Summer of the Sno-cone: My Short-Lived Obsession with Awsum Snowballs

This summer was definitely the summer of snowcone for our family. It all started when I finally made a trip in to Awsum Snoballs when it used to be located inside the same space as the tanning place off 31. It has since changed owners and moved out of the location into a mobile facility - food truck type set up - but I cannot keep up with where they are ever so I haven't had any since they left.

When we were there we loved the "Barbie" snoball and any of them with the added ice cream scoop! Yum!

But as luck would have it, I stumbled upon a garage sale this summer without the kiddos and they had a snocone machine for $3 -- and yup I bought it along with a trip to Kroger that gained me some yummy Jelly Bean Snocone syrup flavors - our favorite being the Cotton Candy one. Yum!

Franklin Fun: Strawberries on the Square

One of our favorite places to visit is historic downtown Franklin. We especially love their Strawberries on the Square event. Facepainting, yummy food and summer sunshine!

Flower Girl Fun

Miss Delaney had the honor of being a flower girl this summer - she wasn't too thrilled at the toilet paper dress game at the bridal shower - but soaked up the moment on the big day.

Growing up so fast!

The Zoo in Bloom

Spring isn't complete without a romp through the Botanical Gardens at the Indianapolis Zoo.

Learning to Slow Down

One of the biggest lessons I am learning from working from home is how to truly slow down and enjoy the moments.

Watching snails after a spring shower.

Dairy Queen Family Nights

Somehow managed to come on the wrong night but all enjoyed a cone all the same.

Swim Lessons at the Y

We joined the YMCA this year and have been nothing but happy with the facility and the many offerings include dance and swim lessons, the prime time play area, free member child watch so mama can manage to work out and so much more!

Adventures in Cosleeping: Side Car Solutions

Granted this rubbermaid tote side car idea doesn't actually get used a whole heck of a lot. But at least it is there and does expand our bed another couple feet. Either way both girls prefer to be snuggled up close but on certain nights this make-shift side car toddler bed has come in quite handy.

We tried a couple of different ideas before this one. First we tried just the pack n play pulled up close since our youngest naps in it anyways. But no that didn't work for bedtime. Then I took apart and hauled in the crib frame with the front open and pulled next to the bed...and that probably would have worked if not for the style of crib frame that curves out at the sides creating a good 3-4 inch gap instead if being able to be flush against our mattress.

So it was on to plan c or d at this point. Ainsley was transitioning from sleeping in a cosleeper to next to me and big sis in the middle of the bed. This was no Bueno in big sis's mind so the sidecar was a way for her to still be able to cuddle up to me...little sis on the left big sis on the right. 

And at the time I was finally packing away tubs of maternity clothes and winter clothes. The two tasks sort of came together! Tote platform! Perfect height!

We have three equal height tubs holding up a crib mattress so it sits flush against our king sized bed. Family bed at its finest! :) 

Where we play: Greenwood Public Library

One of our all time favorite places to get out of the house and play, especially in the cold, long winter months, is at the Greenwood Public Library. The children's section is so great! From the facilities to the decor - they are truly fostering a love of the library in children by making the library a fun and exciting place to visit. They even have an aquarium and child computer stations! And in exchange for a temporary hold of a personal item you can "check out" play food and a cash register and other fun things!

Here is a little tour of the facilities: 

A space ship (the white triangle contraption) complete with mission control (old keyboards affixed to the dash).

Train table, dress up clothes and a road map carpet. Books and puzzles galore.

Magnet letter board.

Choo choo train.

For the fire engine enthusiasts. 

Three billy goats gruff bridge complete with hand puppets in the little bag. My little ones love to trip trap over the bridge as we walk back to the play area.

Attempted a panoramic view of the space. 

Great tree clubhouse that appeals to all ages from walkers to crawlers and beyond!

Rethinking Olive Garden: Menu Tasting & Brand Updates

We were invited with other local media and bloggers to join our area Olive Garden for a menu tasting and celebration of their many great changes! The interior has been renovated and looks so modern and updated. New logo, new look and new menu items! Definitely a fresh new look, feel and taste that doesn't take away at all from what everyone already loves about Olive Garden. Just makes it even more enticing and exciting! Don't you love it when change makes a good thing even better??

