Busy Mom Solution

Busy Mom Solution: Simplify Your Deliveries, and Never Miss a Package Again!

Take Control of Your Shipments and Deliveries!

The Challenge:

Isn’t is such a bummer to get a notice that there was an attempt to deliver your package – but they needed a signature, and you missed it? Or getting a packaged delivered while you’re out, and it gets rained or snowed on out on the porch? How cool would it be if you could specify when and where you want your packages delivered? Or to be able to submit an electronic signature online, to ensure you get your delivery on time? How about being able to reroute a package to a different address when needed, or to the nearest UPS location so you can do a quick pick-up? That would sure come in handy when you’re traveling for the holidays, right?

Busy Mom Solution: UPS My Choice!

“UPS is committed to making the on line shopping experience better – not just for shippers, but for the consumers who receive packages at their home as well. That’s why UPS is transforming the package delivery experience with a first-of-its kind, customizable delivery service for residential receivers called UPS My Choice.”

Here are a few of the ways UPS My Choice Can Help You:

Delivery Alerts: Avoid the disappointment of missing a package you were super excited about. Now you can schedule deliveries to fit YOUR busy life!
Reroute options: Visiting family for the holidays? Have your packages rerouted to your new location – or just pick them up at a local UPS site!
Electronic Signatures: Submit your signature online if you won’t be home, so that your package can be delivered on time!

Sign up for UPS My Choice for FREE today!!

The perfect solution for every mom!

This is totally perfect for someone like me – I win a lot of giveaway prizes, and many need signatures to be delivered. I get a ton of shipments of products for reviews – and I want to make sure that they’re delivered safely. I’m often out of the house, and love that I can see what’s coming each day, and plan the delivery to meet MY schedule. This is such an amazingly helpful tool – and it’s totally FREE! How much better can it get? I wish ALL delivery companies could be this good!

Membership levels:

UPS My Choice Basic Membership: This is totally free and includes a ton of great tools – receive phone, e-mail or text alerts notifying you a day in advance of when packages will arrive. Get a four-hour approximate delivery time frame. You also have the option to electronically authorize release of packages that require a signature and, for a $5 transaction fee, to reroute a package to another delivery address or have it delivered to the nearest The UPS Store® location.
UPS My Choice Premium Membership: Available for a $40 annual subscription, this provides all the benefits of a regular UPS My Choice membership at no additional cost and in addition, members gain access to an online delivery calendar that shows the status of UPS home deliveries. Premium members also are offered a two-hour delivery window. A $5 transaction fee is charged only upon successful delivery of the package within the two-hour commitment. As a Premium member, consumers can even provide their UPS driver with detailed instructions on where to leave a package. They just select from a drop-down list of location options like — leave it at the Side Door…the Garage…on the Porch…in the Management Office of my apartment complex or the Shed out back! How cool is that??

Set up your FREE UPS My Choice account today!

{Disclosure: I received compensation from UPS in the form of a gift card to participate in this campaign promoting the UPS My Choice delivery service. I only share sites, products, and services that I use myself – and all opinions are 100% mine. I love UPS My Choice and I know you will too!}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on December 4, 2011 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | 3 Comments

Super Simple Meal Options for Super Busy Moms!

Are you a Super Busy Mom?

I am a busy mom. Like, super, duper, uber busy. I’m also trying to be a healthy mom. A mom who finally loses the baby weight – from the baby that I had a year and a half ago. {Everyone started out saying, “Don’t worry about it – It takes 9 months to put the weight on, give it 9 months to take it off too.” Then, it turned into, “Oh, most women lose the baby weight by baby’s first birthday.” Now, there is no excuse. Do I call it toddler-tummy? How long can I call it “baby weight”….} Anyway, like I was saying – I am always looking for new products that solve a problem in my life. So when I heard that Healthy Choice had a new line-up of Café Steamers that were inspired by the amazingly mouthwatering recipes from Top Chef – I knew I had to check ’em out.

Does that look totally delicious, or what?

