Giveaway: VarietyLand Healthy Vegetable Spiralizer

Salads make for healthy dinners, yet can get to be rather dull when you have them weekly. So what's a mama to do in order to make them more fun? I tried the VarietyLand healthy vegetable spiralizer at no cost in exchange for this review in order to try to solve my salad boredom. Watch the video to find out how it went. Next, enter the giveway below it so you have the chance to win one to liven up your own salads and get the kids interested in eating their veggies.* The giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. May 4, so enter before it's gone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*VarietyLand is responsible for providing the prize to the winner. I will notify them who the winner is, they take it from there. I have no control over fulfilment of the prize to the winner. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 24 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find the blog disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ.

Vanilla Butter Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

A few special events took place in our family lately. For us, special events mean special cakes. Rather than spending lots of money buying on at the grocery store on a cake that's not from scratch and probably doesn't have as wholesome of ingredients, I made them myself.

I've made four vanilla butter cakes with vanilla buttercream frosting in the past month. Each was so good and got rave reviews from the eaters. I didn't have to argue with guests too much to get them to take home the leftovers so I wouldn't eat it (though I really wanted it). A's co-workers got their own cake and devoured it. This cake is great for birthdays, holidays, or other special occasions.

Vanilla Butter Cake

This recipe make three 8-inch rounds. You can stack them all, or make a 9x13 and one round, or a stacked two-layer and a single 8 inch. I've never stacked them all, I like having the extra cake in case more is needed at the party or to send to work with A.

Ingredients

• Four large eggs, separated, at room temperature
• 3 1/2 cups cake flour (must be cake flour)
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature (do not use margarine)
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup milk at room temperature
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Spray cake pans with non-stick spray, line with parchment, then spray parchment
Stir together flour, baking powder, and salt
Beat butter until soft (about 2-3 minutes)
Add 1 1/2 cups of sugar and beat until mixture is light and fluffy (about 5 minutes)
Add room-temperature egg yolks, one at a time, beating as you go.
Add vanilla, beat until combined
Set mixer to low and add flour mixture and room-temperature milk in five parts-- flour, then milk, then flour, then milk, then flour
In a clean bowl, use electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment to beat egg whites until foamy
Add cream of tartar, continue to beat until soft peaks form
Add remaining 1/2 cup of sugar gradually
Beat until stiff peaks form
Using silicone or rubber spatula, fold a small amount of the whites into the batter
Fold in remaining whites until combined, being careful not to over-mix or it will deflate
Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smoothing tops when done
Bake 25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean
Cool cakes in pans on a wire rack for about 15 minutes, then remove cakes from the pans and cool on the racks
Frost and decorate the cakes once they are completely cooled  

To layer the cakes, put the first one top down, put frosting in the middle (I added sprinkles to one of mine as well), then put the next cake on, bottom down. This helps eliminate gaps and sliding. Keep frosted cakes covered in the fridge. 


Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (do not use margarine)
• 1/8 tsp salt 
• 3 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar
• 1 tsp milk
• 1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• Food coloring, if desired

Directions

Combine butter, sugar, and salt. Beat until creamy.
Add milk and vanilla
Beat until smooth and creamy, at least 5 minutes
Add food coloring, if desired, beating until well-mixed

To make cakes easier to frost, I love using frosting knives. This set that I got doesn't cost very much and works great.


This post contains affiliate links. For more on affiliate links, view the disclosure and policy page.

What to Say to a SAHM, WAHM, or WM

There have been many articles lately telling us what not to say to certain moms. There's the SAHM, WAHM, and work outside the home camps, each with things they never want to hear. But what the heck ARE you supposed to say then? Are we left to just say nothing or offend every other mom we meet?
The truth is as moms, we all work hard, struggle at times, love our kids, and want what's best for them. We all need support and there are some things we love to hear -- No matter what our job title and life choices. Try one of these out next time you see another member of the mama tribe.

