It is a classic line, Moms and Dads have been yelling it for years. “Clean your room!” I think I heard that from my mom more than I heard her say she loved me Now that it is back to school time, the kids are doing other things and they don’t want to clean, (Not like they ever wanted to) so keeping a good organization system will really help. It makes clean up much faster when everything has a home.

Before the holidays start and all of the new toys start coming in, it’s time to figure out what to do! I used to live in a 2500 sq ft 5 bedroom home so finding places to put things was ever an issue. There was plenty of space but then, during my divorce, my boys and I moved to a 2 bedroom 900 sq ft apartment. You want to talk about having to come up with new ways to organize things? Toys were the worst and at the top of my hair pulling list.

I wanted to share a few tips on how I organized them to keep my sanity and not kill myself walking around. If you have a small space, this may help!
1. Limit the number of toys that your kids have. You don’t have to deprive them but did my boys REALLY need over 100 cars? NOPE!

2. A big thing for us is Thomas the train. Every type of train, every color of track etc. I found a cube unit on clearance years ago and it has really come in handy in my small space. Blue Bins have plastic trains, red bins have metal trains and so forth. Each of the bins are labeled as well so the kids can clean up quickly. (It’s not a great pic but I included one below)

3. Organize them by how often your children use them. You want those things easily accessible. put other things away and rotate the toys. If they want something different they can ask for it.

4. Keep like items together. All “odd” toys or nothing that goes to a set, I keep in one bin.

5. Get your kids involved. Chances are if they help you figure out where to put things, they will remember better.

6. Throw away the fast food toys! Yes they are cute for the first few days but they really make a lot of clutter. If you MUST keep them, put them all in one bin as mentioned in #5.

7. If you have the room, create work stations. Have an area for reading, a corner for crafts etc.

8. Every time a new toy comes into the house, an old one has to leave. The boys have learned that someone else would really appreciate their old toys and they like being able to find things now.

9. Do not use the closet for storage.. Why? I learned the kids see that as a toss point… open the door and toss it in! Doesn’t matter if you have the best system in there, it gets to be a disaster.

10. DONATE DONATE DONATE! We just filled up 3 garbage bags full of toys in the past 2 days. You would be amazed what they don’t want, have outgrown or is broken.

I am secretly hoping that when we move to our new house that I will have a lot more space ad the kids can have a rocking play area that is so organized I even amaze myself! Small spaces are so tough to organize, especially when there is no storage room to begin with. We may have some toys on the floor but love grow best in little houses right?

This year seemed to blow by for us and Christmas is just around the corner. It’s amazing to even say that! Of course that means here comes holiday shopping. The large amount of spending over such a small period of time, can increase the chances for identity theft and identity fraud. Simply being a smart shopper can reduce your chances but, it doesn’t necessarily ensure you have done enough to reduce all the risks surrounding identity theft during the holiday shopping season. Sometimes drastic times calls for drastic measures (I know this all to well) and this season might be the right time to go above and beyond the normal “tips and suggestions” that we hear about.

According to the National Retail Federation, 212 million US consumers spent an estimated $45 billion over the Black Friday weekend in 2010.

• Leave your Debit card at home and use only a credit card or a gift card. If you don’t have a credit card, consider purchasing a pre-paid credit card to limit the amount lost if you are victimized. If you’re the target of an identity thief, you’re not losing your money but the lenders. Don’t give the criminals direct access to your funds.

• Smarter Savings –Don’t open store credit, even if they are offering you 20% savings. By opening store credit you are creating more opportunities for your personal information to be exposed and/or lost and chances are good that you can find a similar discount code just with a few clicks online.

• What’s Your Frequency? If your card has the volume symbol on the front or back, your card is emitting signal just looking to connect (radio frequency identification) to a card reader– and a thief knows this. RFID credit cards reduce the need for the consumer to scan their card, instead the card just connects. Identity thieves are creating devices to electronically pickpocket you if you’re carrying and RFID card in your purse or wallet. Call your lender and request a credit card without the RFID chip.

