The Journey with Autism Begins

Through sharing our story and being honest and open, I hope it may help someone else going through similar. In light of that, I want to share more of M2's, and our, story. Starting with the day she was diagnosed as autistic and our journey officially began.

As I mentioned here, she was diagnosed with autism, mild-moderate, just over a month ago. That day was one of the most difficult of my life. We went in for baby B's well-child appointment the day before and took M2 along. While we were there, I told the doctor (they have the same pediatrician) that I'd talked to her early-intervention therapy team. All of them recommended that she get screened for autism, especially the therapist she's known the longest and who knows her the best. I was fully prepared to have to argue with the doctor about the screening, then to have to fight with insurance to get the referral pushed through. When the doctor agreed immediately, I was shocked. When he said that there was an available appointment the next morning if I was willing to drive the hour back out to do it, I was dumbfounded. Rather than waiting another month or more for an appointment, I jumped at the one for the next morning. I figured I should before I chickened out and put it off again, as I'd already done for months fearing what we'd be told.

The developmental pediatrician wanted to see all her assessments from the early-intervention team as that would give him a better picture of what all is going on with her. Those therapists see her weekly in our home so they get a pretty good picture, one a doctor who has never met her might not. I quickly called her coordinator to get her assessments, figuring at 4 p.m. there was no way we'd get them. Amazingly, her coordinator was there and sent them over via email immediately.

A and I decided that taking B along with us to the appointment would just be distracting from M2. Instead, he stayed home with B the next morning while I drove M2 the hour back to her developmental pediatrician appointment. I spend the most time with her and have been coordinating her care, so it just made the most sense for me to take her. At the appointment, the doctor got to see the full M2 as she was bouncing off the walls and doing many of the things we were concerned about. She did not sit still for 30 seconds the entire appointment.

I managed to answer all the doctor's questions while keeping M2 from running out of the place. We spent hours there going over everything. I wasn't sure if we'd get a diagnosis that day. I already knew from A's coworker going through the process with his son that if the doctor had any questions or doubts, there would need to be more appointments, possibly with additional specialists. The developmental pediatrician told me that he had seen enough, plus with her previous evaluations, that he was confident in making a diagnosis then.The moment he said, "diagnosis," I knew I wasn't going to like what he said next.

He said there was no question that she was autistic. As soon as I heard that, my stomach dropped and my heart broke. I started telling him things like, "But sometimes she's fine. This isn't all the time!" and, "But she does XYZ." Anything and everything I said, the doctor simply responded nicely with, "That just proves my diagnosis and that I'm right even more. That's exactly what autism is. There is no way you could be making all this up or have it wrong, it's too obvious."

I wanted to cry at that point. Mind you, I am not a crier at. all. Here my happy little girl is bouncing (literally) all over the room and off the walls, as a doctor tells me she is autistic. A diagnosis that changes her life and ours. Something that won't go away, can't be treated with a pill, and that she will struggle with her entire life.

I asked the doctor where he'd place her on the spectrum. He said that it wasn't too important, it was more important to get her set up with therapy and get her help, but that he'd place her as mild-moderate. As for B, he said he is at a higher risk but that I should already be seeing some signs. The signs B is showing us so far are ones that tipped us off to the fact that something is going on with M2. He's totally different from her so far. Things M2 did as a baby that we excused as being just her, something she'd grow out of (but didn't) or just her showing her independence were really red flags. There were so many that we didn't see until we saw how B is and until M2's behavior started making the autism too obvious to ignore. Still, especially after his head injury soon after birth, we worry that he will have special needs as well.

I spent the rest of the appointment trying not to cry in front of this doctor, and especially not in front of M2. How do you act after a doctor tells you that about your child? If I cried, I'd look hysterical and upset M2. If I acted like I didn't care, I'd seem like an inattentive, uncaring mother. If I acted happy, I'd seem like a nut job. No emotion seemed "right" and I had no idea what to say or do. I went with the "upbeat, we can handle this" attitude, even though I was wondering how in the world we'd make it through and how in the world M2 would over come it.

The doctor explained that we needed to get her set up with therapy and that he'd be sending an overview of his diagnosis. He went over why he'd made the diagnosis, pointing out things that I'd never even noticed or equated with autism. Or even any issue. I think if M2 had been the second child and I'd had more experience with what's "normal," I would have noticed more.