1. You're a good mom! It is always awesome to hear that you are great at the most important thing you do--be a mom. Especially on the bad days, when we second guessing all our choices, worry if we're doing things "right" and feeling like a failure at everything. It's good to hear someone else thinks we've got our crap together...even when we're feeling overwhelmed and ripping our hair out (and possibly swearing our heads off behind closed doors while we hope the kids don't hear and repeat a "fun" new word at school).

2. Is there anything I can do to give you a hand? Every mom needs some help sometimes, whether it be having the door held open at a store while she tries to wrangle kids, stroller/cart, bags and purse; a hand loading groceries in the car or taking back the cart because the kids are in meltdown mode; a night out with a free babysitter to have a break for once; or bringing over something for a potluck dinner. Offer a hand when you can. Oh, and be kind to the mom with the tantruming kids in the grocery store line -- let her cut in front of you or at least go into the next lane that opens rather than rushing over to nab the spot before she can.

3. Your kids are so smart/funny/cute! A compliment for the kid is a compliment for the mom, too. Who doesn't want to hear something positive about her kid? Even if it's a comment about how cute our kid's outfit is so we know even if we look like crap from spit up, poop, and no sleep, our kids look nice.

4. I know it's hard, but I also know you're doing your best and that's what matters. Face it, being a mom is hard, no matter your job title. All of us have our own struggles, difficulties, and things that are easier for us. Let's recognize what other moms are going through. Let her know her hard work is noticeable. 

5. Good for you for making the best choice for you and your family. I support you. No matter if you're a WM, WAHM, or SAHM, you made the choice based on what's best for you and your family. Often, it is not an easy one to make. It's nice to be recognized for that, rather than looked down on for your personal choice. Let her know you realize she made a tough choice that is right for her.

6. How are you doing? So often, we just become so-and-so's mom. We don't even have a name. I swear, if he was offered 1 million bucks for just knowing my name, the kids' doctor still wouldn't know. Everyone asks about the kids, not us. Try asking another mom how SHE is doing or how SHE is feeling.

7. Do you need to talk? Sometimes, it's not about what someone says. It's about her just being there to listen about how crappy our day is (the toddler smeared poop on the walls and smashed crackers all over. Again.) or how wonderful it is (I got to sleep in today and went out for lunch, alone!). We all need to vent or brag sometimes. We need support in order to get through this crazy thing called motherhood.

8. Your kids love you. It's a great feeling to be reminded that those kids, the ones who we're doing this all for, love us, unconditionally. They're what makes it all worthwhile on good days and bad.  

What to Say to a SAHM, WAHM, or WM

There have been many articles lately telling us what not to say to certain moms. There's the SAHM, WAHM, and work outside the home camps, each with things they never want to hear. But what the heck ARE you supposed to say then? Are we left to just say nothing or offend every other mom we meet?
The truth is as moms, we all work hard, struggle at times, love our kids, and want what's best for them. We all need support and there are some things we love to hear -- No matter what our job title and life choices. Try one of these out next time you see another member of the mama tribe.

1. You're a good mom! It is always awesome to hear that you are great at the most important thing you do--be a mom. Especially on the bad days, when we second guessing all our choices, worry if we're doing things "right" and feeling like a failure at everything. It's good to hear someone else thinks we've got our crap together...even when we're feeling overwhelmed and ripping our hair out (and possibly swearing our heads off behind closed doors while we hope the kids don't hear and repeat a "fun" new word at school).

2. Is there anything I can do to give you a hand? Every mom needs some help sometimes, whether it be having the door held open at a store while she tries to wrangle kids, stroller/cart, bags and purse; a hand loading groceries in the car or taking back the cart because the kids are in meltdown mode; a night out with a free babysitter to have a break for once; or bringing over something for a potluck dinner. Offer a hand when you can. Oh, and be kind to the mom with the tantruming kids in the grocery store line -- let her cut in front of you or at least go into the next lane that opens rather than rushing over to nab the spot before she can.

