Koala Safe Router Review


In today’s world, we all have a dependency to play a little too much on our electronics devices.  Smart phones, tablets, lap tops, all common products in our homes.  Kids are especially vulnerable to the addictive qualities of these products.  I know I wished for a better way to limit time on their electronics without the fights.

KoalaSafe is a router with a wireless network that can be programmed to shut off. Easily connect kids’ devices to the network, and schedule when they can access the Internet. When it turns off, children know it’s time to put away their electronics.

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Parents faced with addicted smart-device kids have an ally on their side with KoalaSafe! Create a “KoalaSafe Moment” right from the start by limiting online time for kids and gain some much needed peace at home. KoalaSafe is a simple solution for the endless hours of screen time on connected devices.

Easy-to-use family-friendly WIFI access point:
•    Protect and manage all devices from one mobile device interface
•    Set to turn off at specific times
•    Block inappropriate sites and apps

After seeing his nephew become more addicted to online games and seeing his sister battling to manage screen time, founder Steve Pack created a better way to help parents regain some screen time balance.

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We have been using our Koala Safe for over a month now and love it!  Really has cut down on the battles and disappointments when we tell the kids times up!  I love that I can control it from my phone as well.  Definitely recommend this router!

The opinions and thoughts contained in this post are 100% mine. I only ever work with companies I support and think you, my readers, will like. Please read my full review and endorsement policy here.

Review: Stonyfield Organic Greek Yogurt

Who here doesn’t love a good yogurt?  We are a huge fan in this house and have always used Stonyfield for everything from eating it alone, to smoothies, to substituting it for milk in recipes, even as a sour cream substitute!  This month I tried the Organic Greek Yogurt for the first time and have to say we are all hooked!  Such a great thick and smooth texture, fresh flavors and of course the Stonyfield quality!  My 18 month old grandson loves it with almost every meal!  I use it in the kids morning smoothies and even used the Blueberry flavored yogurt in waffle mix!!  Yum!

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One of the best things Stonyfield did with this yogurt is keep the flavor separate from the actual yogurt.  This works well in my family because my oldest daughter loves full flavor, while my youngest likes it lighter.  Satisfies both of them!

If you haven’t tried the Greek Yogurt yet, don’t walk, run and get it.  I promise you will never go back to regular!

The opinions and thoughts contained in this post are 100% mine.  I only ever work with companies I support and think you, my readers, will like.  Please read my full review and endorsement policy here.

Review: Frogglez Goggles

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My little one, Xiola, loves swim goggles….like seriously loves them.  So when I was approached by a Frogglez rep about reviewing a pair of their new goggles, I jumped at the chance.  I will admit I was skeptical however, we have gone through many brands of goggles with none really working out as well as we hope.  I had never heard of these before so wanted to give the a chance.  I knew she would love them as soon as I opened the box.   They are really soft and are incredibly well made.  She put them on and he gave a huge thumbs up on comfort.  Her words, “These are the most comfortable goggles ever!”

 

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Frogglez are super easy to adjust, unlike some others that I grow frustrated at and inevitably pinch and poke her head, pull her hair and never fit correctly around her eyes.   These are like a dream.  No complaints or frustration!

 

Frogglez products are latex free, Phthalates-free, Lead-free, Formaldehyde-free and are continuously tested to ensure the safety of our children.  This makes all the difference in the world to me because they were created by a mom and dad who had the same frustrations we all have with other swim goggles for our children and wanted a safe product for them as well.   Born from the heart and out of necessity, Christian Hahn and his wife came up with the perfect solution for children who love to wear goggles.  I will definitely be getting more to keep on hand!

 

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It’s been too cold to swim still, but with Spring quickly approaching and warmer days upon us, we will be in the water sooner rather than later, and Xiola will definitely be sporting her new eyewear!

 

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Valentine For Violet

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Recently crocheted this dress for my little newborn niece, Miss Violet. This was a super fun project that didn’t take very long once I got going on it.  I love Malabrigo worsted weight yarn. It’s so soft and yummy, and the dress holds its shape extremely well.  Can’t wait to see it on the little munchkin!

For pattern info:  Chevron dress pattern by Andree Tünde 

Review: AQUA Carpatica Naturally Sparkling Water

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A recent article in The Atlantic pointed to the effects carbonated water has on tooth decay. As people started substituting sparkling water for soda, studies were being conducted on dental effects and it all boils down to pH.

Acidity is measured on a pH scale. The lower the number, the more acidic the substance, and the more detrimental to dental health. Pure water has a pH level of 7. Bottled water, both still and carbonated, can have a pH level of 5-7, while sodas can have a pH level as low as 2.

