I was Chosen to Host a 2015 #DisneySide @ Home Celebration

Disclaimer: I will receive free products in order to host a Disney Side @Home Celebration. The opinions expressed here are my own.

It's that time of year again! The 2015 #DisneySide @Home Celebrations are starting to begin! In case you've forgotten what your DisneySide is it's "the fun, adventurous spirit that comes out to play when you're feeling the Disney magic!"

Last month I received notice from MomSelect that they were again partnering with the Disney Parks team to give hundreds the opportunity to host their own @Home Celebrations. As an avid lover of anything Disney and someone who isn't ashamed of showing my #DisneySide I had to apply right away!

The waiting process only lasted a few weeks although to me it felt like forever. I'm glad to report that I have to honor of being chosen to host an @Home Celebration again!

This year they have made many changes. No two boxes are the same and they've added themes. The theme you get is depending on the answers you provided in the survey. The themes include:

• Villains
• Preschool Princess
• Preschool Cars
• Multi-generational
• Mickey and Friends

I was chosen to receive a Mickey and Friends kit. Makaylah absolutely loves everything Disney and is very excited that we have been chosen yet again to host a celebration. Now to sit and wait for my kit to arrive. But while I do wait I shall begin my planning process. Feel free to view my pinterest boards, #DisneySide @Home Celebration and Mickey and Friends . Stay tuned to found out what our kit contains and more sneak peeks of our @Home Celebration!

For more information on show how to show your DisneySide or for tips on planning your own @Home Celebration make sure to visit the official DisneySide Celebrations website!

Disclaimer: I will receive free products in order to host a Disney Side @Home Celebration. The opinions expressed here are my own.

2014 Philadelphia Out Of the Darkness Walk

As many of you many know back in April I signed up for the American Foundation For Suicide Prevention's Out of the Darkness Community Walk and formed Team Manny. Before I talk about the actual walk I'm going to talk about my motivation for joining the walk and creating Team Manny.

This is my big brother Juan Manuel Rodriguez. He was my mother's first born and 5 years older than me. My brother was 31 years old when he passed away. We fought like only siblings could fight but we loved each other like only siblings can love each other. Manny, as I called him, was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Paranoid Schizophrenia Disorder. He battled with these disorders for a really long time. He tried to seek out help and saw doctors for his issues. He was prescribed a bunch of different medications. But the thing about these medications is that when he took them all he did was sleep all day. He told us a few times he "felt like a zombie." He did not like feeling this way so he decided to stop taking his medications. On March 1, 2012 he lost his battle with these disorders and took his own life to end his suffering and what he perceived was the suffering of others. 

He and every person who has lost their lives to mental health issues are my reason for doing the Out of the Darkness Walk and for creating Team Manny. Too many people have these stigmas and stereotypes regarding mental health and suicide and it's time for us as friends, family, and community members come together and shine a light on those suffering with mental health issues so that they know they aren't alone. It's time to stop blaming people for something they cannot control. It's time we learn to lift each other up instead of tearing each other down! 

Left to Right: Miguel, Jose, Jorge, Makaylah, Matilde, Adam, Emneris, Rafael

This is Team Manny, this is my family. I am so grateful for the love and support my team members showed me through this whole event. Many of my team members were unable to attend the event due to other circumstances but were supporting us from a distance.

On Sunday, October 5, 2014 Team Manny joined over 5,000 others at the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum to help spread awareness and keep suicide Out of the Darkness. It was one of the most amazing moments of my life!

This was our first year participating in this event and we raised $375 dollars as a team which was 63% of our goal. Next year we will participate again and hope to raise even more money to help raise awareness and keep suicide Out of the Darkness!

I would like to spend a big thank you to everyone for all the donations, prayers, kind words, and support you all provided through out this entire journey. I truly appreciate each and every one of you!

Arm and Hammer Baking Soda Usos y Consejos #BakingSodaTip

Yo recibi una libra de Arm & Hammer Baking Soda cortesía de Smiley360 para propósitos de prueba todas las opiniones expresadas son mías. 