After the doctor ended the appointment, a nurse came in and offered to wheel M2 around the center in a wheelchair while I waited for her pediatrician to come in and talk to me. I so appreciated having a few minutes alone. Hearing that your child has autism is difficult. Very, very difficult. I know that it could be so much worse. But that doesn't take away the hurt of what she and we are going through and will go through. No parent wants to know their child is going to struggle. Right now, we don't even know how much. We don't know when or if she'll really start talking. Speech therapy isn't working. Her delay stems from the autism and so far no techniques are working. She also has sensory, behavior and other issues. We have no idea what is to come.

M2's pediatrician came in and told me that he agreed with the diagnosis. The nurse came back with M2, who was ecstatic that she got to go for a ride. She had absolutely no idea what had been going on or how much had just changed in the instant I'd been told she is autistic. Seeing her so happy and so unaware ripped my heart out even more. She has no idea what is to come in her life or that anything is even wrong. I guess in some ways, that's really a blessing that she doesn't know.

The ride home I called A and spent trying not to cry while driving. I'm happy to have a diagnosis and to know it's not all in my head. On the other hand, I'd really have liked to be told, "Lady, your nuts. Stop doing XYZ and your child will be perfectly fine. Just get your act together." Despite that, and despite the doctor telling me that there's no way I could be making stuff up (and that I did an amazing job handling her during the appointment, he was impressed how well I managed to do so), I still wonder if maybe I'd said or done something differently, he wouldn't have given that diagnosis. It's hard not to second guess everything and to wonder.

Since the diagnosis, I've gotten lots of comments and advice. Some downright upsetting, nasty and unsupportive from people from whom I actually expected the most support. Some way off base as the person simply doesn't understand autism or is a family member who also doesn't want her to struggle. Others very, very helpful. Our family and closest friends are offering the support they can. As you read here, one of M2's godmothers is on the spectrum herself. Her reply when being told of the diagnosis was, "Well, I guess she's really lucky to have me as god mom!" And she is. I know Lindsey is going to help her so much through her journey. None of her family or friends are treating her any differently. Family who initially questioned the diagnosis are on board and supporting her once I explained what was going on better. Her uncle asked me why we'd never told him what was going on sooner, when she was a baby, so he would have known and been able to maybe do something. I told him it was because we honestly didn't even realize it ourselves. I think deep down we wondered, but didn't want it to be true.

We still don't want it to be true. I still hope we'll find out in the future that the doctor was wrong. Daily, though, I see why he's right. I also remind myself often of the best, most supportive, and helpful thing I've been told since she was diagnosed as autistic. As soon as we found out, I told her therapists who'd been waiting to hear. One told me, "Remember, she's still the same awesome little girl who you love so much. Having the diagnosis doesn't change her at all. And it doesn't change how much you love her." And she's right. My little girl is freaking amazing.

Affiliate Links

The Journey with Autism Begins

Through sharing our story and being honest and open, I hope it may help someone else going through similar. In light of that, I want to share more of M2's, and our, story. Starting with the day she was diagnosed as autistic and our journey officially began.

As I mentioned here, she was diagnosed with autism, mild-moderate, just over a month ago. That day was one of the most difficult of my life. We went in for baby B's well-child appointment the day before and took M2 along. While we were there, I told the doctor (they have the same pediatrician) that I'd talked to her early-intervention therapy team. All of them recommended that she get screened for autism, especially the therapist she's known the longest and who knows her the best. I was fully prepared to have to argue with the doctor about the screening, then to have to fight with insurance to get the referral pushed through. When the doctor agreed immediately, I was shocked. When he said that there was an available appointment the next morning if I was willing to drive the hour back out to do it, I was dumbfounded. Rather than waiting another month or more for an appointment, I jumped at the one for the next morning. I figured I should before I chickened out and put it off again, as I'd already done for months fearing what we'd be told.

The developmental pediatrician wanted to see all her assessments from the early-intervention team as that would give him a better picture of what all is going on with her. Those therapists see her weekly in our home so they get a pretty good picture, one a doctor who has never met her might not. I quickly called her coordinator to get her assessments, figuring at 4 p.m. there was no way we'd get them. Amazingly, her coordinator was there and sent them over via email immediately.

A and I decided that taking B along with us to the appointment would just be distracting from M2. Instead, he stayed home with B the next morning while I drove M2 the hour back to her developmental pediatrician appointment. I spend the most time with her and have been coordinating her care, so it just made the most sense for me to take her. At the appointment, the doctor got to see the full M2 as she was bouncing off the walls and doing many of the things we were concerned about. She did not sit still for 30 seconds the entire appointment.

