Archives for October 2017

Glow in the Dark Fun With Super Wubble Brite!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Wubble Ball. As always, opinions are my own.

You have seen me write about the Super Wubble Bubble Balls before – but now they have a NEW fun Wubble that glows in the dark! The Super Wubble Brite is the newest creation in the line of Wubble Balls. I mean who doesn’t want to play with a huge, light-up bubble?

Super Wubble Brite

Just the idea of the Wubble balls are pure genius! Frank, a father of four children, is the mastermind behind the Wubble ball. “So one day, while blowing giant bubbles in front of our house, one of my kids said “I hate when my bubbles pop! I wish I could play with them!” I had heard this from all my kids over the years, time and time again. But this time, I really took it to heart because my two little ones truly looked disappointed that they couldn’t actually play with their bubbles. And so began the quest to make this wish come true.”

The Super Wubble Brite is made of even stronger material than the original Super Wubbles. Whether playing with it indoors or outdoors, you can kick it, whack it, throw it, bounce it, or sit on it. It floats, wobbles, dribbles, spins, and smashes. Plus, deflate it for storage until you’re ready to play again.

Super Wubble Brite

It also includes a flashing light for glow-in-the dark fun! Simply press the button on the light to illuminate the Super Wubble Brite ball. The ball will flash for a total of 20 seconds before the light will stop and need to be pressed again. The Super Wubble Brite ball looks really cool lit up at night and is a lot of fun to play with in the dark.

Not only can the kids have a blast with this ball for hours, it can be done inside or outside. And with winter hot on our heels, having something fun and entertaining that can be played with inside and isn’t a video game is great for parents. Plus, these Wubble balls are affordable enough to make great gifts for the upcoming holiday season!

Super Wubble Brite

Wubbles can be kicked, thrown, bounced, and sat on. They’re super strong and able to withstand even the rowdiest bunch of kids. You can find Wubbles in a few different versions. Super Wubble, Water Wubble, Wubble Brite, Wubble X, and Tiny Wubble are all guaranteed to entertain kids (and adults) for hours.

The Super Wubble Brite brings the Wubble to an entirely new level. It lights up red, green, and blue from the inside for hours of entertainment both indoors and outdoors. It’s super fun to play with at night – imagine the game of Dodgeball you could get going with it! How about a Wubble Dance party? The adults would have just as much fun as the kids!

Super Wubble Brite

Kids popped the ball? No problem! You can even repair it with the patch kit. The Super Wubble Brite is for ages 6 and up. The giant size and squishy feel of the ball will be hard for any kid and adult to pass up. The ball looks and feels cool, especially when the lights are going and you’re playing a game of catch in the dark.

Click here to enter to win your OWN Super Wubble Brite!! a Rafflecopter giveaway

#sponsored Cold and Flu Season Giveaway #ColdFluPrep #SickJustGotReal

Tis the season, and I sadly don’t mean the Holiday season. It is the beginning of Cold and Flu Season and the perfect time to start preparing for what may come. Your first line of defense is prevention. Sometimes also the best answers are the simplest when it comes to this topic. SOAP!

My #1 trick is wash your hands. I know, we have all heard this before, but there is a reason for it being repeated so often. It’s true! The minute you come in the door, wash your hands. Kids playing with their toys? Wash their hands. Handling books from the library? Wash your hands. Before every meal and after every playdate. Get into the habit of good hygiene and hand washing.

This goes hand in hand with #2, Don’t touch your face. All those germs you come in contact with, that you haven’t had a chance to wash off yet, let them stay on your hands. Don’t bring them up to your eyes, nose, and mouth. Start to pay attention to how often your hands make contact with your face and think a little about what you have come in contact with recently. Would you ever touch your face to a bathroom door handle?

Now no matter how careful you are there are still going to be times those sneaky little germs get past your guard. This is what you need to prepare for. You don’t want to be running to the store at 1am for Children’s Advil when you can have it already stocked. Or run out of kid’s Robitussin just when your little one needs it. On a cold night there is nothing worse than a long drive to find a 24 Hour store.

So #3, Be prepared to nip these illnesses in the bud before they bloom! There is nothing to bring you down like a full blown cold, but with a well stocked medicine chest you will be ready to stop infections right away. Don’t ignore the symptoms. Treat them right away and get back on track for your whole family.

