You can talk to anyone who knows me and they will tell you I am no clean freak, I am far from it and nowhere near the status of "germophobe". So when I was invited to a Norwex party I kind of laughed at the thought of going to a "cleaning party". I decided I'd go because I really needed some adult conversation, I had no intention of buying anything, my intentions were to have a glass or 3 of wine and relax without kids screaming at me.
The consultant basically had me at hello. The products are amazing. I will list just a few of the reasons why I feel these products are revolutionary to me:
1. While I've never had any real ambition to "go green" in my life, these products make the process so easy. Since you only clean with water (there are some cleaning products, chemical free of course) and the cloths capture and kill bacteria, it completely eliminates the need of harsh chemicals.
2. No more harsh chemicals in my house that are known carcinogens and allergens.
3. Most of the products, including the Envirocloth, kitchen cloth, dusting mit and wet mop are all antibac, meaning they collect bacteria, yeasts and viruses (including e-coli, salmonella and MRSA!) from your surfaces and kills it right in the cloth. The best part is it doesn't cross contaminate surfaces so you aren't spreading these nasty things from one place to the next in your home.
4. I am saving money by not buying cleaning supplies and I am saving time by using basically a couple of cloths to clean everything. Time is money people, it's golden for me!
5. Lastly, I have the peace of mind that my house not only looks clean, but it's actually really clean. For real! That means a lot to me.
So what did I do the next day? I called up the consultant and said "sign me up, I want to be a part of this". Yep, I signed onto the company and am going to be an Independent Sales Consultant for Norwex. I am so pumped about this and even more amped to be able to spread this awesome information and share this product with others who are looking for a time saving and environmentally friendly way of cleaning.
If you are interested in learning more and purchasing this product, feel free to email at norwexcleanms@gmail.com. I am more than happy to share any and all information. If you are local and want to come to my kick off party this Friday, I would love to have you! There are some awesome hostess benefits too for March if you want to have a party of your own.
And lastly, check out my new FB page for Norwex and please become a fan! There you will find out about product specials and all the news about Norwex. I need some fans to get me going. I don't want to beg, but I might do it if you make me!
Thanks for taking a chance on this new and amazing product!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Spicy Turkey Sausage and Spinach Stuffed Shells=YUM
Last night I made some amazingly delicious stuffed shells for dinner and they were a major hit. I was given a stuffed shells recipe on a weight watchers board I belong to, but I adapted it quite a bit and since it was so yummy I thought I would share it here.
Michelle's Awesomely Delicious Stuffed Shells
25 Jumbo Shells
1 cup of fresh or frozen spinach
1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese
1/2 cup of Part-Skim Ricotta
1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
4 ounces of low fat mozzarella cheese
2 Jennie-O Spicy Turkey Sausage links
1 Jar of Prego Heart Smart Traditional Italian Sauce
Remove casing from turkey sausage and brown in a pan. Set aside.
{My sister took these pictures because she thought it was funny}
Cook shells according to package. In a large mixing bowl, combine spinach, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, ricotta and sausage. In a 9x13 pan, add 1/2 cup of sauce to bottom of the pan. Stuff shells with the cheese, spinach and sausage mixture.
Top with the remaining sauce and cover with tinfoil. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.
I served this with some baked ciabatta bread but this would also be great with a nice spinach salad as well. I also think I will add another turkey sausage next time as it was a great addition.
If you are following Weight Watchers then each shell is worth 3 points. I ate 3 for a total of 9 points for dinner, which isn't too shabby. Very filling and it feels like such an indulgence! Enjoy!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
CSN Stores
A while back I gave away a gift certificate to CSN Stores, well I was asked to do a review of one of their products now! I am super excited about it! CSN Stores carries so many things from tv tables to luggage. You can get virtually anything through the stores over at CSN.
