Unique Summer Getaways in Idaho and Utah

May 18, 2016 by Leave a Comment

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If you’re looking to visit Utah or Idaho, there’s no shortage of options for a fun, outdoorsy trip. Here are four great options to consider:

Wind Caves Hike in Logan, Utah

This 3.5 mile trail is used for hiking and is open from March through November. The trail is described as moderate, so this might be just the right trail to attempt with children who enjoy the outdoors and don’t mind walking.

Pros:

• With children in tow, the hike should still only take about around three hours.

• The path is well marked.

• There are wildflowers along the trail, and the views of the canyon make for a beautiful hike.

Cons:

• There are steep areas, and some parts of the trail are narrow, which can be hard for smaller children.

Hardware Ranch in Utah

If you take a little drive to the east of Logan on highway 101, you’ll find Hardware Ranch. In the summertime families can see an amazing variety of wildlife while roaming around the ranch, and winter is the perfect time to see elk up close and personal.

Pros:

• The people at Hardware Ranch dedicate their time to helping others learn about animals and wildlife. This destination has the benefit of being fun and educational, hopefully sparking a child’s interest in animal research and nature.

• Around the same area as Hardware Ranch are places to fish, camp, and hunt.

Cons:

• Winter storms may wreak havoc on the roads, so it’s necessary to check conditions before attempting the drive to the ranch.

• The ranch is closed Tuesday-Thursday every week. This is something to consider when planning a trip.

Snake River Greenbelt in Idaho Falls, Idaho

The Snake River Greenbelt offers views of geese, ducks, and the river, including the falls. There are trails for both walking and biking, and you can also climb around the river on the rocks to get even better views.

Pros:

• Free entertainment! For zero dollars your kids can run their energy out.

• Snake River Greenbelt is great for relaxing or for adventure. You can pack a picnic, relax, and enjoy the scenery or hike the over two mile trail around the area.

Cons:

• This is Idaho, so it can be cold around the water any time of year.

• The walking and bike paths are sometimes congested with large groups of people. This can be a problem if you have kids who aren’t paying attention to their surroundings, as they could be hit by rollerbladers or bikers.

Hell’s Half Acre about 25 miles west of Idaho Falls, Idaho

The landscape on this hike was created by lava flows in this area. Designated as a National Natural Landmark and a Wilderness Study Area, this area is the perfect place to study geology in its untainted form.

Pros:

• It’s not hard to find Hell’s Half Acre since there is easy access from Interstate 15.

• This journey can be a great learning experience. Hikers have the chance to learn how animals and plants adapted to live in an area that used to be covered with lava. There are signs along the trail to help hikers learn more.

Cons:

• Due to the lava helping form this area, the terrain on this trail is cracked with jagged places, which can present problems for small kids.

Bio –

This post is courtesy of KJ’s Superstores with many locations in Nevada and Wyoming, including a Logan Utah convenience store and Idaho car wash. KJ’s offers healthy snacks, premium fuel and a wide selection of items for your travel needs for the whole family.

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uHoo – What you don’t know, you can’t fix #uHoo #GetUhoo

May 12, 2016 by Leave a Comment

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Did you know bad air at home can affect sleep, trigger asthma attacks, and cause frequent headaches? The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental dangers.  Most of us carry on our days at home oblivious to the air quality of our homes.  Why, you might ask? Well the answer is easy. It’s mostly because we don’t know.  We don’t know what harmful chemicals or pollutants are floating around in the room with you day in and day out.  We can’t just smell carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide which can be harmful and fatal to all living things, be they adults, kids, or pets.  So how do we find out what is really going on with the air around us without spending too much money?  With a uHoo -a smart air quality indicator which interfaces with your smart phone via a free app.

The uHoo app measures temperature, humidity, dust, VOC level, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, ozone, and air pressure.  All this from a small, easy to transport device which can be placed anywhere.  From your desk at work, to your hotel room, to your child’s bedroom, it is easy (and smart) to find out exactly what you are breathing in on a regular basis.  Poor air quality can lead to many big problems, like respiratory conditions, skin conditions, allergic reactions, mold and mildew reactions, etc.  uHoo will help identify all these issues before they get to be problem and even give you suggestions on how to alleviate them.

