Disney Villainous: The Worst Takes It All from Ravensburger Wins “Toy of the Year” Award at Toy Fair 2019

Toy Fair Booth 2019 – Ravensburger, the German toy company loved worldwide for its high-quality puzzles, toys and games and celebrating its 135th anniversary, wins “Toy of the Year” award for Disney Villainous: The Worst Takes It All. On the heels of this breakout success, Ravensburger today revealed the next in the Disney Villainous franchise, Wicked to the Core. The new game features three new villains – Hades from Hercules, Dr. Facilier from The Princess & the Frog, and the original fairest of them all, Evil Queen from the iconic Snow White.

“The positive response from Disney fans and strategy board game enthusiasts for the growing Disney Villainous franchise has been overwhelming. In the last quarter of 2018, Ravensburger sold more than a quarter of a million copies globally of Disney Villainous: The Worst Takes It All, and it rose to Top 5 of Amazon’s Most Wished for Board Games,” said Filip Francke, CEO of Ravensburger North America.  “Even before it hit shelves last summer, we knew we had a winner and had already begun working on the next in the franchise, Wicked to the Core.”

In the Disney Villainous series, players take on the persona of classic Disney’s most wicked characters. In the award-winning The Worst Takes It All edition, players compete as their favorite Disney Villain – Maleficent, Ursula, Jafar, Prince John, Queen of Hearts, or Captain Hook. Each Disney Villain has their own storyline based on the events of their films– Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Robin Hood, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan. While each player remains in their story realm, villains can foil their fellow outlaws by playing Hero cards, while inching ever closer to victory.

“To engage the fans in the process, we encouraged people to “Vote” for the Disney Villain they’d like to play. We were thrilled to see that our next trio of bad guys (and gal) – Hades, Dr. Facilier and Evil Queen – made the top 10 list of Disney Villains as voted by our fans,” added Francke.
Wicked to the Core incorporates new strategies, plot twists, and play dynamics and can be played either with two or three players as a stand-alone game or can expand up to a six-player game when paired with the original Disney Villainous game. Wicked to the Core will be available March 3 at Target for $24.99 and is suited for ages 10 and older.

Mezco Toys Press Preview #NewYorkToyFair

RePosting From Mezco-

At 9am sharp on Saturday morning, Mezco held it’s annual press event. Members of the press made their way to it’s booth, cameras in-hand, ready to see what is in store for this year.

mezco toys

As a thanks for attending, everyone that registered for our event received a goodie bag stuffed with Mezco swag. This year’s bag ran the gamut with products and included:

·      One:12 Collective Blade – Toy Fair Exclusive

·      One:12 Collective Gomez – Agent Edition

·      Mezco Toyz 2019 Toy Fair Catalog

·      Mezco Toyz dog tag with chain

·      Mezco Toyz lanyard

·      Gold Gomez pin

·      Rumble Society pin

·      Blind bagged Mez-Itz

While the press event may be over, Toy Fair is just getting started! Make sure you’re keeping up with us on social media to see everything the Mezco booth has to offer.

How to Keep Insects Away From Your Home During Spring

Come spring, the weather is warmer and it is a time to get comfortable in less-heavy clothing. Spring season is not only favorable for human beings, but also for notorious insects to wreak havoc. As spring kicks in, nature comes back to life after several months of the cold and snow. The insects that come with the warmer weather are not limited to bright flowers and green grass only. They have a tendency to follow their instincts which can lead them into the inside of your home.

The spring-time pests are annoying because they cause great stress and leave people uncomfortable and sleepless. Their presence during winter was fairly mild. This coming season, don’t allow pests to deprive you the peace and tranquility you had during winter. If it gets to that point, look for a professional such as joshuaspestcontrol.com to come and keep them away from your home. Before it reaches that point, here is some information on spring pests that will prove helpful.

Dealing with mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are disease-carrying insects that can give you sleepless nights. They are everywhere, except Antarctica and a few other places that experience prolonged winter periods. Mosquitoes can host various diseases and should be kept away from your home as much as possible.

