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Learn About SUI and How Poise Impressa Can Help

This post brought to you by Poise. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Mom Files.

Today I am going to talk about a subject that is particularly embarrassing for most women. Have you ever laughed so hard you felt like you had to pee? Or maybe you were at the gym doing your workout and felt like you were about to tinkle? Or maybe you have to cross your legs when you have to sneeze? This is a reality for so many women and I'm sure most of us don't want to admit it. I've had 3 children and I'm over 40. This has really become a problem for me in recent years. When you have to beg someone ahead of time to not be too funny or you have to avoid certain activities for fear of the inevitable leak, you have a problem. Thirty-five million women experience stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a common type of bladder leakage, which can be triggered by coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting or even exercise.
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Now there's a great product that can help you get your freedom back. Poise has introduced the revolutionary new Poise Impressa Bladder Supports, the first and only over-the-counter internal product designed to help stop leaks before they happen.
They are used like you would a tampon and last up to 8 hours. It is best to start off with their sizing kit to know which size will work best for you.
I actually tried it myself and I will say that if you are comfortable wearing a tampon and you suffer from SUI, this product may be the solution you need. They do actually work from the time frame I used it. I think that they will come in handy when I am involved in activities away from home to prevent any embarrassing leaks. The best thing is only YOU know what's going on!

Are you still unsure if Poise Impressa Bladder Supports are right for you? Visit Impressa.com for more information and also grab a Poise Impressa coupon for your future purchase. Also, don't be afraid to consult with your doctor before using this product. This is a relatively inexpensive and discreet way to help save yourself from an embarrassing moment and really give you the freedom to go out and enjoy life!

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DIY Spoiled Pup 'Howliday' Gift #TreatThePups

Today's post is sponsored by Lunchbox

It is the holiday season and the days are going fast! Like me, you have probably finished all of your shopping or are hopefully close to it. The one family member we make certain to include is our dog, Rocco. He spends his days protecting our home and keeping me company during the day, so I make sure I treat him extra special during the holidays.

This year I wanted to give him the gift of treats and toys. I decided that instead of putting everything in a basket or bag, I'd use an inexpensive dog bed instead. What dog wouldn't love having an extra comfy space to lounge?


The thing I love most about this little DIY gift is that you don't have to have any special talent to do it. All you will need is a few toys, a blanket, a dog bed or basket, a glass jar, festive stickers, ribbon, and of course, TREATS! I used Rocco's favorites including: Milk-Bone, Pup-Peroni and Milo’s Kitchen from Walmart.


I found some cute chalkboard adhesive labels and snowflake stickers in the craft store to personalize a plain glass jar to keep treats in.  This would be a simple thing to do for the neighbor's dogs- just add treats and a festive ribbon. I used mini Milk-Bones in Rocco's jar because they are wholesome and delicious treats I feel good about giving. Isn't it cute?


I put all of the items together in the little dog bed and it really came together nicely. You see, you don't need to have any special talent to make a thoughtful gift for your dog. I used some festive ribbon to make the whole thing look holiday-ish. I'm pretty sure that Rocco will sniff these treats out when Christmas morning rolls around. Pup-Peroni is his top favorite and Real Meat is the #1 ingredient, along with a mouthwatering aroma that dogs simply can't resist. I like to get the 2-pound bag from Walmart so we have plenty on hand to share with the neighbor's dogs at the fence each day. 


You can get more great ideas and inspiration for DIY crafts you can make for your dog this holiday season. And don't forget to stock up on Milk-Bone, Pup-Peroni and Milo's Kitchen treats from Walmart. They are the perfect gift addition for any dog.

So how do you plan to #TreatThePups this year?
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Howliday Gifting For Your Pup (Giveaway) #TreatThePups

CLOSED- Winner is Adrian H. 
Can you believe we are almost halfway through the month of December? It has been so hectic around here getting our shopping done and attending holiday parties. We tend to always remember our family, friends, neighbors and coworkers when it comes to giving gifts. Don't forget your most loyal family member, your dog! They are actually the easiest ones to make happy during the holiday season when you give the gift of treats.

This Christmas, Rocco will be receiving a yummy gift basket filled with his favorite toys, a blanket and of course, treats! Milk-Bone, Milo's Kitchen and Pup-Peroni are his favorites. It turns out that I'm not the only pet mama to spoil her pup during this time of year.  That's why I love this super cute website called TheNosePrint.com from Big Heart Pet Brands (the makers of Milk-Bone, Pup-Peroni, Canine Carry Outs, and Milo's Kitchen).  They really know how to celebrate the holidays with your pup!