Let's talk a bit about the changes:

Olive Garden's Menu Evolution 

Last year, Olive Garden unveiled the most significant menu evolution in the restaurant’s history, adding more than 20 new menu items that broaden the choice, variety and value it offers guests, prepared with new cooking techniques that accentuate new flavors. Olive Garden’s new menu is designed to appeal to the evolving palettes and preferences of casual dining guests, while providing guests with more options to customize their meal experience at both lunch and dinner.

Fresh ingredients used in their menu items - fresh mozzarella bites, lemon, yum!

Remodels of Indiana Locations

Additionally, Olive Garden has completed the remodel of its Greenwood, Muncie, Anderson, Kokomo, Castleton Square Mall and East Washington (Indiana) locations. The restaurants now features a more open, vibrant and up-to-date design, with new artwork, fabrics and materials, lighting, seating, countertops and flooring, as well as a stacked-stone entry tower displaying the new “Olive Garden Italian Kitchen” logo sign.

Menu Tasting Checklist from the event we attended

Let's take a Look at the New Dishes!

• Crispy Risotto Bites (appetizer) - A bite-sized blend of Italian cheeses and rice, lightly fried and served with marinara sauce.

• Artichoke Fritti (appetizer, coming soon on 1/19) - Artichoke hearts lightly battered and fried, topped with Italian cheeses. Served with citrus aioli dipping sauce.

Wings at Olive Garden?! Woah!

• Spicy Calabrian Wings (appetizer) - Chicken wings tossed with garlic and chili peppers from the Italian region of Calabria, served with gorgonzola dipping sauce.

• Mediterranean Flatbread (appetizer, coming soon on 1/19) - Basil pesto and olive oil, topped with a blend of four Italian cheeses, artichoke hearts, olives, capers, roasted red peppers and garlic.

• Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad Topper (salad) - Fresh mozzarella bites, roasted tomato, bell pepper, basil, kale and an extra-virgin olive oil drizzle.

• Salmon Bruschetta (entree) - Grilled filet topped with fresh tomatoes and basil pesto. Served on seafood risotto with sautéed shrimp.

• Citrus Chicken Sorrento (entree, Lighter Italian Fare, under 575 calories) - Tender, grilled chicken breasts in a citrus honey glaze, inspired by the Italian city of Sorrento, famous for its lemon groves. Served with lightly seasoned broccoli, artichokes and roasted vegetables.

• Northern Tour of Italy (entree) - Asiago tortelloni with meat sauce, Chicken Lombardy and fettuccine with creamy parmesan portobello sauce. 

• Last year, Olive Garden turned to fans to crowd source the next Tour of Italy dish. Fans have spoken - and you tried the winner. Inspired by Olive Garden's chef Flavio Tagliaferro and a twist on the classic Tour of Italy, this dish features ingredients and flavors of the region of Italy where Chef Flavio grew up. 

• Bucatini with Spicy Three Meat Sauce - part of Cucina Mia:

• Choose your pasta: Bucatini, Cavatappi, Tri-Colored Vegetable Penne, Giant Rigatoni, Whole Wheat Linguine, Gluten-Free Rotini
• Choose your made-from-scratch sauce: Five Cheese Marinara, Spicy Three Meat, Asiago Garlic Alfredo, Creamy Bacon & Sun-Dried Tomato, Primavera
• Add a topping (additional cost): Meatballs, Italian Sausage, Chicken Meatballs, Grilled Chicken, Sautéed Shrimp. 

• Pappardelle Pescatore (entree) - A traditional, coastal Italian dish with sautéed shrimp, bay scallops and clams tossed in a creamy, red pepper seafood sauce. Served with fresh asparagus, tomatoes and pappardelle pasta.

• Apple Tuscan Bread Pudding (seasonal dessert) - Warm, rustic Italian bread pudding baked with York Imperial apples, then topped with caramel and rich vanilla cream.

Long Island Limoncello

Sangarita

Food isn't the only new items on the menu. There are a few tasty new drinks as well. We tried the amazing Long Island Limoncello and new Sangarita!

Many thanks to the Greenwood Olive Garden for having us - was a great experience - wonderful service and staff!

How We Conquered the Yeast Beast

Yeast diaper rashes are no joke. To be honest before the last two months, they baffled me. Our oldest never got much of a diaper rash at all - let alone a yeast rash - ever. So I was mystified when my youngest would have rash flare ups. In the past Aveeno Diaper Rash cream would be our go-to product, but after a round of antibiotics to clear up a double ear infection, our youngest's rash took a turn for the worst. Little round pimple looking bumps, and a raised nasty looking rash that was painful to even look at - poor baby!