When I was browsing the stores, I was feeling overwhelmed about what I should review. At first I thought some fun wine paraphernalia would be great but then I got practical. We are in desperate need of a new omelet pan, so I'm going to snag myself a new Calphalon 10in Omelet pan! When I get it and get a chance to use it I will do my full review, but who doesn't love a good Calphalon pan?
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Bringing Sexy Back
3 weeks ago, I joined Weight Watchers Online. 3 weeks ago I weighed more than I was comfortable weighing (127) and I didn't feel good in my clothes. 3 weeks ago I totally slacked in the exercise department. 3 weeks ago, I took control. In the past, I've done Atkins (very successfully) but I just can't sustain that lifestyle. The thing about WW is that it teaches you how to eat. It teaches portion control and helps you indulge smartly, rather than irrationally. It's totally what I needed. Now, instead of pigging out because it sounds good, I think twice about whether I really need that piece of chocolate cake or not? I'm cooking healthier and using better products, yet still enjoying what I eat. It is so easy and in 3 weeks I've lost 7 pounds. 7 whole pounds! I'm working out, I started Pilates again and for the first time in a few months I feel great about myself.
Sometimes I hate that I have to try so hard to stay thin, I really have to watch what I eat and stay active. But, when you think about it, what's wrong with that? It makes me healthier than if I didn't have to do that, right? Plus I am a good example to the kiddos. They are more aware of what they put in their mouths too. They often ask if something is healthy and I'll answer yes or no and offer an alternative.
Now, if only winter would end and I could really get outside and enjoy this new body! That would make things complete!
Sometimes I hate that I have to try so hard to stay thin, I really have to watch what I eat and stay active. But, when you think about it, what's wrong with that? It makes me healthier than if I didn't have to do that, right? Plus I am a good example to the kiddos. They are more aware of what they put in their mouths too. They often ask if something is healthy and I'll answer yes or no and offer an alternative.
Now, if only winter would end and I could really get outside and enjoy this new body! That would make things complete!
Project Life
There's been a lot of hype going around about Becky Higgins Project Life. In my opinion, it is a great way to easily document your family's life. I take a million pictures and yet never really print them or scrapbook them anymore. I'm so far behind on this that I am completely overwhelmed with the task. So, I jumped on the bandwagon and purchased my very own kit! It should be here tomorrow and I am sooooo excited to get started!
You may know that I have started a project 365 over here, and so far I am doing fabulously for 2011! Well, now I have a place to put my pictures. I am so excited to have this to remember the little things about our wonderful life.
Becky Higgins makes this so simple. She includes the album, the page protectors, the inserts for journaling, the monthly dividers, paper, etc. It's fabulous. All I have to do is fill in the blanks! No cutting, no gluing, no embelleshing! It's wonderful.
Becky Higgins is helping me with one of my resolutions and for that, I thank her!
You may know that I have started a project 365 over here, and so far I am doing fabulously for 2011! Well, now I have a place to put my pictures. I am so excited to have this to remember the little things about our wonderful life.
Becky Higgins makes this so simple. She includes the album, the page protectors, the inserts for journaling, the monthly dividers, paper, etc. It's fabulous. All I have to do is fill in the blanks! No cutting, no gluing, no embelleshing! It's wonderful.
Becky Higgins is helping me with one of my resolutions and for that, I thank her!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Mother's Little Helper
Mother's Little Helper
(Jagger/Richards)
What a drag it is getting old
"Kids are different today"
I hear ev'ry mother say
Mother needs something today to calm her down
And though she's not really ill
There's a little yellow pill
She goes running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
And it helps her on her way, gets her through her busy day
"Things are different today"
I hear ev'ry mother say
Cooking fresh food for a husband's just a drag
So she buys an instant cake and she burns her frozen steak
And goes running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
And two help her on her way, get her through her busy day
Doctor please, some more of these
Outside the door, she took four more
What a drag it is getting old
"Men just aren't the same today"
I hear ev'ry mother say
They just don't appreciate that you get tired
They're so hard to satisfy, You can tranquilize your mind
So go running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
And four help you through the night, help to minimize your plight
Doctor please, some more of these
Outside the door, she took four more
What a drag it is getting old
"Life's just much too hard today,"
I hear ev'ry mother say
The pursuit of happiness just seems a bore
And if you take more of those, you will get an overdose
No more running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
They just helped you on your way, through your busy dying day
Recently I took the gigantic step of asking for help in the sanity department. I've been putting it off for months and even attempted to do some Yoga and take some B Stress Complex to help combat my anxiety and it just wasn't cutting it. On New Year's Eve, we were all sitting down for dinner and I had a panic attack. You see, this panic attack was completely unwarranted and I knew of no trigger at that moment of time. It scared me and I took it as a sign that I needed some professional help.