On TheNosePrint.com, check out some of the fun doggy do-it-yourself ideas. You can make some of the most adorable gifts that don't take a lot of items to make and are actually simple to do. We give our neighbor's dogs treats as gifts each year and this year I will be making personalized treat jars for both of them. Of course, they will be filled with yummy treats!  Be sure to check out the great articles on a variety of dog-related topics on the NosePrint. 

Finally, want to know which states have the most spoiled pups?

The 2015 TheNosePrint.com Santa Dog Index ranks states based on how much, on average, dog parents will spend on their furry kids:

Top 10 States That Spend the Most on Holiday Gifts for Dogs:

 1. New Jersey: $29.61 (average gift spending per dog for state residents)
 2. New York: $28.95
 3. Pennsylvania: $28.75
 4. Utah: $27.75
 5. Georgia: $27.04
 6. California: $26.07
 7. Washington: $25.81
 8. Florida: $25.13
 9. Illinois: $24.98
 10. Virginia: $24.58

Apparently, it's good to be a dog in the New York tri-state area.  You can find the complete rankings of all 50 states at www.TheNosePrint.com.


The folks at TheNosePrint.com have generously offered to give away a FREE Christmas doggy care package filled with some of the most delicious stocking stuffer treats for your pup.

To be entered to win the care package, enter in the Rafflecopter widget below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway ends on December 21, 2015 and one winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email to claim prize. Please read and follow giveaway rules in Rafflecopter. Good luck!

I received a prize pack in exchange for sharing information about how you can treat your pups for the holidays. All opinions are my own as always. 
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DIY Dog Treat "BOO"quets For Halloween #TreatThePups

Today's post is sponsored by Lunchbox
#TreatThePups

It's hard to believe that it is already October!  This month is generally dedicated to Halloween and I can already see decorations around town. At our house, we get our pumpkins carved, costumes picked out and of course, the mountain of candy to hand out to the cute trick-or-treaters in the neighborhood. Many times, the kids are not only accompanied by an adult, but also their dog. There's nothing cuter than a dog in costume. How nice would it be to have a special Halloween treat just for them? Check out this cute idea for an easy goodie to hand out to the furry visitors-- Dog Treat "BOO"quets.

What you will need:
Halloween ribbon
Lollipop sticks and small wooden skewers
Cellophane bags
Assorted dog treats. I used Milo's Kitchen, Pup-Peroni and Milk-Bone treats.

The key to this fun project is to have a bundle of dog treats on sticks that can be gathered into a bouquet or as I call it, BOO-quet. I start with cutting the treats down just a bit so they fit better on the sticks. You can leave some whole if you want to make a bigger bouquet,

For your cellophane bag, you can trim the top to the size you want. I then fill the bottom of the bag with small size Milk-Bone treats, about 6 of them. I add enough of the chewier type treats that were skewered on sticks and gather them in the center and tie off with a bag tie. Those generally come in the package of cellophane bags.

Next I add a couple decorative picks. I was lucky to find some cute ones from the Halloween cake decorating section of the store that matched my theme perfectly. You can also make them very spooky by using little skulls, spiders or ghosts.

The final touch is tying the bouquet with Halloween themed ribbon. The end result is super cute BOO-quets that dogs will love! I am quite sure their pet parents will love you for thinking of their fur baby.

This is a very easy craft that you can do with your kids. You can also use alternate materials like tulle, tissue paper or paper you want to repurpose. Be creative, it's all about treating our doggie friends! There are many varieties of Big Heart Pet Brand of dog treats available at Walmart stores to add to your special DIY Halloween dog goodies.

If you need some inspiration, be sure to check out the Walmart site dedicated to DIY Halloween dog treats. There are so many simple ideas. So go ahead and take a peek. How will you #TreatThePups?
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Hair Loss: What is Hereditary Hair Loss and How Do You Treat the Condition? (Giveaway)



There are so many transitions women go through as they age and it's not always easy to deal with. I am officially over 40 and have had a rude awakening with getting older. Heredity has hit and I have been going through so many changes including hair thinning. Let me tell you about it--- I have always had tons of thick, luxurious hair. It has been one of those things that most people who knew me when I was younger, remembers me by. My hair was so thick that of you put your had on top of my head, you felt a blanket of hair to the point that you could not feel my scalp at all. Things have changed significantly. With being older and going through hormonal changes, my hair has thinned out a whole lot. Most people would disagree since my hair is still long. Trust me, I do not have the thickness I once did and fear it will only get worse. It is normal to lose 50-100 hairs a day, but anything over 150 can be signs of a problem. I'm guessing the fact that I can gather up almost enough hair from the floor, furniture and shower drain to make a full braid is an indication for me that I need to take action now.