I managed to answer all the doctor's questions while keeping M2 from running out of the place. We spent hours there going over everything. I wasn't sure if we'd get a diagnosis that day. I already knew from A's coworker going through the process with his son that if the doctor had any questions or doubts, there would need to be more appointments, possibly with additional specialists. The developmental pediatrician told me that he had seen enough, plus with her previous evaluations, that he was confident in making a diagnosis then.The moment he said, "diagnosis," I knew I wasn't going to like what he said next.

He said there was no question that she was autistic. As soon as I heard that, my stomach dropped and my heart broke. I started telling him things like, "But sometimes she's fine. This isn't all the time!" and, "But she does XYZ." Anything and everything I said, the doctor simply responded nicely with, "That just proves my diagnosis and that I'm right even more. That's exactly what autism is. There is no way you could be making all this up or have it wrong, it's too obvious."

I wanted to cry at that point. Mind you, I am not a crier at. all. Here my happy little girl is bouncing (literally) all over the room and off the walls, as a doctor tells me she is autistic. A diagnosis that changes her life and ours. Something that won't go away, can't be treated with a pill, and that she will struggle with her entire life.

I asked the doctor where he'd place her on the spectrum. He said that it wasn't too important, it was more important to get her set up with therapy and get her help, but that he'd place her as mild-moderate. As for B, he said he is at a higher risk but that I should already be seeing some signs. The signs B is showing us so far are ones that tipped us off to the fact that something is going on with M2. He's totally different from her so far. Things M2 did as a baby that we excused as being just her, something she'd grow out of (but didn't) or just her showing her independence were really red flags. There were so many that we didn't see until we saw how B is and until M2's behavior started making the autism too obvious to ignore. Still, especially after his head injury soon after birth, we worry that he will have special needs as well.

I spent the rest of the appointment trying not to cry in front of this doctor, and especially not in front of M2. How do you act after a doctor tells you that about your child? If I cried, I'd look hysterical and upset M2. If I acted like I didn't care, I'd seem like an inattentive, uncaring mother. If I acted happy, I'd seem like a nut job. No emotion seemed "right" and I had no idea what to say or do. I went with the "upbeat, we can handle this" attitude, even though I was wondering how in the world we'd make it through and how in the world M2 would over come it.

The doctor explained that we needed to get her set up with therapy and that he'd be sending an overview of his diagnosis. He went over why he'd made the diagnosis, pointing out things that I'd never even noticed or equated with autism. Or even any issue. I think if M2 had been the second child and I'd had more experience with what's "normal," I would have noticed more.

After the doctor ended the appointment, a nurse came in and offered to wheel M2 around the center in a wheelchair while I waited for her pediatrician to come in and talk to me. I so appreciated having a few minutes alone. Hearing that your child has autism is difficult. Very, very difficult. I know that it could be so much worse. But that doesn't take away the hurt of what she and we are going through and will go through. No parent wants to know their child is going to struggle. Right now, we don't even know how much. We don't know when or if she'll really start talking. Speech therapy isn't working. Her delay stems from the autism and so far no techniques are working. She also has sensory, behavior and other issues. We have no idea what is to come.

M2's pediatrician came in and told me that he agreed with the diagnosis. The nurse came back with M2, who was ecstatic that she got to go for a ride. She had absolutely no idea what had been going on or how much had just changed in the instant I'd been told she is autistic. Seeing her so happy and so unaware ripped my heart out even more. She has no idea what is to come in her life or that anything is even wrong. I guess in some ways, that's really a blessing that she doesn't know.

The ride home I called A and spent trying not to cry while driving. I'm happy to have a diagnosis and to know it's not all in my head. On the other hand, I'd really have liked to be told, "Lady, your nuts. Stop doing XYZ and your child will be perfectly fine. Just get your act together." Despite that, and despite the doctor telling me that there's no way I could be making stuff up (and that I did an amazing job handling her during the appointment, he was impressed how well I managed to do so), I still wonder if maybe I'd said or done something differently, he wouldn't have given that diagnosis. It's hard not to second guess everything and to wonder.

