 Another month on Weight Watchers and come and gone. I was given a free three month membership to the Weight Watchers Online Tools via Fitspiration For Moms.
This is, by far, the busiest time of the work year for me. I have field trip after field trip and late nights after late nights.
Honestly, I have not been able to sit down and plan my meals and track points as I should. The ONLY thing that has helped me log and keep track of some of my points is the various apps that are available via Weight Watchers to have it on the go as well as at home.
The two Weight Watchers apps that I have are Weight Watchers Mobile and the Weight Watchers Scanner. I have included links for the iTunes app store, but you can find them available on the Android market as well.
Weight Watchers Mobile is basically the same online tools, in a very visual and easy to use mobile app version. This is perfect for the meals that you eat away from home. You can log the points immediately without having to remember and add them in later. Let's be honest, we are all much too busy to remember to add all of our points in at the end of the day.
I also find it useful because you can log them in as you go throughout the day and you know how many points you have left to consume. There is nothing more frustrating than entering points after the fact, and then find that you have miscalculated and ate more than your allotted amount.
You can also check in with your spaces, routines, weight, and other healthy checks. It is also great because you can look up information about restaurant food immediately and have the points right at your fingertips before making that final menu choice.
 Image courtesy of iTunes.com The second app that I mentioned was the Weight Watchers Scanner app. What I love about this is the ease of scanning a barcode and knowing the points associated with the food. I eat a lot of Microwavable Dinners for lunch at work. It was super easy to scan the bottom of the package and then import the points straight over to the Weight Watchers Mobile App. The fact that these two tie in together is fantastic. Did the item you scan not register? That's okay..it gives you a simple option to add the label information right then and there and then it calculates your points.
These two apps combined with a focused mind make for much success. I have lost a few pounds in the last month and feel that Weight Watchers is definitely helping me become more focused and make better decisions!
I hope to report even bigger numbers and more focus next month! Until then, we are slowly but surely inching towards Summer Vacation!
~Amber
Disclosure:
As a member of Fitspiration For Moms, I was given a free three month membership to Weight Watchers eTools in exchange for my thoughts and feelings about the program. My thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any monetary compensation for this post.
The first product that I am highlighting to giveaway on my blog for this awesome, Earth-Loving Event is Eco-Foil by Handi Foil!
Eco-Foil pans are extremely earth friendly because they are made from 100% Recycled Aluminum! ONE-HUNDRED-PERCENT! Yay for Recycling!
I have been using Eco-Foil Pans for a while now and I absolutely love them! This past Thanksgiving, we used the largest sized, "King Roaster" Eco-Foil pan for our large turkey!
 My husband cutting into our Turkey which was roasted in the Eco-Foil King Roaster Pan!
How many of you have used an aluminum roasting pan to make a turkey or chicken and it has buckled, causing a hole, and spilling juices everywhere? I know that has happened to me more than once.
With Eco-Foil, it was so sturdy, it didn't even attempt to buckle! So not only are they made from recycled materials, they are STRONG and Durable!!
Here are some more awesome facts about Eco-Foil Pans:
*The lids are made from 100% recycled plastic!
*They are 100% American Made!
*They are still 100% Recyclable after use!
*100% trusted quality and strength!
Another great thing is that they are likely in a local retailer near you! I live in a relatively small southern Illinois town and I have 5 stores within 25 miles that carry them!
I wholeheartedly believe these points equal out one MUST HAVE product for your kitchen!
How many of you absolutely LOVE how long it takes to clean the shower or tile in your kitchen and bathroom??? I know I sure don't! Anything that can reduce my overall cleaning time certainly grabs my attention. EnduroShield boasts about it's wonderful, earth-friendly, time-saving products! They can easily reduce your cleaning time by up to 90% Sounds totally awesome, right?! I think so, too!
According to their website and product packaging, EnduroShield is a revolutionary, simple to apply, invisible coating that repels water, soap scum & grime, allowing you easier cleaning, less often!
Their products do the following: - Make Cleaning a Breeze
- 'Once Only' Application
- Helps prevent harmful bacteria build-up
- Superior protection
- Reduces cleaning time
- Has a 3 year warranty
- Environmentally friendly.
