A Hook For a Hand Never Looked So Good!

There have been times when I could have used an extra hand. As a Mommy, or Wonder Mom even, I can't always carry everything myself. But I don't always have someone around to help. That is where The Mommy Hook is a godsend. 

*Disclaimer: I was sent these products, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review. I was not otherwise paid or endorsed. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.*

I have to say that I am thoroughly impressed by these hooks. When I was working, I had tiny versions that helped me carry bunches of keys of the business around. I couldn't imagine not having one. But this one is large! And comfortable. This is possible because of the foam padding. It is designed perfectly for holding all those extra bags, but still staying comfortable in your hand. It is strong enough to hold the weight and big enough to be attached to the stroller or cart. The Mommy Hook is the ultimate and bestselling stroller accessory!

Simple but effective is always better! 

I can balance baby and bags with ease. I can also attach it to my stroller or store cart. I like this as I often shop for groceries for 2+ weeks at a time. And since carts are only able to hold so many filled bags, this adds to our ability and ease of carrying more. My husband has been using them to carry all the bags at once for me since  the pain has been strong lately.

These are sold locally too! You can check here to find out where they are close to you. I saw retailers like Target, Walmart and Buy Buy Baby on there. Amazon has them as well! But if you aren't in America, don't worry! They have international sales too. 

Another reason I love them? They were created by a divorced father of three who has twins in the Autism spectrum. Parents know parenting needs. He saw a need and he filled it (Robots reference, anyone?) Point is, he created something amazing! They are designed to last. Through all our parenting adventures. But they are versatile. Created of durable aluminum, it is lightweight but not cheap like most other hooks and clips that are made from plastic and have a tendency to break easily.

So who wants to win one of their own?! 

 

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How I'm Creating My Perfect Steampunk Goggles

I don't have a lot of free time. Between the appointments and kids... I stay busy. But every so often, I take a moment for me. Which, right now, means that I am working on my next steampunk project. 

Goggles! 

What steampunk costume would be complete without them?! I've always been fascinated by them. In college, I had a buddy that always wore goggles. Not steampunk, but still cool ones. I envied him for strutting his style so freely. 

Now I'm finally doing the same. And I love it! A friend gave me these goggles. I painted them and used gears that my Mom had sent me a while back to add some flair.

I also took apart a pair of aviator glasses my Mom had sent. They were pretty twisted, so I'm giving them a new life. Used the glass lenses to add a greenish color tint to my goggles.

Loving the effect! 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - what my kids always tell me :) 

I decided each side should have its own unique design to it.

So I switched up the pattern of gears. My engineer husband has plans to help me attach movable parts to create this effect next time: 

So what do you think?

Next, I am going to attempt to make pouches that I can attach to my belt and wear with my corset top. I have multiple sizes of glass bottles to put in them. Hoping to complete it all before Halloween. Around that time, we are wanting to go to Free Comic Book Day for Halloween and maybe catch an event at a local collectible's shop next to our favorite photographer!

Low Sodium Spaghetti and Alfredo Sauce

We don't eat spaghetti nearly as often as we used to. My family loves to pick on me for how much we used to make it. But it has been a favorite of the kids. And a simple meal that I can throw together in a rush. With the need to drop all the extra sodium, however, I had to rethink making it or chicken Alfredo. That is, until I found some homemade recipes for them. We have found that we actually prefer it this way! The flavor of jarred sauces has become so bland. We bought Ragu in the past. It was within our price range, but had some flavor to it. I would always add my own seasonings though when I used them. But with these recipes, I can easily make sauces ahead of time, freeze them and pull them out as needed. I can make multiple batches with ease. The lower sodium count keeps my mind at ease too. So if you are looking to cut out the extra sodium or maybe you just want a great recipe to make your own sauces, then look no farther! Simply delightful! 

Spaghetti Sauce

 

2 tbsp basil
3 tsp garlic
1/4 onions
1 1/2 tsp ground oregano
8 tbsp tomato paste (no salt added)
15 oz tomato sauce (no salt added)
1 1/2 cups of water
red pepper flakes to taste, optional

Mix everything in a sauce pan on low heat. I cooked it for about 10 minutes while stirring occasionally. You can then let it cool and then store it in the freezer for later or use immediately. 

For lower sodium meatballs, switch to Kikkoman's Panko breadcrumbs. Super low in sodium compared to the Progresso I used to use. Don't add the salt! Stick with herbs and seasonings instead. I use oregano, mostly, but also basil. If you want tangy meatballs, try adding low sodium soy sauce, I use Kikkoman, and a little ginger and brown sugar. Mmmm it is magnificent! 

Alfredo Sauce 

3 tbsp garlic
3 tsp parsley
2 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
3 tsp lemon juice
3 tbsp all purpose flour
3 tbsp olive oil 
2 1/4 cup 1% milk
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 package of pasta

Start by sauteing the garlic and flour in the oil. Then add in all the other ingredients except the pasta. Simmer on low. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and mix with sauce. It is just that easy! 

Let's All Spread a Little More Joy These Holidays - One Card At a Time!

Encouraging a child daily grows their self esteem, shows them how much you love them and can shine a light on a dull, dreary day when they need it most. I don't know about your kids, but mine start dragging about the time they have lunch at school. Which is where Lunchbox Love cards come in handy! 

*Disclaimer: I received these cards for free in exchange for my honest review. I was not paid or otherwise compensated. The opinions shared are strictly my own.* 

These cards are made by Say Please. They come in cute, little, plastic boxes that make for easy storage. Which is a huge plus for someone who tries to stay organized. As a Mom who has had quite enough of negativity in the world, I am proud to use these to spread positive words one card at a time. 

Why positive messages are so important.

Kids might have it easy in our eyes, but that doesn't mean they don't face pressure and stresses in their daily life. They need positive reinforcement to battle the negativity that we adults understand so well. We get so busy, we often just go through the motions and forget to check into what they are facing. These cards give us a conversation opener. Let the kiddos know we are thinking of them. Say Please says it best, "Words are important, especially positive words. Their energy lifts spirits and makes the world a better place the moment they are shared." Just think about the last time you heard something positive shared with you. Made you feel great, even when the day might not have been going so well, right? This is what I feel these cards can accomplish even when I'm not there.

Each card has an encouraging note on the front and trivia on the back. Plus there are 2 cards that are blank for you to write your own personalized messages on. There are 12 cards to a pack. I was sent volume 25. I absolutely love the variety! For kids, teens and loved ones. And the trivia is so much fun too. I think they make for great ways to get kids interested in researching more about topics. Like this one, "During a 24-hour period, the average adult will breathe around 23,000 times." These make great topics for our table discussions. We love talking about things that most people don't think about. 

What else do they have to offer? 

You can purchase a variety of sizes and options when it comes to the cards. You can also check out the great free printables they offer. For various occasions! 

Need a great holiday gift? 

I'm not just referring to Christmas gifts, though I would highly suggest it! They have Elf Jokes cards if you like to play with the Elf of the Shelf (something my husband and I would love to do one day)! Let your elf not only pose, but get these cards to print and set up with your Elf. Add humor in a way you never thought to before. They have cards geared for many holidays: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine's Day. 

Let us spread some happy moments, one card at a time with the people we love and care about. Think of this as another way to Pay it Forward. When we share joy with one, they are more likely to share it with someone else. Help make the world a happier place, despite the darkness we face daily. It starts with us! 

I did! I sent one to work with my husband to surprise him on his lunch break. Just a little moment to make him smile and add some pep to his step while he works. Who knows who else will benefit from his smile tonight?