Movie Review - The Mighty Macs

by: Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS film journalist

The Philadelphia born filmmaker Tim Chambers takes an inspirational true story that is recorded in the annals of women’s sports for his latest feature The Mighty Macs. He writes, produces and directs the film that he describes as “the equality of dreams”. Forty years ago the cultural norms for women were still very traditional and it did not afford women the luxury of equal opportunities their male counterparts had in the world of sports. Chambers notes, “That while the most successful inspirational sports movies use the sport as a metaphor, The Mighty Macs isn’t just about basketball, but it is how a young coach, Cathy Rush, could unite a team and change a generation of young women”. Chambers, familiar with the historical account, is the perfect insider to tell their story as a Philly “home boy”, raised Catholic and his personal recollection of seeing Cathy Rush in action as a boy of ten years old. His desire to give credence to this forty year old story speaks volumes to the women who chose to pursue their dreams in spite of cultural adversity in the early 70s. Chambers not only wanted to tell of those days gone by but acknowledge the accomplishments these women made on society because they dared to break through cultural barriers.

In the fall of 1971, the Immaculata all-women’s Catholic college in Philadelphia hired a new basketball coach, twenty-two year old Cathy Rush (Carla Gugino). Rush never would have dreamed that her sassy, strong, charismatic, attractive, and stylish leadership would leave an imprint on the legacy of the college or in women’s sports. The stress and strain of being the newest faculty member at the all-female college was just the beginning of Cathy’s concerns. Her first day on the job she learns that a fire destroyed the gymnasium on campus. The Mother Superior (Ellen Burstyn) tells her that there is no plan to resurrect the sport facility due to insufficient funds and gives warning that her job is on the line if she doesn’t produce. Taken back by the rude awakening of a community that showed her very little love, Cathy embraced the word creativity and leaned into her supporters. The offer from Sister Sunday (Marley Shelton) to be her assistant coach and the backing of the college nuns was her first answer to prayer. The next hurdle was to see if she had enough women to make up a team. The disastrous first practice forced Coach Rush to instigate a tough but attractive training plan rally a team together. She wanted force the players to decide if they wanted to work as a team that could dictate their destiny. Soul searching was immanent! Coach Rush taught the difference to why teams get to championships and why teams win the championships with the words: trust, believe, and unite. The inspirational journey these women embarked was history in the making and a story never to be forgotten.

Immaculata All-women Catholic College was the 1^st National Women’s Basketball Champions in 1972. They also won in 1973 and 1974.  In 2005 the college went Co-Ed. Cathy Rush was a mentor and an inspiration to many who committed to follow their dreams. In 2008 she was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Some of her original players went on to be doctors, lawyers and teachers.  Several went on to coach basketball in colleges such as St. Joseph University and in the WNBA – namely, Theresa Grentz (University of Illinois), Rene Portland (Penn State) and Marianne Stanley (Old Dominion and the WNBA). 

Teach Your Kids Compassion with a Shoe box - Operation Christmas Child

The Novotny family tradition began 14 years ago. I walked into my local Bible book store and there was this huge stack of shoe boxes, and next to it was a display of books titled Miracle in a Shoe Box, by Franklin Graham, founder of Operation Christmas Child.

I picked up the book and skimmed through it only to discover this was the story about Operation Christmas Child in action. I was compelled from that moment to begin an annual tradition with my children, filling shoe boxes with a variety of items to be sent across the world to children who were in desperate situations.

The book has since gone out of print (available online at used book sites and maybe your local library) but the tradition has continued on in my family and across the country.


Will you begin a new family tradition and join the Novotny family in filling shoe boxe's?




Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on missions project while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas.


November 14-21 is National Collection Week. To find a drop off location near you click here http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Drop_Off_Locations/

How to Pack a Shoe Box
Click here to download and print the appropriate labels http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/


1. SHOE BOX
Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

2. BOY OR GIRL?
Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the artwork to the right. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

3. FILL WITH GIFTS
Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. Use the gift ideas provided on the bottom of this page.

4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION
Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our EZGIVE option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.

5. DROP OFF
Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at the Collection Center nearest you during our collection time November 1 - 18.For locations and hours of collection visit our Drop-Off Locations page where you can find the nearest place to take your shoe box by entering your ZIP Code or you can call 1-800-353-5949.You can also send your shoe box gift to: Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child801 Bamboo RoadBoone, NC 28607

GIFT IDEAS

TOYS small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

OTHER Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

A PERSONAL NOTE In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)

DO NOT INCLUDE: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans

Printable – Label, Instructions and Donation forms

Click here for the above printable instructions and box labels http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/

Click here for donation form and box labels fill out the form and include it in your box with your donation to receive a tax receipt. (Gifts are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.) http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/



Do you have an Operation Christmas Child story/tradition?