The folks at EnduroShield were so wonderful and have sent me a sample kit of their EnduroShield Home for Glass Shower Doors and also EnduroShield Home for Ceramic Tiles and Grout. I have literally moved into a new home within the past 6 days, and have not had a chance to try them out, but rest assured I will be posting a review in the near future! So definitely stay tuned!
How would you like some Eco-Foil Pans and a Sample Kit of EnduroShield of your own?! The folks at Eco-Foil and EnduroShield have each donated an awesome gift pack for readers of The Introspective Teacher as well as those hopping through from the Fitspiration for Moms Earth Day Giveaway Hop! Disclosure: I was supplied a sample kit of Eco-Foil Pans as well as EnduroShield Sample Kits in exchange for my honest opinion as a member of Fitspiration for Moms and blogger of Introspective Teacher. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own. Prize Fulfillment of the Eco-Foil Prize Pack is the responsibility of Eco-Foil by Handi Foil. Prize Fulfillment of the EnduroShield Sample Kit is the responsibility of EnduroShield.
 WeightWatchers.Com Hi there ! I know it has been a while since I have blogged. Crazy times for a crazy teacher :) One thing that I have started and have attempted to make a "constant" in my life is Weight Watchers. I am currently signed up for three months of the eTools portion of their website. I am very busy and would not be able to attend meetings so this makes eTools the perfect solution! Let me tell you--It takes a bit to get used to the points, but I LOVE it! The eTools are all easy to use and take the guess work out of how many points your meal will have! Today, I want to focus on using the actual website. But be sure to stay tuned for my post next month because I will be highlighting all of the MOBILE Apps that can really help you stay on track!
There are three main sections on the homepage of eTools. They are TRACKING, SPACES, and ROUTINES.
TRACKING has three sections within itself. You will track your weight, activity, and most importantly, food. The food tracking is the one that, for me, takes the most to get used to. It is very different to think of food in points rather than in calories. The great thing about this section is that you simply type in the food you have eaten or are thinking about eating, and it will give you the amount of points. You simply click "Add" and it is now in your meals and calculated for the day! I like the fact that I can type in different foods I feel like eating and compare point values really easily to decide what is the better option for me.
Next you can track your activity! The great thing about this is that you can SEE point-wise how much food the exercise eliminates. OR have you been wanting to splurge on a 4pt candy bar? According to the activity tracker, if I walk briskly for about 30 minutes, I will EARN that candy bar! That's right..it gives me 4 more PointsPlus points to spend and I can have my guilty pleasure! How awesome is that? It's bartering..and anyone knows I THRIVE on trades and bartering! :) I could definitely get used to this.
The final part of the "Tracking" Section is to track the weight. It will keep a graph for you and even create a little progress report! So awesome!
The second section is SPACES. This is amazing because you can look around and discover helpful tips and tricks to help you stay on track no matter where you are! There are both tips for planning ahead and also ones for when you are in PANIC MODE! Check out the screen caps! The third section is ROUTINES! Sitting down to watch a specific program every Monday night, going to bed at midnight every night, or that weekly ice cream trip is a ROUTINE....Why do we not focus on establishing healthy routines? That is exactly what this tool is for! Basically you pick a routine such as "Always having a healthy snack in your purse". Each day when you log in to WeightWatchers.Com you simply check off that you have done that. Once you have mastered it, you begin another!
The website also has other areas at your mercy. You can post on message boards and support others and receive support yourself, you can look up AWESOME recipes to add variety to your palate, to reading success stories to those who have stick with this program and WON the battle of the bulge! Overall, I feel this is a fantastic way to not only eat healthier, become more active, and start better routines..it is a way to begin and continue a successful LIFESTYLE CHANGE! Have you tried WeightWatchers before? If so, what was your experience like?! Sound off in the comments! Head over to WeightWatchers.com and sign up! I was given a WeightWatchers membership in return for my honest opinion as a member of the FitspirationForMoms community. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own. :)
All Images in this post are (C) WeightWatchers.
 Hi everyone! Happy 2013! I know for most, the new year is a symbol of new beginnings. Some of these new "beginnings" have rather quick "endings," but if you are anything like me, there is one thing that you frequently wish for: More Time, Less Stress! I have stumbled upon a fantastic website and program that does just that! I am so excited to tell you about it!
