Successful First Month as a Shaklee180 Blogger

Greetings everyone. Hope you all had an awesome and Happy Easter. We truly did.

This last day of March, I wanted to give you my first month progress report on my Shaklee180 Blogger journey. It is unusual to check stats on a Holiday, right/?! Well, with Shaklee180, guess what, that's okay. It has been an awesome month and I am happy to report a few things.

First of all, I need to share I have to e patient with myself. One of my challenges is that I want success right now, today or better yet, yesterday. And on the weight loss journey success is not always determined by my home scale. Second, time will tell and over the month there was success so I am happily moving forward.

Tomorrow, I will post a video and share with you the products in a brief step-by-step of what my Shaklee180 looks like each day.

And I will tell you that I am exercising regularly. I am blessed, thanks to my Daddy, to love sports, exercise and being active with my family. Thanks to my diet and Shaklee180, I am enjoying things I love even more again.

Next weekend, my family and I are running a 10K together! We are all so excited. I will say we committed and began training in November. However, Shaklee has truly helped me stay focused and to control my diet. I LOVE the ease of coming home from the gym or a run and making up a nice and fresh Protein Shake! I look forward to these. They taste delicious and they truly power me up.

So, drum roll, now for the absolute fun of the program, revealing my numbers. And a huge thank you to girlfriends who are so supportive and who listened to me all month, encouraged me and worked out with me. You rock.

This month I am DOWN:

5.4 .lbs!! Even I am shocked! I worked out this week - our last week before the Race week - and suddenly the scale moved!!

I didn't know it moved and now as I look back at my APP, I am happy I worked so hard at my diet and exercise.

Full disclosure, Easter Sunday, I splurged! I didn't go crazy but I did have some good Southern Cooking and some Chocolate. :) So I could be up a little tomorrow morning. Since I weigh on Fridays now, I am happy to say I am down 5.4.  Yes, I am working hard and yes, Shaklee180 works.

I have lost 1 inch in the waist. :) And 1 1/2 inches in the hips. So a total of 2 1/2 inches lost. Now, I have some miles to go before I am where I was several short years ago. Today, though, we're celebrating! The Easter Beagle bought me a new necklace. It is so fun to celebrate without food. Success!

Thanks for reading and if you have any questions about Shaklee180 or about my diet and exercise, please ask. I LOVE to help others. I admit, it is work, but it is worth it. I feel fabulous.

Early Happy April!

Warmly,
CarolinaMama





*FTC Disclosure: I am a Shaklee180 Blogger. Opinions are all my own.

STATE TREASURER JANET COWELL CONTINUES CHILDREN’S FINANCIAL LITERACY INITIATIVE

Cowell Appearing At Local Library as part of her Children's Financial Education Story Time Series

RALEIGH, NC – State Treasurer Janet Cowell will be making an appearance at the North Regional Library in Raleigh during her series of Children's Financial Education Story Time events. Treasurer Cowell will be reading the story of Patches the Pig, a colorful piggy bank searching for a new home, to help explain the importance of saving money and tips for smart financial habits for children.

The story of Patches the Pig, written by a seven-year-old North Carolina student, helps kick-start excitement and understanding about the importance of saving your pennies from a very early age.

Please RSVP to Walton Robinson at Walton.robinson@nctreasurer.com.
WHAT: Children's Financial Education Story Time with Treasurer Janet Cowell

WHO: NC State Treasurer Janet Cowell, area children ages 3-5, local elected officials

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 25, 2013
WHERE: North Regional Library - 7009 Harps Mill Road Raleigh, NC 27615 (View Map)


Financial education is a critical focus for students of all ages. For more information about Treasurer Cowell’s financial literacy initiatives, please visit www.NCTreasurer.com/Financial

Hope you all enjoy! Check out the websites if you cannot attend. This is awesome.

Warmly,
Carolina Mama

Restaurant.com Rewards Loyalty Program Launch

What's better than a good deal?  A Restaurant Deal!  Restaurant.com unveils it's New Rewards Loyalty Program which makes dining with Certificates and Discounts even more exciting and... Rewarding.

