Juicing does a body GREAT!

21 days into the New Year & many resolutions have been broken but it is never to late to start eating healthy and juicing. Juicing does the body good and has so many benefits.

• Mental, Spiritual & Emotional Health
• Weight loss- who doesn't want to lose a few pounds!
• Increased Energy- hooray- we all ant more engery and not have to drinks gallons of coffee
• Boost our immunity- let's ward off the sick germs
• Better digestion
• Sleep better- we all want to wake up refreshed
• Decrease allergies- yay for no more runny noses & tension headaches
• Healthy Hair
• Balance skin conditions- we all want younger, glowing skin
• Helps with women's issues- PMS & Menopause
• Helps with Chronic Illness- Arthritis
• Improved nail strength- we all want beautiful nails

Many think it is so expensive but in reality getting sick, missing work and doctor visits are a lot more costly to us physically, mentally and financially. 

Here is Jacksonville, Fresh Field Farms has great prices on wonderful fruits and vegetables for juicing. Most cities around the counrty have my all time favorite store- Trader Joes which has a great selection of fruits and vegetables at unbeatable prices. Check local farmers markets and also your grocery store for sales.

Start your day off right with a tall glass of fresh juice filled with lots of nutrients and antioxidants. You will feel great and see a huge difference in your overall well-being!

JUICING- It does our bodies GOOD!

Magical times with toddlers at Disney!

Yes you can have a fun magical time at Disney with your toddlers. We love Disney- Walt Disney World and Disneyland. They are happiest places on Earth.

There are so many misconceptions and opinions based on unknown facts about the whole Disney experience. I hear so many people say its "too expensive, it's always crowded and it's impossible with kids". All which is not true if you take the time to plan, research best times to go and be organized.

Disney has made it so much easier with My Disney Experience. You just create a profile, add you family and friends then start planning away. Once you create a profile get the app for your Smartphone and tablet. Plus register for your MagicBand.

Tickets: there are many discounts: AAA, Military, so check to see if you can get discounted pricing. If you are a Florida or California resident and plan on going 4 or more times, a season annual pass with AAA discount is the best deal plus you get 10% off purchases and food in the parks. There are several options but explore each so you can get the best price.

Where to Stay: there are so many options and hotels. Staying at a Disney resort is actually less than a non Disney owned property.  Yes the base room price may be less but once you add in hotel parking and resort fees than parking each day at the parks, it is actually more. When you stay at a Disney resort everything is included plus you get magic hours.  You can get great rates last minute too. Many times they get cancellations and want to fill up the rooms so offer discounted prices. Discounts are given to FL, CA and annual pass holders on rooms also. 

Best time to go: holidays are the most magical time to go but also the most crowded.  January is known to be Disney's slowest month and less crowded time. There are several websites that tell you when is the best time to visit the parks. 

Great apps: Mydisneyexperience, Walt Disney Wait Times & Disneyland Wait Times

MagicBands: Disney is rolling out MagicBands which is your one stop for everything you need for your Disney trip. You link your tickets, passes, resort, dining, photos and fast passes so all you need with you is your MagicBand.

Fast passes: To ensure you get to go on your favorite rides and see great shows, set up your fast passes in advance. We pick the rides that have the longest wait times (Peter Pan, Winnie the Poo, Dumbo, Toy Story, Disney Junior and the Princesses). 

Be there when parks open:  Magic Kingdom does an opening ceremony before the park opens which is really fun. Then take off and get to your favorite attraction first thing. We go straight to Tales with Belle then to Ariel and can usually go on Ariel a couple times. On our way to each we get a fast pass for another ride.

Go on rides during meal and parade times:  Attractions are usually less crowded during breakfast, lunch and dinner hours along with during popular parades.

Take a backpack, cooler and travel light: Backpacks are great to put all your stuff in. Strollers must be parked in stroller parking areas which are watched but still take all valuables. Disney allows food and drinks so pack a cooler with plenty of drinks, snacks and a meal or two. Don't take items you won't need and just lug around.

Don't forget your camera: You will want to capture every moment and it can get expensive buying the photos they take for you. Make sure your battery is charged and your have a new scandisk memory card. I always take my charger and an extra memory card. Keep you camera on you at all times.