Heredity hair loss has played a huge role in my hair changes. It turns out that hair thinning is not uncommon and 1 in 3 women will experience it in their lifetime, as early as their 20's. Most of the women in my family have thinning hair to where you can see their scalp, especially along the top where you part it. It takes a lot of creativity to style it so that you can fake like you have thicker hair. Thankfully there are products today to help fight the issues associated with hair thinning and hair loss. Women’s ROGAINE® Foam is the first and only FDA-approved once daily treatment with 5% minoxidil proven to regrow hair.
Women's ROGAINE® Topical Aerosol can be purchased without a prescription. It can be used on any hair type including those who color or perm their hair.
The application process is very simple. The foam can be applied once a day, morning or night. Just part your hair to expose areas that need it the most and apply and allow to dry. The foam is so lightweight and does not cause any buildup on hair.
The safety cap works well to keep kids away from it. I had a hard time getting it off at first.
The key to managing hereditary hair loss is treating it at the earliest signs with Women’s ROGAINE® Foam, which is clinically proven to regrow hair in 81%* of women with new hairs growing in up to 48%** thicker than before. There is a wealth of information about Women's ROGAINE on their website so be sure to visit. They offer styling tips and have videos as well. If you want to try the product out, be sure to grab a coupon here.

Giveaway: I'm so pleased to offer a giveaway for a full year's supply of Women’s ROGAINE® Foam (ARV $150.00) for one lucky Mom Files reader. Enter below...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Products were provided by the Women’s ROGAINE® Foam. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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Effortlessly Add Flavor To Your Meals #PublixFlavorExcursion


Do you have a few go-to meals that you make all the time? Do you ever feel like they need to be kicked up a bit? By adding a couple of extra ingredients, you can really make your meal stand out. The first step is to keep your kitchen stocked with some basic staples so that you always have add-in ingredients on hand. Products like Ro*tel Tomatoes, Hunt's Tomatoes, Progresso Bread Crumbs, Kraft shredded cheese, Kraft dressings and even avocados from Mexico can transform any meal.

I just love to use Progress Italian Style bread crumbs in my favorite Italian Cheese-Stuffed Meatball recipe.
I make my meatballs with both ground beef and ground pork. Of course, you can use turkey, chicken or whatever you prefer. I seasoned my meats with finely chopped Italian parsley, jalapeno pepper, red onion and garlic, along with 1/3 cup of Progresso Italian Style bread crumbs, one beaten egg and a dash or two of my favorite dry seasonings. Once meat mixture is well mixed, I form them into balls and insert a small cube of cheese.
I put the shaped meatballs in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes to chill up and ensure that they stay in the round shape. I pan fry them in a tiny bit of canola oil until they are brown all over and continue the cook in a preheated 375 degree oven. These are great as an appetizer or even to drop into your favorite spaghetti sauce.

Another favorite meal I make is my stewed chicken and veggies. It sort of had a little Mexican-Italian fusion.
I start with washed and dried chicken wings that I season with garlic powder, Spanish seasoning and Italian seasoning. I brown my wings and drain the excess oil. I then add a can of Hunt's Diced Tomatoes in the Basil, Garlic & Oregano variety, 1/4 cup ketchup, 1/3 cup water and one bag of frozen Gumbo mix veggies. I add additional seasoning to taste including a pinch of sugar for balance and some dried Italian herbs and Adobo seasoning. I let it all simmer until the chicken is completely cooked through and the veggies get tender. All you do is serve over your favorite rice and you have a hearty meal, perfect for a weeknight supper.

Be sure to visit your local Publix Supermarket for In-Store Savings.
Look for the in-store displays and recipe cards to find delicious recipe ideas and coupon savings. Offers available from 9/10-9/23

• $2.00 off Publix Produce with the purchase of Any Four (4) participating products 
Participating products: select Old El Paso items**, Ro*tel Tomatoes, Hunt’s Tomatoes, Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese, Avocados from Mexico
**Items include Dinner Kits, Seasoning Mixes, Enchilada Sauce, Refried Beans
• $2.00 off Publix Chicken with the purchase of Any Four (4) participating products 
Participating products: Progresso Bread Crumbs, Progresso Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth, Kraft Salad Dressing, Kraft Natural Shredded Cheese, Hunt’s Tomatoes
• $1.00 off Any Five (5) Ro*tel Tomatoes (10 oz.)
• $1.00 off Any Five (5) Hunt’s Tomatoes (14.5 oz.) 
• Save $1.00 on Avocados from Mexico when you buy three (3) Old El Paso products (1-31 oz.) 
• Save $1.00 on three (3) Betty Crocker casserole potatoes (4.5-5.1 oz.) 
• Save $1.50 on two (2) Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes (12.5-17.9 oz.) 

