Happy Thanksgiving from MOTHER BRUCE #FollowBruce

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MOTHER BRUCE

by Ryan T. Higgins

In stores November 24

About the Book

Bruce the bear likes to keep to himself. That, and eat eggs. But when his hard-boiled goose eggs turn out to be real, live goslings, he starts to lose his appetite. And even worse, the goslings are convinced he’s their mother. Bruce tries to get the geese to go south, but he can’t seem to rid himself of his new companions. What’s a bear to do?

About the Author

Ryan T. Higgins is an author/illustrator residing in Southern Maine. He lives with his three dogs, three cats, two geckos, one tortoise, one son, one daughter, and one wife. He has wanted to be a cartoonist since as far back as he can remember. (Actually, that’s not entirely true—he wanted to be a tiger until he was three, but, sadly, that didn’t really pan out.) Ryan’s first picture book, Wilfred, was named a 2013 Wanda Gág Read Aloud Honor Book. Visit Ryan online at ryanthiggins.com.

Groupon Coupons this holiday season

As we all know, there is a great shopping expedition mounting in many homes this week.  Yes, Thanksgiving is coming, and it is a great time to spend with family and friends and be thankful for all we have. We share our bounty with others- but the day after Thanksgiving is also right around the corner too, Black Friday.  One of the busiest shopping days of the year.  A time of year when friends and family get together and hit the stores at the crack of dawn to get all the best deals around.

But this year, I say do some extra research online.  With some incredible deals available now with only a few clicks, you can shy away from those packed stores and the crowds and enjoy spending time with your friends and family at home in the comfort of your living room.

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One such place to check out is Groupon Coupons. Which is a site run by the famous Groupon company where they share promo codes to various online shops to help you save that hard earned money even more.  With stores like Toys R Us, Kohl’s, Macy’s, and QVC.  There is definitely something for everyone on your list at a great price within a few clicks.

An added benefit is not only can you sometimes get the same exact deals as those available at brick and mortar retail locations, but there are also added items and discounts available.  To name a few, there are codes for free shipping, additional 10% off of clearance prices and early access to Black Friday prices available right now.

So be sure to make your list and check it twice, get something for everyone who has been not naughty, but nice.  Be sure to grab a few things for that special someone in your life and maybe even a little something for yourself with all the money and time you will be saving.  Happy shopping!

Amwell – a new way to see a doctor #getwellwithamwell #ad

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Amwell, otherwise known as American Well, is a new company which puts patients in contact with doctors with simply a few clicks.  Instead of leaving you home to see a doctor simply go online, or download an app and a doctor is a video chat away with a few clicks and registration.

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With all the modernizations around us, it is time to start modernizing the visit to the doctor.  Instead of driving to the office, waiting the waiting room, and seeing your doctor for moments of their time but hours of yours, try something different.  Try Amwell.  Amwell lets you video conference with one of hundreds of doctors of many different specialties who can help treat you of a variety of ailments including:

•             Bronchitis
•             Cough
•             Sinus infection
•             Sore throat
•             Urinary tract infection
•             Vomiting
•             Diarrhea
•             Fever
•             Pinkeye
•             Flu
•             Sprains and strains
•             Cold
•             Respiratory infection
•             Headache
•             Depression
•             Anxiety
•             Weight concerns
•             Smoking cessation
Doctors on Amwell can diagnose, suggest follow up, and prescribe, when appropriate.  In addition to be board certified doctors you can also see a description of each doctor before your visit and also be assured your privacy is in good hands and is secure and HIPAA compliant.
Amwell was created by actual doctors.  It is the most popular consumer telehealth app worldwide in 2014 according to App Annie.  As well as the first telehealth service awarded accreditation by The American Telemedicine Association Amwell is also the first telehealth platform to integrate with Apple’s Health App.  It also is the only service that allows you to select the doctor you want to see for an on-demand visit. You will have more time to spend with your family.
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I would suggest giving Amwell a try today.  It can help save time and money for a variety of people in a variety of situations.  I can see this being a huge help when someone is just so sick they don’t want to go to the doctor or their favorite doctor has just stopped taking their insurance and its time to find a new one.
Be sure to find out more today, you can use this coupon code for 25% off a $69 urgent care visit- Amwell25

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Video Gaming Fun

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The world of Yo-Kai Watch is a strange one, which centers around the city of Spingdale. You take on the role of Nate, an average kid who meets a Yo Kai named Whisper.  Yo-Kai are mischievous creatures who love to cause problems for humans.  Whisper gives Nate a special watch which gives him the ability to see Yo Kai that are usually invisible.  As Nate makes friends, they join his team of Yo Kai and help him uncover a mysterious force in town.  With the help of the strongest and best team of Yo Kai, you and Nate can help the town.

The game play of Yo-Kai is quite different then other “capturing creatures” games, instead of directly controlling the action, you act in the role of an assistant, directing Yo-Kai in where to attack, when to use special moves, and giving them items as well.  As you battle more, your Yo-Kai can evolve into stronger versions of themselves or can be fused with each or other items to make different or stronger Yo-Kai.