With toddlers the key is to be organized, plan your trip, take snacks, meals and drinks. Also take a stroller because your sweeties will get tired from all the walking and can take a break to re-energize.

Most importantly have a great time at the happiest place on Earth and make some magical memories with your family.  

Our trips:
As a native Californian, I grew up going to Disneyland all the time with my dad and brother. In my teens, twenties and thirties I went with friends and always had a blast.

Now living in Florida and only 2 hours 27 minutes from my door to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, I love taking my daughter and making new magical memories with her.

We took Lexi for the first time in November 2012 when she was only 10 months old. The experience was more magical for us but she loved all the shows. Characters in costumes scared her so we don't have happy pictures with Mickey.  Our first trip we stayed on property at Bay Lake Towers so we could have easy access to our room for her naps. At this age she is not interested in us buying every Disney souvenir she sees.

In 2011 we went for a couple days the week between Christmas and New Year, stayed at the Animal Kingdom and celebrated New Year's Eve at the Magic Kingdom. It was very crowded and parks get to their capacity limit so you need to plan on staying in your favorite park all day. We took food for the day and changes of clothes and Lexi took several naps in her stroller. This was there busiest time and I am glad we experienced it when she was younger than now when she wants to do rides and see characters. New Year's Day we relaxed at our resort and Lexi loved seeing all the animals.

For our 2012 trip we went the first weekend in December and decided to stay off property to see if it was #1 less expensive and #2 just as easy to get around as staying on property.  Since we are Hilton members we stayed at the Hilton Lake Buena Vista. The hotel is older but the rooms were nice. Sunday mornings they have Minnie and friends so we had breakfast with the characters before heading to the Magic Kingdom. The cost was not less than staying on property and we had some traffic delaying us getting to the parks.  The Hilton charged us parking and a resort fee making it $50 more to stay than staying at a Disney Value Resort plus we had to pay $15 a day to park at each Disney park so another $30.00. The bus system is too hard with kids so we like to have our own vehicles.

2013 was our year for Disney fun and went several times.
Our first trip in 2013 was for Lexi's birthday celebration - last weekend in January which is now our annual family trip. We stayed at the new Disney Art of Animation Resort  in the Little Mermaid room and Lexi loved it. We were very lucky and the weather was 80 degrees so Saturday we checked in then enjoyed the pool and play areas for kids. We ordered a pizza and relaxed poolside for the afternoon. That evening we had some fun at Downtown Disney then dinner at Rain Forest Cafe. Sunday we were up early for breakfast with the princesses in Norway at Epcot - that was Magical. You are greeted by Belle then during your meal all the princesses (Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty & Ariel) come to your table to visit and take photos. Then there is a princess parade which the little princesses can join in too. Wonderful experience. After breakfast we were off to the Magic Kingdom for a fun filled day.  Since our little princess loves the Princesses and Minnie- we spend our time in Fantasyland when at the Magic Kingdom.

We went a couple more times in 2013 and in November went for a couple days to enjoy Christmas at Disney. Hollywood Studios has the Osborne Lights which is amazing and now Sofia the First is one of the Character to meet so that park is a must. We stayed at the Art of Animation in the Mermaid room again since it is Lexi's favorite. Setting up our fast passes for both parks in advanced was great so we were able to go on our favorite rides and see all the princesses.

We just got back yesterday from a day trip and it was great. Lexi wanted to see Sofia the First again and go to Disney Junior show. We only went to one park- Hollywood Studios but that was plenty and we had a blast.  Lexi was delighted to see Sofia and they compared Amulets. We also saw Minnie and Lexi was ecstatic. They danced and twirled together. We went to Disney Junior a couple times, Toy Story, Mermaid show, Beauty and the Beast then strolled the streets to see all the Christmas lights.  It was another magical day.

Our next trip is our annual family trip the end of January.  Lexi and daddy decided they wanted to stay at the Animal Kingdom again so we were able to get a really good rate on a Savannah room.  We will visit all 4 parks, have a special birthday breakfast in Cinderella's castle and dinner at Be Our Guest.  It will be interesting to see which princess dress Lexi wants to wear each day.