According to the eMeals website, "eMeals is the simple dinner solution for busy people who want to spend their money wisely and their time with people they love. eMeals is the easy way to be organized, have a well-managed grocery budget and enjoy healthy dinners at home."
How awesome is that? It's for 1. Busy People 2. Frugal people and 3. For those who want to spend more time with those they love! That all equals LESS STRESS to me!
As a part of their blogger network, I was given a year-long subscription to their dinner menus. Let me tell you! They are awesome! You can choose which menu you would like to receive, and even change the category of your menus once a month! They have menu types for everyone! There are menus for the following: Classic Meals, Clean Eating, Simple Gourmet, Paleo, Low Carb, Low Fat, Portion Control, Natural and Organic, Gluten Free, and Vegetarian! Everyone's diet pretty much falls into one of those categories!
The great thing about these menus is that they come with cooking instructions as well as a SHOPPING LIST! Yes! That's right! A categorized shopping list, that even incorporates sales at the local stores. I frequently shop at Wal-Mart for our groceries so the menu has the current prices for that store. Each week my family meals have been budgeted at about $80/week.
Another great thing, is that they are healthy and are portioned out for the right calories, etc! It's hard to do all of the work to meet dietary restrictions, portion sizes, and so on as well as all my other weekly duties! It is awesome that eMeals does it for me!
There you go! We currently receive the "portion control" menu and it definitely has assisted me in staying in my calorie goal and even BELOW!
The fact that I have lost 8 lbs since following my menu should speak VOLUMES! The best thing is, the food is good, has great variety, and is very satisfying!
 Can we say YUM?! To get you started on the right track, one of the main things you need to do is to track your calories and food intake! Please enjoy the free printable below sponsored by eMeals to get you started!  Click to enlarge and then R-Click to save :) Diet is extremely important, but so is exercise! How do you plan to reach your health goals to #GetHealthy and #GetOrganized in 2013? Sound off in the comments below! I would love to hear your ideas!
Disclaimer: eMeals did provide me a free year-long subscription as a part of their blogger network! The ideas and opinions expressed in this post are my own! :o) Are you a blogger who is interested in joining the eMeals Blogger Network? Please head over to HERE and be sure to tell them you were referred by Amber @ The Introspective Teacher!
Seeing Double! Keurig Vue V700 Event Hosted by Mom To Bed by 8 and Donna’s Deals and More Brew with a Vue. Keurig has done it again with an entirely new brewing system that gives you more of the tasty beverages you love, exactly the way you want them. Now, you can decide how strong you want your coffee to taste and how hot, no matter how big or small your cup is! From creamy hot chocolate to delicious iced teas and frothy cafe beverages, the Keurig Vue V700 delivers the size, strength, and consistency you love, with every single-serving.
Still deliciously simple. At just the touch of a button, Keurig's revolutionary Custom Brew Technology adjusts water pressure, timing, and airflow to deliver the perfect cup of coffee or tea every time. You'll love the Vue's quiet operation and shortened steep time, as it whips up cafe-quality treats in a matter of minutes. Plus, there's no grinding beans, measuring, or cleanup needed--just add water and enjoy.
Countertop coffee shop. With the Keurig Vue system, you get the single-serve brewer with interactive touchscreen display, 66 Vue packs and a water filtration kit. And, for your convenience, it comes with two 16-oz iced coffee tumblers to get you started right out of the box.
