Seeds of Change VoxBox

   This meal was so easy to make and took no time at all to prep and get finished. Everyone loved it, too. The side dish of rice took longer than the actual meal itself. You can use any meat you prefer or even just vegetables. I went with chicken, since that is the meat we prefer. I had canned green beans on hand but when I make it again, I’ll probably use fresh or frozen. I also added bell peppers and onions.

    The taste was pretty good but it was a little sweet. I’d prefer it to be a little saltier, maybe soy. More vegetables in it would probably be a different option as well. Serving it over rice is just one option, noodles would be great or stir fry vegetable would be an awesome choice too. 

   There are several flavors available, I was given the ginger teriyaki and enjoyed it. I’m not sure that I’d like the others available but I’m willing to try them out. I was given this product free to sample and review. These opinions are mine and mine alone. 

Fierce Voxbox

  I recently received another FREE Voxbox from Influenster. The only thing required of me when I get all of these products is to try them out and share my opinions with other consumers. This box was full of goodies! Nail polish, panty liners, blow out cream and shampoo, Vaseline and more. This box was fierce! Every product can easily be added to your daily routine.

Sweet Potato Dessert Fries

    Looking for something different for dessert this holiday season? Why not try vegetables for dessert? Yes, that's right, vegetables for dessert. I whipped up some yummy sweet potato fries with a sweet drizzle and they were a hit! 

   

I received a coupon for a free Alexia product. I decided to try out the sweet potato fries with sea salt. 

   Ingredients:

Alexia sweet potato fries with sea salt

Chocolate syrup (enough to drizzle over fries)

1/2 C marshmallow cream

4 oz heavy cream

Cinnamon, to taste

Sprinkle fries with cinnamon and bake according to package directions. Meanwhile, mix 1/2 cup of 

Marshmallow cream and heavy cream in a pot. Stir consistently while on medium heat until well mixed and hot. When fries are done baking, transfer to a platter. Drizzle with desired amount of chocolate syrup and marshmallow cream mixture. Use the rest of the mixture as a dip. Serve HOT! 

Werther's Soft and Chewy

I was already excited to get my influenster pumpkin voxbox because i had watched the spoiler video in YouTube. I ripped open the package of Werthers chewy caramels first! I vowed not to share with the kids, but I did. They are so creamy and taste SO GOOD. I think these may become my new candy addiction! 

Love Your Skin Again

I received my wellness VoxBox from Influenster and immediately started using the products inside. I always forget to put on lotion after I get out of the shower and towel off. What's great about new Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer? You apply it before you dry off! I decided the easiest way to help me remember to apply was to keep it in the shower with my other products. The scent is so light and I love it. In the week I've been using it, I can tell a huge difference in my skin. A product that will definitely be added to my daily routine.  #applybeforeyoudry #wetskinmoisturizer @jergensus

I Can't Believe its Not Butter

I received a coupon for a FREE tub of I Can't Believe its Not Butter from Smiley360. I got my product just before the holidays and used it in all of my baking. Family and friends commented how good everything was and I informed them about the free product. I liked it so much that I have purchased it again since to use in cooking and I put it on my toast daily. It's so smooth and easy to use. It will now be a staple in my home.

Bona Wet Pads Product Review

I received a free package of Bona wet sheet hardwood floor pads to try and review from Smiley360.
Being a housekeeper with several clients that have hardwood floors, this was an easy product to test and share about. I used this product on several hard floor types and they worked great on all. I tried them on smooth hardwood, textured hardwood and even my personal laminate floors. I was especially impressed by the result on my own floors as they usually streak with everything.  The Bona wet pads lets a clean shine with no streaking or residue on the floors I tried them on. I did not have a Bona brand handle but the pads did fit fine on a different name brand handle. I told my clients about the product and now several of them will be purchasing it to add to the house cleaning supplies.

Arm & Hammer Review

I've used Arm & Hammer for a long time for more than just cooking. Of course, I use it to help biscuits rise and make fluffy pancakes but there are tons of other uses for it. 

Smiley360.com sent me a free box along with a cute little keeper. It kind of looks like a coffee creamer bottle so don't get the two confused. Since I clean houses and have asthma, I'm always looking for more natural cleaners as well. One of my favorite uses of Arm & Hammer is for deodorizing my kitchen sink drain. First, I sprinkle about 2 TBS in the drain and around the bottom of the sink. I usually let it set for an hour or so. Next, I slowly pour in a half a cup of vinegar. This foams and acts as a natural abrasive. After the foaming stops, I take a soap free S.O.S. Pad and scrub the stainless steel then rinse with HOT water. Now the sink is shiny, clean and smells clean! 

More stress awaits

I've had 5 rounds of iv infused iron die to some new anemia. I'm now scheduled for a laparoscopy and ablation on october 5. What else can go wrong? Ended up in the ER Wednesday night with a severe tension type headache that still hasn't gone away! What's next?

Steroids a no go

I seemed a tad bit better, pain wise on the steroids, however, I cried and screamed daily. I was not a happy person and didn't like anyone! I am still hurting quite a bit and don't go back to the doctor until May 8th, still a week away. I guess I will hurt all the rest of my life.

