How to Wash a Cat Without Soap or Other Harmful Chemicals

Cats require a bit of maintenance - mostly grooming, and every once in a while it's a good idea to give them a bath. For the longest time, we used "baby" shampoo to bathe our Siberian cat, but the results were always lackluster.

With all human and cat shampoos, the results were the same. She would have dull, kind of tacky fur, and she would lick herself constantly to get rid of the smell - even the "unscented" smells.

Washing a cat is a tough job, so you want your results to be worth the effort (hint - lock the door and use a sink or laundry tub if you have one.)

After combing the internet for a way to naturally clean dishwashers and washing machines, I came upon an "all vinegar" site.

It was amazing. I wish I still had the link to share it... Basically, vinegar is amazing and one of the uses listed was washing cats.

It's non-toxic, non-irritating, and cheap. Apparently it even kills fleas.

And it's so easy to use. Just fill a tub/sink with warm water and a cup or so of vinegar  I don't measure. I just dump some in, but I'm guessing about a cup to a gallon of water.

Then wash the kitty in the water as if it's soapy water. Just rub it into their fur and scrub them up. The vinegar smell will only last for a few minutes, and avoid getting it in their eyes and ears.

Then rinse the kitty and towel her off.

When I wash our cat with vinegar (pictured above) she has the softest fur. Plus she doesn't lick for hours afterward trying to rid herself of the chemical scents that shampoos leave behind.

We've also noticed that my husband is less allergic to her for a few days after a vinegar bath. That doesn't happen with soap and water baths.

Bottom line - vinegar is awesome. Try washing your pets with it instead of soap...and clean your drains, your dishwasher, your windows and mirrors.....


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Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 Review - The perfect gift for Mother's Day?

If you take a trip to the store, you're sure to see a ton of tablets for sale. Why would you buy one and how do you decide which one to get?

I've always wondered that question, and I think might finally have the answer. Staples offered me the chance to review the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, so I headed to the store to find out more information (and look for a protective case.)

First of all, the electronics employees are extremely helpful and know almost everything there is to know about smart phones, tablets, and computers. They are friendly and eager to help all of us who are a little less... savvy.

The first thing that sets the Galaxy Note apart from the others is the size. It's much bigger than a smart phone, but not as big as some of the larger tablets (it measures 8.3" x 5.3" and weighs less than .8 pounds!)

Why does this matter? It's big enough to see full webpages and full documents, but it's small enough to fit in your purse or briefcase.

The other big difference is the ability to write - I mean really write. The S pen is amazing and allows you to write naturally. There is no pixelization and the pen doesn't skip a beat.

This was huge for me. I make notes and lists all the time. And then I lose those lists....

I love the idea of being able to write as many notes as I want and keep them in one place. Plus, I love that I can take the Galaxy Note with me anywhere and always have to the ability to "jot something down" when an idea pops into my head. No more digging for a scrap of paper and hoping I have a pen (or crayon!!) at the bottom of my purse to write something down.

If all the Galaxy Note did was take notes, I would be happy - but even though this is an amazing feature, it is such a small piece of the pie.

I have been more amazed with it, each day that I have used it. The Samsung App store is fantastic. Thanks to the Note, my kids are now learning Italian. I can solve any math problem - instantly - just by writing out the problem on the note. I can access the internet from anywhere.

I can take pictures, videos, control my television, watch movies, see who's at my front door by connecting the Note to my security system, access google maps, text, video chat,  send email, listen to music, read books & magazines, find recipes, connect to all sorts of social media outlets, and so much more! And of course, you can play tons of games.

You can even ask the Galaxy Note questions (by voice!) and it will answer you and obey your commands. It's a productivity dream!

The voice recognition software is the best I have seen. I have used the Note to write long messages and it didn't miss a word. I even dictated this review to the Note, then uploaded to blogger right from the tablet. I only had to adjust a few spaces and add photos. What a time saver!

Maybe I'll actually write a book now that I don't have to sit down and type it all out.

I am still learning all that the Galaxy Note can do, but I am very impressed with it.

I only have two complaints.

First, I wish that the S Pen could write in awesome Note HD. I love, love, love that program but was disappointed when I realized I couldn't write. This where I first found the voice application, and you can speak your notes which makes me still love the app.

