label it “Baking Soda”. She’s been hanging out with B, can you tell?

Crushed Bones

FFR Poison Bloody Death

FFR Baking Powder
She’s not our best speller…takes after her dad and yes, he’d say the same thing! ;)

4. “Picture it, Mommy, picture it!” Jr. said about his “school work”. My phone crashed this week and I think I may have lost the photos of school work, as I could not find them on my phone or computer. :(

3. Goats are very curious. They got a hold of our son’s glove and then were fighting over it. They tried to nibble on our oldest’s iPod. They thought the stiff brush B was trying to brush them with was something to eat. They were trying to catch sunbeams on each other’s backs. When the dog got loose and ran down to the barn and jumped on the goats stall, all they did was paw the ground and shake their heads at him.

2. We went to the mall for a girls day out yesterday and because of traffic etc. I had the girls watching for cars and people as I backed out of the Panera Bread parking lot. Amelia Bedilia goes, “Ah mommy, the snow bank!” I told her I didn’t care about the snow bank or the curb because I didn’t have to pay for those if I backed into them. I cared about people and cars! Yeah, can’t tell money is on my mind…sigh.

1. The other day I napped in the afternoon and woke up around 4:15pm when my husband came into the room. I jumped up and said, “I’m late for the newspaper!” My husband said, “It’s 4:15 in the afternoon.” I was so dazed and disoriented it took me a few minutes for that to sink in. I just stood there trying to focus…it was weird. Robert and the children laughed and teased me about that one for the rest of the day!


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A JOLLY TIME Pop Corn Recipe for Valentine’s Day

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There is nothing like snuggling up with your loved ones around a classic bowl of good ole popcorn! Jolly time might even inspire you to write a love poem around those light , fluffy kernels of buttery goodness!

 

This Valentine’s Day why not treat your family to some Jolly Time Pop Corn! Try out the recipe below for a special Valentine treat for the kids or any loved one! We sure did! We made the Choco Cherry Hearts for the family… and don’t worry if you do not have a heart shaped cookie cutter … we made ours into balls instead and put them on the sticks and they turned out great as popcorn pops! So any way you “pop” it this is a great Valentine’s treat! Throw them in the children’s lunch or surprise a loved one with a bouquet!

 


Choco Cherry Hearts Bouquet Recipe

Choco-Cherry-Heart-Bouquets

Makes about 8

Ingredients:

12 cups popped JOLLY TIME® Smart Balance Butter Light Microwave Pop Corn (about 1 bag)

1-1/2 cups dried tart cherries

1 (1-pound) bag mini marshmallows

1 cup white chocolate chips or chopped vanilla candy coating

¼ cup butter

Red food color

Long lollipop sticks or thick bamboo skewers

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate morsels

 

Here’s How:

Mix popcorn and cherries in a large bowl.

Place marshmallows, white chocolate, and butter in a large saucepan. Cook over low heat until melted and smooth. Stir in a few drops of red food color to tint the mixture pink.

Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn; toss gently until well coated.

With wet or buttered hands, press mixture into a 3-1/2 to 4-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter (place cutter on a foil-lined baking sheet; press in popcorn, then lift cutter off).

Insert a lollipop stick in the base of each heart.

Allow popcorn hearts to cool completely. Meanwhile, melt the dark chocolate. Drizzle over hearts.

Allow to harden.

Wrap hearts in cellophane and tie with ribbon; stand them up in a vase or jar as a centerpiece or gift.

You can find more flavors, recipes, and inspiration from America’s first family of popcorn ~ celebrating its 100th birthday this year! Please visit Jollytime.com for more information on this product, coupons and free offers!

Link to Jolly Time Pop Corn promotions (coupons and free offers with UPC submission)

 

 


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More Kids – Wordless Wednesday

Nope, we are not having a baby! We just got our second oldest daughter’s goats over the weekend! We were suppose to get her a goat last year but the one we found fell through. We took the summer off from looking and started our hunt back up in the fall. We found them in Wisconsin in November and because we wanted them bred, the owner kept them for the last two months to make sure they had ample time with the billy goat.

