New Brioche French Toast at IHOP

IHOP®, the restaurant known for “Everything you love about breakfast” is introducing its latest breakfast innovation: Brioche French Toast.

These thick-cut slices of rich round brioche bread are soaked in a lightly-sweetened vanilla batter and grilled to a delicate warm golden crispiness that is perfectly ready to layer with three flavorful varieties of toppings: Bananas Foster, Berry Berry and Peaches & Cream, will be in restaurants beginning April 15th.

“We’re delighted to bring our guests the next generation of French Toast,” said Natalia Franco, Senior Vice President, Marketing, International House of Pancakes, LLC. “They have been coming to IHOP restaurants for years because they know no one makes French Toast like IHOP restaurants can, and they love the way we continually find ways to surprise and delight them. Our new Brioche French Toast is unlike any they’ve ever tasted—it will delight our French Toast fans--and create new ones!”

Brioche French Toast comes in three delicious and distinctively new flavors:

Bananas Foster Brioche French Toast comes with a New Orleans Foster’s sauce made with sliced bananas, caramelized in a buttery brown sugar glaze, and whipped topping.

Berry Berry Brioche French Toast layers blueberries and strawberry topping with a luscious dusting of powdered sugar and whipped topping.

Peaches & Cream Brioche French Toast combines sweetened sliced peaches, honey-roasted pecans and vanilla cream drizzle with a dollop of whipped topping.

Guests may enjoy three slices of Brioche French Toast alone, as a delicious indulgent treat, or as part of an IHOP Combo, with two eggs, done the way they like them, optional choice of crispy bacon, pork sausage links or a grilled ham slice, along with IHOP restaurants, signature golden hash browns.

For more information or to find an IHOP restaurant near you, please visit www.ihop.com.  Follow IHOP on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ihop.

NATIONAL URBAN LEAGUE AND WALGREENS PROVIDE FREE HEALTH TESTS TO COLUMBIA AREA URBAN AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES WITH WAY TO WELL HEALTH TOUR

If you live in Columbia, South Carolina, this is some great information for yourself or to pass along to someone in need...

For a seventh consecutive year, National Urban League and Walgreens are partnering for the Way to Well Tour to provide free health screenings to Columbia residents. The national tour will provide free health resources to residents in urban and minority communities who experience disproportionately higher rates of preventable disease. The service is free and insurance will not be billed.

“Way to Well reflects our commitment to disease prevention and to improving everyday health through education and early detection. With the NUL, the nationwide traveling health tour is one way we deliver on our pledge to improve lives by providing underserved communities greater access to the resources they need.” said John Gremer, Walgreens director of community affairs. “We also thank our customers for supporting this cause with us, and ultimately making this important wellness services program a reality by simply purchasing our brand.”
The Way to Well Health Tour is partially funded by consumers who support the Walgreens wellness services mission by purchasing Walgreens brand health and wellness products. Beginning February 1, 2013 through January 31, 2014, 1¢ from the purchase of every Walgreens brand health and wellness product, up to $3 million annually, will support bringing preventive wellness services to local communities through the Walgreens Way to Well Fund®.

The national tour will provide free health tests, assessments, education and consulting services to residents in urban and minority communities who experience disproportionately higher rates of preventable disease. The service is free and insurance will not be billed. Tests include total cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, body mass index, body composition, skeletal muscle, resting metabolism, visceral fat, real body age and body weight.

Collectively, the health tests valued at over $100, are administered to adults age 18 years and older by certified wellness staff and can be completed in approximately 20 minutes. Afterward, participants will consult with a Walgreens pharmacist or certified wellness staff about his or her results. Consumers are encouraged to report their results to their doctor or health care provider so they may discuss any concerns with them.