What we really like about uHoo is the fact that it empowers the user to help themselves with knowledge and know how.  There are even some extra benefits to a uHoo, like air pressure measurements.  Many migraine sufferers have particularly difficult days before/after a rain storm, when the air pressure fluctuates often.  uHoo can tell you when this fluctuation occurs to help figure out when is best to take a preventative medication.  Will uHoo solve your breathing problems, or your allergies? Unlikely.  But it will be a valuable tool to make your living space more breathing friendly.

Filed Under: health, review Tagged With:

Powerpuff Girls: Back and Better Than Ever

May 12, 2016 by Leave a Comment

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The cartoon world’s most fearless female superheroes are back! Bubbles, Buttercup, and Blossom need your help fighting crime and keeping the city safe. Over at Poki.com, you can play brand-new and classic games featuring the heroes of Townsville, USA. Below, I’ve highlighted the best parts of Poki’s Powerpuff Girls game collection.

Before we had our first child, my husband and I used to watch a few cartoons. It was part of our pre-parenting process—a fun way to see what we’d be getting into. The Powerpuff Girls debuted on Cartoon Network in 1998. The lively animated series inspired and entertained young ladies (and future moms like me) with 6 seasons of thrilling episodes. Despite a couple of specials, the Powerpuff Girls television series was on hiatus for over a decade. Now it’s back, and with it comes a bunch of great games.

Blossom is the strong-willed leader of the female trio. Over at Poki, you can fly through Townsville and help Blossom defeat supervillains. You might need Buttercup’s help to strike down the hilariously evil Mojo Jojo. In Trail Blazer, you’ll team up with Bubbles to save an entire city. Many of the Powerpuff Girls games on Poki require teamwork and quick thinking. These titles are entertaining and educational, teaching the value of working together to be successful.

Other action-packed Powerpuff games pit the heroes against Princess Morbucks, a greedy leader. Or, you can join the blue, pink, and green gals on a retro journey through Megaville. Zom-B-Gone sends brave players into a scary world filled with monsters. Even though these games vary in storyline, they share fast-paced gameplay for quick fun. And that’s my favorite part of this collection: hassle-free entertainment.

Every Powerpuff Girls title on Poki is 100% free. As a parent, it’s a relief to know that I don’t have to buy any mobile apps or worry about in-game purchases. On Poki, my kids can try Powerpuff Girls games for free, and keep playing for free. There’s nothing to purchase! Also, every game—from Fuzzy Lumpkins Kidnap to Pillow Fight—stays true to the cartoon series. When you play one of these games, you’ll feel like you’re in the cartoon. There are authentic graphics, sounds, and storylines from the original series and the 2016 reboot. Blossom speaks her mind, Bubbles is sweet, and Buttercup isn’t afraid to get dirty.

Overall, the selection of Powerpuff Girls games is broad enough to entertain for hours. However, one slight drawback is that not every game has the same replay value. For instance, I got tired of the repetition in one game after just a few minutes. Luckily, there were more than a dozen other games I could play instead. Another fun fact is that you can also play as characters from other series. In Snow Brawl, the Powerpuff Girls are alongside Ben 10, Dexter, and Finn. This crossover gameplay means everyone in the family can play as their favorite character. Join the Powerpuff Girls for unstoppable gaming fun!

Filed Under: lifestyle items Tagged With: ,

Going Back to School with Concordia University Wisconsin

May 11, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Deciding to go back to college can be a daunting task, but with the right school and the will to keep going it is possible.

In the current economic times, it can take a single line on your resume to separate you from the top of the choices or the bottom. That line is your education- the best way to compare with college graduates when being considered for a position is to not only have the experience, but also the education. But with a family, job, and social responsibilities, it can be very difficult to fit in a traditional college education. Online colleges are a great resource. Concordia University Wisconsin is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Regional accreditation agencies are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit degree granting colleges and universities. Concordia University Wisconsin has many programs including Business, Criminal Justice, Nursing, Education, Counseling, Health Services, Occupational Therapy, Information Technology, Theology and even High School Dual Credits. In addition to these courses there are also free email courses available. These courses are a great way to get your feet wet with online learning to see if this is a viable way for you to learn. For most people who use computers regularly, online courses are a breeze to get used to as long as you are able to keep focused on the work and take the subject seriously. Concordia University WI has online programs that are made specifically for busy adults. They believe that you do not need to sacrifice your roles of mother, sister, wife, friend, neighbor, etc, to pursue something you feel called to study and have tailor made their offerings to help you keep life in balance.