The last complaint is that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 goes to sleep rather quickly (at least in my opinion.) I get interrupted a lot (I'm a mom) so the Note will hibernate after a few moments of inactivity and it annoys me that I have to tap it back on. I know this is a small issue, and it's nitpicking. It's also probably really great for extending the battery life, but it just bothers me.

I have noticed a few battery options in the settings area and this situation might be easily remedied, so this might not be a problem at all. It just takes me a while to figure out these things.

I wish I had found the Note 8 earlier. It's the perfect size for taking on trips and daily errands. It will take the place of our digital camera, gps, and music player and will potentially replace our tv remote, game consoles, and computers.

So if you're like me and you wondered what all the fuss was about tablets, check one out for yourself. It's not only a time saver, it's a life improver.

Full disclosure: Staples.com provided me with these products for review. The thoughts and opinions expressed are strictly my own. Feel free to shop their entire line of tablets online.

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Shake up Your Morning Routine

“This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Silk blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.”

We've fallen into a breakfast rut... Every morning, we're running late for school and my kids eat a quick bowl of cereal or toast. I'm not proud of this. I don't know how we got on this path, but this spring I'm determined to shake things up have healthier breakfast options.

I'm going to pay more attention at the store and come home with better breakfast items. And I'll work on organizing my time so I have the ability to cook a quality meal.

Sadly, we are still going to need "fast" options. And we need our breakfasts to include more protein and produce. If you've been reading this blog for some time, you know that I'm a fan of making nut butters and milks.

What I didn't know is that some of my favorite "milks" now contain fruit and more protein - like a ready made smoothie. Fast, nutritious and tasty...

Silk is one of those products and they are now making Silk Fruit & Protein which comes in three great flavors: Mixed Berry, Mango Peach, and Strawberry Banana. To be honest, working with Social Moms is the first time I had heard of the product. I have never seen this in our stores, or in advertising. The flavors sound delicious, and my kids would love the mixed berry flavor.

You can find Silk Fruit & Protein in the aisle near juices (click here to find it in a store near you,) but it's a little different than juice. It contains protein, vitamin D and Calcium. You could substitute it for juice, blend it into your morning smoothies, or even take it on the go.

There are mornings when I have run out the door with just an orange. Whole food? Sure, but not a complete meal. It would be better to pour a mug of Silk Fruit & Protein to take in the car.

And on the days when my kids are "too sick for school - wink, wink" and won't eat anything for breakfast, they are always willing to drink some juice. So I'd feel better knowing they went off to school with some protein in their bellies.

It's nice to have options. I'm going to work harder on getting more complete breakfasts on the table, and for the days when that doesn't work out (and there WILL be those days...) then I'd feel better having something like Silk Fruit & Protein in the refrigerator to offer a quick and healthy alternative to juice, toast, or nothing at all.

I don't know why it took an email from Social Moms for me to hear about this product or even know something like it existed, but you don't have to be in the dark. You can like Silk Fruit & Protein on Facebook to stay up to date.


You can even get a $1 off coupon to save on your next purchase of Silk Fruit & Protein.

I hope your breakfasts are healthy and enjoyable. If you have any quick tips you'd like to share, feel free to leave a comment below. I am always open to new ideas.

“This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and Silk blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own.”

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Children and Gardening

Children and Gardening

Gardening with the kids is one of the most rewarding and fun projects you can do. We have a lot of fun and are able to teach them about growing things  by showing them. Children learn much quicker if you actually show them the process of something as you're explaining it. Kids love to get dirty and dig, so this project is one of their absolute favorites. They can dig until their hearts' content and feel the soil with their fingers. The texture of the soil holds endless fascination for them. 

If you plant easy-to-grow foliage or flowers that sprout quickly, the children will take to the gardening like fish to water. Growing stuff they can eventually eat is a definite plus, and will help them realize where food comes from. Commercial weed control works well with landscaping, as a backyard garden needs a variety of different methods of control. Having the children do the plucking of weeds has both benefits and drawbacks. Small children have to be watched so they don't pull the plants you are trying to grow. It is generally better to allow the plants to grow to a decent height before letting them help with that part. Usually a week or two is necessary. 