In addition to critical screenings uninsured visitors will receive vouchers for free flu shots redeemable at any Walgreens Take Care Clinic. Also available with the tour are educational health and wellness resources provided by NUL as well as Walgreens Way to Well cause partners: American Heart Association (AHA), American Cancer Society (ACS), American Diabetes Association (ADA), Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The tour will be making the following stops in the Columbia area:

Thursday, April 18th – 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
South Carolina State House
1100 Sumter St
Columbia, SC 29201

Friday, April 19th – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Walgreens
4467 Devine St
Columbia, SC 29205

Saturday, April 20th – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Walgreens
423 W Main St
Lexington, SC 29072

Sunday, April 21th – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Walgreens
7801 Garners Ferry Rd
Columbia, SC 29209

Thursday, April 25th – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Walgreens
1223 St Andrews Rd
Columbia, SC 29210

Friday, April 26th – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Walgreens
1903 S Lake Dr
Lexington, SC 29073

Saturday, April 27th – 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Walgreens
1010 Old Barnwell Rd
West Columbia, SC 29170

Monday, April 29th – 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Walgreens
2224 Augusta Rd
West Columbia, SC 29169

About Walgreens
Walgreens (www.walgreens.com) is the nation's largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2011 sales of $72 billion. The company operates 7,840 drugstores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each day, Walgreens provides nearly 6 million customers the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice in communities across America. Walgreens scope of pharmacy services includes retail, specialty, infusion, medical facility and mail service, along with respiratory services. These services improve health outcomes and lower costs for payers including employers, managed care organizations, health systems,
pharmacy benefit managers and the public sector. Take Care Health Systems is a Walgreens subsidiary that is the largest and most comprehensive manager of worksite health and wellness centers and in-store convenient care clinics, with more than 700 locations throughout the country.
About the National Urban League
The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in New York City, the National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy. Today, there are nearly 100 local affiliates in 36 states and the District of Columbia, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people nationwide. For more information, visit: www.nul.org

New custom t-shirt from Dress United

I was so lucky to receive a custom t-shirt from Dress United to review. When I went on their site to order it, my first thought was, "Will they have the cut I like?" I am very particular when it comes to t-shirts. I only like a fitted v-neck style. Lucky for me, they offered that and several other styles. I went with Classic Girly Tee because the description said that they tend to fit a size smaller.

I initially wanted the purple but was afraid that my logo was going to have white spots where the "o" and "e" were. It turns out that it only looked that way on the website and they correct it when they print your shirt. It took me about 5 minutes from beginning to end to order my shirt. Honestly, I think it took that long because I couldn't decide on a color! The Dress United website is so user friendly.

I am pleased with the shirt overall. The material was soft and the fit was just right. As an almost 40 year old woman, I appreciated the longer cut as well. I have ordered shirts before that I felt barely covered the top of my pants. I want to order a couple more in different colors for the spring/summer. What do you think of it?

Right now, if you place an order from Dress United, you can receive a discount of 30% off plus free shipping in the US. Go here and use the code: BLOG30OFF4U. These tees are a great marketing tool for your blog, business or organization.

You learn something new every day

You are probably looking at this photo and saying, "What in the world?" Looks pretty crazy. An Outback Steakhouse bag as a decoration? Is this a new trend?

Actually, it is a makeshift fix for a pesky problem we have been trying to resolve.  Behind the bag is William's fish tank. We went into the pet store a few days ago to purchase a couple algae eaters and some algae removing stuff. The gravel and ornaments in the tank were slowly getting covered in algae and we knew we had to do something soon. After getting our fish and water treatment, we headed over to the check-out counter.  The cashier asked me if I was trying to get rid of algae in a fish tank. I told her yes and she politely asked if I would like to hear some advice. I accepted and listened. She was very animated and seemed to know her stuff. She suggested some non-chemical methods for me to try and see if they would work. She explained the ins and outs of algae and asked me how often I turn on the light in the aquarium. I told her I had a day and night light and that I run it 24/7. Well.... she told me that was what my problem was. Too much light has been feeding the algae and allowing it to grow. OOPS! That explained it all right there!

