Quaker for Our Family's Health

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Quaker and their spectacular line of breakfast foods.

After coming home from a very exhausting week, I was thrilled to find a package of Quaker products waiting to be reviewed. Easy and delicious breakfasts, ready to go! This morning, my daughter and I popped open a bag of cinnamon oatmeal, sliced some apples into a bowl and sprinkled some sugar on top before we settled down on our back patio for breakfast. I felt so proud to be providing my family with a nourishing, oat-based breakfast before heading out for yet another busy day of playing with friends, running errands and a lengthy gymnastics class. 

"No sugar added" so that you can choose your own level of sweetness. It also opens the door up for alternative sweeteners, depending on your dietary needs. 

Quaker is fully committed to encouraging not only proper nutrition, but also proper physical activity. In a generation that is often more inclined for sedentary schedules for most of the day, it is really important to provide yourself and your family with active opportunities.

Did you know that Quaker is the title sponsor of the Chicago Fire Juniors, the Major League Soccer Club's youth player development program? It supports more than 10,000 kids and families in Chicago and nationally in their soccer "goals." In fact, from August 9-11, hundreds of Chicago Fire Juniors' teams from around the country will come together for the Quaker Invitational for a weekend of soccer, community and fun. The two winning youth teams will earn a chance to play on The Chicago Fire's home field, Toyota Park on Sunday, August 11. Each player will receive free game tickets to attend a game between the Chicago Fire and Montreal Impact, too! A dream come true for so many kids.

I've been a long-time consumer of Quaker products. Cinnamon-apple Oatmeal has been a staple in our house for years and years and I am excited by the snack I just had: Quaker Soft Baked Bars Cinnamon Pecan Bread.... Oh my word. Delicious and healthy with only 140 calories and 6 grams of protein. Just enough to keep my motor running today!

Perfect for the ride to gymnastics! We literally fought over the last bites of the Banana Nut bar...

I'm thrilled to be a part of the Quaker campaign that is focusing on nourishing our families with healthy, energy-packed food; food that encourages us to get up and GO!

What is your favorite Quaker product? Have you tried the Soft Baked Bars? They truly are delicious; my daughter asked if we had any more!

I have been compensated by Quaker for my review, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Help Make This a Hunger Free Summer

*This compensated post is brought to you by ConAgra Foods and The Motherhood, but all words and opinions are my own.

Just Another U.S. map, right?

Except that this map is color coded to display the levels of our population who are currently food insecure. What does "food insecure" mean? Being Food Insecure is pretty straight-forward. It means that you do NOT know that there will be food in your belly tomorrow night, or maybe even tonight. In a country so abundant in food production to the point that approximately 40% is thrown into the trash every year, how is it possible that so many people are in such great need of nutrition?

Perhaps the hardest statistic to digest is this: 1 out of 6 children in the US fall into the food insecure category. ONE OUT OF SIX children in this country, a country which is literally OVERFLOWING with food, go to bed hungry every night.

You may be wondering, "How is this possible? Don't we have programs to combat this hunger? Doesn't anybody care enough to fight this?"

People care! Programs exist! They exist, but one of the difficulties for those who are in need is connecting with the assistance that is available. In the school year, for instance, over 20 million children receive free lunches at school through government assistance programs, but only approximately 2 million children continue to participate in summertime food programs. The need does not suddenly disappear from June-August. Families still struggle to obtain ample, nutritious sustenance; but lack of education about resources and/or affordable transportation results in an enormous discrepancy of assistance being received.

ConAgra Foods Foundation is in its 4th year of a 5 year pledge to help eliminate summertime child hunger. This summer, 29 food banks in 20 states will receive Hunger Free Summer grants, ranging from $20,000 to $50,000, to benefit programs that strive to take the extra step in helping the neediest of our citizens through extensive outreach.

What can you do to help today? The simplest thing of all is to click on this YouTube video, narrated by Chris O'Donnell and watch it all the way to the end. For every completed view, ConAgra will donate the monetary equivalent* of one meal to Feeding America.

 

And NOW that you've watched it, you have the ability to take it one step further by sharing this video across your social media sites! Again, every completed view = 1 meal for a very hungry child. When was the last time you were able to feed a hungry child by watching a YouTube video?

*Monetary equivalent of one meal is approximately $.13

Any facts not attributed or linked otherwise can be found on the ConAgra Foods Foundation Website or Feeding America website.

A Truly Hunger Free Summer....

*This compensated post is brought to you by ConAgra Foods and The Motherhood, but all words and opinions are my own.

I over ate today. I did and it sucked because it just doesn't "go away." It takes time before I am comfortable again and I end up feeling so guilty! Not only because I would like to be healthier (and thinner) but also because I know how very difficult it is for a vast population in America to procure enough to eat let alone be in a position to have TOO MUCH.