So to help with #3 we are excited to be offering a $25 virtual Visa gift card and additional Pfizer pediatric products to a lucky winner. You will receive 1 Children’s Advil® Suspension, 1 Children’s Robitussin ® DM Day/Night Pack, and 1 Children’s Dimetapp® Cold & Cough. Stock up now for the Cold and Flu Season and save yourself a lot of headaches later.

*Please note, the virtual gift card can be used for online purchases only.

Feel free to enter by using the RC code below. Ends Nov 30, 2017. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 Great Places to Start Over

Are you going through a life transition? If so, this is perfect time to move. Far too often, we get stuck in the same place surrounded by the same people doing the same old thing. If something is forcing your hand or if you simply need a change, a move to someplace new may be just the thing you need. For example, moving to Texas or a new part of the country will present you will more opportunities for growth.

Now, you just must decide where you want to spend this new life season. Take it from me – some cities are just better for reinventing your life. There are places where more people relocate making it easier to settle in as a newcomer than others. Plus, there are places that are awesome for putting down new roots. To help you get started, consider the following cities that all appear on the U.S. News 100 Best Places to Live in the USA list.

1. Austin, Texas

Ranked number one on this list is Austin, Texas. Austin is weird – and its weirdness makes it the perfect place for you to start over. It’s eclectic music and food scenes draw people from all walks of life. It is often referred to as the “Portland of the South.” If you are considering moving to Texas, Austin is an excellent choice (especially of those wishing to escape ice cold Northern winters).

2. Denver, Colorado

Denver was ranked number one on this list for a few years until Austin bumped it to spot number two. But, spot number two is nothing to be ashamed of! Denver is stunning, and it offers outdoor adventures like nowhere else in America. Also, home to sports teams and museums, you will always have something to keep you busy. From a vibrant downtown to the scenic Rocky Mountains, nature lovers and hippies will both love calling Denver home.

3. Washington, DC

If you are craving life in the city, there is no better place to head than Washington, DC. Its role in history past, present, and future make DC a place that people do not want to just come and visit – it is a place people want to live! You will have direct access to amazing schools, outstanding museums, fantastic public parks, and a front row seat to what is happening in politics.

4. Atlanta, GA

Atlanta is another excellent place to start over. Known for being a bustling city and cultural melting pot, people from all over the world call Atlanta home. Home to several professional sports teams, museums, and entertainment venues, citizens of Atlanta always have something to keep them busy. Plus, the surrounding suburbs offer a peaceful escape from the city life for those who would rather commute.

5. Seattle, WA

For those who need to get back to nature, Seattle is a great choice. Mountains and water surround Seattle, making it a beautiful place to call home. Additionally, the locals just seem to be more peaceful here than other parts of the country. Seattle is laid-back and easy. Plus, it doesn’t rain nearly as much as you would expect. If you need some respite, Seattle may be the right scenery and the right culture for you.

No matter what has brought you to this life transition – a new career, a divorce, a quest for adventure – a move is a wonderful way to discover someplace new and learn something about yourself. A move forces you out of your comfort zone, both literally and figuratively. You do not have to stay in the same place. Make the move today!

Visiting Niagara on a Budget

Most people think that visiting the more popular tourist sites like Niagara is prohibitively expensive for those on a tight budget. In reality, it is still possible to do it and have a good time. You just need to follow some of my tips and tricks below.

Choose your accommodation wisely

One of the biggest expenses you will face is your accommodation. If you want to, you can treat yourself to a single night in one of the big hotels like the Niagarafalls Marriott. Offpeak, they offer surprisingly affordable rooms and regularly have special offers. So, it is always worth checking what is available. That way you will not end up spending the same amount of money to stay in a hotel further away and can still enjoy a taste of luxury. If you are planning to stay in the area for longer you can always move hotels and stay somewhere cheaper.

Take the more affordable tours

There are numerous ways to see the falls. If you want you can just enjoy them from afar. You can get panoramic views from several viewing platforms and towers. The entrance fee for all of them is not high. You can see them for free by following the hiking trail near the edge of the falls.

However, ideally, you want to get close to the action. Doing this is the only way you can truly experience the power for the waterfalls and provide you with an unforgettable experience.

You can get on a boat trip that takes you to the base of the falls. However, a cheaper way to do it is to join the Cave of the Winds tour. It costs less than $10. You take an elevator through the cliff face and walk along a wooden walkway at the base of the Bridal Veil Falls. It really is breathtaking, but be prepared to get wet. A free plastic parka and sandals are provided. If you are planning to take other tours or trips near the edge of the falls hang onto those because you are going to need them.