She went on to tell me what steps to take. Of course the obvious thing was to turn the light off. She said to only run it at night, maybe 6-8 hours. Next she suggested that I cover the tank in a blanket for 3-5 days without any light and see if that kills the algae. No lie, I looked at her 10 kinds of crazy. A blanket? She told me that if that didn't work then my other option was a moss ball. I noticed them around the store, but didn't know what they were. Here is an example of what a moss ball looks like:

They are supposed to absorb nitrates and prevent algae. Her last bit of advice was to use a chemical although she was against it. I decided to try her blanket idea... hence the Outback bag. Guess what? Blocking all the light for 3 days now has stopped the algae from growing and it is almost all gone! I plan to remove the bag tomorrow and will purchase a moss ball this weekend. I wish I could remember the young lady's name or face so I could thank her for her wonderful advice! I just love home remedies and I certainly learned a whole lot in the process :) 

Wordless Wednesday

Planting strawberries for daddy.

My latest food obsession, Yum Yum sauce

It is not unusual for me to get on these crazy food kicks where I find something I like and end up eating it like it's going to no longer be available. My husband would love to tell those stories! My recent foodie find is Yum Yum sauce. I have had it several times at my favorite Asian eatery and I can't get enough of it. I found it in Kroger by accident the other day and although it was a bit pricey ($4.29) I just had to have it. It came in regular and spicy. I wanted spicy, but figured I would see if the rest of the family would like it too.

You can put it on all kinds of food--- steak, chicken, seafood, veggies, salads and pretty much anything you like. I tried some out in a wrap today and it was pure perfection!

For those of you wondering what it tastes like, it is almost like a kicked up mayo with a saucy, dressingy type of consistency and a tangy sweet taste. I will be getting the spicy next time. Even the husband called me up from work and told me that the Yum Yum sauce "set off" his wrap I sent him for lunch.

Have you tried Yum Yum sauce before?

Chili Lemon Pistachios from Sincerely Nuts, YES please!

Since me and my husband have been eating healthier foods and getting our exercise in regularly, we have had to be very creative with our snack choices. One of our favorite go-to snacks is fruit or nuts. I received a bag of Sincerely Nuts pistachios in chili lemon flavor to try out. My first impression was, "Wow, those are some HUGE nuts!" I don't think I have ever seen such big pistachios before. They were packaged in a heavy-duty, sealed plastic bag with a zipper closure for freshness.

I popped open the first nut and tasted it. I liked the subtle chili lemon flavor with a not too salty bite. The nut itself had that natural sweetness that pistachios normally have. I then end up tasting almost 1/4 of the bag! They are hands-down the best tasting and highest quality pistachios I have ever eaten! Even my husband loved them and he is not into flavors besides lightly salted or unsalted.

Some facts about Sincerely Nuts Pistachios:

They are cholesterol free, a good source of dietary fiber and protein, they are gluten-free and do not contain trans-fats. Sincerely Nuts provide the best grown pistachios that have no additives or preservatives as well.
Sincerely Nuts offers many varieties of Premium nuts, seeds, dried fruits, snacks and more. Right now through Aril 26th, Momfiles' readers can receive a special discount of 10% off any purchase of $40 or more using the code: MOMF10. 

We really enjoyed these pistachios and we think you will too! Sincerely Nuts products are great to have delivered to your home or as a gift for friends, family or business-related connections. Join Sincerely Nuts on Facebook and Twitter for product information and discounts.

I received a product sample for review purposes. All thoughts/opinions are my own as always. 

New Post-It Mobile keeps you organized, on-the-go!

Being a homemaking, mother of 3 keeps me on-the-go at all times. Now that I think about it, my entire family is always scattered all over the place... school, work, college, activities, travel and more. We try our best to stay as organized as possible. When the school year started, I purchased planners for all of us. I am a bit of a nerd when it comes to scheduling, labeling and sorting things. I was thrilled when I received the entire line of Post-It Mobile products to review. Post-It really came up with some neat ideas for busy people like myself. I was really impressed with the selection and the versatility behind this line.

