Family * Travel * Food

Updates And Our 11-Year Blog Anniversary

Hi there! It has been a while since I have posted a personal update. Like most households, we had a bout of the plague run through here, so I have been taking care of sick family members for almost 2 weeks. Thankfully everyone is healthy again and back to work/school. The littlest one wasn't affected for which I am so grateful. We worry the most when the younger ones get sick.

I have been getting a lot done at home for the most part. We have quite a few small house projects we are working on, and hope to get them all done before the end of the year. The husband and I have been DIYing a lot of things. YouTube is a life-saver when you're not quite sure what you're doing. Unfortunately home-ownership means you are forever repairing or replacing things. As soon as you fix one thing, something else wants to fall apart. You can't win, but that's life!

With all of the crazy life-stuff going on in the past few weeks, I almost forgot a major milestone. Mom Files is officially 11 years old! *throws confetti*


I would not have imagined that I would keep it up for this many years. I won't lie, I've wanted to shut down shop time and time again. Somehow, this blog and my social media connections have kept me going for so many years. It's nice having my itty-bitty piece of the vast virtual-world where I have made so many friends. I want to thank you all for sticking around for so long. I guess we will see what happens next. Stay tuned...

xoxo
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4 Reasons You Should Start a Skin Care Regimen in 2018

Not only is your skin the largest organ in your body, but it's also the most visible, which is why you need to treat it with care. Pamper your skin, and it will pay you back with a gorgeous glow that no makeup product in the world can mimic. A skin care regimen doesn't take a lot of time, and you end up with so much more than what you put into it.

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Your age is practically irrelevant. It's never too early to prevent the signs of aging or the damage caused by free radicals, indoor and outdoor pollutants, and daily stressors. The sun, for example, affects your skin whether you're 16 or 60. Practice healthy skin care habits early. Start young, and your routine will become a preventative measure that can save time, money, and heartache down the line.

The things you do to your skin in your youth will out you as you age. Late nights, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking cigarettes, not getting enough sleep, and never drinking enough water will catch up to you and slam into your skin like a ton of bricks. 
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Skin Care Is Self-Care

It's the year of self-care. You have to do things that make you feel good and relieve your stress. That's not to say that applying serum, toner, and moisturizer every night will relax you. Applying a face mask can reduce your stress level, though. Browse a selection of face masks to find a style that appeals to you. 

Sheet masks from LuLuLun are all the rage, and clay masks never go out of style, either. You'll also experience an unbelievable amount of satisfaction if you use a blackhead mask designed to pull the gunk straight out of your pores. Search the blog for tips about which masks are best for different types of skin and when to use them.

The Seasons Affect Your Skin

Winter typically brings dry air that can sap moisture from your skin. You're more apt to wind up with flaky, dehydrated skin because of the crisp weather outside. How you heat your home can have an effect, too. In the summer, high temperatures and humidity make you sweat, which leads to oily skin and saturated pores. A seasonal skin care regimen protects your skin in any climate, regardless of the temperature.

You Shed Your Skin Every Day

Every day, you shed old skin cells. However, many of those cells remain on your face, giving it a dull, lifeless appearance. They clog your pores as well, resulting in a rough appearance and an excess of oil. The least you can do is buff and polish your skin daily with facial scrubs, cleansing serums, penetrating toners, and moisturizers suited to your skin type.

Make this the year that you take care of your skin in earnest. Don't wait until it's too late because by then, you'll have to scramble to undo the damage. It's better to take a proactive approach that puts you in control of your skin.
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The Fresh Market Sampling Events To Spice Up Valentine’s Day


The Fresh Market is a specialty grocer focused on providing fresh, delicious food with friendly service in a warm and inviting atmosphere. From seasonal produce and exceptional meat and seafood, to signature baked goods and thousands of organic options, The Fresh Market is dedicated to offering guests the most delicious ingredients and inspiring meal ideas.

WHAT/WHEN:
For a deliciously romantic dinner without the hassle of restaurant reservations, The Fresh Market is offering its signature Valentine’s Meal for $49.99, now available for pre-order in stores and online until February 11 at 2 p.m. EST. Orders will be available for pick up February 12, 13 and 14 at most store locations (stores in New Orleans and Metairie, Louisiana will be closed on February 13, so meals may be picked up on February 12 and 14). Choose between two Chateaubriand-cut premium choice filet mignons, two North Atlantic cold water lobster tails – or one of each – and serve with Yukon gold whipped potatoes alongside asparagus tips, ready to be perfectly seared. Complete the event with one dozen chocolate dipped strawberries and set the mood with one dozen roses. To place an online order, please visit thefreshmarket.com/valentinesday.