Utilicé el Arm & Hammer Baking Soda de diferentes maneras alrededor de mi casa . Lo usé para lavar la ropa . Añadí medio de una taza de Arm & Hammer Baking Soda para cada carga y mi ropa salío mas limpio , brillante y suave! También lo usé para ayudar a desodorizar la cama de mi perro y los sofás . Puse 1 cucharadita de Arm & Hammer Baking Soda y 1 cucharada de vinagre blanco en una botella de aerosol , después de que se detiene la formación de espuma agregar 2 tazas de agua y agitar bien , entonces todo lo que tienes que hacer es rociarlo.

El Arm & Hammer Baking Soda es bueno para muchas cosas. Lo utilicé con peróxido para crear una pasta de dientes que dejó los dientes más limpios que las pastas de dientes regulares . También lo usé para mantener con vida ya mis flores .

Me encanta que mi casa y ropa son no solo mas limpio pero huele mucho mejor gracias a Arm & Hammer Baking Soda!

I am a #RaguSauceMaster

I was chosen by Crowdtap to receive a free sample of Ragu Pasta Sauce and share it with family and friends. All opions expressed are purely my own.

First step in this adventure was figuring out what I was going to make for my family. I wanted to try making something I've never done before so I decided on making crock pot lasagna.

I used my coupon at Target and decided to get the Meat flavored sauce.

I gathered all the ingredients I would need for this dish: Ground beef, lasagna noodles, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, and of course my ragu sauce!

I'm not really a follower of recipies so I can't tell for certain the amount of everything that I put in but I can give you an approximate amount.

First I browned approximately 1 lb of  meat in a skillet and then drained it. Once the meat was done I took 1 cup of of the sauce, spread it at the bottom of the crock pot, and added the rest of the jar of sauce to the meat. Then I placed 2 uncooked noodles on top of the sauce, spooned on some meat, added 1 cup of ricotta cheese, and finally 3/4 cups of mozzarella cheese. I then repeated these steps 2 more times.

I I cooked it on HIGH for 3 hours and viola here is the final result...

The dish was a big hit! Everyone loved it even my 3 year old ate up every single bite on her plate and she's the pickiest eater I know! 

Fit Girl's Guide: The 28 Day Jumpstart Challenge

My coworker, Jessica, and I have decided to motivate and held each other get fit by completing a 28 day challenge created by The Fit Girl's. I think this will be great for me to have someone who will help keep me accountable. The Challenge eBook can be purchased on their website. The eBook includes: Full Eating Plan, Full Exercise Plan, and Many more tips and tricks for jump-starting your journey to fit.

The Fit Girls break everything down step by step. The eBook offers so much more than just a do this, do that attitude. One of the first things they tell you is to "Craft your goals and then Craft your goals." What they mean is first you must figure out what your goals are and then you must create a reminder to yourself of what those goals are. They encourage you to remain positive about yourself, so no negative goals.

After I wrote down my goals it was time to "Craft my goals." The Fit Girls suggest cutting a heart out of a piece of paper, writing down your goals, and taping it somewhere you'll see it every day to remind you of what you are working towards.

I am super excited to start time challenge with my coworker! I will keep you all up to date with my progress.

A Test of my Strength

Nothing sucks more than stepping on the scale after over a month of starting a new workout challenge and seeing the number on the scale has actually gone up! This whole weight loss journey is really testing me. There have been so many times when I've wanted to give up. Today was one of those times....

I'm at a loss as to why my scale just keeps climbing but I will not give up. I shall not be defeated by this! I'm determined to become a better and healthier me not only for myself but for my little girl!!!

Stay tuned I hope to return with better news soon!

Weekly Positives and Goals for June 8th

So I've decided to start something new. In one of my workout groups on facebook for our Sunday rest day we are to focus on the positives from the week before and our goals for our current week. I have decided to turn it into a weekly post to share with you guys. This week we are starting a new 8 week weights routine that I will do along with my walking/jogging routine that I've been doing with my boyfriend Adam. I hope I continue to see results!

Last week's positives:

• I went for a walk/jog 5 out of 7 days last week.
• I walked/jogged at least 3 miles every time.
• I drank water, instead of soda or juice, with all my meals.
• I did not do any late night eating or snacking.

This week's goals:

• Go for a walk/jog every day
• Walk/jog at least 1 mile every time.
• Do 10,000 steps a day.
• Complete every workout of my weights routine.
• Drink at least 100 oz of water a day.
• No treat meal until Sunday.

I will check back with you all next week and let you know how I did. Wish me luck!