31 May 2016

Bark At The Moon Chicken Jerky Review and Giveaway

Today I have an amazing new product from Green Butterfly Brands to share with you all!  Bark At The Moon Premium Chicken Jerky is a new treat product from Green Butterfly Brands that both your dog and cat are going to love.  I have previously reviewed treats from Bark At The Moon and they are amazing!  If you want to see my past review of their Natural Turkey Grain Free Dog Treats you can find it here.  

Bark At The Moon treats are a great alternative to your average pet treats because they contain zero additives and preservatives.  Their Premium Chicken Jerky is made with Grade A Chicken Breasts.  They are also high in protein while low on fat so you can enjoy treating your pet every day!  Last but definitely not least, Green Butterfly Brands proudly donates a portion of all sales to training service dogs for disabled veterans.  

I was excited to review these chicken jerky treats because I have a dog as well as cats, and this treat is for both!  When it comes to my dog he is older and maintaining a healthy weight for him is important.  These high protein and low fat treats work great for him because I can give him one or two a day without having to worry.  I was interested to see just how well my cats would take to these as they are used to your average store bought treats.  I was surprised to see that they loved them and I actually have to dole out these treats in separate rooms because if one doesn't eat it fast enough another one wants to steal theirs, so I know these treats must be good!  

What I also love is that these treats are made in the USA and proceeds of sales goes to help train service dogs for our veterans.  You not only get a quality product for your pet, you are also helping to support a great effort on behalf of Green Butterfly Brands!  After reviewing these treats with my dog and cats I would definitely recommend them and I'm sure my pets would agree!

Follow Bark At The Moon Dog Treats:
Giveaway Time!
Prizes (3): Three lucky readers of Textbook Mommy are going to win a package of Bark At The Moon Premium Chicken Jerky
Details: Open to U.S. residents, 18 years of age and older.  Entry is via Rafflecopter form below.  Winners will have 48 hours to respond to winning email or an alternate winner(s) will be selected.  Good Luck!
Giveaway Ends: June 15, 2016 at Midnight EST
Disclosure: I was provided a sample product from the above mentioned company in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are 100% my own.  Textbook Mommy is not responsible for prize fulfillment.  

29 May 2016

Breastfeeding Tips


Breastfeeding Tips


Breastfeeding your baby is an excellent choice that gives your newborn vital nutrients to help with early development and to boost their little immune system.  While breastfeeding may seem to come effortlessly to some, not all moms experience an easy time with it.  The best thing to do if you are experiencing difficulties is to not get discouraged!  Here are some nursing tips that can help you out if you are having a tough time.

If you are having an issue with breast milk production there are a couple things you can do to help.  Make sure that your baby is nursing often and that you are offering both breasts during feeding time.  Certain foods can also help boost breast milk supply.  Garlic, green leafy vegetables, oats, nuts, and dried fruit are some great milk boosters.  

If your issue is with your baby not latching on correctly for feeding, there are some things you can also do to aid this.  Make sure you are using proper positioning with your baby's head slightly tilted back and proceed to guide the nipple toward baby's upper lip instead of the middle of the mouth.  Using a breastfeeding pillow can also help keep baby in alignment for feeding.  If latching continues to be a problem you can seek guidance from your pediatrician or a local lactation consultant who will be more than happy to give you some additional advice.



16 May 2016

How To Turn Your Backyard Garden Into An Outdoor Getaway For The Whole Family


Many children love the summer for the fact the weather is such that they can play and enjoy the outdoors much more than in other seasons. Parents who would see their children gain the full benefit of this outdoor opportunity might consider turning their backyard into an exciting playground.

It is a fairly easy task to include the kids in the activities of transforming the yard into an enjoyable playground. Chalkboard walls can be a great alternative to children drawing on walkways and driveways.

Creating such walls gives children a way of expressing themselves while preserving areas such as major walkways. If you have a fence in the backyard, that will be the easiest way of installing it.