To keep mosquitos away from your home this spring, observe some basic precautions such as not having stagnant water in your house. If you’re involved in an outdoor activity, try to stay covered as much as possible in activewear clothing for outdoors that covers almost all parts of your body. Alternatively, you can use mosquito repellents such as DEET and an outdoor repeller lantern. In case you start having flu-like symptoms which persist for about two days, visit a doctor.

Clear bushes around your home

Insects can get into your house through trees hanging close to your roof. Once on the roof, they can easily crawl through the vents and get into your structure. Shrubs or bushes are home to insects and once you have maintained a bush around your home, it is just a matter of time before the insects are moving in with you. You don’t want insects hovering around your living room. Actually, it would be good to have a foot of crushed stone around your house that is free from weeds.

Seal crevices, cracks and weep holes 

Experts recommend the use of sealants that can expand and contract depending on the weather conditions. You could have used some type of sealant during the winter season to seal these areas, but it can crack again and allow insects to get in during spring. It is, therefore, important for you to go for the right sealant and use a material such as copper mesh to seal off weep holes. Copper mesh is not prone to rusting and it can block insects from passing through wall void areas.

Mix up the mulch

While using leaves as mulch is a good idea, it is advisable to keep mulch around your house dry by thinning it out and turning it over. Generally, insects like decaying leaves, mulch or any other decaying organic matter. Additionally, you will want to time your sprinkler systems well in case they stay on longer. This could make water collect and form a pool that could attract insects, such as mosquitoes.

Do some screen and door repairs

You should repair any screen or door thresholds. Insects will invite themselves in as the weather gets warmer. Some glimpse of light can indicate weak seals. If you can see rays of light sipping through the door in the morning, it means that the weather stripping is not at its best and insects can find their way in.

Clean the gutters

Leaves can clog the gutters on your home and it is advisable for you to get rid of the debris before insects make it their home. Cockroaches will have a comfortable home in gutters because rotting leaves are an ideal hangout for them. Insects often crawl into your home after detecting radical environmental conditions. Insects will always want to move to a more suitable place after their habitat has been disrupted.

Outdoor lighting

Lighting at the front of your days can attract insects to your house. Insects tend to be attracted to brightness and it is advisable to switch off the lights at night or even use bulbs with lesser wavelengths.

Phenocal Review – The Best Weight Loss Pill in the Market

The Following is a Guest Post. All the opinions are those of the author alone, not endorsed by or not experienced by ourselves here at Have Sippy Will Travel. 

Losing weight can be tricky. Dropping even ten pounds can take a toll on someone physically, mentally, and emotionally. When the results that one expects don’t come through, it makes it five times harder. If only there were a quick solution or a magical way to drop excess fat. But unfortunately, there isn’t.

Through your weight loss journey, you may be wondering why you aren’t losing weight at the rate you want. Is it your diet? Do you need to change your workout routine? Maybe it’s just that your metabolism needs a bit of a kick. Phenocal is one of many best weight loss pills that may be a solution for your slow metabolism.

How Does it Work?

Phenocal is different from some of the weight loss supplements out there. Instead of utilizing pharmaceutical drugs or stimulants to aid with weight loss, this pill takes a different approach. Phenocal uses natural ingredients to give your body the nutrients it needs to burn fat and reduce new fat formation.

Apart from the latter, Phenocal’s goal is to suppress hunger to reduce cravings one has throughout the day. By keeping users of Phenocal fuller longer, they are less likely to eat or consume sweets emotionally. In turn, this may help people to focus more on consuming well-balanced meals. Quick weight loss may even be a result of this.

This pill additionally increases the metabolism and even boosts energy to make it easier to stay active. The fact that Phenocal speeds the metabolism is important. Research suggests that the metabolism is key when losing weight. One reason some struggle to lose weight, to begin with maybe because they genetically have a slower metabolic rate.