After hitting the internet we came up with several solutions and cream combos to try. But after over a week it seemed to be taking turns for the worse and become raw and blistery instead of healing or clearing up at all.

We were missing a crucial step. Airing out the area.

After lamenting my concern on a cloth diaper mama group on Facebook, someone commented with a simple, "try less cream." All the  creams and lotions and whatever we tried helped keep that area warm and moist - perfect for yeast.

Part of not airing out for us before is because our youngest tends to go potty as soon as her diaper is off- gah! But a few accidents was worth the healing effect.

And our second secret weapon that finally brought relief was baking soda baths. 

We tried it all folks, from Destin Ultra, A&D, a homemade version of "Riley's butt cream," bag balm, lotrimin -- it was frustrating to see days turn into weeks with no relief and several set backs.

So here is our routine, something I was constantly seeking advice on but not quite getting so hopefully it helps someone else out there seeking some help in figuring out how to tackle the diaper rash yeast beast.

1. Sensitive Diapers/Sensitive Detergent. If cloth diapering, you may want to consider getting some bleach and chlorine free all-nature sensitive type disposable diaper during this time and if using a detergent for cloth diapers make sure it is sensitive or that you are adding in enough rinse cycles. And definitely run your cloth diapers through a wash cycle with the recommended amount of bleach (in the bleach compartment) or vinegar to kill off the yeast and spores.

2. Ease up on the use of creams. I know for us our first reaction was to slather on as much as possible hoping they would work their miracle before soaking into the diaper etc. But what we were doing was creating a consistent warm moist environment for the yeast to continue and for the raw skin to stay raw and not heal. We back off on the amount and kept it at just a thin layer of lotrimin on the pimple looking bumps and raised meaty looking rash areas. We would mix it up with a thin layer of diaper rash cream like butt paste or A&D or Destin every other diaper or so.

3. Air out. It can be hard to do especially for an accident prone babe but helps so much. We found that letting her run around a bit after baths helped, or in between diaper changes - a good 10-20 minutes or so.

4. Baking soda baths. I read it was 2TB per baby bath tub, but we don't use the baby tub any longer so we were using around 1/4 cup and just lowering the water amount so it wasn't so watered down. We did this 1-2 times a day morning and night.

5. Disposables at night. We love cloth diapering, but 8-12 hours at night in a warm wet diaper is not going chase yeast away. Let that baby sleep and air out her bum a little in a disposable.

6. Frequent changes. And throughout the day change the diaper more often whether cloth or disposable - this lets you keep an eye on the rash and continue to layer on thin amounts of cream or have more chances to air out.

Raising Little Explorers

Farm Fun: Distelrath Farms

I have never felt the desire to really immerse myself into a farm - we've visited places like Trader's Point Creamery, Waterman's, Kelsay's and the like, but the concept of a co-op like Distelrath Farm is very intriguing to me. Granted I haven't jumped in and joined officially quite yet - work schedules, and littles under the age of one make committing to anything a wee bit difficult. But I love this place and venture there as often as our schedule allows. (thank you to Sarah for putting up with us)

One of the activities we were invited to take part in this summer was a Sunflower Harvest. Something just sounds so blissfully fall and memory making about this. We ventured out, cut sunflower heads, gathered them up in the bed of a pick-up truck, hauled them to a wide open space, and laid them out on the grass once back at the farm and laid out a blanket for everyone, mom's, families, babies, toddlers, children, to all sit and hand remove as many seeds as you could or wanted to and conversed, enjoyed one another's company, and revelled in being outdoors.

At one point my youngest, fell asleep on the blanket, surrounded by seeds and the sounds of chickens and her big sister running around and playing with her friend. Moments that pull at the heart strings.

My kind of bliss. :)

Things to Do as a Family: Kelsay Farms

Living only a few miles from this agritourism location, I am a little ashamed to say that we just now visited this past fall. Here I like to think of myself as a hometown tourist -- tsk tsk.

Well we finally made it! Loved how everything at Kelsey Farms (except food and products) is included in the admission cost. No repetitive explanations about why no we are not going to do this or that because it costs extras.

Tours - included.
Fun zones - included.
Train rides - included.
Activities - included.
Plywood cow milking - included.