• Swipe in Style – Don’t swipe your credit card at the checkout, instead, hand it over to the cashier to run through on the register. Identity thieves are compromising point of sale terminals and capturing your personal information.

• Wi-Fi Worries – When browsing online, avoid shopping on public Wi-Fi networks and shared computers. You cannot guarantee the security of the computer and you are placing your personal information at risk whenever you use a public or community computer to make a purchase online.

What are some other ways you can protect yourself? Check out a Company called LifeLock. In 2005, LifeLock set out to provide proactive identity theft protection to a growing member base. As chairman and chief executive officer of LifeLock, Todd Davis has committed the last five years to building an organization that is at the forefront of helping to combat identity theft crimes. I had the chance to sit down to lunch with Todd and his staff back in August and all were extremely helpful in educating me on just how easy it is to have your information stolen. Many times I found myself sitting there with my mouth open, in disbelief that people actually came up with some of these ideas! Want to give LifeLock a try at no cost? Enter my giveaway below!

Some articles worth reading :

ComScore-Cyber Monday 2010$1.028 Billion Spent online, up 16% from 20099M total online shoppers17.1M transactions

Cyber Monday 2010106.87M expected shoppers (76% increase over 5 years)

National Retail Federation- Black Friday 2010Total Spending $45 BillionOnline & in-store- 212M shoppers

This giveaway is for one year of LifeLock Service that is good for one adult and up to three children and is valued at $275!!

Disclosure: I’m a LifeLock Brand Ambassador and this is a sponsored post. Any views and opinions expressed on this blog are solely my own. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC and/or its above sponsor. The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. I was under no obligation to write a positive post. You can read more about our Disclosure Policy here.

I am blessed with children who do not get sick very often. I would like to take all the credit and say it was because I nursed them but I can’t be sure of that. I am just grateful for whatever the reason. Sadly for some, it seems their children are always coming down with something.

The fall and winter is approaching quickly. It is our job as parents to keep our children healthy and minimizing the impact of cold and flu season is top of mind. Germs can spread easily when kids are in school sharing lunches and school supplies, playing with friends, and participating in extracurricular activities. It’s important to keep your kids healthy so they can stay active, alert and not miss any school. The experts at Lysol recommend getting a flu shot, washing your hands with soap and water and scrub thoroughly for 20 seconds, and routinely clean and disinfect surfaces to help stop the spread of germs. Lysol Spray and Lysol Wipes kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses on hard non porous surfaces.

Here are some things we don and don’t do to stay healthy during the cold months.

1. One thing we do NOT do in our home is get flu shots. I have never had one and neither have my sons. Many many years ago, my then boyfriend, went to get one and he became sicker than you can imagine. I don’t think he left bed for more than 5 or 10 minute stretches. I have seen this happen to other people as well. I am just not willing to do that.

2. The amount of hand sanitizer around here is crazy. It’s in the kitchen, bathroom, living room, my purse and my jeep. My son even has one attached to his back pack! We use it frequently.

3. Public restrooms: this one always makes me laugh. We go in, we use the bathroom, we wash our hands, we touch the door handle and leave. How many people before you did not wash their hands and touched that door handle?I used to feel like I was some kind of germaphobe but I have seen A LOT of people doing this.. Wash your hands and then use the paper towel to open the door, hold the door with your foot or elbow and throw the towel away. I do this every time. I can’t say the boys always do but I know I have seen them do it.

4. I walk around the house several times a week with Lysol Disinfecting Wipes and wipe down all of the door knobs, remote controls, the phone and especially the video game controllers. I also wipe down frequently played with toys.

5. I sanitize our toothbrushes regularly to prevent the growth and spread of bacteria, germs and viruses. We have a sanitizer machine that uses  ultraviolet sterilizing lamps to sanitize the toothbrush, killing harmful bacteria and viruses. If it is not in your budget to buy one, soak your brush for about five minutes once a week in mouthwash to sanitize the brush of germs and bacteria.

More info on Lysol: http://www.lysol.com/mission-for-health

Lysol on Facebook

I would love to hear how you keep your home a little more germ free!