We tried several of these new steamy and delicious meals – And while it’s hard to choose… this Chicken Margherita with Balsamic Vinaigrette Sauce has got to be my favorite! The texture of the noodles and the chicken were seriously perfect, the veggies were crisp, and the flavor of the sauce combined them all into a super delicious meal! Want to know why they’re so good? A few facts…

The unique steaming technology separates the sauce from the rest of the entrée to steam the meal in the microwave, allowing for crisp vegetables, tender meats and al dente pastas.
The line of great-tasting dishes features quality ingredients such as slow roasted garlic, asparagus and grilled eggplant.

And all of this at an affordable price, too! The meals are starting to appear in grocery stores nationwide right now – Look for the Top Chef Marking on the package. They sell for a suggested retail price of $2.75 – $3.50, which is waaaaay cheaper than going out for fast food, and way healthier too.

Check out Healthy Choice Top Chef Inspired Café Steamers Today!

These meals are so good, and such a life-saver. You’ll definitely want to stock up on a bunch of them, so you always have an easy, tasty, yummy dinner option, even on the busiest of days! And make sure to print the $1 Off Café Steamers Coupon – from the Healthy Choice website too. These meals are so quick and simple, but they’ll leave you feeling like you made time for a “real” meal. I like to sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese on the top, and pair them with an easy salad, and maybe even a glace of wine. The exclusive new line includes eight delicious options – here are a few of my other personal favorites:

Barbeque Seasoned Steak with Red Potatoes
Chicken Fresca with Chardonnay
Chicken Linguini with Red Pepper Alfredo
Roasted Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms

Learn more:

Check out the other Healthy Choice products, and see some of your favorite moments from Top Chef!

You can also find Healthy Choice on Facebook and Twitter – where you can stay updated on new products and promotions!

{I received complimentary Healthy Choice meals to sample for this review – Hey, I can’t tell you about them if I haven’t tried them, right? But all options on the deliciousness of these Healthy Choice meals is totally honest and 100% my own, as always.}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 29, 2011 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | No Comments

Busy Mom Solution: Switch your Sippy Cups from Plastic to Stainless Steel

The Challenge:

As moms, we want the best for our kids. That means the healthiest foods, the best new educational toys, and the safest products available. I’m sure you’ve heard the scary reports in the news about the potential dangers of the BPA that’s in many common plastic kids items – but maybe you’re not sure what your other options are. I mean, most sippy cups are plastic, the water bottles you buy at the mini-mart are plastic, and so many kids sports bottles are plastic too. Where do you find better products to switch to? That’s where Kid Basix come to the rescue!

Why Kid Basix is a great Busy Mom Solution:

“At Kid Basix, we started a revolution when we rethought the sippy cup and created the Safe Sippy™ no-spill bottle from clean, non-leaching stainless steel. But while BPA-free products are still important to parents, the world is changing. Safety, value, the environment – they are all important now. And Kid Basix will continue to be at the forefront of that conversation as we !rethink: EVERYTHING.”

7 Reasons we LOVE Kid Basix:

There is something for everyone! Kid Basix has the Safe Starter for babies from 0-6 months, the Safe Sippy and Safe Sippy2 for toddlers, and the Safe Sporter bottles for athletic kiddo’s ages 4 and up.
They are safe! You can read more about the possible dangers in kids plastic products, and why stainless steel is such a great option. A few important facts – Stainless steel oes not interact with the foods and fluids it comes into contact with; meaning that what you put into the container is exactly what you get out of it, no chemicals. Plus, it’s one of the most recycled materials on the planet, making it a great “green” choice.
They are fun! The Safe Sippy2 that we received to try out is Abby’s new favorite cup. It’s easy and comfortable for her to hold, and it’s cute as can be! Everywhere that we go, people ask us where we got it – most people aren’t aware that you can get stainless steel sippy cups.
They are convenient! I love that the Safe Sippy2 comes with a lid that snaps on secure – so that I can throw this in the diaper bag – and no leaks! And, because it’s stainless steel like my own favorite water bottles, it keeps drinks super cold. The outer sleeve helps keep little fingers from getting too cold when holding the bottle – and helps to keep it cold longer too!
They are easy to clean! The Kid Basix products are all dishwasher safe – I’d recommend using the top rack – and remove the small parts first. {Great tip: Pick up a Munchkin Dishwasher Basket for less than $5 bucks – makes it SO much easier to clean all of those little parts in the dishwasher!} You don’t even have to take the outer sleeve off – but you probably will want to remove it once in awhile, just to clean inside of it. {Toddlers get sticky stuff in the most amazing places, lol.}
They are budget-friendly! The Safe Sippy2 comes with a straw adapter – so when your little one is ready to upgrade to a straw-style “Big Kid” cup, you don’t have to run out and buy a new one.
They are parent invented! “Our founder created The Safe Sippy cup because he knows how dangerous plastics are, and it drove him crazy that he was giving his two year old son water every morning in a cup made from toxic chemicals.”