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AQUA Carpatica recently sent me some products to sample. Both sparkling water and still water. I have to say, I love sparkling water, and this water didn’t disappoint. It has a very smooth consistency. Not overly carbonated, but still just as refreshing! And it appears to be healthier for your teeth than most other carbonated waters!

For those who love sparkling water but are concerned about the recent news, consult your pH scale! AQUA Carpatica Naturally Sparkling Water has a nearly neutral pH of 6.5 – the closest pH level to pure water compared to other brands on the market (for comparison, Poland Spring Sparkling has pH of 4.6, Perrier 5.8, and San Pellegrino 5.6 according to recent lab tests with NSF International).

AQUA Carpatica’s Naturally Sparkling Water also contains a very high mineral content, which according to dentists, can actually offset some of the potential damage caused by consuming beverages with a low pH. AQUA Carpatica Naturally Sparkling Water contains 280.00mg/L of Calcium, 24% of an adult’s daily needs. So while there is still some natural CO2 in AQUA Carpatica, the nearly neutral pH level and the mineral content can offset the acidity, making AQUA Carpatica Naturally Sparkling Water the ideal choice for a sparkling refreshment.

This brand has recently been launched in select stores and will be available in national stores in the coming months.  I highly recommend grabbing a few bottles and trying them for yourself…refreshing!

 

Turning Back Time

So back in August I had the opportunity to attend the 2015 Young Living Convention in Dallas.  What an amazing experience!  I learned so much more about this company, which I already loved, but now love even more!  Gary and Mary Young are two of the most sincere and passionate people I have ever had the privilege of hearing speak.  Seriously, Gary’s love of these oils is HUGE!  They described building their farms, coming up with blends, searching the world over for the perfect places to grow the plants needed for these gems.  Gary cried talking about the struggles and triumphs while building the Northern Lights Farm so they could distill the most amazing oil I have ever experienced, the Northern Lights Black Spruce.  What a powerful oil.  I will definitely be blogging about the properties of that one soon.

 

Face Blend

Today’s post is about a blend based on Mary’s miracle serum for our faces.  Gary described how she uses these oils every single day and seeing her in person, I can tell you that she doesn’t look even close to her actual age.  This woman has the most gorgeous skin I have ever seen.  The face serum I made, thanks to the recipe from my friend Bethany, utilizes some of these oils.  I am hoping to turn back time, or at least make it stand still for awhile!   The testimonies from fellow oil enthusiasts regarding this “blend” are well worth trying, and fortunately I had all the oils to do this.   Plus I could put to use an empty Lavender 15ml bottle!  Reduce, reuse, recycle!

 

Royal Hawaiian Sandlewood

The first oil in this blend is Royal Hawaiian Sandlewood.   It is from the botanical family, Santalaceae – or Sandlewood,  and is steam distilled from heartwood from Hawaii.  The S. paniculatum tree is native to and found only on the island of Hawaii, where Young Living has a partner farm that practices sustainable reforestation farming management principles.  Hawaiian Sandlewood has been historically used to aide in skin issues, support reproductive health, may support the cardiovascular system, among many other things.  The body systems associated with this oil are emotional balance, muscles and bones, nervous system and skin. Aromatically it can be helpful in calming, harmonizing and balancing of emotions.  It may also enhance meditation and was used as an incense for this purpose in religious rituals.  This specific sandlewood has many similar properties to most other sandlewoods.  The ORAC value of sandlewood is 160 µTE/100g.  ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. It tells you the antioxidant capacity of a food item. This was developed by the USDA researchers. For instance: Blueberries = 2,400; Clove = 1,078,700. Wow! The number for clove is NOT a typo!  Good stuff!

 

Myrrh

The next oil is Myrrh.  It is from the botanical family Burseraceae (resinous trees and shrubs), the genus species being Commiphora myrrh.    It is steam distilled from gum, or resin, from Somalia.  Before the biblical stories of Myrrh, well over 2,000 years before these accounts actually, it was one of the most desired and most expensive items in the world.  This resin goes all the way back to Greek mythology from the goddess Myrrha who was forced into a relationship with her father, Cinyras.  He avenged this by turning her into a tree and when it sprouted  its blooms, Adonis was born.  The resinous drops that come from cuts in the tree bark were said to be Myrrha’s tears.    Myrrh is very spiritual oil and has been used in religious ceremonies and rituals for over 5000 years!   Myrrh releases fears, difficult experiences as it relates to us or the world.   It asks us to be more accepting, trusting and non-judgmental of ourselves.  The benefits of myrrh include skin care.  Since the Egyptians it has been used to maintain healthy skin and sooth chapped or cracked skin.  Contains a high content of sesquiterpenes, a class of compounds that have a direct effect on the pituitary, hypothalamus, and amygdala, the seat of our emotions. It is purifying, restorative, revitalizing, and uplifting.  A powerful antioxidant with an ORAC value of 379,800 µTE/100g!