It has been so much fun for me to see how excited Lexi is and how she much she changes each time. She is no longer afraid of any of the characters and runs up to them all for hugs. She is very specific on what she wants to do and what shows she wants to see.  It is pure joy and very magical each and every visit.

Disney has brought our family so much joy and magical memories. We hope you too will take the plunge and experience the magic with your sweeties.

To nap or drop the nap??

My three year old loves to sleep hence her nickname among family and friends is "Sleeping Beauty." She started sleeping through the night when she was 3 weeks old and took 2-3 naps a day as an infant. Once she turned two and started preschool a couple days a week, her morning nap disappeared but she looked forward to cuddling with her blankie and teddy bears for her afternoon nap.

I am more relaxed about her napping if we have plans or have been busy until too late but I always 
regret it. When my daughter misses her nap, she is a hot mess. It is like she has been invaded by an 
extraterrestrial. Our evening is filled with crying fits instead of a fun family dinner, dance parties and 
story time.

Several of my mommy friends have dropped naps and at times it is very clear those sweeties still need their naps. Too many times moms put their needs in front of what is best for their kids. Naps can interfere with errands or plans that occur mid afternoon, but our sweeties need to rest. Three year olds play hard, burn so much energy throughout the day and need to be able to shut down midday to recharge.

Napping is an important part of your toddler's day as well as yours. Your child needs to recharge and reboot or everyone will suffer the consequences. And you count on nap time to get things done you need to do.  To grow, we need adequate calories and ample sleep so naps are very important even for toddlers.

Tips from Dr. Sears

"As a rule, naptime should be a pleasant oasis in the middle of a busy day and not a time when you have to struggle with your child to get him to fall asleep."

Here's how to tell whether your child is ready to stay awake all day:

Get to know your napper. Chart your child's present nap schedule. If he seems cranky and tired in the afternoon, chances are he/she still needs a nap  -- even though he/she resists it. If, on the other hand, he/she seems to be generally happy for most of the afternoon and willingly drifts off to sleep in the early evening and sleeps well through the night, then he's ready to drop his afternoon nap. Try going several days without a nap, and monitor his/her evening and nightly sleep habits. Let his/her level of alertness and behavior during the late afternoon be your guide.

Do you need your child to take a nap? Many parents try to juggle their child's nap schedule to fit their
lifestyle. Some parents want their child to go to bed earlier. Perhaps they give their child a lot of attention
during the day and would like more couple time in the evening, In this case, skipping the afternoon nap can lead to an earlier bedtime. Other parents-usually those who are busy or employed-prefer a later bedtime. Away all day at work, they look forward to extended quality time with their child in the early evening. In this case, a mid- or late-afternoon nap is best. Parents should request that the daycare or preschool caregiver put their child down at around 3 P.M. or so. Otherwise the anticipated evening "happy hour" will consist of a tired and cranky child who's no fun to be around!

Wind-down the reluctant napper. If your toddler doesn't seem tired or consistently fights sleep at what used to be his/her usual naptime, take it as an indication that he's/she's ready to drop the nap. It's best not to force the nap. But if you're convinced he/she still needs it, you can try what we in our family call moving naps. Try to schedule toddler's nap with the afternoon carpool- the driving may put them right to sleep. Another option is to replace naptime with quiet time. An older toddler or preschooler can often get the rest he needs by lying down and listening to a tape or story. Market this as a special time - when mommy, daddy, or a caregiver rest and nest with the child in a quiet room. Some days this will result in a nap. Other days, it will just be a time to relax and rejuvenate.

Bottom line, you know your kids and you are the ones to decide when to drop naps. But I can say from first hand experience that your evenings can be filled with a lot more fun, pleasant family meals and smooth bath time when toddlers have a nap or a rest period. Plus, I am sure all of us moms could use some down time for ourselves.

Who labeled the "TWOS" TERRIBLE?

So whoever labeld the "TWOS": as TERRIBLE certainly was not living in the real world!