Post-it Mobile products are designed be attached to items you carry like notebooks, binders, laptops, book bags, cases and more. I love that I can attach tabs to my planner so that I can keep track of the most important tasks by color. 

All you do it peel off the backing from the sticky surface. I added these cute tabs on the back of my planner so I always have them on hand when I take it to-go in my purse. 

My husband loves the convenience of having Post-It notes and tabs that are attach to his book bag for when he goes to his night college class. He gets a lot of use out of them with those enormous books he studies from!

One of my favorites is the assorted tabs and notes that fit into binders. I have this one in my family bill binder and if I need to take the binder in the carpool line to do some quick updates, I have my Post-It Mobile items already in there! Oh and even better for the carpool line, they have a clip-on portable Post-It note holder that attaches to your visor. Oh man, I just had a nerd moment!

Check out this neat highlighter with tabs and pen in one! It clips onto most anything and would be especially good at the office. It is even great for students since it can easily be attached to a lanyard.

Post-It even has attach & go pockets that fit on your laptop or the back of your tablet or planner to hold important things like business cards, documents and more. The whole family fought over picked out what they needed the most and I can see them being a great benefit for our busy lives. It's also a great way for me to use the color-coded tabs for my blog post scheduling and giveaways.

You can find out more about Post-It Mobile and Post-It products on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. I really love their Pinterest page for all the great ideas on organization. You have to check them out!

I received free products samples in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own as always. 

Most husbands have a beer fridge. Look what mine has...

Our family took a trip to Charlotte a couple weekends ago to celebrate William's 5th birthday. Our first stop was the Bass Pro Shop. Actually, we went there 3 times that day! It is Dwayne and William's favorite store. I think they could spend hours in there if you let them. They both enjoy father and son fishing time so me and the girls went our way and the boys stayed at Bass Pro Shop.

When we met back up, I see a styrofoam cooler in Dwayne's arms. I just gave him "the look" and he goes straight into "the pitch". He tells me that the fishing season was getting ready to start and how it would be a good idea to grow his own worms. **Insert stinky face here** Well what is a wife to do... you have to let men do man things from time to time. I listened to his very convincing pitch along with dozens of reasons why his idea was so brilliant. I let him purchase his funky little worm growing foolishness. I won't say that there wasn't any eye rolling involved. 

He ended up not being able to use the styrofoam cooler kit because it was too big for our mini-fridge so he use some of my old food storage containers instead. He poked tiny holes in the tops of the containers.  He purchased some sort of packing material that you add distilled water to that has the food the worms need inside the mix. All that was left was to add your own worms.  

It is all very disgusting to me but I am still amazed at how quickly they have multiplied! I won't talk about Dwayne's debacles with some escapees.

I have told him that as long as I don't have to do anything with his worm growing experiment, he can have at it. Of course the business man in him wants to start selling them. I can't deal with this dude sometimes! I suppose there are worse hobbies he could be into.

And yeah, he is that serious that he has dedicated "worm water". I just can't....

SO, what crazy little hobby does your spouse have?

Getting fit with Smooth Fitness | Update #SmoothBlogger

I have been getting Tweets, email and Facebook messages asking me how I am doing with my Smooth Fitness treadmill. I will say this first...  I hate missing my workout days. I have gotten so used to my Monday-Friday routine that I don't feel well if I miss a day. We recently got some new furniture for both daughters' bedrooms and we had to temporarily fold the treadmill for two whole days. It was killing me! The good thing is it was out of the way for the delivery men to get in with the bulky furniture without any harm to my gorgeous machine ;-)

I might have mentioned before that I suffer from leg cramps several times a week. It is like a deep nipping pain in my left calf muscle that really aggravates me. I often have to stop and massage it for relief and unfortunately take Ibuprofen if it gets that bad. Since I started consistently jogging and running on my treadmill, the cramps have stopped! Even my husband mentioned that he hasn't heard me complain about the leg pain. Doing incline jogging is tough but well worth being pain-free! Another big thing for me is that I can't get enough of having my own gym in the privacy of my own home. I can ugly sweat all I want and nobody will see me. Yes, I'm shy.