Where to buy Kid Basix:

Learn more about the great line of Kid Basix products on their website, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on cool new products and promotions, like their weekly weekly Fab Friday discount of 20% off select products from their website!!

You can order any of the amazing products from Kid Basix on their site, or find them on Amazon if you’re like me, and use your Swagbucks for Free Amazon Credits….

The Safe Starter by Kid Basix – Ages 0-6 months.

The Safe Sippy 2 – The one we have!

The Safe Sporter Bottle – Great for big kids.

Already a big fan of Kid Basix products?

Then be sure to leave a helpful comment on Amazon, to let other moms know what a great product these are, or stop by their Facebook page to tell them how much they rock!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 29, 2011 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | No Comments

Busy Mom Solution: Swap Your Bottled Water for This!

The Problem:

You want your kids to eat healthy – and that includes not just the foods that they eat, but also the beverages that they drink. So, you switch from sugary soda and juice to bottled water. Problem solved? Nope, not quite. Bottled water uses a ton of resources, and causes some really big environmental problems. It’s also bad for your wallet too. You can read the full story about the negative consequences caused by the over-consumption of bottled water in my post about saving the world, {I’m like a super hero!} – but I’ll share a little bit of info here, to give you an idea of the real cost of bottled water.

What you’re really paying for bottled water:

For this example, I’m using an average family of 4, where each member drinks a couple bottles of water each day. Say they’re buying Nestle Purelife Bottled Spring Water, at $6.99 for a case of 24. That’s only .30 cents a bottle, great deal right?

Four people drinking 2 bottles per day = 56 bottles per week.
56 bottles per week at .30 cents each is $16.80 per week.
That’s $67.20 per month.
And a whopping $873.60 per year – just for some water bottles you throw away! How crazy is that, right??!!

The Solution?

Now that you know what the problem is, you need a Busy Mom Solution. And of course I’m here to bring you one – {didn’t I just tell you I’m like a super hero?} – the Filtrete 8-Cup Water Pitcher! Well, all of the Filtrete water products are amazing, but this one is my personal favorite. Read on to learn why…

Top 5 Reasons why I love My Filtrete Pitcher:

It’s Fast! It quickly filters my tap water and changes it into really clean, fresh tasting water that I can use to fill my other reusable water bottles. I drink a TON of water every day, so I love that this can be refilled super quick.
It Fits! The 8-Cup Water Pitcher is really slim – as you can see in the picture. It’s so much skinnier than of the other pitchers I’ve looked at – but still holds a ton of water. The slim shape makes it a great choice for mini-fridges – like in a dorm room, or in an office.
It’s Frugal! You can find the Filtrete Water Pitcher on Amazon for less than $25 bucks, with Free Shipping. Just a couple of weeks of not needing to buy bottled water will make up the price of the pitcher!
It’s Filtered! Our last pitcher took up too much room in the fridge, so I’ve been just filling most of our reusable bottles straight from the tap. I love that this slim pitcher makes it a breeze to filter our water – plus, the filter is easy to change, and really affordable too.
It’s Fun! Well, maybe not for everyone – but the kids looove watching the pitcher fill up and filter the water into the base. And I love anything that brings giggles instead of fits, you know?