3. Your kids are so smart/funny/cute! A compliment for the kid is a compliment for the mom, too. Who doesn't want to hear something positive about her kid? Even if it's a comment about how cute our kid's outfit is so we know even if we look like crap from spit up, poop, and no sleep, our kids look nice.

4. I know it's hard, but I also know you're doing your best and that's what matters. Face it, being a mom is hard, no matter your job title. All of us have our own struggles, difficulties, and things that are easier for us. Let's recognize what other moms are going through. Let her know her hard work is noticeable. 

5. Good for you for making the best choice for you and your family. I support you. No matter if you're a WM, WAHM, or SAHM, you made the choice based on what's best for you and your family. Often, it is not an easy one to make. It's nice to be recognized for that, rather than looked down on for your personal choice. Let her know you realize she made a tough choice that is right for her.

6. How are you doing? So often, we just become so-and-so's mom. We don't even have a name. I swear, if he was offered 1 million bucks for just knowing my name, the kids' doctor still wouldn't know. Everyone asks about the kids, not us. Try asking another mom how SHE is doing or how SHE is feeling.

7. Do you need to talk? Sometimes, it's not about what someone says. It's about her just being there to listen about how crappy our day is (the toddler smeared poop on the walls and smashed crackers all over. Again.) or how wonderful it is (I got to sleep in today and went out for lunch, alone!). We all need to vent or brag sometimes. We need support in order to get through this crazy thing called motherhood.

8. Your kids love you. It's a great feeling to be reminded that those kids, the ones who we're doing this all for, love us, unconditionally. They're what makes it all worthwhile on good days and bad.  

What's for Dinner April 26-May 2? (and printable)

I realized we haven't had homemade pizza in awhile. I make the crust from scratch, which takes awhile but is so worth it!

Sunday

Sweet and sour chicken with fried rice and green salad

Monday

Beef roast with baked potatoes and mixed veggies

Tuesday

Waffles with fruit salad and sausages

Wednesday

Homemade sausage pizza with garlic bread and green salad

Thursday

Leftovers

Friday

Terriyaki chicken with jasmine rice and broccoli

Saturday

Vegetable medley with couscous

Remember the handy printable weekly dinner menu. It's 8x10 in case you'd like to frame it and use it as a dry erase menu board.  Find out about the benefits of meal planning. 

What's for Dinner April 26-May 2? (and printable)

I realized we haven't had homemade pizza in awhile. I make the crust from scratch, which takes awhile but is so worth it!

Sunday

Sweet and sour chicken with fried rice and green salad

Monday

Beef roast with baked potatoes and mixed veggies

Tuesday

Waffles with fruit salad and sausages

Wednesday

Homemade sausage pizza with garlic bread and green salad

Thursday

Leftovers

Friday

Terriyaki chicken with jasmine rice and broccoli

Saturday

Vegetable medley with couscous

Remember the handy printable weekly dinner menu. It's 8x10 in case you'd like to frame it and use it as a dry erase menu board.  Find out about the benefits of meal planning. 

Roasted Peppers and Quinoa

I've been making healthier dinners, along with trying new things, lately as part of my Three New Dinners Challenge. One of the new dinners we tried and loved this past month was roasted red peppers and quinoa. As a meatless meal, the focus is more on the veggies and other forms of protein (the quinoa). That also means it's good for your budget (here are some tips help you stretch your grocery budget). It is so simple to make, healthy, yet oh-so yummy.