Key Ingredients:

The ingredients in any weight loss pill are important to look at. Knowing what Phenocal can give you an idea of what it may do for you. That said, let’s talk about the main ingredients of Phenocal and what they are claimed to do:

  • Vitamin B1 – Turns starches and sugars into a usable form of energy, allowing it to be burned during physical activity
  • Vitamin B2 – Helps burn fat and boost energy levels in the body
  • Vitamin B5 – Assist the body in breaking down proteins, carbs, and fats. In turn, it can aid with the weight loss process. May also help with stress
  • Vitamin B6 – Plays a key role in regulating the metabolism, thus, helping eliminate excess fat
  • Vitamin B12 – Boosts energy levels, allowing one to stay more physically active throughout the day
  • Biotin (vitamin H) – Breaks down food so that it can be used as energy
  • Folic acid – Helps create usable energy from stored fat
  • Glucomannan – Source of fiber. Makes one feel fuller, eat less, and drop weight. Also has the potential for lowering blood glucose and fat in the blood. May additionally provide better bowel function
  • Chromium – Assists with cravings, binge eating, and hunger – even for those who have emotional eating
  • Fucoxanthin – Slightly raises the body’s temperature to boost the metabolism
  • Hoodia Gordonii – Suppresses the appetite to reduce binge eating and to snack
  • Cocoa extract – Helps break down carbs and fats to reduce weight overall. May also decrease the appetite, boost energy, increase thermogenesis, and increase alertness
  • Bioperine – Improves the metabolism and aids with the proper absorption of other herbs, minerals, and nutrients
  • Green tea leaf extract – Reduces body fat by helping the body burn more calories quicker. May also aid with the detoxification process
  • 5 HTP – Reduces cravings and speeds up weight loss
  • CLA – Helps shed fat, especially in the legs and stomach

Other ingredients include vitamin D3 and B3, l-tyrosine, l-tryptophan, garcinia cambogia PE, yerba mate, coleus forskohlii, evodiamine, and black pepper.

How Effective is Phenocal?

Nobody wants a faulty product. But after researching the key ingredients of Phenocal, it makes better sense why and how it can work. For example, research shows that fucoxanthin, one ingredient in Phenocal, is an antioxidant that can reduce belly fat. Fucoxanthin is also said to prevent the growth of new fat.

Another ingredient in Phenocal, chromium, has been shown through research that it can stabilize blood sugar and eliminate starchy cravings. Starch is an important source of energy. However, the issue is that many starchy snacks contain chemicals, sugar, and preservatives. Eliminating or at least reducing these is important to lose weight.

Researching another ingredient in Phenocal, glucomannan, this again has been proven to help aid with the weight loss process. Being a type of dietary fiber, glucomannan plays an essential role when it comes to proper digestion and bowel movements.

How Safe is it to Use?

Reading each Phenocal reviews, it doesn’t seem that anyone has had safety concerns when using this product. The makers of this pill also state that the ingredients were properly researched before being put into this product. There are no fillers, chemicals, or artificial additives apart of Phenocal.

Additionally, this pill is manufactured in a U.S. FDA-approved facility and follows strict Good Manufacturing Practices standards. Regardless of its deemed safety, ensure to look carefully at the Phenocal ingredients and do some research before taking. It isn’t enough to make sure the product is safe but to ensure it is safe for you personally.

Side Effects?

Currently, there are no known side effects from taking Phenocal. As with any supplement on the market, however, there is always a potential for side effects. The ingredients in Phenocal may be deemed safe and are 100-percent natural. This doesn’t mean one can’t react to taking Phenocal if they are sensitive or have a certain condition.

Even herbal products can have interferences with medications. That said, check with your doctor if you are on prescription drugs before taking. Also, speak with a doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding if you wish to take Phenocal. Some herbs are not safe for fetuses or infants.

Where to Buy Phenocal?

For your convenience, you can purchase Phenocal from the Phenocal website for $39.85 a bottle of 150 capsules. If you want more for your money, there are three other package options: Most Popular, Extreme Value, and Preferred Package. These packages cost more, but you get more for what you pay.

Along with your purchase of Phenocal, you will also receive bonus gifts. Even the basic package includes these gifts such as a digital pedometer, GreenPura capsules, and a free digital book download.