Great Gift for the Holidays!

This would be a perfect gift for a college student, since it’s a great way to keep them healthy and hydrated, and it fits in those skinny dorm room mini-fridges. It’s also a great idea for anyone you know who’s trying to eat healthier – many of us grab a soda out of the fridge when we’re thirsty simply because it’s the most convenient option. But the Filtrete Pitcher makes grabbing a glass of great tasting cold water much easier and more fun. It’s a great gift for families, for singles, for couples – for everyone. Seriously. I love this pitcher!

What do you think?

Do you think that the Filtrete Water Pitcher could be a great option to help your family stay healthy? Would you buy it as a gift this season?

Share some comments!

{I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Filtrete and received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.}

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 28, 2011 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | No Comments

Busy Mom Solution: Dapper Snappers Rescue Droopy Drawers!!

Dapper Snappers to the Rescue!!

Dapper Snappers are the perfect busy mom solution – they’re Mom-Invented, made in the USA, versatile, affordable, and fun! Keep reading to learn more…

The Problem:

Not all kiddo’s grow quite the same way – but kids clothes all seem to built pretty similar. If your little one doesn’t fit that “average” build, you’re going to face some big challenges! And, with so many of families on tight budgets this year, many of you are probably like us, and taking advantage of hand-me-down kids clothes. These can be a huge help, since kids usually outgrow clothes quicker than they wear them out – but they can bring even more fit challenges too! You don’t want to spend all your time doing alterations, when you know they’ll grow again any day – and belts on toddlers are pretty much out of the question, right? {In my house, we’re lucky if we can get them to remember to zip AND button, a belt would be a disaster, lol.}

The Busy Mom Solution:

Dapper Snappers!! This is such a simple – yet totally effecive! – idea: Slide the Dapper Snapper Kids Belts through a few of the back belt loops on any pair of pants that’s too big in the waist. Then, take the ends, loop ’em over, and snap ’em into place. You can adjust it to just the right size, pants will stay up easy peasy, and they’re cute as a button too! See them in action:

A few of my favorite features:

These are one size fits all – from 9 months to 6 years old. Hard to believe, but totally true! We use the same one’s on on Abby {15 months} and my 5 year old nephew!
Convenient – Don’t have to take them off at diaper changes, and when you use them as a Toddler Belt, since they’re on the backside of the pants, they don’t get in the way when potty training.
These are Mom-Invented, and made right here in the USA!
Dapper Snappers are totally affordable – and help you get a ton more use out of the clothes you already have on hand!

Check out the Selection:

You’ll find a ton of other great items on the Dapper Snappers website – From Girls and Boys Belts, to Women’s Belts, to my favorite, the Mitten Clips – there’s something for everyone on the Dapper Snappers site! Check it out today – and watch for a giveaway coming in a couple of day!!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 24, 2011 Filed Under: Busy Mom Solution | No Comments

Busy Mom Solution: Free Full Access Gym Pass

Free Week at Curves is back again!

This is such an incredible deal – simply click to go to the site, enter a bit of info, and print out a pass to get a whole week of full access to your local Curves gym! What a great way to get started now, and get a jump on those New Years resolutions that you know you’re going to be making in another month. And I adore Curves – I’m much more comfortable in a gym with just women, and I really like the circuit training style. That’s what makes this another great Busy Mom Solution – you can work out quickly, efficiently, with the great support of other women. Love it!

Is anyone else a Curves fan too?

Posted by Meagan Paullin on November 22, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies, Busy Mom Solution | No Comments

Busy Mom Solution: 5 Reasons I’m Letting Santa Handle My Christmas Lists

Here Comes Santa Clause, Here Comes Santa Clause….