Below are a few tips on how to ace your courses.

  1. Dedicate time to your class. Set aside and hour a day to work on class/course work only.
  2. When it is time to do course work, turn your phone silent across the room, close Facebook/Twitter/Messenger and any other social networking outlets. As of this point you need to concentrate and social networks were made to eat time and attention.
  3. Get help. A study buddy can help out big time, make friends in your class try to meet up locally, or just hang out digitally via social networking. Just do not do this during class time.
  4. Take courses you care about, try not to pick courses just because they are available. If possible pick topis you may enjoy or have been interested in in the past. Have you always enjoyed sci fi movies, look into astronomy, like to go hiking, look into botany. There are many topics to learn and study, some of which you might actually enjoy.
  5. Have fun! Keep your head up even through the boring parts. School can be fun, so make it that way. Give yourself incentives to finish on time. Maybe a little extra TV time, a candy before bed, or that pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing up.

With the right attitude and the motivation, a degree is within reach. Which leads to a smarter and better qualified person. Which leads to a higher paying job. Which leads to a less stressful existence. Which leads to a happier you.

Take a look at what they offer- you might just find what you are looking for.


Filed Under: lifestyle items

Tom’s of Maine Rapid Relief Sensitive Toothpaste #Reliefin60

May 11, 2016 by 3 Comments

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Sensitive teeth can be a real ‘pain’.  Sensitive teeth can lead to changes in your diet or a loss of appetite in general.  Some are sensitive to cold liquids or foods, to others, hot foods and liquids are excruciatingly painful.  For some people, neither temperature can be tolerated. Anything that can alleviate the pain and make eating more normal is welcome.  Wouldn’t it be preferred if there was a way to alleviate this pain in a natural, eco-friendly way instead of with an odd chemical taste and color?  Tom’s of Maine has a new toothpaste which can help you in a matter of 60 seconds.

 

The toothpaste has clinically proven rapid relief in 60 seconds when directly applied to the sensitive tooth with fingertip and gently massaged for 1 minute. With regular usage of the toothpaste, long-lasting protection is possible. The way Tom’s works is with naturally derived arginine and calcium carbonate which helps seal out pain.  The toothpaste is also fluoride free, and all natural.  Tom’s is one of the greenest companies around with  no experimenting on animals, sharing of what each ingredient is, its purpose and its source, sustainable use practices, no artificial colors, flavors, fragrances, or preservatives.  The packaging itself is even made of recycled content and completely recyclable.  Even the employees themselves volunteer 5% of their time and 10% of Tom’s profits are donated to human and environmental purposes.

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The toothpaste itself has a pleasant natural flavor which is not overly or fake minty, and is a great way to freshen your teeth in a natural way as well as to help make your teeth less sensitive.  My husband’s issue is with cold drinks especially.  Very cold drinks make his teeth ache deep down, and he avoids them.  But while using the new Fluoride-Free Rapid Relief Sensitive Toothpaste, he says he was more able to drink pain free.
Fluoride-Free Rapid Relief Sensitive Toothpaste is available at Walmart, Walgreens, CVS and Amazon for $5.99 per 4 Oz. tube.  Give it a try and see what you think.

The post is brought to you by Activate by Bloglovin and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
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What Would You Do? When Faced With Impossible Choices #ShareHumanity

May 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment

We’re in the midst of the largest global humanitarian crisis of our lifetime – 125 million are in desperate need of humanitarian aid and protection, more than 40,000 people are forced from their homes every day (roughly 29 per minute!) and more than 90% of people killed or injured by explosive weapons are innocent civilians. The facts are staggering and the stakes are high.

