Raise Your Hand for Anaphylaxis Awareness #spon

Raise Your Hand for Anaphylaxis Awareness #spon

May 29, 2013 by · 7 Comments

This discussion of anaphylaxis awareness has been sponsored but all opinions expressed are my own.

In my non blogging life, I work as a Nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician.  Some of the most commonly requested advice from my patients has to do with treating allergies.  I’m sure many of you are familiar with both seasonal and indoor allergies…the sniffling, the sneezing, the itchy and watery eyes, etc.  Food allergies are also starting to become more common, with many people having to eat a restricted diet due to food sensitivities.  However, there is a particular type of allergic response that is life threatening and that is called anaphylaxis.  Anaphylaxis is more than just your typical hay fever, upset stomach or rash.  Anaphylaxis involves a number of different reactions from swelling of the airways and difficulty breathing to nausea and vomiting.  It is a whole body severe allergic reaction that can kill a person if not treated quickly.

anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis Awareness Campaign

 

“Modern Family” Star Julie Bowen has a son with severe, life threatening allergic reactions.  It is a terrifying thing for a parent to deal with.  She is calling on communities to Raise Their Hand for Anaphylaxis Awareness in a  nationwide competition.  A total of $60,000 will be awarded to school districts in educational grants recommended for anaphylaxis education.  Raise Your Hand for Anaphylaxis Awareness™ is a community-driven competition designed to bring attention to the issue of life-threatening allergic reactions, or anaphylaxis. Sponsored by Mylan Specialty L.P., Raise Your Hand for Anaphylaxis Awareness is a unique competition created to raise awareness of and preparedness for severe or life-threatening allergies,.  The goal is to rallypeople to virtually “raise their hand” for their school district to be counted as one committed to anaphylaxis awareness. Mylan Specialty will award the four school districts with the most hands raised grants of $15,000 to support educational programs, including anaphylaxis-related activities.  How can you help?

  1. Raise Your Hand Visit www.Anaphylaxis101.com to share your personal stories and pledge your support for your school district to win a $15,000 grant. All public school districts in the U.S. are eligible.
  2. Spread the Word  Let others in your school community know about this competition and why you decided to raise your hand for anaphylaxis awareness by emailing, posting on Facebook and Tweeting.
  3. Come Back Often  You can Raise Your Hand once a day beginning on May 21, 2013 until October 1, 2013. Winning school districts will be notified no later than December 30, 2013.

The Raise Your Hand for Anaphylaxis Awareness competition will be featured at a series of local events and community outreach efforts to reinforce the importance of recognizing the symptoms of anaphylaxis and empowering people to respond when they witness a life-threatening allergic reaction. Those at risk of a life-threatening allergic reaction should avoid allergens at all times and have two epinephrine auto-injectors readily available to use because accidental allergen exposure can occur without warning.  Make sure you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about getting an epi-pen to keep with you.  And for kids, ask for a second prescription so you can keep one at your child’s school as well!

 

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Filed Under: Life in the Burbs, parenting · Tagged: ,
Tips for Cleaning Patio Furniture

Tips for Cleaning Patio Furniture

May 27, 2013 by · 1 Comment

Many years ago, my husband and I moved into this house with very little to decorated it.  The people we bought the house from were getting divorced and neither one wanted the patio furniture so they asked if we wanted to keep it.  Not being the type to turn down free stuff, we said yes.  That was 8 years ago and that patio furniture is still sitting on my back patio.  It is old and faded but still functional so we will not be investing in NEW patio furniture any time soon.  I just can’t justify spending the money when the stuff out there is still working just fine.  While the patio furniture might be functional, it was in definite need of a cleaning! Cleaning patio furniture is one of those dreaded chores that I tackle every spring even though I detest doing it.  It is truly amazing how much nicer your patio will look if you just spend a few hours cleaning patio furniture!  It is not an easy chore but you will definitely appreciate being able to sit on your patio in chairs that have not been pooped on by birds or have 2 years of crud built up on them.  So, if you are looking for some tips to spruce up your back yard this summer, here are my tips for cleaning patio furniture. For more information on cleaning patio furniture, check out the How To Clean Anything website.

cleaning patio furniture with banner

Tips for Cleaning Patio Furniture

1.  Choose the right location:  You are going to be using a lot of water.  Make sure to choose a location for cleaning patio furniture that has good drainage and wont get muddy.  We have a stone patio so I leave it right where it is.  Driveways are also good locations.  Make sure you have access to a hose.  You are not going to want to keep refilling buckets!

2.  Prerinse your furniture:  Wetting everything down before you start will allow the dirt and crud time to start softening up before you scrub.  You may also want to wet things down as you work…do one chair and rinse it, spraying everything else at the same time.  You will be thankful you did this and it will make cleaning patio furniture easier if the dirt is already loosened up.