Roasted Peppers and Quinoa
Makes enough for two adults and one child, with one or two lunches leftover

Ingredients
5 large peppers, green, yellow and/or red
Morton's Nature's Seasoning
Olive oil
1 cup dry quinoa

Directions
Core, deseed, and cut peppers into strips
Mix peppers and a small amount of olive oil, just enough to lightly coat them
Place peppers on cookie sheet in a single layer
Sprinkle on seasoning to taste
Set oven to roast at 350 (if you don't have a roast setting, set it to bake)
Put peppers in pre-heated oven for 30-45 minutes, until crisp
Prepare quinoa according to directions on package
Serve peppers and quinoa together

Clearing Up Post-Partum Skin with Retinol Cream

In addition to the vitamin C serum I've mentioned before, I've heard great things about retinol cream for getting rid of post partum skin discoloration and wrinkles.

Ratings out of 10

Effectiveness 10

Ease of Application 10

Gentleness 8

Texture 10

Smell 10

I got to try Key West 2.5 percent retinol cream in exchange for my unbiased review. Key West Health & Beauty was founded by two multi-location day spa owners with over 15 years of experience performing thousands of skin care treatments. The cream is paraben free, 97 percent natural, and 71 percent organic, without the heavy amount of synthetic ingredients and fillers many other retinol creams contain. Another plus is that the cream has two-and-a-half times the amount of retinol most creams have--the strongest percentage available over the counter.

The smell is very light and clean, I can barely smell it, actually. It's a nice, lightweight, smooth cream. It goes into my skin easily, dries fast, and doesn't feel heavy with lotion on top of it (as the bottle directs you to do). After just two days of using just a little bit of cream, I started seeing positive results. I had a little bit of redness so went down to using the cream every other day until my skin gets used to it. No major reactions, though, even on my sensitive skin. I'm optimistic that after a month of use, I'll have even better results and no more discolored spots or tiny wrinkles.

If you like retinol creams, or want to try one, give Key West's cream a try.

Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find the disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. 

Product Review: La Vida Fractionated Coconut Oil

Fractionated coconut oil has so many uses. It's especially helpful for those of us with eczema to help heal it. I got to try the La Vida Essentials fractionated coconut oil at no cost in exchange for this unbiased review.

Ratings out of 10

Absorption 9

Smell 9

Viscosity 9

Gentleness 9

Mositurizing 8

Skin Protection 9

Lack of Greasiness 9
Price 9

Overall 9

From La Vida

The oil is 100 percent pure therapeutic grade and is fragrance free, non-greasy, and non-staining. Unlike regular coconut oil, this will always stay liquid. It's a great oil for spa massage, sensual massage, hot stone massage, and aromatherapy. It is a natural antioxidant and disinfectant and does not clog pores. Fractionated coconut oil is extremely stable and will not go rancid. It requires no special storage or handling.

My Opinion

The La Vida fractionated coconut oil does indeed have no smell at all, which makes it great for treating dry skin. It's very gentle on skin as well, I'm allergic to many things but was fine using this oil. It's not very greasy and absorbs well into the skin leaving a light barrier on top to help protect your skin when you wash your hands (over and over if you're like me and changing diapers, washing bottles, and cleaning dishes). 

The oil mixes easily with essential oils so you can create your own concoctions for skin, hair, and massaging. I mix it with lavender to make a nice, springy, refreshing skin oil. 

A little bit of the oil goes a long way so be careful not to use too much! Just a touch works great for keeping your hair soft and smooth. It costs less than many other fractionated coconut oils so is worth the price.

I recommend giving the oil a try, especially if you have dry skin or love using oils in your hair like I do.

Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find the disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. 

Chew-Choos Sweet Pea Silicone Teething Necklace

M2 and B always seem to be chewing on everything. B chews because he's teething. M2 chews just because she likes to. I usually avoid wearing necklaces because both end up grabbing it and trying to chew it. I then end up getting choked or worrying the necklace will break. I don't want my jewelry broken or for them to choke on it, so I just don't wear necklaces. That's a major bummer as I love necklaces and some outfits need their finishing touch.