Being hungry... It's a different kind of pain. I can't imagine how much agony it must be to always have that empty churning in your belly. I know that missing just one meal is enough to distract me from all duties and dreams. What must the constancy of a pain in your stomach do to your ability to focus on schoolwork? When hunger is consuming you, there is little room in your life for anything sparkly and grand. How can one focus on planning for tomorrow when today is full of instability and confusion?

Did you know that more than 21 million children are enrolled in the free or reduced-cost lunch programs offered by their schools but only approximately 2 million children utilize the government supported summer feeding programs?? Think about what that number means. When I visualize millions of children potentially missing a meal every day for the entire summer (a meal that may have been their only nutritious possibility during the school year), my heart breaks.

ConAgra Foods Foundation has continued their pledge to battle this food insecurity in the summertime through the Hunger Free Summer program. Across the country, food banks will benefit from the nearly 30 grants that ConAgra issues to support programs that connect hunger insecure children with the resources that their families need to receive the assistance that is available. I am so grateful for the support that they provide and often wish that I was in a position to make a bigger difference as well.

Thankfully, there IS a simple way that all of us can help. Even if you haven't a penny to spare, you can help feed a child today. For every view of this YouTube video hosted by Chris O'Donnell, ConAgra Foods Foundation will contribute the monetary equivalent of one meal to Feeding America. Be sure to watch it to the end for the view to count!*


Now that you've watched it, please share the link on any social media site you frequent. Just think of the implications of each of us sharing the video about 5 times!! How many people do you know on Facebook or Twitter? JUST THINK of the ripple effect you can cause! YOUR help of just a few minutes of your time may result in thousands of hungry children receiving meals this summer.

What else? What else can we do? Well, if you do have a few spare dollars, please consider the Feeding America as a worthy choice to donate to. You can find more information on their program HERE. You can always call your local food bank to find out what products they are low on and throw a few extras into your shopping cart at your next grocery store run. Also, if you have any other ideas, please comment below and share with us all! This is an ongoing problem and one that cannot be solved with just outlet.

Let's make this the year that marks the change of summertime hunger!

*Be sure to watch it to the end for the view to count!!

Small Changes for a Healthier Life after Coca Cola's Balanced Living Workshop

I was compensated for my participation in Coca-Cola's Balanced Living Workshop, but my thoughts and views are my own.

I try my hardest to live my version of a happy life. What is my version? Well, a life that includes adventure and joyful experiences has always been pivotal in my personal happiness. Closeness to family and friends is key for my mental health, so I have made conscious decisions with my husband to remain within the Chicagoland area as we raise our children.

Photo credit:CocaCola Company and Bruce Powell Photography  Me, feeling happy, at Boka in Chicago.

One aspect that I have neglected in my happy life goal is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Let's be honest; forgoing the second piece of chocolate cake or exercising until your abs burn isn't what most of us would label as "Fun." Then again, recurring insomnia due to an inactive lifestyle isn't my idea of a fabulous way to live my life, either.

Photo credit:CocaCola Company and Bruce Powell Photography  My vision board at the Coca-Cola Balanced Living Workshop focused on a healthier lifestyle that allows for more energy to be spent on travel and adventures with my family...

So I am committing to changing. I AM. After returning from the Coca-Cola Balanced Living Workshop in Chicago, I feel empowered to make small changes in my life and that of my family. I don't plan on throwing all of the sweets and fatty foods away, but I do plan on implementing several lower-impact alterations. In fact, after the meeting I had at the workshop with a personal dietitian, we've already completed the first step she recommended:  

We had a family dinner on Wednesday.

Now, a family dinner may not sound like a "big deal" to most people. But for us, our nights are usually fairly busy and we don't have the opportunity to eat together every night. In fact, it's impossible several nights a week. But Wednesdays are normally free nights and will now be known as our Planned Family Nights. We don't have to have a crazy healthy meal, but we will have a consciously planned meal which will hopefully lead to healthier choices. Our first planned meal included homemade pasta and sausage. Maybe not the BEST choices, but we were all sitting down, so we decided to have a poker night afterwards! All of us, teenager included, spent the evening around the dinner table without a single electronic device in sight.

It. Was. Heavenly.

If attending this workshop can change no other aspect of our lives other than the fact that we will be eating and playing games as a family every Wednesday night? Then I will be satisfied.

I know for a fact that I won't leave it at just that, though. I mean, right now, I am wearing my pedometer that Harley Pasternak suggested in our fitness workshop to monitor my daily activity. And after looking at the low, low number of steps I've taken (due to my activity on the computer all morning), I am gearing up to take the dog for a lengthy walk. I might even hit the mall for some Christmas shopping tonight, even though I could probably find everything I need online. If all goes well, the teenager may just decide to come with me and burn some calories alongside his mom!

Photo credit:CocaCola Company and Bruce Powell Photography

Oh, Harley. You were so peppy... But in a good way that didn't make me want to throw bits of cheese at your head. Thanks for the advice!

See? Small changes that will hopefully lead to big differences.