 

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Next we have Lavender.  That beautiful oil.  Lavender is one of the most versatile oils in nature. The fragrance is very relaxing and calming to the body and mind.  It is from the botanical family Labiatae, which is actually a mint believe it or not.  The genus species used by Young Living is Lavandula angustifolia.  It is steam distilled from the flowers.   While Lavender has been used for centuries, especially during the medieval times, it was the French scientist René Gattefossé was among the first to re-discover lavender in the early 1900’s.  Since that time is has been widely used for it’s calming properties, and is believed to support healthy skin.  The ORAC value is 360 µTE/100g.

 

Frankincense

Finally we have Frankincense.  Oh what an oil!   The botanical family is Burseraceae, resinous trees and shrubs.  The genus species is Boswellia carterii.  It is steam distilled from the gum/resin of the Frankincense tree in Somalia, Oman and Yemen.  It is considered a holy oil in the Middle East and used as an ingredient in incense for religious ceremonies.  In ancient history it was said to improve communication with the gods.  The uses and benefits of Frankincense date way back to the Egyptians and Sumerians.  This ancient essential oil has been used for spiritual connection and to support a healthy immune system.  It is also a valuable ingredient in skin care products for healthy looking skin.  Frankincense contains 8% sesquiterpenes and is 78% monoterpenes.  Monoterpenes are known to be calming.  The ORAC value is 630 µTE/100g.  Seriously Google Frankincense…..you will be amazed!

 

Face Serum

The recipe I used is as follows:

*An empty 15ml Lavender bottle (about a half an ounce – 1 ounce equals 29.57353 ML)

*10 drops of each oil

*Fill the rest of the bottle with 4 drops Vitamin E and the rest with Grapeseed Oil, you can alo use jojoba oil.

I have been using this serum for a few weeks now and have noticed a huge difference.  People tell me I have a glow!  At 50, to be told I didn’t look close to my age is a huge compliment.  Plus I know I am putting good things on my skin without a bunch of nasty chemicals! I count this a success!  Here’s to turning back time, or at least helping it stand still!

Last Chance

To celebrate their 1,000th online class, Craftsy is giving you the chance to get 50% off the most commonly ‘wishlisted’ classes! That class you have had your eye on for a while might just be on sale. Why not see for yourself and browse these before they’re gone? Hurry, it ends tonight! I absolutely love Craftsy!general_01_1200x627


*contains affiliate links

Ratatouille

Last month I had the extreme pleasure to attend my dear friend, Jaime Rubensteins’s January Cooking Class.   Jaime is an art and cooking instructor and holds classes in both mediums once a month.  They are fantastic!!  I had the best afternoon and met some really beautiful people!

For the January class, Jaime taught us how to make Ratatouille, Hummus, and DIY Pita Chips.  I love Mediterranean food and so this class really appealed to my taste buds!  Jaime had also just taken an amazing journey through Israel last Fall, so I knew she would have some authentic tips.

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We started off by roasting the vegetables for the Ratatouille.  The smell in that kitchen was heavenly!  I never really thought about roasting vegetables much prior to using in dishes, however Jaime explained to us that this brings out the true flavors.  We drizzled with Olive Oil, seasoned with salt and pepper and popped them in the oven for about 20 minutes.  After they had cooled they were chopped up and sauted on the stove.  The great thing about Ratatouille is there are no really wrong ways to make it.  We used squash, eggplant, onions and tomatoes, but you can add and subtract anything.  And you can spice it up as much as you want.  What Jaime made for us was amazing!

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While veggies were roasting for the Ratatouille, we worked on the hummus.  Simple and easy!!  I have this same Ninja and I have to say it is my favorite kitchen appliance next to my Instant Pot!  Everything for the hummus just goes in here and walla!  There are so many different things you can put into it too!  Delicious and fresh hummus was ready!  The pita chips were made with pita bread cut into triangles and drizzled with olive oil and spices.  Again, you can spice these up as much as you want!   We baked them under the roasting vegetables for about 15 minutes.  Delicious!!!  I could have eaten the whole bowl by myself!

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If you are local to the Austin area, I highly recommend getting on Jaime’s email list and taking one or more of her classes.  They are fun, affordable and best of all, delicious!!!!  Bon Apetit!!

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