Fun Filled Omega 3 DHA Crepes

When your kids begin to tell you they need and want more Omega 3 in their diet you know it’s time as a mom to search for creative ways to incorporate Omega 3 into their diet. Yes that’s me the mom who was told by her 9 year old that he needed more Omega 3 in his diet for his heart and brain.

With a variety of eaters in our home I have discovered that my daughters crepe recipe is a perfect way to get extra Omega 3 into our diets.  Her crepe recipe calls for both eggs and milk and by using Horizon brand you will be including Omega 3 DHA in your crepes.  An your family can  even choose to fill their crepes with fillers that contain Omega 3 as well. (see list below).

Crepes are easier then you think to make and your entire family will enjoy filling and eating them while getting a good dose of Omega 3 DHA.

Savannah’s Crepes
5 eggs (Horizon brand with Omega 3 DHA)
1 2/3 cups milk (Horizon brand with Omega 3 DH)
2  ½ tablespoons butter, melted
1  ¼ cup all purpose flour
2 ½ tablespoons whit sugar
½ teaspoon salt

Mix all ingredients in a blender.  Pour desired amount in a prepared stove top frying pan (prepared with melted butter) .  Allow batter to cover entire pan to create a large round crepe. Once fully cooked on one side flip it over to finish cooling opposite side.

Remove from pan fill center or crepe with assorted fillings and roll crepe style and enjoy.

Omega 3  crepe filling ideas:
Broccoli
Spinach
Strawberries
Raspberries
Blackberries
Walnuts
Salmon
Tuna
Shrimp

Are you wondering what the BIG deal about Omega 3 DHA is? 

What is DHA?

Omega-3’s, also known as “good fats”, are a group of essential fatty acids. There are 3 types of omega-3’s: ALA, EPA and DHA. DHA is considered to be one of the most important of the Omega-3’s.  It is a major structural fat in the brain and eyes, accounting for up to 97% of the omega-3 fats in the brain and up to 93% of the omega-3 fats in the retina.  Scientists agree that DHA consumed in the diet can become available to support brain, eye and heart health.

Why is DHA important for your kids?
While all Omega-3’s are important, research tells us that DHA may offer the greatest number of distinct health benefits. It has been widely studied for its impact on brain and visual functioning and its role in supporting heart health.

How much DHA is recommended?
·       DHA is found primarily in fatty fish, and many Americans, especially kids, don’t get enough of these foods to get the recommended amount of DHA in their diets.
·       160 mg of DHA a day is recommended by leading health authorities for the general population. However, the average American consumes only 60-80 mg per day.
·       Children often have even lower intake – children ages 1-6 years old were shown to have an average DHA intake of 20 mg/day.

Now - Share how you sneak Omega-3’s into your family’s diet for a chance to win a $500 Grocery Shopping Spree!

DHA belongs to a category of healthy fatty acids known as Omega-3's. DHA is a major structural fat in the body, and has been shown to support brain, heart and eye health. Not only is DHA found in foods like salmon and eggs, but it can also be found in Horizon® Organic Milk enhanced with DHA Omega-3. Learn more about Horizon’s commitment to healthy families at http://www.horizondairy.com/everyday-nutrition/dha-omega-3/

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon.  The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the Horizon Organic brand.

Live Party TONIGHT With 3 Musketeers

Calling all Northwest and Seattle area moms we just got the inside scoop on a BIG Party happening TONIGHT.  


Are you a chocolate loving mom, need a night out, want to meet other moms face to face?  Then Join me tonight at the
3 Musketeers Like Up at the W Hotel in Seattle for appetizers, 3 Musketeers, and Of course, lots of  fun and raffle items that will give you MORE of what you want most... sleep, vacation and chocolate!


3 Musketeers Like Up Details:

Time: 6:00-8:00PM

Where: W Hotel Seattle (1112 4th Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101)

RSVP: Get your FREE event tickets here: http://seattlelikeup.eventbrite.com/


About the 3 Musketeers Like Up Event:

Earlier this year, 3 Musketeers launched a reformulated version of its classic candy bar. This new bar now features more chocolate taste for a richer chocolate experience along with the light and fluffy texture we expect from the candy bar. Keeping with the theme of wanting more (because who doesn't want more chocolate?) 3 Musketeers surveyed over 1,000 Americans to see what other types of things they would like more of. Along with things like vacation, TV channels and sleep, they also found that people would like more face-to-face real world interactions with their social media contacts. Interesting that in a society where it seems almost everyone is always plugged into some type of social networking tool, people still long for the days when friends would gather at a local venue and share stories, photos and jokes over their favorite beverage. So Join in the 3 Musketeers Like Up tonight in Seattle.