The Fresh Market’s February happenings

The Fresh Market’s 176 store locations warmly welcome guests to experience the following sampling events and meal deals this February:


Custom Sweetheart Ribeye Cutting – February 9-14
Those looking to cook up the romance at home can get help from The Fresh Market’s premium choice Sweetheart Ribeye, available exclusively from February 9-14. The Fresh Market’s expert butchers hand-cut and butterfly each ribeye into the shape of a heart to ensure love at first bite!

Valentine’s Sampling Events – February 10 & 11 from noon-4 p.m.
The “loveliest” day of the year is right around the corner, and The Fresh Market is preparing with samples that will inspire those looking for a “sweet” deal this February 14! From breakfast in bed to a date in the dining room, these decadent tastes are sure to help create memorable moments this Valentine’s Day.


Sampling stations in each department will offer mouthwatering meal ideas: 

  • Bite into The Fresh Market’s exclusive swirl breads in seven different flavors, including cinnamon, cinnamon raisin, chocolate chip, cranberry, tomato basil focaccia, Italian olive focaccia and parmesan garlic focaccia. Top cinnamon swirl bread with caramelized nuts and The Fresh Market’s maple syrup for a flavorful French toast.
  • Sip on Harney & Sons hot cinnamon spice tea made from a blend of black teas, three types of cinnamon, orange peel and sweet cloves, with no sugar added.
  • Sample creamy take and bake hot pepper bacon brie bites on top of Firehook crackers – derived from healthy, simple ingredients. Terrapin Ridge Farms hot pepper bacon jam adds a savory kick to an appetizing snack.
  • Enjoy a light dessert of trufru dark chocolate covered strawberries – 100 percent real fruit dipped in sustainably sourced premium dark chocolate.
  • Delight in chocolate-dipped strawberry cupcakes to finish off the night! A vanilla cupcake stuffed with strawberry preserves and topped with house-made strawberry buttercream is sure to please. Garnishes include rich dark chocolate shavings and a fresh strawberry hand-dipped in store.

The Fresh Pick Citrus Sampling Events – February 24 & 25 from noon-4 p.m.
Colder weather results in sweeter, juicier citrus fruit – and when picked at its peak, citrus is ripe for blending into everyday meals! To celebrate these tangy tastes of the season, The Fresh Market will offer chef-inspired samples using varieties of oranges, lemons and limes to add zesty flavor to ordinary dishes – while boosting immune systems!


Sampling stations throughout the store inspire cooks to add a variety of flavors to meals:

  • Taste sweet, all natural Kennesaw juices comprised of freshly squeezed oranges and pureed strawberries. Pair with Sumo mandarins, heirloom navel oranges and blood oranges for a delightful treat.
  • Savor slow cooker Italian pork sausage topped with Stonewall Kitchen rosemary garlic citrus sauce – a versatile and vibrant addition great for marinades, glazes and dipping sauces, or the perfect accent to chicken, rice or vegetable salads.
  • Relish in a veggie noodle salad prepared with zucchini and yellow squash noodles – made fresh in store and a healthy substitute for low-carb diets – along with O Meyer lemon olive oil, O citrus champagne vinaigrette, lemon and parmesan cheese for a zesty snack or light bite.
  • Try The Fresh Market’s exclusive honey lemon bowtie salad – a refreshing blend of bowtie pasta, sweet mandarin oranges, honey, red and green peppers, red onion and sunflower seeds.
  • Indulge in the killer combination of sweet and tart with a key lime pie, made with fresh Nellie & Joe’s lime juice. For the perfect lemon and lime delicacies to finish off a meal, a key lime cake bar or a lemon bar are sure to satisfy any citrus cravings!

New York Strip Cutting on the Floor – February 24 from noon-4 p.m.
For guests seeking a delicious entrée to pair with a citrusy side, The Fresh Market’s New York strip steak is perfect to prepare for a homemade dinner. Located in the meat department, half or whole strips can be custom cut to any desired thickness by any of The Fresh Market’s in-house certified butchers.