 Make sure to check the seasonal growth for what you are going to plant. Some things grow better at specific times of the year. April is a great time for leafy greens and root vegetables. If the time is not right for tomatoes and such, they can be grown in large planters right in your kitchen to keep them from cold weather and frost. Salsa pots are a great way to grow all of the ingredients for salsa in one place. They will generally be ready for harvest at the same time as well. 

Make sure to label your rows of plants so that the children (as well as yourself) know what is coming up where. The kids can help decorate the labels before you put them up. All you need to do is allow them to draw pictures of the veggie and write the name on it, then you can have them laminated to preserve them and attach them to a spike to put into the ground or stapled to a piece of wood along the rows. The children will love seeing their handy work out in the garden.

Planting shrubs and flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies is also a great idea. Most of them keep coming back each year and will last a very long time. The birds and butterflies will entertain the children and give you something else to teach and talk to them about. Kids have tons of questions about the world they are growing up in. There are plenty of sites to get the answers for them and the kids will think you are the smartest parent in the world. 

Don't forget to make watering the plants easy for when life gets busy. Kids like to water the plants, but you won't always have time to do that by hand. You can buy a regular sprinkler that will attach to your hose, or buy and extra length of hose you can poke holes in and mount over your garden. It is a relatively easy procedure and can be turned on with either a twist of the spigot knob or a timer. Timers are great for busy parents who are on the go a lot. 

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Olay Fresh Effects

Now that it's spring, I can't help but want to clean up our entire lives! I'm busying clearing out clutter, putting away winter tools, and planning for spring. But it's also time to rethink and refresh your skin care regimen. No more dry, winter days. (**silent cheers!**)

I've recently revamped my routine by using the Olay Fresh Effects products. This was an easy swap since I've always loved Olay products and have used an Olay moisturizer since my early teen years.

Not long ago, I found the Olay BB cream and  absolutely fell in love with it. I had meant to blog about it for awhile because it's a game changer. No more icky foundation lines, no heavy coverage - just sheer, easy, no-mistake skin care.

Every girl should start out with a BB cream instead of foundation. It's better for your skin, easier to use, and looks better. Plus, anyone that's active or is short on time will love the ease of use and light wear.

I don't think I'll switch back to a regular foundation, and when my daughter is old enough to start wearing makeup - this is what I'll buy for her.

There are number of other Olay Fresh Effects products too, like:

· -Va-Va-Vivid!- Powered Contour Cleansing System
· -Shine, Shine Go Away!- Shine Minimizing Cleanser
· -Bead Me Up!- Exfoliating Cleanser
· -S’Wipe Out!- Refreshing Make-up Removal Cloths
· -Long Live Moisture!- Satin Finish Lotion

You can find them at Walmart.com. Of course, you can find all other great Olay products there too. I have to be honest, when I say that I love the Pro-x and Regenerist products.

Like most women, I love to swap around and try new beauty products. Spring is a great time to clean out your makeup drawer and try something fresh. I like the Olay Fresh Effects products and think they are a great compliment to my skin care program.

I would definitely use them on my daughter, and I would use them on myself. If you're looking for something new, be sure to check them out.



Disclosure: The Olay Fresh Effects product, information, and two gift packs have been provided by Olay.
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Delightful Moments with Geico

Sometimes the smallest things can have the biggest impact on your day, your mood, your overall well being. As a stay at home mom, my day can get pretty boring. I complete the same repetitive tasks and it often seems like my efforts are unrewarded. I mean, how many times do you have to tell your kids to pick up their backpacks before they actually do it? Does everything have to make so many crumbs? And laundry...

But then, out of the blue, one of my kids will say thank you for something I've done. Usually something small and insignificant, but knowing that my small effort had a meaningful result, brightens my day.

I also feel delight when I do something that saves our family money. Short term gains are great, but nothing beats making long term impacts - like refinancing your mortgage, finding a better CD rate, or finding a different insurance carrier.

I for one, do not like calling insurance companies, so switching carriers is not on my "fun list." But I still make the call every year just to see what's out there.

We have had GEICO insurance for the last 7 years, and even though I call around each and every year, we haven't switched. I haven't found a better rate.

And to be honest, our service has been pretty good. We unfortunately (!!!) had a few claims last year! I called GEICO right away, and the problem was solved. Literally!

