Parenting/Life

KidzShakes Ends The Breakfast Battle

Disclosure:  Although items in this post were provided to me, all comments and opinions are strictly mine.

A lot of parents complain about making lunches each day for their children for school. I don’t find lunches much of a problem, breakfast is the hardest for me. Getting up and my son out the door in time for school is hard enough without fighting to get something in his belly to start his day. My son does like smoothies, so when I was asked to try Kidzshake, I was somewhat hopeful.

What is KidzShake?

KidzShake is a nutritional shake that was developed by a doctor (with kids of her own) specifically for kids, not just kid version of an adult drink. These shakes contain ingredients that growing bodies need, no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, 17 essential minerals and vitamins, probiotics, and is GMO Free, gluten free, soy free, nut free, corn free.  And the best part, they actually taste really good.  I tried them myself.

Breakfast Line of Kidzshake

My son was instantly impressed.  We tried both the chocolate and vanilla flavors and tried each flavor by adding milk and then by adding only water.  His favorite was the vanilla with milk.  It almost tasted like a vanilla milkshake.  We then added some ice and tossed it all in the blender and then they definitely tasted like a milkshake.  Having a milkshake for breakfast that was actually good for you was a real bonus for my son.

Breakfast KidzShake

We also tried using KidzShake as a base for smoothies by adding fruit and veggies to them and adding even more nutrition to them. Aside from the chocolate and vanilla flavors, there are strawberry and orange cream as well.  My son has requested we get the orange cream flavor next time.  With 4 flavors as a base and so many ways you can add to these shakes, we will never get bored of having them.

Breakfast Jack

My son is always wanting popsicles and freezies, so I think I may just have to use this to make a healthy version and not have to worry about all the sugar that can be found in other versions.

At least now in the morning I am not dreading trying to get him to put something in his stomach that is not only good for him but something that he will enjoy.

You can learn more about Kidzshake on their Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest pages.

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DIY

Inspire My Creativity – Dollar Store Monogram Bag

It’s time again for our Inspire My Creativity blog hop.  If you haven’t visited us before, you can check out one of our previous hops where we made DIY gifts including my  Sugar Scrub Lip balm.  Each 2nd Wednesday of the month, we post our latest and greatest creations.  Each month has a predetermined theme and this month’s theme is “Dollar Store”  Crafts.

If you love the your local dollar store as much as I love mine, you know there are so many great crafting ideas to be found. Although when it came time for me to pick a craft this time, it definitely took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do.  But then I saw these great burlap shopping style bags hanging on the wall and I knew I had to use them.

Dollar Store bag

Now that I am going to the gym on a regular basis, I was needing something to carry my shoes, water bottle, etc and this bag was the perfect size to hold my things plus any of my son’s things when he joins me.

After a bit of pondering, I decided that I would monogram the bag with my initials to make it truly make it “mine”.   This was a fairly easy craft that need just a few supplies but with so many different options that anyone can easily make their own in no time.

Dollar Store Supplies

The supplies I used were:

  1.  My Cricut Explore Air
  2.  Cricut Vinyl
  3.  Krylon Spray Paint

The first thing I did was cut out a stencil with my initials using my Cricut.  I then peeled the backing off the vinyl very carefully and placed the stencil on my bag and made sure I had it positioned properly.

Dollar Store stencil

I then made sure everything was stuck to the canvas as smoothly as possible so avoid any bleeding from the paint.  I also covered as much as the edges so that they did not get any spray off as well.  I then carefully sprayed the paint over the stencil.  Be sure to do this in a well ventilated area and use small quick strokes to get the best coverage.

Dollar store painted

I let the paint sit for a few moments before I carefully peeled off the stencil.  Please note (I learned this the hard way) that the paint on the vinyl will still be wet and be careful not to let if touch anything.

And there you have it!!  I now have my very own, one of a kind, monogrammed bag.

Dollar store done

This was so easy to make and there are so many different ways you could make this your own.  Are you looking for some other Dollar Store craft ideas?  Check out the other hostesses for our link party and see what great ideas they came up with.

Meg  |  The Kusi Life
Candice  |  She’s Crafty
Jaclyn  |  The Dotted Nest
Victoria  |  Dazzle While Frazzled
Sydney  |  Tastefully Frugal
Lindsay  |  See Lindsay
Julia  |  The Quiet Grove
Do you have a Dollar Store craft that you would like to share?  Please join our Link Party and add yours!
 
What I'm Wearing

How to Survive the Rest of this Winter

So last week, several little critters decided to forecast 6 more weeks of winter for us.  I don’t know about you, but this winter has seemed worse than what we’ve been subjected to the past few years.  It’s not going to be pleasant but here are a few things that might just make the rest of this winter a little more tolerable.  And best part, is they are all from Amazon, so you don’t even need to leave the house to get them.

  1. Blanket Scarves:  If you are like me and regardless of the weather are always cold, there is nothing better than wrapping one of these blankest scarves around you to keep you toasty and warm.
MissShorthair Warm Plaid Blanket Scarf

2. Pom Pom Hat – It’s only been in the past couple of years that I have started understanding the importance of wearing a hat.  These days I barely leave the house without one.  It’s amazing how much warmer I am when I wear one.  This pom pom style which has been quite trendy this winter is super cute on and is great for those morning runs to get the kids to school and you still have bed head.

C.C Thick Cable Knit Faux Fuzzy Fur Pom Fleece Lined Skull Cap Cuff Beanie

3.  Fleece Lined Socks – If my feet are cold, it is game over for me.  I can have the warmest boots on, but still need socks like these fleece lined ones to keep me warm.

EBMORE Women’s Home Super Soft Warm Winter Snowflake Fleece Lined Crew Socks

4.  Slippers:  I don’t like walking around in bare feet or even just sock feet, so I need to wear slippers as well.

 

Sorel Women’s Nakiska Slipper

5.  Snow pants – There are going to be days that the kids are going to want to go skating or sledding and you will have to be outside with them.  I feel like a kid again wearing now pants but I sure keep warm.

Arctix Women’s Classic Snow Pants

6.  Insulated Coffee Mug –  Warm coffee for those endless hours outside with the kids.

Contigo Snap Seal Superior Stainless Steel Tumbler

I am sure there are many other things like tickets to Tahiti that would make this winter a little more bearable but hoping these few things will help you get through the next 6 weeks.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive compensation if you purchase a product through these links.