Guests may visit thefreshmarket.com for more information and event updates.

WHERE:
The Fresh Market’s 176 store locations nationwide
For local store information, please visit thefreshmarket.com/locatemystore.
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Staying Healthy On A Diet

When your favorite jeans feel tight, or you feel exhausted all the time, you may decide it's time to lose weight. When you commit to shedding pounds, get motivated to stay healthy too. When you cut calories, be careful not to eliminate nutrients that fuel your body. Enjoy a balance of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats each day. Following a few simple ideas will help you lose weight and stay fit.

Lose Weight Slowly to Keep It Off

When you change your eating habits, you want to see immediate results. Be careful not to lose weight too quickly, though. Fad or crash diets that let you drop more than a few pounds a week are unhealthy and hard to maintain. Crash diets often cause water and lean muscle loss. Slow weight loss allows you to lose more fat and maintain muscle mass.
Fast weight loss can also cause long-term health problems including liver damage and gallstones. Stick to a diet that will give you the number of calories you need each day for your height and goal weight.

Choose Low-Calorie Foods Packed with Nutrients

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Limiting your food intake doesn't mean you can't stay healthy and be full of energy. Your body needs proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to function properly. Without proper nutrition, you won't have the energy to work out and enjoy life.

Eat quality foods to get the nutrients your body needs every day without adding extra calories. Fill your plate with leafy greens to get your allowance of fiber, potassium, and folate. Fruits offer nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, and various B vitamins. Choose lean meats, beans, and legumes for your low-calorie protein sources.

Beware of Diet Foods, Artificial Sweeteners, and Natural Syrups

Foods touted as diet or low in fat are often heavily processed and may contain chemicals. While diet foods may lack sugar and fat, such foods can be far from healthy. Some low-fat foods are packed with sugar to replace the missing fat. Sugar-free foods often use artificial sweeteners. Sugar substitutes can leave you craving more sugar, and even raise blood sugar levels and cause diabetes.

Eating natural foods is healthier than consuming processed foods. However, foods labeled natural and organic aren't always low in calories. Note that natural sugars still count as sugar in your diet. Agave syrup, coconut sugar, and honey are all sugars.

Stay Hydrated

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Your body needs fluid to run efficiently. In fact, over half of your body is made up of water. Since you lose fluid each day through sweat, evaporation, and urination, you need to drink filtered water more often to replace lost fluid. To make it easier to drink water, take a bottle on the go and keep a water bottle handy at work. Use a refillable water bottle to save money. If you get bored with drinking water, add some lemon, lime, or cucumber slices to add flavor.

Remember to focus on proper nutrition when you cut calories. You can lose weight and stay healthy and vibrant when you choose quality low-calorie foods and drink plenty of water.
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How Wildlife Control Works At Terminix

Having unwanted animal guests in your house is not only annoying, but can also be dangerous to you, your family, and your home. Wild animals can carry diseases, contaminate your food, and even cause physical damage to your home’s foundation and wiring. If you are dealing with wildlife infestation, the professionals at Terminix can help. Here is how wildlife pest control San Antonio works with Terminix:


Wildlife Control Near Me: Terminix has been in business for nearly a century and has a variety of locations throughout the United States and Canada. There is a good chance that Terminix will have trained professionals in your area.

The Initial Visit: A Terminix professional will come to your home to investigate and assess the problem to create a plan of action. The plan may vary depending on the size of your residence and the nature of the pests. If you suspect pests in your home, you can call Terminix and have your home inspected free of charge.

The Treatment Plan: After the initial visit, your Terminix professional will proceed to trap and remove unwanted wildlife from your home. Terminix hires a variety of experts to help deal with common pests like squirrels and skunks, as well as unique pests that may have accidentally been introduced in your area.

Prevent Future Infestations: In addition to removing the pests, your Terminix professional will help secure your home from future invaders. If you live in an area where wildlife pests are a common nuisance, consider calling in a Terminix professional to help secure your home from invaders and stop infestations before they start.  Some examples of “pest security” include sealing crawl spaces and minimizing gaps in pipe openings.

Whether you have an unwanted wild animal in your home, or are looking to prevent a future invasion, the professionals at Terminix can help keep your home safe from animal intruders.
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