Alternatives for Wen Shampoo

I’ve been watching these commercials for Wen.

I’m all about paying for a product that does it’s job.

I am a firm believer in the fact that you pay for what you get.

But there are certain products and items that I feel the generic version does the job PERFECTLY as well as the name brand.

Toilet paper is NOT one of those in our home. 🙂

I’ve had some really bad knots in my really long hair when I get out of the shower. I have doused it in conditioner, used leave in conditioner, masks, etc. Nothing is bringing the moisture back.

I was at my parents’ house last weekend and was telling my mom about this as the Wen commercial came on.

She told me that she bought some of the products on Ebay and was very pleased with them.

She has super fine hair and it is a cute little bob…nothing like my long thick mane of hair.

She told me she went to Sally’s Beauty Supply and found that they have Hair One, which is there store line’s version of Wen.

She bought it and tried it during the week and thought it worked and smelled just the same (and for 9.99 on sale).

Well, for 9.99 it was worth a shot for me.

COULDN’T BE HAPPIER!

I’ve used it for about a week now and see such a difference in my hair.

The first time I used it I didn’t truly work it in my hair enough, so it took forever to rinse out and the crown of my head felt greasy.

Trial and error…

Since then, I’ve been really rubbing it into the hair from the side as I shower.

Then I flip my head over and rub it into the hair upside down, really concentrating on the ends and staying away from the roots.

I tie it up into a bun on the top of my head until I’m done with my shower and ready to rinse.

It still takes a bit to rinse it out, but let me tell you, it’s totally worth it.

My hair is so much healthier!

It combs out neatly, dries nice, and just looks and feels 110% healthier!

Do you have a Sally’s near you?

Cheap Activities to Do With My Child

Water, buckets, paint brushes.

Can’t get much simpler or FUN!

Target had all of their summer toys on clearance last week, so I bought:

three buckets
three spray water bottles
a little mini watering can
5 paint brushes
A paint roller

This has provided hours of fun for Anthony and his friends over the last week and continues this week! 🙂

Just fill the buckets with water and let them “paint” the sidewalks!

We made letters, shapes, and just wet everything in sight!

Best part about cleanup…the sun dries most of it up! 🙂

Healthy Chips

Is that an oxymoron?

Not sure…but all I DO know is that crunchy snacks are exciting to me in moderation.

I take care of my body with exercise and proper nutrition, however, I’m not a robot and do believe there are healthier versions of snacks that can satisfy my crunchy craving without blowing all the work I’ve done throughout the week.

I found these blue corn tortilla chips this week by Guiltless Gourmet. They are made with organic corn and are baked.

Ingredients?
stone ground organic blue corn, expeller pressed canola oil, salt, and lime.

Less is always more!

120 calories for 18 chips. 3 g of fat, 23g carbs, 3g of protein, and 2g of fiber.

How Do I Keep My Child In His Bed All Night?

Do you have a hard time with getting your kids to sleep a whole night through in their own beds?

We sure were. The solution just cracks me up but…

Last week, it wasn’t so funny.

Since Anthony was sick a few weeks ago, he has been getting up around 11:30, 3:30, and again around 5 EACH night.

Not fun…and when Mom’s got a sinus infection…even LESS fun.

What to do…how can we get Anthony to get back to sleeping a full night?

Through casual conversation on the phone with both my Mom and my Grandma, they both said:

“Why don’t you leave WGN on for him all night?”

WGN is a talk/news radio station here in Chicago and our family has grown up with it.

Grandma can’t sleep without WGN on all night, Mom has it on all day….

So, we figured we’d give it a shot.

Sure enough, Anthony slept all night…for 4 out of the 5 nights we have done this!

He told me in the morning after the first night,

“Mommy! The guys talked to me all night!”

What a quick and easy fix!

Are you struggling with your child getting up constantly? Try this!

Do you have a trick or tip that has helped your child sleep through the night?

Please leave them in the comment section below! I’d be so happy to have more tricks in my bag! 🙂

Healthier Version of a Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

Summertime is full of barbeque, weddings, pool parties, and overall family/friend get togethers.

It’s always super tempting to dig in to all those delicious dips and desserts.

How can I keep it under control?

Bring one of your own to share!

My brother brought us a buffalo chicken dip dish and recipe to share at our last big summer bash early in June. Everyone went wild for it.

So did I…until I realized it was full of cream cheese, ranch dressing, and sour cream. OH NO! There went all my hard work for the week!

How could I make a healthier version of this recipe?

Google, as always is a great friend.

I found Hungry Girl‘s recipe.

I took it to our next barbeque and didn’t feel guilty digging into my dip at all.

What you need:

2 (10 ounce) cans chicken breasts
1 (8 ounce) package fat free cream cheese, softened-
1/2 cup frank’s redhot original cayenne pepper sauce
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup fat free ranch dressing
1/4 cup fat-free Greek yogurt

You mix it all together and bake it in the oven. I’ve served it both hot or cold along side baked tortilla chips or high fiber tortillas toasted up!