Well, if that isn't the pot calling the Keurig fabulous! - Includes Keurig V700 Vue Brewer, 10 Variety Vue packs, 12 travel-sized Breakfast Vue packs, 12 Vue House Blend Vue packs, 16 Donut Shop Vue packs, 16 Celestial Iced Tea Vue packs, two 16-oz tumblers, and a water filter kit
- Variety pack includes one each of Gloria Jean Hazelnut Coffee, Timothy's Decaf, Tully's French Roast, Celestial Seasoning Southern Sweet Tea, Green Mountain Breakfast Blend travel-sized, Celestial Seasoning Sleepytime, Barista Prima Italian Roast, Cafe Escape Milk Chocolate, GMC Nantucket Blend, and Donut Shop
- Tumblers: plastic/acrylic construction
- Colored touchscreen user interface
- Eight brew sizes: 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, 12 oz, 14 oz, 16 oz, and 18 oz
- 74-oz water reservoir
- Brew coffee from 187F to 197F
- Strength selection for stronger flavor
- Removable drip tray with adjustable plate
- Vue packs are #5 recyclable plastic
One winner will receive a Keurig Vue V700 + K-Cups! Giveaway ends January 20th at 11:59pm, open to US & Canada, ages 18+. To enter please use the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck! Special thank you to our co-hosts: Penny Auctions Canada, Homeschooling Mom 4 Two, Simply Sherryl, The Dragyn's Lair, Spend With Pennies, Sparkles and a Stove, Freebie Spot, The Frugal Batavian, Cherished Handmade Treasures, Iowa Mom, Just Davey and Me, My Four Littles, Down South Savings, Powered By Mom and Baby Costcutters! a Rafflecopter giveaway Disclosure: I received no compensation for this publication. My opinions are my own and may differ from those of your own. The Introspective Teacher is not responsible for sponsor prize shipment. Please contact Mom Powered Media with questions or to see your business or blog featured on the next big event!
 Photo from Quest Nutrition Recently I was given the opportunity to try a new product from a great company. Quest Nutrition sent me a sample of their "Quest Cravings" High Protein Peanut Butter Cups.
At first when I saw the product, I was a bit skeptical. I have tried every fad diet there is, and several of the "bars" that come along with those diets, taste terrible....ESPECIALLY anything with peanut butter. They normally have a really bad after taste and just do not satisfy my sweet tooth in the way it needs to be settled.
After ONE BITE of Quest Cravings High Protein Peanut Butter Cups, I knew these were special! The taste was fantastic and they were so filling. In each pack, there are two large peanut butter cups. I couldn't even eat the 2nd one, because the first one hit the spot. The taste is fantastic. The peanut butter has a bit more of a grainy texture than regular peanut butter, but it is definitely not bad! There is a little aftertaste, but again, nothing to stop me from enjoying these babies again!
Then, I gave the left over peanut butter cup to my 4 year old. She loved it! I smiled as she ate it because she thought it was a "typical" peanut butter cup (you know, the ones in the orange package that are NOT HEALTHY at all?!) and didn't bat an eye! *insert devious parent smirk here* V I C T O R Y!!!
I knew that the true test would come to my husband. As a budding chef and overall foodie, I knew he would be hard to convince. Not to mention, he LOVES peanut butter cups...they are his favorite "junk!" He loved it! He said they were very satisfying and filling. Had no terrible aftertaste and that he would definitely eat them again. He said that Quest Cravings taste more "real". It tastes like the ingredients are whole. The peanut butter actually tastes like yummy peanut butter and not just pure sugar! Success! Something healthy that everyone in my family loves!
Recently, I jumped on the Question Nutrition Website to see if there were any ingredient and label comparisons that illustrate exactly how much better these goodies are than the candy in the junk food aisle. See the images below:
Courtesy of Quest Nutriton
You have to love the ingredient list! Look how SHORT it is, and you can easily discover what EVERY ITEM on this list. It is all easy to pronounce and is pretty familiar to you! The only item I was not familiar with was "Lo Han Guo" and according to Wikipedia: It is a Chinese fruit sometimes called the "longevity fruit." So it is, something very natural! (I LOVE!)
Overall, Quest Nutrition has definitely earned my loyalty! I will continue to trust in these babies to give me a burst of protein and energy, without the guilt of eating JUNK!
What are you waiting for? Head over to Quest Nutrition and check out all of their other great products as well!
You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter@QuestNutrition ! Be sure to add them and tell them you heard about them from The Introspective Teacher!
Have you tried Quest Nutrition Protein Bars? If so, leave a comment and tell me what you thought of them! I need to know which ones to try next!!!!
~A
Quest Nutriton did provide The Introspective Teacher a complimentary sample of Quest Cravings Protein Peanut Butter Cups. They did not compensate me in any other way for this post. The words and opinions expressed in this review are my own! If you don't believe me, try them for yourself and I BET you will have a similar opinion ;)
Now that Thanksgiving and Christmas has come and gone.... there is an issue that I am constantly having a mental battle with, and would love some insight from others.