APP Of The Week - Zoomingo

Zoomingo is a mobile “shopping discovery” app focused on fashion, jewelry, beauty items, purses, shoes and home décor that lets users know what’s on sale at local stores. No more going to 10 different stores in the mall to find the best price on that particular pair of Seven jeans that make your booty look fabulous. Now, it’s a quick and easy on-the-go search that saves time and money.

Find a great sale? Share it with the Zoomingo community – and also get info on other hot items on sale in your area. It’s a shopping win-win: Instant access to great sales in your own backyard equals smart shopping that takes less time.

Sign in to the iPhone app: www.zoomingo.com. Launch the Zoomingo app and use your login information from Zoomingo website to sign in. If you used your Facebook credentials to create your account, please click on "Sign in with Facebook.” If you created an account on Zoomingo via your email account, sign in with your email account and password.

Movie Review - Courageous

 

A surprise to mainstream press was the debut of Sherwood Pictures’ latest faith-based film Courageous. CinemaScore gave a rare A+ to the film and Variety quotes, “Time and again, the pic effectively emphasizes how the deputies are reminded on a daily basis what eventually can happen to at-risk children who don’t have fathers involved in their lives.”

Directed by filmmaker and screenwriter, Alex Kendrick worked alongside of his brother Stephen Kendrick, Executive producers Dr. Michael Catt and Jim McBride and many volunteers to bring to the big screen the a gut-wrenching narrative on the topic of Fatherhood—those heroes who desire to make a lifelong impact on their children.

Nathan Hayes (Ken Bevel) transfers to the Albany, Georgia police department and makes a lasting impression on his new colleagues the weekend prior to his first day on the job. Hayes is minding his car at the local gas station. He finishes the fill-up and gets in his car to leave, turns on the engine and sees that his windshield needs a heavy cleaning. He gets out of the car and goes to get the windshield washer located two islands over. The car is running and unattended. Hmm! Yep, the truck is hijacked. The thief must whip Hayes’s vehicle doing a 180 degree wheelie for the quick get-away and to avoid oncoming traffic headed for the gas pumps. Hayes is following the action in a state of frenzy. In his attempt to stop the driver, he leaps toward the vehicle to grab onto the steering wheel as the truck is in hurried motion. The thief tries to push him off the car but to no avail. The scuttle continues as they head onto the main road dodging one car after another. Hayes does everything in his power to derail the thief. The thief loses control of the vehicle throwing Hayes off into the ditch and he drives the truck into a tree. A partner in crime following close behind the action rescues the thief and the two escape the scene. Eyewitnesses call police and attempt to tend to Hayes as he is painfully moving toward his truck. He swings the back door of the vehicle open to see his baby was still alive and secured in his car seat. Hayes act of courage to save his little baby was just the beginning of events that would transpire to challenge his conviction to be a man of courage.

Nathan and his fellow law enforcement partners, Adam Mitchell (Alex Kendrick), David Thomson (Ben Davies) and Shane Fuller (Kevin Downies) had one calling: to serve and protect their community. The slogan represented their daily acts of valor on the job but when their police uniform came off a transformation took place. The courageous father and husband uniform did not transpire. Why? Too much ego and not enough love; but, when tragedy hits the ego mask seems to slowly disintegrate and the need for love is exposed. On the lighter side you’ll enjoy delightful real people humor and a few editing glitches; and, I finally know why police officers rarely pull people over for cell phone infractions.

Courageous is the journey of a group of tough guys in hot pursuit to serve and protect; but, along the way they learn that courage has to do with being men of integrity and to confess that honor begins at home.

Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS film journalist

Movie release in theaters: September 30, 2011

APP Of The Week - JELL-O Jiggle-It

By Kraft New Services, Inc.

Sure, you’ve seen JELL-O jiggle. But, you’ve never seen it bump and grind like this. With the new Jiggle-It app, you can watch a cube of JELL-O dance to the beat of your favorite song. Choose any track from your iTunes library or play music straight from your speakers, and the JELL-O cube will jiggle like there’s no tomorrow. Whether he’s stirring it up or serving it out, one thing’s for sure—this cube’s no square.

The app pioneers new BPM (beats per minute) technology to determine the energy of any track and help the cube break it down, matching the beat of your song. You can also swipe your finger to activate special moves—leaving every user asking, “Can your dessert do this?”