Read more: http://www.food.com/recipe/hungry-girl-buffalo-chicken-dip-413265#ixzz1SNJhJfp1

Megabus Stop In Chicago

Have you heard or taken the Megabus yet?

Great deals! If you are traveling in the midwest or the east, this is a very economical way to travel.

I took Anthony, my Grandma, and my 12 year old cousin to Indianapolis last week to visit my aunt, uncle, and cousins.

I usually take the SUV and drive it on my own, but with an elderly lady and a toddler, without my husband made me just want to take an easier route.

We picked up the Megabus at the stop in Chicago at Canal Street and Jackson Blvd. It was right across the street from Union Station, downtown. Easy access from any of the expressways as well as a Metra train or CTA.

Grandma and I used the Megabus once before and got a seat for $1 each! Are you kidding me? $1 from Chicago to Indianapolis. YES PLEASE.

Megabus is a double or single level Greyhound type bus. They have wireless, plugs, air conditioning, and comfortable seats.

I noticed lots of college students. The bus going to Indy was then going on to Ohio State and Columbus.

Our trip to Indy for Grandma, Anthony, and I cost 30 dollars ($10 each) and our return home was $6 ($2 each). Talk about an economical trip!

5 Tips for Saving Money on a Vacation

We just returned from a week’s vacation downtown (Chicago).

I grew up in the city, and we live in the suburbs now.

We felt this was a good getaway for us while Anthony could stay with my parents in the city a few days, just minutes away.

Staying in a hotel COULD mean lots of money spent on activities and food.

Without having a place to house leftovers if you are in a standard room, what are you to do?

This is what we did:

1. Packed snacks for midmorning/midafternoon: baked chips, larabars, dried fruit, and raw almonds.

2. Brought our own breakfast. We both drink Shakeology, so simple to pack one box of almond milk, Magic Bullet, and the stash of shake powder in our bag. Ice at the hotel to blend with!

3. Eat one nice meal out each day. We chose to eat our bigger meal at lunch time most days so as to save on the dinner prices and portions.

4. Research where you are going! There are tons of free things to do all over the country! Get online and Google it! Museums, parks, movies in the parks, neighborhood festivals, free concerts, parades…you name it!

5. Set a budget. Decide what you will allow yourself to spend each day and stick to it. Don’t spend JUST to “spend” since you are on vacation.

How To Get Out of Target with $$ In Your Pocket

The red balls….

The bullseye….

Oh I just need “one or two things”…

Yet, you see those parents coming out with cart loads full and a face like they just went through the car wash…

Pure exhaustion…

Anthony wears me out in Target. He loves that store, particularly, the vacuum display.

Yesterday, I did it!

My tips:
1. Stick to your list.
2. Go right to the first item on your list.
3. Know the layout of the store. Stay away from the toy section, tv section, or anything else that will distract you or anyone in your cart. 🙂
4. Have any coupons out and in your hand when you get to checkout.
5. Save a few cents by having your reusable bag(s) with you.

My First Shakeology Share!

This was me a year ago. Liz and I are both still drinking Shakeology today, along with a whole bunch of family and friends.

It’s curbed our cravings, given us energy to LIVE life with our toddler boys, and tastes great.

Talk about an easy way to get all your veggies for the day in one serving!

There are tons of recipes and a new flavor was just introduced at our coach summit this week.

Liz looks even more amazing now then she did then.

Send me a note if you have any questions!

Happy Friday! (As I enjoy my chocolate-y all natural breakfast today…)

I’m a Believer…a Tomorrow Leader…and this is My Chance

Being away from my little Anthony for 4 days was enough for me.

I’m a mom…and I live and breathe for our son and my husband.

I have really looked inward this past year and realized the importance of writing goals and achieving them.

Prioritizing has been HUGE for me.

I don’t like to say no to people. I’m a giver. You ask, and I’ll do.

I’ve realized over the course of the last year that sometimes, that’s hurtful to the people closest to us.

Are you like that? A giver?

We give and give and give and give. What’s left for our family? Ourselves?

Seeing Anthony come into our room in the middle of the night and snuggle into my neck was the best feeling ever. He was so happy and content that crazy mommy was back….right where she belonged.

I learned a lot at my conference and am super glad my husband gave me the opportunity to go.

Priorities were to get home Saturday night so as to be with my two favorite people all day yesterday for Fathers Day.

Sure, I missed a few presentations, but I was with my family. Priority number 1.

If my actions are not in line with my priorities, I’m not happy.

Stomach aches and stress are really a thing of the past.

Living and loving life.

Own It…great song by the Black Eyed Peas. My friend Christine Dwyer played it at the conference this weekend. Check it out and take a listen to the lyrics.

Follow your heart!

I’ll be following mine. 🙂