Since the diagnosis, I've gotten lots of comments and advice. Some downright upsetting, nasty and unsupportive from people from whom I actually expected the most support. Some way off base as the person simply doesn't understand autism or is a family member who also doesn't want her to struggle. Others very, very helpful. Our family and closest friends are offering the support they can. As you read here, one of M2's godmothers is on the spectrum herself. Her reply when being told of the diagnosis was, "Well, I guess she's really lucky to have me as god mom!" And she is. I know Lindsey is going to help her so much through her journey. None of her family or friends are treating her any differently. Family who initially questioned the diagnosis are on board and supporting her once I explained what was going on better. Her uncle asked me why we'd never told him what was going on sooner, when she was a baby, so he would have known and been able to maybe do something. I told him it was because we honestly didn't even realize it ourselves. I think deep down we wondered, but didn't want it to be true.

We still don't want it to be true. I still hope we'll find out in the future that the doctor was wrong. Daily, though, I see why he's right. I also remind myself often of the best, most supportive, and helpful thing I've been told since she was diagnosed as autistic. As soon as we found out, I told her therapists who'd been waiting to hear. One told me, "Remember, she's still the same awesome little girl who you love so much. Having the diagnosis doesn't change her at all. And it doesn't change how much you love her." And she's right. My little girl is freaking amazing.

Affiliate Links

What's for Dinner May 3-9? (and printable)

What's for dinner this week? Hmm. Let's see!

Sunday

Sweet and sour pork stir-fry with white rice

Monday

Meatloaf with corn and mashed potatoes

Tuesday

Bar-be-cue chicken with peirogies and mixed veggies

Wednesday
Black beans, turkey, brown rice, quinoa, peppers
Recipe to come!

Thursday

Leftovers

Friday

Baked salmon with brown rice and green salad

Saturday

Vegetable fettuccine Alfredo

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 May 3-9? (and printable)

What's for dinner this week? Hmm. Let's see!

Sunday

Sweet and sour pork stir-fry with white rice

Monday

Meatloaf with corn and mashed potatoes

Tuesday

Bar-be-cue chicken with peirogies and mixed veggies

Wednesday
Black beans, turkey, brown rice, quinoa, peppers
Recipe to come!

Thursday

Leftovers

Friday

Baked salmon with brown rice and green salad

Saturday

Vegetable fettuccine Alfredo

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

How to Keep Your Phone Charged in Emergencies and On the Go

When you have a smartphone, it seems like the battery just never lasts that long. It doesn't matter what kind you have, if you're doing anything more than making calls, you need to charge your phone often.

When baby B had his accident, I rushed to the hospital. When there's an emergency, you don't take the time to charge your phone, you go. My phone was at 5 perecent and I had to make calls to family and friends to find someone to watch M2 quickly, hoping everyone would answer, and without even being able to give much detail. I didn't have the battery power to do more. A's phone was totally dead so also useless.

A few years ago, we had the power go out for days in our area. The only way to charge a phone would be to sit in the car with it running, wasting gas. There have been numerous times when I was out and my phone started to die.

Enter the portable power bank. Really, I should have gotten one of these long before now. It would have been beyond helpful when baby B was hurt and even just when going out. I got try the K2R-803 portable power bank for free in exchange for this unbiased review.

Per the company, the power bank has an intelligent K2R monitoring system with over-charge, over-discharge, over-current, over-voltage, short-circuit and over-load safety protections so as not to fry your gadgets. The bank comes in a really nice and sturdy box so it can be stored in there when not in use. Size-wise, the bank is perfect. About the size of a pack of Altoids, maybe a bit bigger. The weight is light as well, just enough to let you know it's not cheap or junky without being so heafty it's a pain to carry with you. You can tell it's a quality product, not a cheap knock-off device. 

I was excited to see that it comes with two cords that light up to let you know when your phone is charging then full. One is for iPhone5 and one that is suitable for most androids, cameras, and other devices. It even works with my Kindle and the lights on the cable are handy for charging the bank itself.

The power bank has four LED lights on the back that flash to let you know how much charge is left. Charging my S5, only one light went out so you should be able to get 3-4 charges from it. There's also a built in flash light to use in a pinch. The downside is it doesn't have the AC adapter to charge the power bank with, just the cord to plug into one. That means you can't charge the bank without using an adapter from another device or your computer. Not convenient.

What's handy is that you can charge two devices at once. The power bank charges quickly, equal to or maybe even faster than an outlet. It can sit unused about three months without being charged again. It comes with a three year warranty, just in case something goes kaput.