Then I heard about silicone teething necklaces. They promised to be the answer to all my non-necklace-wearing, kid-teething-and-chewing mama woes. I got to try the Chew-Choos sweet pea silicone one by Baby Pinch in exchange for this review. Baby Pinch is a stay-at-home mom business, which is an added plus in my book. I love supporting fellow moms in their endeavors.
to my chewing-and-teething-kids, no-necklace-wearing mommy woes. 

I was worried the necklace would look like cheap plastic, not breakaway as promised, be too heavy to be comfortable, or that the kids would hate it. I shouldn't have -- none of those are a problem at all. It's great!

The necklace looks really stylish and the color is beautiful. It's like a regular bead necklace, only chewable and with a break-away clasp in case one of the kids yanks too hard. (Mama doesn't want to choke!) It doesn't come off too easily either. Perfect! The beads have a diamond-like cut to them, making them look nifty and not at all like pieces of silicone. That also gives it an extra texture, making it even better for teething and chewing kids.

Each purple, black, turquoise, or blue necklace is 28 inches long on a silk cord. If you want it shorter, you can trim it easily to shorten it. To wash it, stick it in the dishwasher or just hand wash (both are safe, according to Baby Pinch).

Baby Pinch says the necklaces are organic food-grade silicone and free from BPA, PVC, phthalates, cadmium, lead, latex, or any harmful toxins. The FDA-approved silicone is also hygienic, hypoallergenic, and resistant to bacteria.


*Baby Pinch is responsible for providing the coupon code to the winner. I will notify them who the winner is, they take it from there. I have no control over fulfilment of the prize to the winner. If you do not have Amazon Prime, you may need to pay shipping charges. ARV of the necklace is $14.99.

Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find the disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. 

Giveaway: Chew-Choos Sweet Pea Silicone Teething Necklace

M2 and B always seem to be chewing on everything. B chews because he's teething. M2 chews just because she likes to. I usually avoid wearing necklaces because both end up grabbing it and trying to chew it. I then end up getting choked or worrying the necklace will break. I don't want my jewelry broken or for them to choke on it, so I just don't wear necklaces. That's a major bummer as I love necklaces and some outfits need their finishing touch.

Then I heard about silicone teething necklaces. They promised to be the answer to all my non-necklace-wearing, kid-teething-and-chewing mama woes. I got to try the Chew-Choos sweet pea silicone one by Baby Pinch in exchange for this review. Baby Pinch is a stay-at-home mom business, which is an added plus in my book. I love supporting fellow moms in their endeavors.
to my chewing-and-teething-kids, no-necklace-wearing mommy woes. 

I was worried the necklace would look like cheap plastic, not breakaway as promised, be too heavy to be comfortable, or that the kids would hate it. I shouldn't have -- none of those are a problem at all. It's great!

The necklace looks really stylish and the color is beautiful. It's like a regular bead necklace, only chewable and with a break-away clasp in case one of the kids yanks too hard. (Mama doesn't want to choke!) It doesn't come off too easily either. Perfect! The beads have a diamond-like cut to them, making them look nifty and not at all like pieces of silicone. That also gives it an extra texture, making it even better for teething and chewing kids.

Each purple, black, turquoise, or blue necklace is 28 inches long on a silk cord. If you want it shorter, you can trim it easily to shorten it. To wash it, stick it in the dishwasher or just hand wash (both are safe, according to Baby Pinch).

Baby Pinch says the necklaces are organic food-grade silicone and free from BPA, PVC, phthalates, cadmium, lead, latex, or any harmful toxins. The FDA-approved silicone is also hygienic, hypoallergenic, and resistant to bacteria.



I love this necklace so much that I'm doing a giveaway with Baby Pinch so you can win your very own! You'll get a special coupon code to get your choice of sweet pea necklace for free.* You can also find them on Amazon for $14.99 each, which is a good price, I think. Entry period closes at 12 a.m. May 5.

a Rafflecopter giveaway 


*Baby Pinch is responsible for providing the coupon code to the winner. I will notify them who the winner is, they take it from there. I have no control over fulfilment of the prize to the winner. If you do not have Amazon Prime, you may need to pay shipping charges. ARV of the necklace is $14.99.

Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find the disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. 

What's for Dinner April 19-25? (and printable)

What's on your meal plan for this week? Here's what I've got planned.

Sunday

Chicken pot pie 

Monday

Homemade chicken nuggets with peirogies and mixed veggies

Tuesday

Club sandwiches and soup and tortilla chips

Wednesday

Steaks with baked potatoes and corn

Thursday

Spaghetti with three cheese sauce and green salad

Friday

Leftovers

Saturday

 Herb crusted pork chops with jasmine rice and a  cauliflower/ broccoli mix topped with cheddar cheese

Remember the handy printable weekly dinner menu. It's 8x10 in case you'd like to frame it and use it as a dry erase menu board.  Find out about the benefits of meal planning. 

What's for Dinner April 19-25? (and printable)

What's on your meal plan for this week? Here's what I've got planned.

Sunday

Chicken pot pie 

Monday

Homemade chicken nuggets with peirogies and mixed veggies

Tuesday

Club sandwiches and soup and tortilla chips

Wednesday

Steaks with baked potatoes and corn

Thursday

Spaghetti with three cheese sauce and green salad

Friday

Leftovers

Saturday

 Herb crusted pork chops with jasmine rice and a  cauliflower/ broccoli mix topped with cheddar cheese

Remember the handy printable weekly dinner menu. It's 8x10 in case you'd like to frame it and use it as a dry erase menu board.  Find out about the benefits of meal planning. 

Product Review: Life Essentials Skin Care Vitamin C Serum

During my last pregnancy with baby B, my skin ended up with dark colored spots and being uneven. Post partum, it's still there. I heard that vitamin C serum is supposed to help increase collagen production to give you a more even and smooth skin tone, along with fading dark spots and getting rid of fine lines. It's even supposed to be gentle on sensitive skin like mine. I figured why not give it a try?

Ratings out of 10

Smell 10

Texture 10

Ease of Application 10

Gentleness 10

Effectiveness 9

Overall 10

I got to try Life Essentials Skin Care 20 percent vitamin C serum in exchange for my unbiased review. It's made from all natural, organic, and vegan ingredients. The serum is made in the United States, in an FDA registered lab and is never tested on animals (I love that)! Life Essentials is a family company and offers you your money back if you're not totally satisfied with the serum.

There isn't much of a scent to the serum, which works well for me. The directions say to put on only three or four drops after washing your skin, then apply lotion over top. I probably used six drops, which still isn't very much, so this bottle is going to last me awhile. The texture is very light, no tackiness or stickiness. Just how I like my skin care products.

It rubs in easily and nicely, my skin seems to soak it right up. No oily residue or anything is left behind. My skin feels much less dry and tight. Even after using it just a few times, I seem to have less odd spots and be more even with less tiny wrinkles. Perfect! I didn't have any skin irritation at all, it is as gentle as it claims. It just plain feels good on my skin.

I totally recommend Life Essentials Skin Care vitamin C serum if you're looking to have more healthy skin, no matter your skin type.



Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find the disclosure and policy here. I received this product at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Your experiences may differ. 

Welcome to The Stay-at-Home Life

Welcome to The Stay-at-Home Life! I've moved over all my content from the old blog to this new one. Update your bookmarks to the URL for this blog -- www.thesahlife.com -- so you don't miss anything. I'm still working out a few bugs, so be sure to use the "www" in the URL.

I appreciate all your support and am so excited about what is to come. Two giveaways are planned for the near future, along with some guest posts and plenty of new content from me.

I LOVE getting your comments on posts. I read every single one, I promise!
You're always welcome to email me directly at WriterEditorMom at gmail.com or via the Let's Chat tab with questions, comments, feedback, and suggestions. 

You can connect with me, find additional content, and find out when there are new blog posts by following me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.