Disclosure: I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Lysol blogging program, for a gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.” The views and opinions expressed in this blogs content are solely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product should be verified by the above mentioned manufacturer, PR Agency or product designer. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to twitter, facebook or any other network. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC and/or its above sponsor.You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

When I was about 10 years old, we had one of those vacuum selling people come to the door.. You know that brand I am talking about… The guy had a display piece that attached to the side of the vacuum with these pads so you could see what they were sucking up. One of the things he did was vacuum out beds. It was something that I never forgot for the next 23 years. To this day it still makes me sick thinking about it. The pad was filled with just “”disgustingness”. (Yep made that one up) It wasn’t even something I could begin to describe. I made such a big deal about this attachment that he let us keep it! I vacuumed my bed every Sunday morning for the next 5 years. I actually had forgotten about this until I was writing this post. I think I need to head on over to ProtectABed.com and start pricing King sized stuff!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 68 percent of high school graduates – more than 2.2 million – headed to college in 2010. It’s a good bet that many of them experienced the age-old rite of passage of moving into the dorms with dozens of new friends from near and far. And with all those people moving into such a small space, it’s no wonder that bed bug infestations on college campuses are on the rise.

But now, there is a way for parents to protect their college-bound kids. Protect-A-Bed has introduced its Student Bedding Protection Kit. This Kit is a trio of products that includes Protect-A-Bed’s Twin XL AllerZip® Mattress Encasement, Protect-A-Bed Mattress Protector, and Protect-A-Bed’s Pillow Protector — does more than assist in bed bug management. Many dorm mattresses have been slept on by multiple people, are filled with dust mites and other allergens, and have stains from students past. Mattress protection creates a layer between students and what’s lurking in their mattresses, to create a more hygienic – and bed bug free! – sleep environment. Furthermore, mattress protection will prevent additional damage to the mattress in the event of an accident.

Protect-A-Bed’s AllerZip® Smooth Mattress Encasement

AllerZip® mattress encasements feature a patented BugLock® three-sided zipper and innovative Secure Seal® which completely locks the encasement in place. The AllerZip mattress encasement is completely bed bug escape and entry proof. With an innovative Allergen Flap, it provides superior bed bug and allergy protection by preventing any allergens or bed bugs from entering or exiting through the zipper. Double-stitched seams also add a further level of protection around the entire encasement. The soft smooth surface is waterproof and stainproof, featuring the innovative Miracle Membrane® with the Total Heat Transference Formula. Liquids and stains stay out, yet the state-of-the-art AllerZip mattress protector remains breathable and comfortable.

Protect-A-Bed’s Basic Mattress Protector

Protect-A-Bed’s Basic Mattress Protector provides a barrier to allergens and dust mites and keeps a mattress sanitary and protected from spills and accidents. The product has a smooth polyester surface that is cool and comfortable to sleep on. The product also features the innovative Miracle Membrane® that provides a 2-way barrier for the mattress and the user to protect against allergens, dust mites and accidents. It has a fitted sheet style skirt that will stretch to fit mattresses without shifting. It doesn’t alter the feel of the mattress and can be easily removed for washing as simply as sheets.

Protect-A-Bed’s Premium Pillow Protectors

The super soft, absorbent yet ultra-thin Premium Pillow Protector protects against allergens, dust mites and bacteria. Featuring our Miracle Membrane®, the Premium Pillow Protector is waterproof yet air vapor porous, keeping your pillow cool and comfortable. Your pillow will also be protected from liquids and stains, and is machine washable. The Premium Pillow Protector is an essential part of your healthy sleep zone solution.

The importance of protecting yourself, your family and your mattress should be a priority even if you don’t have someone going off to school. Many of us are in need of a new mattress but the price is out of a lot of budgets. Ever wonder why your mattress gets heavier and heavier when you flip it? It’s filled with all of the dead skin and such that you lose every night when you sleep. Do your pets sleep on your bed? It’s filled with stuff from them too! It’s never to late to start protecting it and your body!

One lucky reader will win a Student bedding protection kit!

Mandatory Entry: How long have you had your current mattress and did you buy it new or was it given to you? (1 entry)

Bonus Entries: A lot of additional ways to enter! Leave a separate comment for each one!