GAME FEATURES:

- Music visualizer
- Multiple-cube selection
- Song selection from iTunes or mic mode
- Passive or active dance experience
- 30+ dance moves
- Share functionality

Download the Jiggle-It app for free here: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/jell-o-jiggle-it/id465412189?mt=8

Movie Review - Dolphin Tale

Dolphin Tale

By: Karen Pecota
24/7 MOMS Movie Reviewer

The world of Sawyer Nelson (Nathan Gamble) takes a downward spiral with the news that his beloved cousin, Kyle Connellan (Austin Stowell) will enter military service, in place of pursuing his long-time dream to train for the U.S. Olympic swim team. Kyle has been a strong mentor to Sawyer since his dad walked out on him and his mother, Lorraine Nelson (Ashley Judd) leaving them to struggle both on an emotional level and financially. The questions left unanswered for the two is the most damaging. Sawyer is angry. His emotional state is fragile and is worried for the life of his cousin. He would be devastated if his cousin never came back from the war zone he is assigned. Kyle is Sawyer’s hero and wants to see him excel as an Olympian but the optimistic Kyle says there will be time to pursue his dreams after the military.  Kyle presents Sawyer with a heavy-duty Swiss Army knife as a going away gift to be something tangible to be remembered, as well as, a helpful tool in Sawyer’s workshop. Sawyer is creative and builds amazing gadgets.

Sawyer needs time to ponder his feelings of sadness and takes the long way to school which trails the Clearwater, Florida coast line just off the Atlantic Ocean.  Sawyer is on his bike and hears someone calling for help. Sawyer heads down to the beach in the direction of the male voice. Sawyer sees that a Dolphin has washed up on shore and awfully tangled in crab-pot wire. It’s alive! Sawyer grabbed his Swiss Army knife and began franticly cutting wires to release the pressure that was strangling the dolphin to its death. The dolphin is at the mercy of Sawyer’s hand and sees the work that Sawyer is doing to save its life making a connection to him. Sawyer is able to free the dolphin but the tail is badly damaged from the injury. Sawyer’s sadness is compounded with the fact that he could not do more to ease the dolphins’ agony. The authorities from Clearwater Marine Hospital arrive on the scene to transport the dolphin to a safe haven.

The evening news makes the accident newsworthy. The Marine Hospital’s Dr. Clay Haskett (Harry Connick, Jr.), states that the dolphin, they have named Winter, will lose its tail. Sawyer yearns to help Winter one more time. After supper he heads to his workshop to do some research and wonders if a dolphin would take to a prosthetic tale. Sawyer connects to Dr. McCarthy (Morgan Freeman), a famous prosthetic limb designer for military veterans to ask help to save Winter. Though apprehensive the two embark on an inspirational journey of true valor; between a dolphin in need, a young boy’s desire to have purpose and a group of friends willing to be on the cutting edge of mammal life survival using technology to save the life of a dolphin.

P.S. Dolphin Tale is based on a true story, written and directed by filmmaker Charles Martin Smith with Alcon Entertainment. Smith notes, “The real Winter, who plays herself in Dolphin Tale, today serves as a symbol of courage, perseverance and hope to millions of people—both able and disabled—who have been touched by her remarkable story of recovery and rehabilitation.

Rated: PG

Karen Pecota

24/7 MOMS film journalist

Released in local theaters: September 23, 2011

APP Of The Week - Shooger

Everyone loves a great deal, but sometimes the best discounts are hard to find. With the new Shooger mobile app shoppers can be in the know with instant access to the most vibrant network of deal hunters in the world.

Shooger brings the power of the community to the palm of your hand to help you find great deals on products, services and more, wherever you live or travel. Shooger leverages location-based tagging with user-generated content to deliver a dynamic network of dealhunters. For more information, visit www.shooger.com.

APP Of The Week - WHERE

WHERE helps users find nearby places they’ll love.  WHERE uses its advanced “recommendation engine” to deliver place suggestions that are relevant for individual tastes –connecting its over 50 million users with real time info and deals  from businesses they actually want to visit.  When roaming around town or jet-setting to new locations, WHERE will point you in the right direction  and comes equipped with useful and easy to navigate features including:

Discounts: Use the handy quick search function for finding nearby deals and discounts.

Best Bets:  Get personalized recommendations for places and offers selected specifically for your tastes.

Favorites: Save your Favorite places and share them with friends. 

Crowd Pleasing Tools: Bump with a friend or connect via Facebook and get suggestions for where to go together.

Detailed Descriptions: Get directions/maps, reviews, approval ratings and more for each location.
Local Info: Quick reference tools for localized news, weather, traffic, ATMs, cheap gas stations, attractions, etc.

Available for FREE on iPhone, Android and Blackberry phones.





Click here to get your FREE app now.

Practice Safe Spending Tips For Parents Of Teens and College Students

 With two of our kids now full time college students living away from home,  my husband and I have found that our new word is EMPTY - "empty bedrooms, empty seats at the dinner table and empty wallets" our wallets that is.  Phone calls home come often when there is a need for more money. Between books, tuition, gas for the car and food to help them survive the need for money can be endless and quickly empty our wallets. So, how as parents of semi independent college students do we teach them to budget and give them resources to help them become financially savvy.