What do you do if you have part of your family that wants no involvement or has no involvement with you or your children?
Here's a little background on where this question is coming from:
I grew up in a home with married parents and a brother. We are very involved in each others lives and talk often. My brother and I both had contact with both my mom's side of the family and my dad's side of the family. Both of their parents were also married until the death of one of their spouses. During holidays, we would split time with both families. We would invite my mom's mom (Mama) over for Thanksgiving dinner and then later that afternoon go to my Dad's side of the family. Christmas was flipped...we would go to my Dad's side of the family on Christmas Eve and then on Christmas we would invite over my mom's side. Both sides were genuinely interested and involved in our lives. I never could imagine life any other way...until I got married.
My husband is a true family man..although his family is not. His dad and all of his dad's side of the family have passed away. However, his mother and her husband, and my husband's three siblings on his mom's side all live about a mile or two from our home---same town..just the other side of town. (We only have about 3500 in our town..so it's SMALL) They have no want or concern for us at all...unless they need something. I know that sounds really rude and crude on my behalf to say, but unfortunately, we literally only hear from them if we need anything. My daughter is now 4 and has had limited interaction with her Grandma. Both of my Grandma's have passed away and boy, what I wouldn't give to visit with them again.....and I know when they were alive, they saw and interacted with me as much as possible. I feel like my daughter is truly missing out by not being surrounded by ALL of her family members.
Now, my mother in law lived with us for about 2 months this summer due to a domestic dispute she had with her husband. It looked like it was going to be a long term thing, so we were doing our best to get her set up with lawyers, court dates, etc. Most importantly, she was spending every day with my daughter. Munchkin loved it! She got to be around a grandma that she didn't know very well prior. Just when we were settling into a routine and things were looking more positive, I get a phone call that she's decided to go back home etc etc. I made sure to mention "Well, you have a granddaughter that now knows you well and has become very attached to you, so don't forget about her!"...the response I got was less than amusing. "Well, I'll have my husband set up my computer desk and I will e-mail her.". EMAIL HER? She's 4!!! She doesn't care about EMAIL..she cares about hugs, conversations, playing, etc..not EMAIL! This conversation happened in the end of September...and we have not seen or heard from her since. Not throughout the holidays, or anything. I could care less if she gets my daughter anything for Christmas..but knowing she gets her other son's child tons of things and supports them fully, it really ruffles my feathers. (My husband is the only child with a different dad, mind you.) Needless to say I feel bad for my husband as well because his own mother doesn't call on holidays, his birthday, or support him at all.
I'm not sure the entire focus of this post..but I really just want to know how others deal with this? Should I just quit trying to force someone to be a member of the family when they don't want to be? Will my daughter resent me not doing more to ensure her other grandma is in her life? I'm just stuck at what to do. Do I have unrealistic expectations? I.Just.Don't.Know. Ever since I lost my uncle in October, I have felt like I should have taken my daughter around him more and just savored more time with him. And then here I have other family members that refuse that time..and we are not welcome at his mother's home....Let me know your thoughts, opinions, and situations...:)
I hope you all had a blessed holiday season!
2013 is right around the corner! We are currently stuck at home with 14" of snow knocking at our door :P
Until next time,
~A
P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaways down my blog! :o)
"Couponcodename10off" through January 10, 2013. One Lucky Winner will win a $50 Gift Certificate to Shabby Apple! Must be in the Continental U.S. and 18+. Good luck!
The Introspective Teacher received no compensation for this post, and is not responsible for prize shipment.
I am So excited to be able to team up with MDM and Blue Kangaroo to bring you this AWESOME giveaway! You do NOT want to miss this! Enter now!! :)
This is a giveaway like no other! You will not believe the PRIZES we have for you!! We're giving away multiple prizes including Gift Cards, KitchenAid Mixer, Keurig Mini, a Dyson, and a believe it or not...a 3 month paid internship! This is a full 3 week event with prizes all throughout! Make sure to keep coming back to not only do daily entries but to check the winners list! About our Sponsor What’s the Roo found for you? ™ Blue Kangaroo is a personal search engine for deals. Tell it what brands and products you’re looking for, and the Roo will start scouring the deal universe for the best offers to match. Through Web and mobile applications, Blue Kangaroo’s mission in life is to make sure you always get the right offer at the right time. “The Roo” is already monitoring deals from most major brands, flash sales, daily deals, loyalty programs, and even lots of local offers, too. It displays offers in a colorful format that’s fun to browse, kind of like Pinterest. With the Roo, you can…
Explore the deal universe
Follow offers from any brand or product you like
De-clutter your inbox. Convert all of the marketing emails you’re currently getting in your Yahoo or Gmail personal inbox into just one crisp email every morning, letting you preview all of them quickly at a glance – a big time saver. (Note: this marketing-inbox service is strictly optional for contest entrants.)