See store for more details including dates and specific products and sizes included in offers.

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Break Out Of Your Flavor Rut With Cheerios #CheeriosFunFlavors ($20 Paypal Giveaway)


Next week marks our first week back to school and I am organized and ready for the busy months ahead. I do all I can to make things easier on myself so I don't lose my mind. Having planned out meals are important to help keep my family healthy and well fed. I get stuck in a rut when it comes to having enough variety sometimes. When it comes to breakfast and snacks, I do all I can to offer my kids healthier options. One great breakfast that is quick and requires no effort is Cheerios and milk. I recently found out that Cheerios makes a variety of flavors including favorites like Honey Nut, Original, Apple Cinnamon and newer flavors: Banana Nut, Frosted, Multi-Grain, Multi-Grain Peanut Butter and
Apple Cinnamon Cheerios.

I did not realize there was a Banana Nut variety and I could not wait to try it for myself. I'm pretty simple when it comes to cereal, so I either like it as is with milk, or dry as a snack. I think I may have found my favorite new flavor! I made the mistake of letting my husband and kids try it and now it is their favorite as well. Looks like I better stock up on a few more boxes. Speaking of which, right now you can print a Publix coupon for buy-one-get-one FREE of Cheerios. That's right, you can buy one box of your favorite Cheerios, and try a new flavor for FREE! Now is the time to really stock up with back-to-school season in full swing. Hurry and get your coupon while they are available.

Did you know that besides serving Cheerios in the more traditional ways, you can use them in fun recipes? Check out all the great Cheerios recipes that are sure to please your whole family. I plan to make some Cheerios snack bars for my little one's class as a surprise treat. I'm sure they will all enjoy it!

To help you stock up in Cheerios and take advantage of the BOGO deal, one Mom Files reader will win $20 PayPal cash. Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents and will run until Sept 2, 2015. One winner will be selected and contacted via email address to claim prize. You must follow all rules stated in Rafflecopter widget for entries to count. Good luck!
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Check Out The All New Food Lion Recipe Portal #LifesBetterWithTheLion


Do you ever feel like you keep cooking the same exact meals over and over again? I'm pretty sure most of us feel this way and get stuck in a rut. I am always looking for ideas online and sometimes even that can be overwhelming. I recently was introduced to the new Food Lion website with their recipe portal. The site is super clean and easy to maneuver and find things. You can sign up for a Food Lion MVP card either online or in-store. I created an account on the website using my MVP card. Once you're logged in, you are open to a host of tools at your fingertips. The recipe portal is broken down into categories ranging from main dishes, vegetables, sides, desserts and more. Once you find a recipe you are interested in, you are able to click on the individual ingredients and add them to your shopping list. How convenient is that? You can even find recipes according to a specific ingredient.

If you have a recipe you would like to share, you can easily submit it into the portal. All you need is a couple photos, a list of ingredients and the steps to prepare. I submitted one of my favorite recipes for my Easy Cheesy Zucchini and it took me under 10 minutes. I love the fact that the recipes on the Food Lion site are from home kitchens like yours and mine.
My zucchini recipe is a big hit and I know it will be for other families. The recipe is so easy and doesn't require any outrageous, hard-to-find ingredients.
Want the full recipe? Go check it out here. While you're there, be sure to browse other recipes and submit your own. Be sure to sign up for your MVP card so you can take advantage of their low prices. You can even track your savings on your dashboard when you are logged into your account.

Be sure to connect with Food Lion on the web, Facebook and Twitter for promotions and updates.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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Fuel Up For Your Next Adventure With Nature Valley Simple Nut Bars #simplesnacking ($15 Paypal Giveaway)


**Closed**
Winner is Charlene Davis- Congrats! 

Are you getting ready to hit the road with your family or even stay close to home and explore your local parks, zoo or other attractions? If you are like me, I'm sure packing extra snacks and drinks is on your list. With a family of 5, I look for convenience as well as nutrition. One of the newest snacks on our list of favorites is Nature Valley Simple Nut Bars. They are simple because they only have 7 ingredients! Just nuts, seeds, tapioca syrup and sea salt.
Look at all that nutty, wholesome goodness! Be sure to check out these and other varieties of Nature Valley Nut Bars. 
I just love that they are not sweet. It has just the right amount of salt and a great chewy and crunchy texture that is very satisfying. These bars come in: 
  • Almond Cashew Sea Salt
  • Roasted Peanut Honey 
They are perfect for road trips, hikes, camping or even to keep stashed in your purse or desk at work for a quick, wholesome snack. You can even enjoy it with a cup of your favorite yogurt as a quick breakfast or lunch on-the-go.

