There are literally hundreds of hotels and resorts to choose from when you play your Smoky Mountains vacation. If one of them on your list is the Margaritaville Resort in Gatlinburg, book it! You will LOVE your stay at this beach, mountain resort and here's why! A special thanks to the Margaritaville Resort in Gatlinburg for hosting my family for one night. All glorious opinions of the resort are my own. I count myself lucky that we've had the opportunity to travel as a family over the last 10 or so years. We've stayed in different hotels and condos in different cities and states. When I look to book a hotel, there are always a few things I look for first - price, amenities and reviews. One name that is always at the top of amenities and reviews when I search is Margaritaville properties. While it's always been on our … [Read more...]
How I’ve Become a Caregiver to My Parents + Healthier Macaroni and Cheese with Butternut Squash Recipe
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There are many ways you can offer assistance and caregiving to aging parents. Today I'm sharing some of the ways my husband and I are doing that with my parents after moving them into our home four years ago in a sponsored conversation on behalf of Amerigroup. Four years ago, we made the decision to sell our home and move into a new one. We were motivated by a few different reasons. One being that we wanted our girls to go to a particular school and our current home wasn't zoned for that district. And another being that we kept contemplating moving my parents in with us. Just like the decision to move, there were a few reasons we were considering this huge life change too. While some husbands might not jump at the chance to live with their in-laws, my husband was very much on board and actually the main supporter of … [Read more...]
All About Hemp Hearts + Blueberry Mug Cake with Hemp Hearts
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If you're looking to add in more vitamins and minerals into your daily diet, consider adding hemp hearts. Let's take a look at the nutritional benefits of hemp hearts and how to incorporate them into your favorite foods and even new foods like this Blueberry Mug Cake recipe. Compensation for this post was provided by Manitoba Harvest. The opinions expressed here are my own and not indicative of the opinions of Manitoba Harvest. It's the New Year and if you're like me, and most people who I've seen posting on social media, you've made a goal to be better this year. Better at a hobby, better at parenting, better at exercising, better at... you name it, and being a better version of ourselves should probably always be something we strive for, right?! This year, I'm determined to eat better and put better foods on not just my plate, … [Read more...]
Easy, At-Home Chinese Food with Ling Ling Potstickers
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This post was sponsored by Ling Ling, all opinions expressed in my post are my own. If Chinese food is one of your favorite cuisines, you don't have to grab take out to enjoy easy meals at home. Check out this easy and comforting at-home Chinese inspired meal that comes together in under 30 minutes! Chinese food has always been a comfort food for me. Although that might sound a little funny coming out of the mouth of an East Tennessee girl that also considers chicken and dumplings as a comfort food! But it has - when I feel like I'm getting sick, I crave Chinese food. When it's cold outside, all I want is a plate full of rice and veggies. Thankfully my family loves it as much as I do, so at-home Chinese food is on our menu very regularly. While I love to eat take out [and love the break from cooking every now and … [Read more...]
Waste Free Living: 9 Ways to Go Waste Free in Your Bathroom
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Waste free living can seem overwhelming at first, but if you tackle one room in your home at a time, it is possible. Check out these 9 ways to go waste free in your bathroom. When you start on the path of a green-er life for your family, you likely start with your children. That's how our journey went and what I hear so many others say as well. Then the natural progression seems to go from children's personal care products to the kitchen. You start purchasing more organic foods, healthy snacks, etc. Today I'm ready to share with you the next step you should make in your green journey... a waste free bathroom! While the idea of going waste free may seem just way too hard [I know, because I thought so myself for the last few years], it's really so easy, no pun intended. Today I'm going to share with you 9 easy ways to make your … [Read more...]
Easy Christmas Crafts for Kids – Fruit Loop Candy Cane
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If you're looking for easy Christmas crafts for kids, this is it! You only need 2 things to make them - Fruit Loop cereal and pipe cleaners! They're a great fine motor activity for little hands and can be hung on the Christmas tree or outside for birds and squirrels to eat! While I'm totally looking forward to having my girls home for a few weeks during Christmas break, I know things will be total chaos if I don't have plenty of things for them to do. We'll definitely be baking Christmas cookies [these Kiss Cookies are our favorite], wrapping presents, and making crafts. While some crafts that we do are more elaborate, sometimes the simplest are the most fun for them. These Fruit Loop Candy Canes are so, so easy to make and you only need two things - Fruit Loop cereal and pipe cleaners! These are so great for little … [Read more...]