My mind was definitely opened up to the possibility that Big corporations are interested in the little guys. I never would have thought that Coca-Cola would have chosen me to give a chance at better health. I also never imagined that they were doing so much on so many local levels. Did you know that Coca-Cola provided a grant to the Chicago Park District? Read this release from the Chicago Park District Website:

"A grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation backs the Park Families Wellness Initiative, which will offer fitness and nutrition education classes for Chicagoans of all ages.  The program works on increasing a family’s minutes of physical activity as well as its knowledge of a healthy lifestyle by emphasizing nutrition, dietary habits and exercise.

The program will strive to be the leading provider of affordable wellness programming in the City of Chicago as it impacts 125,000 patrons.  The number of fitness programs and locations will also be increased citywide as the Chicago Park District offers consistent class options in-line with national trends.

The grant will also fund Coca-Cola Troops for Fitness, a program that features military-style fitness classes led by U.S. veterans.  The program will be available at Chicago Park District field houses next year."

I love hearing about big corporations who invest in communities. If you are interested in learning more about how Coca-Cola has been investing in the health and wellness of Chicago, check out the Coca-Cola Live Positively page and poke around for a while. Even after attending a conference sponsored by them, I was STILL surprised by all that they offer!

Seriously though, the best advice I heard and retained at this workshop was the simplest. And I will share it again in hopes that YOU may decide to follow suit:

Small Changes.

Thinking Big isn't "bad" but it sure can be overwhelming. Small Changes means you can figure out where you want to be healthwise, and then backpedal to the first steps. How can you change the way you feel about food? How can you change the way you feel about fitness? I cannot start jogging today, and I would probably quit because it's such a huge change to my lifestyle. But this pedometer thingy has really, REALLY opened my eyes to my lack of daily physical activity. In the few days I've been wearing it, I have made conscious decisions to walk more and just jump up and down to get that number up a little bit higher than it was the day before. (And if any of you giggle at the thought of me jumping up and down? That's all right. I am used to being laughed at. Ever see me do the Elaine?)

Me at BlogHer in 2011, doing my Elaine dance, just moments before my camera hit me in the face...

See? Small changes.

 So let's all get up and walk and jump and eat dinner with our families and have a second helping of green beans instead of pie and maybe our hearts and bodies and lives will be just a little bit healthier and happier, right?

Photo credit:CocaCola Company and Bruce Powell Photography

Let's DO this! The group at The Chopping Block in Chicago.

The Farmtastic Food Trek

Do you know where your food comes from? Do you care about the treatment and care that the animals and crops receive before they arrive at your grocery store?

The Illinois Farm Families want you to know more about these processes. Families like the Spangler family (below) are gathering together with other Illinois farmers on www.watchusgrow.org to answer your questions and provide the information you need to make educated decisions regarding your food choices before you arrive at the grocery store.

 In fact, this group is so interested in getting each and every one of you involved, that they have started a fun activity for your shopping trips! Bring your iPhone or Android phone with you to the grocery store to take 5 pictures using Instagram to enter the Farmtastic Food Trek and a chance to win tons of prizes including $500 in groceries!!

Chicago Area Moms from the Field Mom outreach

There are 15 questions to choose from, and all of them are fairly easy to answer. August 15 through September 30, all you have to do is take a picture of your child holding the proper food, label the Instagram photo with the hashtag #foodtrek, and voila! You are entered! (Please note: I am not in charge of this promotion, so be sure to check the Farmtastic Food Trek page for complete list of rules and regulations.)

 I would love to know if you enter this trek! Good luck to everyone and have fun at the grocery store!

*disclaimer: This is a compensated post but all words and opinions remain my own.

What's better than fresh summer fruit?

Ever buy a bunch of fruit because it's on sale and then fret over the cost and think to yourself "These kids BETTER eat this healthy food because I am NOT going to throw it away (again)!"

Ever do that?

Ever get distracted by life and then realize that HEY! It's been... 2 weeks since I went shopping for fresh produce. I wonder what's left? I wonder how nasty it is?

So you cautiously approach your fridge, open the produce drawer and...

What? What is this? The apples and pears are still good? The spinach and lettuce are mostly fresh and crisp? The berries are still perfect?!?

Yep. The Produce Preserver option on my Whirlpool refrigerator actually works. I couldn't believe it. I still can't. But the fruits and veggies, which should have been at least a LITTLE nasty at 2 weeks into it, were all edible and appetizing.

Yet another feature on our new fridge that I adore...


*Disclaimer: I will be reviewing this Whirlpool refrigerator for the next year. Though these posts will be sponsored, all opinions and words will be my own.

Mixbook.com

I know that there are many different sites available where you can create photo books and photo projects, but have you ever heard of the custom photo books by Mixbook.com? At Mixbook, you can create a completely unique and personalized photo book with results akin to an old-fashioned scrapbook. Your own style and design. Your own photos and memories captured in just the layout that you have envisioned in your mind's eye.

Sound intriguing? Go check them out! In fact, if you act before January 15, you can get 2 calendars for the price of 1!

*disclaimer: This is a compensated post, but all opinions remain my own.