Pack a lunch

As with all tourist destinations, food in the immediate area of the falls can be expensive. It is therefore usually better to pack a light lunch. If you prefer to eat out just check out the buses and take one to a nearby town that has some cafes or restaurants with good reviews. These little trips allow you to see more of the area that way.

Enjoy some of the free activities

The Falls are set in a natural park, which you can hike through. This activity is fun, interesting and best of all free. If you like free attractions, this article lists some of the best ones.

Buy tickets in advance

If there are other things you would like to do while in the area, for example, visit the butterfly park you can often save money by booking in advance. Lots of attractions regularly post offers online and you can sometimes get your hands on vouchers. Generally speaking, buying a pass is the best way to enjoy several attractions for a discounted price.

 

Cleaning with Mean Green – Keep Germs Away

It’s cold and flu season, and this time of year it’s extra important to keep the house clean. The kids bring home everything they touch at school- the one thing they ALWAYS share is germs- and it’s up to you to keep their take-homes off your spaces. Mean Green is great- they have a multitude of products to choose from, and it’s easy to keep them handy as you need them.

The Mean Green® Super Strength Heavy Duty Wipes are really great to keep around and very handy- they are “specially formulated to out-clean other brands on tough grease and grime. Easily removes grease, grime, oil, adhesives, and other tough messes from various surfaces. It’s ideal for the kitchen, bathroom, workshop, garage, DIY projects, construction sites, commercial cleaning, in the home, or on the move”. I keep some under the sink for those “fun” messes boys like to make near the toilet, as well as in the kitchen for spills and stickiness that paper towels just can’t deal with. They make fast work of these and more.

 

Easy to use, and effective, Mean Green works well on sinks, floors, bathtubs- and beyond. Better yet? The first time.

The entire Mean Green line are great cleaners and work great for their specific specialties.  I would highly suggest grabbing a few at your local retailer.

“Annie” at Papermill Playhouse

annie musical

Annie , the world’s best-loved family musical returns to Paper Mill Playhouse just in time for the holidays. Little Orphan Annie is taken from her orphanage, and the clutches of cruel Miss Hannigan, to stay at billionaire Oliver Warbucks’ mansion for the holidays. When Annie wins the hearts of Warbucks and his staff, they set out on an epic mission to find Annie’s parents. Winner of the Best Musical Tony Award, Annie includes such unforgettable songs as “It’s the Hard-Knock Life,” “Easy Street,” “A New Deal for Christmas,” plus the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.”

The principal cast will feature Paper Mill Playhouse favorite Tony Award winner Beth Leavel as the irascible Miss Hannigan and Tony Award nominee Christopher Sieber as Oliver Warbucks, Erin Mackey as Grace Farrell, Cooper Grodin as Rooster Hannigan, Kim Sava as Lily St. Regis, Kevin Pariseau as Franklin D. Roosevelt, and alternating in the role of Annie are Peyton Ella and Cassidy Pry.

The production team includes original set design by Beowulf Boritt, scenic coordination by Jared Rutherford, original costume design by Susan Benzinger, costume design for Paper Mill Playhouse by Leon Dobkowski, lighting design by Charlie Morrison, sound design by Randy Hansen, hair, wig and makeup design by Leah J. Loukas, and animals by William Berloni. The production stage manager is Victoria Navarro. Casting is by Telsey + Company, Rebecca Scholl, CSA.

Performances begin Wednesday, November 22, 2017, for a limited run through Sunday, December 31, 2017 at Paper Mill Playhouse (22 Brookside Drive) in Millburn, NJ. Opening Night is Sunday evening, November 26, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.  Visit https://papermill.org to get your tickets.

Dangers and Benefits of HGH

Using HGH is a great way to boost your productivity in sports alongside with modeling your perfect body. Not to mention tremendous HGH benefits for your health, these factors themselves paint a rather attractive picture. However, no matter how sad it may sound, there is no miraculous cure. Even HGH with all its pluses still has some downsides if there is either too much or too little of it in your body.

Excess of HGH

An excess of HGH in the body commonly leads to a pituitary tumor consisting of somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland, called somatotroph adenomas. The adenoma grows slowly and progressively begins to manufacture more and more HGH. When the adenoma becomes large enough, it can cause severe headaches, vision impairment by putting pressure on the optic nerves and displace other pituitary hormones, thus causing their deficiency.