The Loop, a Restaurant.com restaurant

Rewards programs are everywhere.  Social media makes it too fun to find rewards with your favorite brands.  Restaurant.com has joined this world of rewards and incentives and turned it into an interactive game.

New Rewards Program Offers Fun Ways to Discover Great Dining Discounts
and Earn Points and Badges Along the Way making it a win-win situation. 

The Arlington Heights, Illinois based Restaurant.com is the nation’s largest dining deals site, announced the launch of a new rewards program which enables participants to earn points, badges, and advance on the Restaurant.com Rewards Leaderboard.

Diners earn rewards by shopping, sharing on social channels and participating in promotions. The game-like rewards experience highlights and enhances the thousands of dining opportunities Restaurant.com has to offer.

​“Restaurant.com Rewards offers a variety of fun interactive perks for shoppers,” said Christopher Krohn, President and CMO, Restaurant.com. “We are excited to provide our customers yet another way to discover amazing dining discounts and be rewarded for their engagement and loyalty.”

Restaurant.com customers can begin playing immediately by logging into their account. When they complete a reward-worthy action, participants receive a message of congratulations as well as a clue about what to do next to achieve additional points and badges. Customers start at the “Newbie” level and continue to “level-up” as they earn points and complete fun shopping “missions."

Restaurant.com also recently rolled out EZ Checkout, the deal site’s easiest, fastest way to shop. The EZ Checkout shopper can make a purchase in just two clicks without leaving the page they are currently browsing. Customers can now make their first EZ Checkout purchase and immediately earn the “EZ” Badge as part of the new Restaurant.com’s Rewards program.

For more information or to check out the new features, visit www.Restaurant.com and download the Restaurant.com APP in iTunes.  Enjoy the savings and the fun!

See you at a Restaurant.com restaurant near you.  You'll be the one counting your Rewards like a loyal customer.

Enjoy!

Warmly,
Carolina Mama

FTC Disclosure: I am an Official Restaurant.com Blogger.  Opinions are all my own. 

Monster Jam Show at PNC Arena Raleigh

Monster Jam to Make FREE Appearances
In Advance of PNC Arena Show
March 15 & 16

WHAT: Some of America’s most beloved touring Monster Trucks will make special pit stops in and around Lexington prior to the wildly popular show at PNC Arena on March 15 & 16. Approximately 12 feet tall and about 12 feet wide, monster trucks are custom-designed machines that sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds. Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, monster trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. Monster trucks can fly up to125 to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air. To get an up close view of these mechanical superstars as well as meet their drivers see appearance info below.

WHERE & WHEN: Please note that all appearances are subject to change. Most recent listing as of 3/13/13.

Grave Digger & Monster Mutt:
Thursday, March 14, 2013 from 2-6 PM
Advance Auto Parts Store 6857
6544 Glenwood Ave
Raleigh, NC 27612

Maximum Destruction:
Thursday, March 14, 2013 from 2-6 PM
Advance Auto Parts Store 4660
3301 Hillsborough Rd
Durham, NC 27705

Blue Thunder:
Thursday, March 14, 2013 from 2-6 PM
Advance Auto Parts Store 4810
3517 Capital Blvd
Raleigh, NC 27604


SHOW INFO: Feld Motor Sports℠ announced that tickets for Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam®, the world’s premier monster truck series, are now on sale. Monster Jam events are affordably priced for the whole family with seats starting at $10 for Kids and $25 for Adults. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster Outlets or PNC Arena Box Office. To charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000.

Enjoy!!!
Carolina Mama

My Cherubs 2nd Birthday - #TBT

Adored memories.

Wordless Wednesday

Hello Wednesday! This was going to be a "Wordless Wednesday," except I am not good with wordless. So, it's Hello Wednesday. More my nature. One fine, fabulous week. So much to be thankful for each day. How was your week?