Zip line is an activity many families might experience while on vacation, but there is no reason not to bring the vacation to the backyard. It is important to make this safe, but with a little care, it is not difficult.

Your home will become among the favorites for friends to spend there summer days. This can often make children feel special, as they are at the center of where their friends want to spend time.

Add to the fun with a backyard tent. It is a great way for children to think they are on holiday while simply being in the backyard. Your children and their friends will feel they have a getaway space right in the back of your home. Many would feel it is a true adventure.

When playing during summer days, even children need to rest and relax. You can easily make resting part of the adventure by installing hanging or swinging chairs. Not only will the children love them, but the whole family can enjoy spending time in the backyard with hanging chairs and hammocks.

Similarly, you may even wish to include a swing. Often for children, the swing is more fun than a simple hanging chair. It is as easy as taking an old chair and some strong rope to have a swing up in no time at all. You could consider painting it an attractive and bold color to make it more exciting.

Such a project can most often be done on a weekend. Along the same lines, would be to make a tire swing. Not only will it be great fun for the children, but you will be helping to recycle an old tire.

A sturdy tree and chain along with the tire and you can have a swing the children will enjoy for years. As usual, take care to ensure it is safely hung and can handle the weight of those who will be swinging on it. Alternatively, items like this also work well.

Another addition you might consider for great fun is a sand box. Children love playing in the sand, and a sand box is easy to install. Sandboxes fit well even if the backyard is small, making it a great addition for almost anyone.

The tree-house is a fixture in backyard fun. It is a place away from home for the children, while the parents have them close by in the backyard. It is a place many children will have fun playing, holding their own special meetings and so on. Take some time to work with your children to make the tree-house a very special place.

Something you may not of thought of is a music fence. To make this you will need a panel for the fence and any objects that can make musical sounds when hit. Wooden spoons, pans, along with any other objects you feel would work well.

Finally is the climbing wall. Something that has become popular in recent years. It's something that can be great fun for the entire family. It not only gives an activity that is great fun, but it is also great exercise. Consider having a mattress or cushion on the ground for added safety and comfort should a fall occur.

14 May 2016

North Carolina Domestic Violence Shelter Locator

If you or someone that you love is experiencing domestic violence it is important to get immediate help to remove yourself or the people involved as soon as possible.  Seeking temporary shelter to get out of an abusive situation can be difficult.  They may be isolated due to their partner cutting them off from friends or family, or they may feel hopeless about their own situation.  Financial burden can also play an important role in factoring how oneself views how they will be able to leave an abusive situation.  However one may be feeling in this circumstance, reaching out for help is key.


If you are in North Carolina, Charles Ullman has a wonderful resource put together that provides a list of temporary shelters by location.  They also provide information on divorce and family law, as well as a list of reputable attorneys that can help you in your situation.  If you know someone who could use this information please pass this link along, as it can save lives.  Also, if you are outside of North Carolina you can always access your local women's shelter or by visiting the website domesticshelters.org.


When Is The Appropriate Age To Start Weaning Your Child

If you're currently breastfeeding or maybe considering breastfeeding you may have some questions regarding baby led weaning and and what age to start the transition from breast to bottle or cup.  The first thing to do when approaching this topic is to look at some facts.  The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.  They also recommend solid foods becoming introduced around the six month mark for nutritional value combined with breastfeeding at least until the one year mark (www.aap.org).  If you have questions on how to introduce solid foods your pediatrician should have some great information on this topic!

Weaning itself is going to depend on a variety of different factors.  Your child may initiate the process with changes in behavior.  Circumstances surrounding your schedule and needs may come into play.  The one thing to remember is that every family and situation is different and that comparing yourself to another mother's weaning choices is not necessarily going to be the best case for you.  Only you know as a mother what is going to work best for your child and your situation.
 