Yo-Kai watch is available now for the Nintendo 3DS and 2DS retailing for $39.99 at retailers everywhere and in the eShop on the 3DS.

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Runbow is a new game by 13AM Games that brings a fun and interesting platforming party to the WiiU.  In Runbow, each player is a different colored character (9 total) who each represent a color of the rainbow.  The players have to “mad dash” for the finish line to see who can get there first.  But this is no simple foot race, there are obstacles like moving platforms and lava to get in the way.  This game is made for classic game players who love a challenge and are always trying to make that next jump and time it just right.  As such it may not appeal to very young players who will become more frustrated then those who have been playing platforming 2D games for years.  The best pat of this game is getting a few players together at once. With 2 it is fun- with more, it gets frenetic and really exciting.  I can only imagine how fun this game would be with 9 players at once. Runbow is available at the eShop for 14.99.

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And on the opposite end of the spectrum is a classic platforming game with a softer, more cuddly quality.  It is Yoshi’s Woolly World for the WiiU.  This game starts one of the Mushroom Kingdom’s most well loved characters,Yoshi.  This is his first Woolly adventure, following in the footsteps of Kirby’s Epic Yarn.  This game is the next step in the evolution of the yard medium.  Each character and environment has a handmade touch that is visually pretty cool.  From fraying yarn to the illusion of hand cut corners, it is great fun to play a game with this new setting.  In the game, Yoshi must reach the end each level while gathering as many collectibles as possible.  For the beginners, just finishing the level will be enough. For the more experienced players, collectibles are key.  Each level has its own charm, bringing to life a new platforming experience.  Also available are Amiibo extras where you can add a second Yoshi to the fun in the form of Samus, Woolly Yoshi, or even Mario to name a few.

Yoshi’s Wooly World is available at retail locations now as well as the eShop for 49.99 for the game alone or with a special pack which includes a Wooly Yoshi for 59.99.

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Disney is on its third installment of the ever fun Disney Infinity line of games.  This most recent addition to the crew includes not only Marvel and Disney characters, but also those of the Star Wars line of characters including Yoda, Darth Vader, and Han Solo. But this only scratches the surface- this game is great for beginner gamers because of the easy to pick up and play game play.  Each player picks their character from the Disney Infinity figures they own, characters for the previous 2 games work on the third iteration, and play as them throughout the game.  There are specific levels which work with specific characters and all characters can be used in the Toy Box, which is our personal favorite part of the game.  This portion of the game is player created.  People from all over the world can create and share their creations with others and the best are featured as such in the Toy Boxes section of the game.  These Toy Boxes show just how robust the game is as well as how creative the players of the game are as well.

Disney Infinity 3.0 is available for PlayStation®4, PlayStation®3, Wii U™, Xbox One, Xbox 360 in the Starter Pack, which includes: 1 Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Video Game Disc,1 Disney Infinity 3.0 Edition Base, 2 Star Wars™ Figures: Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker, 1 Star Wars™ Twilight of the Republic Play Set Piece, and 1 Web Code Card and is available now retailing for $64.99.

ZonePerfect Perfectly Simple nutrition bars

In our busy schedules it can be difficult to carve out the time needed for a meal, let alone a healthy nutritious one. This often leads to not only hunger but the dreaded han-ger. Hanger is a dreadful combination on hunger and anger. Which leads to mean comments, snyde remarks and of course snapping and biting in extreme cases. But there is a cure. A snack. One such snack option is a ZonePerfect Perfectly Simple nutrition bar. These bars are not only delicious but also nutritious and full of vitamins and minerals, and come in a variety of flavors.

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The flavors include: Almond Toffee Crunch, which includes dry roasted almonds, butterscotch chips, salted caramel, cocoa, and puffed quinoa. All of which come together in a crunchy sweet bar sure to make your mouth happy. Next up is the bing cherry and almond bar which bring together the sweet/tartness of bing cherries, a little honey and vanilla, and of course dry roasted almonds to delight your taste buds. Up next is the classic oatmeal chocolate chunk bar which not only has rolled oats and unsweetened chocolate but also manages to include 10 grams of plant based protein as well. Last but not least is roasted cashew and dark chocolate. This bar has roasted, salted cashew pieces and dark chocolate pieces but also includes 11 grams of protein.

Each of these bars are a perfect afternoon pick-me-up or a great way to scratch that sweet itch without the guilt of a candy bar. These are prefect for a little to yourself feelgooder moment when the world is continually throwing things at you. One of my secrets is the park, sure they can be noisy with kids and people but some alone time under a tree with a Simple nutrition bar is a great way to spend a break.

There are also coupons available right now online so be sure to check out ZonePerfect today.