For those concerned that Phenocal won’t work for them, rest assured that you can get a refund within 60 days. Having this option is important as not everyone may be suitable for Phenocal.

Bottom Line on Phenocal

Even though weight loss is no easy route, Phenocal works to eliminate cravings, melt fat, and kick up the metabolism. This pill can also help one feel more energic throughout the day. That said, this supplement can eliminate stubborn fat while maintaining make working out and changing one’s diet easier.

Fortunately, Phenocal appears to be created by a reputable company. Plus, based on the reviews of the product, it also seems to be tried-and-true. With natural ingredients and no known side effects, this weight loss pill is perhaps one of the safest out there to try. Why not see what it has in store for you?

References

  1. http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2016/nov-dec/weight-loss-pitfalls-and.html
  2. https://www.phenocal.com/
  3. https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/hn-2852001

New Study: 19 out of 20 U.S. Children NOT Meeting Norms for Exercise, Sleep, and Screen Time Usage

Have Sippy Will Travel

There was a new study released that says 19 out of 20 children are NOT meeting guidelines for sleep, exercise, and screen time amounts that doctors recommend  just one in 20 U.S. children and teens gets the amount of sleep, exercise and screen time that doctors recommend for optimal health, a new study suggests.

Children and teens are supposed to get at least one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day and limit screen time to less than two hours. Kids ages 6 to 12 old also need 9 to 12 hours of sleep, while teens need 8 to 10 hours nightly.

Too little sleep or exercise, or too much screen time, can increase their risk of chronic health problems. These include obesity, mental health issues like anxiety and depression, poor academic achievement and unhealthy behaviors like smoking and drinking, the study team notes in JAMA Pediatrics.

Taken in isolation, these recommendations have been hard for many children and teens to achieve and doctors have long been aware of this problem, said lead study author Gregory Knell of the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston.

“Our study, however, analyzed the prevalence of meeting ALL three of these recommendations simultaneously,” Knell said by email. “This is important because there is evidence that not spending the optimal time in all three behaviors has a stronger effect on health outcomes than not spending the optimal time in any one of the behaviors, independently.”

For the study, researchers examined data on 59,397 kids and teens who participated in nationwide surveys in 2011, 2013, 2015 or 2017.

Overall, just 3 percent of girls and 7 percent of boys spent the optimal time sleeping and being physically active while limiting screen time.

Compared to participants age 14 or younger, 16-year-olds were 23 percent less likely to get the right amounts of sleep, exercise and screen time, while 17-year-olds had 46 percent lower odds.

Non-white youth were also less likely than white counterparts to achieve all three goals: black children and teens had 69 percent lower odds; Asian young people had a 63 percent lower chance, and Hispanic youth had a 33 percent lower likelihood.

Obese youth were 43 percent less likely to meet all three targets than children at a healthy weight, while overweight kids were 20 percent less likely to manage this.

The study wasn’t designed to examine why young people fail to get enough sleep or exercise, or why they spend too much time staring at screens. And, it’s also not clear from the study whether the failure to meet all three targets was due to missing just one recommendation or all of them.

“Lack of physical activity, increased screen time and insufficient sleep increases the risk for weight gain and obesity,” said James Gangwisch, a researcher at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City who wasn’t involved in the study.

“Likewise, if someone is already overweight, then it could make it more difficult to exercise vigorously,” Gangwisch said by email. “Lack of adequate physical activity also makes it harder to get sufficient sleep.”

The study also was not designed to prove whether or how failing to meet all three targets might directly impact physical or mental health.

Still, the results suggest that many parents have more work to do to encourage kids to get enough rest and exercise and spend less time staring at screens, said Asheley Skinner, a researcher at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, who wasn’t involved in the study.

Schools may also be part of the problem, because they start too early to allow teens to get enough sleep, Skinner said by email.

“Sleep and physical activity are two pillars that should not be sacrificed in childhood,” said Jonathan Mitchell of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania.

“Too often sleep is sacrificed to accommodate other activities,” Mitchell, who wasn’t involved in the study, said by email. “Parents and teens need to think more carefully about daily routines that allow for sufficient physical activity and nighttime sleep – cutting out screen time and setting bedtimes can help.”