A prolonged excess would cause thickening of bones in the jaw, fingers and toes (called acromegaly), pressure on the nerves resulting in carpal tunnel syndrome, muscular weakness, extra production of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), type-2 diabetes (an uncommon form) and decreased sexual function.

Often recognized in a person’s 50’s, a pituitary tumor created due to excessive HGH may cause excessive growth (known as pituitary gigantism). This tumor rarely occurs in childhood.

HGH Deficiency

Depending on the age of an individual, Growth Hormone Deficiency (GHD) effects differently on their health. In children, congenital malformations and genetics cause deficiency of HGH, which can lead to:

  • Short stature

  • Late growth for developmental age

  • Delayed puberty onset

  • Chubbiness (especially around the waist)

  • The child will look younger compared to others of his or her age

  • Prominent forehead

  • Slow growth of hair and teeth

  • Less than 2 inches of growth in height each year

In adults, GHD symptoms include:

  • Decreased energy and increased exhaustion

  • Less endurance

  • Decreased muscle mass

  • Decreased bone density and accelerated osteoporosis

  • Weight gain (especially around the waist)

  • Increased LDL cholesterol levels

  • Psychological problems including anxiety, issues with concentration, memory loss and depressed mood

  • Thin and dry skin and hair loss

  • Constant exhaustion

  • Increased risk of heart disease

  • Resistance to insulin

Although growth hormone deficiency is rare in adulthood, it can occur due to various conditions including:

  • Congenital causes, i.e. present since birth and related to an abnormal pituitary gland

  • Damage to the pituitary caused by radiation therapy for the head, a structural lesion, trauma, intracranial diseases or other such conditions

  • A pituitary adenoma

  • A continuation of a childhood problem

  • Acquired later in life (caused by infections, trauma, injury, brain tumors, radiation or surgery)

  • A very rare idiopathic form (of unknown cause)

  • Slow muscular and motor development (specifically motor milestones like standing, walking, jumping, etc.)

  • Delayed teeth growth

  • Hypoglycemia

  • Repeated jaundice occurrences

  • Episodic seizures

It is also important to differentiate between GHD acquired through medical conditions and normal ageing. In normal ageing, the natural production of HGH by the pituitary gland begins to decline.

Side Effects of HGH

The misuse or excessive use of HGH can bring:

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome marked by feeling “pins and needles” on the palms and fingers, especially if strain is placed on the wrist (during workouts); however, this is a temporary side effect which fades away lower dosage

  • Water retention, which leads to the fingers feeling swollen and the face looking fuller

  • Morning aches characterized by slight pain in the fingers, toes, joints and muscles; however, the pain goes away after a few minutes of waking up

  • Hypoglycemia manifested in a sudden burst of hunger and a drop in blood sugar

  • Acromegaly, which is the enlargement of fingers, bones and organs

  • Hypothyroidism, which is a deficiency in the thyroid hormone’s production

  • Nausea

  • Dizziness

  • Respiratory infection

  • Numbness of the skin

  • Moderate edema which is swelling caused by fluid in the body’s tissue

  • Headaches

  • Joint pain

  • Short-term type-2 diabetes

  • Nerve, muscle or joint pain

  • High cholesterol levels

  • Growth of cancerous tumors

These side effects can be very severe for a person abusing human growth hormone, however, they can be avoided easily with proper guidance. One of the easiest ways to avoid the short-term side effects of HGH (like carpal tunnel syndrome or water retention) is to lower the dose taken per day.

Even with such risky side effects, HGH is still widely used by lots of people and is prescribed by medical professionals for certain conditions.

Uses of HGH

Children with the following conditions are prescribed HGH by medical professionals:

  • Turner’s syndrome (a genetic disorder which impacts a girl’s development)

  • Prader-Willi syndrome (a genetic disorder which causes poor muscle tone, decrease in sex hormones and continuous hunger)

  • Incessant kidney disease

  • HGH deficiency or insufficiency

  • Children born small for their age

In adults, HGH is prescribed for the following conditions:

  • Short bowel syndrome (a condition where the absorption of nutrients is improper because of an intestinal disease or the surgical removal of a portion of the small intestine)

  • Pituitary tumors caused by HGH deficiency

  • Muscle wasting caused by AIDS/HIV

Other than its medical uses, HGH is taken for other purposes including:

  • Body building

  • Anti-aging

  • Weight loss

  • By athletes for gaining muscle mass and performance enhancement

  • Improving sex life

HGH often offers desired results when used right.