Families - relieved. :)

Dispelling the Fear: Becoming a Young Living Wholesale Member

When people hear the phrases ‘signing up for,’ ‘enrolling in,’ or ‘becoming a member of" in association with getting involved a company or purchasing a product - they get scared, mad, or just all around uneasy! I have never received so much hostility and skepticism before I started telling people about YL products - it has seriously surprised me. No one wants to be duped or pay more than the product is worth, or agree blindly to any type of commitment that you don’t know enough about, am I right??

Well, let me give it to you straight. Yes it is true, the way Young Living operates as a business is as a MLM - a network marketing organization...deep breaths everyone...to be completely honest -this is not bad! This simply means they strive on word of mouth - as much products do - friends sharing with friends about products that have changed their life.

With Young Living being a Wholesale Member simply means you get Wholesale Prices - nothing more....and that is it....unless you want it to mean something more but that is totally up to you.

Signing up as a Young Living Wholesale Member just means that you get to purchase your products at great wholesale prices, 24% off retail. A good way to think of it is as being similar to having a membership to Costco or Sam’s Club - except you don't pay annual fees to be in the "club". Your "fee" if, you will, is just ordering a Premium Starter Kit - so it straight out equals product you will receive in your hands....to remain a "wholesale member" you need to spend $50 a calendar year on additional product FOR YOURSELF...and the first year is taken care of by purchasing the Premium Starter Kit....after that you are just replacing oils with the ones you ran out of in the kit or ordering other oils that didn't come in your kit, etc.

Let me dispel some concerns commonly associated with any sort of MLM:

• You DO NOT have to tell anyone about Young Living.
  (I am amazed by these oils and cannot keep them to myself - so I share with others!)
• You DO NOT have to sell their products.
• You DO NOT have to carry any sort of inventory.
• You DO NOT have to make this a business.
• You DO get a discount.

If you want to tell others about Young Living or even make it into a legitimate business, you can certainly do so. But simply enrolling as a "Wholesale Member" in no way commits you to doing that.

Ready to give Young Living a try? You won't be disappointed... Click here >> wholesale membership, or get ahold of me if you still have questions or concerns!

Getting Started with Essential Oils

I first fell in love with essential oils with my first whiff of lavender. Lavender was my gateway oil! :) I have planted my own lavender plants, coveted everything lavender scented, and gradually acquired my first bottle of lavender essential oil while newly pregnant with my first child through a friend and neighbor who was clearing out her own birth oil kit stash. I still have that first bottle of lavender oil - though it is nearly empty now!

My first two oil experiences were lavender and clary sage - which through some freak accident unknowingly fell into our toaster and melted the cap - that was one RELAXED morning! :) But slowly my collection grew as did my excitement for their uses in promoting a healthy family lifestyle - and now that my first bottles are dwindling I decided to finally give Young Living a try after hearing so many great things from several close friends and having had a chance to experience them at workshops.

And truth be told - they DO indeed live up the hype. I was skeptical - I mean why can't we all just use what we find in GNC or Earth Fare? Sure - I have tried them and they are ok. But after experiencing what a true Seed to Seal quality of oil like Young Living’s is actually like - you realize how much you were missing out. Definite difference in quality - and coming from a skeptic's mouth - means a lot. Opening that Young Living Lavender bottle was like woah! - so much stronger! And if you look into my two diffusers - there is a huge difference. My Young Living diffuser has only ever had young living oils - and is clean, not discolored and no residue or weird smells. My other diffuser had the off brand oils is discolored in the water basin where the oils touch it and occasionally gets a really "off" weird smell. :( I should do a picture to show the difference - maybe here soon!

Essential oils are such a great experience, makes your home smell like a heavenly spa without all the unwanted chemicals or waxes (and headaches that come along with them) that candles or commercial air fresheners have and oils have so many great health benefits beyond pampering the nose!

I am so happy now that I have the Young Living Premium Starter Kit. Having dabbled off and on with off-brand oils for over a year I was ready for more support and access to higher quality and the wonderful blends that Young Living offers (Panaway, Stess Away, and more). I can honestly say that we use essential oils everyday! Valor helps me focus and clears up some mommy-brain, Peace and Calming helps our little ones and myself settle down and get to sleep, Thieves supports our immune system and smells like Christmas!, Stress Away when things get a little too crazy, Lemon and Orange for cleaning, Lavender diffused at night in my mascara, Purification for air freshening, we are experiencing the benefits of overall wellness. (And an added bonus, my house smells amazing even with 2 dogs and 2 little ones running around and we have the peace of mind knowing that we are using natural products!)