Helping others this holiday. The Roo is new startup designed by a small community of deal-lovers, many of them formerly from Yahoo. They have a strong commitment to helping others. During December, for example, Blue Kangaroo’s commission from all purchases by new members who elect to do so will be 100% donated to their choice of charity, including American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, and the United Way. A great time to get acquainted with Blue Kangaroo!
To participate in the contest activities by Madame Deals, ALWAYS link to Blue Kangaroo through this special tracking url: http://chzn.me/rc5 Otherwise, your activities may not be credited properly toward the contests.
You can find Blue Kangaroo on their Website, Facebook and Twitter. Prizes and Winner's List
(Prizes shown in images are just a representation and may not be exact prizes awarded. We will update the winner's list as they are drawn from the Rafflecopter so make sure you keep checking back and checking your emails for notification). Gift Cards
Dec. 17 $10 -
Dec. 19 $15 -
Dec. 21 $20 -
Dec. 23 $25 -
Dec. 27 $30 -
Dec. 30
Keurig -
(Keurig B31 Mini Brewer or $100 in Amazon credit)
Jan. 3
KitchenAid -
(KitchenAid KSM75WH Classic Plus Tilt-Head 4-1/2-Quart Stand Mixer or $270 Amazon Credit)
Drawn on Jan. 6
Dyson -
(Dyson DC24 Multi-Floor Compact Upright Vacuum Cleaner or $400 Amazon Credit)
Internship
(You can choose whether or not you'd like to compete for the Internship. Each week the Top Deal Finder will be listed based on effort put forth. Final 3 candidates will be interviewed and one will be chosen for the paid Internship at $200/mo for a 3 month term. Prize can not be exchanged for cash value. If forfeited, Internship will go to next candidate if qualified).
Week 1 Top Deal Finder -
Week 2 Top Deal Finder -
Week 3 Top Deal Finder -
Final Results
Paid Internship Spot -
($200/mo salary (paid in hourly wage) for 3 mo.)
1st Runner Up -
(1 hour consult with Madame Deals)
2nd Runner Up -
(1/2 hour consult with Madame Deals)
How To Enter
You will enter via the Rafflecopter below and will be able to come back and do daily entries.
Entries will be as follows:
1. Register and "Get Started" with Blue Kangaroo.
(see here if you need help and for "how to")
2. Find 3 Deals you like on Blue Kangaroo and use the sites “share function” to share those deals to Facebook, Twitter or Email. (must share to anyone other than yourself)
3. New Daily Deal - you can earn additional entries daily for sharing a new deal or adding new deals to your board if you created one.
4. Internship - Sign me up! I'd like to compete for the job!
(Find out more about the Internship from Madame Deals. If you'd like to compete for this 3 month job, you'll be doing all of the above and then instead of adding 3 deals to your board, you'll add 10 deals. We're looking for the Top Deal Finder.
Someone who has great social media interaction, who shares their board and deals on their social media, who finds the best deals, etc. It will be a little bit based on chance when we draw from the list of participants but then we'll be looking over your boards so it will also be based on your skill of deal finding. You can watch Blue Kangaroo's Twitter feed and Facebook status's for helpful deal finding tips too! And may the best deal finder win!!)
Contest will start at 12/16/12 12:00 am EST and end on 1/5/13 at 11:59 pm EST.
Enter via the Rafflecopter Below.
Good Luck!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blogs are not responsible for prize fulfillment. Sponsor will be sending the prizes.
Winning entrant will be emailed and be given 48 hours to respond before another reader is chosen.
Giveaway is open to US and Canada residents only. Complete giveaway terms and conditions.
|
RSS Feed