I touched briefly on changes in your child's behavior that may initiate the weaning process, and I would like to go into that a bit more.  As your child nears the one year mark and is transitioning to solid foods they may also be learning how to use a cup.  As they explore these new ways of gaining access to food, as well as being able to sit independently, this can cause changes in the breastfeeding pattern.  If you notice this you may find yourself ready to start the weaning process.  Weaning your toddler doesn't have to be stressful or shameful.  Follow each others lead and remember to ask for help from friends, family, and your pediatrician when needed. 

13 May 2016

How to Pay Half Price on Newspaper Delivery


If you're thinking about giving your local newspaper another shot, don't pay full price on newspaper delivery. Most newspaper subscriptions include thousands of dollars in savings in the Sunday newspaper coupon inserts. News Rates offers huge discounts on over 500 newspapers in the US. Visit News Rates to view newspaper delivery rates in your area and save up to 97% on subscriber services.

08 May 2016

Ten Healthy Habits Taught to Kids by Mom

Being a Mom you share many genes with your kid. Your child will pick up the habits from you as you are a role model for him or her. You must teach these basic healthy habits to your kids as this will guide them the rest of their lives.

Eat Healthy and colorful Food:

Eating colorful food is very beneficial for growth and development of the body. Being a Mom you have to teach your child about the nutritional value of all the foods. Colorful foods means that your child must have all sort of vegetables and fruits in his or her diet.

Don’t Skip your Breakfast:

Another important habit you must develop in your child is to make sure that they have proper breakfast as it is proved according to scientific research that those who skip breakfast are four times more likely to get obese. Proper breakfast saves your child from many serious diseases. Moms need to teach their children about the benefits of breakfast like how it gives a start to the brain, and how it maintains your body weight and energy throughout the day.

Indulge in Physical activities:

Teach your kids about the importance of physical activities and make them feel more fun with physical activities like games. You have to notice the interest of your child in different games and then indulge them in the one of their choice to make them happy and healthy.

Reading Habits:

It is very important for mothers to teach their kids. You must develop the reading habit in your child from child hood as it will build their interest in studies.

Make your child active not a couch potato:

Along with physical exercises you are supposed to make your child active and involve him or her in various activities rather then giving him a TV remote and putting his health and mind at risk. A scientific study shows that a child who watches the TV for more than two hours in a day is at a greater risk for having health issues.

Water drinking habits not Soda:

Explain to your child  your child that sugar is not good for their health, whereas water is healthy with numerous beneficial effects. If your child's intake is more soda then they will be at more risk for damage to their body such as tooth decay and an increased chance of obesity.

Spend Time with Friends and Family:

Develop the basic moralities in your kids by making them understand the value of family. Teach your kids about the respect of family members and benefits of quality time spent with them. Similarly having good friends adds a flavor in kid’s life as they develop the social skills.

Stay Positive:

Being a Mom it is your duty to develop the positive mind setup of your child by teaching him good lessons about life and its positive aspects.

Mom's also deserve to treat themselves on occasion! You can use the following nordstrom promo codes to make an instant order at low rates.



Disclosure:  This is a contributed post.

02 May 2016

5 Diet Changes You Should Make When You Are Trying to Conceive


Healthy diet and right nutrition play a vital role in boosting one’s fertility. On the flip side, unhealthy diet deteriorates your chances of getting pregnant by affecting the normal functioning of your reproductive system. Fertility, weight and metabolism are very closely related to each other. Thus, it's important to make a few changes in your diet when you are trying to conceive.

Here are the 5 dietary changes you must consider to boost your fertility:

Switch the Sugary Drinks With Water

Sugary drinks not only give you empty calories, but also drive up your insulin levels while increasing your blood sugar. By initiating the glucose and insulin response, they slow down the metabolism and result in weight gain. On the flip side, naturally sweet drinks like fresh fruit juices or water are the best ways to keep yourself hydrated and enhance your health. So, if you have been consuming the sugary sodas or packed juices, try to avoid or limit your consumption. 
 