These oils have benefited our family in so many ways and I  want to share our experience so that it might impact your own family’s wellness as well.

Have a lot of questions?? I definitely did when we ventured into the idea of trying essential oils. Hopefully I can answer as many as I can for you. (and feel free to get ahold of me if you have more questions!)

Why Young Living?
Young Living is deeply committed to the purity and quality of their oils, from “Seed to Seal”. Their oils go through a strenuous testing and distilling process in order for them to be most effective and safe. Oils you can purchase at stores, while they may be cheaper, have no regulations, meaning they can be adulterated with chemicals and water to make them go further. Young Living Essential Oils are the only oil I trust enough to share with you.

This along with the opportunities and incentives to share their fabulous products had me head over heels for Young Living.

How Do I Use Essential Oils?

* Inhale – deep breaths from the bottle, put a few drops in your hands and cover your mouth and nose or by diffusing (my favorite! we have two diffusers in the house)

* Topically – apply directly to the skin/problem area or dilute with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, almond oil or even vegetable oil - or apply to the vitaflex points on the feet (great for kiddos) or hands - I love applying oils to my wrists, or to the therapy points on the ear (all outlined in the 480+ page Quick Reference Guide for Using Essential Oils that you will receive in the mail after joining our team)

* Ingest – through drops placed in water or foods or by gelatin capsule

The uses are endless!

Why Choose the “Wholesale Option” When Signing Up?

You automatically receive a 24% discount when signing up, and you have the option of earning commissions when others join – but this part is COMPLETELY OPTIONAL. (However, if you’re like me the benefits will compel you to share with your family and friends! - I have to refrain from constantly wanting to say "there's an oil for that!" - definitely becoming a crazy oil lady ;) )

You automatically get the wholesale discount without any commitments to sell.

If you are interested in remaining an active distributor, you need to order a minimum of 50PV (point value – usually equal to dollars) a year.

Regardless, there are NO Minimum Orders. NO Monthly Fees. NO Obligations. NO Selling Requirements. (So nice!)

What Kit Would You Recommend for Starting Out?

The absolute best bang for your buck is the Premium Starter Kit. This is your Black-Friday type steal! This kit contains everything you need to start and experience these oils for an amazing value. The kit includes the 10 Everyday Oils, Stress Away Oil Roll-On, 10 purse-size Essential Oil Samples in foil to share with others!, two Ningxia Red Samples, references for getting started, and the Diffuser (which alone around $100). A $274 value for $150!

Where Can I Go to For Support and Questions?

I’m so excited to let you in on this part. When you sign up under me, I can add you to several private Facebook Groups. It’s an instant community to learn from filled with resources, and others who are learning about the amazing benefits of oils right along side of you! (So much better than WebMD) And you are welcome to contact me anytime with questions or support.

How Can I Share Young Living with Others and Reap the Benefits?

When you sign up, you will receive a member # to give to family and friends who are interested in joining, which earns commissions for you to use to purchase oils or to help your earn some extra cash!

Okay, I’m In. How Do I Sign Up?

1. Click here to begin the enrollment process. (It is so easy!)

2. Member is already selected so that you can automatically receive the 24% off. (Leave it on Member. No one wants to pay retail, it’s a no-brainer)

3. Double check to make sure my member #2151519 is in the Sponsor ID and Enroller ID spots.

4. Choose to enroll in the Essential Rewards program, or click “No Thank You”, try the oils out first and come back to this later.

5. Be sure to include your email so I can invite you to the private Facebook group.

6. Choose the kit you want to get started and add anything else to you may want to order.

7. Constantly refresh browser for a package tracking update while waiting for your box to arrive -haha! I know I did! Haha!

Jump in - I promise you won't look back! I cannot wait to hear how you much you love Young Living Oils!


* These statements are based on my own experience and resources. Not everyone may experience the same results, everyone's body is different and reacts differently just like with traditional medicines, etc but I hope you and your family have great results! The statements above are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent disease and are not evaluated by the FDA. I do receive a commission on sales when you sign up, which is a little boost of motivation to share. However, the main reason I’m telling you about our family’s experience with essential oils is because of their positive impact on our family.