I  gained some weight during the month of February (darn you Valentine's goodies!). I had been doing a lot of stress-related eating. I have so much going on with my homemaker duties, family, blogging, kids' activities and school, as well as my husband's busy schedule. My mind has been in overdrive and when the anxiety kicks in, I hop on the treadmill. Even if I do just a 1/2 mile, it helps immediately. I have pushed myself so hard the last 2 weeks and I actually lost all the sweet goodies weight! I feel so much better and my clothes fit like normal again. It was getting scary that I thought I would have to go buy all new stuff! The one thing I will need is new workout attire. My exercise pants fall off while I run. This is because my waist is slimming down *happy dance*.

I am really getting a little freaked out about turning 40 this year and I have vowed to take better care of myself. Besides exercise, I have been drinking a lot more water, cut out soda and fruit drinks (except wine) and cut back on sweets. I also take more time for myself whether it is lunch out with a friend or just some browsing in the shops alone. My energy level in the daytime is insanely high and I sleep so well at night. I also started to do some weights in between and look forward to toning up for the summer swimsuit season. Overall, I am so happy and feeling great! I will update you all in a couple weeks on some details of how the treadmill works, as well as my husband's progress. I will say this much, I am SO proud of him! 

Be sure to check out Smooth Fitness on the web, Facebook and Twitter.

I am participating in a campaign as a Smooth Fitness Ambassador and will be reviewing a treadmill from Smooth Fitness in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts/opinions expressed are always my own.

Add a Tropical Splash to laundry with Purex Natural Elements {Review & Giveaway}

Do you have sensitive skin when it comes to your laundry detergent? Purex offers their Natural Elements hypoallergenic and dye-free formula to help clean and freshen your laundry without irritating your skin.The Tropical Splash fragrance takes your senses on a tropical vacation! This detergent is biodegradable and promotes green cleaning practices. I really like the dirt lift action that helps to brighten whites. We can't walk around in dingy clothing can we?

You can use Purex Natural Elements in any type of washing machine and can always count on a great, low price.

It is available in 50 oz, 75 oz and 100 oz sizes and can be found at retailers nationwide. I have always had luck finding the newer varieties of Purex detergents at most Walmart, Target and Kroger stores.

Now you can try Purex Natural Elements Tropical Splash for yourself. 3 lucky Momfiles readers will each win one coupon good for one FREE bottle! Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end April 6, 2013. Three winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

The Purex brand has provided me with a sample in exchange for a product review. However, all opinions expressed here are my own.

New Dial Kids Body + Hair Wash in Peachy Clean {Review & Giveaway}

The Dial brand has been around for 65 years and has been developing trusted personal care products for clean and healthy skin. New Dial Kids body+hair wash is one of the newest products is made especially for kids ages 2-5. There comes a time when your child is too old for baby soaps, but too young for adults products. This is where Dial kids body wash is perfect. It was developed especially for kids' delicate skin and has no artificial dyes or added parabens, it is tear free, hypoallergenic and Ph balanced.

My son loves the fun and fresh "peachy clean" scent and feels special having his very own bath product. It works so well and leaves behind smooth and moisturized skin. As a mom, I really love the fact that the product is very gentle for my little one.

How would you like to try this fun new product for your little one? Enter below for the chance to win a coupon for one FREE bottle of Dial Kids Body & Hair Wash (3 winners in all)a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on April 3, 2013. Three winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

The Dial brand provided me with a sample of the Dial Kids Body and Hair Wash in exchange for a product review. However, all opinions expressed here are my own.

New Soft Scrub Advanced Surface, a better way to clean premium surfaces (Review & Giveaway)

Do you have premium surfaces in your home like granite, stainless steel, marble or a glass cooktop? If you do, you have to check out the newest cleaning product from Soft Scrub called Advanced Surface. It is a clear gel that is formulated for all of your premium surfaces and is so easy to use.