As a mom of a three year old, soon to be four year old, I must say the year of the threes are much more "Challenging"  than the so-called "terrible twos." Three year olds know just enough to push their own agenda and tests their parents.
After many battles, I simply walk away, let her have a quiet time then we talk about what she wanted and why she reacted the way she did. I always remind her how lucky she is to have mommy to help her. when she gets to the pint of no return, I get her blankie, Sofia doll & Teddy, lay on her bed and hug her.  Naps are also a must- three is not the time to stop naps. Also limit sugar intake- sugar is like adding gas to a fire.
Another way I have ceased some of our battles is by letting her know Mickey Mouse, Sofia the First, one of the Disney Princesses or her Elf Sprinkles (during Christmas) is watching her behavior and we can't go to Disney if she acts this way! I even act as if I am calling Sofia at the castle to let her know how she is acting.  At the end of the week I give her a letter from either Mickey or one of the princesses with praise and kuddos for being a good girl. It works-give it a try! 

1. At two, they can barely talk. At three, they talk, talk talk and never shut up.

2. At two, they cry. At three, they throw temper tantrums so epic, you become convinced that they are possessed by an extraterrestrial.

3. At two, they’re happy to eat anything you present to them. At three they want to eat the same thing everyday and don't like anything green. (usually a starch and always want sugar).

4. At two, baths are a ten minute event, the result of which is a clean child. At three, baths take over an hour, and result in a drenched bathroom, sopping wet mommy and all the toys are in the tub.

5. At two, they wear diapers that can be changed on your watch. At three, they’re potty trained and the world revolves around going potty.

6. At two, they are distracted by a bag of yogurt bites at the grocery store as they sit nicely in the cart. At three, they want to eat something from every aisle and help you push the cart crashing into people and boxes.

7. At two, they let you dress them, looking innocent and adorable. At three, they insist on picking out their clothes, looking like the princess collided with a mountain man.

8. At two, they don’t like to get dirty. At three, they thrive on it changing outfits multiple times a day. Thanks for the extra laundry!

9. At two, you can do things for them, saving infinite amounts of time. At three, they must do everything by themselves, taking FOREVER & always making you late.

10. At two, manipulation is the last thing on their minds. At three, they own you. And they know It.

Stay firm and stand your ground. 

We are the MOMS and in the end they will appreciate it!

Ready to blog in 2014!

After a long vacation from blogging we're back with new great topics, recipes, tips and motivational quotes to keep you MOMS organized in all aspects of your life.  

Life has been crazy busy with unexpected ups and downs, deaths, sicknesses, divorces, engagements, ending of friendships, new wonderful friendships made & lots of everyday unexpected curve balls.

Happy Happy New Year to you all.  We hope the year is filled with lots of love, laughter, good health, tons of happiness and remember to hug your sweeties.  Appreciate every minute of each day because none of us know what the next minute, hour, day, week, month, year may hold & life is so precious.

Be HAPPY!

Goodbye 2013... Hello 2014

Welcoming 2014 with open arms!

These past 2 years have been full of many challenges & difficult times: both of my parents being ill, marriage on the brink of divorce, my brother moving away, disappointing friendships, slow business...but I refused to let them get the best of me & bring me down. With each situation I have learned so much and have grown as a woman, mom, wife, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt & friend.

I am blessed: I am a healthy mommy, my daughter  is a happy-thriving soon to be 4 year old, have a home, car, money in savings, health insurance, fun trips to Disney, a hard working-dedicated husband, wonderful friends, my mama is healthy-vibrant & my wonderful, handsome brother is getting married!

Life is GREAT & the hard times make the good times even more precious! Take the lemons & make lemonade! Get rid of the excess baggage and people in your life that bring you down. Don't judge others - you don't know what they may be battling and a cover doesn't tell the whole story! Remember there is always someone else suffering far worse than we are. Fill your life with good energy and people who can enhance your life. Live each day to the very fullest so you don't have regrets! Workout & eat clean. Hug your babies & keep hugging them! "Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year!" 

Cheers to all for a wonderful, healthy, happy, successful 2014 filled with endless love & lots of laughter & hugs! xoxo

Happy New Year 2014!!