SOURCE: bit.ly/2GngD5w JAMA Pediatrics, online February 4, 2019.

6 Cruises with An Active Twist

For active people searching for the perfect getaway, these 6 cruises are sure to get your juices flowing.

Colorado River Cruise

The Colorado River might not sound like the place for a massive boat to cruise down and it’s not, but it is a perfect river to cruise on many types of rafts. There’s all sizes of boats in there ranging from small inner tubes to large rafts with many people on it. If you wanted to check out Canon City, rafting is one of the hottest activities to do while you are there. Explore the multitude of raft types before you jump into the beautiful river. 

Antarctica Basecamp Itinerary

I’ll start with my favourite. Antarctica is an alien landscape where icebergs the size of small cities dwarf your ship. The Basecamp itinerary has a particular focus on activities. During the cruise you’ll camp out on the ice for one night, go sea kayaking, snowshoeing, hiking and much more. You’ll see plenty of penguins, seals and whales along the way. If you want, you can also choose to do the ‘Polar Plunge’ and jump into the icy waters from your boat – cold but epic!

Galapagos Dive Cruise

The Galapagos Islands really need no introduction. The unique wildlife and landscapes make this archipelago completely captivating. Nothing can really prepare you for the close wildlife encounters. On almost every cruise itinerary you’ll swim with seals, sea turtles, sharks and marine iguanas. Special dive-focused cruises give passengers the chance to dive each day and also take regular snorkelling trips. This is a very active trip and you’ll be exhausted in your bed each night – well worth it though.

Alaska Inside Passage Cruise

You can choose a standard cruise or expedition-style cruise in Alaska. Both have their pros and cons. But if you want to see bears, whales and eagles, you’re better off taking an expedition cruise. Amazing wildlife aside, Alaska is great for active people thanks to its numerous shore excursions. No matter which cruise ship you sail on, you’ll be given a plethora of options when ashore. You can choose anything from gold panning and white-water rafting, to dog sledding and glacier hiking! With so many choices in each port, Alaska cruises are perfect for both active families and couples.

Northwest Passage Cruise

Potentially one of the greatest expedition cruises on earth, the Northwest Passage is fabled among sailors. Because of thick ice, the passage has just recently opened up and can still only be traversed during August and September. Every day you’ll make shore landings to explore landscapes and local cultures. You’ll see polar bears and whales, meet native Inuit people and visit the remains of the lost Thule culture. Active people will relish the daily hikes and zodiac trips to explore new regions.

Carnival Cruises

I know Carnival do not offer expedition cruises, but they do offer a serious amount of active pursuits onboard their ships. If you’re looking for a cruise for the kids to enjoy then Carnival are an excellent option. Their ships are jam-packed with fun things like rock climbing, go-karting, surf pools, ice-rinks, and much more. Although you won’t leave the ship as often as you would an expedition cruise, with so many active options, the kids may not want to! They’re also well-priced and provide plenty of adult-focused entertainment also such as daily theatre shows and wine bars.

Amazon River Cruise

The Amazon is a mythical place of dangerous beasts, giant waterfalls and tales of discovery. The mightiest river on earth is a great option for active travellers who want to explore this region. In fact, taking a cruise is pretty much the only option people have of exploring deep into the region. Active people are best off taking a cruise in the dry season as you’ll take daily guided shore hikes to search for wildlife and learn more about the beautiful rainforest. In the wet season you’ll stay aboard the boat far more because the forest paths are all flooded. I seriously suggest taking a swim with the piranhas – most species don’t bite…   

5 awesome Gifts a New Dad will love

The following is a guest post, and the opinions are those of the author. 

Most new dads are always excited about their new role of parenting. However, the role can be accompanied by fatigue and lack of sleep. Without a proper support system, new dads can easily breakdown. That is why it is crucial for family and friends to shower new dads with gifts once in a while as a way to show them that they are valued. If you are not sure on the kind of gift to offer a friend or relative who just had a baby, then here is a list.