Tips for a Successful Move with a Family in Tow

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Moving can be a stressful event for all involved.  No one likes change and moving your home is a huge change.  Personally we have moved a few times but not while with child in tow.  This can lead to even bigger headaches.  But in the end is all worth it at the end of the day when you and your close friends are all sitting on your new living room floor surrounded by boxes and eating the customary pizza as payment for their hard work.

Below are a few tips to get you through the big move with sanity and kids in tow without leaving your mind or any of your belongings behind.

  1. plan ahead.  Do not wait until the last minute.  Hoard boxes, and start to organize and fill them up.  Boxes and supplies are available in all kinds of places.
  2. well before your big move have a yard/garage sale to clear out some of the stuff you don’t want to move.  Do you really want to move that spare dining room table?  IS it necessary to keep every toy and knick knack collected over the years?  Ans answer for most will be no.  I am by no means telling you to sell your priceless items but take a good look at what you have and ask yourself if you really want it or need it.
  3. Get help.  Ask friends, ask professionals, ask family.  All are great resources and will help if you need it and ask.  Moving services can be a huge help on the big day so don’t count them out either.
  4. Organize items and boxes by room.  Move them accordingly.  In our move from apartment to house we made the mistake of dividing and conquering.  Unfortunately one of us didn’t pay attention to boxes and there are still items we are looking for/finding in odd places 12 years later.  There are even places like Roadway which will deliver boxes to you on the big day.
  5. Good communication is key.  Everyone who is involves should know whats going on and what different labels mean on boxes.  Do not use abbreviations for rooms, An example BR can be bedroom or bathroom.
  6. Rest up.  Get enough sleep the night before the move and take your time.  Strains and pains are expected but can be kept to a minimum with some common sense and sensibility
  7. Use your helpers.  Do not have them stand around chit chatting all day.  Ask for help, pass along boxes, keep the process moving.
  8. If making a long move, or moving to a smaller space storage space may be needed.  Keep this in mind and find the best places around to keep your belongings safe and sound.
  9. Clean up after yourself. Moving is the prime directive but keeping your old place clean should also rank high on your list too.
  10. Have fun.  This isn’t work, these are your friends and family, keep the atmosphere light hearted and fun so your helpers stay your friends afterwords.

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One of the best rated local movers as per Yelp, Angie’s list, and Facebook is Roadway moving for you local area or long haul moves.  They are a few clicks away or a simple phone call away.  With expert advise and helpful hands they can be an invaluable asset.

Finding Dory Teaser

Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” reunites everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale?

You can also check out this free selection of Finding Dory games on Poki (http://poki.com/en/finding-dory).  These games would be fun for your kids, and they can get a feeling for the characters within the movie straight away from their browser. The games are all free to play, the section contains two puzzle games and two hidden number games, Dory, Flo, Marlin and all the other characters are featured in most of them, AND the gameplay differs per game, so there is lots to do.  Check it out and see what you think!

Directed by Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”) and produced by Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”), the film features the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton.  “Finding Dory” swims into theaters June 17, 2016.

Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” reunites everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about her past.

Like FINDING DORY on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PixarFindingDory

Follow FINDING DORY on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FindingDory

Follow Disney/Pixar on Instagram: https://instagram.com/DisneyPixar

Follow Disney Studios on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/disneystudios/

Visit Disney/Pixar on Tumblr: http://disneypixar.tumblr.com

Visit the official FINDING DORY website here: https://disney.com/findingdory

FINDING DORY swims in theatres everywhere on June 17th, 2016

Dasani and the green cap #GreenBottleCap

This post is sponsored by Dasani & The Coca-Cola
Company.

Dasani are not only the bottlers of delicious water but they are also innovators in the field of packaging and sustainable packing as well.  Each Dasani bottle with a green cap on no matter its size is now made of at least 30% plant based plastic.  This means less petroleum and fossil fuel based packaging is used in each bottle across the US.

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This is also not Dasani’s first shot at decreasing their foot print- they also now use more then 40% less plastic in each bottle compared to their 2001 bottles which decreases the amount of fossil fuels used as well in production and less weight to ship as well.

This means less plastic for the same size bottles and less plastic used in production as well.  Another great innovation of the bottles is that they are still 100% recyclable with normal petroleum based bottles as well.  So keep on recycling and helping the Earth with every sip.

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Coca-cola has used this plant based plastic across many of its lines.  Over the last five years, the company’s adoption of the technology has eliminated the equivalent of approximately 240,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions. Plant Bottle packaging also has resonated with consumers, helped boost sales of brands like Dasani and generated headlines and won sustainable and innovation awards, and captured the collective attention of the supplier, scientific/academic and investor community. Earlier this year, Plant Bottle packaging was recognized by the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry for helping to fuel the bio-based manufacturing boom during a hearing on Capitol Hill.

Coca-Cola has invested in three leading biotech companies – Virent, Gevo and Avantium – to speed the commercialization of a PET plastic bottle made entirely from plants. Recently, the company made an additional investment in Virent’s development and commercialization of its bio-based technology.