• Follow Protect-A-Bed on Twitter (1 entry)
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• Tweet using the TWEET button above. (1 entry, once per day)
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Giveaway is open to US residents who are 18 years of age or older. I reserve the right to remove any entry from this giveaway. This giveaway is sponsored by the representing PR firm/Agency. This giveaway ends 10/11/2011 at 11:59pm EST. If you are currently or have previously reviewed this product or participated in this campaign, you are ineligible to enter/win.

Disclosure: I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting. I did receive product for my testing purposes thanks to Wordsworth Communications. The views and opinions expressed in this blogs content are solely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product should be verified by the above mentioned manufacturer, PR Agency or product designer. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to twitter, facebook or any other network. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC and/or its above sponsor. The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

My mother-in-law sent me this today and I would like to dedicate this to my good friend Dawn. I love you for having the same views on cleaning as me!

I don’t do windows because …
I love birds and don’t want one to run into a clean window and get hurt.

I don’t wax floors because …
I am terrified a guest will slip and get hurt then I’ll feel terrible ( plus they may sue me.)

I don’t mind the dust bunnies because …
They are very good company,I have named most of them,and they agree with everything I say.

I don’t disturb cobwebs because…
I want every creature to have a home of their own.

I don’t Spring Clean because…
I love all the seasons and don’t want the others to get jealous

I don’t pull weeds in the garden because ..
I don’t want to get in God’s way, HE is an excellent designer!

I don’t put things away because…
My husband will never be able to find them again.

I don’t do gourmet meals when I entertain because…
I don’t want my guests to stress out over what to make when they invite me over for dinner.

I don’t iron because …
I choose to believe them when they say “Permanent Press”.

I don’t stress much on anything because …
“A Type” personalities die young and I want to stick around and become a wrinkled up crusty ol’ woman!!!

I am really a stickler when it comes to things like hand washing and nail clipping. I realize that my boys will be boys but I hate dirt under their fingernails. Sure it happens but I try to avoid it whenever possible. Sanitizer is always on hand with me. It’s in my purse, in my Jeep and anywhere else I can think to have a bottle stashed. The only problem I have with this is, yes, it kills the germs but it doesn’t get rid of the dirt.

Method has come up with a cute AND yummy smelling way to get rid of that dirt. The Mickey and Minnie Hand Wash is naturally derived formulas that leave hands feeling clean and soft.  It’s premium, specialty-inspired fragrances that kids and adults will love. We received the Lemonade and it smells so delicious!  Also, these are biodegradable formulas that contain no dirty ingredients including parabens, phthalates, triclosan, EDTA or animal-by products. It comes in recyclable packaging that is made with 25% recycled plastic and  never tested on mice (or any other animals! )

The Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse hand washes became available in the United States and Canada in early April at national retailers including Target, Shoppers Drug Mart, Babies”R”Us, Soap.com, Amazon.com and MethodHome.com.

My friend made a comment that he didn’t think he would buy Mickey for his kids, he said he would automatically think it wold smell like Lemon dish soap (or close). Him and his kids loved the scent as well once then tried it. Next time you are looking for a fun hand soap for the kiddos, check this out and come tell me what you think!

Disclosure

I was not paid in any form of cash for this posting. I did receive product for my testing purposes thanks to Mom Bloggers Club. The views and opinions expressed in this blogs content are solely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product should be verified by the above mentioned manufacturer, PR Agency or product designer. This post is not endorsed, sponsored or has any connection to twitter, facebook or any other network. This post is solely the property of MAK Media, LLC and/or its above sponsor. The product itself did not persuade my personal beliefs or views. I was under no obligation to write a positive review. You can read more about our Policy Disclosure here.

We try to keep out homes clean and germ free. We wash, we bleach and we scrub. Ever sit and wonder what things you over look? The small things you don’t really think about? Despite our best efforts, young children end up chewing on toys, putting their dirty fingers in their mouths, and touching, tasting and breathing things that can be potentially harmful. But because their organs and respiratory, immune and neurological systems are still developing, they may be more sensitive to harmful substances such as certain chemicals, particles and allergens.