I recommend the K2R-803 power bank. Really, everyone should have a portable power bank, you don't want to be stuck in a situation like I was without one. Had we had this, both of us could have charged our phones (more than once) and made all the needed calls without worry.


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. 

Candy Sans Sugar

I don't know about you, but in our house, we're trying to cut back on the sugar and eat more healthy. So many foods are full of sugar now it's hard to avoid. Especially when you have a sweet tooth like I do. What's a mama to do when you want to avoid sugar?

Ice Chips Candy is one alternative you can try. I tested them in exchange for this unbiased review. Ice Chips Candy was first featured on the show Shark Tank, where the hosts loved it. It's an all-natural candy developed by Charlotte Clary and Bev Vines-Haines when they wanted to make a candy for their 41 grandkids and their diabetic friends. The company touts it as being tasty, healthy, good for your teeth, and safe for diabetics as it has a very low glycemic index.

It's made using xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol and natural flavors, like cinnamon, berry, root beer, licorice, peppermint, and lemon (the ones I tried). I love the flavors, they taste real unlike the usual fake, overly sweet candy flavors you usually find. The name Ice Chips is fitting--the candy looks like chips of ice. The color varies depending on the flavor but all look like ice. Very neat!

I really like the candy. It's enough to satisfy my sweet tooth with a few pieces, without all the calories and sugar I'm trying to avoid. I totally recommend trying it. You can buy packs and search for stores that carry the candy on the Ice Chips website.


You can find our 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. 

Easy Ways to Stretch Your Grocery Budget

For me, going to the grocery store is one of the few things that I (usually) get to do alone. It's my break from the kids for some time alone. Lately, it's been getting more stressful. Every month, the grocery prices seem to just go up and it gets harder to stick to my budget (read how to set, determine, and follow a budget in seven easy steps).

How are we supposed to feed our families without going broke in the process? Here are some ideas to make your grocery budget go farther, without buying a ton of processed foods. These tips are helpful whether you're trying to build up your savings, stay on budget, or cut back so you can stay on budget.

1. Have a meatless meal once a week or more. We incorporate salads, roasted veggies and quinoa, beans, and various pastas to achieve this goal. Simple black beans and rice or an even healthier version is a great way to do this.
2. Stretch your meat. Make the meat you do eat stretch by loading up on veggies, fruits, and beans either by using them as fillers or as the meal's focal point. Check out my apple carrot turkey burgers and Southwestern taco salad to get an idea of how to do this.
3. Buy clearance meat. Stores usually mark down meat that's close to it's sell by date. Scout out the stores and stock up. Pay attention to price, though, as sometimes even clearance meat is still pricey (especially beef). Watch the quality as well, sometimes the meat is really fatty of off color so not worth the price even on clearance.
4. Buy in bulk. Often, the larger packages of foods, such as beans, rice, potatoes, cereal, etc., are cheaper when you buy a larger bag. If you're able to use it all before it expires, buy the larger bag. Buy whole chickens when they're on sale then use the leftovers in other recipes or freeze it. If it'll just go to waste, though, skip it.
5. Look for sales on items you usually buy and work your shopping around them. Avoid buying things that aren't on sale when possible. Though, never buy meat that isn't on clearance. Shop for fruits and veggies that are in season to save more. Often, bigger bags of fruit rather than picking out of bins saves you money. Around holidays, scout out the meat that's popular for that holiday and stock up the freezer.
6. Stock up when you do find items on sale. You can freeze many foods, such as meat, butter, and bread for later.
7. Plant a veggie garden. Growing your own is a great way to save money. Focus on the staples you eat regularly.
8. Buy frozen veggies. Canned is also cheaper, but not as good. Frozen veggies have all the same nutrients, taste as good, last longer, and are cheaper than fresh.
9. Look for the dented fruit and bread bins at the grocery store. Not all stores have them, and even then it's hit and miss (some can even be more expensive) but it's worth a look.
10. Price compare. Keep an eye on the items you buy most at various stores and see what store has it cheaper. Remember to factor in how far the store is and figure out if it's worth it to drive for just a few items that may be cheaper at the other store.
11. Make extra food to have for lunches through the week and to take to work. That way, you're not eating out and spending more or buying pre-made foods. Be sure to use up the leftovers, though, or you'll waste money instead.
12. Buy store brand. The off brands, except on rare occasions, are cheaper than name brands. Often this is the case even when using coupons.
13. Cut back on juice/soda/chips/cookies. Those items add up and cut into the money you have for other foods.
14. Buy fish in bags rather than fresh. If you're a seafood eater, this one cuts your costs. I buy 2 pound packs of individually frozen salmon and tilapia portions. The individual portions also help me track how much we're eating and not make too much.
15. Avoid pre-made or prepared foods, like roast chickens, baby carrots, and other convenience foods that just eat up your budget.
16. Bake your own bread. Unless you buy the regular white or wheat store brands, which aren't as healthy, you can most likely save baking your on bread. Plus, it'll be healthier and fresher.
17. Cook at home. This is a big one and really the most important of all. Eating out costs more than cooking your own at home and it eats up your budget faster than anything. If you eat out often, none of the other tips matter as you'll still be spending lots on food each month.