Can you say American Express - they have the perfect solution a card that allows safe spending and allows us to place custom monthly limits.  You can keep track of your students spending at the same time allowing them independence to budget and mange their money. It's simple - you just add a card to your existing American Express card and specify monthly spending limits.

Our goal as parents is to create money savvy adults who can manage their money and spending habits without making huge financial mistakes along the way.  We as parents need tools and tips to help us along the journey so, in an effort to arm parents with tools and tips to educate their teens about responsible spending, American Express, along with financial expert Jean Chatzky and Mom Central founder  Stacy DeBroff, launched the Safe Spend program. Designed to help parents teach their kids how to "Practice Safe Spend" before heading back to school, the program offers tips to make discussing the importance of money management a little easier:

- Protect yourself from a budget blowout: There are college expenses you plan for - food on the meal plan, books - and then there's everything else. Laundry, late night pizza and other extras add up fast. Decide how much your teen will have for these variables, tell them to track all spending, then check back in a month to see how it's working out.

- Understand that no means no: It happens to parents, too - paying for a killer outfit or electronic gadget with a credit or charge card, only to feel the delayed sticker shock at month's end. Before your college student arrives on campus, talk about the types of spending temptations they may experience and should avoid while at school.

-Keep your teens close, and their spending closer: A card linked to your account proves ideal for teens in emergency situations. Parents never know when their young adult might need immediate access to additional funds to get themselves out of a jam. For example, their car might break down and they need to pay for a tow. You can give your teen a charge card like the American Express Additional Card with Custom Limits, that allows you to quickly and easily raise their spending limit - granting them access to additional funds - simply by going online.

To read all of the "Practice Safe Spend" tips, please visit financialtools.americanexpress.com.  Also you can find tips for financial savvy middle schoolers and high schoolers  check out all the great articles and tips.



 “I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of American Express and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

TJ Maxx /Marshalls Frugal Shopping Tips and Giveaway

We all have our favorite stores we shop in some of us like to hit the malls others like thrift stores I personally am a brand name designer shopper who loves to buy at discount prices on everything from clothes accessories to household items and when I say discount I mean up to 60 % off mall store prices.

I'm talking about my shopping addiction to TJ Maxx and Marshalls - I have been known to stop into TJ Maxx and Marshalls  on many of my travel escapades because of the large selection of styles, brand names and variety of products I know I will never walk out empty handed there are many bargains waiting for me on each shopping trip - by biggest problem is deciding what I must have and what I will pass up on due to my shopping budget.  Not only did I find name brands but I find high quality clothing that will last beyond one season of wear.

I have been training my daughters to become savvy bargain shoppers. Each back to school season gives me the opportunity to share my shopping know how with them. Together we have discovered a few tips along the way. Ready to begin your TJ Maxx and Marshall shopping addiction?  Join my daughters and I as we shop till we drop all of the bargains and deals with these tips:

Tip #1 -Make a list - Before heading out to shop be sure to create a need list so you are not overwhelmed when you are shopping each isle of the store moving from clothes to housewares.  A list will help you to keep you on track shopping for the items you are in need of.  Yes I still find a few treasures each time that are not on my list.

Tip #2 - Compare and buy - Check the"Compare at" price on the tags and see what the item would sell for in you local Malls and department stores.  I have found the compare at prices to be extremely accurate and fun to watch my savings grow with each item I place in my cart while shopping.

Tip #3 - Weekly Shopping - Ask store employees when merchandise shipments arrive - Each store receives about 10,000 new pieces of merchandise each week  - so shop weekly.


Tip #4 - Don't forget - TJ Maxx and Marshalls sell wonderful toys, beauty products, luggage, linens and so much more don't think just Clothes when shopping at TJ Maxx and Marshalls.


Tip #5 - Last minute buys - Be sure to look at the merchandise being sold in the check out isles and on the check out counter.  You will find great gifts, stocking stuffers and birthday gifts.

On a recent back to school shopping trip to both TJ Maxx and Marshalls with my daughters we found some great deals on not only clothes but items to decorate and prepare one of my daughters college dorm room.  My Favorite deal was finding her Zebra bedding, an entire set including sheets for her dorm room.  The price was 50% off of the regular price a deal we could not pass up.  We also were able to pick up new beauty products such as a Hair drier and salon hair products all at 60% off prices and even school clothes for the two youngest members of our family.

Are you ready to head out to your local TJ Maxx or Marshalls?  First be sure to enter for your Chance to win a $100 shopping card.

WIN: You can win 1 of 3  $100 TJ Maxx/Marshalls gift cards by sharing your best Back To School find at either TJ Maxx or Marshalls and posting it over at MOM Central.  Click here to leave your comment now and be entered to win.