Some of the things we used to do to ensure our home was a little more clean was to change the air filter in our furnace every 3 months. One time we were shopping and out local store had a fantastic deal on filters. We bought an entire box to stock up! People watched us like we were insane.  It was great

When I turned 30 I developed allergies. Mine are winter ones and I really have no clue what I am even allergic to but they are terrible! It lasts most of the winter for me. Most people with allergies develop them during childhood, Dr. Alanna Levine, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP), shares the ABC’s to help maintain a healthier home environment for children:

• A is for Avoid: Whenever possible, avoid irritants that often trigger allergies, such as products made of feathers or down. Use hypoallergenic pillows on your child’s bed, and limit exposure to perfume, talcum powder, hair spray, air fresheners, fabric softeners or other strong odors or sprays. Strong fragrances and odors may aggravate allergy symptoms.

• B is for Balance: Maintain a consistent balance in the home to help minimize allergens. Keep the windows shut and use central air conditioning during high pollen seasons to help protect children from pollen particles that trees, grasses and weeds release into the air.  These particles can harbor in the eyes, nose, and airways, causing allergy symptoms to flair for those allergic to pollen. Also, give children washable, non-allergenic stuffed toys when possible, and be sure to wash the ones played with the most on a weekly basis, in hot water at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

• C is for Change: Change items that are easy to neglect but are important for maintaining a healthier home, such as leaky faucets, pipes and other high moisture areas that are common places for mold growth. Don’t neglect their air in the home either. Change your filter every three months, and use a high performance filter, such as a Filtrete Elite Allergen Reduction Filter from 3M.

I recently discovered the Filtrete Elite Allergen Reduction Filter from 3M. It captures 94 percent of large airborne particles, such as household dust, pollen and mold spores, from the air passing through the filter. It also captures up to 40 times more microscopic particles, such as smoke, smog and particles that can carry bacteria and viruses, than ordinary fiberglass filters. HOLY COW! This filter outperforms all 1″ filters. It attracts and captures microscopic particles like bacteria and particles that can carry viruses and large particles like mold spores and pollen.

You can also sign up for Filtrete’s Clear Advantages program, which offers healthy home living tips, money saving offers, filter change reminders and more via a seasonal e-newsletter. You can manage your air and water filtration needs.

For more healthy home living tips, money saving offers, filter change reminders and more, Moms can register to receive seasonal e-newsletters through the Clear Advantages program by visiting www.Filtrete.com. You can also get these and more by following them on Twitter at @Filtrete.

Disclosure: I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Filtrete and received a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Easter is just around the corner and I am always looking for and unique, fun and creative ways to personalized gifts that I share with friends and family. Enter Rubbermaid and Sharpie! Simply make up a batch of your favorite Easter cookies, fudge or other goodies and “wrap” them in a Rubbermaid TakeAlong decorated with some Sharpie Markers!  Put some ribbon around the too. Depending on the holiday, don’t forget the bow!

Now this is not limited to any holiday of course. Christmas would be another great time to use this idea. This is a fantastic way to let your children be creative and be a part of the gift giving process. Plus, the TakeAlongs can be used again by the receiver so it is not another piece of clutter in their house or something being tossed. Consider this for for your child’s teacher. They really don’t need another coffee mug right?

GIVEAWAY: 15 piece set of TakeAlongs, a Sharpie Stainless Steel Marker, set of 8 Sharpie Retractable Markers and a set of 3 Sharpie Pen Retractables

RULES: Twitter entries must include a link to your Tweet. Tweets must be spaced no less than 60 mins apart. When blogging, giveaway must be listed in a NEW blog post for the day of your entry, not added to an old one.

Mandatory Entry: Visit Rubbermaid and tell me your favorite new product. Mine is the glass bowls! (1 entry)

Bonus Entries: A lot of additional ways to enter! Leave a separate comment for each one!

• Blog about this giveaway including a link to it (5 entries)
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Giveaway is open to US residents who are 18 years of age or older. I reserve the right to remove any entry from this giveaway. This giveaway is sponsored by Rubbermaid . This giveaway ends 04/25/2011 at 11:59pm EST.