Daylight Savings with Rayovac Power Up Your Smoke Detector

What are you doing this evening?   We're springing forward - yes, setting our clocks forward so we are ready to take on Spring.  Tomorrow,  Sunday, March 10th begins Daylight Savings time so get your clocks ready and you might as well go to bed early in order to make up the lost hour of sleep.

Also, with Daylight Savings comes changing our our Smoke Alarm Batteries.  Who knew!  Well, this is a perfect time of year to schedule in new 9V Alkaline batteries for your smoke alarms. 

Rayovac makes it easy to Power Up your Smoke Alarm using their 9V Alkaline batteries you can keep your family safe by changing your smoke alarm batteries regularly. 

Just today on the news, due to the storm in the Northeast, homes have been destroyed.  Sometimes with weather conditions, we have advance warning.  However, with fires, there is often no extra time.  So a current and active Smoke Detector could save your life or some one's you love. 

You can learn more about Rayovac Batteries or gather more information on Rayovac 9V alkaline battery products and smoke detector batteries here Rayovac 9V alkaline battery products. 

Stay in the know with Rayovac on the Rayovac Facebook Page and you can follow them on Twitter @rayovac

So remember, Power Up your Clocks by Springing Forward one hour and Power Up your Smoke Detectors with Rayovac 9V Alkaline batteries for a safe Spring. 

Have you changed your Smoke Detector recently? 

Warmly,Carolina Mama

*FTC Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by Rayovac.  I am a Rayovac Power Blogger.  Opinions are all my own. 

Hanes® Earns U.S. EPA Energy Star Award 2013

Congratulations Hanes® for winning the 

coveted EPA Energy Star Award for the fourth year! 

Hanes® makes me so proud!   Hanes makes North Carolina proud!  Truly, the reasons are many.   Hanes is so very all-American.  Hanes reminds me to live my life comfortably and fashionably.

You can always rely on Hanes.  Even before I became a part of the Hanes Comfort Crew, we were a Hanes family.  They are our go-to brand.  Being a boy-Mom, there is no doubt Hanes can handle the robust and rough-and-tumble of boys' active lifestyles.

During the Disney Hanes Comfort Crew 2011 event, I learned about Hanes' Commitment to Environmental Responsibility!   Yet, they have gone beyond the call with their commitment to our environment. They have won the Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award again 2013!  So yes, I love the comfort of wearing Hanes, yet I love supporting Hanes and what they stand for regarding our planet. Check out this outstanding accomplishment.

Hanes Commitment to Sustainability Earns U.S. EPA Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award for Second Consecutive Year

America’s No. 1 Apparel Brand[i] Receives Recognition for Ongoing Improvements in Energy Performance and Sustainability

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., March 7, 2013 – Hanes^®, America’s No. 1 Brand of Family Basics[ii], is honored to receive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s highly coveted Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award for 2013.  The award is the company’s fourth consecutive year of Energy Star recognition and its second consecutive year as a recipient of the Sustained Excellence Award, which is given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding sustainability leadership year after year.  Hanes will be honored for its commitment to energy efficiency and promotion of sustainable energy management at an awards ceremony March 26, in Washington, D.C.

“Hanes is proud to be a leader in energy management and sustainability as we continue to strive to minimize our energy consumption and carbon footprint,” said Sidney Falken, Chief Branding Officer, Hanes. “We are proud to receive recognition for the second consecutive year and look forward to another sustainable year for Hanes and our consumers.”

A Companywide Commitment to Environmental Responsibility

Hanes has quietly become a leader in energy management and aspires to be an international apparel industry leader in overall environmental responsibility and stewardship.  Hanes reduced its energy usage per pound produced by 2.7 percent in 2012 and has reduced its energy use and carbon emissions by 22 percent and 23 percent respectively since 2007.  Hanes’ manufacturing facilities have also improved their energy performance through EPA’s Energy Star Challenge for Industry program.  In 2012, nine facilities were recognized for meeting the Challenge by reducing energy consumption by 10 percent within five years. 