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of T.J.Maxx and Marshalls and received a gift card to facilitate my review and thank me for taking the time to participate.

APP Of The Week - Shake-A-Phrase

Shake-a-Phrase" launched Artgig Apps (www.artgigapps.com) a division of Artgig Studio, is an educational app for kids ages 8 and up. It helps reinforce language arts lessons learned in the
classroom. Kids shake their iPhone/iPad to generate random silly sentences
and learn by tapping words for definitions and using a quiz mode for parts
of speech.

With both teachers and parents contributing input during the development
phases this app is user friendly, fun and educational. I think you will be able to add this app to your
list of apps your kids can learn with and enjoy.



Find more information about this app at www.shakeaphrase.com

Download from  iTunes : http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shake-a-phrase/i

How do you get your kids to eat healthy food?

With fast food establishments on every corner and pre-made frozen and packaged foods waiting for our kids to devour we moms often worry, fret and agonize over the topic healthy eating – How do we get our kids to eat healthy? Especially with our on the go lifestyles.

I have come to the conclusion the more appealing I can make it the better my chance is that my kids will choose healthy eating – or better said the more fun I make it the more they will eat it.

Ready to join me and make Healthy eating fun for your kids?

Choose one or more of these fun ideas to get your kids to begin making healthy eating choices:

Create a snack attack bin:Get a lidded bin preferably with a handle that you can label “Snack Attack” then fill it with healthy choices such as 100 calorie snack bags, individual bags of nuts, trail mixes, dried fruits etc. Now your kids can access healthy snack choices when their tummys are hungry.

For complete snack attack bin instructions click here

Colored fun - Add colored fun to your child's healthy lunch or snack by using colored plastic wraps to wrap their healthy foods in. Or during the holidays use special zipper-type bags, and napkins that are in holiday themes for serving up a healthy snack.

Mini Food Fun- It is always fun to eat miniature bites of food.  From tiny sandwiches to mini veggies and fruits. Think small and begin your cutting and arranging to create mini food eating fun

Kabobs –Its fun to eat meals and snacks on a stick - Create both full size and mini kabobs for healthy eating by using full size skewers or tooth picks for mini kabobs.  Place various fruits, veggies or even meat and cheeses on your skewers or cut every thing tiny to fit on a toothpick.

Cut it shape it -have fun with your childrens food by cutting it into interesting shapes.  Cookie cutters are handy for creating fun shapes that children will love to eat.

Fill it up– Make various sandwich fillers and salads such as egg salad, broccoli salad etc. then fill an empty ice cream cone with you’re fillings and allow your kids to eat it right out of the cone.

Healthy Shopping– Take your kids out on a healthy shopping trip where you spend time wondering the isle discovering new healthy snacks and meal ideas they are willing to try out. Have your children look at food labels and discover for themselves healthy alternatives.

DIY -  Plant a garden with your kids and grow various vegetables and fruits that they are willing to eat.  Children not only are more willing to eat new things they have grown but also that they have cooked.  So get your children in the kitchen and have them assist you in preparing healthy options for them.

Be Prepared- keep healthy snacks ready to be eaten – bag them up in individual portions, have fresh veggies and fruits cut up and ready to eat to avoid your children from grabbing the pre-packaged not so healthy food items hanging out in your pantry. Don’t forget to fill your on the go mini ice chest with healthy snacks and water bottles to encourage after school or during activities healthy snacking

How do you get your kids to eat healthy foods?

WIN:  Share how you get your kids to eat healthy food below for a chance to win a $500 Mom’s Getaway Spa Day from BlogFrog!

SHARE :Want to exchange more healthy snacks ideas, money saving tips and back to school shopping advice with other moms? Visit the Horizon® Healthy Families Back to School Community! 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon.  The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the Horizon Organic brand.

Movie Review - The Grace Card

The Grace Card Review

by : Karen Pecots

24/7 MOMS Movie Reviewer

August 16, 2011 marked the film release on DVD for The Grace Card directed by filmmaker, David G. Evans. Evans takes the screenplay by Howard Klausner and collaborates with seasoned actors Michael Joiner, Mike Higgenbottom and Louis Gossett Jr. to present ramifications of a life marked by grace or not. Klausner’s words and storyline communicate a process necessary to have a life where grace is not only evident but abounds.  The cast eloquently portrays Klausner’s vision and reason why a lifestyle marked by grace is complex especially without loved ones to help carry each other’s burdens.

Klausner takes a traditional African word to describe family in the opening scene of his script. Evans directs the visual imagery to expound on the definition as the backdrop for The Grace Card. The definition is twofold that describes the meaning, as well as, a feeling. Narrated to beautiful cinematography and thoughtful music the definition explains, “The creator (God) made us for one another to be connected as a family which is the essence of being human. To hurt is to hurt us all; to reach out to one another and take care of one another is to care for us all.”  