Then I stressed out and worried about our rates going up. Guess what? GEICO has an accident forgiveness policy for people that have been with them for 5 years without incident. Yippee!


Accidents are horrible. Insurance can be annoying. But it's so much easier to deal with a company that takes your good driving record into account, that offers reasonable rates, and that takes care of you in case of an accident.

We have had a great experience with GEICO - maybe even delightful?

You'll want to check into updating your insurance. Maybe part of your spring cleaning to get your house in order? If you want to get involved with GEICO, you can like them using the box below:


And as always, look for ways to make your day delightful. Whether you work in an  office, a garbage dump, or just stay at home like me - you can find ways (small and large) to make your day brighter.

“This blog post is part of a paid SocialMoms and GEICO blogging program. The opinions and ideas expressed here are my own. To read more posts on this topic, click here.” 

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7 Weeks to Add 10 Pounds (of muscle!)

Want to add muscle quickly? Want to add muscle at all! Then you might want to check out 7 Weeks to 10 Pounds of Muscle. 

This book is a good guide to building muscle. It's a very quick read and a very easy plan to follow. Maybe too easy? It just doesn't seem hard enough, but it it works, then who's complaining? 

There are a lot of great tips and stories from the authors to help you avoid common mistakes in muscle building. 

It's an easy enough program that you can do it at home. The minimum equipment is a set of dumbbells and/or a bar with removable weights. That's it!

They lay out exactly what you need to do and on what days. The workouts take less than a half hour and there are 3 rest days every week. The diet suggestions are easy too, but were the hardest part for me to implement. 

The way I eat naturally....apparently...results in a thinner, less muscular shape. Ugh. So I've tried to adopt the eating strategy in this book. It's actually the way most people eat (I think) but it's been challenging for me.

Personally, I am finished with week 1. The workouts have been super easy and I'm adjusting to the eating methods. I can definitely stick to this for 7 weeks...I am really hoping it results in a lot more muscle. 10 pounds!! 

One thing you should know - this book is definitely written for men and by men. It's straight forward and to the point, but some of info isn't as applicable to women (such as the testosterone information and the test you need to pass to move on to the next level.) I would have liked to see just a page on what to modify if you are female, but I'm going with the plan as-is and I think most people can, your results may vary.

*I received a complimentary copy of 7 Weeks to 10 Pounds of Muscle. for review purposes. All opinions expressed are my own. I send all my review products to readers or give them away to random people. 

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Low Carb Diets for Better Health

Healthy living is important for everyone but it's even more important for someone with diabetes. Without the proper diet and care, diabetes can be fatal. But more often, its debilitating. So many diabetics lose their feet or legs, lose feeling in their limbs, lose their eye sight and eventually lose everything.

A big part of a healthy lifestyle is being active. Getting outside, doing the things you love, and moving your body go a long way to adding to your general health.

The other biggie is healthy eating habits. Food is so prevalent and the wrong types of food are more available than ever!

Diabetics should consult a doctor or dietitian before they embark on any of the diets available today. They really should follow a plan that is a specific for them. Most often, that's a low carb diet plan.

That plan should include plenty of real, natural, and unprocessed foods. Yes, those are all the same category! That means, unadulterated meats and dairy, fresh fruits and vegetables, and possibly whole grains.

Diabetes is very diet sensitive, so it's important to read and find out everything you can before you start a diet.

It's not going to be easy, but it's worth fighting the disease and living the best and most healthy life possible.

If you don't have diabetes, then it's never to soon to start taking care of yourself either. Throw out your packaged food products and start buying and cooking real food.

Eventually, you'll dislike packaged foods and even most restaurants  You'll save money, most likely lose weight, and have more energy when you are eating the right foods and making that food at home.

It's not as hard as you think. Plus, it will help you learn new things and keep your mind engaged! You'll have a lot of fun improving your health - and eventually teaching others.

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Healthier Portion Sizes - Can Quaker Popped Snacks Help?

This New Year, I didn't make any formal resolutions. Instead, I opted to make small steps to improve my overall health. One of those steps is eating smaller snack portions.

My kids are great at limiting their meal portions and then gorging on snack foods. I tend to eat big meals and big snacks. Something has to change.