3.  Choose the right cleaner:  Even if you use traditional cleaners in your house, choose an environmentally friendly option for cleaning patio furniture.  Why?  Because inside, those chemicals go down your drain and head to a water treatment facility for processing.   Cleaning patio furniture outside means that those chemicals are running down your driveway and into the nearest stream.  Choose eco friendly products whenever possible to lessen your impact on the environment.  A great cleaning solution would be a bucket full of water with a bit of vinegar and all natural dish soap.

4.  Choose the right cleaning instrument:  You are going to need to SCRUB.  This outdoor crud will not come off easily.  Choose a brush with stiff bristles or a sponge with a scrubber side to it.  If you have white patio furniture like I do, get  a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.  Honestly, those things are amazing!  After scrubbing, my table top was still a bit dirty so I tacked it with a magic eraser and it is SO much cleaner now!  I hope whoever invented those things has been given an award!

5.  Start from top to bottom.  This might seem like a simple concept but you don’t want to get all the way through cleaning your table top only to remember that you forgot to clean the umbrella.  You will just be creating a ton more work for yourself!

6. Rinse with sponge in hand: You will, most likely, miss a few spots.  Rather than turning off your hose and walking around to find your sponge just rinse with a soapy sponge in hand.  That way, as you rinse you can scrub a tiny spot that you missed without much hassle.

7.  Let your patio furniture dry in the sun:  After cleaning patio furniture it is a waste of time to dry it by hand.  Just place the furniture in a sunny spot and let Mother Nature take care of it for you.

8.  Remove wax residue if present:  My husband has a bad habit of burning citronella candles out on the patio without a candle holder or tray under them.  As a result, we do occasionally get wax on the table that can be difficult to remove.  Don’t try scrubbing, you will probably not be successful!  Instead, scrape the wax off with a putty knife, credit card, razor blade or any other thin, flat object you have on hand. Use a blow dryer to heat the candle wax if it is being stubborn.    Scrap the candle wax off with an old credit card or other flat item and  pour rubbing alcohol on any remaining residue before wiping it off.

9.  Check the  mechanics of your furniture while cleaning: Wouldn’t want someone to sit on your patio furniture and collapse on the ground, right?  Check the nuts and bolts that are holding your furniture together and make sure they are sturdy and secure.

10.  Don’t forget to decorate! A pretty new tablecloth, candle or patio decorations will make your patio furniture look even more impressive!  Make sure you choose something specifically designed for outdoor decorating or only set it out on special occasions.

So, have you spent time cleaning patio furniture yet?  Have any tips you want to share?

Filed Under: Life in the Burbs · Tagged: ,

The First Step to #NaturalBeauty Starts with Tree Hut!

May 27, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tree Hut for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Over the past few years I have started trying to be more careful about the beauty products I buy.  I have always had sensitive skin so staying away from harsh chemicals, scents and additives just makes sense.  I have also started getting concerned about the not so obvious problems that could arrise from using harsh beauty products.  I can SEE a rash on my skin but what happens to my body when these harsh chemicals are absored into my skin.  What happens to the environment when these not so natural beauty products get flushed into the water supply.  Natural beauty is something that everyone should start paying more attention to!

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One company that you can look to for natural beauty products is Tree Hut.  They have a number of different products that they offer including Tree Hut hand cream, foot scrubs and foot creams.  These products are certified organic and not tested on animals.  They include real essential oils and are paraben free.  The Tree Hut products are all made right here in the USA which is very important to me.  Tree hut products will help restore elasticity to your skin, moisturize and repair skin damage that happens to all of us as we age.  I really want to try the Tree Hut foot scrub…it has real peppermint oil in it and I need to keep my feet flip flop ready all summer!  The Tree Hut foot cream is a non greasy formula which is perfect to use following an exfoliating scrub.

Natural beauty is important to me and I find that it is more than just the beauty products that I put on my face.  Even the clothes and shoes I wear seem to hint at my inner tree hugger!  I always find myself leaning towards earth tones since those work best with my skin and hair.  I love finding organic cotton, hemp, bamboo and other sustainable fabrics but it isn't easy or cheap so I don't have as many as I would like.  I live in the south and tank tops and flip flops rule down here in the heat.  I put together an outfit that just screams natural beauty to me…what do you think?  What would you add?

 

If you want to learn more about Tree Hut and their natural beauty products you can like Tree Hut on Facebook or follow Tree Hut on Twitter.   Tree Hut products can be found at Walmart stores nationwide.