I've had anxiety my entire life, I am a worrier and I've come to accept that. However, my worries have escalated to ridiculous heights and I just can't live like that. My fears over silly things haunt me each night and while I'm embarrassed to admit it, it's true and I need to accept it.
The first thing I tackled this new year was calling the doctor. The nice man on the phone administered the anxiety quiz, with a 4 or 5 being normal and anything above that (up to 21) was considered to be an anxiety disorder. I scored a 19. Yep, I almost had a perfect score! Nothing to be proud of I know, but at that moment I knew I took the right step. I kept my appointment and the Dr. was certain I needed some chemical help so he prescribed Zoloft. I was told to give it 2 weeks but boy, do I feel better already. My patience level is normalized, I no longer have horrible thoughts late at night about bad things happening, I smile more, I'm calmer and overall I'm a happier person.
My aunt told me about the Rolling Stones Song, Mother's Little Helper and I immediately knew that song was meant for me. No more hiding behind a fake smile and no more pretending that I'm ok. This is something that I can't help, it's a chemical imbalance in my brain and I need the medication to stabilize those chemicals and that is ok. I'm not ashamed and I'm here today to share my story with you so that you know that it's ok to ask for help.
Being a woman is tough work. We already have to deal with hormones, but the pressures that exist in society of how to act, how to look, how to raise our children make it that much more difficult. Add on top of that the stress that comes along with having a job, children, family commitments can just become too much. If this isn't you, don't judge, just offer a kind word. If this is you, know you aren't alone.
Offer a hug to someone today!
(Jagger/Richards)
What a drag it is getting old
"Kids are different today"
I hear ev'ry mother say
Mother needs something today to calm her down
And though she's not really ill
There's a little yellow pill
She goes running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
And it helps her on her way, gets her through her busy day
"Things are different today"
I hear ev'ry mother say
Cooking fresh food for a husband's just a drag
So she buys an instant cake and she burns her frozen steak
And goes running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
And two help her on her way, get her through her busy day
Doctor please, some more of these
Outside the door, she took four more
What a drag it is getting old
"Men just aren't the same today"
I hear ev'ry mother say
They just don't appreciate that you get tired
They're so hard to satisfy, You can tranquilize your mind
So go running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
And four help you through the night, help to minimize your plight
Doctor please, some more of these
Outside the door, she took four more
What a drag it is getting old
"Life's just much too hard today,"
I hear ev'ry mother say
The pursuit of happiness just seems a bore
And if you take more of those, you will get an overdose
No more running for the shelter of a mother's little helper
They just helped you on your way, through your busy dying day
Recently I took the gigantic step of asking for help in the sanity department. I've been putting it off for months and even attempted to do some Yoga and take some B Stress Complex to help combat my anxiety and it just wasn't cutting it. On New Year's Eve, we were all sitting down for dinner and I had a panic attack. You see, this panic attack was completely unwarranted and I knew of no trigger at that moment of time. It scared me and I took it as a sign that I needed some professional help.
I've had anxiety my entire life, I am a worrier and I've come to accept that. However, my worries have escalated to ridiculous heights and I just can't live like that. My fears over silly things haunt me each night and while I'm embarrassed to admit it, it's true and I need to accept it.