4 Ways to Use Elderberry for Winter Health
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This post is in partnership with NOW®. All opinions are my own. I don't know about you but I'm already seeing Facebook statuses, instagram stories, and tweets about the seasonal struggles hitting friends and family. It's that time of the year when we're all bundled up inside and germs seem to spread much too easy. While there are definitely natural ways to cope with seasonal challenges, like these great ideas for when you're on the go, I prefer to try to head them off before they even start! There are lots of natural options to support your winter health and one of my current favorites is elderberries! What are elderberries? Elderberries are a small blue and blackish berry that grows in bunches as the fruit of the Sambucus tree. They also produce small white and cream elderflowers, but the berries are what are most often … [Read more...]
Check Out this Rose Gold, Stylish Smart Watch from Fossil
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Smart watches are often thought of as stylish until now. Check out this beautiful rose gold smart watch from Fossil and all the amazing features it has. The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free. All opinions are my own. Have you jumped on the smart watch train yet?! Chances are if you're reading this post you're either shopping for one now or you're just starting the process and looking for options and today I'm sharing a great one with you! Now this isn't my first smart watch. I guess it's technically my second, but between me and hubby together, I've had experience with 4 different types of smart watches so I feel like I have a pretty good handle on them - well, you know, for a non-techy type person at least. The first thing … [Read more...]
Elf on the Shelf Ideas for a Lazy Mom Like Me
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Looking for Elf on the Shelf ideas that don't take a ton of props or time to set up? You've found it! I've got 24 super easy and fast places to hide your elf that even a lazy Mom like me can remember to do every night in December! It seems there are two type of parents when it comes to Christmas - Team Elf or Team Totally-Opposed-to-Elf. I am always a little surprised at just how adamant parents are when they're on the latter team. I have a close friend who just swears she would NEVER do that elf thing ever. And to each their own, truly. You do YOU! But when a parent says "I just don't have TIME to have an elf!" well, I have to pipe and say "Yes you do!" We've had our Elf, Criddle, since 2013 and while those first couple of years were a little bit harder, we now definitely have an elf groove. I decided to jump on the Elf on the … [Read more...]
Strawberry Brie Bites with Bays English Muffins
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This is a sponsored blog post; while the views expressed here were genuinely mine, consideration was paid to me by Bays English Muffins to review this product. Who says English muffins are just for breakfast?! These Strawberry Brie Bites elevate them to a savory and sweet appetizer ready for any get-together. If you have 5 minutes, you'll have delicious Strawberry Brie bites that everyone at the party will love! I don't know about you, but my family loves appetizers. We love throwing small get-togethers and having our friends bring an appetizer and sometimes I even make our favorite apps for dinner. It's one of those categories that I always love perusing on Pinterest and when I find a good appetizer, I want to share it! These Strawberry Brie Bites are definitely one I'm excited to share because they are SO easy [my food love … [Read more...]
Trendy Cozy Wear from prAna
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Are you ready to lounge by the fire in the coziest, softest lounge wear from prAna? I'm sharing my 2 favorite cozy pieces just in time for Winter. I received items for review from prAna. All opinions are my own. I am SO excited for the newest trend in fashion because it's all about cozy, comfort, and warmth. The temperatures are staying below 50 degrees now in East Tennessee and there's nothing I want to do more than just lounge around the house in comfortable cozy clothes. But that doesn't just mean oversized, not-so-cute sweats anymore - cozy wear is definitely trendy and I can't get enough! I was sent a couple of prAna's coziest items including this top, the Permafrost Half Zip. I chose the beautiful Khaki Rose color [although that Bone is beautiful too]. The Permafrost Half Zip women's pullover hoodie features dropped … [Read more...]
Low Carb Veggie Pizza Made with Cauliflower Pizza Crust
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This post was sponsored by Green Giant as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. Are you looking for a delicious low carb pizza crust alternative? This veggie pizza is made with a premade cauliflower pizza crust that is delicious and both crunchy and chewy and a perfect choice for a low carb pizza option. While I have never been one to go on a diet, I do try to watch what I eat for the most part. Especially when we're nearing the Holidays and I know I'll be indulging a little more than normal. I'm the type of person that as soon as I tell myself "I can't eat carbs or sugar" I'll crave it and eat more than I ever would before! That's why I'm totally on board with making small changes to my diet that can make big impacts. Small swaps and alternatives that when you … [Read more...]