Update

Well ball season is in full swing. Erins first game is tonight. Clay has been practicing but his games aren't until May. I had another back surgery on March 28th to remove the hardware on the right side of my fusion. Finally started some steroids and I think it may be working some. It will be a couple of more weeks before I know if it really worked the way it's supposed to. Have a family/friend beach trip scheduled for the end of May and I can't wait for the break from all the stress!

update on back and kids

Going for another procedure today. This is a trial for a permanent nerve stimulator. Not looking forward to it, as they must stick yet another huge needle into my back. Who would be, right? I am running out of options and this is the last resort before opening my back up again. I will post the results later. Clay has been manager of the HCMS basketball team and that wrapped up last night. Baseball tryouts are tomorrow, I sure hope he makes it. He will be sad if he doesn't. I know we all have to go through disappointments, but we hate it when its our children. Erin got tested for TAG. I will go to a meeting on Thursday to see if she is accepted. Zachary is already in it, so if she makes it, I will see some competition in the future!

Yay me!

I'm now an official Disney booking affiliate! Super great. Im part of Guru travel, which is my friend Kelly. She is the gal that got me started blogging in the first place and im thankful for all she has done for me! We are planning a Guru trip possibly to Disney for Flower Garden. That would be cool. Since I started my Addicted to Mickey blog and open the Facebook page I have 212 fans.
Back surgeon wants me to have a permanent stimulator put in. I'll probably do the trial, but I'm so not wanting to go thru with the permanent one.
Erin has started winter basketball. Clay has baseball tryouts near the first of february.

Moving right along

We wrapped up the play today with a full house! The kids did great and Tory gave me, ME the chalice! I was so surprised I almost cried. All I had done was open and shut curtains. It was a great run and I'm going to miss everyone that I have worked with over the past 6 weeks. Now...
Planning Erin's birthday party. All invitations have been sent. Her gifts are bought and wrapped. Now, to buy the party supplies. Since it is a chocolate party, I've got to buy lots of chocolate. There are 2 chocolate fountains, cake pops, candy "bar", pink punch....gosh, gotta get on it.
The house is a total wreck since we have not been home much since the play rehearsals started. I have to have it clean before we leave. It will get done. I also haven't packed anything. I'm usually way ahead by this time. Starting to freak out a little. I also have a cousin gathering I have to help katina with in between! We leave in 12 days.

Best Christmas Pageant Ever....and 16 days

Don't know if I've already posted that Zachary and Erin are in this play. Rehearsals have gone pretty well and I'm pleased at how well they have done. It seems to be natural for both of them. I, on the other hand prefer to be off the stage, or at least behind the curtains. I am co-stage manager. Wow, I never realized all a stage manager is responsible for . It's tough and I even share responsibilities! Tomorrow night is our first live show with an audience. It won't be a full house, as it is the patrons of the arts council, but an audience still the same. I think I am more nervous than the kids! The show runs through Sunday.
We leave for Disney in 16 days and I have so much to get done! After the play we will have Erins birthday party, our cousin gathering, make sure Christmas is ready and clean a couple of houses. I can't wait to get there and experience the magic at Christmas! I'll be sure to share.
I go to the doctor next Tuesday. I will be informing her that I do not want the permanent nerve stimulator yet. I'm just not ready. The Neurontin may be helping some, but not as much as I'd hoped. I will talk to her about other alternatives also or whether this is my last resort. Keep us all in your prayers as we go through this holiday season!

One more med and 26 days

I've been in a new nerve pain med for 3 days. The first two nights it seemed to help. Tonight is another story. No sleep yet and it's 3 AM. Hopefully i can blame it on the rain and storms. This medicine is only for the pain in my right leg. It won't help my back. The pain in my back is muscular.
Worried about all the walking at Disney, but hoping the magic of it all will be worth it! There are only 26 days til I get there.

Terrific Tuesdays: Top Ten Most Fun Things at Disney World – Number 8: Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club

Terrific Tuesdays: Top Ten Most Fun Things at Disney World – Number 8: Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club

35/75

Well here it is, my 35th birthday. The saying goes that you are only as old as you feel. Haha! This past year I have been in so much pain, had a million medical procedures and doctor visits, that I truly know 85 year old women that feel younger than me. I went to doctor yesterday for a consult about a permanent nerve stimulator. It sounds bad and I don't think I'm ready to go that route. I sure am ready got the pain to stop and to get a food nights sleep. Haven't had that in almost 2 years. I pray daily that the pain will go away so I can enjoy life again and do things with my kids.

Terrific Tuesdays: Top Ten Most Fun Things at Disney World – Number 10

Terrific Tuesdays: Top Ten Most Fun Things at Disney World – Number 10

Yet Another Test

One more test down. I had a myelogram on Tuesday. Not a fun procedure, but no worse than anything else I've already been through. This test is sort of like a spinal tap, they go into your spine with a needle and insert xray dye, then take pictures. You have to lay down for at least 24 hours after the procedure to reduce the risk of headache, spinal fluid leak and other side effects. Still four days later, I'm experiencing headaches and sore back. Well, the test revealed normal results. Next up? A nerve conduction study. More needles! This time in my right leg and lower back. This is to look for nerve damage as the possible cause of my pain.
On a happier note...49 days til Disney!