Right now you can download and print a high value coupon for .75 cents off one box of select varieties of Nature Valley Bars from Publix, while supplies last (hurry!). You are going to want to stock up with back-to-school just around the corner!

To give you a little help with stocking up on Nature Valley Simple Nut Bars or any other of their nut bars, I have a $15 PayPal prize up for grabs. It's easy to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway ends August 10, 2015 and is open to U.S. and Canada Residents. Be sure to follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget for all entries to count. Good luck!
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Pay It Forward with Your Vote #CokePayItForward

Hello, all! Some of you may remember me posting about the amazing
Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program a couple months back. That was the nomination phase, and now the final voting is open to help select the winners. Below are the detailed steps on how to vote for the finalists.

Pay It Forward with Your Vote!

Voting is now open for the top Coca-Cola Pay It Forward finalists! These teens have worked very hard, so “pay it forward” by checking out their videos and voting for the nominee(s) you think should win a 3-day summer mentorship experience in Atlanta. Voting ends May 24, 2015.

About The Pay It Forward Program:

The Coca-Cola Pay It Forward program embodies the spirit of giving back, helping teens to reach greater heights through education while
empowering moms and communities to help high school students succeed.

The Coca-Cola Pay It Forward Academy, hosted by Steve Harvey, will offer 20 winning teens and their mom/parent/legal guardian 3 days of mentorship, leadership and networking opportunities, and each teen will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship.

Giving teens the opportunity to excel is just one more way that you can pay it forward by supporting the next generation and building tomorrow’s leaders today.

Steps to Vote:

1) Visit www.coke.com/payitforward

2) Click the “Vote” button and follow the instructions to register or login

3) Check out the nominees’ personal video statements

4) Cast your vote

5) Click on the social icons to share the excitement with friends and family and encourage them to vote!

6) Repeat! You can vote once a day until the voting period closes on 5/24/15

Click here for Pay It Forward official rules: http://CokeURL.com/ycz8m

I was really amazed by the videos the young men and women put up, as that made it super hard to decide. There are so many intelligent youth out there that are really deserving of this great opportunity. I really encourage you all to check out the videos and pay it forward by voting. #CokePayItForward

This post is sponsored by Coca-Cola. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Regain Your Freedom with Depend and Get #Underwareness (FREE Sample & $15 PayPal Giveaway)


There are many subjects that are really uncomfortable to discuss and one of them that tops the list is bladder leakage. You are feeling uncomfortable now, aren't you? Well, it is something that doesn't only happen to senior citizens. Believe it or not, there are more people with bladder leakage in their 20’s than their 80’s and over 65 million people have experienced this issue. I have known people younger than me complain about this problem when trying to exercise, cough, sneeze or even laugh. It's very common and you should not be ashamed of it!

Depend is entering year two of Underwareness, a social movement and charitable cause to break down the bladder leakage stigma. As part of Underwareness, the Depend brand is encouraging people to show their support for women with bladder leakage. For every photo and video shared using #Underwareness and featuring Depend products, the Depend brand will donate $1, up to $3 million, through 2016 to fund charities that advance the research and education of bladder leakage.

Depend Silhouette Active Fit briefs have a lower rise+ for an underwear-like look, fit and feel. 


  • As a category first, Depend SAF is available in black and beige colors 
  • More people with bladder leakage are in their 20’s than their 80’s
  • The average age of someone with bladder leakage is only 52! 
  • More people with bladder leakage are 50 or younger than 60 or older! 

Are you unsure if Depend Silhouette Active Fit briefs are right for you? Get a FREE sample to try out for yourself (or someone you love). Regain your freedom with Depend!

GIVEAWAY: Want to win $15 via PayPal? Simply go here and tell me what you learned about the #Underwareness Movement. Leave me a comment below and I will randomly pick one winner. You can also Tweet this giveaway (just leave a link to your Tweet in the comments section). Giveaway open until June 5, 2015. Good luck! 
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