B decided on Oberhasli dairy goats. They are sweet natured and docile. The males (or wethers a.k.a. casterated males) may be used for meat. She named them Annabeth and Hazel. If both goats successfully give birth we could have anywhere from 1-4 kids come spring, as twins and even triplets run in their family and many goat families. That means our goat flock could grow from 2 to 6 or more very easily this year. B will probably keep one, give one to her sister for her birthday and sell any others. At least that’s what she’s thinking right now. We are looking forward to having our own goat milk as it is very hard to find for B’s soap making business.

Excuse the watermark on my photos, they are for our farm and I just didn’t want to take the time to make new ones for this blog.

Loony Acres Annabeth and Hazel-2

Loony Acres B and Hazel-2
B and Hazel getting better acquainted.

Annabeth and Hazel traveled very well. It was a bit of a struggle to get them in the dog crate we used to transport them but once they were in there together they settled in nicely. By the time we got them home they were curled up together and hard to get OUT of the crate! Once we got one out, the other pretty much followed.

We have an old barn. It’s all open in the bottom so there were no real stalls. We have had to create each of the stalls for the horse, the cow and now the goats. My husband built their stall out of free wood pallets. A friend gave us the idea to use wood pallets to make the goat’s pasture and then we came across the idea for the stall when googling “goat stalls”. ;) It is very rough looking but it does its job, was cheap and I think my hubby did a good job. I’ll post about the DIY goat stall separately. I have to try and get better photos. The barn is so dark that it’s been a challenge.

Here’s to our “new” kids!


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5 Ways to Save on Time and Money at Healthcare Clinic Chicago

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #HealthcareClinic #CollectiveBias

Screen Shot Healthcare Clinic Chicago

It has always been important to us to do everything we can to keep our family healthy. In the past when our large family has been under the weather it has taken us a l-o-n-g time to get over colds, the flu and even the chicken pox (7 children had it one after the other!). We are very grateful for our current health. It isn’t very often we get sick but when we do there are things that help us get healthy again. For example, when my husband gets wax build up in his ears to the point he can no longer hear, he goes to the Healthcare Clinic Chicago to get his ears candled or cleaned out. He has done this a couple of times, dropping by the clinic while out on errands or after work. No appointment necessary. It is very convenient and time saving for a busy parent.

FFR Robert's Ear Healthcare Clinic Chicago 2

The Walgreens Healthcare Clinic in Crystal Lake, IL has been very clean when we have dropped in and the Healthcare Providers have been courteous and personable. Both of these things has given us confidence in the professionals caring for our needs.

5 Ways to Save on Time and Healthcare Costs for Parents

1. As stated above, the Healthcare Clinic takes walk-ins. No appointment necessary, though you can schedule one should you desire to do so.

2. Use the Walgreen app to find a healthcare clinic nearest you.

Walgreens Healthcare Clinic Chicago

Put in your information, customize what you are looking for and a list of clinics near you will come up:

Walgreens Healthcare Clinic Chicago_1

3. Save on costly and unnecessary trips to the ER by visiting a Walgreens Healthcare Clinic, since they are open on weekends and evenings.

4. With Walgreens Prescription Savings Club, club members receive 10% savings on all Healthcare Clinic services. Please note Walgreens website states: This discount cannot be used in conjunction with insurance.

5. Healthcare clinics have on-site pharmacies. No need to go elsewhere for prescriptions.

FFR Blondie Healthcare Clinic Chicago 2

As you can see, Walgreens Healthcare Clinic is very convenient and affordable. The next time we visit a Healthcare Clinic Chicago it will probably be to see if our youngest daughter’s ears need to be candled because we have a funny feeling she’s taking after her dad in that department!

What about you, have you ever visited a Walgreens Healthcare Clinic?


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