It has a no-rinse formula that leaves no residue and easily gets rid of grease and grime. I put it to the test in my stainless steel sink and it left nothing but a fresh scent and sparkling shine. All you have to do is apply it with a sponge, cloth or paper towel. Although I don't have granite counter tops or a glass cooktop, it still worked very well on my traditional stove and counters. I really like the fact that if I am crunched for time, I can still have clean surfaces without having to rinse.

How would you like to try out the new Soft Scrub Advanced Surface cleaner? I am giving away a coupon for one FREE bottle to 3 lucky readers. Enter below...
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end on April 1, 2013. Three winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

Soft Scrub provided a free product sample in exchange for a review. My participation is voluntary and my opinions, as always, are my own.

Carmex Healing Cream & Lotion Review {Giveaway}

Although spring is just about here, winter is still hanging around in many parts of the country. I know that our skin will go through an adjustment phase as the seasons change. Carmex skincare products can help with that. Besides the usual Carmex lip care items, they also offer a Healing Cream and Healing Lotion.

I have used both of them in the past and love them! They lotion is light and great for everyday use while the cream is best to use for those extra dry areas. Both of them have that signature Carmex scent and it almost smells a bit like playdough. They are loaded with vitamin E and ultra-concentrated aloe vera to sooth and hydrate skin and never leaves a greasy or heavy feel. I like how thick they are and it works great on even the most sensitive skin. My oldest daughter has a hard time using a lot of lotions, but Carmex Healing Lotion works well for her.

Besides receiving the lotion and cream to test out, Carmex sent me a fun branded hoodie which is perfect for my morning drive to drop the girls off to school!

You can find Carmex lotion and cream at most Walgreens and Walmart stores, as well as many others. Stay connected to Carmex on the web, Facebook and Twitter.

My friends from Carmex are supplying a set of the Healing Lotion and Cream for one lucky Momfiles reader to win! Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end March 29, 2013. Three winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

I am a member of the Carmex Blog Squad and received product samples for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Purex plus Fabric Softener w/ Crystals fragrance Review + Giveaway {3 winners}

How many of you love using fabric softener, but often forget to add it in? Purex plus fabric softener with Crystals fragrance is a great solution to that problem. This laundry detergent has the cleaning power you are used to from Purex, with the added freshness and softness of a fabric softener. Let me tell you, this formula is very potent and leaves your clothes super soft and fresh smelling. My husband came to bed last night in a t-shirt I has washed a couple days ago and it smelled like I just pulled it out of the dryer.

Of course, you can count on Purex to always give you more for your money. As a matter of fact, you can save over $45 a year using Purex with Crystals fragrance.  I also love the fact that you can use it in any type of washers including HE machines. You can find Purex plus fabric softener at Walmart, Target, Kroger and other Purex retailers. Stay connected with Purex on Facebook and Twitter.

Do you want to win a coupon to try Purex plus fabric softener with Crystals fragrance for FREE? Enter below:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Giveaway is open to US Residents only and will end March 27, 2013. Three winners will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Momfiles is not responsible for any lost or stolen prizes. Good luck!

The Purex brand has provided me with a sample in exchange for a product review. However, all opinions expressed here are my own.

Spring clean and turn your clutter into cash!

Did you know the average consumer has $7,000 worth of unused stuff in their home? In fact, according to an annual clothing Resale Report from thredUP, the average family has $1,318 worth of used/outgrown clothing to sell alone. That's a lot of money that can be put towards future goals for your family or even retirement.

Whatever it is you'd like to sell, below is a list of new tech services that make it truly easy to spring clean while turning that clutter into cash. Best part? You don't have to wait for someone else to buy your stuff like you do on Craigslist or eBay. Just pack up those unwanted goods, ship 'em off, and watch the cash roll in.