1. Baby carrier

Previously, it would be hard to find a man carrying a baby in a carrier. However, things have changed and it looks super cool to find a dad carrying a baby in a carrier and walking majestically in the mall. As you make a choice on the best carrier to purchase, ensure that it is classy for a man and that it is sturdy enough to offer proper back support. Of course, you don’t want the new dad to start complaining of backaches. The colors should also be neutral so that the dad feels comfortable using it.

2. A Parenting Guide Book

You may think that a new dad has it all together but he is just acting strong. Most likely he does not have a clue about what to do with the baby or even how to support the mother. A book with loads of information regarding babies would be helpful. It should be comprehensive such that he can refer to it whenever he has doubts about anything. It will encourage and also teach the new dad ways of being a supportive husband and a loving dad.

3. Matching T-shirts

A t-shirt with some cool writings such as ‘papa bear’ and ‘baby bear’ would be appreciated by the new dad. Ever stared at a dad carrying a baby along the streets and they are both wearing matching clothes? It is cool, right? If you feel the mom will feel left out, then you can also include one for her. The whole family can get involved with this cool trend – grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, the possibilities are endless! I recently got matching outfits for my niece aged 6 and myself – kids of all ages love matching with a beloved family member!

4. A camera

There is nothing as memorable as having photos and videos of your small baby because it is impossible to go back in time once they are all grown up. Imagine presenting a gift of their childhood photos to your son or daughter when they turn 18 years old – it would be a gift they will treasure forever. A new dad would appreciate a camera so that he can capture memories of his small baby. Besides, most men love cameras and they might end up adopting photography as a new hobby.

5. Baby Stroller

These days it is not only moms who are expected to take babies for a walk. At times the mother needs a break so that she can relax. A stroller would come in handy because even babies calm down when they are taken outside for some sunbathing. Just as it feels good to go out for a walk when you feel stressed, it is the same effect for a small baby who has been crying for the better part of the day. If you are not sure which new gift to offer the newest dad in town, then a stroller would be a good bet.

Conclusion

New dads can feel awkward the first few months before they fully adopt their new roles. As a supportive friend or relative, you can help make them feel better with a great gift. A gift would be appreciated because it reminds them that someone, somewhere cares. Some of the best new gift ideas include a baby stroller, a baby carrier, matching t-shirts, a parenting guide book, and a camera.

Butternut Squash and Kale Soup

butternut soup

This soup makes the perfect vegetable side dish—it’s packed with nutritious vegetables and healthy carbohydrates from the butternut squash and other veggies!

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Serves: 4
Serving Size: 1 cup

Ingredients:
1 large sweet onion, cut into wedges
4 cups cubed butternut squash (about 3/4-inch cubes)
1 Tbsp olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tsp dried thyme
1 (14.5-oz) can low-sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup water
3 cups chopped kale

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. Line a large baking pan with aluminum foil and spread onion and squash over foil in a single layer. Drizzle vegetables with olive oil and toss lightly to coat; then season with pepper and thyme. Place in oven and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until vegetables are cooked through and starting to brown. Note: Take vegetables out at least once in the middle of cooking to stir.

3. Combine roasted vegetables, chicken broth, and water in a large saucepan and use an immersion blender to blend ingredients together until smooth.

4. Heat blended soup over medium heat until heated through. Once heated through, stir in kale and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes.

Choices/Exchanges:
1 Starch, 2 Nonstarchy Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

Basic Nutritional Values:
Calories 130
Calories from Fat 30
Total Fat 3.5 g
Saturated Fat 0.5 g
Trans Fat 0.0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 75 mg
Potassium 740 mg
Total Carbohydrate 24 g
Dietary Fiber 4 g
Sugars 8 g
Protein 4 g
Phosphorus 110 mg

About the Book: 
Diabetes Superfoods Cookbook and Meal Planner: Power-Packed Recipes and Meal Plans Designed to Help You Lose Weight and Manage Your Blood Glucose (American Diabetes Association, 2019, ISBN: 978-1-580-40679-6, $19.95) is available from major online booksellers.