Switch Three Meals a Day for Six Meals

In order to accelerate your metabolism, it's important that you not just eat right, but eat at regular intervals as well. Instead of taking up just three meals a day, try to divide it into six meals and include one or two servings of fruits and salads in these meals. Raw and natural food are easy to digest for the body and your body is not required to overwork as it is in the case of refined foods.
Switch Bad Fats for Good Fats

Yes. Fats can be good too, but only when they are taken from the right sources. Unsaturated fats derived from nuts like almonds and walnuts, avocados, olives are healthy fats and are needed by the body. Also, polyunsaturated fats found in walnuts, flaxseed, salmon, etc. are even healthier and give your body the much required Omega 3 Fatty Acids.

Switch Refined Foods for Healthy Carbs

Refined or processed foods are very difficult for your body to digest and thus, they slow down your metabolism while enhancing the fat deposits in the body. On the other hand, healthy carbohydrates not only give you the energy to perform day to day tasks, but also ensure that your metabolism stays accelerated and optimum. Thus, try to include healthy carbs in your diet but do not consume them after 7 pm in the evening.
 
Drink More Water

Water is one of the healthiest drinks, which ensures that you stay hydrated while giving a significant boost to your metabolism levels. Drink a lot of water regularly to stay healthy and flush out toxins from your body.

While, to some extent infertility can be overcome by making some lifestyle and diet changes, because you may not be infertile but might not be able to conceive due to your lifestyle and diet. However, en after changing your lifestyle and eating a healthy diet, you are not able to conceive, you must consider consulting an infertility expert. Dr Kwang Yul Cha is a trusted name when it comes to resolving infertility issues.

Find the Ideal School for Your Child



The school that you decide to send your child to can literally determine his or her level of success in life. It is important that you completely understand the significance of the decision you are about to make. Sending your child to a private school with a great reputation can lead to him or her getting accepted into a prestigious university. So how do you decide which school to send your child to? There are a lot of options out there. However, these schools will vary regarding the programs they offer and the quality of education they provide. Here are some important questions you should ask when you are trying to find the ideal school for your child.

1. What programs are available?

It is essential that you find out about the various programs that the school has available for your child to get involved with. For example, your child might play an instrument and have a passion for music. If this is the case, you should try your best to find a school with a music program that is regarded very highly in the educational community. You do not want to send your child to a school where he or she will not be able to flourish and pursue the things that he or she is passionate about.

2. How many teachers and students are there?

It is always good when there are a small number of students in each class. You are paying a lot of money for your child to go to a private school. You need to be certain that your child will get the attention that he or she deserves in each class.

3. Will uniforms be required?

Some parents like the discipline of requiring a child to wear a uniform to school every day. However, other parents want their children to have a childhood that is less regimented. You should also ask about the rules of the school so your child has a clear understanding of what is and is not acceptable behavior.

4. Are any scholarships available?

Sending your child to a private school can be very expensive. This is why you need to explore all of your options when it comes to saving money on your child's education. After all, it makes no sense to pay money when you do not need to. Ask if the school offers scholarships to outstanding students. If so, find out what academic achievements are required in order for your child to qualify. Kingsdale Foundation School has scholarships available to help ease the financial burden of the tuition on parents.

5. Will your child have a roommate?

You might be thinking about sending your child to a boarding school. Your child will be living at the school full-time. You will need to learn about the living conditions that your child will be subjected to. You need to find out if they require students to have a roommate. Your child might not be comfortable living so closely with a complete stranger.

01 May 2016

15 Science Lessons and Activities for Kids

Whether you've landed here looking for some resources for homeschooling, or just to have some fun learning about science with your child, here are 15 amazing science lessons and activities that you can enjoy with your children!  Be sure to check them out because you can have a great time with each of these.  Plan a day around one or more and have fun while soaking up some knowledge!




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