The first thing I tackled this new year was calling the doctor. The nice man on the phone administered the anxiety quiz, with a 4 or 5 being normal and anything above that (up to 21) was considered to be an anxiety disorder. I scored a 19. Yep, I almost had a perfect score! Nothing to be proud of I know, but at that moment I knew I took the right step. I kept my appointment and the Dr. was certain I needed some chemical help so he prescribed Zoloft. I was told to give it 2 weeks but boy, do I feel better already. My patience level is normalized, I no longer have horrible thoughts late at night about bad things happening, I smile more, I'm calmer and overall I'm a happier person.
My aunt told me about the Rolling Stones Song, Mother's Little Helper and I immediately knew that song was meant for me. No more hiding behind a fake smile and no more pretending that I'm ok. This is something that I can't help, it's a chemical imbalance in my brain and I need the medication to stabilize those chemicals and that is ok. I'm not ashamed and I'm here today to share my story with you so that you know that it's ok to ask for help.
Being a woman is tough work. We already have to deal with hormones, but the pressures that exist in society of how to act, how to look, how to raise our children make it that much more difficult. Add on top of that the stress that comes along with having a job, children, family commitments can just become too much. If this isn't you, don't judge, just offer a kind word. If this is you, know you aren't alone.
Offer a hug to someone today!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Connections
One of my resolutions for the year is to rekindle connections in my 'real' life. The internet has afforded us so many options to make connections; blogs, Facebook, message boards and so many more but how often do we actually connect with the actual person on the other end of that social network? My bet is that it's not all that frequent. This day and age, life is so rushed and hectic. We've got a million places to be and only 24 hours/day to get there. Sometimes the people we truly care about get left behind, even if only for the moment. And then there is the coordinating of schedules. It's a task in and of itself to actually pick a date to meet up. It's next to impossible when there are more than 2 people involved.
This year I resolve to make an effort with my family and friends. I want to spend more time alone with Brian. We have a wonderful relationship, we get along so well and laugh a lot but we rarely get time alone, away from the house. I want date nights, dinners, time to be together without kids screaming in the background.
I also want to see my girlfriends more. We need to re-establish our book club, aka food and booze club. We have so much fun together and all we really need is great food, some beer and wine and each other. I'm very lucky to have a close knit group of ladies that really understand me and accept me for who I am.
Lastly, I want to make new connections. I want to put myself out there and make new friends. It seems to be a foreign concept to us grown ups. Why not actually "be friends" with some of my Facebook friends? Why not make a playdate with some moms from preschool or ECFE? Why not get to know my neighbors better? There is no reason not to and I resolve to change that.
What are your resolutions this year? Do you feel a lack of connections in your real life? How can you make time for the loved ones in your life?
And on a totally unrelated note (although another resolution), go check out my Project 365: Oh Snap. I'd love to hear your comments and feedback. And link up if you are doing one too! I love checking out all the wonderful pictures!
This year I resolve to make an effort with my family and friends. I want to spend more time alone with Brian. We have a wonderful relationship, we get along so well and laugh a lot but we rarely get time alone, away from the house. I want date nights, dinners, time to be together without kids screaming in the background.
I also want to see my girlfriends more. We need to re-establish our book club, aka food and booze club. We have so much fun together and all we really need is great food, some beer and wine and each other. I'm very lucky to have a close knit group of ladies that really understand me and accept me for who I am.
Lastly, I want to make new connections. I want to put myself out there and make new friends. It seems to be a foreign concept to us grown ups. Why not actually "be friends" with some of my Facebook friends? Why not make a playdate with some moms from preschool or ECFE? Why not get to know my neighbors better? There is no reason not to and I resolve to change that.
What are your resolutions this year? Do you feel a lack of connections in your real life? How can you make time for the loved ones in your life?
And on a totally unrelated note (although another resolution), go check out my Project 365: Oh Snap. I'd love to hear your comments and feedback. And link up if you are doing one too! I love checking out all the wonderful pictures!
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