Disclaimer: I was not paid any form of cash for this posting. I received the item(s) mentioned above to thank me for taking the time to participate. All opinions are my own and all media information was provided by the representing PR firm. Read more about Delightful Chaos’ Disclosure Policy.

At the start of the year many people are likely thinking about ways to improve their health, as well as their family’s health.  Breakfast, being the most important meal of the day, is a great place to start…but mornings are tough! Mom’s know that herself and an entire family ready for the day is no easy task! Luckily, there is no reason you can’t eat a healthy breakfast.

Nutritionist, Keri Glassman, author of the O2 Diet and Thomas’ Bagel Thins are teaming up to give you the opportunity to learn a new way of thinking about breakfast foods, by giving you some fabulous morning tips and recipes to start 2011 off on the right foot. These helpful tips are simple ways of starting your day off the right way and the recipes provide great alternatives to the regular breakfast routine. They are simple ways of making breakfast fun and nutritious and you can even get the kids to help!

Thomas’ Bagel Thins Bagels Morning Tips

Don’t skimp on sleep: It’s important to get a good night’s sleep to feel well-rested – ready to take on the day! Most adults need about seven to eight hours of sleep each night, and studies have shown that those who get less have impaired memory and physical performance. Not getting enough sleep can also make concentration difficult, and leave you feeling drowsy all day. So aim to get enough sleep each night.  It’ll boost your immune system, help your nervous system work properly, and leave you feeling energized all day! Experts estimate that compared to getting 7 to 8 hours per night, the risk of developing obesity rises 23 percent with just 6 hours of sleep per night, 50 percent with only 5 hours per night, and 73 percent with 4 hours per night!

Have a healthy breakfast: While sleeping each night, your body is in a fasting mode, so within an hour of rising, you need to break that fast by eating a healthy breakfast. It gives your body the fuel it needs to meet your busy schedule and skipping breakfast decreases your metabolism, and increases your cravings throughout the day! Studies have also shown consuming breakfast improves cognition and memory in children and adolescents making them able to concentrate and be more attentive in school. We all have some kid in us, so use this tip to your advantage!

Eat empowered: Every morning when you sit down to breakfast (and every meal!), remember that each meal is an opportunity to get back in the game and stay on course. You should feel empowered by making the right choices. There are always healthier alternatives to the high-fat, high-calorie, nutrient-less options that we all tend to go for, and I always keep a healthy staple product on-hand to help me quickly make a delicious and nutritious meal. Thomas’® Bagel Thins™ bagel is one of those better-for-you options – they’re 110 calories each, low in fat and every flavor is at least a good source of fiber. It’s not “I can’t eat that heavy bagel” – it IS – “I can eat the Thomas’ Bagel Thins™ bagel!

Start with a glass of lemon water: Drinking enough h2o throughout the day helps with weight loss in several ways. First, there’s an emotional component; it will make you feel empowered and will help spur you to make good choices for the rest of the day. Second, researchers have long known that dieters who replace sweetened drinks with water lose weight more quickly that those who don’t. Finally, many people overeat because they are actually thirsty and just can’t tell the difference between thirst and hunger. Also, when you’re adequately hydrated, your metabolism functions at its best.

Exercise steady: Aside from burning calories, exercise is important because it causes your body to release endorphins, making you feel good, and motivating you to eat well, do your job well, and simply be happy! I love exercising in the early am, and eating breakfast when I’m done, and typically, people who work out in the morning are more likely to stick to their routine, than those who squeeze it in later. If you’re averse to starting your day with more rigorous exercises like running, try a lower-impact activity like yoga. Just do something!

Easy Cheesy Eggwich

Ingredients:

1 Everything Thomas’® Bagel Thins™ bagel
1 hard boiled omega-3 fortified egg
2 slices reduced fat cheddar cheese
1/4 teaspoon dried basil

Directions:

1.       Toast the Bagel Thins™ bagel.
2.       Peel and slice egg.
3.       Layer cheese slices and egg, then sprinkle with basil.