Simple, Healthy, FunLifeway ProBugs Frozen Kefir

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Lifeway Kefir but all my opinions are my own.  #pmedia #lifewayprobugs http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

In our house we are always looking for great ways to incorporate healthy eating, and several months ago we discovered Lifeway Kefir.  Kefir is a creamy probiotic dairy beverage that promotes gut-health by re-establishing necessary intestinal microflora.  Essentially it makes our tummies feel great! Lifeway Kefir is gluten-free, and made with organic milk from grass-fed cows!

When we had the chance to pick up Lifeway Probugs Frozen Kefir, their new product made with kids in mind, I couldn't wait to see how Zion would like it.  I think you can tell from the picture above that all it took was one taste for her to be a big fan.

Of course, I like to get a little fancy with my frozen treats, so I thought up the perfect Summer dessert that you can eat totally guilt-free, a frozen kefir fruit and nut parfait!

While I created this yummy parfait with layers of berries, coconut and Lifeway Probugs - with me in mind, when Zion saw me bring it outside she couldn't help herself.  And I don't blame her at all - the girl definitely gets her love of frozen treats from me.  I love that this healthy probiotic abundant snack can be considered a treat!

After enjoying our Lifeway Probugs for several days, we decided to do something fun with our leftover tubes.  We are big on recycling in our family and I love that so many things can be reused and re-purposed, even if its just for the sake of getting our craft on!

With Zion's birthday just around the corner, and a batch of cake pops getting ready to be made this week, I thought these containers would make a perfect backdrop to our cake pop stand.  We started out by painting the containers, then after they were dried fully we used a paper fastener to hold the tubes together.  

We used glue and glitter to write on the tubes and will use a popsicle stick or possibly cake pop sticks to attach it to our stand.  For the final display I'm going to make you wait until later this week, that way you can get the big reveal with the cake pops made.

We are now big fans of Lifeway Probugs Frozen Kefir - which you can find in the freezer section at your local Whole Foods.  They come in three delicious and fun flavors: StrawNana Split, Goo-Berry Pie and Orange Creamy Crawler.  You can sign-up for coupons and offers from Lifeway here.

To learn more about Lifeway and their products connect with them here:
Web // Twitter // Facebook // Pinterest.

Have you tried Kefir?  Do you think your kids will love this healthy frozen snack?  Let me know if you give these a try!

       

Grandkid Gift Ideas for Mother's Day

You may already have discovered how much your mom loves your kids' school art projects, especially those intended specifically for her. So what could be a more perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day than by presenting her with something original from your children?

If you’re thinking, “I’m not a crafty type and I can’t help my kids produce beautiful, crafty things,” remember this doesn’t have to be a complicated process. It can be an ideal complement to the Mothers Day flowers by FTD that you and your siblings are planning to have delivered. By taking the time to be just a little creative with your kids, you can make sure Mom has an unforgettable day.

She's Crafty

One adorable idea is explained in a four-minute easy-to-watch instructional video featuring a mother-daughter duo. The mom in the video even suggests that kids make this creation — a paper purse — with their mom, so you and your kids can put this together as a family project focusing on Grandma. This project literally requires just two folds in a sheet of rectangular paper and a single diagonal cut to design the basic “canvas.” The rest of the project is decoration, which can be simple or elaborate.

Another four-minute video explains how to help your kids make other straightforward projects, including a decorated ceramic cup and a “handprint” vase. Did you know you can use your oven to make paint applied at home permanent? This video contains fun suggestions that almost certainly will make your mom smile.

Flower Power

Handmade dried-flower art also can be easier to create than you thought; you just have to build in time for living flowers to lose moisture. All you need for that part is an empty vase in which you let your favorite variety of flowers sit and dry out. Then, you and your kids can start making a keepsake bookmark or a framed masterpiece using a paintbrush, multiple colors of acrylic paint, all-in-one glue/sealer/finish called Mod Podge and a large sheet of paper.

Put It on the Calendar

Here’s a slightly more streamlined idea: if your mom’s birthday occurs in the second half of the year, have your kids decorate a June through December calendar (create the foundation by recreating each calendar month horizontally on a separate piece of paper and then binding the pages together across the top). They can put extra decorations, including paint, crayons or markers, glitter, buttons, yarn or fabric on the page with Grandma’s birthday month and add extra-special flourishes to the date square that is her actual birthday. A construction paper cover for the calendar can be decorated by your kids, too.

Feeling a little less adventurous? Have your kids design a handmade Mother’s Day card. You can follow instructions from a Pinterest page that specifically focuses on creating a card for Grandma. Or, ask your kids to write a special poem for her. If you’re reluctant to tackle a crafts project, remember that a gift certificate from your kids for a massage, a manicure or pedicure or your mom’s favorite restaurant will most certainly be appreciated. Anything from the heart speaks volumes.

Contributed by:
Lesley Morrow

Lesley is a stay-at-home mom, activist and theatre director. She loves being busy and writing about all her adventures.

       

Simple Fall Wreath Tutorial

I had a moment this week to finally put together a Fall wreath, and I know you will love this simple DIY!  For the supplies, I found them at Target of all places in the dollar spot!  I think I spent $6 on the vine wreath and silk flowers, the rest of the items were leftovers from last year.  To copy this you'll need some yarn and ribbon.  I chose colors that were warm and rich, reminding me of the last days of warm sunshine before Winter.

1.  Begin the wreath by winding some yarn around it.  You can start the yarn by tying it directly on the wreath, then cut a decent length of yarn so you can go around the wreath twice in a spiral pattern.  Once you have it how you want it, tie the end piece on as well and trim any excess yarn.

2.  Next, twist some ribbon around the wreath, also in a diagonal/spiral manner.  I used ribbon that had a bit of wire molding to it so it stayed in place, but you can glue the beginning piece with the hot glue to keep it where you want it.  After you get it placed how you like it, trim it and glue down the ends so it stays in place.

 3.  Next, you'll want to add your silk flowers and other plants.  For this part, I clipped the stems of the sunflowers so they were only an inch or two from the base of the flower.  With vine wreath you can weave the stems easily into the wreath.  I would recommend you experiment first with the placement of your flowers until you are satisfied with its look, then put some hot glue directly on the stem, and slide the stem back into place.  I was able to pull apart the branches of my berries and weave them throughout the vine wreath without needing hot glue at all.  And finally, I took the leaves and put a bit of hot glue on the stems and placed them where I wanted them.

4.  I chose to use a coordinating ribbon for a bow - and then I couldn't figure out where I wanted to place the bow.  There is really nothing to this bow, and its quite simple to create using ribbon that has a bit of wire molding to it.  You pretty much just loop the ends around and tie a small not, then play with it until it looks pretty.  ;)  Once you figure out where you want your bow - top or bottom, or even if you want the bow I should say, then glue it in place.

5.  Voila!  Simple Fall Wreath - inexpensive, festive, Fall!  After the glue is dry - simply hang it on your door using a wreath hanger.  Thanks for sticking around to check this out!

 I'd love to hear your simple Fall decor ideas, so please feel free to leave links in your comments below!