Check out more ways to slash your grocery spending in my follow-up article here.

What's for Dinner April 12-18? (and printable)

Let's get right to it this week.

Sunday
Slow cooker apple honey pork roast with stuffing, mashed potatoes, and broccoli

Monday

Baked dried tomato and olive oil chicken thighs with green salad

Tuesday

Oven roasted corn, peppers, and mushrooms with quinoa

Wednesday

Turkey burgers with French fries and corn

Thursday

Baked herb crusted tilapia with couscous and carrots

Friday

Leftovers

Saturday

 Ravioli with green salad

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 12-18? (and printable)

Let's get right to it this week.

Sunday
Slow cooker apple honey pork roast with stuffing, mashed potatoes, and broccoli

Monday

Baked dried tomato and olive oil chicken thighs with green salad

Tuesday

Oven roasted corn, peppers, and mushrooms with quinoa

Wednesday

Turkey burgers with French fries and corn

Thursday

Baked herb crusted tilapia with couscous and carrots

Friday

Leftovers

Saturday

 Ravioli with green salad

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: Argan Oil by goPURE Naturals

I love trying new skin moisturizers so was really excited to try the goPURE Naturals Argan oil. It's made from pure, 100 percent organic Aragan oil from Morocco. It's touted as being great for hair, nails, and skin. There's a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee for one year, or you get your money back. You can find out more about goPure on their website and connect with them on Facebook. I got to try the oil for free in exchange for this unbiased review.

Ratings out of 10

Package 9

Smell 2

Ease of Application 9

Moisturizing Abilities on Skin 8
Moisturizing Abilities on Hair 8

Price 8

Over all 7 (9, if it smelled better)

The Argan oil comes in a nifty glass bottle with an even niftier glass dropper to dispense it. I am a sucker for nifty packaging. Because of the cold, mine came in solid form instead of liquid. A few hours later it was back to liquid.

Like any new oil, I had to smell it right away. I was really disappointed. It's not super strong, but there is a distinct smell that I didn't like. It reminded me of a trash smell. I hoped that would fade when put on. No such luck. The only way to get rid of the smell is to put scented lotion on over it. I'm not sure why, maybe it is just me that smells it. I let the company know and they said they've never had an issue so it might just be me. I was afraid to put it on my face as I only use unscented face lotion so it wouldn't mask the trash smell and would be right by my nose.

The bottle says you can put it in your hair for 30 minutes then wash out. As a mom with young kids, I don't have the time to do 30 minutes. I put it in for about 5 minutes before showering, wash as normal, and end up with soft hair after. I hardly even need any conditioner, it is that great. I didn't try it as a leave in due to the smell, since I wouldn't be able to put anything scented on over it.

As a moisturizer, it is great. It amplifies the lotion to make it work even better. My skin is really sensitive, yet isn't irritated by the oil at all. You can use it without lotion on top -- if you don't mind the smell. It goes on easily and smoothly. It's the perfect consistency. Some oils are tacky or leave you skin way too slick and greasy -- not this one. It absorbs quickly and feels good.

Since it is natural, there is no worry about harsh chemicals. I love the fun dropper to put it on, rather than trying to pour it and making a mess. A little goes a long way, too. You only need a few drops. The bottle should last a long time. As it will last awhile, the price is reasonable.

Overall, Argan oil by goPure Naturals is ok. If you like natural oils on your skin and hair, give this one a try if you want to chance the smell. Like I said, it could just be me.



Affiliate links are included in this post. You can find our 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.