Yep, it’s that time of year. Take a peek over on my sidebar – see the Christmas Countdown gadget? Only 32 more days until Santa gets here! That’s only about a month, ladies. Are you ready yet? It seems so early to plan for Christmas shopping when it’s not even Thanksgiving yet… But we all know – the longer you wait, the more hectic it will be! But, no worries. This year will be different. This year you will have your shopping lists totally under control. You will be organized and worry free. You will be relaxed and jolly and fully enjoying your holiday season. Why? Because I’m here to bring you a totally amazing new Busy Mom Solution – Santa’s Hideout!!

How Cool is This, right??

The video explains most of the basic details really well, but here’s a quick recap – Log in and set up an account at SantasHideout.com. Add a bit of family info – nothing invasive, just basic names and birthdays. Then, you can even set parameters for each child. Maybe Johnny is allowed to add 20 items to his list, and the toys have to be under $50 bucks. These limits help keep the lists realistic.

Visit Santa’s Hideout today!!

Santa’s Desk

We all know about the North Pole, and Santa’s Workshop… But you might not know about Santa’s Desk. This is where all of Santa’s mail passes in and out – and once you’ve set up your account in Santa’s Hideaway, you get access to this desk too! The first task you’ll want to get checked off is to send out an invite to each of your children, from Santa himself, inviting them to start adding toys to their list. It’s easy peasy for them to click the link and get started, and I can guarantee even the “too cool” teenagers will secretly get a kick out of receiving an email directly from Santa Claus. You can also send out letters from “Santa” to the kids anytime you need to, with pre-written reminders encouraging good behavior, or your own message letting them know that Santa is watching. Love it! {Because yes, even good moms pull the Santa card this time of year. “You better finish up your veggies – Santa’s watching you!”}

Making a list, and checking it twice…

Once the kiddo’s get their invitation from Santa, they can use the simple drag and drop function to choose their favorite toys and add them to their Christmas list. {The site searches through the Amazon list of toys, so they have a HUGE selection to choose from!} Once the kids save their lists, you can edit them if needed. {No, Johnny, you don’t need 27 Nerf guns….}, and you can share the lists with friends and family. It works similar to a gift registry – but more fun! Your guests can notify when they’ve made a purchase from the Christmas lists, you can pick items to “Add to Santa’s Sleigh” that you want to purchase yourself, and set up Group gifts too.

5 Reasons I’m Letting Santa Handle My Christmas Lists This Year:

1. This site is easy peasy to use, and even with all of the amazing tips, tools, and features – it’s still 100% totally FREE! Finally something that fits into my budget this season!
2. It’s fun! Sending emails to the little ones from Santa isn’t the only fun thing to check out on this site – There’s also a Tips & Ideas section, filled with yummy cookie recipes, gift ideas, and more. Look forward to tons of new stuff coming soon too – the site just went live, and they’re adding great new content all of the time!
3. It does the work for me! Anything that can save me time during the Holidays is much appreciated. Instead of answering the same question a million times, “What do the kids want for Christmas this year?” – I can simply email the link to all of my family and friends, so they can check it all out for themselves.
4. It guarantees a happy Christmas morning! Ok, not quite. There is still the chance that your youngest will pull his sisters hair, or someone will knock over the tree. {What? Am I the only one who’s family knocks the tree down at least once every year?} But – since everyone had a great list of specific items that the kids wanted most, you know you’ll get to see a ton of huge smiles, and hear, “YES!! This is JUST what I wanted!!” all morning long. And what’s better than that?
5. It’s safe. Your lists are password protected, they will NEVER use your kids email addresses for anything other than the lists that you send out, and the site will never spam you. Santa’s Hideout is brought to you by the amazing folks at Conde Nast {you know, the company that publishes ALL of your favorite magazines??} with the help of a team of momma “Elves”, who helped give feedback and ensure that this site is the perfect solution for your Busy Mom Holiday Challenges!

Check it out today!

You can visit the website at www.santashideout.com.
Like them on Facebook.
Follow them on Twitter.
Add them on Google+.

{This sponsored post is another Busy Mom Solution – brought to you today by the lovely ladies at Maggie’s Clubs. I only share sites, products, and services that I know you’ll love!}