Benefits of HGH

The benefits of HGH for both men and women include:

  • Reduction of fat by accelerating lipolysis

  • Increased muscle mass and strength by promoting the synthesis of collagen in the skeletal muscles and tendons

  • The tightening of skin, which leads to the disappearance of wrinkles

  • Increased cardiovascular function, which leads to increased vitality and reduced risk for cardiovascular diseases

  • The growth of hair (which becomes thicker as well)

  • Libido and sexual performance are increased

  • Improved vision and hearing

  • Faster healing of wounds and fractures through the application of IGF-1

  • Increased endurance

  • Enhanced energy and less fatigue

  • Improved mood (reduction in mood swings and depression)

  • Decreased joint and muscle pain that is a natural result of aging

  • Enhanced metabolism

  • Increased growth of lean tissue

  • Better sleep quality

  • Improved blood pressure

  • Relief from muscle wasting associated to diseases like AIDS/HIV

  • Prevention of osteoporosis

HGH Benefits for women include:

  • Avoidance of premature aging of the body (including sagging of breasts, belly fat and the wrinkles)

  • Enhancement of the immune system

  • Helps menopausal and perimenopausal symptoms

  • Improvement in the elasticity of the skin, which leads to elimination of wrinkles

The psychological benefits of HGH include:

  • Improved quality of life by promoting emotional and mental well-being, thus boosting mood and decreasing depression

  • Improved cognitive functioning including memory, learning and concentration

The benefits of HGH are endless and they can be seen within an instant after taking the first dose. The timeline of the effects is quite satisfying. Compared to all these benefits, the potential dangers of HGH seem less scary and even appear easy to avoid.

 

The 5 best visual development and web design professional services of 2017

Despite the huge amounts of websites that are being set up each day, not every one of those will end up to be highly-optimized for their specific purposes. Some still fail to come up with a fast-loading and user-friendly web interface, making visitors leave their site without having any interactions. Some blogs may not be well-designed or are overly ornamented, making the readers more confused than interested in checking out some more pages.

 

If you are planning to set up your own website for your personal blog, online shop, organization, or company alone, then you are up for a really great challenge. Even if you consider yourself as highly literate in computer programming, web design, and development, doing a huge project by yourself will definitely take you a lot of time, effort, and resources. That is why it is recommended that you tap the services of professional web designers and developers to help you create the website that you have always wanted.

 

And to help you with this, here are the five best visual development and web design professional services that you can hire this 2017 (listed in no particular order).

 

  1. Big Drop, Inc.

 

Have you ever wanted to own a website that you can fully customize depending on the needs of your clients and target consumers? If so, then Big Drop, Inc. can help you in reaching your goal. This digital marketing agency is based in New York City but also caters its services to other US states and European countries as well. Big Drop, Inc. is composed of experienced and renowned professionals who specialize in web design, content development, digital marketing, and animated video production.

 

  1. Ruckus Marketing

 

For sizeable companies and organizations that require stable e-commerce websites to process loads of data, Ruckus Marketing should be your number one choice. This agency is also based in New York City and they take pride in a portfolio of projects, all of which turned out to be very successful. Moreover, they are one of the leading companies when it comes to optimizing your website for mobile use.

 

  1. Web Wizards

 

When it comes to being a complete one-stop shop for all your website needs, Web Wizards is the one that you should trust. This Australian-based digital marketing company can help you set up well-designed and functional websites with in-house support for businesses based in Perth. Web Wizards can also help your website achieve high search engine rankings and initiate online marketing campaigns using proven effective and long-term techniques. Experience Web Wizards Marketing magic online now and get the best out of your website.

 

  1. Iflexion

 

Nothing beats Iflexion when it comes to having proven track record in the industry and understanding the needs of different website owners and consumers. Established in 1999, Iflexion has served hundreds of successful companies including eBay, Xerox, Adidas, and more. For almost two decades, the company has provided unparalleled service on application development and integration, web interface design and function, security consultations, maintenance, and support, among others.

 

  1. Blue Fountain Media

 

Blue Fountain Media is also an experienced company which has been providing quality service since 2003; earning several recognitions and awards in the process. The agency’s creative team has provided great service and reliable support to B2B and B2C companies, e-commerce industries, academic institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Their areas of specialization include digital marketing strategy and consultations, web designing, and mobile application development, and more.