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Share the Goodness

We are very blessed. Although everyone has problems in life (I just spent the evening crying to Jovan over some difficulties I am having at work), we are very lucky people. We both have great careers, we own a nice home and can afford to give our son whatever he needs. We are all healthy and our son is sweet and smart as a whip. We are thankful all year round and make it a point to donate to charity and to take the time to do for those less fortunate than ourselves. I have organized a Thanksgiving food drive this year and regularly donate money to my local no-kill animal shelter. Jovan makes it a point to give blood often and works at a camp for underprivileged youth. We both believe in giving back, not only to help those around us, but as a way to thank the universe for all we've been given.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, giving thanks and giving back is on everyone's mind. Although it should be something we do all the time, I love this time of year because so many people are giving selflessly. Many local stores have boxes at the front filled with donated food and toys. I see folks, even those who don't have much, giving whatever they can. We are still building our family traditions, but I know that service to others will be a part of our Thanksgiving every year. It's important to us for our son to know it's better to give than to receive.

What about you? What are your family's holiday traditions? Do you also make it a point to give of yourselves in some way? Are you already in the giving mood?

In the spirit of the holidays, Dole has created a contest that celebrates family traditions and gives back at the same time. I was recently contacted by Dole about their "Share the Goodness" contest which launched on Nov. 8.

It's as easy as Thanksgiving pie. Just share a fun holiday photo (with a caption describing your family's tradition) to become a part of the virtual DOLE mosaic poster. Then send an eCard to your friends and family, inviting them to see your picture and share their own photos at www.DoleShares.com. The grand prize winner will receive $5,000 and $5,000 will be contributed to their local food bank. If the grand prize winner is a friend you referred, you also win $2,000!

And just for telling you about this contest, Dole has agreed to donate $25 in our names to our local food bank! Now that's some generous giving!

Rocketfish Bluetooth Headphones

Recently, I purchased some blue tooth headphones. I have never owned a pair of these before, but I must say they work great!

I went to a Best Buy location and bought the Rocketfish BT High Def Stereo Bluetooth Headphones for $49.99. Here is more info about the company. ( FYI: I do NOT work with or for Rocketfish or any of its affiliates. I paid for these headphones on my own.)

The headphones worked right out of the box. I followed the directions to sync them with my cellphone and I was set.

The sound is really crisp and clear. I was able to use the headphones from about 25 feet away before it started to cut out. The volume is really good! We had a fire drill at my school and I was able to drown out the sound of the alarm as I walked out to the field.

The headphones also worked while I was at the gym on the stairmaster. In my attempt to test-out the headphones, I put my phone in a locker a few feet behind me, and started to work out. The functions all worked successfully. I was able to hear the music clearly, move forward, and reverse through tracks on my cellphone. No cut outs in sound throughout my 30 minute sweat fest. I've gotta admit, it would be really nice to have a "sport" version of the same headphones. A rubberized ear covering would be really great for the gym.

When I went into my car, I was able to make call from the phone before I started driving to pick up our son. I don't think that Elita knew I was using the headset, until I let her know. Usually I use the audio-out feature (ie: plug it into the aux jack) and she voices her disdain for the echo from speakers in my car, so I was glad that the headphones made it sound like I was using the handset.

One thing that I noticed is cut outs while walking. Strangely, if I keep my phone in my pocket and use the head set, it will cut out. If I hold the phone in my hand, there doesn't seem to be the same problem.

I have only owned the headphones for about 2 days, so for now I am giving them a serious SOUL CLAP!

Pros: Great sound. Loud enough to block out a fire alarm and gym noises. Easy syncing with cell. Good directions. Ready to use out of the box

Cons: Sound cuts in and out while the phone is my pocket. Traditional ear covers aren't great for the gym but they will suffice.

Soul Parent Weekend Recipe

Soul Parent weekend recipe
French toast

A loaf of challah
4 eggs
3 cups milk, almond milk,or soy milk... (I mix soy and almond for a different flavor)
1/2 cup (fat free) french vanilla creamer
Teaspoon salt
1/4 c. applesauce
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
10 packets splenda or sugar

Slice the challah into 1 inch slices
Beat the eggs in a big bowl with a wisk
Add the milks
Beat it with a wisk

Add the cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, splenda, applesauce

Once again "Beat it" (R.I.P. MJ) with a wisk.

Turn your stove to a temp between medium and high
Heat your skillet/pan

Dip your bread
Fry your bread on each side until golden brown

French Toast
(Wait for it...)
VOILA!!!!

(That's French!)

Wordless Wednesday

Dole Challenge!

If you are anything like us, you are always worried about what your toddler is (and isn't) eating. Now that our son is almost 2, he is becoming more and more picky about what he'll eat. One day, he'll only touch oatmeal. The next day I can only get potato chips and chicken nuggets down his throat. Thankfully, no matter how fussy he is about his food, he'll always eat fruit! His favorites are grapes, pineapples and apples, but I don't think he's ever turned his nose up at a piece of fruit. This is why I try to make sure I always have fresh fruit in the house, but I always, always, always keep some Dole in the pantry just in case. I usually buy the giant cans of pineapple as well as the fruit bowls for snacking on-the-go. I never leave home without a fruit bowl and a spoon in my diaper bag! At this stage, it is just as essential as the diapers and wipes.

The folks at Dole were kind enough to send me some fruit bowls & coupons in exchange for telling you guys about the Dole Challenge, where you can win some fantastic prizes!

Register to explore the Dole Kitchen at www.DoleChallenge.com, where you have three chances to win:

• Give a tip on how you enjoy Dole Fruit Bowls for a chance to win $300!
• Challenge YOUR friends to play along for another chance to win $1,000!
• Then reward yourself by downloading a FREE coupon!
  

Easy! Take advantage of this great coupon to try out the bowls on your toddler today. I bet this is one treat they'll never turn down!

Easy weekday meal: Asian Tuna Patties

Thanks to my friend on Twitter, @LibertyGirle, for this wonderful recipe. A different and super tasty way to use canned tuna that will have the whole family raving. Serve these Asian Tuna Patties with rice and a vegetable for an easy weekday meal.

2 (6oz) cans tuna in water, drained and flaked

2 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups bread crumbs (I use Panko)

4 green onions, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 T soy sauce

2 T teriyaki sauce

2 T ketchup

1 T siracha sauce (if you can't find it, regular hot sauce is fine)

2 t sesame oil

black pepper to taste

cornmeal

vegetable oil

Mix everything together, form into patties (smaller ones work best, I get about 10-12 patties out of this much mix), roll in cornmeal and pan-fry in oil until golden brown on the outside.

Delicious! Even my 20-month-old was a fan!