·  thredUP.com: online consignment to clean out children's closets and turn outgrown clothes into cash. Order a thredUP bag, fill it with kids' clothes and earn up to 40% of the resale value. thredUP consignors inspect every item and resell only the best clothes. http://www.thredup.com

·  EcoATM: an automated, self-serve kiosk that quickly evaluates and buys back used consumer electronics directly from consumers for cash. It's like a magical money robot. Find an EcoATM location near you. http://www.ecoatm.com

·  Chairish.com: sell your home furnishing directly to Chairish. Users simply submit furniture details online, and Chairish takes care of payments while insuring white glove shipping. Chairish's curation team approves every listing to ensure the best furniture quality for buyers. http://www.chairish.com

·  GoldFellow.com: we've all heard of Cash for Gold, but there's another option for your once loved jewelry. Gold fellow will even take broken jewelry! http://www.goldfellow.com/

·  BookScouter.com: type in the ISBN and Book Scouter will search all the sites that are currently paying for used books to give you a quote. It's like having a book broker! http://bookscouter.com/

·  GiftCardGranny.com: gift card exchange that helps you trade in gift cards you aren't planning on using, for cards you will use - or for cash. http://www.giftcardgranny.com/

·  UsedInstrumentBuyer.com: instruments are often pricey to ship, and you probably won't make much selling them on craigslist. UsedInstrumentBuyer gives you a quote upfront and ship it for free. http://usedinstrumentbuyer.com/

·  TheRealReal.com: luxury designer resale - all online. Perfect for the Louis Vuitton bag that needs a new home. http://www.therealreal.com/Events.aspx

·  TaskRabbit.com: want someone to do your spring cleaning for you? TaskRabbit helps you find local people to run your errands– like help you sell heavier stuff such as kitchen appliances or home fitness equipment in the garage on Craigslist. https://www.taskrabbit.com/

·  Secondipity.com: a selling portal perfect for bigger ticket items like TVs. Best part? With every item you sell, they'll make a donation to a classroom in need. http://www.secondipity.com/

**This information was sent to me via email and I thought the resources would be valuable. 

Smooth Fitness 5.65 Treadmill update and folding feature demo #SmoothBlogger

Hi guys! It has been almost a month since we have had our fabulous Smooth Fitness 5.65 treadmill and we have been enjoying the many great benefits from it.  It just so happens that my husband is currently taking a health and wellness college class, so he has been able to offer tips to help maximize our workouts. One thing we did was buy a digital scale. Our eyes got rather big when we saw the numbers that came up. My husband has set a goal of losing roughly 40 pounds. He ideally needs to be under 200 pounds. So far he has cut out most of the sugar in his diet and has started eating very small meals throughout the day. After the first 2 weeks, he is down 6 pounds. I am so proud of how well he is doing and even when tempting foods are around, he either says no or he takes just one bite.

The treadmill itself is one fine piece of equipment. We have it set up downstairs near the girls' bedrooms and unless they walk out of their room, they don't hear if anyone is using it. That was a concern since my husband tends to do his workout early in the morning when everyone is still in bed. It runs very quietly and we love that we can hook up our music device or tablet to the MP3 jack so we can listen to music or watch videos. The girls have been incorporating a 2 mile run 3 times a week since they are so consumed with school-related things. I know that it will come in very handy when Briahnna starts back volleyball conditioning. I am sure she will make much better time on her laps.

I wanted to show you this quick video below that demonstrates how easy it is to fold the treadmill in the event we wanted to move it or store it. Quite honestly, I don't think we will ever need to store it, but we have thought about relocating it in the future. Check it out:

Note: It is not necessary to hold the bottom of the treadmill as it comes down, but I still do because I get scared it might slam down too hard. It doesn't do it but I am just the typical cautious mom. In the next couple weeks I will demonstrate the features located on the dashboard so you can get a better idea of how it works and how user-friendly it is.

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I am participating in a campaign as a Smooth Fitness Ambassador and will be reviewing a treadmill from Smooth Fitness in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts/opinions expressed are always my own.