The choices these people, just like you and I, have to make are impossible.  What would any of us do if faced with these decisions?

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You can get a small idea of what life for many is like- check out the new site https://impossiblechoices.org/ and see the kinds of choices people have to make, often times life or death.  What would you do?

Filed Under: charity/notforprofit

Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon for the Nintendo 3DS

May 6, 2016 by Leave a Comment

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The Pokemon games have been known the world around for their fun role playing Pokemon collecting fun.  Where the action is more directed via third person through a trainer.  There are a series of RPG Pokemon games where you play not the human trainer, but a Pokemon exploring a dungeon filled with other Pokemon to battle, adventures to have, and lots of action and treasures.  This game is called Pokemon Mystery Dungeon and the most recent game in the series is Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon for the Nintendo 3DS.

In this game you pick your character as well as your “friend” Pokemon, and are transformed into a child’s Pokemon. You must explore dungeons to help solve a mystery which is effecting Pokemon by turning them to stone.

Throughout Mystery Dungeon, it is possible to meet all 720 known Pokemon (even rare and mega evolved Pokemon) with whom you can befriend and who can help you in battle.  There also many ways in to interact with this game as well, Wonder Mail players can receive special items via code of QR codes.  Street Pass is also available in Mystery Dungeon, where when you pass another player their Pokemon or assist in the next adventure.  If all your Pokemon faint, it is also possible to be revived to a local player as well, who will bring you back to life without the loss of any items collected.  These features bring a fun multiplayer aspect to the game which is both highly accessible and easy to use.

What we enjoyed most about this game is the ability to play as some of our favorite Pokemon, including Pikachu and Squirtle.

Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon for the Nintendo 3DS is available now for $39.99 in the e Shop as well is at retailers everywhere.

Filed Under: technology, Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Color Switch: Totally Fun for All Ages

May 5, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Very few games provide equally entertaining experiences for children and adults. Quite often, my husband or I will download the latest popular mobile game to see what the fuss is about. If one of our kids asks for a new game (e.g. Flappy Bird, Subway Surfers), we play it first and usually give our approval. After setting up a title on our kids’ tablet or computer, we rarely play it again. But, Color Switch has broken that pattern in a big way.

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In case you’re unfamiliar, Color Switch is a brand-new, extremely popular casual game. It’s meant for kids and adults alike, and it really hits the mark. Just like in Flappy Bird, Canabalt, and One Tap Hero, the control scheme consists of one button. In the web version of Color Switch, you click the mouse to move. On mobile devices, you merely tap the screen. There are no complicated moves to learn or instructions to memorize. It literally doesn’t get any simpler than that. A five-year-old can learn to play Color Switch just as quickly as a 50-year-old.

Easy controls are just the beginning of what makes Color Switch appeal to such a broad audience. Like several world-famous mobile games before it, Color Switch features equally simple gameplay. All you do is move a colored orb through matching obstacles. If your piece is yellow, then you can glide or bounce through yellow shapes. If you are purple, you can slide right through purple barriers. Although the concept is simple, the difficulty level is high.

Color Switch is so addictive because it’s easy to learn but hard to win. Sometimes, I can breeze through the first few obstacles without any issues. During other game sessions, I barely get through one barrier before crashing. Color Switch is designed to deliver a different experience every time you play. Your starting color is random, as are the colors of the obstacles in your path. This means savvy gamers can’t simply memorize the correct pattern or timing to reach higher levels with ease. It’s just as tricky (and fun) for my kids and their friends as it is for the hubby and me.

The web version of Color Switch, available here, includes one game mode. That’s all I need for hours and hours of fun. Gamers that excel and desire extra challenges can try the mobile version for an additional nine modes. The mobile app includes gravity-altering gameplay, color modifications, and all sorts of other variations. While I found the mobile app to be very extensive (there are 100 unlockable orbs and 1000 levels spread across 10 modes), I didn’t need the extra hoopla.

Games that are made for “players of all ages” often disappoint. Color Switch does the opposite—it is genuinely fun for casual gamers, young and old. My family is having a blast trying to set an unbeatable score in our household. Bounce through a rainbow of colors, and try to beat your own record in Color Switch!

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