Hanes’ sustainability commitment includes its EcoSmart^™ product line, of hoodies, socks, sweats and T-shirts. Hanes EcoSmart products are made with fabric produced in part from recycled plastic bottles or recycled cotton that will prevent the equivalent of 43 million plastic bottles from going into landfills this year alone. Hanes EcoSmart socks contain either some recycled cotton fiber or alternative flax fibers, while the fabric in 67 percent ofHanes men’s and boys’ undershirts is made using renewable energy.

For more information on the Hanes environmental responsibility efforts and for tips on how to “Go Green” visit www.Hanesgreen.com orwww.Facebook.com/Hanes.

# # #

About Hanes
Hanes, America’s No. 1 Apparel Brand, is a leading brand of intimate apparel, underwear, sleepwear, socks and casual apparel. Hanes products can be found at leading retailers nationwide and online direct to consumers at www.Hanes.com.  Hanes is a flagship brand of Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE: HBI) (www.Hanesbrands.com)

See more of Hanes' commitment and Energy Star Partner of the Year at the Hanes Green site. 

Thank you Hanes for your commitment to the people, our environment and our planet!  That's commendable.   Hanes America's First Name in Comfort since 1901. 

And of course, Thank you for keeping us all comfortable! :)  For fun, get 50% OFF of Hanes Bestsellers.  *while offer lasts at Hanes.com. 

Warmly,
Carolina Mama

* FTC Disclosure: I am a Member of the Hanes Comfort Crew. Opinions are all my own. 

Fashion and Beauty LUSH Cosmetics

"LUSH Cosmetics believe in making effective products from fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. And they do not test their products on animals."

My first product to experience was the lovely and pink.... Rose Queen Bath Bomb.   These are so wonderful smelling and soft on the skin. I loved my pampering right at home. 

Rose Queen Bath Bomb 
Full of blossoms, petals and a sensuous new rose fragrance, this one is a splendid, sophisticated bomb fit for a queen. When LUSH co-founder and Bath Bomb inventor Mo first dropped one of these in a tub to show everyone her latest invention, she asked if there were enough petals. Everyone said they thought there was plenty, but Mo went ahead and put lots more in to really spoil us!

These fun Bubble Bath products look like a huge Candy from Willy Wonka's Candy Factory.  So fun and so colorful ...

Pink FUN 
Next time your little sweetie asks you for a treat, satisfy their candy cravings with Pink FUN. This vanilla and tonka scented bubbler delivers a cheerful childhood blast from the past. Resist the urge to take a bite of this bright roll, despite how tasty it may smell. Instead, we recommend you mold this one into a pair of portly pigs or a collection of pretty bon bons, then toss them in the tub for mounds of creamy candy bubbles. Simply delicious!

My boys loved this one.  After all, a huge colorful slice of candy heaven, perfection.  These are very nice smelling. And they are clean and easy.  No after residue and it truly takes a small portion to enjoy and be effective. 

Red FUN 
Our bright and cheery Red FUN is sure to chase away dreariness during dull rainy days and long winters. For an uplifting experience we add a perky dose of orange peel oil. Just one whiff and you'll be traveling through a sunny mandarin grove and fondly recalling a glass of fresh squeezed OJ.

For best results we suggest pinching off a bit and using it on a bath pouf in the shower for a quick pick me up, or crumble into bath water for an extended orangey soak.


The Dream Cream is absolutely silky and so soft for your hands especially in this cold and dry Carolina Winter. LOVE this Dream Cream.

Lush is a whole lot of fun, too.  They have a personal message and photo for employees working on each product.  So friendly and happy. 

Charisma is important to me so of course, I opted for the LUSH Product Charisma.  And I have to say, it is a Mom's dream.  This little dab of luxury is perfect for a little 'glow.'

It was so fun to try out these fabulous and earth and animal friendly products.  Are you a LUSH girl?  Check them out and they will win your heart.

Warmly, 

Carolina Mama 

*FTC Disclosure:  This post was sponsored by LUSH Cosmetics. Opinions are all my own.