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Love for Lilies and Easy Planting Tips #spon

Love for Lilies and Easy Planting Tips #spon

May 27, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of iBulb for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am a huge fan of gardening but I usually do mostly food gardening.  I understand, however, that flowers play avital role in the well being of my vegetable garden.  Flowers attract polinators and without those little guys I would have no squash come summer!  So, I plant an assortment of flowers that require very littel attention. Planting perrenials and an assortment of bulbs gives me the beauty and pollinators that I want without a lot of effort on my part. A drive through my neiborhood will show you that I am not the only person who is a big fan of bulbs in their yard.  Just about every house on my street has a clump or two of lilies growing in the front yard.

Lilies are a low maintenece flower that adds a splash of color to your yard.  Did you know that you can give lilies as a potted gift so that your friends and family can plant the bulbs and enjoy your gift for years?  Cut flowers just die a few days later, leaving them with nothing but a memory.  Lilies in a pot make a great gift becasue they can be replanted and enjoyed year after year.

Potted lilies make great gifts for women who want the beauty of flowers but don’t want to take care of them. They are a beautiful and modern gift for just about any occasion. Lilies also add a splash of color to any room so once your lilies are in full bloom in your yard you can cut them and put them in a vase of water to decorate your house.

tips for growing lilies with banner

Easy Planting Tips for Lilies

 

Lilies are extremely easy to care for once you plant them in your yard so even those people without a ‘green thumb’ can successfully grow lilies.  Here are a few tips for growing lilies that might come in handy:

  • The best time to plant lily bulbs is either early spring or mid- to late fall.
  • Lilies prefer cool soil to root properly
  • Lilies prefer moist but well drained soil.  Think damp but not wet!
  • Full sun is okay but partial shade is better to protect them from the heat of the day.
  • The perfect spot will have morning sun and afternoon shade
  • Ferns make a perfect companion plant.  Ferns have a very shallow, mat like root system which helps keep the bulbs cool
  • The best planting depth for bulbs is about three times the size of the bulb.
  • Add some bone meal to the planting hole for an initial boost of nutrition
  • Add compost and mulch after planting to help retain moisture and keep the bulbs cool.

If you are interested in growing lilies in your yard or want to give the gift of a potted lily to someone you can purchase potted bulbs at grocery stores, garden centers, and flower shops.  Check out iBulb LIlies on Pinterest for inspiration on how to use lilies in flower arrangements.

 

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Filed Under: gardening, Life in the Burbs · Tagged: ,
Summer Activities for Kids: Create a Toyrarium #MiracleGroProject

Summer Activities for Kids: Create a Toyrarium #MiracleGroProject

May 22, 2013 by · 1 Comment

This Summer Activities for Kids article is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Well, today is my kid’s last day of school and then we have 2 1/2 months of unstructured summer fun.  Oh, sure, they have a few camps and a family vacation to look forward to but there will be endless hours of free time as well.  During that free time, I will hear an unending stream of ‘I’m bored’, ‘there’s nothing to do’ and from my son ‘I’m hungry!’.  So, what is a mom supposed to do when here kids are home all day during the summer with nothing to do?  Find some easy summer activities for kids, of course!  There are a ton of ways to keep kids entertained without plugging them into the TV, video games or other electronic delvices.  When I was browsing through a list of easy summer activities for kids I really liked this one because it combines my own love of gardening with my children’s love of getting dirty and having fun.

The Miracle-Gro website has a great selection of easy garden projects that you could get your kids to help you with.  The Gro Project has step by step directions and photos for the Toyarium but also has other projects like a Ukulele Garden and an Origami Garden. Thesefun garden projects are a great way to keep your kids entertained this summer without plugging them into electronics.

Summer Activities for Kids

 

Summer Activities for Kids: Toyrarium

 

So, how do you make a Toyarium?  It is a very simple project that uses Miracle-Gro soil, an old fish bowl, and whatever toys and plants you want to use to create your masterpiece.

1. Cover the bottom of the container with rocks

2.  Fill it about 1/3 full with Moisture Control Potting Mix

3. Use a spoon to plant your flowers or succulent cactuses in the bowl.  Add more soil if needed.

4. Set the scene with small toys

5. Give the bowl a small amount of water.  Make sure to not add too much.  If you use cactuses you will need very little water.

6.  Sit back and enjoy!

 

You can choose whatever ‘theme’ your child loves to create your toyarium.  Add plastic bugs and small flowers to simulate a garden.  Add small dinosaurs and cactuses, or even a collection of tiny fairies to make a fairy garden.  The possibilites are endless!  To learn more about Miracle-Gro and their easy garden projects, check out the Grow Project video below.

Check out Miracle-Gro online to access their library of articles and videos full of expert gardening tips for both beginners and professionals.They also have a number of online tools to help growers solve common garden problems and find the right products to help them keep a healthy and beautiful garden.  Follow the Miracle-Gro Pinterest page or like them on Facebook for more information!

Do you have any other fun summer activities for kids that you would like to share?

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Filed Under: Family Fun · Tagged: ,
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