The Memphis Police force is making personnel changes and pair up two unlikely seasoned officers, Bill “MAC” McDonald (Michael Joiner) and Sam “Preacher” Wright (Mike Higgenbottom)  for patrol duty. Neither officer is happy about the arrangement especially MAC. He begrudges the fact that Sam just beat him out of a needed promotion and is in no mood to be partnered with a preacher for eight hours a day. MAC is happy to wallow in his ill feelings but his resentment about the promotion is only part of his woes. His emotional pain and false guilt to reckon with began fifteen years early with the accidental death of this first born son. Guilt carried for too long is now the cause of a broken relationship with his second son.

Sam is thankful for the monetary raise but not happy about the promotion because with the reward comes more responsibilities. His part-time job on the police force is only temporary until the church he pastors can afford to pay him a full-time salary. Sam is frustrated that God is giving him more blessings as a cop than in his position as a preacher. Sam is not happy to be partnered with a mean-spirited bigot; but, Sam’s attitude sinks just as much as MAC’s only for reasons that are worlds apart. Sam continues to hang on to bitterness spurred from his own father. Sam’s grandpa George (Louis Gossett Jr.) gives him advice that causes serious contemplation. Grandpa George also gives Sam a family bible for comfort. Tucked inside its pages Sam discovers a hand-written piece of paper called the grace card.

Day after day, MAC and Sam try to tip-toe around each other’s emotional pain with minimal conversation.  Sam is forced to cover for MAC’s inability to respond appropriately to a domestic violence situation leaving MAC embarrassed and down trodden. Sam takes the opportunity to use the grace card on MAC which is a promise of three things: 1) To pray for him every day, 2) To ask for forgiveness, 3) To grant him to do the same and be his friend always. Sam begins to confess his own issues with MAC that opens a door for the two to grow in their relationship and attain mutual respect for one another and eventually desire to have each other’s back both on and off the job -- a bond of resilient  family ties they both desire.

APP Of The Week - Chore Pad HD

Chore Pad HD  is a fantastic app for helping organize the family chores! Keeping track of which chores are assigned to who – and whether or not the chores were actually completed can be daunting task for busy parents! Chord Pad HD makes the process easier and entertaining.

It is easy to customize chores and rewards for the individual needs of each user. It is great for all ages; Chore Pad helps give a sense of pride for accomplishing tasks and rewards you for your hard work.  This type of chore chart provides an all around positive experience for children and adults alike. Even if you don’t have a family to organize, Chore Pad HD also works very well in other settings; roommate situations, classrooms with and without special needs, and even adult home environments can all easily take advantage of this app.

If you do not own an iPad you can purchase Chore Pad for the iPhone. It has all the features of Chore Pad HD with the exception of Star modifiers.

Chore Pad HD (iPad): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chore-pad-hd/id384854237?mt=8#

Chore Pad (iPhone/iPod touch): http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chore-pad/id389995975?mt=8

The 10 Best Decisions Every Parent Can Make

 I dog eared , I underlined and I've re-read several pages of Bill and Pam Farrel's book The 10 Best Decisions Every Parent Can Make - a proactive parenting approach that includes creative and effective ideas for:

- creating character building opportunities for your kids
- helping your kids make wise decisions
- building a family legacy your children will cherish
- teaching kids to live lives of devotion and service
- skills for both basic life and relational
- encouraging your child's faith in God

The authors share real life experiences and give practical advice, tips and how to's. 

This book will help you to understand who your child is, the gifts God has given them and how to approach life with them as well as letting them go.

There are books you read once and place back on the shelf and then there are books you re-visit for parenting how to's, advice and inspiration  The 10 Best Decisions Every Parent Can Make is one of my recent go to books I refer back to as I continue to  travel this mom journey.

APP Of The Week - Cozi

Thanks to tremendous demand from users, Cozi, the No. 1 online and mobile family calendar and organization system, is now available for BlackBerry. The Cozi BlackBerry app makes it easy to manage your family calendar, shopping lists, and to do lists while you're on the go. Cozi for BlackBerry lets you: Manage the family schedule from wherever you are. Add an appointment and upload it to your Cozi account so the whole family can see it; Get your shopping lists while you’re at the grocery store—no more coming home with everything but the one thing you needed; Add a to do list item right when you think of it, and access from your phone or home computer. Cozi’s BlackBerry App is now available for FREE in BlackBerry’s App World, and you can sign up for a free Cozi account at www.cozi.com.




Click here to get your Cozi App.