Here are my 5 small steps to decreasing unhealthy snacking:

1. Limit what you bring into the house. If there are no cookies or candies, then none will be eaten.

2.Fill your meals and cart with fruits and veggies. By planning vegetable filled meals and snacks, there is less room in your day (or cart) for lower quality foods.

3. Ask yourself if you are truly hungry. Before you pour yourself a big bowl of something, ask yourself if you're truly hungry or if you're just bored or stressed out.

4.Eat what you really want. Sometimes I over snack because I don't eat what I really crave. If I want chocolate, but I eat some crackers, I'm still going to want chocolate and won't stop hunting for snacks until I've found it. Instead of identifying what I really wanted, I end up eating double the snacks.

5.Pour appropriate portions. Check out the difference in these two scenarios.

What if I sat down to watch television with this bowl?


What about this one?


You may have noticed the chips in my bowl are new. They are Quaker® PoppedTM  rice snacks. They used be called Quakes. 

When I first tried these, I really thought they were going to taste like bland rice cakes - diet food, you know. But I was wrong. These taste just like chips or popcorn (depending on the flavors.)

I recently poured myself a bowl of the Salsa Fresca chips and they were fantastic - just like chips and salsa - of course less messy and with different ingredients.
The biggest thing I can say about Quaker® PoppedTM rice snacks is that they are very flavorful. Since I typically eat a very plain whole foods diet, the flavors were very intense. Not in a bad way, but in a way that meant I couldn't eat more than a handful without feeling like I had enough. Score one for portion control!

They come in a huge variety of flavors (14!) so you are sure to find one that suits your tastes. You can choose from Apple Cinnamon, BBQ, Caramel Corn, Cheddar Cheese, Chocolate, Kettle Corn, Ranch, Sea Salt & Black Pepper, Sour Cream & Onion, Sweet Chili, Tomato Basil and Vanilla Creme Brulee, Chipotle Cheddar, and Sweet and Salty Mix.

You can add variety and whole grains at the same time! You should be able to find most of these flavors at your local grocer and at Walmart.

I'm going to keep working on improving my snack habits - one step at a time. I have no timeline or milestones to hit. I'm just trying to make small changes that lead to a healthier and happier life.

If you've resolved to clean up your eating too - I wish you the best of luck.




Quaker® Quakes® are now Quaker® PoppedTM – a new name for the snack made with the delicious goodness of whole grain brown rice and corn and a great snacking solution.

Reply below for your chance to win a sample of all 14 flavors of Quaker Popped Rice Snacks and $1,000 gift card to help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Quaker. I received product in conjunction with this post. The opinions and text are all mine. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.  See Official Sweepstakes Rules

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Del Monte Southwestern Tomato Kick-Off Sweepstakes

Tomatoes are my favorite vegetable/fruit. They can be used in almost every recipe, are nutritional powerhouses, and they taste great. I dedicate half my garden to tomatoes every season.

I also make sure my pantry is stocked with canned tomatoes for the winter (and for easy preparation.)

I've recently noticed canned tomatoes that come in "flavors" - as opposed to "just tomatoes." Del Monte has created a line of Southwestern-Style tomatoes that would be fantastic in chili, nachos, tacos, or enchiladas.

I am most excited about the Green Chilies variety. I hope to use them in either a Mexican style chicken soup or in a good old fashion 3-bean chili.

If you have any great ideas for how you would use the Del Monte Southwestern Tomatoes, be sure to head to the Del Monte Southwestern Tomato Kick-Off Sweepstakes and enter your recipe for a chance to win some really great prizes.

One of the prizes is an ultimate entertainment package with a Sony 55" LED TV, Bose home theater system and Sony Blu-ray Player (ARV $4779)

To enter: 

• Follow the Del Monte Brand on Pinterest
• Create a Pinterest board named “Del Monte Southwestern Tomato Kick-Off”
• Pin at least two (2) Del Monte Tomato Recipes from the “Del Monte Southwestern Tomato Kick-Off” Pinterest board and at least two (2) football entertaining ideas
• Register your Pinterest board to the Del Monte page from January 21st through February 15th to be entered into the Del Monte® Southwestern Tomato Kick-Off Sweepstakes program

If you enter, be sure to send me a link to your recipe. I am always up for good tomato recipes and I'd love to try it. 


Disclosure: The Del Monte products, information and two gift packs have been provided by Del Monte. 




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