What I Experienced At Nutrilite

24/7 Moms was invited to attend an exclusive event to learn all about Amway's Nutrilite vitamins. I (Lori) went on the trip along with Amanda from Kevin and Amanda , Emily from Busy Mommy , and Jenny from Picky Palate  I am back and ready to tell you all about my trip to both the Nutrilite Center for Optimal Health in Buena Park, California and to Trout Lake Farm in Trout Lake Washington. 

I am always interested in learning more when it comes to fitness, nutrition, and overall health – but even I held some reservations when I heard the words Nutrilite and Amway.  Yes – you have all heard the stories.  I learned a lot and found it to be true when they told me “This isn't your parents' Amway”.  They weren't there to recruit me, or sell me their product, but to teach me about achieving my own optimal health.  Optimal health compels you to choose every day to be your best – by selecting the right foods and supplements, engaging in exercise and rest, and by incorporating healthy habits and balance in everything you do. Love that! 

The two day trip started early in the morning – we met at 6:30 in the hotel lobby and took off for the Nurtilite Health Institute Center for Optimal Health.  I did this sans coffee and breakfast since we were told to fast starting at 8pm the evening before.  Let me tell ya – this girl was missing her coffee BIG TIME!  We went straight to the health assessment which included blood pressure, resting heart rate, strength, flexibility, bone density, blood work, and more.  Then I had to swab my cheek for DNA – so CSI - for the Weight Management genetic test.  Our genes influence our tendency to gain or lose weight.  Some people lose weight best going low carb (40%), some by going low fat (40%), and the rest by balancing healthy carbs/fat.  Apparently, there is a six-fold difference in weight loss on low carb or low fat if you have the genotype match.  WOW!  Of course exercise is also a component and this test will tell me if I will lose better on a high intesnisty or lower intensity style workout.  There are three other genetic tests they did that will tell me if I am geneticlly predisposed to heart attack, how I metabolise B-vitamin, and my suseptability to osteoperosis.  I should find out all my results in about another week – so excited to hear back!!  Once we were done they fed us an amazing breakfast full of color!  Why is the color so important?  


We learned all about the phytonutrients that are found in fruits and vegetables – and how they block free radicals.  By eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables – of all colors – you are getting more kinds of phytonutrients for broader antioxidant protection.  You don't just need 7+ servings of fruits and vegetables – you need different COLORS of fruits and vegetables! 

Whew – that was a lot to take in so we were off for a much needed lunch break with professional football MVP and Nutrilite spokesperson Kurt Warner.  It was very relaxed as we ate great food and chatted about our families, hometowns – oh who are we kidding – we ladies wanted to know all about Kurt's stint on Dancing With the Stars :)

The next day, we were once again up early – with coffee :) - for our flight from California to the beautiful Pacific Northwest!  We flew to Portland, OR on one of Amway's private jets.  Walking straight from the car, to the terminal, to the plane with no lines or security hassles was fabulous.  Breakfast on board was a delicious breakfast burrito and colorful fruit bowl – beats the heck out of a bag of pretzels!  I felt so spoiled and am now ruined for flying commercial!  My hubby is a commercial pilot and was SO jealous about this part of my trip!

Next was our drive up to Trout Lake Farm in Washington.  Trout Lake Farm is the largest certified organic herb farm in North America.  Their primary crops are Blueberry, Echinacea, Oregano, Peppermint, Nettle, Valarian, White Kidney Bean, Dandelion, and more! 
I can tell you – I am from the PNW – but I was still in awe of the beautiful fields, flowers and mountains! 

The echinacea was in full bloom and gorgeous - behind the echinacea is the beautiful Mt Adams. 

One of the best parts of the day was when we were set loose on the 14 varieties of blueberries for some taste testing.  They were so yummy and it was hard to pick a favorite!

Now, the best part for our readers?  Nutrilite will be sponsoring a giveaway here on 24/7 Moms – check back soon to find out what it is!

APP Of The Week - Pixable

Pixable has revolutionized the way you browse photos

Available for iPhone, iPad and on the web, Pixable is a new way to discover and share photos online. Pixable simplifies photo-sorting by finding the photos you want to see, from the people you care about most. Pixable finds the photos on Facebook, helps you get in, see the photos that matter to you, and get back to your life. It’s a great application for the summer season, when everyone is uploading and sharing pics from their summer travels and adventures.

The more you use Pixable, the more the app learns about the people and photos that matter most to you, and makes sure that you don’t miss a thing.

Feeds: Pixable’s technology finds the best photos shared by your friends and organizes them into fun feeds like Best of the Day, New Profile Pics, and My Likes & Comments, among others.

Friends: Follow your close friends with Pixable and never miss out on an important moment again. Get automatic notifications every time they’re tagged or upload new photos on Facebook.

Check it out in action at: http://www.pixable.com or download the Pixable application in the App Store.